Opening remarks from Ira M. Millstein presented at the Millstein Center’s March 1, 2019 conference, Corporate Governance “Counter-narratives”: On Corporate Purpose and Shareholder Value(s).
While I wish I could personally be with all of you today, I am pleased that so many of you are here to discuss this very important topic.
Today we live, and work, in a very complex and constantly evolving capital market system filled with uncertainty―political uncertainty and economic uncertainty. This means that corporations need to be able to evolve with the changing times.
The corporation has three legs―management, the board of directors and shareholders. Management’s role has been vital from the beginning as the engine of corporate performance, at one time in control. Boards, once passive, are now embracing a more active role in oversight and planning. Over the past decade, a coalescence of economic power has reinvigorated shareholders to become actively involved. Once faceless, groupings of shareholders of different varieties now have more significant concentrated power, particularly the ability and inclination to wield considerable influence over the corporation through its directors.
Today’s reality is that shareholders play a critical role in the longevity of a company. They are the capital on which the corporation thrives. Corporations cannot turn a blind eye to shareholders or their demands for faster and visible so-called shareholder value. Continue reading Corporate Governance “Counter-Narratives”: Remarks by Ira M. Millstein