Governance structures and shareholder rights vary widely in different European markets according to law, regulation and cultural traditions. Pursuing a consistent proxy voting or corporate governance programme across markets therefore can be challenging for global investors.

The European Corporate Governance Service helps institutional investors with pan-European and global asset portfolios to understand the regulatory diversity in Europe by providing corporate governance research and proxy voting advice based on local market expertise.

ECGS' mission is to provide fully independent corporate governance research to institutional investors and to improve governance standards amongst companies in Europe. ECGS provides harmonised research and advice that reflects local circumstances. All research is undertaken by experts with in-depth knowledge of the local norms and conditions.

ECGS recognizes that a 'one size fits all' approach is inappropriate but that institutional investors support common international standards. Our voting advice assesses companies against accepted international standards of best practice such as OECD, ICGN and EU recommendations. The ECGS partnership model is unique in balancing local best practice with international standards based on an assessment by the local market expert in light of our pan-European ECGS Principles for listed companies.

For more information read our brochure.