Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has published the changes to its global benchmark voting guidelines (its proxy voting guidelines) for 2026, along with an executive summary of the changes to all of its global guidelines.
For UK remuneration, a significant change to note relates to "good leaver treatment" – where companies treat leavers as “good leavers” for the purposes of exit payments, this treatment should only be extended to genuine good leavers. The change requires companies to provide a rationale and justification for their treatment of leavers.
The updated guidelines will apply to voting at shareholder meetings taking place on or after 1 February 2026.
Key contacts
Paul Ellerman
Partner, London
Mark Ife
Partner, London
Niall Crean
Of Counsel, London
Chris White
Senior Associate, London
Alexandra Bunge
Associate (New Zealand), London
Alanna Gardella
Associate, London
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