Based on the November 2026 GuerdonNews®, we explore executive remuneration through the lenses of proxy policy update, proxy voting policy survey results, EPS outlook, and remuneration strike action plan.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Christoph Walser has been appointed as Managing Director of the GECN Group, bringing over 20 years of executive operational leadership across retail, consumer goods, and professional services following his collaboration through GECN's AI Centre of Excellence.
• The 2026 ISS Global Survey indicates that 50.9% of APAC investor respondents favour holding both directors and audit firms accountable when severe audit sanctions occur, while global investors prioritize formulaic transparency and pay-for-performance rationale across discretionary and hybrid incentive frameworks.
• Effective September 2027, Glass Lewis will replace its single benchmark policy with four distinct research perspectives—Business Fundamentals, Foundational Governance, Global Stewardship, and Sustainability Focused—requiring boards to map executive pay and governance practices against their specific investor base expectations.
• Although average forecast 3-year EPS CAGR for ASX 100 companies decreased from 16.7% to 14.2%, 67% of sampled companies maintained their FY27 LTI targets unchanged from FY26, creating potential friction with shareholders and proxy advisers comparing targets against analyst consensus.
• When facing a remuneration strike threat or vote, boards should systematically triage whether pushback stems from disclosure ambiguity or core structural flaws, preserving strategically sound pay models while actively engaging key institutional investors during the off-season.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

• GECN Group appoints Dr Christoph Walser as Managing Director
• Perspectives on Global Investor Voting Priorities
• Upcoming Glass Lewis changes will split 2027 AGM recommendations
• Tempered EPS Growth Outlook, Unchanged LTI Targets
• Got, or getting, a Remuneration Strike? Don’t Panic.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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In this episode of the Guerdon Associates podcast, we explore executive compensation through the lenses of pay standardisation, risk-alignment regulations, dividend-growth incentive trade-offs, and evolving global governance trends.

Key Takeaways

• The growing standardisation of executive pay structures prevents companies from tailoring incentives to their distinct needs and is directly associated with lower firm value and weaker shareholder returns.
• While Australia has enacted some of the world’s most stringent risk-alignment rules for variable pay, these increasingly onerous requirements risk creating a culture of fear that drives companies to replace performance pay with higher fixed remuneration.
• Analysis of the ASX 100 reveals an inverse relationship between high dividend yields and long-term growth hurdles, showing that boards must carefully align executive incentive metrics with their broader capital allocation strategy to avoid conflicting signals.
• Global executive pay governance is shifting away from rigid, prescriptive disclosures toward greater design flexibility and scrutiny of realised outcomes, driven by direct shareholder engagement and AI-enabled stewardship rather than standardised proxy advisor recommendations

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

• Executive remuneration frameworks converge
• High dividends, low growth? Inside the LTI strategies of the ASX 100
• Risk and Pay: Is Australia Setting the Gold Standard or Going Overboard?
• Our GECN Group Research Report on Global Executive Pay Governance Trends

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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Based on the October 2026 GuerdonNews®, this episode explores ASX Corporate Governance Principles, AI-driven corporate reporting readability, global and UK executive pay governance trends, and share-based compensation across the ASX 300.

Key Takeaways

• Guerdon Associates opposes the proposed Corporate Governance Principle 8 changes, advocating instead for pay directly linked to performance and equity mechanisms for both directors and executives.
• Companies must adopt clean document structures, standard terms, and more so AI tools can accurately extract and comprehend remuneration disclosures.
• Global pay governance is shifting away from formulaic disclosures toward realised pay, risk-aligned compensation, and AI-enabled shareholder stewardship.
• Proposed UK reporting overhauls seek to reduce corporate burden by removing the annual advisory pay vote and simplifying CEO-employee pay ratio disclosures.
• Equity represents a median 3.3% of employee pay across the ASX 300, with loss-making and tech sector firms relying on it most heavily to conserve cash.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

• Are your disclosures AI-ready? How to format corporate reports for the machine era
• Analysing Share-based Compensation across the ASX 300
• The end of the annual pay vote? The UK’s proposed reporting overhaul
• Guerdon Associates’ Response to the ASX 5th Edition Draft Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations
• Our GECN Group Research Report on Global Executive Pay Governance Trends

Hit Follow so you don't miss the next episode.

Visit our website at guerdonassociates.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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In this episode of the Guerdon Associates podcast, we explore non-executive director tenure, board composition metrics, updated ACSI guidelines on AI, director remuneration trends, and revised proxy voting policies.

Key Takeaways

• Most ASX 300 non-executive directors step down within nine years of service to preserve their board independence and maximise company value.
• The ASX Corporate Governance Council abandoned its proposed 5th edition governance principles following widespread pushback against overly prescriptive regulations and expanded board diversity disclosure requirements.
• While ASX board remuneration, director shareholdings, and large-company independence continue to rise, gender diversity in top leadership positions remains stagnant and governance gaps persist in smaller firms.
• The 2026 12th edition of the ACSI Governance Guidelines introduces updated expectations for ASX-listed companies, focusing on AI governance, board succession planning, streamlined executive remuneration disclosure, and sustainability reporting.
• In FY2025, 45% of ASX100 companies increased board fees, delivering a median pay rise of roughly 4% for both chairs and non-executive directors.
• State Street and Vanguard’s updated 2026 proxy voting policies shift toward a performance-first approach by dialling back explicit ESG and DEI requirements while granting greater board autonomy.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

• What proportion of NEDs resign before their independence is compromised?
• The Good News? ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Draft Principles And Recommendations Rejected
• Ownership Matters’ FY24 study on board composition, pay, and director shareholding
• Updated ACSI Governance Guidelines 2026
• Board Director Fee Changes
• State Street and Vanguard Voting Policies updated

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Visit our website at guerdonassociates.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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Based on the September 2026 GuerdonNews®, this episode explores Glass Lewis’ updated benchmark policy for Australia, AI-driven AGM preparation strategies, regulatory advice on consulting conflicts, KMP loan structures, and 2026 CEO turnover trends.

Key Takeaways

· Glass Lewis replaced qualitative ratings with a 0-to-100 Pay-for-Performance quantitative scorecard for ASX 300 CEO remuneration.

· Boards should be prepared for questions at their AGM on the level and structure of executive remuneration, particularly where pay outcomes appear disconnected from company performance.

· Conflicts exist when audit firms give board pay advice while selling higher-fee services to management, warranting stricter rules.

· KMP loans appear in 12% of ASX 100 firms with loan-funded share plans remaining a rare alignment tool.

· ASX 200 CEO appointments surged 27% in H1 2026, with women filling 43% of new roles.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

· Glass Lewis’ 2026 Benchmark Policy Guidelines – are your CEOs exposed?

· 2026 AGM Board Checklist – is your Board ready?

· Foxes guarding the henhouse?

· Market Practice in the ASX100 for loans to KMPs

· ASX records 27% increase in CEO appointments

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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In this episode of the Guerdon Associates podcast, we explore ASX 300 shareholder voting patterns, post-strike performance, pre- and post-AGM board strategies, director election trends, and regulatory and technological shifts in proxy advisory practices.

Key Takeaways

· Voting outcomes on remuneration reports correlate with a company's one-year total shareholder return and return on equity.

· Companies receiving a remuneration strike are statistically more likely to underperform the broader market over the 12 months starting from the date of the AGM.

· Transparent disclosures explaining executive pay and governance decisions may decrease challenging shareholder queries at the AGM.

· Recurring proxy advisor recommendations against director elections correlate with overboarding, poor board diversity, and independence concerns.

· Corporate governance disclosures could be formatted for AI readability as institutional investors transition toward automated screening systems.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

· Strikes recede while severity increases

· AGM preparation checklist

· Proxy advisor influence to decline?

· High Executive Pay “no” Votes: A 10 point post AGM checklist

· Can investing after a rem report vote strike deliver excess returns?

· Are director elections getting easier?

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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Based on the August 2026 GuerdonNews®, this episode explores AI proxy advice, ASX corporate governance updates, nuanced CEO pay trends, IPO remuneration barriers, and startup tax reform.

Key Takeaways

· Glass Lewis asserts that AI will enhance, rather than replace, human judgment in proxy advice provided it relies on verifiable, investor-grade data.

· The ASX Advisory Group on Corporate Governance has commenced an eight-week public consultation on the proposed fifth edition of its Principles and Recommendations.

· Contrary to narratives of systemic upward drift in executive incentives, domestic ASX 100 incentive structures have remained stable, with inflation primarily driven by foreign-domiciled executives.

· While ASX 100 CEOs achieved record median realised pay, long-term analysis reveals that average worker earnings are outpacing CEO fixed pay growth.

· Rigid Australian compliance requirements and inflexible executive remuneration frameworks are contributing to declining local IPO rates by driving companies toward more accommodating overseas exchanges.

· Guerdon Associates submits to the Treasury that the CGT start-up concession should remain accessible to all eligible start-ups and their founders to facilitate broader employee ownership.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

· Do not fret, Glass Lewis says AI will not be replacing your proxy adviser

· ACSI releases annual review of ASX 200 CEO pay

· CEO Incentive Escalation inflation?

· ASX Advisory Group on Corporate Governance – July Meeting

· Are rigid remuneration frameworks driving Australian companies to overseas exchanges?

· Smarter tax reform can unlock deeper employee ownership

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

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In this episode of the Guerdon Associates podcast, we explore how behavioural science shapes executive incentive plans, the limitations of using AI for remuneration data, and adjusting frameworks during falling markets.

Key Takeaways

• Effective incentive plans require clear, achievable goals with trackable progress and meaningful rewards to drive executive focus.

• Executives often discount the perceived value of long-term incentives due to time delays and performance risks, which alters their behavioural responses.

• While AI can quickly extract remuneration data, it requires human review to correct potential biases, hallucinations, and contextual errors.

• Boards navigating falling markets should adapt by relying on relative total shareholder return, widening performance ranges, and shifting focus to capital efficiency measures.

Original Guerdon Associates Articles

· Requirements for building an effective incentive plan

· What will improve Long-Term Incentives?

· Can boards rely on AI remuneration advice?

· Executive incentives in a falling market

Hit Follow so you don't miss the next episode.

Visit our website at guerdonassociates.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is generated by third-party AI based on Guerdon Associates research and articles. The AI draws on Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI generated commentary utilising material prepared by Guerdon Associates. While Guerdon Associates humans curate the podcasts, the firm makes no warrant regarding the AI's interpretation, opinions, or accuracy. This audio does not constitute professional advice. To read our original, human-authored research and articles on which the podcast is based, or to learn about our remuneration advisory services, please visit guerdonassociates.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.