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When Pay Attracts Activists
After decades advising boards through shareholder scrutiny, compensation redesigns, and activist pressure, Farient Advisors COO R.J. Bannister has learned that credibility is built long before a proxy fight begins. In a market where investors demand tighter alignment between pay, performance, and strategy—and where activists are increasingly sophisticated—Bannister argues that compensation…
Read More > 03.11.2026
Briefs
Atkins Puts Executive Pay Disclosure Squarely in Governance Crosshairs
As boards prepare for a new proxy season, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins is making clear that executive compensation disclosure—long a flashpoint for directors and investors alike—sit at the center of his regulatory agenda. In recent speeches, including remarks delivered February 17, 2026, at a corporate law…
Read More > 02.23.2026
Briefs
Why Carried Interest Is Becoming a Powerful Retention Tool for Public Asset Managers
Carried interest is increasingly viewed as a critical executive compensation tool because of its ability to create long-term “holding power” for top executives and other key talent. As competition for high-performing investment professionals intensifies, public asset managers are adopting compensation structures that more closely resemble those of the private markets.
Read More > 02.23.2026
Briefs
The Magic of Disney
When The Walt Disney Company hands the keys to its kingdom to Josh W. D’Amaro next month, it signals a subtle but telling shift in how it pays for leadership. Outgoing chief executive Robert A. Iger, one of corporate America’s most highly compensated and closely watched CEOs, exits with a…
Read More > 02.12.2026
Briefs
The ‘Boomerang CEO’ Phenomenon: Why Boards Bring Leaders Back
The term “boomerang CEO” refers to a chief executive who leaves a company—through retirement, succession, or board transition—only to be rehired later to reassume the top role. While often perceived as unusual, the practice has recurred across major public companies, particularly during periods of operational stress or leadership breakdowns. Boards…
Read More > 02.12.2026
Briefs
Resurrecting History: ISS Lengthens ‘Look-backs’ for P4P Tests
In December 2025, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) announced changes to its quantitative tests used to assess CEO pay for performance. Three tests, Relative Degree of Alignment (RDA), Multiple of Median (MOM), and Financial Performance Assessment (FPA), will now use longer time horizons for shareholder meetings starting February 2026. These changes…
Read More > 01.27.2026
Briefs
Proxy Advisors Face Heat from Executive Order, AI Adoption
The proxy-voting ecosystem is entering an unprecedented period of disruption. A Trump administration executive order, JPMorgan’s artificially intelligent voting, and sweeping policy changes from ISS and Glass Lewis are reshaping governance norms. In short, boards and management can expect tighter regulatory oversight, diminished influence of traditional proxy advisors, and a…
Read More > 01.27.2026
Briefs
The Dawn of AI’s Impact on Comp Committees
Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming business models—it’s reshaping the way boards think about executive pay. While no regulations currently mandate linking compensation to AI oversight, the technology’s strategic weight is undeniable. Companies across industries are racing to harness AI, and compensation committees—once focused narrowly on pay and performance—now face an…
Read More > 01.13.2026
Briefs
How This Year’s Top Governance Stories Will Impact Board Work in 2026
As the curtain falls on 2025, boards and executives find themselves at a crossroads—where the lessons of a turbulent year become the compass for tomorrow’s governance. From record-breaking CEO pay and the recalibration of DEI priorities to the disruptive ascent of AI in talent management, this year’s headlines have (again)…
Read More > 12.16.2025
Briefs
Farient Analysis: ISS Targets Executive and Director Compensation in U.S. Policy Changes
Executive compensation is in the crosshairs of ISS. According to the proxy advisor’s newly published 2026 policy updates for the U.S. market, there are several notable changes that compensation committees and their professional advisors should review carefully. ISS’ compensation-related policy changes are: Long-term alignment in pay for performance (P4P) evaluation:…
Read More > 12.02.2025
Briefs
The Tightrope of Incentive Plan Adjustments
You are sitting in the boardroom, and incentive payout decisions are on the agenda after an unpredictable year. What can be attributed to management decisions, and what was totally beyond anyone’s control? Did management strategically help the long-term health of the company, and knowingly sacrifice some short-term performance? Myriad circumstances…
Read More > 11.06.2025
Briefs
How Companies Can Leverage Proxy Advisors
Proxy advisor influence remains steadfast. Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis (GL) shape the voting decisions of institutional investors and influence how boards and companies operate. Understanding how to engage and harness the power of proxy advisors can provide insight and certainty for both company management and their boards.
Read More > 10.22.2025
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