Activist Bramson Steps Up Push for Barclays Board Seat
05 Febbraio 2019 - 6:02PM
Dow Jones News
By Margot Patrick
Activist Sherborne Investors has stepped up its campaign for a
sweeping strategy shift at Barclays PLC, applying for a place on
the bank's board for Sherborne Chief Executive Edward Bramson.
Sherborne said it submitted a resolution for Mr. Bramson's
potential appointment which will be put to a vote at an annual
shareholder meeting May 2. The move is likely to trigger a proxy
fight between Mr. Bramson and Barclays' management and board of
directors, who are expected to recommend shareholders vote down the
resolution.
After Barclays previously rejected a request by Mr. Bramson to
join the board with its blessing, Sherborne said it might put the
matter to shareholders. Sherborne's approximately 5.5% stake in
Barclays gives it the right under U.K. corporate law to propose
resolutions such as appointing or removing board directors. For Mr.
Bramson to join the board, more than half of voting shareholders
would have to approve the resolution.
A Barclays spokesman wasn't immediately available to
comment.
Since disclosing a stake in Barclays in March 2018, Sherborne
has lobbied the bank's board to consider a strategic shift and
shrink its markets business and investment banking. In a December
letter to shareholders in a London-listed Sherborne fund, Mr.
Bramson said Barclays has "legacy strategic weaknesses" in its
corporate and investment banking arm, and said the bank's current
capital structure makes it too risky.
In that letter, Mr. Bramson said he'd asked the board in
September to appoint him as a director, but was turned down.
Sherborne didn't elaborate on its reasons Tuesday for submitting
the application for Mr. Bramson to join the board. A Barclays
spokesman wasn't immediately available to comment.
Barclays Chief Executive Jes Staley so far has dismissed Mr.
Bramson's overtures as unnecessary. In October, Mr. Staley said it
wasn't the right time to consider undertaking a fresh
restructuring. Barclays has already exited some investment banking
activities and portfolios in a yearslong effort to improve
returns.
Mr. Bramson's aim, according to people familiar with the matter,
is to "reform" Barclays in the style of Swiss competitors UBS Group
AG and Credit Suisse Group AG, which narrowed their investment
banking operations to focus on more stable businesses. Through his
Sherborne business, Mr. Bramson has previously overseen successful
board shakeups and strategic changes at U.K. investment companies
F&C Asset Management PLC and Electra Private Equity PLC.
Write to Margot Patrick at margot.patrick@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 05, 2019 11:47 ET (16:47 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Grafico Azioni Sherborne Investors (gue... (LSE:SIGB)
Storico
Da Mar 2024 a Apr 2024
Grafico Azioni Sherborne Investors (gue... (LSE:SIGB)
Storico
Da Apr 2023 a Apr 2024