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Shareholder activism increased significantly in 2025, and this trend is likely to continue throughout 2026. Much of this rise is being driven by improved investor access to information and the development of stronger tools that enable shareholders to influence companies, particularly when performance is weak. At the same time, activism has broadened beyond financial returns to encompass environmental, social and governance concerns, with institutional and some retail investors demanding greater accountability and long term value creation.

In response to this changing landscape, activism defence has also continued to evolve. It has shifted from reactive measures to a more proactive approach centred on early engagement, negotiation and the pursuit of constructive settlement. Companies now monitor shareholder sentiment and organisational vulnerabilities on an ongoing basis, seeking to address concerns before activists escalate their campaigns.

Looking ahead, developments in key areas such as artificial intelligence will be particularly influential. Industry changes, geopolitical events and other emerging issues will also continue to shape shareholder activism and activism defence alike.

Against this backdrop, Financier Worldwide turns to some of the leading lights in their field, who share their stories…

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