Proxy voting is a powerful tool for investors, and we vote proxies on our clients’ behalf in a manner that we believe maximizes the economic value of their holdings. Importantly, we do not automatically vote proxies either with management or in accordance with the recommendations of third-party proxy providers. We vote according to our own Global proxy voting guidelines. While these guidelines set forth general guidance for voting proxies, we evaluate each proposal on its merits.
Our Global Proxy Voting Guidelines are available on our public website: https://www.wellington.com/en/global-proxy-policy-and-voting-guidelines
The Investment Stewardship Committee oversees all activities related to proxy voting and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in the management of client portfolios, and the ESG Research Team reports to the Investment Stewardship Committee quarterly regarding the firm’s proxy voting activities. The committee includes senior-level and experienced professionals from portfolio management, investment research, relationship management, and legal and compliance globally.