Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II)
Verition UK is required by Rule 2.2B.5R of COBS to develop and publicly disclose its shareholder engagement policy; alternatively, it must provide a clear and reasoned explanation of why it has chosen not to adopt such a policy.
Verition UK has considered carefully whether it wishes to adopt an engagement policy and to make the disclosures described above and has, for the time being, decided not to do so. Verition UK is a sub-advisor within the broader structure of the Verition group, and manages assets in accordance with a multi-strategy investment approach that involves a wide variety of assets and timeframes. Where Verition UK investment strategies include investing in shares, in accordance with Verition group policy, Verition UK does not vote proxies. Upon the exceptional specific request of an individual portfolio manager, Verition may consider granting permission to vote proxies, if it determines that the vote is in the best interest of investors.
Therefore, while Verition UK supports the general principles of shareholder engagement, it does not at this time (for the reasons set out above) consider it appropriate to adopt an engagement policy or make the relevant public disclosures. Verition UK will keep its position under review and will update this section of its website accordingly, if there is a change in its approach.