Ian Robertson

DPhil in Continuing Education

Thesis

A multi-jurisdictional study of proxy voting by retail investors, with specific reference to their interest in Responsible Investing

Research abstract

Responsible Investment – the incorporation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors into the selection of stock and the voting of proxies – is increasingly incorporated into institutional investors’ mandates.  Retail investors have the same opportunity to vote their proxies, but their participation rate is far lower. 

This study will analyze retail investors’ interest in Responsible Investment and their proxy voting practices.  It will compare results across multiple countries, categorized by their civil or common law heritage, and will further compare results amongst investment channels: discount brokerage, full service brokerage, and portfolio managed accounts. 

Supervisor(s)

Professor Jonathan Michie, Professor of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

Professor Gordon Clark, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment

Biography

Ian has completed his CFA designation, as well as his Responsible Investment Advisor Certification which is focused on the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment management.

He is a past president of CFA Society of Vancouver, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Alumni Association, and the (Royal) Lifesaving Society (BC & Yukon Branch).  He currently serves on UBC's foundation board and as chair of the university's athletics alumni committee, and on the Responsible Investment Association (Canada)'s board.

Ian holds graduate degrees from Carleton and Dalhousie Universities and undergraduate degrees from UBC.

Publications

Ian is a current book reviewer for CFA Institute.  Reviews are published on-line and occasionally in the Financial Analysts Journal.

Research interests

Responsible Investment

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues

Proxy Voting