Computershare and Proxymity Launch Digital Proxy Voting in New Zealand

Rhea-AI Summary

Computershare and Proxymity have launched a groundbreaking direct digital connection for proxy voting in New Zealand, with Citi and J.P. Morgan as initial custodians. This partnership shifts from traditional paper-based methods to real-time online communications, allowing issuers to send meeting announcements and votes instantly. The new system enables investors an additional 6 days on average to research votes and confirms receipt of their votes post-meeting. This initiative promotes transparency and aligns with global regulatory trends, enhancing ESG focus.

Positive

• Launch of direct digital proxy voting connection enhances speed and accuracy in communications.
• Investors gain an additional 6 days to research and vote, improving engagement.
• Real-time updates and post-meeting vote confirmation increase transparency.

Negative

• None.

LONDON and WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Proxymity, the leading digital investor communication platform, and Computershare (ASX: CPU), a global market leader in financial and governance services, today announced that they have launched the first direct digital "issuer to investor" connection in New Zealand, with Citi and J.P. Morgan being the first custodians to adopt the new connection.

The Computershare and Proxymity collaboration represents a key milestone in transforming a market used to operating by paper-based proxy voting, with meeting announcements, agendas, and votes traditionally sent by post or fax.

As the industry moves towards real-time online investor communications, Computershare clients can now use Proxymity's digital-native platform to deliver electronic meeting announcements, agendas, and documents instantly and accurately. Investors and intermediaries receive these as "golden source" directly from the issuer, which removes human error and provides transmission as originally intended.

The enhanced speed of communication adds an additional 6 days on average for investors to research their vote and enables voting right up to the meeting deadline. This leaves ample time for issuers and investors to communicate productively in advance of the meeting itself, supporting better outcomes through timely engagement. The digital connection also provides real-time status updates and transparency, including post-meeting vote confirmation, representing another first for the market.

"With Computershare's connection to Proxymity live and ready for the 2022 season, we are excited to be offering the benefits of digital-first voting to our New Zealand clients," said Stuart Jury, Managing Director of Computershare New Zealand. "We expect the speed, accuracy and flexibility provided by this platform to be game-changing for issuers and their shareholders in the months and years to come."

The connection between Computershare and Proxymity also provides unprecedented transparency, aligned with global regulatory trends and the growing focus on ESG, as it allows issuers to see voting information in real-time, and provides auditable confirmation for shareholders that their votes were received at the meeting.

The launch will be supported by Proxymity's new customer APAC hub in Melbourne, also known for being Computershare's original home. Working in collaboration with local and global partners, including the region's top custodians, Proxymity's commitment to APAC ensures both a local presence and excellent service and support for our in-region customers.

Jonathan Smalley, Co-Founder and COO of Proxymity said: "Over the past few years Proxymity and Computershare have partnered across the globe, and we're delighted to be able to collaborate in New Zealand, one of their core markets. This launch highlights the positive transformations that digital connections are bringing to the industry, and we look forward to showing the immediate and direct benefits for issuers and investors throughout this upcoming season."

About Computershare Limited (CPU)

Computershare (ASX: CPU) is a global market leader in transfer agency and share registration, employee equity plans, mortgage servicing, proxy solicitation and stakeholder communications. We also specialize in corporate trust, bankruptcy, class action and utility administration, and a range of other diversified financial and governance services.

Founded in 1978, Computershare is renowned for its expertise in high integrity data management, high volume transaction processing and reconciliations, payments, and stakeholder engagement. Many of the world's leading organizations use us to streamline and maximize the value of relationships with their investors, employees, creditors, and customers.

Computershare is represented in all major financial markets and has over 14,000 employees worldwide.

For more information, visit www.computershare.com

About Proxymity

Proxymity's pioneering investor communications platform connects issuers, intermediaries, and investors in real-time via its unique digital pathway, bringing efficiency, accuracy, and transparency to every participant in the global custody chain.

Our solutions give public companies confidence that their AGM/EGM agendas are transmitted as "golden source" and provide institutional investors with the time they need to research and vote on corporate decisions, as well as actual digital confirmation that their votes have been received.

Proxymity promotes enhanced environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) by improving communication between issuers and investors and making it easier for intermediaries to be efficient, timely and compliant when servicing their clients.

The company is backed by a global consortium of the industry's most influential financial institutions (BNY Mellon, Citi, Clearstream, Computershare, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, State Street).

For more information, visit www.proxymity.io 

Contact:

Kobi Omenka
k.omenaka@proxymity.io

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SOURCE Proxymity

FAQ

What is the significance of the Computershare and Proxymity launch in New Zealand?

The launch introduces the first direct digital proxy voting connection, transforming traditional voting processes and enhancing communication between issuers and investors.

How does the new digital proxy voting connection benefit investors?

Investors receive an additional 6 days to research their votes and get real-time updates, improving their engagement and decision-making.

Which custodians are the first to adopt the digital proxy voting system?

Citi and J.P. Morgan are the first custodians to adopt the new digital proxy voting connection launched by Computershare and Proxymity.

What does this launch mean for the future of proxy voting in New Zealand?

The launch signifies a shift towards digital-first voting, indicating a movement away from paper-based voting and enhancing transparency and engagement.

How does the new system align with global regulatory trends?

The digital connection provides real-time voting information and auditable confirmation, aligning with increased regulatory focus on transparency and ESG.