RiskMetrics Group is seeking input from its institutional clients on proxy voting policies for the coming year.

The firm said that its policy formulation process will include more outreach to investment industry groups and to the global corporate issuer community. The process includes a broad-based global survey, issue and market-specific roundtables and an open comment period. RiskMetrics then formulates its proxy voting policies to reflect the collective thinking of its institutional investor clients, along with its own knowledge and expertise.

The survey period is open through July 31 and will be followed by an open comment period in October after RiskMetrics publishes its draft policies.

“Corporate governance practices are being more closely scrutinized by investors in today’s market climate,” said Dr. Martha Carter, head of RiskMetrics’ global governance research team. “Transparency around those practices has never been more important. Engaging with a wider, more geographically diverse set of industry constituents during our policy formulation process will help us address the critical new issues our clients are facing.”

IE