Aviva chair warns shareholders against repeat of sexism at AGM
Aviva’s chairman has warned that he will not tolerate disrespectful behaviour from shareholders at its upcoming annual meeting, as the insurer tries avoid a repeat of last year’s event when misogynistic comments were targeted at its chief executive.
George Culmer has cautioned investors that “unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated” at next month’s meeting after sexist comments were made towards Amanda Blanc last May.
It is the first such notice aimed at Aviva shareholders ahead of the insurer’s annual meeting, which last year fell into controversy when several small shareholders at the London meeting took aim at Blanc – who took the helm at Aviva in July 2020 – saying she was “not the man for the job” and should be “wearing trousers”.
Culmer was the first to hit back, tellings offending shareholders at the time that he was “flabbergasted” at the “simply inappropriate” comments, and that they should not be repeated at any future AGM.
To avoid any doubt, Culmer has issued a fresh warning in Aviva’s latest AGM notice, saying that – while Aviva was committed to “open and constructive dialogue” with investors — he expected courtesy and respect from attendees travelling to Norwich for the 4 May event.
“We are committed to an open and constructive dialogue with you, our shareholders, and we see the AGM as an important forum to listen to your views and answer your questions. I’d like to encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity,” Culmer said in his letter to shareholders.
“We also believe it is important that those attending the AGM behave with courtesy and with respect for others, and therefore unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated at the meeting.”
The AGM notice did not detail what might be considered a
Read more on theguardian.com
