Investment Association Issues Guidance On Virtual AGMs

Why should I read this?

On 6 October 2026, the Investment Association (IA) published updated guidance “Virtually enabled shareholder meetings”. It sets out the safeguards the IA expects where a listed company's AGM or general meeting has a virtual element. It follows the government's consultation on modernising corporate reporting, which proposes clarifying that a "place" for AGM purposes can include a virtual location, enabling fully virtual AGMs. The guidance will apply to AGMs of companies with year ends on or after 30 September 2026 and its principles extend, where applicable, to other shareholder meetings. 

Key points

The AGM as an accountability mechanism

IA members regard AGMs as the ultimate means for shareholders to hold the board to account. They provide a forum for transparency, accountability and direct engagement with the board, individual directors and other shareholders that other channels cannot fully replicate. Institutional investors, while not routine