U.S. proxy solicitor Okapi forms alliance with Investor Update Ltd to expand abroad

Corbion NV

07/09/2023 12:00

NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Okapi Partners, which
counsels on proxy fights and mergers and acquisitions, is
joining forces with UK-headquartered shareholder intelligence
firm Investor Update Ltd to expand  abroad, tapping a surge in
shareholder activism campaigns in Europe.
    New York-based Okapi said it hired Tony Quinn, who headed
Investor Update's proxy solicitation team in London, as a senior
managing director, as the two firms forge a strategic
partnership. 
    Patrick McHugh, Okapi's co-founder, will lead the expansion
and Alexandra Higgins, a managing director, will move to London
to head the governance consulting practice there.
    "Our partnership with Investor Update is indicative of our
strong commitment to assist corporations and investors around
the globe," said Okapi chief executive Bruce Goldfarb. 
    The firm, founded in 2008, works with corporations and
investors, including hedge funds and mutual funds, and the
expansion is expected to also help it work more effectively in
Asia, Goldfarb said.
    During the first half of 2023, 41 campaigns were launched in
Europe, marking a 41% rise from a year earlier, with Elliott
Investment Management taking on Vantage Towers  VTWRn.H  in
Germany, ValueAct making an investment in Swedish company
Spotify  SPOT.N , Inclusive Capital Partners taking a stake in
Dutch food and biochemicals company Corbion N.V.  CORB.AS  and
Ancora pushing for changes in British company Avon Protection
 AVON.L .

 (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
 ((svea.herbst@thomsonreuters.com; +617 233 2138; Reuters
Messaging: svea.herbst.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))