This report summarizes some of the top governance and stewardship issues likely to be facing investors throughout 2025, and particularly through this year’s main proxy seasons.

Potential further interest rate cuts in the U.S. and Europe, if accompanied by efforts to keep inflation in check, could spur increased global economic activity. However, the main 2025 proxy seasons are also occurring amid fast-shifting regulatory environments and uncertain geopolitical risks, compounded by political changes, potential trade wars and ongoing regional conflicts. Many investors and their portfolio companies will have to grapple with these economic and political uncertainties and the impact they will have on key governance and stewardship issues such as corporate risk oversight, supply chain management, M&A, executive compensation, climate change, human capital management, as well as board oversight and accountability.