Weekly Roundup: September 5-11, 2025

Summary

This roundup collects 12 posts published on the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance during 5–11 September 2025. The items cover a wide set of boardroom and corporate governance issues: evolving roles in corporate investigations, sustainability team best practice, the US–EU trade framework’s ESG/CSR implications, board crisis preparedness, retirement inequality tied to 401(k) design, remote meeting norms, oversight fundamentals, effects of the SEC’s universal proxy, say-on-pay influence, dealing with activist investors, boardroom communication techniques, and performance-linked compensation design in the S&P 500.

Key Points

Corporate investigations leaders are being redefined: modern teams must drive practical impact and better decision-making, not just fact-finding.
Corporate sustainability teams are adopting clearer governance practices and metrics to align ESG goals with board oversight.
The US–EU trade framework agreement has notable implications for ESG/CSR compliance, including carbon border and regulatory alignment considerations.
Boards are urged to improve crisis preparedness through scenario planning, clearer roles and stronger management escalation paths.
401(k) plan design can exacerbate inequality; the roundup highlights proposals and policy options to rebalance retirement outcomes.
Remote meetings are reshaping expectations for board engagement, access to information and meeting protocol.
Fundamental board oversight remains central — investors and advisers emphasise disciplined governance and voting practices.
The SEC’s universal proxy has materially changed the dynamics of proxy contests and director elections over three years.
Say-on-pay debates continue: shareholder influence on executive compensation is nuanced and varies by context and voting outcomes.
Guidance on handling activist hedge funds stresses proactive governance, clear communication and strategic response planning.
Executives are reminded of five essentials for effective boardroom communication to improve governance outcomes.
Compensation design: some S&P 500 firms are experimenting with performance-prize approaches to better link stock outcomes to executive pay.

Why should I read this?

Quick and useful — if you work with boards, investor relations, compliance or executive pay, this saves you a week of scanning the Forum. It bundles the key governance, ESG and activation trends that will affect decision-making, voting and policy risks over the next quarter. Skim the bullets for the headlines, dive into the linked pieces if any of the topics directly touch your remit.