In this paper, Gaved makes an important
contribution to an under-researched area. The paper proposes that a Code of Disclosure
for institutional investors should be adopted by the Financial Services Authority
as part of its oversight of the financial services industry. A number of the proposals
in the paper were supported by the Hampel Committee on Corporate Governance which
reported in 1998. Gaved states that institutional investors account for
an estimated 80% of the value of the London stock market. Gaved provides data
on the value of equity holdings in the UK. However, at the same time, there remains
a huge discrepancy between the information disclosed by companies and that published
by institutional investors about their ownership roles and responsibilities. Gaved
calls for fund managers to take a greater role in influencing standards of corporate
governance and in enhancing accountability. Given the growing dominance of institutional
investors much more information about their activities, and corporate governance
policies, should be publicly disclosed. Publication is by NTC Publications
Ltd. Farm Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1EJ (Tel.: 01491 411000) >>
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