This is a book about shareholders -- who they are, what they own, how their composition and character has changed, and with it their relationship with the companies they own. It is also a book about shareholder rights and responsibilities. In a clear and readable style the book explores the key current corporate governance issues -- company law and reporting, chief executive pay, regulatory and accountability requirements -- against the
background of an ever-changing business environment: an environment in which private investors may have grown in number, but in which shareholders influence has dwindled as institutions have become the
dominant shareholding group. Throughout the book the authors provide numerous examples and anecdotes illustrating the evolution of the joint stock company from the South Sea Company of the 18th century to the giants and cause celebres on the corporate stage in the 1980s and 1990s. Both authors are authoritative and informed commentators on issues of corporate governance with extensive management, policy and advocacy experience; their underlying
concern is to show the importance of shareholder interest and involvement, which they strongly believe will remain in the best interests of the company and the wider society in the 21st century.
Industry Reviews
`a starting point for the UK business historian or for those interested i international comparative work. At the same time, it is an appropriate reminder of the stong links between business history research and the agendas of modern regulators.'
Steven Toms, Business History, Vol.42, No. 3. July 00.
`for the reader looking for introduction and background to the legal and governance issues dealt with in the Cadbury and Greenbury reports, Clarkham and Simpson have written a valuable guide.'
Steven Toms, Business History, Vol.42, No. 3. July 00.
`the book is well written and jargon-free. For those seeking an introduction to the main issues in British corporate history, the book is therefore a useful primer.'
Steven Toms, Business History, Vol.42, No. 3. July 00.
`there is much material in the book that is useful for the business historian. In particular, the study contains some useful discussion on the origins and development of the corporate institutions of the British economy.'
Steven Toms, Business History, Vol.42, No. 3. July 00.
`a timely new book on shareholder power and responsibility.'
The Observer, Business 29/8/99
`The authors explore key corporate governance issues against the background of an ever-changing business environment ... their underlying concern is to show the importance of shareholder interest and involvement which they strongly believe will remain in the best interests of the company and the wider society in the 21st Century.'
Busines Money, October 1999
