Rogers investors advised not to support heir Edward as chair
BNN Bloomberg
Rogers Communications Inc. investors shouldn’t vote in favour of the reappointment of Chairman Edward Rogers because there aren’t enough women on the telecommunications company’s board, two proxy advisory firms said.
Only three of 14 directors on this year’s director slate are women — short of the minimum target of 30 per cent set by proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass Lewis & Co.
In January, Martha Rogers and Melinda Rogers-Hixon stepped down from the board as part of a settlement to a long-running feud with Edward Rogers. The three are the children of late founder Ted Rogers; Edward holds sway over the company, which is Canada’s largest wireless provider and owns extensive cable television and sports assets.
Glass Lewis said shareholders should withhold their votes for three other directors as well as Rogers: Trevor English, Robert Gemmell and David Robinson. ISS advised withholding votes for English and real estate magnate Michael Cooper — in the latter case because it believes he’s on too many other boards.
