Kristi Mitchem, CEO, BMO Global Asset Management
The Black Lives Matter movement’s call for change inspired anti-racism protests around the globe. It has forced corporations to re-examine their hiring, pay and promotions practices, workplace cultures, product branding and consumer discrimination. Public debate about systemic racism is also set against the backdrop of the stark realities of the COVID-19 crisis, which has had a disproportionate effect on Black people and other vulnerable communities, underscoring the need for companies to prioritize issues around racial inclusion, worker protections and pay equity.
At BMO Global Asset Management, we recognize the importance of this critical issue of social justice, and we recognize the real value diversity and equality has to our own business and to the businesses we invest in. As investors, we believe we can contribute by:
The impacts of racism and discrimination in our workplaces and society at large have long been felt within communities of colour, but the tone and volume of current conversations around racial equity feels new and exciting. We know systemic barriers exist in career advancement and that we continue to have gaps in representation within the asset management industry – particularly within our C-Suites* and most senior roles. At BMOGAM, we are working closely with our employees of colour to push beyond training and diversity goal-setting into concrete actions that will remove the impact of bias and discrimination within our processes, and ensure more equitable outcomes for all.
Kristi Mitchem, CEO, BMO Global Asset Management
Progress on racial diversity in the corporate workforce, especially at corporate leadership levels, is significantly lagging recent progress made on gender diversity.
In the US, only 3.2% of executives and senior manager–level employees are Black, and while Black people represent 13.4% of the US population, there are only 3 Black CEOs on the Fortune 500 list1, less than 1% of the total list. There are significant pay disparities too, with Black men paid 13% less than white men, and Black women 39% less than white men and 21% less than white women2. In other countries progress on ethnic diversity in leadership and board positions is equally slow.
A recent report showed that 37% of FTSE 100 companies surveyed do not have any ethnic minority representation on their boards, despite recommendations by the Parker Review Committee for all boards to have at least one director from an ethnic minority background by 20213.
In Canada, where Black people represent 3.5% of the population, they make up less than 1% of senior executives and board members, and 75% of companies report not having representation of visible minorities at all on their boards4.
Beyond addressing discrimination issues, there is also a business case for increasing minority representation. A report by McKinsey5 suggests that diversity beyond gender can be a key corporate differentiator:
Additionally, with mounting consumer and stakeholder scrutiny of corporate messaging versus practices on social issues, there are heightened reputational risks associated with not addressing inequality and issues of racism. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, several corporate leaders, including the CEO and founder of CrossFit, have stepped down amidst controversies over inappropriate responses to the anti-racism protests.6
While companies in the US are required to report racial diversity data to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), only 25% of US companies choose to publicly disclose this data, with an even smaller subset disclosing an annual breakdown of the representation of different ethnic minorities at various levels across the organization.
Yet with the exception of South Africa, there are no countries where public company reporting of diversity data is of similar stature to that of companies in the US, which makes it challenging for investors to have a structured approach to voting and engagement on ethnic diversity and inclusion in the workforce across markets.
However, efforts by regulators to require “comply or explain” disclosure from companies are increasing. For example, under the Canadian Business Corporations Act (CBCA) public companies have been required since 2020 to report on the representation of four designated groups on their board of directors and senior management teams: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. They are also required to disclose whether they have a policy, targets and strategies in place to enhance the representation of those groups at the board and executive levels. In the US, California is considering requiring companies incorporated in the state to have minimum levels of directors from underrepresented communities on the board.
Proxy advisory firm ISS also announced9 that it has been conducting outreach to companies in the US, asking them to provide the race or ethnicities of their directors and named executive executives on a voluntary, aggregated and self-identified basis.
| Market | Regulator | Requirements and/or guidance |
|---|---|---|
US |
SEC – Reporting Guidance on Diversity Policies and Practices10 |
|
US |
California proposed bill – if passed, in effect end of 2022.11 |
|
UK |
Parker Review 202012 recommendations (not mandated) and UK Corporate Governance Code |
|
Canada |
Canadian Business Corporations Act13 |
|
At BMO GAM, we have been engaging and voting on issues of diversity and inclusion for a number of years, with a primary focus on gender. Our approach to race is less well established. Nevertheless, we have taken steps to develop our engagement strategy with investee companies.
In the period of January 1st 2019 to June 18th 2020, from 2219 total interactions with companies, 186 interactions were linked to workforce diversity, and 114 were linked to board diversity.
Given the limited availability of ethnic/cultural demographic data and overall workforce data, we have been engaging companies for several years on their participation in the Workforce Disclosure Initiative, seeking greater transparency from companies about their workforce management and the resulting data such as wage gaps. Measurement and disclosure are important first steps in being able to make further progress. Our engagement asks to companies centre around:
Beyond addressing diversity issues in the workforce and C-suite, we note that companies must reform business models that profit from perpetuating inequities. Examples are the for-profit prison industry, companies benefitting from prison labour, surveillance software with inherent racial biases, or marketing strategies that target vulnerable communities.
Investor engagement can help companies align with the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights to be better prepared to address racial inequities and related issues such as human rights, modern slavery in supply chains, living wages and worker protections.14
We cannot ignore the fact that the financial services industry itself struggles with having adequate racial and ethnic representation. While responsible investing has roots in fighting Apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s, the industry today must recommit to tackling racial injustice within our own organizations as well as the companies we invest in. To that end BMO GAM has endorsed the Investor Statement of Solidarity to Address Systemic Racism and Call to Action15 coming out of the Racial Justice Investing coalition, based in the US. In line with the statement’s recommended actions, we are committed to advance progress on racial equity and justice in the following areas:
We will be reporting on our progress against these commitments going forward. We will also be working collaboratively with other investors and investor networks to address this topic in other markets, including in Canada.
We take responsibility and commit to hold ourselves accountable for dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice through our investments and work.
Signatories to the Investor Statement of Solidarity and Call to Action to Address Systemic Racism
Its wide-ranging nature means that responsible investment involves a host of associated language and jargon. Here we explain some of the most commonly used terms.
Active ownership
Discharging responsibilities as investors and owners in a company through engagement and voting to influence the management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
Stewardship
The responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society.16
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
A framework that breaks the broad concept of sustainability down into these 3 key issues.
Engagement
Entering dialogue with companies after investment, to support and encourage positive change in the management of key ESG issues.
Proxy voting
Exercising the right to vote on resolutions at company shareholder meetings. It compliments engagement as a key tool for influencing change.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 are a global framework for achieving a better and more sustainable future. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity and peace and justice. The UN is targeting completion of all 17 interconnecting goals by 2030.
* executive-level managers
This article is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Investments should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance.
The information, opinions, estimates or forecasts contained in this document were obtained from sources reasonably believed to be reliable and are subject to change at any time.
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