Focus on building and protecting shareholder value
Paul Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Global Partners, a financial services consultancy that provides strategic regulatory and corporate governance advice. He was a commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2002 to 2008. He previously served as chief of staff to SEC Chairman Richard C. Breeden and as counselor to SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt.
Paul Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Global Partners, a financial services consultancy that provides strategic regulatory and corporate governance advice.
He was a commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2002 to 2008. He previously served as chief of staff to SEC Chairman Richard C. Breeden and as counselor to SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt.
Current SEC rules make it very easy for shareholders to file proposals. Activists have increasingly used shareholder proposals to target publicly traded companies and to advance ideas motivated by environmental or social concerns.
Mr. Atkins spoke about the recent uptick in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-related shareholder activism and proxy initiatives at investor-owned electric utilities.
PUF's Steve Mitnick: What is the purpose of SEC disclosures? Why are they important?
Paul Atkins: The SEC is charged by the Securities Exchange Act to promote efficiency, competition, and capital formation. It also protects investors by ensuring that market participants have accurate material information about SEC-registered securities. Throughout the political and policy shifts that take place at the SEC, materiality is the bedrock principle of disclosure that protects legitimate shareholder interests.