ShareSoc Blog

The ShareSoc blog provides news and informal commentary from directors, members and other contributors. Entries reflect the personal views of the authors, which do not necessarily reflect ShareSoc’s formal position. Contributors may hold shares in the companies mentioned. Nothing in this blog should be viewed as financial advice. You may submit comments on blog posts, but ShareSoc reserves the right to remove or edit inappropriate or defamatory submissions.

There is more news given in the News page of our web site and more analysis of news is provided in our monthly newsletter for members – see the Newsletters page.

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ShareSoc Director Spotlight – Mike Dennis

Post Date: January 10, 2026

What inspired you to join ShareSoc’s board and what motivates you to represent retail investors? I joined ShareSoc as a member in 2013 after retiring from a corporate career. I had built up an investment portfolio over 20 years but wanted to deepen my understanding and learn from other investors. Attending ShareSoc events and talking with fellow members and company leaders showed me the value of the community. When the board invited me to join, whilst I didn’t have significant investing experience to ...

Mark Bentley – In Memoriam

Post Date: December 27, 2025

It is with great regret that the Board of ShareSoc announces the death of Mark Bentley on 26th December 2025 following a short illness. Mark was a founding director of ShareSoc in 2011 and an active SIGnet participant. He has been a driving force in the organisation’s development. He was a tireless advocate for the rights of individual shareholders, dedicating himself to strengthening investor education, transparency, and empowerment. He was a key member of the policy committee and of several major campaigns, not ...

Press Release: ShareSoc Wins Shareholder Rights Champion of the Year at The Celebration of Investment Awards 2025

Post Date: December 4, 2025

ShareSoc (UK Individual Shareholders Society) is proud to announce that it has been named Shareholder Rights Champion of the Year at the prestigious Celebration of Investment Awards 2025. The awards, which were announced by Investors’ Chronicle and the Financial Times on 27th November, recognise organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the investment industry and the prosperity of UK private investors. The award highlights ShareSoc’s invaluable work in championing the interests of individual investors. The organisation consistently advocates for fair treatment, transparency, and ...

ShareSoc 2025 Stan Grierson Award

Post Date: November 19, 2025

The annual Stan Grierson Award recognises individuals who have dedicated an enormous amount of voluntary time to help and support the activities of ShareSoc for the benefit of its members and the UK's individual investors in general. This year’s award goes to Paul Greenwood. Paul is a dedicated, diligent volunteer member of the ShareSoc Policy Committee. He brings actuarial expertise, sound judgement, and constructive challenge to ShareSoc’s wide-ranging policy discussions. Paul is a great example of the depth of knowledge and selfless ...

ShareSoc 2025 AGM: resolutions passed

Post Date: November 18, 2025

ShareSoc (UK Individual Shareholders Society), the not-for-profit membership organisation representing the rights of individual shareholders, is pleased to announce that all resolutions proposed to members at the hybrid AGM,...

ShareSoc Launches Campaign to Address Hartley Pensions Scandal

Post Date: November 11, 2025

Despite our best efforts to bring individual cases to the FCA’s attention, progress in resolving the Hartley Pensions administration remains unacceptably slow for most Hartley clients. We are now launching a formal Campaign to apply more pressure to bring this matter to a conclusion. Hartley Pensions, a SIPP and SSAS administrator, was placed into insolvency administration in July 2022. A key objective of the administration is to transfer clients’ accounts to alternative providers, so that clients regain full control over their pensions. Of ...

Socially Useful Frenkel Topping (FEN): Another Opportunistic Takeover and Delisting

Post Date: November 6, 2025

Another week, another blatant example of the chronic undervaluation of UK small-cap companies, leading to a lowball takeover, that forces long-term individual shareholders out at a lowball valuation. The AIM market, it seems, is becoming a hunting ground for opportunistic private equity firms to snatch up good businesses on the cheap. I’ve written about this pattern before with Gusbourne, Dewhurst, and the particularly egregious case of Anexo. The latest name to add to this sorry list is Frenkel Topping (AIM: FEN). I think this one is particularly cynical. Many ShareSoc members will ...

2026 FRC Stewardship Code – A significant improvement

Post Date: November 6, 2025

The UK Stewardship code, which sets out the core principles of effective stewardship and transparency for asset owners and asset managers, has just had a major overhaul. The revisions follow on from a consultation in early 2026, to which ShareSoc responded The 2026 Code, which takes effect in January 2026, introduces three key changes: First, the purpose of stewardship has been clarified. The new definition is simply: "The responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term sustainable value for clients and beneficiaries." Reference to delivering benefits for the wider economy, environment, and society has ...

ShareSoc AGM – 13th November 2025

Post Date: November 5, 2025

The ShareSoc 2025 AGM will be held in-person and online (via Zoom), at 3:30pm on Thursday 13th November. The AGM is open to Full Members and SIGnet Members and their proxies. Members and their proxies may submit questions to the meeting and may vote on the Resolutions. Members submitting a valid registration to attend will receive instructions on how to participate. Registration and online voting closes at 5pm on 11th November.

The Proposed British ISA: A Flawed Plan that Penalises the Prudent Saver

Post Date: October 28, 2025

The recent FT Article (https://www.ft.com/content/99b91223-aced-4262-b7ff-356cee84a185) entitled “Reeves looks to include minimum UK shareholding in ISA overhaul. Evolution of abandoned Conservative ‘Brit Isa’ plan also includes stamp duty tax break”, suggests Stocks and Shares ISA investors should be required to hold 50% of their portfolio in UK shares and has, quite rightly, caused a stir. While the main goal of these proposed changes to stimulate the British economy by encouraging investment in UK companies is a noble one, this particular plan is deeply ...

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