ShareSoc News

A Busy Start to 2026 for ShareSoc’s  Chair

Our Chair, Heather Benjamin, has had a busy start to 2026, continuing to raise ShareSoc’s profile.  The London Stock Exchange marked the introduction of the new Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations (POATR) regime and the launch of Access Bonds. For the first time in a generation, retail investors can access UK corporate bonds on the same disclosure terms as institutions, and in denominations that make sense.  The Power of Retail event hosted by RetailBook and Peel Hunt brought together policymakers, regulators, market infrastructure and practitioners to talk candidly about how ...

Making the Stock Market Digital: What It Means for You

The UK government is moving toward a digitised stock market. This means the old system of paper share certificates is finally being retired in favour of a modern, digital-only system.  And it's about time! What is Changing? Currently, many investors hold shares through nominee companies associated with their platform or broker (e.g. Hargreaves Lansdown, interactive investor, AJ Bell). In the eyes of the law, the nominee is the legal owner, while the investor is the Underlying Beneficial Owner (UBO).   This indirect holding works well as a means of ...

Digitisation Taskforce – Final Report

ShareSoc and UKSA Combined Position Statement  A Step Forward for Modernisation and, if done properly, for Governance  ShareSoc and UKSA welcome the publication of the Digitisation Taskforce’s Final Report as an important milestone in modernising UK capital markets.   The recommended path to digitisation through implementation of a fully intermediated securities chain has the potential to enhance shareholder engagement and reduce administrative burden and cost. Subject to important caveats, it can strengthen the transparency and effectiveness of underlying beneficial owners’ (UBOs’) stewardship and, as a result, ...

ShareSoc Director Spotlight – Ram Sachdev

What inspired you to join ShareSoc’s board and what motivates you to represent retail investors? I am delighted to share my perspective.   I joined the Board of ShareSoc after spending ten years as a professional investor, having sold my company in 2016. I was motivated by a genuine desire to share the knowledge and experience I have gained with those just starting their investment journeys. I believe that investing is a skill that empowers individuals to take control of their financial futures, and I have always admired ShareSoc’s commitment ...

SIGnet Groups Announce Immediate Member Vacancies

We are pleased to announce that several SIGnet groups across the UK now have immediate openings for new members. If you’ve been considering joining a SIGnet group - or adding a second group to widen your investing discussions - this is an ideal moment to get involved.  What is SIGnet?  SIGnet is ShareSoc’s nationwide network of local and specialist investment discussion groups. Each SIGnet group is run by its members, for its members, offering a welcoming space for individual investors to:  Meet with fellow investors  Share and debate investing ideas  Hear new stock, fund and trust suggestions  Learn from each ...

SIGnet Launches New Value Investing Virtual Group

SIGnet, a national network of individual investor groups, is excited to announce the launch of a new online group for those interested in value investing. The group will meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm and investors of all levels of experience are welcome to join. SIGnet groups meet on a regular basis, typically monthly, to give individual investors the opportunity to socialise, discuss, and learn from each other. The main goal is to improve members' knowledge and ...

SIGnet Launches New Compounding High Performers Group in London

SIGnet, a national network of individual investor groups, is excited to announce the launch of a new in-person group based in London. The group will meet on Tuesday evenings and will focus on identifying and discussing shares in potential Compounding High Performers across the UK, the rest of Europe, and the US — companies suited for long-term investment, with the aim of holding them for many years to achieve strong returns. Participants are likely to be experienced investors who have chosen ...

ShareSoc Director Spotlight – Mike Dennis

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

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

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

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

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,...

Become a free Associate ShareSoc member

Enter your email to sign up as a free Associate ShareSoc member and receive our emails. It takes a few seconds — and on the next page you'll have the option to customise your membership.