Critical Due Diligence and Monitoring Considerations for Investing in Foreign Markets, 6th Annual Fiduciary Obligations of Pension Plans

Cynthia L. Collins participated in a panel discussion at the 6th Annual Fiduciary Obligations of Pension Plans in Tempe, Arizona, on February 10, 2015.  The panel entitled, “Critical Due Diligence and Monitoring Considerations for Investing in Foreign Markets," covered:

What are the critical “do’s and don’ts” of investing in foreign markets? From determining whose responsibility it is to monitor compliance contracts (Legal, Investment or Consultant?) to conducting due diligence, this session will explore the broad spectrum of issues that fiduciaries must consider when their investment committee looks to invest abroad.

• Defining criteria for monitoring investment managers or other providers
• What efforts are being made towards standardizing global corporate governance practices?
• Conducting periodic site visits to managers
• Proxy voting in emerging and frontier markets
• Can the pension plan rely entirely on due diligence results carried out by the fund manager or is it obligated to conduct its own independent review?

Other panelists included:  G. Blair Cowper-Smith, EVP-Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and R. Paul Edmonds, Chief Legal and Governance Officer, Ontario Pension Board.