Shell to take shareholder questions before AGM

Royal Dutch Shell said it would hold an online question and answer session for shareholders before its stripped-back annual general meeting after consulting investors.

The FTSE 100 oil company said the audio webcast would be on 13 May, two days before the deadline for proxy voting for the AGM on 19 May. It will answer questions submitted by 11 May via Shell's website or in writing.

Like many other large companies, Shell is holding a skeleton AGM to comply with its obligations. No one will be allowed to attend and there will be no live voting or questions.

Shareholder groups have raised concerns about the lack of proper AGMs during the Covid-19 crisis. AGMs traditionally give shareholders a chance to put boards on the spot by asking difficult questions. ShareAction, a campaigning group, has said bare-bones AGMs risk undermining shareholder democracy.

The government has called on companies to hold shareholder days when the crisis has eased to give investors the chance to ask questions in person. It told companies to maintain contact with their shareholders before and after AGMS.

Shell said: "This additional engagement opportunity has been scheduled based on feedback from investors and other stakeholder groups."