As European corporates navigate economic uncertainty, shifting capital allocation priorities, rapid advances in artificial intelligence and increasing scrutiny of strategic decision-making, shareholder activism continues to evolve. While public campaigns remain an important tool, activist investors are increasingly seeking to influence boards behind closed doors, applying pressure privately while remaining ready to wield the “big stick” of acting publicly when necessary.

Shareholder activism has become one of the most influential forces shaping corporate strategy, capital allocation and value creation across Europe. In an environment where investors are increasingly willing to challenge management teams and boards, understanding activist priorities has never been more important.

Shareholder activism is accelerating, and the root cause is consistent: sustained operational underperformance relative to peers. In a feature for CFO.com, A&M Managing Director Ron Orsini outlines a more disciplined path: close performance gaps early, build a credible value creation plan, and retain control of your strategy before activists define it for you.

Jay Frankl and Annie Peabody discuss current M&A activism trends in The Deal’s Activist Investing Today podcast, highlighting insights from A&M’s US Activist Alert (AAA) report.