International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) was established in response to rapid growth in cross-border investment centred around the 10 largest pension funds in the world in 1995. Investors were looking for a system or network to collaborate on corporate governance practices in investment markets outside of their own knowledge and experiences. ICGN was born out of this thirst for collaboration and knowledge, which has helped raise standards in corporate governance and investor stewardship worldwide.

The ICGN network members are located across 50 countries, primarily Europe, North America, and Asia as of 2022, and have total combined assets of $70 trillion. ICGN works to promote effective standards of corporate governance primarily, and investor stewardship for investors, companies, financial intermediaries, academics, and other parties interested in corporate governance development practices. ICGN achieve this through three core activities:

• Influencing policy by offering a reliable source of investor-led opinion and expertise on corporate governance and investor stewardship
• Connecting peers, investors, and stakeholders at global events
• Informing dialogue through knowledge and education to enhance the professionalism of corporate governance and investor stewardship

ICGN is an active advocate for corporate governance and stewardship reform worldwide and regularly responds to public consultations on a range of issues. ICGN has developed a suite of global guidelines including their global governance principles and global stewardship principles, that are reviewed periodically. These provide recommendations for asset managers and asset owners on topics including shareholder rights, business ethics and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

ICGN contributes to sustainable finance through tools and resources including their global governance principles and stewardship principles, which highlight the importance of ESG integration in investor decision-making. ICGN also offer online education in the form of webinars, academic days, short courses, online documents, and a governance of sustainability dialogue.

To promote effective standards of corporate governance and investor stewardship to advance efficient markets and sustainable economies worldwide.

Prior to the 2020-2021 financial year, ICGN relied heavily on conference revenue for funding. However, the conference revenue fund model proved unreliable and now 85% of ICGN’s overall funding is attributed to ICGN member annual subscriptions, as 0f 2021. ICGN’s network also holds investor member assets of $70 trillion as at 2022, compared to the previous year to date of $59 trillion and $5 trillion the year before, indicating ICGN’s financial stability and growth. Up-to-date information on funding can be found here.