Data Accuracy: The Cornerstone of Investment Stewardship

By Danielle Gurrieri
Senior Vice President, Head of Product Management,
Broadridge Financial Solutions

Investment stewardship runs on trust, and that trust is only as strong as the data behind it. Every vote, engagement, and disclosure depends on having accurate, consistent information. But in today’s fast-moving, data-heavy environment, many firms still struggle with fragmentation, manual checks, and inconsistent data quality. These aren’t failings, they’re symptoms of a system that hasn’t fully caught up to modern expectations.

Getting stewardship data right isn’t just about compliance. It’s about giving teams the confidence to act decisively, show alignment with policy, and demonstrate their impact clearly to clients and regulators. For active managers, high-quality data is also fundamental to maintaining credibility with portfolio managers, who rely on stewardship insights to support investment decisions. When data falls short, that confidence slips away—and operations slow to a crawl.

The hidden cost of getting it wrong

Even minor data inconsistencies can have ripple effects such as extra reconciliation, delayed reporting, or misaligned votes that chip away at efficiency and trust. For large stewardship teams managing thousands of meetings and resolutions, the operational and reputational impact quickly compounds.

Clients and regulators are also asking tougher questions. They expect transparency into how stewardship policies are applied and whether votes are backed by reliable data. In this climate, accuracy isn’t just operational hygiene—it’s the foundation for credibility.

Technology as the enabler of data confidence

Technology is now helping firms rebuild that confidence. The goal isn’t to automate everything; it’s to make stewardship data more reliable, connected, and actionable.

By integrating systems, automating manual reconciliation, and using intelligent validation, stewardship teams can free up capacity and focus where it matters most. When paired with experienced oversight, these tools strengthen judgment rather than replace it, giving teams more control over outcomes.

By enabling faster access to reliable data, technology allows stewardship teams to:

• Ensure votes are aligned with their policies.
• Engage more effectively with companies.
• Focus additional research on high-profile meetings before voting.
• Deliver deeper client engagement and more transparent vote reporting that provides clear insights into outcomes.

These improvements turn stewardship from a reactive, back-office process into a proactive source of value for investors and issuers alike.

Where firms should focus next

To strengthen data confidence and improve stewardship outcomes, leading firms are focusing on:

• Data integration and standardization. Connecting systems and creating a unified data foundation improves quality, transparency, and consistency.
• Automation with oversight. Use automation to handle repetitive tasks, but keep human review for context and governance.
• Timely, transparent access. Empower teams with real-time data visibility to reinforce accountability.
• Continuous improvement. Treat stewardship processes as living systems that evolve with regulation and market complexity.

The future of confidence in stewardship

Investment stewardship is no longer a back-office function—it’s a strategic expression of values and accountability. In that environment, accuracy isn’t optional; it’s what gives the process meaning and credibility.

Firms that modernize their data foundations now will gain more than operational efficiency. They’ll strengthen their governance, improve engagement outcomes, and reinforce the trust that drives effective stewardship. Reliable data isn’t just a technical advantage; it’s the cornerstone of confidence.