Roll up, roll up for AGM season – there's plenty for protesters to be angry about

Fireworks over politics and pay mean that this year's meetings could prove very tricky for some big companies, writes Julia Kollewe

- Julia Kollewe

The leafy surroundings of Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey will provide an unlikely backdrop for potentially one of the most explosive events of an intriguing shareholder meeting season, as corporate Britain grapples with a rapidly shifting geopolitical backdrop.

Next month, BP will host its annual general meeting (AGM) outside London for a second year, a move that last year failed to deter the climate protesters who have frequently disrupted oil companies' meetings.

The company is in the crosshairs over the U-turn it has made on its green ambitions, while investing $10bn a year in new oil and gas projects — and will also be coming under fire from angry shareholders over its poor share performance. There could also be a showdown between the board and the activist investor Elliott, a New York hedge fund, in what could be the last meeting presided over by under-pressure chair Helge Lund.

Many major listed UK companies hold their AGMs between April and May. The meetings offer a rare opportunity for investors who own just a few shares as well as large financial institutions to take multimillionaire executives to task over issues big and small before they head for the free sandwiches.