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Florian Sommer

Florian Sommer

Vice President, MSCI Research

Florian Sommer leads MSCI’s corporate governance research for Europe. He has extensive international experience analyzing corporate governance questions working as a lawyer, ESG analyst and consultant. He holds law degrees from both Vienna University and Vienna University of Economics and Business and a master’s degree in international economics from Johns Hopkins University.

Research and Insights

Articles by Florian Sommer

    BNP’s “Duty of Care” and a Lonely Start for Germany’s Female Execs

    Podcast | May 12, 2023 | Florian Sommer, Guilherme de Melo Silva

    NGOs have filed a lawsuit against BNP Paribas, arguing that bank has failed in its “Duty of Care”, under French law. As climate-related litigation escalates, we take a closer look at BNP’s financed emissions. And then, lawmakers have mandated the inclusion of female executives on the management boards of large German companies. We look at how things have shifted at this early stage and what that means for governance.

    Assessing Banks’ Risk-Oversight Capabilities

    6 mins read Blog | Apr 5, 2023 | Florian Sommer

    With the banking crisis raising questions about boards’ risk oversight, we analyze the level of independent risk-management expertise on the boards of banks by region to see how well they may be positioned to navigate the current volatility.

    Banks Have Investors Feeling Déjà vu All Over Again

    Podcast | Mar 23, 2023 | Andy Sparks, Florian Sommer, Jim Costello

    Banks failing, another sold and governments stepping in to backstop the fallout. Add to that a global economy coping with high inflation and still shaking off the COVID-19 cobwebs and, on top of that, regularly scheduled meetings for two major central banks. Our panel of MSCI experts helps put these events into context for investors managing multi-asset-class portfolios.

    Climate Infuses Proxy Strategy and South Korea Ponders 69-Hour Work Week

    Podcast | Mar 17, 2023 | S.K. Kim, Florian Sommer

    South Korea’s government has proposed a change to laws governing working hours. We look at why the proposal has not been well received by some stakeholders and what it could mean for how companies manage their workforces in future. And then we look at how shareholders’ approach to climate engagement might be changing, but also staying the same.

    Building the Corporate Boards of the Future

    6 mins read Blog | Jan 23, 2023 | Florian Sommer

    Corporate boards are key in helping companies navigate economic and social disruption. Introducing more climate-related experience, more women and appointing younger directors are three key factors that could help strengthen boards.

    Say on Climate: Investor Distraction or Climate Action?

    7 mins read Blog | Feb 15, 2022 | Florian Sommer, Harlan Tufford

    Say-on-climate shareholder votes are on the rise globally. Are they a distraction to real climate efforts or an effective way for shareholders to engage management?

    Say on Climate and Deluge in the Delta

    Podcast | Sep 17, 2021 | Gillian Mollod, Florian Sommer

    “Say on climate” proposals are making a splash at 2021’s AGMs. But for skeptics, these proposals my raise more questions than answers. And another hurricane season has battered the gulf coast, creating social disruptions and a reeling oil & gas sector. We dig deeper into climate models and the trickier corners of physical risk.

    Green Marine and German Diversity

    Podcast | Aug 27, 2021 | Andrew Young, Florian Sommer

    A low carbon alternative to maritime shipping is coming to the market. The largest shipping company in the world, Maersk, has ordered eight vessels propelled by cleanly made methanol instead of an oil-based fuel. But their shipping costs will increase by 15%. So who is going to pay for that? Then, the German government adopted a new gender diversity quota that will require certain listed companies to have at least one woman on their management board starting in 2022. But will it work? Listen to find out.