When activists attack: Winners & losers from six investment spats

As Alliance Trust reaches an uneasy truce with activist investor Elliott Advisors, Investment Week looks at previous attempts at boardroom coups, and how they ended.

  Activist failures Electra Private Equity v Sherborne Investors Last year Electra Private Equity rejected a bid by Edward Bramson (pictured) to overhaul how the company was run, and force a change in the board. Bramson held a 20% stake in the company but his proposals, which included giving himself a seat on the board, were rejected by 60% of shareholders. The vote followed a letter sent by Bramson criticising performance and suggesting ways to create £1bn of value for shareholders. Bramson has since continued to increase his stake in the firm up to 23.4%, indicating he may try t...