EQ U.S., the multinational provider of transfer agent services and a division of Equiniti Group plc, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dannette Smith to Chair of the U.S. Board. Her appointment follows the successful separation of EQ U.S. from Wells Fargo.
Dannette has a deep knowledge of EQ having initially joined the Board as Non-Executive Director in 2017, a month after the division was launched. Dannette is also Board Secretary of a Fortune 10 company.
Dannette was previously a partner in the Corporate Group of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, practicing in the areas of corporate securities law, corporate governance and M&A. She is past Chair of the Society for Corporate Governance, served on the Board of the Council of Institutional Investors, and has served as a panellist for various professional associations on corporate governance issues.
Since the separation from Wells Fargo in 2019, the momentum of EQ U.S.A. has been growing with all major clients retained and encouraging new client wins, while new products such as proxy solicitation services are integrating successfully alongside the core transfer agency business and the recent acquisition of Corporate Stock Transfer.
Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive at Equiniti Group plc, who remains on the EQ U.S.A. Board as a Director, commented: “Dannette is an inspirational force and I couldn’t be more pleased to hand over the role to her. This appointment reflects how well-established our North American division has become, following its journey from a small part of Wells Fargo bank to a growth engine of the Equiniti Group. This marks a new phase for EQ U.S.A., and through Dannette the division is strongly placed for future growth.”
Todd May, CEO at EQ U.S., said: “We are delighted that Dannette has agreed to chair our Board and I look forward to continuing to benefit from her sound counsel and advice. We’re known for the emphasis we place on service excellence, and Dannette’s fresh perspective will take our strong focus on the customer to the next level.”
Dannette Smith, Chair of the Board at EQ U.S., said: “I am honored to have been offered the position as Chair of the Board. EQ U.S.A. is an excellent business that is thriving as part of the Equiniti Group and I look forward to helping steer it to greater success.”
For more information
Temple Bar Advisory
Alex Child-Villiers / William Barker / Sam Livingstone / Alasdair Todd
Tel: +44 (0)20 7975 1415
Email: equiniti@templebaradvisory.com
Notes to Editor:
About EQ U.S
EQ U.S. provides transfer agent, equity compensation and proxy solicitation services that help companies reduce risk, realize efficiencies and improve shareholder experiences. We’ve been helping the world’s leading brands raise capital, incentivize employees and service shareholders while staying compliant since 1929.
Responsible for nearly 5 million shareholders in the U.S. and 23 million globally, we issue more than $300 billion in payments each year across the globe. Our purpose is to care for every customer and simplify each and every transaction, delivering the highest levels of service through an effortless and enjoyable experience.
We are part of Equiniti Group plc, listed on the London Stock Exchange, delivering payments, administration and technology services to organizations globally.
About EQ (Equiniti Group plc)
EQ is an international technology-led services and payments specialist, providing non-discretionary payment and administration services to some of the world’s best-known brands and the UK’s largest public-sector organizations.