Glass Lewis and Clarity AI have joined forces to create a platform that aims to connect investment and stewardship decisions using sustainability data, AI analytics and technology.
The move will bring together Clarity AI’s sustainability data and portfolio analysis with Glass Lewis’s expertise in corporate governance, voting and stewardship.
“For pension funds, the combination will allow us to bring together capabilities that today often sit across separate systems and datasets – investment analysis, sustainability, governance, engagement, voting and reporting. Over time, that will mean more connected workflows across the full investment lifecycle that’s backed by a modern, AI-enabled infrastructure,” a Glass Lewis spokesperson told IPE.
The move comes as concerns about the independence of proxy advisers coincide with growing use of AI in voting and stewardship.
Asked how the firms would keep their advice independent, the Glass Lewis spokesperson told IPE: “Clarity AI’s data will have no impact on the vote recommendations we provide to our institutional clients.”
“This combination is about broadening our capabilities while preserving the rigour, transparency and independence of the research and voting services that our clients expect from us,” Glass Lewis said.
“Independence is fundamental to our research and voting services and, more broadly, to how we operate. That won’t change as our firms come together,” the proxy-advisor added.
Rebeca Minguela, founder and chief executive of Clarity AI, highlighted the experience of former Sustainalytics staff at Glass Lewis, saying it would complement Clarity AI’s data and technology.
The deal comes as AI makes inroads into proxy voting. Earlier this year, JP Morgan Asset Management said it would stop using third-party proxy advisers for US voting and instead rely on an AI platform.
Meanwhile, research reported by IPE found a decline in proxy adviser support for sustainability-related shareholder resolutions. Support from ISS fell from 39% in 2024 to 7% in 2025, while Glass Lewis’s support fell from 26% in 2024 to 21% in the first half of 2025.
European centre
Clarity AI is currently working towards authorisation under the EU’s ESG Ratings Regulation. It said the combination was not expected to affect its ability to apply.
“Every rating traces back to its underlying data and methodology,” Clarity AI said, adding that clients can see its data sources and scoring calculations.
Madrid will become the combined firm’s global centre for sustainability, data and AI innovation, Glass Lewis chief executive officer Bob Mann said, reflecting the importance of the European market to the business.
The combined firm has more than 900 staff across 20 offices.
