Fund manager Hermes has added its voice to a renewed shareholder protest against Keith Hellawell, the controversial chairman of retailer Sports Direct, ahead of its annual company meeting tomorrow.

Hermes has joined several of its peers clarifying an intention to cast its ballot against Hellawell in a crunch vote that could see him leave the company. Others to have come out against him include the company's biggest independent shareholder, Fidelity International,  index-funds giant Legal & General Investment Management and Royal London Asset Management.