Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • May 30, 2022
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
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5 July 2022
If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, we recommend you seek advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your shares in Saga plc, please send this document at once to the purchaser or transferee; or to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for delivery to the purchaser or transferee.

The AGM begins at 11.00am.
The resolutions set out on pages 4 to 6 will be considered at the AGM. You will be asked to vote on each of these resolutions. Voting on each resolution will be conducted by way of a poll.
You may be asked to provide proof of identity on arrival at the venue. If you have been appointed as proxy for a shareholder entitled to vote, please let the admission team know. You should bring proof of identity with you and you will also be asked to confirm the details of the shareholder you are representing. Please do not attend the event if you test positive for, or develop symptoms associated with, COVID-19 or similar viruses such as influenza.
The safety of Saga's visitors, shareholders and colleagues is of paramount importance to us. Therefore, in order to maximise safety precautions, we may introduce additional security measures as appropriate, including the search of bags which are brought into the AGM by visitors.
You may view the AGM online using your smartphone, tablet or computer. If you choose to view online, you will be able to view a live webcast of the meeting and ask the Directors questions electronically. Please note, you will not be able to vote during the meeting when viewing online.
Access to the AGM will be available from 10.00am on 5 July 2022.
To view the meeting electronically, please visit:
Additional details of how to view the AGM electronically are set out on page 16.
During the meeting, shareholders will have the opportunity to ask questions relevant to the business of the meeting in an open forum. The Directors and senior Saga colleagues will also be available after the AGM for informal discussion.
If you wish to ask questions electronically, please do so by using the 'Questions' functionality from within the webcast player.
the Board in advance of the AGM by emailing [email protected], by writing to the Group Company Secretary at Saga, Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3SE, or by calling our share registrar, Equiniti Group on +44 (0) 371 384 2640.
Call the Company's Registrar, Equiniti Group (Equiniti), on +44 (0) 371 384 2640 or write to them at Equiniti Group, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA.
The nearest station is Folkestone West, about one mile from Enbrook Park. Transport from the station to the venue can be arranged by request. Please contact us on 0800 015 5429 at least two working days prior to the meeting to request transport from the station to the venue.
Please note that parking will be limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. The postcode for navigation is CT20 3SE. Leave the M20 at Junction 12 and exit the roundabout on the road signposted to Cheriton. Follow the road to the first set of traffic lights and turn right into Risborough Lane. Remain on this road until you arrive at a T-junction (Sandgate High Street). Turn left and then immediately left again into Enbrook Park.
A number of bus routes stop at Sandgate War Memorial which is the nearest bus stop to Enbrook Park. For details of local bus routes, please visit www.stagecoachbus.com. Please be aware that the short walk from the bus stop to the venue is uphill. Should you require assistance, please contact us as soon as possible.
| 11.00am 30 June 2022 |
Deadline for receipt of online or postal voting forms for Corporate Sponsored Nominee holders |
|---|---|
| 11.00am 1 July 2022 |
Deadline for receipt of online or postal voting forms for direct shareholders |
| 11.00am 5 July 2022 |
Annual General Meeting |
If you are generally happy to view shareholder and Company documents online, please update your communication preferences (if necessary) by contacting Equiniti on +44 (0) 371 384 2640 or via Shareview Portfolio which can be accessed at www.sagashareholder.co.uk.
The attached notice includes the resolutions (Resolutions) to be considered at the AGM. You are requested to complete and submit a Form of Proxy as soon as possible. In any event, the Proxy instruction should reach the Company's Registrar by 11.00am on 1 July (11.00am on 30 June 2022 if you hold your shares in the Corporate Sponsored Nominee). You can complete a Form of Proxy via Shareview Portfolio which can be accessed at www.sagashareholder.co.uk.
We no longer send paper forms by default (see Note 16 on page 15). If you would like to request a paper Form of Proxy, please contact Equiniti.
Notice is hereby given that the eighth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Saga plc (the Company) will be held at Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE on 5 July 2022 at 11.00am.
You will be asked to consider and vote on the Resolutions below. Resolutions 1 to 15 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and Resolutions 16 to 19 will be proposed as special resolutions. The Directors believe that the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole, and they unanimously recommend that you vote in favour of them as the Directors propose to do so in respect of their own shareholdings.
Capitalised terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set out in the glossary section at the end of this Notice.
The Board thanks you for your continued support.
To receive the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 January 2022 together with the Directors' Report and the Auditor's Report on those accounts.
To receive and approve the Directors' Remuneration Report, as set out on pages 85 to 106 of the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.
To receive and approve the Directors' Remuneration Policy, as attached to this Notice, to take effect immediately after the end of the AGM on 5 July 2022.
Subject to the passing of Resolution 3, that the rules of the Saga Transformation Plan (the STP), a copy of which is produced to the meeting and initialed by the Chairman of the meeting for the purposes of identification, be, and are, hereby approved and adopted and the Directors of the Company be, and are, hereby authorised to do all such things in accordance with applicable law as may be necessary or desirable to carry the STP into effect and to adopt further schemes based on the STP but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities law in overseas territories, provided that any shares made available under such further schemes are treated as counting against any limits on individual or overall participation in the STP.
To re-elect Roger De Haan as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Euan Sutherland as a director of the Company.
To re-elect James Quin as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Orna NiChionna as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Eva Eisenschimmel as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Julie Hopes as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Gareth Hoskin as a director of the Company.
To re-appoint KPMG LLP as the Company's auditor to hold office from the conclusion of the AGM until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the shareholders.
To authorise the Audit Committee to agree KPMG LLP's remuneration as the Company's auditor.
That the Company and all companies that are its subsidiaries at any time up to the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2023, be authorised to:
provided that the aggregate amount of any such donations and expenditure shall not exceed £100,000 during the period commencing on the date of this Resolution and ending on the conclusion of the Company's next annual general meeting after the date on which this Resolution is passed.
For the purposes of the authority to be granted by such ordinary resolution, the terms 'political donations', 'political parties', 'independent election candidates', 'political organisations' and 'political expenditure' have the meanings given by Sections 363 to 365 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act).
but subject to such exclusions, restrictions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates or legal, regulatory or practical problems arising under the laws or requirements of any territory or any other matter;
for a period expiring (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting) at the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company after the date on which this Resolution is passed (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 31 July 2023); and
That, subject to the passing of Resolution 15 above, the Directors be generally authorised pursuant to Sections 570 and 573 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560 of the Act) of the Company wholly for cash pursuant to the authority of the Directors conferred by Resolution 15 above, and/or by way of a sale of treasury shares for cash, in each case as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale provided that:
but subject to such exclusions, restrictions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates or legal, regulatory or practical problems arising under the laws or requirements of any territory or any other matter; and
expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities (or sell treasury shares) in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if this power had not expired.
That, subject to the passing of Resolution 15, the Directors be generally authorised pursuant to Sections 570 and 573 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act), in addition to any authority granted under Resolution 16, to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560 of the Act) of the Company wholly for cash pursuant to the authority of the Directors conferred by Resolution 15 above, and/or by way of a sale of treasury shares for cash, in each case as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale provided that:
That the Company be, and is hereby generally and unconditionally, authorised for the purposes of Section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) to make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of the Act) of its ordinary shares of 15p each (Ordinary Shares) provided that:
That a general meeting of the Company, other than an annual general meeting, may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
By order of the Board
Vicki Haynes Group Company Secretary 30 May 2022
Saga plc T: 01303 771111. saga.co.uk Registered office: Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE Registered in England & Wales, No. 8804263
The notes on the following pages explain the proposed Resolutions.
Resolutions 1-15 are proposed as ordinary resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, more than half of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution. Resolutions 16-19 are proposed as special resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, at least three quarters of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
Under Section 437 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act), the Directors of the Company are required to lay before the Company, in general meeting, its annual accounts and reports for the financial year ended 31 January 2022. The report of the Directors, the accounts, and the report of the Company's auditor on the accounts and on those parts of the Directors' Remuneration Report that are capable of being audited are contained within the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.
In accordance with Section 439 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act), shareholders are requested to approve the Directors' Remuneration Report. The Directors' Remuneration Report, which is set out on pages 85 to 106 of the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts, gives details of Directors' remuneration for the financial year ended 31 January 2022 and sets out the way in which the Company will implement its policy on Directors' remuneration. The Company's auditor, KPMG LLP, have audited those parts of the Directors' Remuneration Report capable of being audited (as set out on pages 94-95 and 98-100 of the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts). The vote on the Directors' Remuneration Report is advisory in nature in that payments made or promised to Directors will not have to be repaid, reduced or withheld in the event that this Resolution is not passed.
At the previous AGM held on 14 June 2021, the Company received a significant vote against its resolution to approve the Directors' Remuneration Report. A shareholder consultation was undertaken to understand reasons for 22.28% of the votes being cast against the resolution to approve the Remuneration Report. More details regarding this, and the action taken as a result, can be found on our website www.corporate.saga.co.uk/about-us/governance.
The Company proposes an ordinary resolution to approve the Directors' Remuneration Policy as attached to this Notice of AGM. This Resolution is required to be put to shareholders in accordance with Section 439A of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act). The vote is binding in nature in that the Company may not make a remuneration payment or payment for loss of office to a person who is, is to be, or has been a director of the Company unless that payment is consistent with the approved Directors' Remuneration Policy, or has otherwise been approved by a resolution of members. If Resolution 3 is passed, the Directors' Remuneration Policy will take effect immediately after the end of the AGM on 5 July 2022. Shareholder approval for the remuneration policy must be sought at least every three years. Shareholder approval must additionally be sought if the Directors wish to change the remuneration policy within such three-year period. The previous Directors' Remuneration Policy was approved by the shareholders at the AGM held on 22 June 2020.
Resolution 4 seeks approval of the Saga Transformation Plan (the STP).
The STP is a long-term incentive plan under which it is intended that awards be made to the Executive Directors and other employees. The principal terms of the STP are summarised in Schedule 3 to this Notice.
Awards under the STP will be subject to stretching financial and strategic performance targets measured over a five-year period and subject to continued employment over this period. A post-vesting holding period will apply to vested awards under the STP. Other features of the STP include the following:
Resolutions 5-11 propose the re-election of Directors. In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Directors will submit themselves for re-election at this AGM. If re-elected, the re-election of Directors will take effect at the conclusion of the Company's AGM.
Biographical details of each of the Directors standing for re-election and the specific reasons why their contribution is, and continues to be, important to the Company's long-term sustainable success are as follows.
Appointed: 5 October 2020.
Individual contribution: Brings to the role of Chairman considerable experience of Saga and its customers. He is making an important contribution to the development of future strategy.
Other roles: Director of Folkestone Harbour Holdings Limited (and subsidiary companies), Trustee of Creative Folkestone, Friends of Folkestone Academy; and Trustee of Roger De Haan Charitable Trust and The Kings School, Canterbury.
Committee membership: Nomination.
Appointed: 6 January 2020.
Previous roles include: CEO of Superdry plc, the global digital brand and The Co-op Group; Group COO & CEO UK at Kingfisher plc, and background in global fast-moving consumer goods brands including Mars and Coca-Cola.
Individual contribution: Since Euan joined the Board, his wealth of leadership experience from major customer-facing businesses has proved invaluable. He quickly laid out and executed a detailed plan to streamline the organisation, removing multiple management layers and silos and to accelerate the disposals of the final small businesses that had been underperforming. Euan also led initiatives to galvanise the focus of the business on its customers, and did so by making far smarter use of the data and digital tools that had been invested in. The core target customer has been simplified; and customer needs have been more sharply identified, alongside a comprehensive programme of capability change to ensure that customer expectations could be exceeded in a distinctive way, at acceptable cost. In addition, Euan has sharp focus on the welfare and wellbeing of colleagues and customers.
Other roles: Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Nomination Committees of Britvic plc (appointed February 2016).
Committee membership: Executive.
Appointed: 1 January 2019.
Previous roles include: Zurich Insurance Group (UK CFO, Global Life CFO and Head of Investor Relations); Partner at PwC and Managing Director at Citigroup Global Markets.
Individual contribution: James has displayed impressive financial leadership since joining Saga, and his executive experience is greatly valued by the Board. He has built strong relationships with Saga's lenders and led the divestment of subscale businesses. James played a major role in devising and implementing the financial control structure for the Insurance division's groundbreaking three-year fixed-price product and in the capital raise which saw Roger De Haan return to the business. James is viewed as a strong plc CFO by stakeholders.
Committee membership: Executive.
Appointed: Senior Independent Non-Executive Director on 31 March 2017 and 29 May 2014 as Non Executive Director.
Previous roles include: Senior Independent Director of Royal Mail plc, HMV plc, Northern Foods plc and Bupa; Non- Executive Director of Bank of Ireland UK Holdings plc and Bristol & West plc; Chair of Founders Intelligence Limited; Deputy Chair of the National Trust; Trustee of Sir John Soane's Museum; and former Partner at McKinsey & Company.
Individual contribution: Orna's significant experience with Saga and other major brands including Burberry and Royal Mail continue to be highly valuable to the Board. Orna provides an important challenge to the Executive Directors in her role as Senior Independent Director and provides an important governance function through her membership of the Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committees and in chairing the Nomination Committee.
Other roles: Senior Independent Director (appointed April 2022) and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at Burberry Group plc (appointed January 2018) and Trustee of the Institute of Fiscal Studies (appointed July 2020).
Committee membership: Nomination (Chair), Audit, Remuneration and Risk.
Previous roles include: Non-Executive Director (and a member of the Audit, Nomination, Remuneration and Risk Committees) of Virgin Money plc; Managing Director of Marketing, Brands and Culture at Lloyds Banking Group plc; Chief Customer Officer at Regus plc; Chief People and Brand Officer at EDF Energy; senior positions at Allied Domecq and British Airways.
Individual contribution: Eva brings extensive experience in marketing and brand management to the Board and fills key roles as People Champion, Chair of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Nomination Committee. Eva has demonstrated outstanding commitment to ensuring that colleague's voices are heard in the boardroom.
Other roles: Group Chief Risk Officer (appointed May 2021) at Lowell (previously Chief of Staff appointed February 2016). Committee membership: Remuneration (Chair) and Nomination.
Previous roles include: Chair of Police Mutual and its Remuneration Committee; Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk Committee of Co-operative Insurance and Tesco Bank; and CEO of The Conservation Volunteers, a UK community volunteering charity.
Individual contribution: Julie brings extensive experience in insurance and provides valuable contributions to the Saga plc Board and as Non-Executive Chair of Saga Services Limited and Saga Personal Finance Limited. Julie is a strong Chair of the Saga plc Risk Committee and acts as an important link between the Insurance division and the Board and demonstrates a driven approach to ensuring a customer-focus for Saga's insurance products.
Other roles: Deputy Chair, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of West Bromwich Building Society (appointed April 2016); and Non-Executive Director (appointed August 2021) and Chair of the Risk Committee (appointed December 2021) of MS Amlin Underwriting Limited.
Committee membership: Risk (Chair), Audit, Nomination and Remuneration.
Previous roles include: Main Board Director and CEO International, and finance, retail marketing and HR roles in Legal & General; accountant at PwC; Trustee and Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committees at Diabetes UK.
Individual contribution: Gareth brings a breadth of insurance and accountancy experience to the Board and is highly effective in his role as Non-Executive Chair of Saga's underwriter, Acromas Insurance Company Limited (AICL). Gareth continues to provide important challenge and leadership and is a vital link between the Board and AICL. His financial background and experience make Gareth a strong Audit Committee Chair.
Other roles: Audit Chair and Senior Independent Director at Leeds Building Society (appointed November 2015).
Committee membership: Audit (Chair), Nomination and Risk.
The Company has determined that each of the independent Non-Executive Directors being proposed for re-election (being Orna NiChionna, Julie Hopes, Gareth Hoskin and Eva Eisenschimmel) (together the Independent Directors) meet the independence criteria prescribed in the UK Corporate Governance Code. The Non-Executive Chairman, Roger De Haan, was not considered independent on appointment due to his shareholding in the Company. Taking into account Roger's history with the Saga brand and business, his proposed time commitment, and the terms of the Relationship Agreement entered into with him and his letter of appointment, the Directors supported the appointment, concluding that it was in the best interests of the Company. The Company confirms that there have been no other previous or existing relationships, transactions or arrangements between each of the Independent Directors, the Chairman and the Company or any of its directors. All of the Independent Directors and the Chairman are experienced and have a broad knowledge of the sectors in which the Company operates. In light of their career experience and knowledge, the Board considers that each Independent Director and the Chairman bring valuable skills to the Board and provide an impartial viewpoint.
A full evaluation of the Board, its Committees and its individual Directors took place during the year. A full explanation of the evaluation exercise can be found on page 69 of the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. The Chairman confirms that each of the Directors being proposed for re-election or election continues to be effective and to demonstrate commitment to the role and has sufficient time to meet his or her commitments to the Company.
The Company is required to appoint or re-appoint an auditor at each general meeting at which accounts are presented to shareholders. It is also normal practice for the Audit Committee to be authorised to determine the level of the auditor's remuneration for the ensuing year. The current appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company's auditor will end at the conclusion of the AGM and they have advised of their willingness to stand for re-appointment. Resolution 12 proposes the re-appointment of KPMG LLP until the conclusion of the next general meeting of the Company at which accounts are laid. Resolution 13 grants authority to the Company's Audit Committee to determine the auditor's remuneration.
The Companies Act 2006 (the Act) prohibits companies from making any political donations to political organisations or independent candidates, or incurring political expenditure, unless authorised by shareholders in advance. The Company does not make, and does not intend to make, donations to political organisations or independent election candidates, nor does it incur or intend to incur any political expenditure. It is not proposed or intended to alter the Company's policy of not making political donations, within the normal meaning of such expressions.
However, the definitions of political donations, political organisations and political expenditure used in the Act are very wide. As a result, it may be that some of the Company's activities could fall within the potentially wide definitions of political donations and political expenditure under the Act and, without the necessary authorisation, the Company's ability to communicate its views effectively to, for example, interest groups, lobbying organisations or bodies representing the business community in policy review or reform could be inhibited.
Shareholder approval is being sought, on a precautionary basis only, to allow the Company and its subsidiaries to fund activities in relation to which it is in the interests of shareholders that the Company should support. Such authority will enable the Company and its subsidiaries to be sure that they do not, because of any uncertainty as to the bodies or the activities covered by the Act, unintentionally commit a technical breach of the relevant sections of the Act.
The purpose of Resolution 14 is to authorise the Company and/or its subsidiaries to make limited political donations or incur limited political expenditure, within the meaning of such expressions as contained in the Act to a maximum amount of £100,000, in total. This resolution is put to shareholders annually rather than every four years as required by the Act in line with best practice guidelines. Any donations or expenditure, which may be made or incurred under the authority of Resolution 14, will be disclosed in next year's Annual Report and Accounts.
The Directors may only allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares if authorised to do so by shareholders. The authority conferred on the Directors on 14 June 2021, under Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) to allot shares, expires on the date of the forthcoming AGM. Accordingly, this Resolution seeks to grant a new authority under Section 551 of the Act to authorise the Directors to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares in the Company and will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company in 2023.
Paragraph (A) of Resolution 15 will, if passed, authorise the Directors to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, such shares in the Company up to a maximum nominal amount of £7,009,847 for capital management purposes (other than a rights issue). For example, this authority could include placings, open offers, vendor placings or converting other securities into equity. This amount represents 33.3% of the Company's existing issued ordinary share capital (the Company has no treasury shares) as at 23 May 2022 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice).
Paragraph (B) of Resolution 15 authorises the Directors to allot, including the shares referred to in (A), further of the Company's unissued shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £14,019,693, representing 66.6% of the Company's existing issued ordinary share capital (the Company has no treasury shares) as at 23 May 2022 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice) in connection with a pre-emptive offer to existing shareholders by way of a rights issue (with exclusions to deal with fractional entitlements to shares and overseas shareholders to whom the rights issue cannot be made due to legal and practical problems).
This authority (sought under paragraphs (A) and (B)) is common practice for premium listed companies in the UK and is in accordance with the latest guidelines published by the Investment Association. It gives the Company flexibility to act in the best interests of the shareholders as and when opportunity arise by issuing new shares. This authority will expire on the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company next year. The Board has no present intention to exercise this authority. However, it is considered prudent to maintain the flexibility that this authority provides. The Directors intend to renew this authority annually. The Company currently holds no shares in treasury.
Under Section 561(1) of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act), if the Directors wish to allot ordinary shares, or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert securities into, ordinary shares, or sell treasury shares for cash (other than pursuant to an employee share scheme) they must, in the first instance, offer them to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings. There may be exceptional occasions, however, when the Directors need the flexibility to finance business opportunities by the issue of shares without a pre-emptive offer to existing shareholders. These could include placings, open offers, vendor placings, cash box placings or converting other securities into equity. This Resolution also seeks a disapplication of the pre-emption rights on a rights issue so as to allow the Directors to make exclusions or such other arrangements as may be appropriate to resolve legal or practical problems which, for example, might arise with overseas shareholders. This cannot be done under the Act unless the shareholders have first waived their pre-emption rights.
Resolution 16 asks the shareholders to do this and, apart from rights issues or any other pre-emptive offer concerning equity securities, the authority contained in this Resolution will be limited to the issue of shares for cash up to an aggregate nominal value of £1,052,529 (which includes the sale on a non-pre-emptive basis of any shares held in treasury), which represents approximately 5% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at 23 May 2022 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice). This authority expires at the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company after the date on which this Resolution is passed (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 31 July 2023).
The Board intends to adhere to the provisions in the Pre-emption Group's Statement of Principles and to not allot shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis pursuant to the authority in Resolution 16: (i) in excess of an amount equal to 5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company excluding treasury shares; or (ii) in excess of an amount equal to 7.5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company excluding treasury shares within a rolling three-year period, without prior consultation with shareholders, in each case other than in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment.
In addition to Resolution 16, Resolution 17 asks the shareholders to waive their pre-emption rights for an additional 5% for transactions which the Directors determine to be an acquisition or other capital investment as defined in the Pre-emption Group's Statement of Principles. This Resolution will be limited to the issue of shares for cash up to an aggregate nominal value of £1,052,529 (which includes the sale on a non-pre-emptive basis of any shares held in treasury), which represents approximately 5% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at 23 May 2022 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice). In accordance with the Pre-emption Group's Statement of Principles, the Directors confirm that they intend to use the authority sought in Resolution 17 only in connection with such an acquisition or specified capital investment which is announced contemporaneously with the issue, or which has taken place in the preceding six-month period and is disclosed in the announcement of the issue, and will provide shareholders with information regarding the transaction if the authority is used.
The Company does not currently hold any shares in treasury.
These authorities are common practice for premium listed companies in the UK and are in accordance with the Pre-emption Group's Statement of Principles.
The Directors do not have any intention at the present time of exercising the power proposed to be granted under Resolutions 16 and 17. This power would be used only if considered to be in the best interest of the shareholders. The Directors intend to renew this authority annually.
This Resolution authorises the Directors to make market purchases of the Company's shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £2,105,059, representing 10% of the issued share capital of the Company as at 23 May 2022, being the latest practicable date before the publication of this Notice. Shares so purchased may be cancelled or held as treasury shares. This authority expires on the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company. The Directors intend to seek renewal of this authority at subsequent annual general meetings of the Company.
The Directors have no current intention to exercise the authority sought by this Resolution but will keep the matter under review and so consider it prudent to obtain the flexibility that this Resolution provides. The Directors will use this authority with discretion, when they consider such purchase to be in the best interests of the Company. In reaching a decision to purchase shares of the Company, the Directors would take account of the Company's business and any impact on earnings per share and net tangible assets per share, as well as all other relevant factors. The decision as to whether such shares bought back will be cancelled or held in treasury will be made by the Directors on the same basis at the time of purchase. Any impact on earnings per share will, for the purposes of any incentive award, be adjusted to take account of the exercise of the share purchase authority.
The minimum price that can be paid for an Ordinary Share is 15p being the nominal value of an Ordinary Share. The maximum price that can be paid shall be the higher of (i) 5% over the average of the middle market prices for an Ordinary Share, derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange, for the five business days immediately before the day on which the share is contracted to be purchased; and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade of an Ordinary Share and the highest current independent bid for an Ordinary Share on the market where the purchase is carried out as derived from the London Stock Exchange Electronic Trading Service.
Any purchases of Ordinary Shares would be by means of market purchases through the London Stock Exchange. Any shares purchased under this authority may either be cancelled or held as treasury shares. Treasury shares may subsequently be cancelled, sold for cash or used to satisfy options issued to employees pursuant to the Company's employee share schemes. It is the Company's current intention to hold any shares purchased in treasury.
As at 23 May 2022, being the latest practicable date before publication of this Notice, there were outstanding options under the Company's discretionary share incentive plans and employee share savings schemes in respect of 1,053,886 Ordinary Shares, representing 0.75% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital (there are no treasury shares) at that date. If the authority under this Resolution to purchase the Ordinary Shares was exercised in full, the proportion of Ordinary Shares subject to such options would represent 0.75% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at 23 May 2022, being the latest practicable date before publication of this Notice. There are no warrants outstanding.
The Companies Act 2006 (the Act) sets the notice period required for general meetings of the Company at 21 days unless shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which cannot, however, be less than 14 clear days. This Resolution seeks such approval. Whilst the Company's Articles of Association already provide for a minimum notice period of 14 days for general meetings, the Act requires that the Company requests shareholders to authorise this minimum notice period at every annual general meeting in order to be able to take advantage of this provision. The approval will be effective until the Company's next annual general meeting, at which it is intended a similar resolution will be proposed. The Directors' intention is to only call general meetings on less than 21 days' notice where such shorter notice period is merited by the business of the meeting or thought to be in the interests of shareholders as a whole.
A member may appoint a proxy (who need not be a member of the Company) to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and vote at the AGM. We strongly recommend that you appoint the Chairman of the meeting as your proxy at the AGM. If you appoint the Chairman of the meeting as your proxy, this will ensure your votes are cast in accordance with your wishes. You can, if you wish, appoint more than one proxy provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share, or shares, held by you. A proxy need not be a member but must attend the AGM in order to represent you and must vote in accordance with your instructions.
Members who prefer to vote online can do so through www.sharevote.co.uk where full instructions are provided. You will need your Voting ID, Task ID and Shareholder Reference Number to log in and these can be found on your online voting card. Alternatively, members who have already registered for Equiniti's Shareview Portfolio can vote online by logging on at www.sagashareholder.co.uk and clicking on the link to vote. If you wish to appoint a proxy and for them to view the AGM electronically on your behalf, please contact Equiniti on +44 (0) 371 384 2640.
A proxy appointment made electronically will not be valid if sent to any address other than those provided or if received after 11.00am on 1 July 2022.
CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a CREST Proxy Instruction) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited's specifications and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message, regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a proxy or an amendment to the instruction given to a previously appointed proxy, must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer's agent (ID RA19) by 11.00am on 1 July 2022. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications Host) from which the issuer's agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means in the manner prescribed by CREST.
The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended).
An electronic vote will not be valid if sent to any address other than those provided or if received after 11.00am on 30 June 2022.
If your shares are held within a nominee other than the CSN and you wish to attend the AGM, you will need to contact your nominee immediately. Your nominee will need to have completed a letter of representation and presented this to Equiniti no later than 72 hours before the start of the Annual General Meeting in order obtain your joining information. If you are in any doubt about your shareholding, please contact Equiniti.
The Company may not require the members requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with Sections 527 or 528 of the Act (Requirements as to website availability). Where the Company is required to place a statement on its website under Section 527 of the Act, it must forward the statement to the Company's auditor no later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM will include discussion regarding any statement that the Company has been required under Section 527 of the Act to publish on its website.
A member that is a company or other organisation not having a physical presence can appoint someone to represent it. This can be done in one of two ways: either by the appointment of a proxy (described in Notes 3 and 4 above) or of a corporate representative. Members considering the appointment of a corporate representative should check their own legal position, the Company's Articles of Association and the relevant provisions of the Act. Corporate representatives may exercise on its behalf all of the powers of a shareholder, provided that (where there is more than one representative and the vote is otherwise than on a show of hands) they do not do so in relation to the same shares.
We regularly review ways to improve communication with shareholders and encourage electronic communication where available. This has advantages including increasing the speed of communication, minimising our impact on the environment and reducing print and distribution costs. Previously, Saga sent over 53,000 paper proxy forms annually, 85% of which were not returned. We no longer send paper proxy forms to shareholders registered for paper communications unless you have specifically asked for one. Instead, you may cast your votes online at www.sharevote.co.uk. Online voting is quicker and more secure than paper voting. If you would like to receive a paper proxy form, you will need to request one each year from our Registrar, Equiniti.
| Director | Shares beneficially owned |
LTIP nil-cost options subject to performance conditions |
RSP nil-cost options not subject to performance conditions |
Deferred bonus nil-cost options subject to performance conditions |
Vested but unexercised nil-cost options held |
Unvested SIP shares not subject to performance conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euan Sutherland | 77,598 | 99,113 | 383,089 | 209,613 | - | 212 |
| James Quin | 14,825 | 121,566 | 192,376 | 139,560 | - | 212 |
| Roger De Haan | 37,196,970 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Eva Eisenschimmel | 4,288 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Julie Hopes | 4,419 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gareth Hoskin | 19,018 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Orna NiChionna | 3,027 | - | - | - | - | - |
If you choose to view the AGM online, you will be able to view a live webcast of the meeting and submit questions to the Board. To do so you will need to visit www.corporate.saga.co.uk/investors/agm using your smartphone, tablet or computer and follow the link to the webcast. You will need the latest version of either Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge or Firefox.
After clicking on the link, you will be taken to the event landing page, prompting you to enter your details.
If you have already registered for this, or any other Saga plc webcast, you can log in with your email address. Otherwise, please complete the registration form and click 'Register'.
If you register prior to the event, you will be redirected to a post-registration page until the live event begins.
The live event will begin at 11.00am on 5 July 2022. The stream will start automatically once the meeting commences.
Any shareholder or appointed proxy viewing the meeting is eligible to ask questions. If you would like to ask a question, you can do so through the 'Questions' tab on the right-hand side of the media player.
Questions can be submitted at any time during the event and Q&A session, up until the Chairman closes the session. Type your question into the 'Ask a question' box and once you are happy, click the 'Send your question' button. Questions sent via the online platform will be moderated before being sent to the Chairman to avoid repetition.
| 2022 Annual Report and | The Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts | 31 January 2022. | |
| Act | The Companies Act 2006. | |
| AGM | The Annual General Meeting of Saga plc to be held at Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE on 5 July 2022 at 11.00am. |
|
| Board | Board of directors of Saga plc. | |
| Committee(s) | Committees of the Board of Saga plc. | |
| Company | Saga plc. | |
| Directors | Directors of the Company. | |
| Directors' Remuneration Report | Includes the Annual Statement by the Chair of the Remuneration Committee as set out on pages 85 to 87 and the Directors' Remuneration Report as set out on pages 88 to 106 of the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. |
|
| DTRs | Disclosure and Transparency Rules. | |
| Equiniti | The Company's Registrar, Equiniti Group. | |
| Ordinary Shares | The ordinary shares of 15p each in the capital of the Company. | |
| Resolutions | Ordinary resolutions 1 to 15 and special resolutions 16 to 19 as specified in this Notice of AGM on pages 4 to 6. |
|
| Shareholder Reference Number | Unique identifying code available on your online voting card. |

Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE Registered in England and Wales No: 08804263
Equiniti Group Telephone: +44 (0) 371 384 2640 Email: [email protected]
Emily Roalfe (Head of Investor Relations) Daniel Gow (Investor Relations Executive) Email: [email protected]
NHB-AP6501


Dear Shareholder,
In the normal course of events, we would be seeking shareholder approval for a new Remuneration Policy in 2023, three years after the approval of the current Policy in 2020 (the Current Remuneration Policy). However, there are a number of reasons why the Remuneration Committee (the Committee) feels it is appropriate to bring forward a new policy in 2022.
By early 2020, new Executive Directors were appointed and set about putting in place the infrastructure and operational changes needed to stabilise the business and create the platform for future growth; this phase was always intended to take a couple of years and has been completed on time despite the pandemic.
The Restricted Share Plan (RSP) was introduced in 2020 to create a strong retention mechanic for Executive Directors and to enable alignment with shareholders through share ownership, while providing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with the flexibility to develop the strategy and lay the foundations for the transformation process, as announced in our preliminary results on 23 March 2022. The Directors' Remuneration Policy, containing the RSP, was approved at the 2020 AGM, incorporating the RSP, with 98% shareholder support.
Following a strategic review carried out by the Board in the early months of this year, the plans for future growth have now been established and coinciding with the expected abatement of the pandemic and the return to wider travel, this means the time is right to revisit the reward approach to ensure it is fully aligned with our transformation strategy. As recently announced, this is designed to focus on the following areas:
In revising the proposals, the overall objective is to retain the current stability and retention provided by the RSP but add an opportunity to reward exceptional levels of growth on delivery of the five-year plan.
The proposed new Remuneration Policy (the New Policy) is set out in Schedule 2 on pages 6 to 19. A full explanation of the New Policy and the Committee's rationale for the changes are set out there. In this letter, I am focusing on the new, proposed Saga plc 2022 Saga Transformation Plan (the Saga Transformation Plan or STP) which will form part of the New Policy and require separate shareholder approval.
• Restricted Shares continue to be granted annually, vesting after three years, with an additional two-year holding period after the vesting of each tranche, but with a 20% discount introduced to reflect the introduction of the STP.
• Through the malus and clawback triggers and the use of discretion, the Committee maintains oversight and governance over the STP.

As a part of the New Policy design process, we held preliminary consultations with our largest shareholders, including our Chairman, Sir Roger De Haan, seeking feedback on the proposals. I am pleased that there has been a good level of engagement from the Company's shareholders and the Committee is grateful for all the feedback received. We are pleased that a number of our major shareholders that we consulted indicated that they would be supportive of the proposals.
The Board considers the proposed New Policy, including the new STP, to be in the best interests of the Company and shareholders. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the ordinary resolutions set out in this Notice of Annual General Meeting.
Yours faithfully,
Eva Eisenschimmel Chair of the Remuneration Committee
This document sets out the Saga plc (the Company) Policy on remuneration for Executive and Non-Executive Directors (the Policy) which will be subject to approval by shareholders at the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and if approved, will take effect immediately afterwards. The Policy has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the UK Companies Act 2006 (the Act), Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (the Regulations) and the Listing Rules. The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) has built in a degree of flexibility to ensure the practical application of the Policy. Where such discretion is reserved, the extent to which it may be applied is described. The Company's Policy retains as its primary goal the ability to attract, retain and motivate its leaders and to ensure they are focused on delivering business priorities within a framework designed to promote the long-term success of Saga, aligned with shareholder interests.
The Board delegated its responsibility to the Committee to establish the Policy on the remuneration of the Executive Directors and the Chair. The Board has established the Policy on the remuneration of the other Non-Executive Directors.

| Element | Changes to policy | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term incentives - Saga Transformation Plan (STP) |
Addition of an STP which provides participants with a portion of the value created above a stretching hurdle over a five-year period. |
To drive and reward exceptional levels of growth. Only once significant shareholder value has been delivered will any rewards become payable under the STP. |
| Long-term incentives - Restricted Share Plan (RSP) |
A 20% reduction to the RSP award level during the term of the STP. |
To retain the current stability and retention provided by the RSP but rebalance the package and recognise the introduction of the STP. The RSP rewards and retains for moderate to strong performance and delivery of shareholder value. |
| Base salary | |
|---|---|
| Element and link to strategy | Provides a base level of remuneration to support recruitment and retention of Executive Directors with the necessary experience and expertise to deliver the Group's strategy. |
| Operation | An Executive Director's basic salary is set on appointment and reviewed annually, or when there is a change in position or responsibility. When determining an appropriate level of salary, the Committee considers: • pay increases to other colleagues; • remuneration practices within the Group; • any change in scope, role and responsibilities; • the general performance of the Group and each individual; • the experience of the relevant Director; and • the economic environment. Individuals who are recruited or promoted to the Board may, on occasion, have their salaries set below the targeted policy level until they become established in their role. In such cases, subsequent increases in salary may be higher than the general rises for colleagues until the target positioning is achieved. |
| Maximum potential value | The Committee ensures that maximum salary levels are positioned in line with companies of a similar size and complexity to Saga and validated against an appropriate comparator group so that they are competitive against the market. The Committee intends to review the comparators each year and will add or remove companies from the comparator group as it considers appropriate. In general, salary increases for Executive Directors will be in line with the increase for colleagues. However, larger increases may be offered if there is a material change in the size and responsibilities of the role (which covers significant changes in Group size and/or complexity). The Company will set out the Executive Directors' salaries for the following financial year in each Directors' Remuneration Report, in the section headed 'Implementation of the Remuneration Policy. |
| Performance conditions and recovery provisions |
A broad assessment of individual and business performance is used as part of the salary review. No recovery provisions apply. |
| Changes to previous policy | No changes. |
| Pension | |
|---|---|
| Element and link to strategy | Provides a fair level of pension provision for all colleagues. |
| Operation | The Company provides a pension contribution allowance that is fair, competitive and in line with governance best practice. |
| Pension contributions will be a non-consolidated allowance and will not impact any incentive calculations. |
|
| Maximum potential value | The maximum value of the pension contribution allowance for both current and newly appointed Executive Directors is aligned with that of the wider workforce, currently 6% of salary. |
| Performance conditions and recovery provisions |
No performance or recovery provisions apply. |
| Changes to previous policy | No changes. |
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Element and link to strategy | Provides a market-standard level of benefits. |
| Operation | Benefits may include family private health cover, death in service life assurance, car allowance, subsistence expenses and discounts in line with other colleagues. The Committee recognises the need to maintain suitable flexibility in the benefits |
| provided to ensure it is able to support the objective of attracting, and retaining, colleagues in order to deliver the Group strategy. Additional benefits which are available to other colleagues on broadly similar terms may therefore be offered, such as relocation allowances on recruitment. |
| Maximum potential value | The maximum is the cost of providing the relevant benefits. | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance conditions and recovery provisions |
No performance or recovery provisions apply. | |
| Changes to previous policy | No changes. | |
| Annual bonus | ||
| Element and link to strategy | The Annual Bonus Plan provides a significant incentive to the Executive Directors, linked to achievement of goals that are closely aligned with the Company's strategy and the creation of value for shareholders. |
|
| In particular, the Annual Bonus Plan supports the Company's objectives, allowing the setting of annual targets based on the business' strategic objectives at that time, meaning that a wider range of performance metrics can be used that are relevant and achievable. |
||
| Operation | The Committee will determine the maximum annual participation in the Annual Bonus Plan for each year, which will not exceed 150% of salary. |
|
| The Company will set out in the section headed 'Implementation of Remuneration Policy' within the Directors' Remuneration Report, in the following financial year, the nature of the targets and their weighting for each year. |
||
| Details of the performance conditions, targets and their level of satisfaction for the year being reported on will be set out in the Annual Report on Remuneration. |
||
| The Committee can determine that part of the bonus earned under the Annual Bonus Plan is provided as an award of shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) element. The minimum level of deferral is one-third of the bonus; however, the Committee may determine that a greater portion, or in some cases the entire bonus, be paid in deferred shares. The main terms of these awards are: |
||
| • minimum deferral period of three years; and |
||
| • the participant's continued employment at the end of the deferral period, unless they are a good leaver. |
||
| The Committee may award dividend equivalents on those shares to plan participants to the extent that they vest. The Committee has the discretion to apply a holding period of two years post-vesting for DBP shares. |
||
| Maximum potential value | The Committee will determine the maximum annual participation in the Annual Bonus Plan for each year, which will not exceed 150% of salary. Percentage of bonus maximum earned for levels of performance: |
|
| • Threshold: up to 20% |
||
| • Target: 50% |
||
| • Maximum: 100% |
||
| Performance conditions and recovery provisions |
The Annual Bonus Plan is based on a mix of financial and strategic/operational conditions and is measured over a period of one financial year. The financial measures will account for no less than 50% of the bonus opportunity. |
|
| The Committee retains discretion, in exceptional circumstances, to change performance measures and targets and the weightings attached to performance measures part-way through a performance year if there is a significant and material event which causes the Committee to believe the original measures, weightings and targets are no longer appropriate. Discretion may also be exercised in cases where the Committee believes that the bonus outcome is not a fair and accurate reflection of business, individual and wider Company performance. The exercise of this discretion may result in a downward or upward movement in the amount of bonus earned resulting from the application of the performance measures. |
||
| Any adjustments or discretion applied by the Committee will be fully disclosed in the following year's Directors' Remuneration Report. The Committee is of the opinion that, given the commercial sensitivity arising in relation to the detailed financial targets used for the annual bonus, disclosing precise targets for the Annual Bonus Plan in advance would not be in shareholder interests. Actual targets, performance achieved, and awards made will be published at the end of the performance period so shareholders can fully assess the basis for any payouts under the Annual Bonus Plan. |
||
| Both the Annual Bonus Plan and the DBP contain malus and clawback provisions. | ||
| Changes to previous policy | No changes. |
| Restricted Share Plan (RSP) | |
|---|---|
| Element and link to strategy | Awards are designed to incentivise the Executive Directors over the longer-term to successfully implement the Company's strategy. |
| Operation | Awards are granted annually to Executive Directors in the form of Restricted Shares. Restricted Shares vest at the end of a three-year period subject to: |
| • the Executive Director's continued employment at the date of vesting; and |
|
| • the satisfaction of an underpin as determined by the Committee, whereby the Committee can adjust vesting for business, individual and wider Company performance. |
|
| A two-year holding period will apply following the three-year vesting period for all awards granted to the Executive Directors. |
|
| Upon vesting, sufficient shares may be sold to pay tax on the shares. | |
| The Committee may award dividend equivalents on awards to the extent that these vest. | |
| Maximum potential value | Maximum value of 100% of salary per annum based on the market value at the date of grant set in accordance with the rules of the plan. |
| For Executives participating in the STP, this maximum will be reduced by 20% for the period of participation. |
|
| Performance conditions and recovery provisions |
No specific performance conditions are required for the vesting of Restricted Shares but there will be an underpin in that the Committee will have the discretion to adjust vesting taking into account business, individual and wider Company performance. |
| The Committee will take into account the following factors (amongst others) when determining whether to exercise its discretion to adjust the number of shares vesting: |
|
| • Whether threshold performance levels have been achieved for the performance conditions for the Annual Bonus Plan for each of the three years covered by the vesting period for the Restricted Shares. |
|
| • Whether there have been any sanctions or fines issued by a regulatory body; participant responsibility may be allocated collectively or individually. |
|
| • Whether there has been material damage to the reputation of the Company; participant responsibility may be allocated collectively or individually. |
|
| • The potential for windfall gains. |
|
| • The level of colleague and customer engagement over the period. |
|
| The RSP is subject to clawback and malus provisions. | |
| Changes to previous policy | 20% reduction to the maximum opportunity level to rebalance the package and recognise the introduction of the additional incentive provided by the STP. |
| Saga Transformation Plan (STP) | |
| Element and link to strategy | Awards are designed to add an additional opportunity to drive, and reward, exceptional levels of growth over the longer term. |
| levels of growth over the longer term. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operation | A one-off award that gives Executive Directors the opportunity to earn share awards over a five-year performance and vesting period. |
|
| The STP allows participants to share in up to 12.5% of the total value created for shareholders above a specified hurdle (defined below) measured on a date shortly after the end of the five-year performance period (the Measurement Date). |
||
| On the Measurement Date, 50% of the number of share awards earned will vest immediately. 25% of the award earned will be released one year after the Measurement Date with the final 25% earned being released two years after the Measurement Date. |
||
| No shares are capable of sale until the fifth anniversary of grant. | ||
| If the shareholder value of £6.00, including share price and dividends (the Hurdle) has not been achieved at the Measurement Date (inclusive), no share awards will vest. |
||
| Maximum potential value | The maximum number of share awards which may vest under the STP is 12.5% of the value created above the Hurdle (the STP Pool). |
|
| The allocation for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is 18% of the STP Pool and 11% of the STP Pool for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). |
||
| Awards are subject to a cap on the value on vesting of £15m for the CEO and £9.2m for the CFO. |
||
| Performance conditions and recovery provisions |
The Committee may vary the level of vesting of a share award if it determines that the formulaic vesting level would not reflect business or personal performance, or such other factors as it may consider appropriate. |
|---|---|
| An annual review of continued participation will be undertaken by the Committee to ensure appropriate conduct and risk leadership conditions are satisfied. |
|
| Malus and clawback provisions will apply to STP awards. | |
| Malus will operate throughout the performance period. | |
| The clawback period will be two years (or longer, if the Committee determines) from the date of vesting. |
|
| Further details are set out on page 12. | |
| Changes to previous policy | New element of the Policy. |
The Committee already had in place strong shareholding requirements (as a percentage of base salary) that encourage Executive Directors to build up their holdings over a five-year period. Adherence to these guidelines is a condition of continued participation in the equity incentive arrangements. This policy ensures that the interests of Executive Directors and those of shareholders are closely aligned.
In addition, Executive Directors will be required to retain 50% of the post-tax amount of vested shares from the Company incentive plans until the minimum shareholding requirement is met and maintained. The following table sets out the minimum shareholding requirements:
| Role | Shareholding requirement (percentage of salary) |
|---|---|
| Group Chief Executive Officer | 250% |
| Other Executive Directors | 200% |
The Committee retains the discretion to increase the shareholding requirements.
The Committee has introduced a post-cessation shareholding requirement of the full in-employment requirement as listed above (or the Executive's actual shareholding on cessation, if lower) for two years following cessation.
| Chair and Non-Executive Director fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provides a level of fees to support recruitment, and retention, of a Non-Executive Chairman and Non-Executive Directors with the necessary experience to advise and assist with establishing and monitoring the Group's strategic objectives. |
||
| Operation | The Board is responsible for setting the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors. The Committee is responsible for setting the Non-Executive Chairman's fees. Non-Executive Directors are paid an annual fee and additional fees for chairing of Committees. The Company retains the flexibility to pay fees for the membership of Committees. Non-Executive Directors will be entitled to an additional fee if they are required to perform any specific and additional services. Chair and membership fees may be introduced for any new committees. The Non-Executive Chairman does not receive any additional fees for membership of Committees. Fees are reviewed annually based on taking into account time commitment, responsibilities and equivalent roles in the comparator group used to review salaries paid |
||
| to the Executive Directors. Non-Executive Directors and the Non-Executive Chairman do not participate in any variable remuneration or benefits arrangements. |
|||
| Maximum potential value | The fees for Non-Executive Directors are broadly set at a competitive level against the comparator group. In general, the level of fee increase for the Non-Executive Directors and the Non-Executive Chairman will be set taking account of any change in responsibility and will take into account the general rise in salaries across the UK workforce. The aggregate fee for the Non-Executive Directors and the Non-Executive Chairman will not exceed £2.0m. The Company will pay reasonable expenses incurred by the Non-Executive Directors and Non-Executive Chairman and may settle any tax incurred. |
||
| Performance metrics | No performance or recovery provisions apply. | ||
| Changes to previous policy | Additional flexibility to award further fees where specific incremental services are required to be performed. |
Elements of previous policy that will continue
| Element and link to strategy | Operation | Performance metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) was designed to incentivise the Executive Directors over the longer-term to successfully implement the Company's strategy. |
Awards granted in 2019 vest at the end of a three-year period subject to the Executive Director's continued employment at the date of vesting and satisfaction of the performance conditions. |
Vesting of the 2019 LTIP award is subject to relative total shareholder return and return on capital employed performance, as well as a strategic and operational element. |
| Further details of the terms were included in the relevant Annual Report on Remuneration at the time of grant. |
The chart below shows an estimate of the remuneration that could be received by Executive Directors under the first year of the operation of the Policy set out in this report.

| Element | Minimum | Target | Maximum | Maximum with 50% share price growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed elements | Base salary for 2022/23. Benefits paid for 2021/22 annualised for full year equivalent figures. Pension in line with policy at 6% of salary. |
|||
| Annual bonus | Nil. | 50% of the maximum opportunity. |
100% of the maximum opportunity. |
100% of the maximum opportunity. |
| Restricted Shares | 100% vesting of Restricted Shares. Award levels are 80% of salary for the CEO, 68% of salary for the CFO. |
100% vesting of Restricted Shares. Award levels are 80% of salary for the CEO, 68% of salary for the CFO. |
100% vesting of Restricted Shares. Award levels are 80% of salary for the CEO, 68% of salary for the CFO. |
100% vesting of Restricted Shares plus 50% share price appreciation. Award levels are 80% of salary for the CEO, 68% of salary for the CFO. |
| Saga Transformation Plan (shown in the chart on an annualised basis) |
Nil. | Estimate of accounting fair value. |
£15m for the CEO and £9.2m for the CFO. |
£15m for the CEO and £9.2m for the CFO. |
Scenario charts show 'minimum', 'target' and 'maximum' scenarios in accordance with the Regulations, as well as the impact of a 50% share price growth on the long-term incentives for the 'maximum' scenario. All scenarios do not account for dividend equivalents on DBP shares or RSP shares.
The Committee has discretion in several areas of policy as set out in this report. The Committee may also exercise operational and administrative discretions under relevant plan rules as set out in those rules. In addition, the Committee has the discretion to amend the Policy with regard to minor or administrative matters where it would be, in the opinion of the Committee, disproportionate to seek or await shareholder approval.
Malus is the adjustment of the annual bonus payments or unvested long-term incentive awards (including RSP and STP) because of the occurrence of one or more of the circumstances listed below. The adjustment may result in the value being reduced to nil.
Clawback is the recovery of payments made under the Annual Bonus Plan or vested long-term incentive awards (including RSP and STP) as a result of the occurrence of one or more of the circumstances listed below. Clawback may apply to all, or part, of a participant's payment under the Annual Bonus Plan, RSP or STP award and may be effected, among other means, by requiring the transfer of shares, payment of cash or reduction of awards or bonuses. The circumstances in which malus and clawback could apply are as follows:
| Annual bonus (cash) | Annual bonus (deferred shares) |
Restricted Shares | STP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malus | Up to the date of the cash payment. |
To the end of the three-year vesting period. |
To the end of the three-year vesting period. |
To the end of the five-year vesting period. |
| Clawback | Two years post the date of any cash payment. |
N/a | Two years post vesting. | Two years post vesting. |
The Committee believes that the rules of the plans provide sufficient powers to enforce malus and clawback where required and undertakes an annual review to assess if there are reasonable grounds for the malus and clawback provisions to be enforced.
When considering compensation for loss of office, the Committee will always seek to minimise the cost to the Company whilst applying the following philosophy:
| Remuneration element |
Treatment on cessation of employment |
|---|---|
| General | The Committee will honour Executive Directors' contractual entitlements. Service contracts do not contain liquidated damages clauses. If a contract is to be terminated, the Committee will determine such mitigation as it considers fair and reasonable in each case. There are no contractual arrangements that would guarantee a pension with limited, or no, abatement on severance or early retirement. There is no agreement between the Company and its Directors, or other colleagues, providing for compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs because of a takeover bid. The Committee reserves the right to make additional payments where such payments are made in good faith in discharge of an existing legal obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation); or by way of settlement or compromise of any claim arising in connection with the termination of an Executive Director's office or employment. |
| Salary, benefits and pension |
These will be paid over the notice period. The Company has discretion to make a lump sum payment in lieu. |
| Good leaver reason | Other reason | Discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus cash | Performance conditions will be measured at the bonus measurement date. Bonus will normally be pro-rated for the period worked during the financial year. |
No bonus payable for year of cessation. |
The Committee has the following elements of discretion: • To determine that an Executive Director is a good leaver. It is the Committee's intention to only use this discretion in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. • To determine whether to pro-rate the bonus to time. The Committee's normal policy is that it will pro-rate bonus for time. It is the Committee's intention to use discretion to not pro-rate in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. |
| Bonus deferred share awards |
All subsisting deferred share awards will vest. |
Lapse of any unvested deferred share awards. |
The Committee has the following elements of discretion: • To determine that an Executive Director is a good leaver. It is the Committee's intention to only use this discretion in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. • To vest deferred shares at the end of the original deferral period or at the date of cessation. The Committee will make this determination depending on the type of good leaver reason resulting in the cessation. • To determine whether to pro-rate the maximum number of shares to the time from the date of grant to the date of cessation. The Committee's normal policy is that it will not pro-rate awards for time. The Committee will determine whether or not to pro-rate based on the circumstances of the Executive Director's departure. |
| RSP for the year of cessation |
The award will normally be pro-rated for the period worked during the financial year. |
No award for year of cessation. |
The Committee has the following elements of discretion: • To determine that an Executive Director is a good leaver. It is the Committee's intention to only use this discretion in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. • To determine whether to pro-rate the Company award to time. The Committee's normal policy is that it will pro-rate for time. It is the Committee's intention to use discretion to not pro-rate in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. • To determine whether the award will vest on the date of cessation or the original vesting date. The Committee will make its determination based, amongst other factors, on the reason for the cessation of employment. |
| RSP | Awards will be pro-rated to time and will vest on their original vesting dates and remain subject to the holding period. |
Unvested awards will be forfeited on cessation of employment. Vested awards will remain subject to the holding period. |
The Committee has the following elements of discretion: • To determine that an Executive Director is a good leaver. It is the Committee's intention to only use this discretion in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. • To determine whether to pro-rate the award to the date of cessation. The Committee's normal policy is that it will pro-rate. The Committee will determine whether to pro-rate based on the circumstances of the Executive Director's departure. • To determine whether the awards vest on the date of cessation or the original vesting date. The Committee will make its determination based, amongst other factors, on the reason for the cessation of employment. • To determine whether the holding period for awards applies in part or in full. The Committee will make its determination based, amongst other factors, on the reason for the cessation of employment. |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STP | Awards which have vested remain exercisable at the normal dates, subject to the relevant holding periods/ release dates. The Committee retains discretion to allow awards which have not yet vested to continue to vest subject to achievement of the Hurdle and pro-rated to time. |
Awards which have vested remain exercisable at the normal dates, subject to the relevant holding periods/ release dates. Awards which have not yet vested lapse. |
In respect of the STP, good leaver treatment will be solely at the discretion of the Committee, taking into account the circumstances and factors which it considers to be relevant. |
|
| Other contractual obligations |
There are no other contractual provisions other than those set out above agreed prior to 27 June 2012. |
The following definition of leavers will apply to all of the above incentive plans, except the STP. A good leaver reason is defined as cessation in the following circumstances:
In respect of the STP, good leaver treatment will be solely at the discretion of the Committee, taking into account the circumstances and factors which it considers to be relevant.
Cessation of employment in circumstances other than those set out above is cessation for other reasons.
| Name of incentive plan | Change of control | Discretion |
|---|---|---|
| Cash bonus | Pro-rated to time and performance to the date of the change of control. |
The Committee has discretion regarding whether to pro-rate the bonus to time. The Committee's normal policy is that it will pro-rate the bonus for time. It is the Committee's intention to use its discretion to not pro-rate in circumstances only where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. |
| Bonus deferred share awards | Subsisting deferred share awards will vest on a change of control. |
The Committee has discretion regarding whether to pro-rate the award to time. The Committee's normal policy is that it will not pro-rate awards for time. The Committee will make this determination depending on the circumstances of the change of control. |
| RSP | The number of shares subject to subsisting RSPs will vest on a change of control pro-rated for time and performance against any underpins. |
The Committee has discretion regarding whether to pro-rate the RSPs for time. The Committee's normal policy is that it will pro-rate the RSPs for time. It is the Committee's intention to use its discretion to not pro-rate in circumstances only where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders. The Committee also has discretion to consider attainment of any underpins. |
| STP | There will be a Measurement Date on the change of control and the value of the STP Pool and share awards will be calculated accordingly. The share price used to calculate the total shareholder return will be the offer price for the Company. Accrued share awards will immediately vest (and be released from any holding periods) on the date of the change of control. |
The Committee has discretion regarding whether to pro-rate the STP for time. The Committee's normal policy is that it will not pro-rate the STP for time. |
The Company's principle is that the remuneration of any new recruit will be assessed in line with the same principles as for the Executive Directors, as set out in the Policy table. The Committee is mindful that it wishes to avoid paying more than it considers necessary to secure a preferred candidate with the appropriate calibre and experience needed for the role. In setting the remuneration for new recruits, the Committee will have regard to guidelines and shareholder sentiment regarding one-off or enhanced short-term or long-term incentive payments, as well as giving consideration for the appropriateness of any performance measures associated with an award. The Company's policy when setting remuneration for the appointment of new Directors is summarised in the table below:
| Remuneration element | Policy |
|---|---|
| Salary, benefits and pension | Salary and benefits will be set in line with the policy for existing Executive Directors. Maximum pension contribution will be aligned with that of the majority of colleagues. |
| Annual bonus | Maximum annual participation will be set in line with the Company's policy for existing Executive Directors and will not exceed 150% of salary. |
| RSP | Maximum annual participation will be set in line with the Company's policy for existing Executive Directors and will not exceed 80% of salary. |
| STP | Eligible to participate with award size to reflect expected contribution and timing of joining the plan. |
| Maximum variable remuneration | The maximum variable remuneration which may be granted is the sum of the annual bonus, RSP and STP (excluding the value of any buyouts). |
| Buyout of incentives forfeited on cessation of employment |
Forfeited on cessation of employment. Where the Committee determines that the individual circumstances of recruitment justify the provision of a buyout, the equivalent value of any incentives that will be forfeited on cessation of an Executive Director's previous employment will be calculated taking into account the following: • The proportion of the performance period completed on the date of the Executive Director's cessation of employment. • The performance conditions attached to the vesting of these incentives and the likelihood of them being satisfied. • Any other terms and conditions having a material effect on their value (lapsed value). The Committee may then grant up to the same value as the lapsed value, where |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| possible, under the Company's incentive plans. To the extent that it was not possible, or practical, to provide the buyout within the terms of the Company's existing incentive plans, a bespoke arrangement would be used. |
|||
| Relocation policies | In instances where the new Executive Director is required to relocate or spend significant time away from their normal residence, the Company may provide one-off compensation to reflect the cost of relocation for the Executive Director. The level of the relocation package will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but will take into consideration any cost-of-living differences/housing allowance and schooling, and will not exceed a period of two years from recruitment. |
Where an existing colleague is promoted to the Board, the policy set out above would apply from the date of promotion but there would be no retrospective application of the policy in relation to subsisting incentive awards or remuneration arrangements. Accordingly, prevailing elements of the remuneration package for an existing colleague would be honoured and form part of the ongoing remuneration of the person concerned. These would be disclosed to shareholders in the Directors' Remuneration Report for the relevant financial year.
The Company's policy when setting fees for the appointment of a new Chairman or Non-Executive Director is to apply the policy which applies to current Non-Executive Directors.
The Committee's policy for setting notice periods is that normally they will be a maximum of 12 months. The Committee may, in exceptional circumstances arising on recruitment, allow a longer period, which would in any event reduce to 12 months following the first year of employment. The Non-Executive Directors of the Company do not have service contracts and are appointed by letters of appointment. Each independent Non-Executive Director's term of office runs for a three-year period. The Company follows the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 recommendation that all Directors be subject to annual re-appointment by shareholders.
| Executive Director | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notice periods | |||||
| Name | Date appointed | Nature of contract |
From Company | From Director | Compensation provisions for early termination |
| Euan Sutherland | 6 January 2020 | Rolling | 12 months | 12 months | None |
| James Quin | 1 January 2019 | Rolling | 12 months | 12 months | None |
| Non-Executive Director | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Original appointment |
Appointment of current term |
Arrangement | Notice period/unexpired term at AGM |
|
| Orna NiChionna | 29 May 2014 | 29 May 2020 | Letter of appointment | 3 months/11 months | |
| Julie Hopes | 1 October 2018 | 1 October 2021 | Letter of appointment | 3 months/28 months | |
| Eva Eisenschimmel | 1 January 2019 | 1 January 2022 | Letter of appointment | 3 months/30 months | |
| Gareth Hoskin | 11 March 2019 | 11 March 2022 | Letter of appointment | 3 months/32 months |
The Board allows Executive Directors to accept appropriate outside Non-Executive Director appointments provided the aggregate commitment is compatible with their duties as Executive Directors. The Executive Directors concerned may retain fees paid for these services, which will be subject to approval by the Board.
Performance for the Annual Bonus Plan will be measured against financial and non-financial measures with respective targets for each measure set by the Committee each financial year. The Policy provides the Committee with the flexibility to choose measures that are strongly linked to the specific strategic and financial priorities in any given financial year.
For financial measures, the targets are set with reference to internal forecasts, external forecasts and other circumstances, as appropriate, to ensure that targets are suitably stretching and motivational to Executives.
Non-financial targets are set each financial year with reference to the key strategic objectives of the Company and are linked to the long-term success of the business.
No specific performance conditions are required for the vesting of Restricted Shares but there will be an underpin in that the Committee will have the discretion to adjust vesting taking into account business, individual and wider Company performance.
The STP will be based on the Hurdle of £6.00 per share including dividends paid during the performance period. If this minimum Hurdle is not met, no payout will be awarded. The measure has been set for alignment with longer-term shareholder value, with the Hurdle being set at a level that is considered stretching in the context of the business strategy and market conditions.
Each year, prior to reviewing the remuneration of the Executive Directors and the members of the Executive Leadership Team, the Committee considers a report prepared by the Chief People Officer detailing base pay and share scheme practices across the Company. The report provides an overview of how colleague pay compares to the market and any material changes during the year and includes detailed analysis of basic pay and variable pay changes within the UK.
While the Company does not directly consult with colleagues as part of the process of reviewing executive pay and formulating the Policy, the Company engages with colleagues via its People Committee, where the approach to Executive remuneration is also discussed. The Chair of the Remuneration Committee is the Non-Executive Director nominated as 'People Champion'. In addition, the Committee receives an update and feedback from the broader colleague population on an annual basis using an engagement survey which includes a number of questions relating to remuneration. The Company does not use remuneration comparison measurements.
The Group aims to provide a remuneration package for all colleagues that is market competitive and operates the same core structure as for the Executive Directors. The Group operates colleague share and variable pay plans, with pension provisions provided for all Executive Directors and colleagues. In addition, a proportion of the STP Pool is also reserved for all colleagues. Any salary increases for Executive Directors are expected to be generally in line with those for UK-based colleagues. The Committee annually publishes a section on fairness, diversity and wider workforce considerations as part of the Directors' Remuneration Report.
The Committee takes the views of the shareholders seriously and these views are taken into account in shaping remuneration policy and practice. Shareholder views are considered when evaluating and setting remuneration strategy and the Committee welcomes an open dialogue with its shareholders on all aspects of remuneration. The Committee consulted its major shareholders and the main shareholder representative bodies prior to proposing this Policy. The Committee is grateful for the time taken to consider the Committee proposals and provide feedback. At the end of the consultation, the majority of shareholders consulted indicated they were supportive of this Policy.
The following table sets out how the Policy aligns with the Code whose objective is to ensure the remuneration operated by the Company is aligned with all stakeholder interests, including those of shareholders:
| Key remuneration element of the Code | Alignment with the Policy |
|---|---|
| Five-year period between the date of grant and realisation for equity incentives |
The RSP and STP meet this requirement through the implementation of the two-year post-vesting holding period for the RSP and five-year vesting period for the STP. |
| Phased release of equity awards | The RSP meets this requirement as awards are made in an annual cycle. The STP has a phased release in years five, six and seven. |
| Discretion to override formulaic outcomes | Included in the terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus Plan, the RSP and the STP. |
| Post-cessation shareholding requirement | The full in-employment requirement for two years following cessation of employment. |
| Pension alignment | The pension contribution for all Executive Directors is aligned with the |
|---|---|
| majority of colleagues at 6%. | |
| Extended malus and clawback | The malus and clawback provisions align with the Financial Reporting Council's Board Effectiveness Guidance. |
| Provision 40 element | How the Policy aligns |
| Clarity Remuneration arrangements should be transparent and promote effective engagement with shareholders and the workforce |
The Annual Bonus Plan performance conditions are based on the core strategic objectives and therefore, there is a clear link to all stakeholders between their delivery and reward provided to management. |
| The RSP provides annual grants of shares which have to be retained for the longer term to ensure a focus on sustainable performance. This provides complete clarity of the alignment of the interests of management and shareholders. |
|
| Payout of the STP is directly linked to shareholder value through the Hurdle. | |
| Simplicity Remuneration structures should avoid complexity and their rationale and operation should be easy to understand |
The performance conditions for the Annual Bonus Plan are based on the Company's strategic objectives. This alignment of reward with the delivery of key markers of the success of the implementation of the strategy ensures simplicity. |
| RSPs are a simple mechanism and avoid the setting of long-term performance conditions which tend to inherently make remuneration more complex. |
|
| The STP is based on growth in total shareholder returns and therefore is a simple to understand incentive. |
|
| Risk | The Policy includes: |
| Remuneration arrangements should ensure reputational and other risks from excessive rewards, and behavioural risks that can arise from target-based incentive plans, are identified and mitigated |
• setting defined limits on the maximum awards which can be earned, including an earnings cap on the STP; |
| • requiring the deferral of a substantial proportion of the incentives in shares for a material period of time; |
|
| • aligning the performance conditions with the strategy of the Company; |
|
| • ensuring a focus on long-term sustainable performance through the RSP and STP; and |
|
| • ensuring there is sufficient flexibility to adjust payments through malus and clawback and an overriding discretion to depart from formulaic outcomes. |
|
| These elements mitigate against the risk of target-based incentives by: | |
| • limiting the maximum value that can be earned; |
|
| • deferring the value in shares for the long-term which helps ensure that the performance earning the award was sustainable and thereby discourages short-term behaviours; |
|
| • aligning any reward to the agreed strategy of the Company; the use of an RSP and STP which support a focus on the sustainability of the performance over the longer term; |
|
| • reducing the awards, or cancelling them, if the behaviours giving rise to the awards are inappropriate; and |
|
| • reducing the awards, or cancelling them, if it appears that the criteria on which the award was based do not reflect the underlying performance of the Company. |
|
| Predictability | The Policy sets out clearly the range of values, limits and discretions in respect of the remuneration of management. |
| The range of possible values of rewards to individual directors and any other limits or discretions should be identified |
The RSP, in particular, ensures the predictability of the rewards received by management. |
and explained at the time of approving
the Policy
The link between individual awards, the delivery of strategy and the long-term performance of the Company should be clear. Outcomes should not reward poor performance
The Policy sets out clearly the range of values and discretions in respect of the remuneration of management.
The RSP, in particular, ensures the predictability of the rewards received by Executive Directors and the bonus plan, being based on annual targets, operates over a more predictable time cycle compared with traditional LTIP schemes, thereby allowing the Committee to more effectively ensure desirable remuneration outcomes.
The STP is measured against stretching targets and therefore does not reward poor performance. In addition, the Committee's overriding discretion to depart from formulaic outcomes ensures there is no reward for poor performance.
Incentive schemes should drive behaviours consistent with the Company's purpose, values and strategy The bonus plan drives behaviours consistent with the Company's strategy.
The RSP and STP drive behaviours consistent with the Company's purpose and values which are focused on the long-term future of the business throughout the business cycle.
In conjunction with, but not contingent upon, the proposed changes to the Directors' Remuneration Policy which are subject to a shareholder vote under Resolution 3, Saga plc (the Company) intends to implement a new share plan, the Saga Transformation Plan (the STP). The principal features of the STP are summarised below.
The STP is a discretionary share plan. Under the STP, the Board of the Company (the Board) may grant awards over ordinary shares in the Company (Shares and Awards) to eligible colleagues. No payment is required for the grant of an Award (unless the Board determines otherwise).
Awards may take the form of options or conditional share awards (Options and Conditional Share Awards). It is intended that Awards will be granted in the form of Options.
It is intended that Awards will vest subject to stretching growth targets over a five-year performance period, based on a total shareholder return hurdle (the Hurdle) of £6, including dividends paid during the five-year performance period. Awards will vest over a number of Shares, representing a share in the growth of the Company to the extent that the Hurdle is achieved.
All colleagues of the Company's group (the Group) are eligible for selection to participate in the STP at the discretion of the Board, provided that (unless the Board determines otherwise) they have not given or received notice of termination.
The STP may operate over new issue Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased in the market. An Award may not be granted under the STP if it would cause the aggregate number of Shares issued or issuable under any colleague share scheme operated by the Company in the preceding 10 years to exceed 10% of the Company's issued share capital at that time.
In addition, an Award may not be granted under the STP if it would cause the number of Shares issued or issuable under the STP and any other discretionary colleague share scheme operated by the Company in the preceding 10 years to exceed 5% of the Company's issued share capital at that time.
Shares transferred out of treasury under the STP will count towards these limits for so long as this is required under institutional investor guidelines. In addition, Awards which are renounced or lapse, or any Shares which the trustees of an employee benefit trust have purchased in order to satisfy an award, shall be disregarded for the purposes of these limits.
Awards may be granted during the 42 days beginning on: (i) the date of shareholder approval of the STP; (ii) the day after the announcement of the Company's results for any period; (iii) any day on which the Board determines that circumstances are sufficiently exceptional to justify the making of an Award at that time; or (iv) if any dealing restrictions applied during any such period, the day after the lifting of such dealing restrictions. However, no Awards may be granted more than 10 years from the date of shareholder approval of the STP.
No payment is required for the making of an Award and Awards are not transferable (except on death). Awards are not pensionable.
The Board will impose performance conditions on the vesting of Awards.
The performance condition applying to an Award may be varied or substituted if the Board considers it appropriate, provided the Board considers that the new performance condition is reasonable and is not materially less difficult to satisfy than the original condition (except in the case of waiver). The Board may also impose other conditions on the vesting of Awards.
The maximum value that any Award holder may receive under their Award will be subject to an individual cap, which will be set by the Board. For the Chief Executive Officer, the cap has been set at £15m; for the Chief Financial Officer, the cap has been set at £9.2m.
Awards will normally vest to the extent that the applicable performance conditions have been satisfied and to the extent permitted following any operation of malus. Options will normally remain exercisable for a period determined by the Board at grant, which shall not exceed 10 years from grant.
The Board retains discretion to adjust the level of vesting upwards or downwards if, in its opinion, the level of vesting resulting from the application of the relevant performance conditions is not a fair and accurate reflection of business performance, the participant's personal performance and such other factors as the Board may consider appropriate.
At the discretion of the Board, Awards may be subject to holding periods. Awards made to the Executive Directors will be subject to holding periods. For Awards which are subject to holding periods, holding periods will apply to Shares acquired under the STP as follows:
During any holding period, Award holders will be required to retain the Shares subject to the holding period and shall not be permitted to transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of such Shares for the duration of the holding period, subject to being permitted to sell such number of Shares as may be necessary to meet any tax liability arising on exercise and subject to certain other limited exceptions or if the Board, in its discretion, determines otherwise.
The Board may decide, at any time prior to the vesting of an Award, that the value or number of Shares subject to the Award shall be reduced (including to nil) and/or that additional conditions shall be imposed on such basis that the Board, in its discretion, considers to be fair and reasonable in the following circumstances:
The Board may apply clawback to all, or part, of a participant's Award in substantially the same circumstances as apply to malus (as described above) during the period of two years following the vesting of an Award. Clawback may be effected, among other means, by requiring the transfer of Shares, payment of cash or reduction of awards.
Except in certain circumstances set out below, an Award will lapse immediately upon an Award holder ceasing to be employed by, or holding office with, the Group to the extent it has not vested.
However, the Board may determine that their Award will not lapse and will ordinarily vest on the date when it would have vested if they had not so ceased to be a Group colleague or director, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable performance conditions measured over the original performance period and the operation of malus or clawback. In addition, unless the Board decides otherwise, vesting will be pro-rated to reflect the reduced period of time between the grant of the Award and the participant's cessation of employment as a proportion of the normal vesting period. The Board can alternatively decide that their Award will vest early when they leave. The extent to which an Award will vest in these situations will be determined by the Board at its absolute discretion, taking into account, among other factors, the period of time the Award has been held and the extent to which any applicable performance conditions have been satisfied at the date of cessation of employment and the operation of malus or clawback. In addition, unless the Board decides otherwise, vesting will be pro-rated to reflect the reduced period of time between the grant of the Award and the participant's cessation of employment as a proportion of the normal vesting period.
To the extent that Options vest in these circumstances, they may be exercised for a period of six months following vesting (or such longer period as the Board determines). To the extent that Options vest following the death of a participant, they may normally be exercised for a period of 12 months following death (or such longer period as the Board determines).
In the event of a takeover, scheme of arrangement, compulsory acquisition of Shares, or winding-up of the Company, Awards will vest early. The proportion of the Awards which vest shall be determined by the Board, taking into account, among other factors, the period of time the Award has been held by the participant and the extent to which the applicable performance conditions have been satisfied at that time.
To the extent that Options vest in the event of a takeover, winding-up or scheme of arrangement of the Company, they may be exercised for a period of six months measured from the relevant event (or, in the case of takeover, such longer period as the Board determines) and will otherwise lapse at the end of that period (or, in the case of a winding-up, upon the completion of the winding up if earlier). To the extent that Options vest in the event of a compulsory acquisition of Shares, they may be exercised during the period beginning with the date on which a notice is served under Section 979 of the Companies Act 2006 and ending seven clear days before entitlement to serve such notice ceases.
In the event of a demerger, distribution or any other corporate event not within those above, the Board may determine that Awards shall vest to the extent determined by the Board, taking into account the same factors as set out above. Options that vest in these circumstances may be exercised during such period as the Board determines.
The Board may, in its discretion, allow Options to vest prior to, and conditional upon, the occurrence of any of the events set out above and an Option will then lapse on the occurrence of the event if not exercised prior to the event.
If there is a corporate event resulting in a new person or company acquiring control of the Company, the Board may (with the consent of the acquiring company and the participant) alternatively decide that Awards will not vest or lapse, but will be replaced by equivalent new options over shares in the new acquiring company.
If there is a variation of share capital of the Company, or in the event of a demerger or other distribution, special dividend or distribution, the Board may make such adjustments to Awards, including the number of Shares subject to Awards (or how this number will be calculated) and the award price (if any) as it considers to be fair and reasonable.
At its discretion, the Board may decide to satisfy the exercise of an Option or vesting of a Conditional Share Award with a payment in cash, or Shares equal to any gain that a participant would have made had the relevant Option or Conditional Share Award been satisfied with Shares.
Shares issued and/or transferred under the STP will not confer any rights on any Award holder until the relevant Award has vested (or, in the case of an Option, the Option has been exercised) and the Award holder in question has received the underlying Shares. Any Shares allotted when an Option is exercised, or a Conditional Share Award vests, will rank equally with Shares then in issue (except for rights arising by reference to a record date prior to their issue).
The Board may, at any time, amend the provisions of the STP in any respect. Amendments are subject to any legal or regulatory requirement to obtain shareholder approval and amendments may not be made to the material disadvantage of participants, except with the approval of the majority of the participants affected by the amendment. The prior approval of shareholders at a general meeting of the Company must be obtained in the case of any amendment to the advantage of Award holders which is made to the provisions relating to eligibility, individual or overall limits, the persons to whom an Award can be granted under the STP, the adjustments that may be made in the event of any variation to the share capital of the Company and/or the rule relating to such prior approval, save that there are exceptions for any minor amendment to benefit the administration of the STP, to take account of the provisions of any proposed or existing legislation or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for Award holders, the Company and/or its other Group companies.
Amendments may not adversely affect the rights of Award holders, except where the Award holder is notified of, and has approved, such amendment, where the amendment is made to take account of any matter or circumstance which the Board reasonably considers is a relevant legal or regulatory requirement, or any other matter or circumstance which the Board reasonably considers is relevant and requires an amendment to be made.

Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE Registered in England and Wales No: 08804263
Equiniti Group Telephone: +44 (0) 371 384 2640 Email: [email protected]
Emily Roalfe (Head of Investor Relations) Daniel Gow (Investor Relations Executive) Email: [email protected]

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