Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • Jun 23, 2023
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
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If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of the proposals referred to in this document or as to the action you should take, you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other professional adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 immediately.
If you have recently sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in CMC Markets plc, please send this notice, together with the accompanying documents, as soon as possible to the purchaser or transferee, or to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 1985 with company number 05145017) (Legal Entity Identifier ("LEI") number 213800VB75KAZBFH5U07)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY 27 JULY 2023 OF CMC MARKETS PLC
Notice of the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX on 27 July 2023 at 10.00 am.

Dear shareholder,
I am pleased to be writing to you with details of the 2023 Annual General Meeting ("AGM" or "Meeting") which will be held at 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX on Thursday 27 July 2023 at 10.00 am.
We consider the AGM to be an important part of our shareholder engagement and we will be making arrangements to ensure that the conduct of the Meeting might be observed by shareholders via a live webcast and will be facilitating the raising of shareholder questions in advance of the Meeting. Though not a pre-condition of attendance, we are requesting pre-registration for those shareholders who are proposing to attend the AGM. More details in this regard can be found on page 6 of this document.
The formal notice of AGM is set out on pages 3 and 4 of this document.
We recommend that all shareholders appoint the Chairman of the Meeting as proxy. This will ensure that your vote is counted even if attendance at the Meeting is restricted or you or any other proxy you might appoint are unable to attend the Meeting in person.
Shareholders are able to appoint a proxy in accordance with the procedures set out in notes 1–7 on page 5 in order to vote in advance of the AGM.
The Company is not distributing a hard copy form of proxy unless specifically requested and shareholders are encouraged to vote electronically.
If you have a Form of Instruction, please note the earlier deadline of 10.00 am on 24 July 2023 for lodging your form or voting instructions online.
An explanation of the business to be considered at this year's AGM appears on pages 7 and 8 of this document. Also note the shareholders' FAQ and useful information on page 8.
Shareholders are encouraged to submit questions relating to the business to be conducted at the AGM to be considered in advance of the AGM via email to [email protected]. Questions may be submitted up to 10.00 am on 20 July 2023. Responses to any such questions, if appropriate and relevant to the business of the AGM, will be posted for general view at www.cmcmarketsplc.com.
The Board is recommending for approval at the AGM a final dividend payment of 3.90 pence per Ordinary Share for the year ended 31 March 2023. If approved, the dividend will be payable on 11 August 2023 to holders of Ordinary Shares in the Company named on the Register of Members as at the close of business on 14 July 2023.
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all of the current Directors will stand for election or re-election by the shareholders at the AGM.
Having been appointed as a Director since the last AGM, Clare Francis will retire at the AGM and, in accordance with the Articles of Association and being eligible, will offer herself up for election.
See page 7 for more explanation on the relevant resolutions.
The Board considers that all the resolutions are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Directors unanimously recommend that you vote 'FOR' the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM, as the Directors intend to do so in respect of their own beneficial holdings.
The results of the voting on all resolutions will be announced via the regulatory news service and published on our website as soon as practicable following the conclusion of the AGM.
Yours sincerely,
James Richards Chairman
Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of CMC Markets plc (the "Company") will be held at 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX on Thursday 27 July 2023 at 10.00 am for the following purposes.
Resolutions 15 to 19 (inclusive) will be proposed as special resolutions, which means that for each of these to be passed, at least 75% of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution. All other resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions, which means that for each of these to be passed, more than 50% of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
such authorities to apply in substitution for all previous authorities pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 and to expire at the end of the next annual general meeting or on 26 September 2024, whichever is the earlier, but, in each case, so that the Company may, before such expiry, make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares to be granted after the authority given by this resolution has expired.
For the purposes of this resolution:
but subject in both cases to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates or legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory; and
(ii) the nominal amount of any securities shall be taken to be, in the case of rights to subscribe for, or convert any securities into, shares of the Company, the nominal amount of such shares which may be allotted pursuant to such rights.
such authorities to expire at the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company or at the close of business on 26 September 2024, whichever is the earlier, but, in each case, so that the Company may, before such expiry, make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted and treasury shares to be sold after the authority given by this resolution has expired and the Directors may allot equity securities and sell treasury shares under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
For the purposes of this Resolution:
such authorities to expire at the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company or at the close of business on 26 September 2024, whichever is the earlier, but, in each case, so that the Company may, before such expiry, make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted and treasury shares to be sold after the authority given by this resolution has expired and the Directors may allot equity securities and sell treasury shares under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
For the purposes of this Resolution, references to an allotment of equity securities shall include a sale of treasury shares.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
Company Secretary 23 June 2023 Registered in England and Wales No. 05145017 Registered Office: 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 213800VB75KAZBFH5U07
For CREST members, see notes 11 to 14 below.
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Link Group is open between 09.00 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and Wales. To appoint a proxy, the form of proxy and any power of attorney or other authority under which it is executed (or a duly certified copy of any such power or authority) must be either (a) sent to the Company's Registrars, Link Group, PXSI, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL, (b) the proxy appointment must be lodged using the CREST Proxy Voting Service in accordance with note 12 below or (c) the proxy appointment must be registered electronically, by visiting the Registrars' website, www.cmcmarketsshares.co.uk, where full details of the procedures are given, in each case so as to be received no later than 10.00 am on 25 July 2023.
The business which may be dealt with at the AGM for the relevant financial year includes any statement that the Company has been required under Section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 to publish on a website.
The following pages give an explanation of the proposed resolutions.
Resolutions 1 to 14 are proposed as ordinary resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, more than 50% of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
Resolutions 15 to19 are proposed as special resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, at least 75% of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
In accordance with the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the "Code"), all Directors are seeking election or re-election at this Annual General Meeting ("AGM") and separate resolutions are proposed for each. Having been appointed as a Director since the last Annual General Meeting, Clare Francis will retire at the AGM and, in accordance with the Articles of Association and being eligible, will offer herself for election by shareholders. The Chairman confirms that all Directors standing for election or re-election at the 2023 AGM continue to be effective and demonstrate commitment to their roles. The Nomination Committee Report in the Annual Report & Accounts provides information on the rationale for the election or re-election of the Directors The rationale for the re-election of the Chairman, who will have served over nine years ahead of the 2024 AGM, is set out in the Corporate Governance section on page 84. Biographical details for the Directors (which includes information on how each Director contributes to the continued success of the Company) are provided on pages 76 to 78 of the Annual Report & Accounts. None of the independent Non-Executive Directors seeking election or re-election at the 2023 AGM have any existing or previous relationship with the Company, nor with any controlling shareholder of the Company or any associate of a controlling shareholder of the Company within the meaning of LR 13.8.17 R (1).
The Company's Nomination Committee considers the appointment and replacement of Directors subject to the rules set out in the Company's Articles of Association. The Nomination Committee will usually engage an independent search consultant with no connection to the Company to find appropriate candidates for the Board with the requisite skills, and in doing so will take account of relevant guidelines and legislation relating to the appointment of individuals to boards. The Nomination Committee may also consider candidates introduced to the Company from other sources.
In considering the independent Non-Executive Directors' (excluding the Chairman) independence, the Board has taken into consideration the guidance provided by the UK Corporate Governance Code. The Board considers Paul Wainscott, Sarah Ing, Clare Francis and Susanne Chishti to be independent in accordance with Provision 10 of the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Under the Listing Rules, Lord Cruddas and Fiona Cruddas are classed as "controlling shareholders" of the Company. This means that the independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company must be elected or re-elected by a majority of the votes cast by the independent shareholders of the Company, as well as by a majority of the votes cast by all the shareholders. The independent shareholders of the Company means all the shareholders of the Company other than Lord Cruddas and Fiona Cruddas. Therefore, the resolutions for the election or re-election of the independent Non-Executive Directors (Resolutions 3, 4, 8, and 9) will be taken on a poll and the votes cast by the independent shareholders and by all the shareholders will be calculated separately. Such resolutions will be passed only if a majority of the votes cast by the independent shareholders are in favour, in addition to a majority of the votes cast by all the shareholders being in favour.
If the ordinary resolution to approve the election of an existing independent Non-Executive Director is passed, but separate approval by the independent shareholders is not given, the Listing Rules permit an existing independent Non-Executive Director to remain in office pending a further ordinary resolution of all the shareholders to approve the election of the Director. Such a resolution may only be voted on within the period of between 90 days and 120 days following the date of the original vote.
The Company is obliged by law to appoint the auditor annually. The Board, on the recommendation of the Group Audit Committee, recommends the re-appointment of Deloitte LLP as auditor, to hold office until the next meeting at which accounts are laid and this resolution proposes that Deloitte LLP be re-appointed as the Company's auditor. In Resolution 13, shareholders are being asked to authorise the Group Audit Committee to determine the remuneration of the Company's auditor.
This resolution deals with the remuneration paid to the Directors during the year under review. Shareholders are invited to vote on the Directors' remuneration report (excluding the Directors' remuneration policy set out on pages 100 to 107 of the Annual Report & Accounts) which appears on pages 98 to 118 of the Annual Report & Accounts. Resolution 14 is an advisory vote and does not determine the Directors' remuneration arrangements.
The purpose of Resolution 15 is to renew the Directors' power to allot shares.
The authority in paragraph (i) will allow the Directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert other securities into, shares up to a nominal value of £23,084,775, which is equivalent to approximately 33% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company, exclusive of treasury shares, as at 9 June 2023.
The authority in paragraph (ii) will allow the Directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert other securities into, shares only in connection with a pre-emptive offer up to a further nominal value of £23,084,775, which is equivalent to approximately 33% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company, exclusive of treasury shares, as at 9 June 2023. This is in line with the Investment Association's Share Capital Management Guidelines issued in February 2023.
As at 9 June 2023, the Company did not hold any shares in treasury.
There are no present plans to undertake a pre-emptive offer or to allot new shares other than in connection with employee share and incentive plans. The Directors consider it desirable to have the maximum flexibility permitted by corporate governance guidelines to respond to market developments and to enable allotments to take place to finance business opportunities as they arise.
If the resolution is passed, the authority will expire on the earlier of 26 September 2024 and the end of the AGM in 2024.
If the Directors wish to allot new shares and other equity securities, or sell treasury shares, for cash (other than in connection with an employee share scheme), company law requires that these shares are offered first to shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings.
Limb (i) of Resolution 16 seeks shareholder approval to allot a limited number of Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, or sell treasury shares, for cash on a pre-emptive basis but subject to such exclusions or arrangements as the Directors may deem appropriate to deal with certain legal, regulatory or practical difficulties. For example, in a pre-emptive rights issue, there may be difficulties in relation to fractional entitlements or the issue of new shares to certain shareholders, particularly those resident in certain overseas jurisdictions.
In addition, there may be circumstances when the Directors consider it in the best interests of the Company to allot a limited number of Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, or sell treasury shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis. The Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles supports the annual disapplication of pre-emption rights in respect of allotments of shares and other equity securities and sales of treasury shares for cash representing no more than 10% of issued ordinary share capital (exclusive of treasury shares), without restriction as to the use of proceeds of those allotments.
Accordingly, the purpose of limb (ii) of Resolution 16 is to authorise the Directors to allot new shares and other equity securities pursuant to the allotment authority given by Resolution 15, or sell treasury shares, for cash up to a nominal value of £3,497,693, equivalent to 5% of shares, as at 9 June 2023, without the shares first being offered to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings.
At 9 June 2023, the Company did not hold any shares in treasury.
The Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles also supports the annual disapplication of pre-emption rights in respect of allotments of shares and other equity securities and sales of treasury shares for cash representing no more than an additional 10% of the issued ordinary share capital (exclusive of treasury shares), to be used only in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment. The Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles defines "specified capital investment" as meaning one or more specific capital investment related uses for the proceeds of an issue of equity securities, in respect of which sufficient information regarding the effect of the transaction on the Company, the assets the subject of the transaction and (where appropriate) the profits attributable to them is made available to shareholders to enable them to reach an assessment of the potential return.
Accordingly, and in line with the template resolutions published by the Pre-Emption Group in November 2022, the purpose of Resolution 17 is to authorise the Directors to allot new shares and other equity securities pursuant to the allotment authority given by Resolution 15, or sell treasury shares, for cash up to a further nominal amount of £3,497,693, equivalent to 5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 9 June 2023, exclusive of treasury shares, only in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment which is announced contemporaneously with the allotment, or which has taken place in the preceding 12-month period and is disclosed in the announcement of the issue.
Although as stated above, the revised Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles allows for the disapplication of pre-emption rights up to a limit of 10% in Resolutions 16 and 17, the Directors consider it appropriate to retain the previous limits of 5% of the issued share capital of the Company for Resolutions 16 and 17. Resolutions 16 and 17 also do not provide for follow-on offers. These decisions are in line with current market practice but will remain continuously under review by the Directors.
The Board has no current intention of exercising the authorities in Resolutions 16 and 17 but considers them to be appropriate in order to allow the Company flexibility to finance business opportunities or to conduct a pre-emptive offer without the need to comply with the strict requirements of the statutory pre-emption provisions.
The Board confirms that it intends to follow the shareholder protections set out in Section 2B of the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles. Additionally, while Resolutions 16 and 17 do not specifically provide for follow-on offers, where relevant, the Board confirms its intention to follow the expected features of a follow-on offer as set out in paragraph 3 of part 2B of the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles.
If Resolutions 16 and 17 are passed, the authority will expire on the earlier of 26 September 2024 and the end of the AGM in 2024.
The effect of this resolution is to renew the authority granted to the Company to purchase its own Ordinary Shares, up to a maximum of 27,981,546 Ordinary Shares, until the AGM in 2024 or 26 September 2024, whichever is the earlier. This represents 10% of the Ordinary Shares in issue as at 9 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice) and the Company's exercise of this authority is subject to the stated upper and lower limits on the price payable.
If any shares are purchased, they will be either cancelled or held as treasury shares, as determined by the Directors at the time of purchase. Shares will only be purchased for the purposes of employee share schemes, or if the Directors consider such purchases to be in the best interests of shareholders generally and that they can be expected to result in an increase in earnings per share. The authority will only be used after careful consideration, taking into account market conditions prevailing at the time, other investment opportunities, appropriate gearing levels and the overall financial position of the Company. Shares held as treasury shares will not automatically be cancelled and will not be taken into account in future calculations of earnings per share (unless they are subsequently resold or transferred out of treasury).
As at 9 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice), there were 2,899,300 outstanding share options and awards granted under all share option schemes operated by the Company and nil outstanding warrants, which, if exercised would represent 1.04% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company.
If this authority was exercised in full, that percentage would increase to 1.15%.
In accordance with the authority granted at the 2022 AGM, the Company purchased and cancelled 4,472,679 Ordinary Shares of 25 pence each which represented 2.50% of the called-up share capital of the Company as at 28 July 2022. Further details on the share buyback can be found on page 120 of the Annual Report & Accounts 2023. At 9 June 2023, the Company held no shares in treasury.
Under the Companies Act 2006, the notice period required for all general meetings of the Company is 21 days. AGMs will always be held on at least 21 clear days' notice, but shareholders can approve a shorter notice period for other general meetings, as long as this is not less than 14 clear days.
In order to maintain flexibility for the Company, Resolution 19 seeks such approval. The approval will be effective until the Company's next annual general meeting, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.
How do I contact Link?
By phone
Tel: 0371 664 0300
If you are outside the United Kingdom, please call +44 (0) 371 664 0300.
Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09.00 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and Wales.
By mail Link Group 10th Floor Central Square 29 Wellington Street Leeds LS1 4DL
A proxy is someone appointed by you to vote on your behalf. This can be a person of your choosing or the Chairman of the Meeting. A proxy does not need to be a shareholder in the Company but must cast relevant votes on your behalf in order for your votes to be accounted for in the poll. You are strongly encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the Meeting as your proxy, which will ensure your votes are cast in accordance with your wishes. To request a form of proxy, please see notes 1 to 7 on page 5 of this document for guidance.
133 Houndsditch London EC3A 7BX United Kingdom
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