AGM Information • Apr 14, 2022
AGM Information
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DL/78 at 78 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QS on Friday 13 May 2022 at 10.30 a.m.
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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 seek your own advice from a stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other independent professional adviser.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in Derwent London plc (the "Company"), please pass this document together with the accompanying documents to the purchaser or transferee, or to the person who arranged the sale or transfer, so they can pass these documents to the person who now holds the shares.
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| Letter from the Chairman of Derwent London plc | 3 |
|---|---|
| PART II | |
| Notice of Annual General Meeting Explanatory notes to the Notice of Annual General Meeting |
5 10 |
| PART III |
Map to venue 15
Whether or not you propose to attend the Annual General Meeting, please complete and submit a Form of Proxy in accordance with the instructions printed on the enclosed form. To be valid, the Form of Proxy should be returned as soon as possible and, in any event, by no later than 10:30 a.m. on 11 May 2022. Completion and return of a Form of Proxy will not prevent a shareholder from attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting should they choose to do so. Further instructions relating to the Form of Proxy are set out in the notes to the Notice of the Annual General Meeting.
The following documents are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company until the time of the Annual General Meeting and at DL/78 at 78 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QS from 15 minutes before the Annual General Meeting until it ends:
The AGM on 13 May 2022 is being held at DL/78, a map to the venue is available on page 15. The venue will be open for your arrival from 10.00 a.m. DL/78 does not have a car park, however there is limited on-street parking nearby. The nearest tube stations are:
Mark Breuer (Chairman) Incorporated and registered in Paul Williams (Chief Executive Officer) England and Wales under Damian Wisniewski (Chief Financial Officer) number 1819699 Claudia Arney (Non-Executive Director) Lucinda Bell (Non-Executive Director) Registered and Head Office: Richard Dakin (Non-Executive Director) 25 Savile Row Nigel George (Executive Director) London Helen Gordon (Non-Executive Director) W1S 2ER Emily Prideaux (Executive Director) 020 7659 3000 Sanjeev Sharma (Non-Executive Director) Cilla Snowball (Non-Executive Director)
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12 April 2022
Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to be writing to you with details of our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which we are holding at DL/78 at 78 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QS on 13 May 2022 at 10.30 a.m. The venue will be open for your arrival from 10.00 a.m.
DL/78 is our exciting new hybrid space for connection and collaboration, which is housed within our 80 Charlotte Street campus, and has been operational since 4 October 2021. DL/78 is on the lower ground floor of 80 Charlotte Street, which we completed in June 2020, and comprises 322,000 sq ft of offices, 43,000 sq ft of residential, 12,000 sq ft of retail and a public realm park. Our occupiers at 80 Charlotte Street include Arup and Boston Consulting Group.
Due to Covid-19, we have had to hold closed AGMs for the past two years. Although these have worked efficiently, we look forward to being able to meet you in-person at this year's AGM. We recommend that AGM attendees take a lateral flow test before attending in-person. Please do not attend the AGM if you are feeling unwell with a cold, cough, sore throat or have any other Covid-19 symptoms.
For our shareholders who are unable to physically attend the AGM, we will provide audio facilities, so that they may follow the proceedings of the AGM remotely. To register for access to the audio facilities, please visit our website at www.derwentlondon.com. Registration for use of the audio facilities, will close at 10.00 am on Friday 13 May 2022.
Please be advised that the audio facilities may be "listen only", although you will be able to submit a question to the Board during the proceedings by emailing the Company Secretary, David Lawler, at [email protected]. It would be helpful to the smooth running of the AGM, if questions could be submitted to the Company Secretary up to one day before the commencement of the AGM.
The Covid-19 situation is constantly evolving, and accordingly we may need to adapt the intended format and nature of the AGM should further regulatory restrictions or UK Government guidance be implemented. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and any necessary or appropriate changes to the AGM, including in relation to the number of shareholders who may attend in-person, will be communicated to shareholders in advance of the AGM on our corporate website. We would like to thank all shareholders in advance for their co-operation and understanding.
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The formal Notice of AGM is set out on pages 5 to 7 of this document. If you would like to vote on the resolutions but are unable to attend the AGM, please fill in the Form of Proxy sent to you with this notice and return it to our Registrars as soon as possible. They must receive it by 10.30 a.m. on 11 May 2022. We strongly encourage all shareholders attending remotely to vote in advance of the AGM using this method.
In accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code, all Directors will be putting themselves forward for re-election at the AGM, except Sanjeev Sharma who is seeking election following his appointment to the Board on 1 October 2021. Following a formal internal evaluation, I can confirm that each Director's performance continues to be highly effective and demonstrates a high level of commitment to their roles.
Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 53.50p per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2021. Of this amount, 35.50p will be paid as a Property Income Distribution (PID) with the balance of 18.00p paid as a conventional dividend. If you approve the recommended final dividend, it will be paid on 1 June 2022 to all ordinary shareholders who are on the register of members as at 29 April 2022.
Explanatory notes on all the business to be considered at this year's AGM appear on pages 10 to 14 of this document.
The Directors consider that all the resolutions to be put to the meeting are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole, and unanimously recommend that you vote in favour of all resolutions, as they intend to do in respect of their own shareholdings.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2022 AGM. We hope that you will join us in experiencing DL/78 and will attend our AGM in person.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Breuer Chairman
Notice is hereby given that the 38th Annual General Meeting of Derwent London plc will be held at DL/78 at 78 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QS at 10.30 a.m. on 13 May 2022. You will be asked to consider and, if thought fit, pass the resolutions below. Resolutions 18 to 22 (inclusive) will be proposed as special resolutions. All other resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions.
and so that the Board may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which it considers necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or any other matter, such authorities to apply until the end of next year's AGM (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 13 August 2023) but, in each case, during this period the Company may make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares to be granted after the authority ends and the Board may allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not ended.
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and so that the Board may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which it considers necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or any other matter;
such power to apply until the end of next year's AGM (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 13 August 2023) but, in each case, during this period the Company may make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted (and treasury
shares to be sold) after the power ends and the Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not ended.
such authority to apply until the end of next year's AGM (or, if earlier, 13 August 2023) but in each case so that during this period the Company may enter into a contract to purchase ordinary shares which would, or might be, completed or executed wholly or partly after the authority ends and the Company may purchase ordinary shares pursuant to any such contract as if the authority had not ended.
By order of the Board
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David A. Lawler Company Secretary
12 April 2022
Registered Office:
Derwent London plc 25 Savile Row London W1S 2ER Registered in England and Wales No. 1819699
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.
The notes on the following pages give an explanation of the proposed resolutions. Resolutions 1 to 17 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 18 to 22 (inclusive) 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.
For each financial year, the Directors must present the Directors' report, the audited accounts and the independent auditor's report to shareholders at a general meeting. Those to be presented at the AGM are in respect of the year ended 31 December 2021.
Under section 439 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company is required to seek the approval of shareholders of its annual report on remuneration practice, which details the remuneration of the Directors for the year under review.
Resolution 2 seeks shareholder approval for the Annual Report on Directors' Remuneration (including the Annual Statement by the Chair of the Remuneration Committee) as set out on pages 172 to 193 of the 2021 Report & Accounts. The vote on the Annual Report on Directors' Remuneration will be advisory.
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Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 53.50p per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2021 of which 35.50p will be paid as a Property Income Distribution ('PID') and 18.00p will be paid as a conventional dividend to be paid on 1 June 2022 to shareholders who are members at the close of business of 29 April 2022.
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all the Directors will be putting themselves forward for re-election, except Sanjeev Sharma who is seeking election following his appointment to the Board on 1 October 2021. The Directors believe that the Board continues to maintain an appropriate balance of knowledge and skills and that all the non-executive directors are independent in character and judgement.
The Chairman has confirmed that, following formal external performance evaluations, the Directors continue to perform effectively and demonstrate commitment to their roles. Biographies of the Directors including their areas of expertise relevant to their role as Director are given on pages 126 and 127 of the 2021 Report & Accounts.
roles at British Land. As well as her general contribution to the Board and its Committee's, the Board benefits from Lucinda's financial knowledge and experience within the real estate industry. The Board recommends Lucinda's reappointment.
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The Company is required to appoint auditors at each general meeting at which its report and accounts are presented to shareholders. On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, resolution 15 proposes the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor (to hold office until the conclusion of next year's AGM).
The directors may set the remuneration of the auditors if authorised to do so by the shareholders. In accordance with normal practice, resolution 16 authorises the Audit Committee, for and on behalf of the Board, to determine the auditor's remuneration. Under the Competition and Markets Authority's Statutory Audit Services Order, the Audit Committee has specific responsibility for negotiating and agreeing the statutory audit fee for and on behalf of the Board.
You are asked to approve the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and, following normal practice, to authorise the Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board, to determine the remuneration of the auditor.
Paragraph (A) of this resolution would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £1,869,955 (representing 37,399,096 ordinary shares of 5 pence each). This amount represents approximately one-third of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 4 April 2022, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice.
In line with guidance issued by the Investment Association, paragraph (B) of this resolution would give the Directors authority to allot ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into ordinary shares in connection with a rights issue in favour of ordinary shareholders up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £3,740,471 (representing 74,809,414 ordinary shares of 5 pence each), as reduced by the nominal amount of any shares issued under paragraph (A) of this resolution. This amount (before any reduction) represents approximately two-thirds of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 4 April 2022, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice.
The authorities sought under paragraphs (A) and (B) of this resolution will expire at the earlier of 13 August 2023 and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2023.
The Directors have no present intention to exercise either of the authorities sought under this resolution, other than to allot ordinary shares as share dividends instead of cash dividends and following the exercise of options and awards under the Company's share schemes. However, if they do exercise the authorities, the Directors intend to follow Investment Association recommendations concerning their use.
As at 4 April 2022, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice, no ordinary shares are held by the Company in treasury.
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In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, the maximum aggregate fees payable to Non-Executive Directors are £700,000. Although there are currently no plans to make any material changes to Directors' fees other than the changes disclosed on page 173 of the 2021 Report & Accounts, the Board believes it is desirable to increase the fee limit to provide flexibility for any future increase in Directors' fees or any further increase in the number of Directors, and therefore seeks shareholder approval to raise the aggregate maximum fees payable to its Non-Executive Directors by £100,000 to £800,000 a year.
Under resolution 19, it is proposed that the Directors be authorised to issue shares for cash and/or sell any treasury shares without offering them first to existing shareholders in proportion to their current holdings. Such authority would be limited to allotments or sales in connection with preemptive offers and offers to holders of other equity securities if required by the rights of those shares or as the Board otherwise considers necessary, in connection with a scrip dividend scheme or similar arrangement where the scrip election is made after the declaration (but before payment) of a final dividend, or otherwise up to an aggregate nominal amount of £280,521 representing 5,610,426 ordinary shares of 5 pence each. This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 5 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company as at 4 April 2022, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice.
Under resolution 20, it is proposed that the Directors (in addition to the authority referred to in resolution 19) be authorised to disapply statutory pre-emption rights in respect of an issuance of shares for cash/sale of treasury shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £280,521 representing 5,610,426 ordinary shares of 5 pence each. This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 5 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company as at 4 April 2022, 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 this authority will only be used in connection with one or more acquisitions or specified capital investments that are announced contemporaneously with the issue, or that shall have taken place in the preceding six-month period and are disclosed in the announcement of the issue.
In line with the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles, the Directors confirm their intention that (except in relation to an issue pursuant to the additional 5 per cent. referred to in resolution 19) no more than 7.5 per cent of the issued share capital will be issued for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis during any rolling three-year period without prior consultation with shareholders.
The authorities conferred by resolutions 19 and 20 will expire at the earlier of 13 August 2023 and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2023.
Resolution 21 is another special resolution and renews the Directors' authority granted by the shareholders at previous AGMs to make market purchases of up to 10 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary shares (excluding any treasury shares).
The Company may make purchases of its own shares if, having taken account of all major factors such as the effect on earnings and net asset value per share, gearing levels and alternative investment opportunities, such purchases are considered to be in the Company's and shareholders' best interests while maintaining an efficient capital structure.
If the Company purchases any of its ordinary shares pursuant to resolution 21, the Company may cancel these shares or hold them in treasury. Such decision will be made by the Directors at the time of purchase. The minimum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is 5 pence. The maximum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is the highest of: (i) an amount equal to 5 per cent. above the average market value for an ordinary share for the five business days immediately preceding the date of the purchase; and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venues where the purchase is carried out at the relevant time.
At last year's AGM, the Company was given authority to make market purchases of up to 11,177,329 shares. No shares have been purchased by the Company in the market since then.
Options to subscribe for a total of 1,466,422 shares, being 1.31 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital, were outstanding at 4 April 2022 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice). If the existing authority given at the 2021 AGM and the authority being sought under resolution 21 were to be fully used, these would represent 1.63 per cent. of the Company's issued ordinary share capital at that date.
The Directors do not have any current plans to exercise the authority to be granted pursuant to resolution 21. The Directors will exercise this authority only when to do so would be in the best interests of the Company, and of its shareholders generally.
The authority will expire at the earlier of 13 August 2023 and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2023.
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Changes made to the Companies Act 2006 by The Companies (Shareholders' Rights) Regulations 2009 increase the notice period required for general meetings of the Company to 21 days unless shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which cannot however be less than 14 clear days. AGMs will continue to be held on at least 21 clear days' notice.
Before The Companies (Shareholders' Rights) Regulations 2009 came into force, the Company was able to call general meetings other than an AGM on 14 clear days' notice without obtaining such shareholder approval. In order to preserve this ability, resolution 22, which is a special resolution, seeks such approval.
The approval will be effective until the Company's next AGM, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed. The shorter notice period would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings, but only where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole.
Note that the changes to the Companies Act 2006 mean that, in order to be able to call a general meeting on less than 21 clear days' notice, the Company must make a means of electronic voting available to all shareholders for that meeting.
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The AGM on 13 May 2022 at 10.30 a.m. is being held at DL/78 at 78 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QS. The venue will be open for your arrival from 10.00 a.m.

16 DERWENT LONDON ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022
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