AGM Information • Mar 27, 2015
AGM Information
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This year's Annual General Meeting will be held at 11.00am on Thursday 7 May 2015 at FIVE (Farnborough International Venue & Events), Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6FD
This Notice of Meeting sets out the resolutions that shareholders are being asked to consider and vote on. These resolutions are an important part of the governance of the Company and all shareholders are urged to vote, whether they are able to attend the meeting or not.
You can vote on the resolutions put to shareholders either online or by post as follows:
It is good practice for companies to take a poll on all resolutions put to shareholders and the Company has used such polls for a number of years. This allows all shareholders to have their votes recognised whether or not they are able to attend the meeting.
The results of the voting on the resolutions will be posted on the Company's website after the meeting.
Your Directors consider that each of the proposals detailed in the Notice of Meeting will be of benefit to and in the best interests of the Company and the shareholders as a whole. The Directors intend to vote in favour of all Resolutions in respect of their own beneficial holdings of ordinary shares in the Company and unanimously recommend other shareholders to do likewise.
This document is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt 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 sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares, please send this document, together with the accompanying Form of Proxy, 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.
Please see the map on page 8 of this document and the reference to roadworks at the Queen's Roundabout.
FIVE is situated in Farnborough, Hampshire, to the south west of London, close to Junction 4 of the M3. Follow the Farnborough/FIVE signs on all major routes.
SatNav users should enter 'GU14 6AZ' for directions to the Queen's Roundabout. From the roundabout, take Government House Road (Aerospace Boulevard) and follow the signs to FIVE via Gate F.
Free parking is available at FIVE in the designated car park.
The main train station in Farnborough is Farnborough Main. Other rail stations in the vicinity of FIVE include North Camp and Aldershot. Please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or telephone 08457 484950 for rail travel information.
A complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided between Farnborough Main train station and FIVE. A return service to Farnborough Main will be provided after the meeting.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of BAE Systems plc will be held at FIVE (Farnborough International Venue & Events), Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6FD on Thursday 7 May 2015 at 11.00am for the purpose of transacting the following business:
To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following Resolutions 1-17, which will be proposed as ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS:
THAT the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2014 now laid before this meeting be and are hereby received.
THAT the Annual Statement by the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and the Annual Report on Remuneration (as set out on pages 67 to 82 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2014) be and are hereby approved.
THAT the final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014 of 12.3 pence per ordinary share be and is hereby declared payable on 1 June 2015 to Ordinary Shareholders whose names appeared on the Register of Members at the close of business on 17 April 2015.
THAT Sir Roger Carr be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Jerry DeMuro be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
RESOLUTION 6 – Re-election of director
THAT Harriet Green be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Christopher Grigg be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Ian King be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Peter Lynas be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
RESOLUTION 10 – Re-election of director THAT Paula Rosput Reynolds be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Nicholas Rose be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Carl Symon be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT Ian Tyler be and is hereby re-elected a Director of the Company.
THAT KPMG LLP be and are hereby reappointed Auditors of the Company to hold office until the next General Meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company.
THAT the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors be and is hereby authorised to agree the remuneration of the Auditors.
THAT
(i) the Company and those companies which are subsidiaries of the Company at any time during the period for which this resolution has effect be authorised for the purposes of Part 14 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "2006 Act") during the period from the date of the passing of this resolution to the earlier of the conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting in 2016 or 30 June 2016:
up to an aggregate amount of £100,000, and the amount authorised under each of paragraphs (a) to (c) shall also be limited to such amount; and
The authorities in this Resolution apply in substitution for all previous authorities pursuant to Section 551 of the 2006 Act.
For the purposes of the authority in paragraph (ii) above, "rights issue" means an offer to:
to subscribe further securities by means of the issue of a renounceable letter (or other negotiable document) which may be traded for a period before payment for the securities is due, 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.
To consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following Resolutions 18 to 20 which will be proposed as SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS:
THAT subject to the passing of Resolution 17 above,
authority given by paragraph (ii) of Resolution 17 above in connection with a rights issue, as if Section 561(1) of the 2006 Act did not apply to any such allotment, such power to expire at the conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting in 2016 or on 30 June 2016, whichever is the earlier but so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements during this period which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted after the power ends.
For the purposes of this Resolution "rights issue" has the same meaning as in Resolution 17 above.
THAT the Company be and is hereby unconditionally and generally authorised for the purposes of Section 701 of the 2006 Act to make market purchases (as defined in Section 693 of the 2006 Act) of its ordinary shares of 2.5p each in the capital of the Company provided that:
THAT a general meeting other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
By Order of the Board
Company Secretary
27 March 2015
6 Carlton Gardens London SW1Y 5AD
Shareholders who have received a shareholder voting instruction card or a proxy card may appoint a proxy or proxies electronically via the Company's website at www.baesystems.com/reporting using the Voting ID, Task ID, and Shareholder Reference Number on the proxy card or shareholder voting instruction card. Electronic proxy appointments must be received no later than 11.00am UK time on 5 May 2015. CREST members who wish to appoint proxies through the CREST electronic appointment service should refer to paragraphs 12-15 below.
voting service provider, to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting service provider takes) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members (and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting system providers) are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST systems and timings.
The statement by the Remuneration Committee Chairman and the Annual Remuneration Report (on pages 67 to 82 of the 2014 Annual Report) is being put to the shareholders as an advisory vote.
As required by regulation, the statement by Carl Symon, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, covers major decisions on directors' remuneration during the year, substantial changes during the year, and the context in which the changes occurred and the decisions have been taken.
The Annual Remuneration Report reports on how the Directors' Remuneration Policy (which was approved by shareholders on 7 May 2014) ("the Policy") has been implemented and details of the Directors' pay for the financial year ended 31 December 2014.
The text of the approved Policy is included for reference only on pages 84 to 92 of the 2014 Annual Report and is not being voted on this year.
In line with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code all directors are standing for re-election to the Board.
The Chairman has confirmed that each of the Non-executive directors who are seeking re-election (being Harriet Green, Chris Grigg, Paula Rosput Reynolds, Nick Rose, Carl Symon and Ian Tyler), continue to be effective members of the Board and demonstrate their commitment to their responsibilities. This is supported by the performance evaluation that the Board undertook recently.
Sir Roger Carr – Chairman
Appointed to the Board: 2013
Skills and experience: Appointed to the Board on 1 October 2013 as Chairman designate, Sir Roger succeeded Sir Richard Olver as Chairman on 1 February 2014. He was Chairman of the board of Centrica plc from 2004 until 31 December 2013. Previous senior appointments he has held include Chairman of Cadbury plc, President of the Confederation of British Industry and Senior Independent Director of the Court of the Bank of England. Throughout his career, he has served on a number of external committees, including the Higgs Committee on Corporate Governance and Business for New Europe.
Other appointments: He is a member of the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group and a senior adviser to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, an honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, and a visiting fellow to the Said Business School, Oxford.
Other past appointments: Chairman of Thames Water plc and Mitchells & Butlers plc.
Committee membership: Chairman of the Nominations Committee and the Non-Executive Directors' Fees Committee.
Skills and experience: Appointed to the Board on 1 February 2014 as President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc., Jerry DeMuro is an experienced US executive who has worked in the national security, technology and aerospace industry for over 30 years. Most recently he served as executive vice president and corporate vice president of General Dynamics' Information Systems and Technology group. Earlier in his career, he spent almost a decade as an acquisition official at the US Department of Defense.
Other appointments: Non-executive director of Aero Communications, Inc.
Committee membership: Non-Executive Directors' Fees Committee.
Appointed to the Board: 2010
Nationality: British
Skills and experience: Until recently, Harriet Green served as Chief Executive Officer and executive director of Thomas Cook Group plc. She was previously Chief Executive Officer and executive director of Premier Farnell plc. She is a member of the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group and the British Chambers of Commerce's International Advisory Council.
Other appointments: Non-executive director of Emerson Electric Co.
Other past appointments: Senior Vice President of Arrow Electronics, Inc.
Committee membership: Corporate Responsibility Committee and Nominations Committee.
Nationality: British
Skills and experience: Chris Grigg is Chief Executive of The British Land Company PLC and has more than 30 years' experience in the financial and real estate industries in a range of leadership roles. Prior to joining British Land as its Chief Executive in 2009, he was an executive with Barclays Bank and previously spent over 20 years at Goldman Sachs where he rose to the position of partner.
Committee membership: Member of the Remuneration Committee and Nominations Committee.
Appointed to the Board: 2007
Skills and experience: Appointed as Chief Executive in 2008 having been originally appointed to the Board as Chief Operating Officer, UK and Rest of the World. He was previously Group Managing Director of the Company's Customer Solutions & Support business and, prior to that, Group Strategy and Planning Director. Prior to the BAE/MES merger he was Chief Executive of Alenia Marconi Systems, having previously served as Finance Director of Marconi Electronic Systems.
Other past appointments: Non-executive director and Senior Independent Director of Rotork p.l.c.
Committee membership: Non-Executive Directors' Fees Committee.
Peter Lynas – Group Finance Director
Appointed to the Board: 2011
Nationality: British
Skills and experience: Peter Lynas, a qualified accountant, was appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director in 2011. He previously served for a number of years as Director, Financial Control, Reporting & Treasury. He joined GEC-Marconi in 1985 having previously worked for other companies in the UK and Europe. After progressing through a number of positions he was appointed Finance Director of GEC's Marconi Electronic Systems business, which was subsequently acquired by British Aerospace in 1999 to become BAE Systems.
Other appointments: Non-executive director of SSE plc and chairman of its Audit Committee.
Appointed to the Board: 2011
Nationality: US
Skills and experience: Paula Rosput Reynolds is Chief Executive Officer and President of the business advisory group, PreferWest, LLC. She had previously spent over 20 years in the energy sector, culminating in her appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of AGL Resources in 2002. She subsequently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Safeco Corporation, an insurance company located in Seattle. She was then appointed as Vice Chairman and Chief Restructuring Officer of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) from October 2008 to September 2009.
Other appointments: Non-executive director of Delta Air Lines, Inc., Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and TransCanada Corporation.
Other past appointments: Non-executive director of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Committee membership: Audit Committee and Nominations Committee.
Skills and experience: Nick Rose held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Diageo plc for over ten years until October 2010 where, in addition to his finance responsibilities, he was also responsible for supply, procurement, strategy and IT on a global basis. His financial experience has encompassed a number of roles at Diageo including group treasurer and group controller, having spent his earlier career with Ford Finance.
Other appointments: Chairman of Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC. Non-executive director and Senior Independent Director of BT Group plc. Adviser to CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC.
Other past appointments: Non-executive director of Edwards Group Limited, Moët Hennessy SNC and Scottish Power plc.
Committee membership: Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Nominations Committee and Remuneration Committee.
Appointed to the Board: 2008
Nationality: British/US
Skills and experience: Carl Symon has an extensive background in global business operations and management, retiring in 2001 after a long career at IBM during which he held senior executive positions in the USA, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe, including that of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBM UK.
Other appointments: Non-executive director and Senior Independent Director of Thomas Cook Group plc.
Other past appointments: Non-executive director of BT Group plc, Rexam PLC and Rolls-Royce Group plc, and Chairman of HMV Group plc.
Committee membership: Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Nominations Committee.
Appointed to the Board: 2013
Skills and experience: Ian Tyler served as Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty plc for a period of eight years stepping down from that position in 2013. A Chartered Accountant, he joined Balfour Beatty as Finance Director in 1996 having spent his earlier career in a variety of finance roles.
Other appointments: Chairman of Cairn Energy PLC, Bovis Homes Group PLC and Al Noor Hospitals Group plc, and a Non-executive director of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc.
Other past appointments: Non-executive director of VT Group plc.
Committee membership: Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee and Member of the Audit Committee and Nominations Committee.
Part 14 of the Companies Act 2006 requires companies to obtain shareholders' authority for donations to registered political parties and other political organisations totalling more than £5,000 in any twelve month period, and for any political expenditure, subject to limited exceptions. The definition of donation in this context is very wide and extends to bodies such as those concerned with policy review, law reform and the representation of the business community. It could also include special interest groups, such as those involved with the environment, which the Company and its subsidiaries might wish to support, even though these activities are not designed to support or influence support for a particular political party.
It remains the policy of the Company not to make political donations or incur political expenditure as those expressions are normally understood. However, the Directors consider that it is in the best interests of shareholders for the Company to participate in public debate and opinion-forming on matters which affect its business. To avoid inadvertent infringement of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors are seeking shareholders' authority for the Company and its subsidiaries to make political donations and to incur political expenditure during the period from the date of the Annual General Meeting to the conclusion of next year's Annual General Meeting or 30 June 2016, whichever is earlier, up to a maximum aggregate amount of £100,000.
Resolution 17 – Authority to allot shares The purpose of Resolution 17 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 any securities into shares up to a nominal value of £26,286,039 which is equivalent to approximately 33 per cent of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company, exclusive of treasury shares, as at 16 March 2015, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.
The authority in paragraph (ii) will allow the Directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into shares in connection with a rights issue up to a further nominal value of £26,286,039. This amount is equivalent to approximately 33 per cent of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company, exclusive of treasury shares, as at 16 March 2015, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice, and is in addition to the amount detailed in paragraph (i) of the resolution. This is in line with corporate governance guidelines. In accordance with those guidelines, the Board would seek re-election at the next Annual General Meeting if the authority in paragraph (ii) was used.
At 16 March 2015, the Company held 314,061,854 treasury shares which represents 9.96 per cent of the total number of ordinary shares in issue, excluding treasury shares, at that date.
There are no present plans to undertake a rights issue, 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 30 June 2016 and the end of the Annual General Meeting in 2016.
If the Directors wish to allot new ordinary 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.
The purpose of paragraph (i) of Resolution 18 is to authorise the Directors to allot new ordinary shares and other equity securities pursuant to the authority given by paragraph (i) of Resolution 17, or sell treasury shares, for cash (a) in connection with a pre-emptive offer and (b) otherwise up to a nominal value of £3,943,300, equivalent to approximately 4.55 per cent of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company including treasury shares as at 16 March 2015, in each case without the shares first being offered to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings.
The purpose of paragraph (ii) of Resolution 18 is to authorise the Directors to allot new ordinary shares and other equity securities pursuant to the authority given by paragraph (ii) of Resolution 17, including the sale of treasury shares, for cash in connection with a rights issue without the shares first being offered to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings. This is in line with corporate governance guidelines.
The Board considers the authority in Resolution 18 to be appropriate in order to allow the Company flexibility to finance business opportunities or to conduct a pre-emptive offer or rights issue without the need to comply with the strict guidelines of the statutory pre-emption provisions.
In line with best practice, the Directors confirm their current intention not to issue more than 7.5% of the Company's issued share capital on a non pre-emptive basis over a rolling three year period without first consulting with its major shareholders.
The Directors are committed to managing the Company's capital effectively and consider that the purchase by the Company of its ordinary shares may in certain circumstances be advantageous to shareholders. They believe that, in common with many other listed companies, the Company should obtain from shareholders a general authority to make market purchases on the London Stock Exchange.
Authority is sought for the Company to purchase up to 10 per cent of its issued ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares), renewing the authority granted by the shareholders at previous annual general meetings.
Ordinary shares purchased by the Company pursuant to this authority may be held in treasury or may be cancelled. The minimum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is 2.5p, being the par value of an ordinary share. The maximum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for each share purchased in the market is the higher of (i) an amount equal to 105 per cent of the average market value for an ordinary share for the five business days immediately preceding the purchase and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the London Stock Exchange.
The number of ordinary shares which may be acquired pursuant to the authority is up to an aggregate of 315,464,024 ordinary shares, this being approximately 10 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (exclusive of treasury shares) as at 16 March 2015, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice. As at 16 March 2015 there were 52,854,171 options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding, representing 1.68 per cent of the Company's issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) at that date. If the authority was exercised in full, the options would represent 1.86 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares).
This authority will last until the earlier of the Company's Annual General Meeting in 2016 and 30 June 2016.
Pursuant to the Companies Act 2006, the Company can hold the shares which have been repurchased as treasury shares and either re-sell them for cash, cancel them, either immediately or at a point in the future, or use them for the purposes of its employee share schemes. This provides the Company with additional flexibility in the management of its capital base. No dividends will be paid on, and no voting rights will be exercised in respect of, treasury shares.
The Company has stated that, as part of the allocation of capital, it would expect to make accelerated returns of capital to shareholders when the
balance sheet allows. Consistent with this approach, the Company announced on 21 February 2013 a three year on-market share repurchase programme of up to £1 billion. Shares repurchased under this programme are currently being made pursuant to the share buy-back authority granted by shareholders at the 2014 AGM. Following the Annual General Meeting this year, the Directors intend to continue making share repurchases pursuant to this programme, subject to the passing of Resolution 19 by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. The Directors currently intend any shares bought back under this authority to be cancelled.
The Company will only purchase ordinary shares if the Directors believe that it is in the shareholders' best interests and will increase earnings per share.
Changes made to the Companies Act 2006 by the Shareholders' Rights Regulations 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 coming into force of the Shareholders' Rights Regulations in 2009, the Company was able to call general meetings other than an AGM on 14 clear days' notice without obtaining such shareholder approval. The Company has previously obtained shareholder approval to preserve the ability to call general meetings other than an AGM on 14 clear days' notice. Resolution 20 seeks approval of the renewal of this authority which will be effective until the Company's next Annual General Meeting in 2016, 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. However, the flexibility offered by this resolution will be used where, taking into account all the circumstances, the Directors consider this appropriate in relation to the particular issues to be considered at the general meeting in question.
The Register of Directors' Interests in the share capital of the Company, copies of the executive Directors' service contracts, the Chairman and non-executive Directors' letters of appointment, and the Directors' Indemnities, will be available for inspection during normal business hours on Monday to Friday each week (public holidays excepted) at the Company's registered office from the date of this Notice of Meeting to the close of the meeting and at the place of the meeting from 15 minutes prior to its commencement until its conclusion.
Certain items will not be permitted in the Annual General Meeting. These include bags, cameras, recording equipment, items of any nature with potential to cause disorder and such other items as the Chairman of the Meeting may specify.
A new financial reporting framework in the UK was effective on 1 January 2015. As a result, BAE Systems plc has adopted FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework for its entity financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2015. A shareholder or shareholders holding in aggregate 5% or more of the total allotted shares in BAE Systems plc may serve objections to the use of the disclosure exemptions on BAE Systems plc, in writing, to its registered office (6 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AD) not later than 31 May 2015, for the attention of the Company Secretary.
FIVE is situated in Farnborough, Hampshire, to the south west of London, close to Junction 4 of the M3. From the A331, take the junction to Farnborough A3011 and follow the signposts for Farnborough/Town Centre A3011. At the Queen's Roundabout (junction of A3011/A325) take Government House Road, signposted Aerospace Centre. Continue straight through the Aerospace Centre – FIVE is accessed through Gate F at the end of Aerospace Boulevard.
SatNav users should enter 'GU14 6AZ' for directions to the Queen's Roundabout. From the roundabout, take Government House Road (Aerospace Boulevard) and follow the signs to FIVE via Gate F.
Free parking is available at FIVE in the designated car park.
The main train station in Farnborough is Farnborough Main. Other rail stations in the vicinity of FIVE include North Camp and Aldershot. Please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or phone 08457 484950 for rail travel information.
A complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided between Farnborough Main train station and FIVE. A return service to Farnborough Main will be provided after the meeting.
Please note that there are major roadworks ongoing at the Queen's Roundabout and its approach roads and you should therefore allow sufficient time to complete your journey.
A325 Farnborough Road to Aldershot
'F' GATE
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