Governance Information • May 2, 2023
Governance Information
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AS DelfinGroup Corporate Governance Report 2022
AS DelfinGroup (hereinafter DelfinGroup or Company) Corporate Governance Report of the year 2022 (hereinafter – the Report) is prepared on the basis of the requirements of the second paragraph of section 56.2 of the Financial Instruments Market Act and Code of Corporate Governance issued by the Corporate Governance Advisory Board of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia, developed in 2020. The Report is made by DelfinGroup Management Board.
DelfinGroup has complied with almost all of the principles of good corporate governance contained in the Corporate Governance Code. The principles that DelfinGroup has not complied with, including partially, are included in the report, explaining the reasons for DelfinGroup actions for incomplete or non-compliance.
Didzis Ādmīdiņš Chairman of the Management Board
Aldis Umblejs Member of the management Board
Sanita Zitmane Member of the management Board
This document is electronically signed with safe electronical signature and contains time stamp.
Company strategy is an essential tool for setting company objectives and progress towards long term value creation.
The company has an up-to-date strategy that sets out the company's objectives and progress towards long-term value creation.
• The company has an up-to-date strategy, the draft of which is developed by the management board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The main directions of the strategy are available on the DelfinGroup website.
• The supervisory board is involved in the strategy development process and approves the strategy at the supervisory board meeting.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The supervisory board monitors the implementation of the strategy.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. According to DelfinGroup Corporate Governance Policy, once in six months the Supervisory Board review implementation of the strategy and makes corrections if necessary.
• The company management board implements the strategy and reports to the supervisory board on its implementation on a regular basis.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Management Board of DelfinGroup draws up action plan to achieve strategic goals and reports to the Supervisory Board on the progress of the strategy at least every six months or upon request.
The basic principles of the company's internal culture and ethical behaviour and the values on which they are based are a precondition for the successful long-term development of the company.
The company develops an internal culture and ethics code which serves as a standard of conduct for the company's management and employees.
• The supervisory board defines the company's core values.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Core values of DelfinGroup are defined by the Management Board and approved by the Supervisory Board.
• The management board prepares and the supervisory board approves the code of internal culture and ethics.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. DelfinGroup Code of Ethics is available on the DelfinGroup website.
• The management board ensures compliance with the company's internal culture and ethics code on a daily basis and reacts if there is a breach of the code.
The purpose of the internal control system is to ensure the efficient, sustainable and successful operation of the company, the veracity of the information provided and compliance with the relevant regulatory enactments and operating principles.
The purpose of risk management is to identify, assess, manage and control potential events or situations to provide assurance regarding the achievement of the company's strategic objectives.
Internal audit helps the company accomplish its objectives by bringing systematic processes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, internal control and governance processes.
• The company has a documented internal control system, the establishment of which is the responsibility of the management board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The implementation of the internal control system is ensured by the Management Board, while it is supervised by the Supervisory Board.
• The internal audit evaluates the effectiveness of the internal control system at least once a year taking into account pre-defined criteria and reporting the results of the evaluation to the supervisory board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Once a year, the internal auditor prepares a report on the performed internal audits and summarizes recommendations for the improvement of DelfinGroup operations. The report shall also include an overall opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control and risk management systems.
• The supervisory board, at least once a year, evaluates the provided evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control system.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. In accordance with the Corporate Governance policy of DelfinGroup, one of the tasks of the Supervisory Board is to monitor the internal control and risk management systems, review their adequacy and effectiveness.
• The management board develops and the supervisory board approves the company's risk management policy.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Risk Management policy is available on the DelfinGroup website.
• Based on the identified risk assessment, the management board implements risk management measures.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Management Board implements risk management measures and prepares a report to the board every six months.
• At least once a year, the supervisory board reviews the management board's reports on risk management measures and the implementation of the risk management policy.
• The company has an internal auditor who is functionally independent of the management board and reports to the supervisory board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. DelfinGroup has an independent and objective internal audit function performed by an internal auditor. Internal auditor is functionally subordinated to the Supervisory Board. Internal auditor reports to the Supervisory Board and the Risk and Audit Committee.
• The supervisory board approves the internal auditor.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Supervisory Board, upon the recommendation of the Risk and Audit Committee, approves the internal auditor and decides on the termination of the employment relationship with the internal auditor.
• The internal auditor develops a risk-based internal audit plan, which is approved by the supervisory board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The internal auditor shall draw up a five-year strategic plan and an annual internal audit plan based on a risk assessment. The strategic and annual plan for internal audit is reviewed by the Management Board, the Risk and Audit Committee and approved by the Supervisory Board.
• The internal auditor informs the management board and supervisory board on the implementation of the internal audit plan, audit results and recommended actions to address deficiencies, if any.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The internal auditor shall report to the Management Board, Risk and Audit Committee and the Supervisory Board at least quarterly on the progress, conclusions and recommendations of the annual internal audit plan.
The external auditor provides the management board and the supervisory board, all shareholders and investors, creditors and other stakeholders with an independent report on the company's financial standing, reliability of financial statements and compliance with the requirements of regulatory enactments.
• The supervisory board and the audit Committee, (if established), determine the selection criteria for the external auditor.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The selection process of the external auditor is ensured by the Risk and Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board in accordance with its rules of procedure.
• The company has an independent external auditor with appropriate qualifications.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The term of office of one external auditor does not exceed 5 years.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. A new auditor - KPMG Baltics SIA - was approved on 10 June 2022 at the DelfinGroup extraordinary meeting of shareholders. DelfinGroup signed a threeyear contract with the auditor to audit 2022, 2023, and 2024 annual reports.
A competent and experienced supervisory board is a prerequisite for the efficient operation of the company and decision-making, which contributes to the long-term growth of the company's value. The supervisory board is working in the interests of all shareholders and the company.
• The company has approved the procedure for selection and removal of supervisory board members.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Independent candidates the Supervisory Board positions shall be selected in an open process based on criteria of professionalism and competence. Selection of candidates for independent Supervisory Board members is done by Nomination committee that consults with a professional recruitment consultant, defining the scope and tasks of its involvement. The members of the Supervisory Board are appointed and removed by the shareholders' meeting.
• The company provides timely and sufficient information to the company's shareholders on the supervisory board members who are nominated for election or re-election.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Prior to the approval of the members of the Supervisory Board at the shareholders' meeting, DelfinGroup comprehensively and in a timely manner informs the shareholders about the suitability of the candidates for the position of the members of the Supervisory Board.
• The size of the supervisory board corresponds to the specifics of the company's operations.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Supervisory Board of DelfinGroup consists of five members.
• A supervisory board member is elected for a term not exceeding 5 years.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. According to DelfinGroup Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board is elected for five years.
• The supervisory board as a whole has a set of skills, experience and knowledge, including on the sector concerned, to be able to perform their duties fully.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. An independent recruitment company was involved in the selection of the members of the Supervisory Board, which organized a public and international competition. As a result, the most suitable members of the Supervisory Board were selected.
• The principles of diversity are observed when forming the supervisory board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The selection process follows the principle of diversity, as evidenced by the experience of the Supervisory Board members in various industries.
DelfinGroup does not comply with this criterion. Board members are selected by an independent recruitment company that offers the most suitable candidates based on their competencies and experience.
The management board develops an induction training programme and provides new supervisory board members with induction training.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Upon starting work, each Supervisory Board member is given informational material with an introductory course containing information about DelfinGroup, the most important documents, and the necessary training. Also, after the start of the work of the Supervisory Board members, meetings are organized with the Management Board members, who introduce the new Supervisory Board members with the necessary information.
• The company evaluates and the shareholders determine the proportion of independent supervisory board members.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. DelfinGroup Corporate Governance policy, approved by shareholders, determines that at least half of the members of the Supervisory Board are independent.
• At least half of the members of the board are independent.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. According to the Latvian Code of Corporate Governance, 3 out of 5 DelfinGroup Supervisory Board members are considered independent. Gatis Kokins, Mārtiņš Bičevskis and Edgars Voļskis.
• Independent candidates for supervisory board membership make a declaration that they meet the independence criteria.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• Prior to the election of the supervisory board, the company evaluates the independence of supervisory board members in accordance with the available information.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
Clearly defined remuneration principles for management board and supervisory board members facilitate transparency of the use of funds and effective risk management.
• The company has introduced a remuneration policy, which has been developed by the management board, reviewed by the supervisory board and approved by the shareholders' meeting.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Remuneration policy is available on the DelfinGroup website.
• Once a year, the supervisory board determines the financial and non-financial goals to be achieved by the management board, their impact on the variable part of remuneration and controls their fulfilment.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Management Board member bonus amount is related to (1) The implementation of DelfinGroup strategy, (2) The fulfilment of the overall objectives set by the Supervisory Board, as well as the objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) of individual members of the Management board as defined by the Supervisory Board, (3) DelfinGroup's financial results, including profits.
• No variable part of remuneration is determined for supervisory board members, and no compensation is paid in case of removal or resignation from office.
DelfinGroup partially complies with this criterion. In accordance with the Remuneration policy of DelfinGroup and the decision of the shareholders' meeting, Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board is entitled to compensation in the amount of six monthly salaries in the event of early termination of employment.
• Once a year, the management board prepares a report on the remuneration granted to each current and former management board and supervisory board member.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. DelfinGroup has prepared a report on the remuneration for 2022.
A clear and understandable organization of the work of the supervisory board and the availability of timely, high-quality and relevant information facilitates the effective performance of the supervisory board's tasks and full involvement of supervisory board members in decision-making.
• The supervisory board organizes its work in accordance with regulations of the supervisory board and the work calendar.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Charter of the Supervisory Board is available on the DelfinGroup website.
• The supervisory board holds at least one separate supervisory board meeting per year to discuss the company's strategy and its implementation.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Supervisory Board of DelfinGroup approves the strategy once a year and organizes a separate meeting to evaluate the implementation of the strategy.
• The company's budget provides the financing necessary to ensure the operation of the supervisory board.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• Once a year the supervisory board conducts a self-assessment of the work of the supervisory board and reviews its results at the supervisory board meeting.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The supervisory board has evaluated the need to set up committees (if a committee has been set up, see principle No 12.1.).
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Three committees have been established: Risk and Audit Committee, Remuneration and Nomination Committee, Business Development Committee. The Supervisory Board shall approve the regulations of the committees.
• The supervisory board has access to information prepared by the management board necessary for decision-making in a timely manner and in sufficient amount.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The supervisory board determines the procedure for the circulation of information, including the right of the supervisory board to request from the management board information, which the supervisory board needs to make decisions.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Supervisory Board has the right to request information from the Management Board necessary for the Supervisory Board to take decisions. The Supervisory Board usually communicates with the Management Board through the Chair of the Supervisory Board and the Chairman of the Management Board. The Supervisory Board determines the procedure of circulating information within the Supervisory Board and between the Supervisory Board, Management Board and employees of DelfinGroup related to the work of the Supervisory Board.
• A supervisory board member analyses the information and prepares proposals for decisions to be adopted by the supervisory board.
• When making decisions, the supervisory board assesses the risks, short-term and long-term impact on the company's value, sustainability and responsible development.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The supervisory board determines the tasks and the procedures for organization of work of the committee.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Charters of all committees are available on the DelfinGroup website.
• The supervisory board establishes a committee of at least 3 supervisory board members with appropriate experience and expertise in the field of work of the committee (remuneration, nomination, audit or other field).
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Supervisory Board has established three committees consisting of 3 members with relevant experience and knowledge in the defined field of the committee.
Risk and Audit Committee: Edgars Voļskis (Chair), Gatis Kokins, Jānis Pizičs.
Remuneration and Nomination Committee: Mārtiņš Bičevskis (Chair), Agris Evertovskis, Gatis Kokins.
Business Development Committee: Jānis Pizičs (Chair), Agris Evertovskis, Gatis Kokins.
• The committee analyses the information and makes proposals for decisions by the supervisory board, as well as informs the supervisory board of the work of the committee.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The established committees examine the issues within their competence and prepare draft decisions for consideration at the Supervisory Board meeting.
Identification and management of potential conflict of interest situations reduces a company's financial and reputational risks.
• The supervisory board defines the indications of a conflict of interest and identifies the conflict-ofinterest prevention and management procedures.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The Code of Ethics defines signs indicating a conflict of interest. The Code of Ethics is available on the DelfinGroup website. DelfinGroup employees must report conflicts of interest.
• Supervisory board or management board members do not participate in decision-making on matters in which the company's interests conflict with the interests of the supervisory board, management board members or persons related to them.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• Persons subject to the conflict-of-interest obligation participate in training on dealing with conflicts of interest on a regular basis.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. DelfinGroup conflict of interest issues is covered by the Code of Ethics, which defines the recognition and prevention of conflicts of interest and information on reporting options in case of violations. DelfinGroup has established a Code of Ethics training, which is mandatory for all employees once a year.
Effective involvement of shareholders in decision-making helps to achieve the company's financial and nonfinancial goals, as well as ensures the company's sustainable operation.
The company provides shareholders with timely information on conduction of shareholders'
meetings providing all the information necessary for decision-making.
• The company informs shareholders in a timely manner about the agenda, course and voting procedures of the shareholders' meeting, as well as about any related changes.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Information about the shareholder's meeting agenda, application, voting procedure, and proceedings are published at least thirty days before the meeting.
• Simultaneously with the announcement of the meeting, the company provides an opportunity for the shareholders to get acquainted with the draft decisions, which are initially planned to be voted on at the meeting. The company informs the shareholders immediately of any additional draft decisions submitted.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Simultaneously with the announcement of the shareholders' meeting, DelfinGroup informs the shareholders about the issues included in the agenda of the meeting. The draft resolutions are published at least fourteen days before the set date of the shareholders' meeting.
• The company provides shareholders with an opportunity to submit questions on the matters included in the agenda and draft decisions before the shareholders' meeting.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Shareholders are provided with contact information through which questions can be submitted.
• The draft decisions and the documents attached to them provide detailed, clear and complete information on the matter under consideration.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The shareholders' meeting is convened and held at a place and time easily accessible to the shareholders.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Shareholders are informed about the meeting at least thirty days in advance, and it is possible to participate in it in person and remotely.
• The company provides shareholders with the opportunity to participate in the shareholders' meeting remotely.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. It is possible to participate in shareholders' meetings remotely and cast your vote before the shareholders' meeting.
• The company determines the appropriate duration of the shareholders' meeting and provides the shareholders with the opportunity to express their opinions during the meeting and obtain the information necessary for decision-making.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The duration of the shareholders' meeting depends on the number of agenda items. During the meeting, shareholders can ask questions and express their opinion on each decision.
• The company announces a new shareholders' meeting if the matters included on the agenda of the meeting cannot be considered at the expected time.
• The company invites management board and supervisory board members, candidates for supervisory board members, auditors and internal auditors, as well as other persons to participate in the shareholders' meeting in accordance with the matters to be considered at the meeting.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The entire Management Board attends DelfinGroup shareholders' meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and/or the Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, the auditor, and other persons bound by the issues on the agenda participate in shareholders' meetings.
• The shareholders' meeting makes decisions in accordance with the previously announced draft decision.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The dividend policy has been approved by the DelfinGroup shareholders' meeting.
Transparency of company operations is the basis for effective investor relations and successful communication with shareholders and other stakeholders.
The company informs shareholders and other stakeholders on a regular basis and in a timely manner of business operations, financial results, management and other relevant issues of the company.
• The company discloses complete, accurate, objective, up-to-date and true information in a timely manner.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion.
• The company discloses information to all shareholders at the same time and to the same extent.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. The information is simultaneously disclosed on the Nasdaq Riga stock exchange, in the Central Storage of Regulated Information, on the DelfinGroup website, and in the media.
• The company discloses information about the company's management, strategy or lines of business on the website and publishes financial statements as well as other information in accordance with Annex No. 1.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. See Annex No 1 Information to be Published on the Company Website.
• The company provides information both in Latvian and in at least one other language that is understandable to most of the company's foreign shareholders and other stakeholders.
DelfinGroup complies with this criterion. Information is provided in Latvian and English.
| Criterion | Complied with | Not complied with |
Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information about the company | X | |||
| Information about the company's strategic objectives | X | |||
| Articles of association of the company | X | |||
| Information on the corporate governance structure of the company | X | |||
| Company Code of Internal Culture and Ethics | X | |||
| Key company policies according to Latvian Code of Corporate Governance annex No 2 |
X | Dividend policy, Risk Management policy, Internal Audit policy, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity policy, Community Investment policy, Whistleblowing policy, Remuneration policy, Market Abuse Prevention policy, Code of Ethics, Corporate Governance policy, Charter of the Supervisory Board, Charter of the Risk and Audit Committee, Charter of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, Charter of the Business Development Committee. |
||
| Shareholders and beneficial owners | ||||
| Information on the company's shareholders holding at least 5% of the company's share capital |
X | |||
| Information on the beneficial owners of the company | X | |||
| Number of company's issued, paid-up and voting shares, bonds or other financial instruments |
X | Other relevant information is indicated for the issued bonds: ISIN, the issue volume, term, coupon rate, list, and prospectus. |
||
| Supervisory board and management board | ||||
| Regulations of the management board and the supervisory board or another similar document |
X | |||
| Information on each supervisory board and management board member | X |
| Information on independent supervisory board members | X | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remuneration policy of the management board and the supervisory board and remuneration report. |
X | |||
| Information on the selection (nomination) process of the management board and the supervisory board |
X | The selection process for the Management Board and the Supervisory Board members is described in DelfinGroup Corporate Governance policy |
||
| Information on supervisory board committees and the audit committee | X | |||
| Financial and non-financial reports and information | ||||
| Company's financial statements and reports for at least 3 last financial years |
X | |||
| The company's non-financial reports for at least 3 last financial years |
X | |||
| Corporate governance reports | X | |||
| Company's financial calendar or other calendar of significant and planned communication events |
X | |||
| Information for shareholders and investors | ||||
| Information on the planned shareholders' meetings | X | |||
| Information on held shareholders' meetings | X | |||
| Company's dividend policy and information on dividends paid (on at least 10 last years of the company's operations) |
X | The website provides information on dividends paid since DelfinGroup went public in 2021 |
||
| Information on transactions of related parties. | X | |||
| Announcements published by the company and relevant information for investors, including presentations for investors, videos of events for investors, forecasts, if any, etc. |
X | |||
| Contacts of the investor relations person (if any) | X |
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