AGM Information • Jun 6, 2017
AGM Information
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If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice from a stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other independent professional adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in Burberry Group plc, please forward this document, together with the accompanying documents, as soon as possible to the person who arranged the sale or transfer so they can pass these documents to the person who now holds the shares.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to send you details of the Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of Burberry Group plc (the 'Company'), which will be held on Thursday, 13 July 2017 at 10.30am at the InterContinental Hotel, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London W1J 7QY. Directions to the AGM venue can be found on page 10 of this document. The formal Notice of AGM and the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are set out on pages 4 to 5 of this document. In keeping with the Company's practice, it is intended to call a poll on each of the resolutions set out in the Notice of AGM (the 'Notice').
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all of the continuing directors will retire at the AGM and all are offering themselves for re-election. As Marco Gobbetti and Julie Brown have been appointed to the Board, they will offer themselves for election. Biographical details of all directors standing for election or re-election at the AGM can be found on pages 8 to 9 of this document and will be available at www.burberryplc.com.
Explanatory notes on all the business to be considered at the meeting appear on pages 6 to 7 of this document.
The directors consider that each of the proposed resolutions to be considered at the AGM are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The directors unanimously recommend that you vote in favour of each of the proposed resolutions, as we intend to do in respect of our own beneficial holdings.
Yours sincerely
Chairman
6 June 2017
Burberry Group plc Registered office: Horseferry House Horseferry Road London SW1P 2AW
Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 03458224
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of Burberry Group plc (the 'Company') will be held at the InterContinental Hotel, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London W1J 7QY on Thursday, 13 July 2017 at 10.30am to transact the following business:
Shareholders are asked to consider and, if thought fit, pass resolutions 1 to 19 as Ordinary Resolutions and resolutions 20 to 22 as Special Resolutions.
To receive the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2017.
Directors' Remuneration Policy To approve the Directors' Remuneration Policy set out on pages 89 to 96 of the Company's Annual Report
and Accounts.
To approve the Directors' Remuneration Report (excluding the Directors' Remuneration Policy) for the year ended 31 March 2017 as set out in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts.
To declare a final dividend of 28.4p per ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2017.
To re-elect Sir John Peace as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Fabiola Arredondo as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Philip Bowman as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Ian Carter as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Jeremy Darroch as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Stephanie George as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Matthew Key as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Dame Carolyn McCall as a director of the Company.
To re-elect Christopher Bailey as a director of the Company.
To elect Julie Brown as a director of the Company.
To elect Marco Gobbetti as a director of the Company.
To reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company, to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the next AGM at which accounts are laid before the Company.
To authorise the Audit Committee of the Company to determine the auditors' remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2018.
That in accordance with sections 366 and 367 of the Companies Act 2006 (the 'Act') the Company is, and all companies that are, at any time during the period for which this resolution has effect, subsidiaries of the Company as defined in the Act are, authorised in aggregate to:
(as such terms are defined in sections 363 to 365 of the Act) in each case during the period beginning with the date of passing this resolution until the conclusion of the Company's AGM to be held in 2018 (or, if earlier, 13 October 2018). In any event, the aggregate amount of political donations and political expenditure made or incurred under this authority shall not exceed £25,000.
That the directors be hereby generally and unconditionally authorised to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of
£72,330 provided that this authority shall apply until the conclusion of the Company's AGM to be held in 2018 (or, if earlier, 13 October 2018), but in each case, so that the Company may make offers or enter into any agreements during the relevant period which would, or might, require relevant securities to be allotted after the authority expires and the directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.
Directors' authority to disapply pre-emption rights That subject to the passing of resolution 19, the directors be hereby empowered to allot equity securities (within the meaning of the Act) for cash under the authority given by that resolution and/or to sell ordinary shares of 0.05p each in the capital of the Company ('ordinary shares') held by the Company as treasury shares for cash as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, provided that the power shall be limited to:
Such power shall apply until the conclusion of the AGM to be held in 2018 (or, if earlier, 13 October 2018) but 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 directors may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not ended.
That the Company be hereby generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to section 701 of the Act to make market purchases (as defined in section 693(4) of the Act), of ordinary shares provided that:
That the directors be hereby authorised to call general meetings (other than an AGM) on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
By order of the Board
Company Secretary
6 June 2017
Burberry Group plc Registered office: Horseferry House Horseferry Road London SW1P 2AW
Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 03458224
The notes on the following pages give an explanation of the proposed resolutions.
The directors of the Company are required to present the Annual Report and Accounts to the meeting.
This resolution is inviting shareholders to vote on the Director's Remuneration Policy which can be found on pages 89 to 96 of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts. This Policy, which is subject to a binding shareholder vote at least every three years, sets out the Company's proposed forward-looking policy on directors' remuneration. The intention is that if approved, the Policy will legally take effect from the date of the AGM (13 July 2017).
This resolution is the annual resolution inviting shareholders to vote on the Directors' Remuneration Report (excluding the Directors' Remuneration Policy), which can be found on pages 87 to 111 of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts. This sets out details of payments made to directors in the year to 31 March 2017. The directors must include specific information within the Directors' Remuneration Report in accordance with regulations and the Directors' Remuneration Report has been prepared accordingly. This vote is advisory only.
The Board recommends that shareholders approve a final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2017 of 28.4p per ordinary share.
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all of the continuing directors will retire at the AGM and all are offering themselves for re-election.
Biographical details of all directors standing for election or re-election at the AGM can be found on pages 8 to 9 of this document and at www.burberryplc.com. The Board is satisfied that each of the directors standing for election or re-election continues to perform effectively and demonstrates commitment to his or her role, including commitment of time for Board and committee meetings and any other duties.
To authorise the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors and to determine their remuneration At every general meeting at which accounts are presented to shareholders, the Company is required to appoint auditors to serve from the end of the meeting until the next such meeting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ('PwC') have indicated that they are willing to continue as the Company's auditors for another year. The Audit Committee has reviewed PwC's effectiveness and recommends their reappointment. The resolutions authorise the Company to reappoint them and, following normal practice, to authorise the Audit Committee to determine their remuneration.
This resolution seeks authority from shareholders for the Company and its subsidiaries to make donations to EU political parties, other political organisations or independent electoral candidates, or incur EU political expenditure. It is the Company's policy not to make donations to political parties and the Company has no intention of altering this policy. However, the definitions in the Act of 'political donation', 'political organisation' and 'political expenditure' are broadly drafted. In particular, they may extend to bodies such as those concerned with policy review, law reform, representation of the business community and special interest groups, which the Company and its subsidiaries may wish to support. Accordingly, the Company is seeking this authority to ensure that it does not inadvertently commit any breaches of the Act through the undertaking of routine activities which would not normally be considered to result in the making of political donations. The aggregate amount of expenditure permitted by this authority will be capped at £25,000.
Authorities to allot shares and disapply pre-emption rights Resolution 19 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 72,330 (representing 144,660,000 ordinary shares). This amount represents approximately one-third of the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) of the Company as at 17 May 2017, being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.
The directors have no current plans to issue shares other than in connection with employee share schemes. The Company currently holds 6,793,155 shares in treasury which represents approximately 1.55% of the ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) as at 17 May 2017. Resolution 20 would give the directors the authority to allot ordinary shares (including any ordinary shares which the Company elects to hold in treasury) for cash without first offering them to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings. This authority would be limited to allotments or sales in connection with rights issues or other pre-emptive offers, or otherwise up to an aggregate maximum nominal amount of £10,959 (representing 21,910,000 ordinary shares). This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 17 May 2017, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice. In respect of this aggregate nominal amount, the directors confirm their intention to follow the provisions of the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles regarding cumulative usage of authorities within a rolling three-year period where the Principles provide that usage in excess of 7.5% should not take place without prior consultation with shareholders.
The authority sought under this resolution is a standard authority taken by most listed companies each year. The directors consider that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders generally that they should have the flexibility conferred by the above authorities to make small issues of shares for cash (on a pre-emptive or, where appropriate, a non pre-emptive basis) as suitable opportunities arise, although they have no present intention of exercising any of these authorities.
The authorities sought under resolutions 19 and 20 will expire on the conclusion of the AGM to be held in 2018 (or, if earlier, 13 October 2018).
This resolution seeks shareholder approval for the Company to make market purchases of up to 43,838,000 ordinary shares, being just under 10% of the issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) as at 17 May 2017 and specifies the minimum and maximum prices at which the ordinary shares may be bought.
In certain circumstances it may be advantageous for the Company to purchase its own shares and the directors consider it to be desirable for the general authority to be available to provide flexibility in the management of the Company's capital resources. Purchases of the Company's own shares will be made if to do so would be in the best interests of the Company and of its shareholders generally, and would result in an increase in earnings per share. From July 2016 to April 2017, the Company completed a buyback programme of £100m of a £150m announced share buyback. A further share buyback of £300m will be completed in FY 2018, in addition to the £50m already announced. Any such purchases of shares would be by means of market purchases through the London Stock Exchange.
The Company may either retain any of its own shares which it has purchased as treasury shares with a view to possible use at a future date or cancel them. Holding the shares as treasury shares gives the Company the ability to use them quickly and cost-effectively and would provide 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.
It is the Company's current intention that of any shares repurchased under this authority, sufficient shares will be held in treasury to meet the requirements, as they arise, of the Company's share incentive arrangements, with the remainder being cancelled.
The total number of awards and options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding as at 17 May 2017 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice), was 8,494,848 representing approximately 1.94% of the issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) at that date. If the existing share purchase authority given on 14 July 2016 (to the extent not already utilised) and the authority being sought under this resolution were utilised in full, the issued share capital would be reduced by an equivalent amount and the outstanding awards and options would represent approximately 2.38% of the issued share capital as at 17 May 2017. No warrants over ordinary shares in the capital of the Company are in existence as at 17 May 2017.
This authority will expire at the conclusion of the AGM to be held in 2018 (or, if earlier, 13 October 2018).
This resolution seeks to renew an authority granted at last year's AGM to allow the Company to call general meetings, other than an AGM, on 14 clear days' notice. Changes made to the Act 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). Prior to the Shareholders' Rights Regulations coming into force, the Company was able to call general meetings, other than an AGM, on 14 clear days' notice without obtaining such shareholder approval.
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.
The approval will be effective until the Company's next AGM to be held in 2018 (or, if earlier, 13 October 2018).
Chairman
Sir John Peace became Chairman of the Board in June 2002 and is also Chairman of the Nomination Committee. Previously he was Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC from 2009 to 2016, Chairman of Experian plc from 2006 to 2014, and Group Chief Executive of GUS plc from 2000 to 2006. Sir John is Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and was knighted in 2011 for services to business and the voluntary sector.
President and Chief Creative Officer (from 5 July 2017)
Christopher Bailey became Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer in May 2014, having previously served as Chief Creative Officer since 2009. Christopher joined as Design Director in May 2001. Prior to working at Burberry, Christopher was the Senior Designer of Womenswear at Gucci in Milan from 1996 to 2001. From 1994 to 1996 he was the Womenswear Designer at Donna Karan.
Chief Executive Officer (from 5 July 2017)
Marco Gobbetti was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of French luxury brand, Céline from 2008 to 2017. Prior to this, he held the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Givenchy from 2004 and Chief Executive Officer at Moschino. From 1984 to 1989, Marco worked with Bottega Veneta as Sales Director for the United States and subsequently as Marketing & Sales Director, prior to joining the Valextra brand as Managing Director.
Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Julie Brown became Chief Operating and Financial Officer on 18 January 2017. Julie was Chief Financial Officer of Smith & Nephew from 2013 to 2017. Prior to this Julie was with ICI and AstraZeneca plc from 1987, where she held the positions of Interim Group CFO, Vice President Group Finance, VP Corporate Strategy and Regional Vice President Latin America. She is also a non-executive director and Audit Committee Chair of Roche Holding Ltd.
Philip Bowman (64)†‡
Senior Independent Director
Philip Bowman was appointed as a non-executive director in June 2002 and is the Senior Independent Director. Philip is Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Properties LLC and a non-executive director of Ferrovial S.A. Philip was Chief Executive of Smiths Group plc from 2007 to 2015, and previously held the positions of Chief Executive at Scottish Power plc and Chief Executive at Allied Domecq plc. His earlier career included five years as a director of Bass plc. He was previously Chairman of Liberty plc and Coral Eurobet plc and a non-executive director of Scottish & Newcastle plc and British Sky Broadcasting Group plc.
Fabiola Arredondo was appointed as a non-executive director in March 2015 and is Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Fabiola is currently the Managing Partner of Siempre Holdings, a private investment firm based in Connecticut, US. She is also a non-executive director of the Campbell Soup Company, NPR, Inc. (National Public Radio), and a former Board trustee and a current member of the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund. Prior to Siempre Holdings, Fabiola held senior operating roles at Yahoo! Inc, the BBC and Bertelsmann AG. She has also previously served as a non-executive director of Experian plc, Rodale Inc., Saks Incorporated, Intelsat Inc., BOC Group plc, Bankinter S.A., and Sesame Workshop.
Ian Carter was appointed as a non-executive director in April 2007. He is President of Hilton Worldwide Global Development and Chairman of Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, Inc. Previously, Ian was CEO of Hilton International Company and Executive Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corporation, and a director of Hilton Group plc until the acquisition of Hilton International by Hilton Hotels Corporation in February 2006. He previously served as an Officer and President of Black & Decker Corporation between 2001 and 2004.
Jeremy Darroch was appointed as a non-executive director in February 2014 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is Chief Executive Officer of Sky plc, a position he has held since 2007, having joined the company as Chief Financial Officer in 2004. Prior to Sky, Jeremy was Group Finance Director of DSG International plc (formerly Dixons Group plc) and spent 12 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety of roles in the UK and Europe. Jeremy also previously served as a non-executive director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Marks and Spencer Group plc.
Stephanie George was appointed as a non-executive director in March 2006. She is an adviser to Penske Media Corporation and was recently Vice Chairman of Fairchild Fashion Media Inc (parent of Women's Wear Daily). Stephanie also sits on the Board of Lincoln Center. Previously, Stephanie was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Time Inc. and spent 12 years at Fairchild Publications.
Committee membership key
Matthew Key (54)*† Non-executive director
Non-executive director
Dame Carolyn McCall was appointed as a non-executive director in September 2014. Carolyn is Chief Executive of easyJet plc, a position she has held since July 2010. Prior to easyJet, she held a number of roles at Guardian Media Group plc including Chief Executive from 2006 to 2010. She has also previously served as a non-executive director of Lloyds TSB, Tesco PLC and New Look plc. Carolyn was awarded the OBE for services to women in business in June 2008 and a Damehood for services to the aviation industry in January 2016.
Matthew Key was appointed as a non-executive director in September 2013. Matthew is a non-executive director of Orbit Showtime Network, a leading multi-platform pay TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, and he recently stepped down from his role on the European Advisory Board of Samsung Group. Previously, Matthew was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Telefónica Digital, the global
Officer for Vodafone UK. Prior to this, he held various financial positions at Kingfisher plc, Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages Limited and Grand Metropolitan Plc. Matthew is also Chairman of the Dallaglio
Foundation, which is a charity focused on disengaged youth.
AGM Venue: InterContinental Hotel, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London W1J 7QY
The nearest underground stations are Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line) and Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines). The nearest mainline rail station is Victoria. A number of bus routes also serve the area. For further travel assistance please visit www.tfl.gov.uk.
All resolutions at the AGM will be decided by poll. The directors believe a poll is more representative of shareholders' voting intentions because shareholders' votes are counted according to the number of shares held and all votes tendered are taken into account.
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