AGM Information • Mar 22, 2021
AGM Information
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3 Forbury Place, 23 Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3JH Friday 7 May 2021 at 11.00 am
If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own advice from your stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other professional adviser or other independent adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your shares in ConvaTec Group Plc, please forward this document, together with the accompanying documents, as soon as possible either to the purchaser or transferee or to the person who arranged the sale or transfer so they can pass the documents to the person who now holds the shares.
3 Forbury Place 23 Forbury Road Reading RG1 3JH
T: 0118 952 8100 www.convatecgroup.com
19 March 2021
Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to give you notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting, which will be held as a hybrid physical and electronic meeting at the Company's registered office, 3 Forbury Place, 23 Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3JH on Friday 7 May 2021 at 11.00 am (the "AGM or Meeting").
This document contains:
In the interest of ensuring the safety of our shareholders, and pursuant to the current legislation and government guidelines concerning gatherings and social distancing relating to COVID-19, the Directors of the Company have decided to hold the AGM as a hybrid meeting. We acknowledge that the COVID-19 guidance which will allow shareholders to attend and participate in the Meeting physically is constantly evolving; however, based on the latest UK government guidance, we anticipate that advice against large gatherings will remain in place as at the date of the Meeting. We feel that remaining vigilant in the current climate is of utmost importance and appreciate that whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has required us to tailor the way we conduct the AGM, we aim to ensure that shareholders are able to engage live throughout the Meeting.
In light of the above, we ask that shareholders do not attend the Meeting in person, but join and participate through the electronic platform which will be made available via a web address. Shareholders who do attempt to attend in person may be refused entry in order for the Meeting to comply with COVID-19 guidance. Further details of how to join and participate in the AGM can be found on pages 20 to 23 of this Notice and on our website at www.convatecgroup.com/investors.
Shareholders who are able to attend the Meeting on the day electronically will be able to cast their vote at the Meeting through the online platform. Those shareholders who are unable to attend will be able to register their proxy vote in advance of the Meeting, either online or through the return of the completed paper Form of Proxy (enclosed with this Notice for those individuals who have elected to receive hard copy documents). Further information on voting at the Meeting is detailed on page 12 of this Notice.
Dr Ros Rivaz retired from the Board in August 2020, having served as a member for over three years, during which time Ros served as Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of various Board committees. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Ros for her valuable contribution during her tenure.
Heather Mason and Constantin Coussios joined the Board in July and September 2020 respectively; details of their skills and experience can be found on page 91 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 (the "Annual Report and Accounts 2020") and on page 18 of this Notice. Changes to and the composition of our committees are explained in the relevant committee reports on pages 103, 105, and 117 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020, and in Appendix I to this document.
Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 3.983 cents per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2020. If shareholders approve the recommended final dividend, it will be paid on 13 May 2021 to all ordinary shareholders named on the register of members as at 6 April 2021, excluding the shareholders in respect of whom a valid election to participate in the Company's Scrip Dividend programme has been received by the Company (i) by 3.00 pm (UK time) on 22 April 2021 if you hold your shares in uncertificated form, or (ii) by 5.00 pm (UK time) on 22 April 2021 if you hold your shares in certificated form. Shareholders for whom valid elections have been validly received by these times will receive the final dividend in the form of new ordinary shares in the Company. Full details of the Company's Scrip Dividend programme (including details of how to elect to receive ordinary shares) are available from the Company's website at www.convatecgroup.com/investors.
The AGM is an important occasion and the Directors consider it to be a key opportunity to meet with the Company's shareholders and wider stakeholder community. Due to the current restrictions around social distancing, we will be holding the AGM as a hybrid meeting. Arrangements will be made for shareholders to ask questions during the Meeting to ensure that we maintain an effective dialogue. In light of these circumstances, shareholders are encouraged to vote on the resolutions in advance of the Meeting wherever possible. If you would like to vote on the resolutions but are unable to attend the AGM on the day, please complete the Form of Proxy enclosed with this document and return it to Computershare (the Company's registrars) as soon as possible, and by no later than 11.00 am on Wednesday 5 May 2021. Further instructions for appointing proxies are set out in the 'Important Information' section on page 11 of this document.
Should you wish to submit a question in advance of the Meeting concerning the business to be considered at the AGM, please send to [email protected] with the heading "2021 AGM".
If you have any queries about the AGM or any other aspect of the business, please contact Susan Marsden, Deputy Company Secretary at [email protected] who will be able to deal with your query.
The Directors consider that each of the resolutions is in the best interests of the Company and the shareholders as a whole and, accordingly, recommend that all shareholders vote in favour of all resolutions, as the Directors intend to do in respect of their own holdings.
Chairman ConvaTec Group Plc
Notice is hereby given that the fifth Annual General Meeting of ConvaTec Group Plc will be held at 3 Forbury Place, 23 Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 3JH. The Meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting and we ask that shareholders join the Meeting virtually and do not attend in person. Information outlining how shareholders may join the Meeting is detailed on pages 20 to 23 of this Notice. The Meeting will commence at 11.00 am on Friday 7 May 2021 for the following purposes:
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions, of which Resolutions 1 to 17 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and Resolutions 18 to 21 will be proposed as special resolutions.
provided that the total amount of all such donations and expenditure made by all companies to which this authority relates shall not exceed £100,000. For the purposes of this resolution, the terms "political donation", "political parties", "independent election candidates", "political organisation" and "political expenditure" have the meanings given by sections 363 to 365 of Companies Act 2006.
but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal or practical problems in or under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange.
This authority shall, unless renewed, varied or revoked by the Company, expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution, or, if earlier, at the close of business on the day which is 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed, save that prior to its expiry 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 authority expires and the Directors of the Company may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
This resolution revokes and replaces all unexercised authorities previously granted to the Directors to allot equity securities but without prejudice to any allotment of shares or grant of rights already made, offered or agreed to be made pursuant to such authorities.
but in each case subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal or practical problems in or under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange; and
b. in the case of authority granted under Resolution 17(a), to the allotment of equity securities for cash (otherwise than pursuant to the authority in Resolution 18(a) above) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £10,021,735.
This power applies in relation to a sale of shares which is an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(3) of the Companies Act 2006 as if in the first paragraph of this resolution the words "pursuant to the authority given by Resolution 17" were omitted.
The power granted by this resolution will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution, or, if earlier, 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed, but, in each case, prior to its expiry 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 authority expires and the Directors of the Company may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
This resolution revokes and replaces all unexercised authorities previously granted to the Directors to allot equity securities as if section 561(1) of the Companies Act 2006 did not apply but without prejudice to any allotment of shares or grant of rights already made, offered or agreed to be made pursuant to such authorities.
This power applies in relation to a sale of shares which is an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(3) of the Companies Act 2006 as if in the first paragraph of this resolution the words "pursuant to the authority given by Resolution 17" were omitted.
This authority shall, unless renewed varied or revoked by the Company, expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution or, if earlier, 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed , but in each case, prior to its expiry 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 authority expires and the Directors of the Company may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
This authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the passing of this resolution, or, if earlier, 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed but, in each case, prior to its expiry the Company may enter into a contract to purchase ordinary shares which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of this authority.
VP Deputy General Counsel and Company Secretary
ConvaTec Group Plc 3 Forbury Place 23 Forbury Road Reading, RG1 3JH
19 March 2021
The notes on the following pages explain the resolutions proposed at this AGM.
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 21 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.
Resolution 1 is to receive and consider the Annual Report and Accounts 2020 for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. The Directors are required to present to the Meeting the annual accounts and reports which are contained in the Annual Report and Accounts 2020.
Resolution 2 relates to the approval of the Directors' Remuneration report.
Resolution 2 is to approve the Directors' Remuneration report for the financial year ended 31 December 2020, as set out on pages 117 to 138 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020. Section 439 of the Companies Act 2006 requires that the Directors' Remuneration report for the financial year be put to a vote of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. The Company's auditor Deloitte LLP has audited those parts of the Directors' Remuneration report that are required to be audited and its report may be found at pages 204 to 212 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020. This vote is advisory and the Directors' entitlement to receive remuneration is not conditional on it.
Resolution 3 seeks shareholders' approval of the final dividend of 3.983 cents per ordinary share recommended by the Directors for the year ended 31 December 2020. An interim dividend of 1.717 cents per ordinary share was paid on 15 October 2020, bringing the total dividend for 2020 to 5.700 cents per ordinary share. The final dividend on ordinary shares is declared in US dollars and will be paid in Sterling at the chosen exchange rate of \$1.400/£1.00 determined on 4 March 2021. If shareholders approve the recommended final dividend, it will be paid on 13 May 2021 to all ordinary shareholders named on the register of members as at close of business on 6 April 2021, excluding the shareholders in respect of whom a valid election to participate in the Company's Scrip Dividend programme has been received by the Company (i) by 3.00 pm (UK time) on 22 April 2021 if you hold your shares in uncertificated form, or (ii) by 5.00 pm (UK time) on 22 April 2021 if you hold your shares in certificated form. Shareholders for whom valid elections have been received by 3.00 pm or 5.00 pm on 22 April 2021 if (UK time), as applicable, will receive the final dividend in the form of new ordinary shares in the Company. Full details of the Company's Scrip Dividend programme (including details of how to elect to receive ordinary shares) are available on the Company's website, www.convatecgroup.com/investors.
Resolutions 4 to 13 relate to the election of Directors to the Board. In accordance with the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and the requirements of the Company's Articles of Association, all Directors retire at the AGM and those wishing to serve again submit themselves for election or re-election (as applicable) by the shareholders.
Heather Mason and Professor Constantin Coussios were appointed during the year on 1 July and 1 September 2020 respectively, and will be submitting themselves for election by shareholders at the AGM. All the remaining Directors who served during the year are submitting themselves for re-election by shareholders. Following the internal performance evaluation carried out during the year, the Chairman is satisfied that the performance of each Director standing for election or reelection demonstrates commitment to the role and has sufficient time to meet his or her commitments to the Company. Each Director has provided a valuable and effective contribution in meetings held, and on decisions taken by the Board.
The Company is party to a relationship agreement with Novo Holdings A/S ("Novo") and as part of that agreement, Novo is entitled to nominate a Director for appointment to the Board, provided it retains a shareholding of 10% or more of the Company's issued share capital. In July 2018, Sten Scheibye was duly appointed by the Board as Non-Executive Director. Sten is not considered independent by the Board, due to his relationship with Novo and does not sit on any committees. The Board considers Sten as providing an effective and valuable contribution to the Board and that there are no other relationships or circumstances likely to affect his character or judgement.
The Board is satisfied that each of the remaining Non-Executive Directors offering themselves for election or re-election (as applicable) is independent in character and that there are no relationships or circumstances likely to affect their character or judgement. The biographies of each of the Directors and their contributions and reasons for election or re-election are set out in Appendix I to this document. Further information about each Director is set out on our website www.convatecgroup.com/ about-us/board-of-directors/. The Board believes this information is sufficient to enable shareholders to make an informed decision on their election or re-election (as applicable).
Resolutions 14 and 15 relate to the re-appointment of the auditor and to determine their remuneration. The Company's auditor must be submitted for re-appointment at each general meeting at which the Company's accounts are laid. Resolution 14 is proposed to approve the re-appointment of Deloitte LLP, following the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee. Resolution 15 authorises the Directors to determine the auditor's remuneration, who delegate this authority to the Audit and Risk Committee. Further details of the external audit are set out on pages 204 to 212 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020.
It is not the Group's policy to make political donations within the normal meaning of that expression. However, it is possible that certain routine activities undertaken by the Company and its subsidiaries might unintentionally fall within the wide definition of matters constituting political donations and expenditure in the Companies Act 2006. Any expenditure that is regulated under the Companies Act 2006 must first be approved by shareholders and will be disclosed in next year's Annual Report. This resolution, if passed, will give the Directors authority until the next Annual General Meeting of the Company (when the Directors intend to review this authority to make donations and incur expenditure which might otherwise be caught by the terms of the Companies Act 2006), up to an aggregate of £100,000 for the Company and for subsidiary companies.
Resolution 17 will be proposed to enable the Directors to allot ordinary shares in the capital of the Company without the prior consent of shareholders for a period expiring at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or, if earlier, 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed.
At the last Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 7 May 2020, the Directors were given authority to allot relevant securities within the meaning of section 551 of Companies Act 2006 up to an aggregate nominal amount of £66,051,011, representing approximately one third of the Company's issued share capital on 13 March 2020, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the notice of that Annual General Meeting. This authority expires at the end of this year's Meeting.
Paragraph (a) of Resolution 17 will, if passed, allow the Directors to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares in the Company up to an aggregate maximum nominal amount of £66,811,571 (representing approximately 33.3% of the nominal value of the Company's issued share capital, excluding shares held in treasury, on 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document).
In accordance with the institutional guidelines issued by the Investment Association ("IA"), paragraph (b) of Resolution 17 will allow Directors to allot further of the Company's ordinary shares in connection with a pre-emptive offer by way of a rights issue to ordinary shareholders up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £133,623,142, (representing approximately 66.6% of the Company's issued share capital, excluding shares held in treasury, on 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document).
The Directors have no present intention of exercising this authority except in connection with satisfying options or share awards issued pursuant to the Company's employee share schemes, should it be in the best interests of the Company to do so. The Company currently operates an Employee Benefit Trust for the purpose of satisfying options and share awards (further details of which can be found on page 10 of this Notice); however the Directors regard it necessary to ensure that the Company maintains flexibility and transparency in managing the schemes, to ensure the approach remains aligned with shareholder interests. Should the Directors decide to exercise this authority other than in connection with satisfying options or share awards, they intend to follow best practice in accordance with guidance issued by the IA.
As at 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document, the Company holds no shares in treasury.
Under section 561(1) of the Companies Act 2006, if the Directors wish to allot ordinary shares, or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert securities into, ordinary shares (which for this purpose includes a sale of treasury shares for cash), other than pursuant to an employee share scheme, they must in the first instance offer them to existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings. There may be occasions, however, when the Directors need the flexibility to finance business opportunities by the issue of shares without a pre-emptive offer to existing shareholders. This cannot be done under the Companies Act 2006 unless the shareholders have first waived their preemption rights.
Resolution 18, which is proposed as a special resolution will allow the Directors to allot equity securities for cash without first being required to offer such shares to existing shareholders. If approved, the resolution will authorise the Directors to issue shares (i) in connection with a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer and (ii) otherwise to issue shares for cash up to an aggregate maximum nominal amount of £10,021,735 (which includes, for this purpose, the sale on a non-pre-emptive basis of any shares held in treasury), representing approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company, excluding shares held in treasury, on 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document, as if section 561(1) of the Companies Act 2006 did not apply to such allotment or sale of treasury shares for cash.
Resolution 19, which is proposed as a special resolution is in addition to the waiver granted in Resolution 18. Resolution 19, if passed, will authorise the Directors to allot equity securities or sell treasury shares for cash, pursuant to the authority to allot granted by Resolution 17, in connection with an acquisition or other capital investment of a fund contemplated by the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently published by the Pre-Emption Group prior to the date of this notice, as if section 561(1) of the Companies Act 2006 did not apply to such allotment or sale of treasury shares for cash, up to a further maximum aggregate nominal amount of £10,021,735 (representing approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company, excluding shares held in treasury, on 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document).
The additional authority to allot up to approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital is sought for use in connection only with an acquisition or specified capital investment of a kind contemplated by the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently published prior to the date of this notice and not for general corporate purposes. Any such acquisition or specified capital investment would be announced at the time of the relevant share issue.
The Directors do not have any present intention of exercising either authority and do not intend to issue more than 7.5% of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis in any rolling three-year period (and the sale on a non-pre-emptive basis of any shares held in treasury will be considered an issue for cash for this purpose) without prior consultation with the relevant investor groups. If passed, the authorities granted under Resolutions 18 and 19 will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or, if earlier, 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed.
The Directors believe that the authority sought in these Resolutions are in the best interests of the Company and note that they comply with the IA guidelines and the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights.
Resolution 20 will be proposed as a special resolution to enable the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,434,713 of its own shares, which is equivalent to approximately 10% of the Company's issued share capital, excluding any shares held in treasury, as at 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 on such terms and in such manner as the Directors determine, subject to minimum and maximum price limits which may be paid for any shares purchased under this authority, which reflect the requirements of the Listing Rules.
The authority will remain in force until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company but will terminate 15 months after the date on which this resolution is passed if the Annual General Meeting has not been held by that date.
The Company may agree before the authority expires to purchase ordinary shares where the purchase will or may be executed after the authority terminates (either in whole or in part). The Company may complete such a purchase even though the authority has expired.
The Companies Act 2006 permits the Company to hold shares repurchased as treasury shares. Treasury shares may be cancelled, sold for cash or used for the purpose of employee share schemes. The authority to be sought by this resolution is intended to apply equally to shares to be held by the Company as treasury shares. No dividends will be paid on shares which are held as treasury shares and no voting rights will be attached to them. Shares held as treasury shares will normally be used to satisfy the Company's employee share schemes.
The Company operates an Employee Benefit Trust (the "EBT") which holds shares for the purpose of satisfying options or share awards issued pursuant to the Company's employee share schemes. The Directors have no present intention of exercising the authority granted by this resolution other than where they determine to purchase shares for the purpose of employee share schemes and in such cases, will only do so following full consideration of the circumstances and taking into account the interests of the shareholders as a whole. At present, awards issued pursuant to the employee share schemes are satisfied through the EBT; however the Directors reserve their position, and may elect to repurchase shares.
At 31 December 2020, 2,401,898 shares were held in the EBT.
In the period from 1 January to 31 December 2020 the Company provided funds to the EBT to purchase 2,000,000 shares for the aforementioned purpose.
In the period from 31 December 2020 to 19 March 2021 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document), the Company did not purchase any of its own shares.
The total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares and awards which may be satisfied by newly issued ordinary shares under long-term incentive plans of the Group that were outstanding at 31 December 2020 (as reported in the Annual Report and Accounts 2020) was 30,471,985. The proportion of issued share capital, excluding shares held in treasury, that they represented at that time was 1.52% and the proportion of issued share capital that they will represent if the full authority to purchase shares, existing and being sought, is used is 1.90%.
Resolution 21 will be proposed as a special resolution to allow the Company to call general meetings (other than an Annual General Meeting) on 14 clear days' notice. The notice period required by the Companies Act 2006 for general meetings of the Company is 21 days unless shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which cannot, however, be less than 14 clear days. Annual General Meetings must always be held on at least 21 clear days' notice. It is intended that the flexibility offered by this resolution will only be used for time-sensitive, non-routine business and where merited in the interests of shareholders as a whole and noting also the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code with which the Company would intend to comply. The approval will be effective until the Company's next Annual General Meeting, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed. 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.
Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and section 360B(2) of the Companies Act 2006, the Company specifies that only those shareholders registered in the Register of Members of the Company as at close of business on Wednesday 5 May 2021 or, in the event that the Meeting is adjourned, in the Register of Members at the close of business two days before the time of any adjourned meeting shall be entitled to attend or vote at the Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at the relevant time. Changes to entries on the Register of Members after close of business on Wednesday 5 May 2021 or, in the event that the Meeting is adjourned, at close of business two days before the time of any adjourned meeting, shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the Meeting.
i. A shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the AGM may appoint a proxy or proxies (who need not be a shareholder of the Company) to exercise all or any of his or her rights to attend the Meeting, ask questions and vote at the AGM. Where more than one proxy is appointed, each proxy must be appointed for different shares.
Proxies may only be appointed by:
Return of the Form of Proxy will not prevent a shareholder from attending the Meeting; however, if you have already voted by proxy, you will still be able to vote at the Meeting and your vote on the day will replace your previously lodged proxy vote.
The electronic addresses provided in this Notice are provided solely for the purpose of enabling shareholders to register the appointment of a proxy or proxies for the Meeting or to submit their voting directions electronically. You may not use any electronic address provided in the Notice of this Meeting to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.
ii. To be effective, the Form of Proxy must be completed in accordance with the instructions and received by the Company's registrar by 11.00 am on Wednesday 5 May 2021.
To appoint a proxy or to give an instruction to a previously appointed proxy via the CREST system, the CREST message must be received by the issuer's agent (3RA50) by 11.00 am on Wednesday 5 May 2021. Please note, however, that proxy messages cannot be sent through CREST on weekends, public holidays or after 6.00 pm on any other day. For the purpose of this deadline, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications Host) from which the issuer's agent is able to retrieve the message. CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members and those CREST members that have appointed voting service provider(s) should contact their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) for assistance with appointing proxies via CREST.
For further information on CREST procedures, limitations and system timings, please refer to the CREST manual. We may treat as invalid a proxy appointment sent by CREST in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, as amended.
Any person to whom a copy of this Notice is sent who is a person nominated under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights ("Nominated Person") may, under an agreement between him or her and the shareholder by whom he or she was nominated, have a right to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the AGM. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, he or she may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights.
The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the appointment of proxies in note (i) above does not apply to Nominated Persons. The rights described in that note can only be exercised by shareholders of the Company.
A corporation which is a shareholder can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise, on its behalf, all its powers as a member provided that no more than one corporate representative exercises powers over the same share.
Under sections 338 and 338A of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders meeting the threshold requirements in those sections have the right to require the Company (i) to give to shareholders of the Company entitled to receive Notice of the AGM, notice of a resolution which may be properly moved, and is intended to be moved at the AGM and/or (ii) to include in the business to be dealt with at the AGM any matter (other than a proposed resolution) which may be properly included in the business. A resolution may properly be moved or a matter may properly be included in the business unless (a) (in the case of a resolution only) it would, if passed, be ineffective (whether by reason of inconsistency with any enactment or the Company's constitution or otherwise), (b) it is defamatory, or (c) it is frivolous or vexatious. Such a request may be in hard copy or electronic form and must identify the resolution of which notice is to be given or the matter to be included in the business, must be authorised by the person or person making it, must be received by the Company not later than Thursday 8 April 2021, being the date four clear weeks before the AGM, and (in the case of a matter to be included in the business only) must be accompanied by a statement setting out the grounds for the request.
Under section 319A of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders have the right to ask questions at the AGM relating to the business of the Meeting and for these to be answered, unless such answer would interfere unduly with the business of the Meeting, involve the disclosure of confidential information, if the answer has already been published on the Company's website, or if it is not in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Meeting that the question be answered.
Under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders have a right to request publication of any concerns that they propose to raise at the AGM relating to the audit of the Company's Accounts (including the Auditor's report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be submitted to the Meeting or any circumstances connected to the Company's auditor who ceased to hold office since the last Annual General Meeting. The Company will publish the statement if sufficient requests meeting the threshold requirements have been received in accordance with section 527(2) of the Companies Act 2006. The Company may not require the members requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with such request. Where a statement is published, the Company will forward the statement to the Company's auditor not later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM includes any statement that the Company has been required under section 527 of the Companies Act 2006 to publish on its website.
Copies of the service agreements of the Executive Directors, the letters of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors and the Company's Articles of Association will be available for inspection at an agreed time during normal business hours from the date of dispatch of this Notice until the end of the AGM (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays excepted) at the registered office of the Company, 3 Forbury Place, 23 Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3JH. Please send a request to the Assistant Company Secretary at [email protected] should you wish to arrange.
As at 19 March 2021 (being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this document), the Company's issued share capital comprised 2,004,347,138 ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares). The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company. It is proposed that all votes on the resolutions at the AGM will be taken by way of a poll. On a poll every ordinary shareholder who has joined the Meeting or is represented by proxy has one vote for every ordinary share held.
The total voting rights in the Company as at 19 March 2021, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document, were 2,004,347,138 (excluding treasury shares).
The following information is available, or will be available if applicable on the Company's website at www.convatecgroup.com:
Shareholders and duly appointed proxies are encouraged to join the Meeting through the Lumi website; further details and joining instructions can be found on pages 20 to 23 of this Notice, together with voting instructions. Voting on all resolutions on the day will be by way of a poll. Only the first shareholder listed on the Register of Members is entitled to vote.
All shareholders or their proxies will have the opportunity to submit questions during the AGM through the electronic platform or by teleconference. A question may not be answered at the Meeting if it is not considered to be in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Meeting or if it would involve the disclosure of sensitive information. The Chairman may also nominate a representative to answer a specific question after the Meeting or refer the questioner to the Company's website.
The Company confirms that all resolutions to be proposed at the AGM will be put to the vote on a poll. This will result in a more accurate reflection of the views of all of the Company's shareholders by ensuring that every vote is recognised, including the votes of shareholders who are unable to join the Meeting but who have appointed a proxy for the Meeting. On a poll, each shareholder has one vote for each share held.
Votes can be cast during the Meeting via the Lumi website, upon the Chairman declaring the poll open. Further instructions and guidance on the voting procedures can be found on page 20 of this Notice.
All of the votes of the shareholders who join the Meeting will be counted, and added to those received by proxy.
The voting results, which will include all votes cast for and against each resolution at the Meeting, and all proxies lodged prior to the Meeting, will be published on the Company's website as soon as practicable after the Meeting. The Company will also disclose the number of votes withheld.
If you have already voted by proxy, you will still be able to vote at the Meeting and your vote on the day will replace your previously lodged proxy vote.
Whomever you appoint as a proxy can vote or abstain from voting as he or she decides on any other business which may validly come before the AGM. This includes proxies appointed using the CREST service. Details of how to complete the appointment of a proxy either electronically or on paper are given in the notes to this Notice.
Computershare maintain the Company's share register. If you have any enquiries about the AGM or about your shareholding, you should contact Computershare:
Your personal data includes all data provided by you, or on your behalf, which relates to you as a shareholder, including your name and contact details, the votes you cast and your Reference Number (attributed to you by the Company). The Company determines the purposes for which and the manner in which your personal data is to be processed. The Company and any third party to which it discloses the data (including the Company's registrar) may process your personal data for the purposes of compiling and updating the Company's records, fulfilling its legal obligations and processing the shareholder rights you exercise.
Chairman, British
September 2019
Yes (on appointment)
None
Chief Executive Officer, American
September 2019
No
None
Non-Executive Director and member of the Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee of Spectris plc. Member of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Advisory Board.
Chief Financial Officer, Dutch
November 2017
No
None.
Senior Independent Director, British
August 2017
Yes
Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of ITV Group plc. Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee and a member of the Nominations Committee of International Consolidated Airlines Group, S.A.
Audit and Risk Committee Nomination Committee Remuneration Committee
Committee Chair
Non-Executive Director, British
March 2020
Yes
Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Audit and Treasury Committees and member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees of United Utilities Group PLC. Non-Executive Director of Ferguson plc where Brian is also a member of its Nominations and Audit Committees.
Non-Executive Director, American
October 2016
Yes
Chairman and Managing Director of Revival Healthcare Capital. Director of Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., Cardilogs Technologies, and of Silk Road Medical, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company, where Rick is also Chair of the Compensation Committee and member of the Corporate Governance Committee.
Non-Executive Director, American
August 2017
Yes
CEO and a practising physician at the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic. Independent Director of Oak Street Health, Inc., Computer Programs and Systems Inc. where Regina is a member of the Audit and Innovation Committees and Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee. Independent Director of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Ascension Health Alliance, Doximity Inc., 98point6 Inc., Professional Disposables International, Inc., Nurx, Inc. and EverlyWell, Inc.
Non-Executive Director, Danish
July 2018
No
None
Senior Advisor to Novo Holdings A/S. Chairman of, BioInnovation Institute Foundation, BII Holdings A/S, EA/S, Knud Højgaards Hus, Højgaard Ejendomme A/S, The Danish Industry Foundation, and the Knud Højgaard Foundation.
Audit and Risk Committee Nomination Committee
Remuneration Committee
Committee Chair
Non-Executive Director, American
July 2020
Yes
Committee memberships
Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of Immatics, Inc., Non-Executive Director of Pendulum Therapeutics, Inc., and of Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., where Heather is Chair of the Governance Committee and member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Chair of SCA Pharmaceuticals and Co-Chair of the University of Michigan's College of Engineering Innovation Committee and a member of its Leadership Advisory Board.
Non-Executive Director, Greek/British
September 2020
Yes
None
Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford. Professorial Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford. Founder and Director of OrganOx Limited, OxSonics Limited and OrthoSon Limited. Trustee of the Oxford Transplant Foundation and Governor of Magdalen College School Oxford.
Further to the disclosure of major shareholders on page 141 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020, no further shareholder interests have been disclosed to the Company, pursuant to the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, during the period between 4 March 2021, being the latest practicable date before publication of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020, and 19 March 2021, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document.
Further to the disclosure of the Directors' shareholdings on page 129 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2020, changes have been noted to the Directors' interests in the Company's shares. The Directors' interests as at 31 December 2020 and 19 March 2021 are detailed below:
| Shares owned outright or vested | ||
|---|---|---|
| Director | 31 December 2020 | 19 March 2021 |
| Karim Bitar | 1,606,064 | 1,606,064 |
| Frank Schulkes | 165,000 | 169,103 |
| Rick Anderson | 209,137 | 209,137 |
| Dr John McAdam | 23,181 | 23,181 |
| Sten Scheibye | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Brian May | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Dr Regina Benjamin | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Heather Mason | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Margaret Ewing | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Professor Constantin Coussios |
0 | 0 |
For the 2021 AGM, ConvaTec Group Plc will be enabling shareholders to attend and participate in the Meeting electronically, should they wish to do so. This can be done by accessing the AGM website, https://web.lumiagm.com.
Lumi AGM can be accessed online using most well-known internet browsers such as Internet Explorer (not compatible with versions 10 and below), Chrome, Firefox and Safari on a PC, laptop or internet-enabled device such as a tablet or smartphone. If you wish to access the AGM using this method, please go to https://web.lumiagm.com on the day.
On accessing the AGM website, you will be asked to enter a Meeting ID which is 196-711-666.
You will then be prompted to enter your unique SRN and PIN. These can be found printed on your Form of Proxy. Access to the Meeting via the website will be available from 10:00 am. on 7 May 2021; however, please note that your ability to vote will not be enabled until the Chair formally declares the poll open.
The Meeting will be broadcast with presentation slides. Once logged in, and at the commencement of the Meeting, you will be able to listen to the proceeding of the Meeting on your device, as well as being able to see the slides of the Meeting which will include the resolutions to be put forward to the Meeting. These slides will progress automatically as the Meeting progresses.
Once the Chair has formally opened the Meeting, they will explain the voting procedure. Voting will be enabled on all resolutions at the start of the formal Meeting on the Chair's instruction. This means shareholders may, at any time while the poll is open, vote electronically on any or all the resolutions in the Notice of Meeting, resolutions will not be put forward separately.
Once the resolutions have been proposed, the list of resolutions will appear along with the voting options available. Select the option that corresponds with how you wish to vote, "FOR", "AGAINST" or "WITHHELD". Once you have selected your choice, the option will change colour and a confirmation message will appear to indicate your vote has been cast and received – there is no submit button. If you make a mistake or wish to change your vote, simple select the correct choice, if you wish to "cancel" your vote, select the "cancel" button. You will be able to do this at any time whilst the poll remains open and before the Chair announces its closure at the end of the Meeting.
Any shareholder or appointed proxy attending the Meeting is eligible to ask questions. If you would like to ask a question, this may be done by teleconference or by selecting the messaging icon. If selecting the messaging icon, type your message within the chat box at the bottom of the messaging screen. Once you are happy with your message click the send button. Questions will be moderated before being sent to the Chair. This is to avoid repetition. Messages can be submitted at any time during the Q&A session up until the Chair closes the session.
Links are present on the info screen. When you click on a link, the selected document will open in your browser. Data usage for streaming the Meeting or downloading documents via the AGM platform varies depending on individual use, the specific device being used for streaming or download (Android, iPhone, etc.) and the network connection (3G, 4G).
An active internet connection is always required in order to allow you to cast your vote when the poll opens, submit questions and listen to the audiocast. It is the user's responsibility to ensure you remain connected for the duration of the Meeting.
Please contact the Company's registrar before 10.00 am on 6 May 2021 on +44 370 703 6219 for your SRN and PIN. Lines are open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales).
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