AGM Information • Apr 15, 2015
AGM Information
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THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of the proposals referred to in this document or as to the action you should take, you should seek your own advice from a stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other professional adviser.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares, please pass this document together with the accompanying documents to the purchaser or transferee, or to the person who arranged the sale or transfer, so they can pass these documents to the person who now holds the shares.
The distribution of this document in jurisdictions other than the UK, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa, may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession the document comes should inform themselves about and observe any of those restrictions. Any failure to comply with any of those restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales under number 1819699)
Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at The Westbury, Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2YF on Friday 15 May 2015 at 10.30a.m. is set out on pages 5 to 9 of this circular.
Whether or not you propose to attend the Annual General Meeting, please complete and submit a Form of Proxy in accordance with the instructions printed on the enclosed form. The Form of Proxy must be received by 10.30a.m. on 13 May 2015.
| PART I | |
|---|---|
| Letter from the Chairman of Derwent London plc | 3 |
| PART II | |
| Notice of Annual General Meeting | 5 |
| Explanatory notes to the Notice of Annual General Meeting | 10 |
The following documents will be available for inspection at the registered office of the Company from 15 April 2015 until the time of the AGM and at The Westbury, Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2YF from 15 minutes before the AGM until it ends:
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under number 1819699)
Directors: Registered and Head Office: Robert Rayne (Chairman) 25 Savile Row John Burns (Chief Executive Officer) London Simon Silver (Executive Director) W1S 2ER Damian Wisniewski (Finance Director) 020 7659 3000 Paul Williams (Executive Director) Nigel George (Executive Director) David Silverman (Executive Director) Stuart Corbyn (Non-Executive Director) Robert Farnes (Non-Executive Director) June de Moller (Non-Executive Director) Stephen Young (Non-Executive Director) Simon Fraser (Non-Executive Director) Richard Dakin (Non-Executive Director)
15 April 2015
Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to be writing to you with details of our Annual General Meeting ("AGM") which we are holding at The Westbury, Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2YF on 15 May 2015 at 10.30a.m. The formal notice of AGM is set out on pages 5 to 9 of this document.
If you would like to vote on the resolutions but are unable to attend the AGM, please fill in the Form of Proxy sent to you with this notice and return it to our Registrars as soon as possible. They must receive it by 10.30a.m. on 13 May 2015.
In accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, all the Directors, other than Robert Farnes who is retiring at the end of the meeting, will be putting themselves forward for re-election this year. Following a formal performance evaluation, I can confirm that each director's performance continues to be effective and to demonstrate a high level of commitment to the role.
Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 28.0 pence per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2014. Of this amount, 22.35 pence will be paid as a Property Income Distribution ("PID") with the balance of 5.65 pence paid as a conventional ("Non-PID") dividend. If you approve the recommended final dividend, this will be paid on 12 June 2015 to all ordinary shareholders who were on the register of members on 8 May 2015.
A Scrip Dividend alternative will be available for both the PID and the Non-PID element of the final dividend. If you wish to participate in the Scrip Dividend Scheme and have not previously completed and returned a mandate form, you should do so by 5.00p.m. on 21 May 2015.
Scrip dividends enable shareholders to increase their holding in the Company in a simple manner, without incurring any dealing costs or stamp duty. The Scrip Dividend alternative also provides the Company with the ability to reinvest the cash in the business.
Details of the Scrip Dividend Scheme and a mandate form can be found in the investors section of the Company's website at www.derwentlondon.com.
Explanatory notes on all the business to be considered at this year's AGM appear on pages 10 to 12 of this document.
The Directors consider that all the resolutions to be put to the meeting are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and unanimously recommend that you vote in favour of all resolutions, as they intend to do in respect of their own shareholdings.
Yours sincerely,
Robert A. Rayne Chairman
Notice is hereby given that the thirty first Annual General Meeting of Derwent London plc will be held at The Westbury, Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2YF at 10.30a.m. on 15 May 2015. You will be asked to consider and pass the resolutions below. Resolutions 19 to 21 (inclusive) will be proposed as special resolutions. All other resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions.
and so that the Board may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which it considers necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or any other matter,
such authorities to apply until the end of next year's AGM (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 15 August 2016) but, in each case, during this period the Company may make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares to be granted after the authority ends and the Board may allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not ended.
and so that the Board may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which it considers necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or any other matter;
such power to apply until the end of next year's AGM (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 15 August 2016) but, in each case, during this period the Company may make offers and enter into agreements which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted (and treasury shares to be sold) after the power ends and the Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not ended.
in each case, exclusive of expenses;
such authority to apply until the end of next year's AGM (or, if earlier, 15 August 2016) but in each case so that during this period the Company may enter into a contract to purchase ordinary shares which would, or might be, completed or executed wholly or partly after the authority ends and the Company may purchase ordinary shares pursuant to any such contract as if the authority had not ended.
By order of the Board Registered Office:
T. J. Kite, ACA Company Secretary
15 April 2015
Derwent London plc 25 Savile Row London W1S 2ER Registered in England and Wales No. 1819699
given to a previously appointed proxy, must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer's agent (ID RA19) by 10.30a.m. on 13 May 2015. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the time stamp applied to the message by the CREST Application Host) from which the issuer's agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means.
The notes on the following pages give an explanation of the proposed resolutions.
Resolutions 1 to 18 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 19 to 21 (inclusive) are proposed as special resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, at least three-quarters of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
For each financial year, the Directors must present the Directors' report, the audited accounts and the independent auditor's report to shareholders at a general meeting. Those to be presented at the AGM are in respect of the year ended 31 December 2014.
Under section 439 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company is required to seek the approval of shareholders of its annual report on remuneration practice, which details the remuneration of the directors for the year under review.
Resolution 2 seeks shareholder approval for the Annual Report on Directors' Remuneration (including the Annual Statement by the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee) as set out on pages 92 and 101 to 110 of the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts. The vote on the Annual Report on Directors' Remuneration will be advisory.
Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 28.0 pence per ordinary share for the year ended 31 December 2014. Of this amount, 22.35 pence will be paid as a PID with the balance of 5.65 pence paid as a conventional dividend.
In accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code all Directors of Derwent London plc, other than Robert Farnes who will be retiring at the end of the AGM, will be presenting themselves for re-election.
Biographies of the Directors are given on page 79 of the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts.
The Company is required to appoint auditors at each general meeting at which its report and accounts are presented to shareholders. On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, resolution 16 proposes the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor (to hold office until the conclusion of next year's AGM). In accordance with normal practice, resolution 17 authorises the Board to determine the auditor's remuneration. You are asked to approve the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and, following normal practice, to authorise the Board to determine the remuneration of the auditor.
Paragraph (A) of this resolution would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £1,844,402 (representing 36,888,040 ordinary shares of 5 pence each). This amount represents approximately one-third of the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) of the Company as at 10 April 2015, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice.
In line with guidance issued by the Investment Association, paragraph (B) of this resolution would give the Directors authority to allot ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into ordinary shares in connection with a rights issue in favour of ordinary shareholders up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £3,688,804 (representing 73,776,080 ordinary shares of 5 pence each), as reduced by the nominal amount of any shares issued under paragraph (A) of this resolution. This amount (before any reduction) represents approximately two-thirds of the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) of the Company as at 10 April 2015, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice.
The authorities sought under paragraphs (A) and (B) of this resolution will expire at the earlier of 15 August 2016 and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2016.
The Directors have no present intention to exercise either of the authorities sought under this resolution, other than to allot ordinary shares as share dividends instead of cash dividends and following the exercise of options and awards under the Company's share schemes. However, if they do exercise the authorities, the Directors intend to follow Investment Association recommendations concerning their use (including as regards the Directors standing for re-election in certain cases).
As at 10 April 2015, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice, no ordinary shares are held by the Company in treasury.
This resolution will be proposed as a special resolution, which requires a 75 per cent. majority of the votes to be cast in favour. It would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares (or sell 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, as in previous years, be limited to allotments or sales in connection with pre-emptive offers and offers to holders of other equity securities if required by the rights of those shares or as the Board otherwise considers necessary, in connection with a scrip dividend scheme or similar arrangement where the scrip election is made after the declaration (but before payment) of a final dividend, or otherwise up to an aggregate nominal amount of £553,320 (representing 11,066,412 ordinary shares of 5 pence each). This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 10 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 10 April 2015, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice. The Directors confirm that they will only allot shares representing more than 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company for cash pursuant to the authority referred to in paragraph (c) of resolution 19 where that allotment is in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment (within the meaning given in the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles) which is announced contemporaneously with the allotment, or which has taken place in the preceding six-month period and is disclosed in the announcement of the allotment. In respect of the authority referred to in paragraph (c) of resolution 19, 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 3-year period where the principles provide that usage in excess of 7.5 per cent should not take place without prior consultation with shareholders, except in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment as referred to above.
The authority will expire at the earlier of 15 August 2016 and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2016.
Resolution 20 is another special resolution and renews the Directors' authority granted by the shareholders at previous AGMs to make market purchase up to 10 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary shares (excluding any treasury shares).
The Company may make purchases of its own shares if, having taken account of all major factors such as the effect on earnings and net asset value per share, gearing levels and alternative investment opportunities, such purchases are considered to be in the Company's and shareholders' best interests while maintaining an efficient capital structure.
If the Company purchases any of its ordinary shares pursuant to resolution 20, the Company may cancel these shares or hold them in treasury. Such decision will be made by the Directors at the time of purchase. The minimum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is 5 pence. The maximum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is the highest of: (i) an amount equal to 5 per cent. above the average market value for an ordinary share for the five business days immediately preceding the date of the purchase; and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venues where the purchase is carried out at the relevant time.
At last year's AGM, the Company was given authority to make market purchases of up to 10,251,784 shares. No shares have been purchased by the Company in the market since then.
Options to subscribe for a total of 1,195,770 shares, being 1.08 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares), were outstanding at 10 April 2015 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice). If the existing authority given at the 2014 AGM and the authority being sought under resolution 20 were to be fully used, these would represent 1.34 per cent. of the Company's issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) at that date.
The Directors do not have any current plans to exercise the authority to be granted pursuant to resolution 20. The Directors will exercise this authority only when to do so would be in the best interest of the Company, and of its shareholders generally.
The authority will expire at the earlier of 15 August 2016 and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2016.
Changes made to the Companies Act 2006 by the Shareholders' Rights Regulations increase the notice period required for general meetings of the Company to 21 days unless shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which cannot however be less than 14 clear days. AGMs will continue to be held on at least 21 clear days' notice.
Before the Shareholders' Rights Regulations came into force, the Company was able to call general meetings other than an AGM on 14 clear days' notice without obtaining such shareholder approval. In order to preserve this ability, resolution 21, which is a special resolution, seeks such approval. The approval will be effective until the Company's next AGM, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.
The shorter notice period would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings, but only where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole.
Note that the changes to the Companies Act 2006 mean that, in order to be able to call a general meeting on less than 21 clear days' notice, the Company must make a means of electronic voting available to all shareholders for that meeting.
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