Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • Apr 5, 2022
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer

Direct Line Insurance Group plc
Notice of Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 10 May 2022
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 transferred all of your shares in Direct Line Insurance Group plc (the "Company"), you should pass this Notice of Annual General Meeting (the "Notice") and accompanying documents (except any personalised form of proxy) 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.
| Letter from the Chair | 4 |
|---|---|
| Annual General Meeting Information | 6 |
| Notice of Annual General Meeting | 7 |
| General Notes | 11 |
| The Business of the Annual General Meeting | 13 |
| Shareholder Information | 20 |
5 April 2022
Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to enclose the Notice of Meeting for the Company's 2022 AGM (the "Notice"). The AGM will be held at the offices of the Company at No. 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AA, on 10 May 2022 at 11.00 a.m.
The Notice sets out the resolutions to be proposed, together with explanatory notes and general notes for shareholders who wish to give proxy voting instructions electronically or by post. The Company's Annual Report & Accounts 2021 are available to view on the Investor section of our website: www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/investors.
All of the Directors are standing for re-election at this year's AGM, except for Tracy Corrigan and Neil Manser, who are standing for election by shareholders for the first time. Biographical details of all the Directors standing for election or re-election are provided in the explanatory notes to the relevant resolutions and in the Annual Report & Accounts. The Board has assessed the performance and time commitments of all the Directors and recommends that shareholders vote in favour of those resolutions.
You will see in resolution 3 in the Notice that the Board is recommending a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2021 of 15.1 pence per share, which, subject to approval by shareholders, will become due and payable on 17 May 2022 to shareholders named on the Register of Members at the close of business on 8 April 2022, provided that the Board may cancel the dividend and therefore payment of the dividend at any time prior to payment, if it considers it necessary to do so for regulatory capital purposes.
In our Preliminary Results, we announced the intention to carry out a share buy-back programme to purchase up to £100 million in value of the Company's own shares. An initial tranche of up to £50 million commenced on 9 March 2022 and is expected to be completed before the announcement of our 2022 half year results. The buy-back programme was commenced under the authority granted by shareholders at the 2021 AGM. In order to retain flexibility in the management of the Company's capital base, we are asking shareholders to renew this authority for the Company to purchase its own shares.
The resolutions are standard matters that are normally dealt with at a listed company's AGM, except resolutions 22 and 23 which are designed to provide additional flexibility to the Company in managing and raising capital.
Shareholders will recall that for the last five years we have requested shareholder approval for the Company to issue restricted Tier 1 capital instruments compliant with the prudential regime applicable to the Company ("RT1 Instruments"). In December 2017 the Directors used the authority granted at the 2017 AGM for the issue of RT1 Instruments with a nominal value of £350 million. Since 2017, the Directors have not used the authority granted at subsequent AGMs held to date.
The 2021 authority expires at the end of this AGM and we are seeking revised authorities (in resolutions 22 and 23) to allow the Company to have continued flexibility to issue further RT1 Instruments to manage and maintain its and the Group's capital more effectively. Capital sourced in this way contributes towards the Group's prudential capital requirements.
A key feature of RT1 Instruments is that they would automatically convert into shares (1) if at any time the amount of relevant Own Funds items were to fall below the level necessary to exceed (a) any relevant Minimum Capital Requirement or (b) 75% of any relevant Solvency Capital Requirement or (2) if we were to breach any relevant Solvency Capital Requirement and fail to remedy that breach within three months. If one of those triggers were to occur, the £350 million RT1 Instruments we issued in December 2017 would convert into approximately 137 million shares (based on the current conversion price).
The Company will continue to monitor public health guidance and legislation issued by the UK Government in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. Should it become appropriate to revise the current arrangements for the AGM, any such changes will be notified to shareholders through the Company's website at www.directlinegroup.co.uk. We ask you to check the latest Government guidelines and the Company's website before travelling to the AGM.
Shareholders may send any questions about the business of the AGM to the Company Secretary by email at [email protected]. We will provide written answers to questions registered in this way.
Your vote is important to us. Whether or not you intend to join us for the AGM, you can vote by submitting your proxy instruction online or by signing and returning your proxy form. Voting instructions are set out in the notes on pages 11 and 20. The voting results will be announced to the London Stock Exchange and published on our website at www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/investors/regulatory-news following the conclusion of the meeting.
Your Board of Directors believes the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM will promote the success of the Company and are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Directors unanimously recommend you vote in favour of them, as they intend to do in respect of their own beneficial shareholdings.
Danuta Gray
Chair
The meeting will start at 11.00 a.m. Please arrive no later than 10.45 a.m. for registration.
Tea and coffee will be served from 10.20 a.m.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at the offices of the Company at No. 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AA.
There is wheelchair access to the venue. Shareholders with additional accessibility requirements (such as induction loop facilities) who plan to attend should contact [email protected].
(Please note that the access to the building through the main entrance is out of use as the building operates a one-way system.)
There are several stations nearby on different lines: Monument and Tower Hill are both served by the District and Circle lines; Tower Gateway is served by the Docklands Light Railway; and Aldgate is served by the Circle and Metropolitan lines. Each of these stations is within a ten-minute walk of the venue.
Fenchurch Street, served by C2C, is two minutes' walk away. Cannon Street (Southeastern), Liverpool Street (Greater Anglia, Stansted Express, London Overground and TfL Rail) and London Bridge (Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink) are all between ten- and fifteen-minutes' walk away from the venue.


Direct Line Insurance Group plc, Registered in England & Wales No. 02280426. Registered Office: Churchill Court, Westmoreland Road, Bromley, BR1 1DP, UK
Notice is hereby given that the Company's AGM will be held at the offices of the Company at No. 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AA, at 11.00 a.m. on 10 May 2022, to transact the business set out in the resolutions below.
Resolutions 1 to 17 (inclusive) and 22 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 18 to 21 (inclusive) and 23 will be proposed as special resolutions.
THAT the audited accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2021 together with the Reports of the Directors and of the Auditor be and are hereby received.
THAT the Directors' Remuneration Report set out on pages 134 to 159 of the Annual Report and Accounts be and is hereby approved.
THAT a final dividend of 15.1 pence per ordinary share be and is hereby declared payable on 17 May 2022 to shareholders named on the Register of Members at the close of business on 8 April 2022, provided that the Board may cancel the dividend and therefore payment of the dividend at any time prior to payment, if it considers it necessary to do so for regulatory capital purposes.
THAT Tracy Corrigan be and is hereby elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Danuta Gray be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Mark Gregory be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Penny James be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Sebastian James be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Adrian Joseph be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Neil Manser be and is hereby elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Fiona McBain be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Gregor Stewart be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Richard Ward be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
THAT Deloitte LLP be and is hereby re-appointed as the Company's Auditor until the next AGM.
THAT the Audit Committee of the Board be and is hereby authorised to agree the remuneration of the Auditor.
THAT in accordance with section 366 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company and all companies that are subsidiaries of the Company at any time during the period for which this resolution has effect are authorised to:
provided that the aggregate amount of any such donations and expenditure shall not exceed £100,000, during the period beginning with the date of the passing of this resolution and ending at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the passing of this resolution or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2023.
For the purpose of this resolution the terms "political donations", "political parties", "independent election candidates", "political organisations" and "political expenditure" have the meanings set out in sections 363 to 365 of the Companies Act 2006.
THAT
THAT
in either case as if section 561 of that Act did not apply to the allotment or sale, but this power shall be:
THAT, in accordance with section 701 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of its ordinary shares on such terms and in such manner as the Directors of the Company may determine, subject to the following conditions:
THAT a general meeting other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
THAT, in addition to the authority granted pursuant to Resolution 17 (authority to allot new shares), the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot ordinary shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company:
Unless previously renewed, revoked or varied, the authority conferred by this resolution shall apply in addition to all other authorities under section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 until the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the date on which this resolution is passed or, if earlier, the close of business on 30 June 2023, but, in each case, so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements before the authority expires which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to be granted after the authority expires and the Directors of the Company may allot shares or grant such rights under such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.
THAT, subject to the passing of Resolution 22, the Directors be generally empowered, pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006, to allot equity securities (as such phrase is defined in section 560(1) of the Companies Act 2006 and is to be interpreted in accordance with section 560(2) of the Companies Act 2006) for cash pursuant to the authority granted by Resolution 22 up to an aggregate nominal amount of £23,250,000 in relation to any issues of RT1 Instruments, free of the restriction in section 561 of the Companies Act 2006.
Unless previously renewed, revoked or varied, the power conferred by this resolution shall apply until the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the date on which this resolution is passed or, if earlier, the close of business on 30 June 2023, but, in each case, so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements before the power expires which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted after the power expires and the Directors may allot equity securities under such an offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.
This authority is in addition to the authorities conferred by Resolutions 18 (general authority to disapply pre-emption rights) and 19 (additional authority to disapply pre-emption rights).
Reviewed by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
Roger C Clifton Company Secretary
5 April 2022
This information can be found on your form of proxy, or if you receive communications from us electronically, voting information will be contained within your email broadcast.
The Company may treat a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 as invalid.
The Directors must lay before the shareholders the Report and Accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2021, which include the Strategic report and the reports of the Directors and of the Auditor.
The Directors' Remuneration Report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (as amended). It meets the requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules and describes how the Board has implemented the Directors' Remuneration Policy and applied the principles of good governance relating to Directors' remuneration. The Directors' Remuneration Report is set out in full on pages 134 to 159 of the Annual Report & Accounts. As required by the Companies Act 2006, an ordinary resolution to approve the Report is proposed at the AGM. This vote is advisory and the Directors' entitlement to receive remuneration is not conditional upon the resolution being passed by shareholders.
Shareholders may declare the final dividend payable for each ordinary share held and the proposal recommended by the Directors in this resolution is 15.1 pence for each ordinary share. If approved by shareholders, this final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2021 will become due and payable on 17 May 2022 to shareholders named on the Register of Members as at the close of business on 8 April 2022, provided that the Board of Directors may cancel the dividend and therefore payment of the dividend at any time prior to payment if it considers it necessary to do so for regulatory capital purposes. In compliance with the rules issued by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") relating to the implementation of the UK Solvency II regime (as it relates to regulated insurance companies) and other regulatory requirements to which the Group is subject, the dividend is required to remain cancellable at any point prior to it being paid on 17 May 2022, and to be cancelled if, prior to payment, the regulated insurance companies in the Group cease to hold capital resources equal to or in excess of their Solvency Capital Requirement, or if that would be the case if the dividend were paid. The Directors have no intention of exercising this cancellation right, other than where required to do so by the PRA or for regulatory capital purposes.
The Company's Articles of Association require Directors who wish to continue to serve to submit themselves for election or re-election at each AGM.
Neil Manser was appointed to the Board as Chief Financial Officer on 13 May 2021 and a resolution will be proposed for his election at this year's AGM.
Tracy Corrigan was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 November 2021 and a resolution will be proposed for her election at this year's AGM.
Danuta Gray, Mark Gregory, Penny James, Sebastian James, Adrian Joseph, Fiona McBain, Gregor Stewart, and Richard Ward are seeking re-election at this year's AGM. The performance of each Director has been reviewed as part of the Board effectiveness review; it is confirmed that each Director contributes effectively and continues to demonstrate commitment to the role. Through its Nomination and Governance Committee, the Board has undertaken appropriate due diligence on the Directors' other interests and external time commitments and has concluded that the Non-Executive Directors are able to commit fully to their roles and are free from any relationship or circumstances that could affect their judgement and are accordingly considered independent by the Board. The Chair was considered independent on appointment to that role.
Biographical details, in support of each Director's election or re-election, including an explanation of why each Director's contribution is, and continues to be, important to the Company's long-term sustainable success, are provided on pages 14 to 16.
Chair of the Board
Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2017 Chair of the Board since August 2020
Nomination and Governance Committee (Chair) Remuneration Committee
Danuta was Chair of Telefónica in Ireland until 2012 having previously been its Chief Executive between 2001 and 2010. During her tenure as Chief Executive she increased the customer base from just under 1 million to 1.7 million. Earlier in her career, Danuta held a variety of senior positions within the BT Group between 1984 and 2001. Additionally, Danuta was previously Senior Independent Director of the Aldermore Group, Non-Executive Chair of St Modwen Properties and a Non-Executive member of the Ministry of Defence Board. She was also NED and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at both PageGroup plc and Old Mutual plc until 2018.
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director in November 2017 Chief Financial Officer in March 2018 Chief Executive Officer since May 2019
Sustainability Committee
Before joining Direct Line, Penny was Group Chief Risk Officer and Director of Group Finance at Prudential. Before that she held CFO roles at Omega Insurance Holdings Limited and Zurich Financial Services. Penny was a NED of Admiral Group plc between 2015 and 2017. Penny is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Chief Financial Officer
May 2021
Neil was appointed as CFO in May 2021. Since he joined the Group in 2011, Neil has held several roles in Finance and Strategy from Director of Investor Relations, to Managing Director of NIG and Chief Strategy Officer. Neil was instrumental in the Group's successful IPO in 2012. He brings extensive industry and capital markets experience to the Board having previously worked at Brit Insurance, Merrill Lynch and Fox-Pitt, Kelton. Neil is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
None
Non-Executive Director
Sustainability Committee
Tracy's professional background spans financial journalism, digital media and corporate strategy in the media industry. Most recently Tracy was Chief Strategy Officer for Dow Jones where she oversaw the digital transformation of the business and was responsible for global strategy, customer insight and commercial policy. Earlier in her career, Tracy was Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal Europe and Digital Editor of The Wall Street Journal. She also held various positions at the Financial Times, including Editor of FT.com and Editor of the Lex Column.
None
Non-Executive Director
March 2018
Audit Committee Investment Committee Remuneration Committee Risk Committee (Chair)
Mark previously held the role of Group CFO and Executive Director at Legal & General until 2017 and was CEO of Merian Global Investors from January 2019 to August 2020. During his 19-year career at Legal & General, he held a variety of senior roles including CEO of the Savings business, Managing Director of the With-Profits business, and Resources and International Director. Before joining Legal & General, Mark held senior financial and business development roles at ASDA and Kingfisher. Mark is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
– Non-Executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee of Entain plc.
Non-Executive Director
Nomination and Governance Committee Remuneration Committee Sustainability Committee (Chair)
Sebastian is Managing Director of Boots UK, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Until 2018, he was Group Chief Executive of Dixons Carphone plc, having previously held the role of Group Chief Executive of Dixons Retail plc from 2012. Before this, Sebastian was CEO of Synergy Insurance Services Limited, a private equity backed insurance company, and was previously Strategy Director at Mothercare plc. He began his career at The Boston Consulting Group.
Non-Executive Director
January 2021
Adrian is Managing Director, Group Data and Artificial Intelligence at BT Group. Before this he held senior roles at EY and Google and has significant industry and consultancy experience. He was a NED at the Home Office (2016-2020) where he sat on the Data Board advising on data science, digital transformation, and diversity and inclusion. A former Chair of the Race Equality Board, Adrian was appointed to the main Board of Business in the Community in 2014 and continues to act as an advisor to them. In 2019, Adrian was awarded an OBE for services to equality and diversity in business. In 2018, he was announced as the most influential black, Asian and minority ethnic technology leader in the UK by the Financial Times and Inclusive Boards.
Non-Executive Director
Audit Committee Investment Committee (Chair) Risk Committee
Fiona's experience in retail financial services, both in the industry and as an auditor, was gained in the UK and the USA. Fiona qualified as an accountant early in her career at Arthur Young (now EY). Until January 2019, she was Vice-Chair of Save the Children UK and a Trustee Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. Previously, Fiona served as CEO of Scottish Friendly Group for 11 years, before which she was Scottish Friendly Group's Finance Director. Fiona is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
Non-Executive Director
March 2018
Audit Committee (Chair) Risk Committee
Gregor worked at Ernst & Young for 23 years, 10 of which were as partner in the financial services practice. Between 2009 and 2012, he was Finance Director for the insurance division of Lloyd's Banking Group plc which included Scottish Widows. Gregor is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
Non-Executive Director
January 2016
Nomination and Governance Committee Remuneration Committee (Chair) Risk Committee
Richard was previously Executive Chair of Ardonagh Specialty and was Chief Executive of Lloyd's of London and the International Petroleum Exchange. He also held the role of Non-Executive Chair at Brit Syndicates Limited and Executive Chair of Cunningham Lindsey. Richard also held NED roles at the Partnership Assurance Group plc and the London Clearing House. Earlier in his career he held a range of senior positions at British Petroleum and was a research scientist for the Science and Engineering Council. Richard has also been a member of the PwC Advisory Board, the PRA Practitioner Panel and of the Geneva Association.
This resolution proposes the re-appointment of the Company's existing Auditor, Deloitte LLP, following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, until the next annual general meeting at which the Company's accounts are presented.
This resolution is separate to resolution 14 and proposes to give authority to the Audit Committee of the Board to determine the Auditor's remuneration.
The Company does not intend to change its current practice of not making donations to political parties. However, the Companies Act 2006 contains restrictions on companies making donations or incurring expenditure in relation to political parties, other political organisations or independent election candidates. Part 14 of the Companies Act 2006 defines political parties, other political organisations and independent election candidates very widely and, as a result, it is possible that they may include, for example, donations to bodies concerned with policy review and law reform, with the representation of the business community or sections of it, or with the representation of other communities or special interest groups which are in the shareholders' interest for the Company to support. Amongst other things, the Companies Act 2006 prohibits the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries from making donations or incurring expenditure in relation to political parties, other political organisations or independent election candidates in a 12-month period in excess of an aggregate of £5,000, unless such donations have been authorised by the Company's shareholders. The Company is therefore seeking authority under this resolution to make political donations to political parties, other political organisations or independent election candidates and to incur political expenditure of up to £100,000 in aggregate in order to prevent an inadvertent breach of the Companies Act 2006. As permitted under the Companies Act 2006, this resolution covers the Company and extends to all companies that are subsidiaries of the Company at any time the authority is in place.
At the AGM on 13 May 2021, shareholders approved resolutions to authorise the Directors to allot shares, to allot equity securities for cash, and to make market purchases of the Company's own shares.
This resolution renews the authority that was given at the 2021 AGM to allot shares. Paragraph i) a) of this resolution would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £48,326,432. This amount represents one-third (33.33%) of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 18 March 2022, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice.
In line with guidance issued by The Investment Association (the "IA"), paragraph i) b) of this resolution would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares in connection with a pre-emptive offer by way of a rights issue in favour of ordinary shareholders up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £96,652,864 including, within such limit, the nominal amount of any shares issued under paragraph i) a) of this resolution. This amount represents two-thirds (66.67%) of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 18 March 2022, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice.
The authorities sought under this resolution will expire on the earlier of 30 June 2023 (the latest date by which the Company must hold an AGM in 2023) and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2023.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising either of the authorities sought under this resolution; however, if they do exercise the authority, the Directors intend to follow best practice as regards its use, as recommended by the IA. As at the date of this Notice, no ordinary shares are held by the Company in treasury.
This resolution renews, in line with institutional guidelines, the authority that was given at the AGM on 13 May 2021 and 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.
Except as noted in the next paragraph, this authority would be limited to allotments or sales in connection with pre-emptive offers or otherwise up to an aggregate nominal amount of £7,248,964. This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 18 March 2022, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice.
The Directors intend to adhere to the provisions in the Pre- Emption Group's 2015 Statement of Principles for the disapplication of pre-emption rights (the "Statement of Principles") in their use of this general authority and not allot shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis in excess of an amount equal to 7.5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company within a rolling three- year period (other than in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment as described in the Statement of Principles), without prior consultation with shareholders.
Allotments made under the authorisation in paragraph i) b) of resolution 17 would be limited to allotments by way of a rights issue only (subject to the right of the Directors to impose necessary or appropriate limitations to deal with, for example, fractional entitlements and regulatory matters).
This authority will expire on the earlier of 30 June 2023 (the latest date by which the Company must hold an AGM in 2023) and the conclusion of the AGM of the Company held in 2023.
Resolution 19 requests further shareholder approval, by way of a separate special resolution in line with the best practice guidance issued by the Pre-Emption Group, for the Directors to allot equity securities or sell treasury shares for cash without first offering them to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings. The proposed resolution reflects the Statement of Principles and will expire on 30 June 2023 or at the conclusion of the AGM in 2023, whichever is the earlier.
The authority granted by this resolution, if passed:
The authority granted by this resolution would be in addition to the general authority to disapply pre-emption rights under resolution 18. The maximum nominal value of equity securities which could be allotted if both authorities were used would be £14,497,929 which represents approximately 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 18 March 2022, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.
This resolution renews the authority that was given at the 2021 AGM, permitting the Company to buy its own ordinary shares in the market. The maximum number of shares that can be bought under this authority is 132,897,688 which represents 10% of the issued ordinary shares of the Company as at 18 March 2022, the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice. Should the Company's issued share capital as at the date of the 2022 AGM be lower than the issued share capital as at 18 March 2022 (as a result of the share buyback announced in the Preliminary Results on 8 March 2022 and referred to in the Chairman's letter above), the Directors will limit the Company's use of this authority to a maximum number of shares representing 10% of the issued ordinary shares of the Company as at the date of the 2022 AGM.
The maximum price payable (exclusive of expenses) must not exceed the higher of:
The Directors do not intend to exercise the Company's power to purchase its own shares other than in circumstances where they believe this would result in an increase in earnings per share and be in the best interests of shareholders generally.
The Companies Act 2006 enables companies to hold any of their own shares which they have purchased as treasury shares with a view to possible resale at a future date, rather than cancelling them. The Company holds no ordinary shares in treasury at the date of this Notice. Treasury shares would provide the Company with additional flexibility in the management of its capital base, enabling it either to sell the treasury shares quickly and cost-effectively or to use the treasury shares to satisfy awards under the Company's employee share schemes. If the Directors exercise the authority conferred by this resolution, they may consider holding the shares in treasury, rather than cancelling them.
The total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares that was outstanding at 18 March 2022, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice, was 20,067,910. The proportion of issued share capital that they represented at that time was 1.51% and the proportion of issued share capital that they would represent if the full authority to purchase shares (existing and being sought) were used is 1.89%.
During 2021, the Company used the authority to purchase its own shares in the market as granted by the shareholders at Annual General Meetings in 2020 and 2021. A total of 33,838,593 ordinary shares of 10 10⁄11 pence each was repurchased in two tranches, representing 2.54% of the called-up share capital as at 31 December 2021. The aggregate consideration paid was £99,910,742.39 and all shares purchased have been cancelled. Further information on the share buyback programme can be found on page 161 of the 2021 Annual Report and Accounts.
The notice period required by the Companies Act 2006 for general meetings of the Company is 21 clear days, unless shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which cannot however, be less than 14 clear days (AGMs must always be held on at least 21 clear days' notice). At the Company's 2021 AGM, shareholders authorised the calling of general meetings, other than an AGM, on not less than 14 clear days' notice, and it is proposed that this authority be renewed. The approval granted by this resolution, if passed, will be effective until the Company's next AGM, 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. The flexibility offered by this resolution will be used when, taking into account the circumstances, the Directors consider this appropriate in relation to the business to be considered at the meeting and in the interests of the Company and shareholders as a whole.
Resolution 22, will, if approved, renew the authority granted to Directors at the 2021 AGM to allot ordinary shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, ordinary shares in the Company, in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006, up to an aggregate nominal amount of £23,250,000 in connection with the issue of RT1 Instruments which is, in aggregate, equivalent to approximately 16% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 18 March 2022, being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice.
The Directors believe that it is in the best interests of the Company to have the flexibility to issue RT1 Instruments from time to time and the authority sought in resolution 22 may be used if, in the opinion of the Directors, at the relevant time such an issuance of RT1 Instruments would be desirable to improve the capital structure of the Company. However, the request for authority in resolution 22 should not be taken as an indication that the Company will or will not issue any, or any given amount of, RT1 Instruments. This authority is in addition to the authority proposed in resolution 17, which is the usual authority sought on an annual basis in line with the guidance issued by the IA.
This authority will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the date on which this resolution is passed or, if earlier, on 30 June 2023. However, the Directors may seek a similar authority in the future.
Resolution 23, which will be proposed as a special resolution, proposes that, in addition to any authority conferred by resolutions 18 (general authority to disapply pre-emption rights) and 19 (additional authority to disapply pre-emption rights), the Directors be empowered to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Companies Act 2006) for cash up to a nominal amount of £23,250,000 in relation to the issue of RT1 Instruments, which is equivalent to 16% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 18 March 2022, being the last practicable date prior to publication of this Notice, as if section 561 of the Companies Act 2006 did not apply to any such allotment.
Resolution 23 would permit the Company the flexibility necessary to allot equity securities pursuant to any proposal to issue RT1 Instruments without the need to comply with the strict pre-emption requirements of the UK statutory regime. Together with resolution 22, resolution 23 is intended to provide the Directors with the continued flexibility to issue RT1 Instruments which may convert into ordinary shares. This will enhance the Company's ability to manage its capital.
This authority will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company after the date on which this resolution is passed or, if earlier, on 30 June 2023. However, the Directors may seek a similar authority in the future.
Conditional upon the passing of resolutions 22 and 23, the Directors would not expect to make use of the authorities to allot shares and to disapply pre-emption rights granted by resolutions 17 to 19 to issue RT1 Instruments. Any exercise of the authorities in resolutions 17 to 19 (if passed) would be separate from and in addition to the exercise of any powers under resolutions 22 and 23 and would also have a dilutive effect on existing shareholdings.
As noted on page 4 of this document, the Directors made use of the authorities to issue RT1 Instruments that were granted at the 2017 AGM in connection with the Group's issue of such instruments in December 2017. The Directors have not used the authority granted at the 2018 AGM, 2019 AGM, 2020 AGM, or 2021 AGM
The shareholder helpline is run by the Registrar, and is available between Monday and Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (excluding public holidays). The helpline also contains automated self- service functionality which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using your Shareholder's Register Number ("SRN") on your proxy form, share certificate or dividend confirmation, the self-service functionality will allow you to:
The number to call is +44 (0)370 873 5880.
Investor Centre is a free and secure share management website provided by the Company's Registrar. Managing your shares online means you can access information quickly and securely, and minimise postal communications. This service will allow you to:
To take advantage of this service, visit Investor Centre at www.investorcentre.co.uk.
| 4 May |
|---|
| 02 August |
| 11 August |
| 12 August |
| 09 September |
| 08 November |
* Please note that these dates are provisional and subject to change. Please access our financial calendar at www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/investors/financial-calendar which is updated regularly.
Shareholders can elect for dividends to be paid by mandate directly to a UK bank or building society account, effecting payment on the relevant payment date through the Bankers' Automated Clearing Services ("BACS") or the Clearing House Automated Payment System ("CHAPS"). The Company also offers shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). Further information regarding the DRIP, including its terms and conditions, election form and online application instructions can be found on our website at www.directlinegroup.co.uk/dividends.
The Company actively encourages all shareholders to register for the electronic communications service. You can register for this by visiting www.directlinegroup.co.uk/alerts and following the online instructions.
You can register to give your AGM proxy voting instructions electronically and to access details of your individual shareholding quickly and securely online by visiting www.investorcentre.co.uk and following the online instructions.
The Registrar must receive proxy appointments no later than 11.00 a.m. on Friday, 6 May 2022 from ordinary shareholders and must receive voting instructions by no later than 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 5 May 2022 from participants in the Company's share incentive plans.



Direct Line Insurance Group plc© 2022 Registered in England & Wales No 02280426.
Registered Office: Churchill Court, Westmoreland Road, Bromley, BR11DP
Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.