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Just Group PLC — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2025
Mar 20, 2025
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Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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JUST.
THE RETIREMENT SPECIALIST
JUST GROUP PLC
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
8 MAY 2025
This document is important and requires your immediate attention.
If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of the proposals in this document or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own advice from a stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other independent professional adviser.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in Just Group plc, please forward this document and the accompanying Form of Proxy as soon as possible to the purchaser or transferee or to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was arranged for onward transmission to the purchaser or transferee (except any personalised documents).
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
JUST.
THE RETIREMENT SPECIALIST
20 March 2025
Dear Shareholder
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF JUST GROUP PLC (THE "COMPANY")
I am pleased to invite you to this year's Annual General Meeting of the Company (the "AGM"), which is to be held at the offices of the Company at 1 Angel Lane, London, EC4R 3AB on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 10:00am.
The Notice of AGM ("Notice") is set out on the following pages and specifies the Resolutions to be proposed at the AGM, together with explanatory and general notes outlining the arrangements of the AGM and the rights of shareholders (including those who wish to give proxy voting instructions electronically or by post).
Questions for the Board
The AGM is a key date in the Company's calendar, providing you, as a shareholder, with a valuable opportunity to vote on key aspects of the Company's business, and to hear in person updates on the Company's performance and strategy progress throughout the year. It also provides the Directors with the opportunity to hear directly from you and respond to any questions you may have. Shareholders can register in advance any questions to be put to the Board by emailing [email protected] before 10:00am on Tuesday 6 May 2025. You will also have an opportunity to ask your question(s) during the meeting in person should you choose to attend. All questions will be answered at the meeting or responded to directly by email within seven working days of the AGM.
Voting Arrangements
Your vote is important to us. Shareholders are encouraged to cast their vote as early as possible and no later than 10:00am on Tuesday 6 May 2025. This can be done electronically in accordance with note 5 in the notes to this Notice, or by returning a hard-copy form of proxy ("Form of Proxy") by post. The valid appointment of a proxy does not prevent you from attending the AGM and voting in person.
In line with best practice, voting on each of the 21 Resolutions to be proposed at the AGM will be conducted by way of a poll rather than a show of hands.
BUSINESS OF THE AGM
The Resolutions cover standard matters that are normally dealt with at a listed Company's AGM. Further information on all the Resolutions proposed can be found on pages 4 to 7 of this Notice. I would like to draw your attention to the following Resolutions:
Final Dividend
Under Resolution 3, the Board is recommending a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2024 of 1.8 pence per ordinary share, which, subject to approval by shareholders, will become due and payable on Wednesday 14 May 2025 to shareholders named on the register of members at the close of business on Friday 11 April 2025. This Resolution provides that the Board may cancel the dividend at any time prior to payment, if it considers it necessary to do so for regulatory capital purposes.
Re-election of Directors
Shareholders will be asked to vote on the re-election of the Directors. Biographical details of all Directors standing for re-election, together with an overview of their contribution to the success of the Company, are provided in Appendix 1 to this Notice on pages 12 to 14. A table showing Board Committee membership is also shown in Appendix 1.
The Company continues to benefit from a strong and effective Board with a diverse range of expertise, knowledge and skills, including extensive financial services experience which is valuable in supporting the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") to achieve its strategic objectives. The Board has assessed the performance, independence and time commitment of all the Directors and concluded that they continue to be effective and meet all independence and time commitment expectations. The Board also believes that the current mix of tenure and balance of skills is in the best interests of our shareholders and recommends that shareholders vote in favour of Resolutions 4 to 10.
As previously announced, the Company's Nomination and Governance Committee is leading the recruitment process to fill a vacancy for a new Non-Executive Director who will serve as Chair of the Group Risk and Compliance Committee. Further information on the search process can be found in the Nomination and Governance Committee Report on pages 94 to 97 of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts. The Nomination and Governance Committee is also aware that the Board composition temporarily no longer meets the Listing Rule requirement to have a director from an ethnic minority background. It is committed to meeting the Listing Rule requirement as part of its succession planning and in accordance with the Board Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Policy in the year ahead.
Just Group plc
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Disapplication of Pre-Emption Rights
At the 2024 AGM, in line with best practice guidance, the Directors were authorised to allot shares and disapply pre-emption rights for up to 20% of the Company's issued share capital in any one year, with a further disapplication for any follow-on offers as set out in the Pre-Emption Group ("PEG") Statement of Principles.
The existing authorities to allot shares without first offering them to current shareholders expire at the end of this AGM, and we are seeking renewal of these authorities in accordance with the PEG's Statement of Principles up to the prescribed limits (in Resolutions 15 and 16).
Authority to issue Restricted Tier 1 Bonds
At the 2024 AGM, the Directors were authorised to allot ordinary shares in the Company and granted rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company, on a non-pre-emptive basis, up to an aggregated nominal amount of £50m in relation to any issue(s) by the Company or any subsidiary undertaking of the Company of contingent convertible securities. In September 2021, the Company issued Restricted Tier 1 Bonds with a nominal value of £325m. Since 2021, the Directors have not used the authority granted at subsequent AGMs.
The 2024 authorities expire at the end of this AGM and we are seeking the renewal of these authorities (in Resolutions 18 and 19) to allow the Company to have continued flexibility to issue further convertible Restricted Tier 1 Bonds, in order to optimise its capital structure, without the need to comply with the strict pre-emption requirements of the UK statutory regime.
Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan
The trust deed and rules of the Company's Share Incentive Plan ("SIP") were originally adopted shortly prior to the Company's admission to the London Stock Exchange in 2013. The shareholder approval for the SIP expired in May 2023.
Resolution 21 seeks approval of modernised and updated rules so that the Company has flexibility to operate the SIP in the future for the benefit of all eligible employees.
RECOMMENDATION
The Directors consider that all the Resolutions to be put to the AGM (as set out on pages 4 to 7 in this Notice) are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Directors unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of all the proposed Resolutions, as they intend to do in respect of their own shareholdings in the Company.
Should you wish to view the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts online, it is available on the Company's website at www.justgroupplc.co.uk/investors/results-and-presentations.
Yours faithfully

John Hastings-Bass
Chair
Just Group plc
Switchboard: 01737 233297 www.justgroupplc.co.uk
Registered Office: Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP
Registered in England and Wales number 8568957
Just Group plc
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025
Notice is hereby given that the Company's 2025 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") will be held at 1 Angel Lane, London, EC4R 3AB on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 10:00am to consider and, if thought fit, pass the Resolutions set out below.
Resolutions 1 to 14 (inclusive), and 18 and 21, will be proposed as ordinary resolutions, and Resolutions 15 to 17 (inclusive), and 19 and 20, will be proposed as special resolutions.
Ordinary Resolutions:
Resolution 1: Annual Report and Accounts
THAT the audited accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 together with the Strategic Report, Directors' Report and the Auditor's Report on those accounts (collectively the "2024 Annual Report and Accounts") be and are hereby received.
Resolution 2: Directors' Remuneration Report
THAT the Directors' Remuneration Report contained in pages 108 to 122 of the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts be and is hereby approved.
Resolution 3: Dividend declaration
THAT a final dividend of 1.8 pence per ordinary share be and is hereby declared for the year ended 31 December 2024, payable on Wednesday 14 May 2025 to ordinary shareholders named on the register of members at the close of business on Friday 11 April 2025, provided that the Board may cancel the dividend at any time prior to payment, if it considers it necessary to do so for regulatory capital purposes.
Resolution 4: Re-election of Director
THAT James Brown be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 5: Re-election of Director
THAT Michelle Cracknell be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 6: Re-election of Director
THAT Mark Godson be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 7: Re-election of Director
THAT John Hastings-Bass be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 8: Re-election of Director
THAT Mary Kerrigan be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 9: Re-election of Director
THAT Mary Phibbs be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 10: Re-election of Director
THAT David Richardson be and is hereby re-elected as a Director of the Company.
Resolution 11: Reappointment of auditor
THAT PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be and is hereby reappointed as the Company's auditor until the conclusion of the next General Meeting at which the Company's accounts are laid before the Company.
Resolution 12: Authority to agree the auditor's remuneration
THAT the Group Audit Committee be and is hereby authorised to determine the remuneration of the Company's auditor.
Resolution 13: Political donations and political expenditure
THAT the Company and all companies that are its subsidiaries, at any time from the date of the passing of this Resolution until the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026, be authorised, for the purposes of section 366 of the Companies Act 2006 to:
(a) make political donations to political parties and/or independent election candidates not exceeding £100,000 in total;
(b) make political donations to political organisations other than political parties not exceeding £100,000 in total; and
(c) incur political expenditure not exceeding £100,000 in total.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025 continued
Resolution 14: Authority to allot shares
THAT, in substitution for all existing unexercised authorities and in addition to any authority conferred by Resolution 18, the Directors of the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company, or to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company:
(a) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £34,623,431, (such amount to be reduced by the aggregate nominal amount allotted or granted under Resolution 14(b)) in excess of, £34,623,431; and
(b) comprising equity securities (as defined in section 560(1) of the Act) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £69,246,862 (such amount to be reduced by the aggregate nominal amount allotted or granted under Resolution 14(a)) in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue:
(i) to holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and
(ii) to holders of other equity securities as required by the rights of those securities or, subject to such rights, if the Directors of the Company otherwise consider necessary,
and so that the Directors of the Company may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which they consider necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, or the requirements of any relevant regulatory body or stock exchange territory or any other matter, such authorities to expire (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked) at the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026, but, in each case, so that the Company may make offers and enter into agreements before the authorities expire which would, or might, require shares to be allotted, or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares to be granted, after expiry of these authorities and the Directors of the Company may allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares under any such offer or agreement as if such authorities had not expired.
Special Resolutions:
Resolution 15: Disapplication of pre-emption rights
THAT, if Resolution 14 is passed, the Board be authorised to allot equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) (the "Act") for cash under the authority given by that Resolution and/or to sell ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares for cash as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, such authority to be limited to:
(a) the allotment of equity securities and/or the sale of treasury shares for cash in connection with an offer of, or an invitation to apply for, equity securities (but in the case of an allotment pursuant to the authority granted under Resolution 14(b), such power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer by way of a rights issue only):
(i) holders of ordinary shares in proportion (or as nearly as may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and
(ii) holders of other equity securities as required by the rights of those securities or, subject to such rights, if the Directors of the Company consider otherwise necessary, and so that the Directors may impose any limits or restrictions and make arrangements which they consider necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, or the requirements of any relevant regulatory body or stock exchange in, any territory or any other matter.
(b) the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares (otherwise than under paragraph (a) above) up to a nominal amount of £10,387,029; and
(c) the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares (otherwise than under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above) up to a nominal amount equal to 20% of any allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares from time to time under paragraph (b) above, such authority to be used only for the purposes of making a follow-on offer which the Board of the Company determines to be of a kind contemplated by paragraph 3 of section 2B of the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently published by the Pre-Emption Group prior to the date of this Notice,
such authority to expire at the end of the next AGM of the Company, or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026 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 Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025 continued
Resolution 16: Additional power to disapply pre-emption rights
THAT if Resolution 14 is passed, the Board be authorised in addition to any authority granted under Resolution 15 to allot equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) (the "Act") for cash under the authority given by that Resolution and/or to sell ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares for cash as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, such authority shall be limited to:
(a) the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares up to a nominal amount of £10,387,029, such authority to be used only for the purposes of financing (or refinancing, if the authority is to be used within 12 months after the original transaction) a transaction which the Board of the Company determines to be either an acquisition or a specified capital investment of a kind 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; and
(b) the allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares (otherwise than under paragraph (a) above) up to a nominal amount equal to 20% of any allotment of equity securities or sale of treasury shares from time to time under paragraph (a) above, such authority to be used only for the purposes of making a follow-on offer which the Board of the Company determines to be of a kind contemplated by paragraph 3 of section 2B of the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights most recently published by the Pre-Emption Group prior to the date of this Notice,
such authority to expire at the end of the next AGM of the Company (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026 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 Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
Resolution 17: Purchase of own shares
THAT the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of its ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of the Company, subject to the following conditions:
(a) the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares authorised to be purchased is 103,870,293;
(b) the minimum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for an ordinary share is 10 pence;
(c) the maximum price (exclusive of expenses) which may be paid for each ordinary share is the higher of:
(i) an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle market quotations of an ordinary share of the Company as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which the ordinary share is contracted to be purchased; and
(ii) an amount equal to the higher of the price of the last independent trade of an ordinary share and the highest current independent bid for an ordinary share on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out;
(d) this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026; and
(e) the Company may make a contract to purchase ordinary shares under this authority before the expiry of this authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of this authority, and may make a purchase of ordinary shares in pursuance of any such contract.
Just Group plc
Switchboard: 01737 233296 www.justgroupplc.co.uk
Registered Office: Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP
Registered in England and Wales number 8568957
Just Group plc
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025 continued
Ordinary Resolution:
Resolution 18: Authority to allot shares in relation to contingent convertible securities
THAT, in addition to the authority granted under Resolution 14, the Directors of the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company:
(a) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £50,000,000 in relation to any issue(s) by the Company or any subsidiary undertaking of the Company of contingent convertible securities (being securities that automatically convert into or are exchanged for, or are required mandatorily to be converted into or exchanged for, ordinary shares in the Company in prescribed circumstances) where the Directors of the Company consider that such issuance(s) of contingent convertible securities would be desirable in connection with, or for the purposes of, complying with or maintaining compliance with the regulatory capital requirements or targets applicable to the Company or any subsidiary undertaking of the Company from time to time; and
(b) subject to applicable law and regulation, at such allotment, subscription or conversion prices (or such maximum or minimum allotment, subscription or conversion price methodologies) and otherwise on terms as may be determined by the Directors of the Company from time to time.
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 Act until the conclusion of the Company's next AGM (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026) provided 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 subscribe for or convert any security into shares 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.
Special Resolutions:
Resolution 19: Disapplication of pre-emption rights in relation to contingent convertible securities
THAT, subject to and conditional on the passing of Resolution 18 and in addition to the authorities granted under Resolutions 15 and 16, the Directors of the Company be given the power, pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act"), to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authorities conferred by Resolution 18, as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to such allotment.
Unless previously renewed, revoked or varied, the power conferred by this Resolution shall apply until the conclusion of the Company's next AGM (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026) provided that the Directors of the Company may enter into agreements before this authority expires which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted after the power expires and the Directors of the Company may allot equity securities under such an offer or agreement as if the power conferred by this authority had not expired.
Resolution 20: Notice for General Meetings
THAT a General Meeting of the Company, other than an Annual General Meeting, may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
Ordinary Resolution:
Resolution 21: Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan
THAT the trust deed and rules of the Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan (the "SIP"), produced in draft to the meeting and a summary of the main provisions of which is set out in Appendix 3 to this Notice, be approved and the Directors be authorised to:
(a) do all such acts and things necessary to establish and give effect to the SIP;
(b) be authorised to do all such other acts and things as they may consider appropriate to bring the SIP into effect; and
(c) establish schedules to, or further incentive plans based on, the SIP but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories, provided that any awards made under any such schedules or further plans are treated as counting against the limits on individual and overall participation in the SIP.
By Order of the Board:

Simon Watson
Group Company Secretary
20 March 2025
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Explanatory notes
Resolution 1: Annual Report and Accounts
Shareholders present will be able to raise any questions they may have on the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts prior to this Resolution being voted on. The 2024 Annual Report and Accounts is available to view on the Company's website at www.justgroupplc.co.uk/investors/results-and-presentations.
Resolution 2: Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (hereinafter, the "Act"), shareholders will be invited under Resolution 2 to approve the Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 108 to 122 of the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts gives details of the Directors' remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2024. This resolution gives the shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the Directors' Remuneration Report. No Directors' remuneration is conditional upon the passing of the resolution. The remuneration policy, which was last approved by shareholders at the 2023 AGM, must be put to shareholders for consideration at least once every three years. It will next be considered by shareholders no later than the AGM held in 2026.
Resolution 3: Dividend declaration
The proposed dividend is declared as a final dividend and, as such, is dependent on shareholder approval. If approved by shareholders, this final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 will become due and payable on Wednesday 14 May 2025 to ordinary shareholders named on the register of members at the close of business on Friday 11 April 2025, provided that the Board may cancel 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 Solvency II regulatory framework (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 Wednesday 14 May 2025, 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.
Resolutions 4 to 10: Re-election of Directors
Under the Company's Articles of Association and, in accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024, each Director who is a Director at the date of this Notice shall retire from office at the AGM and will be subject to re-election.
All Directors will retire and offer themselves for re-election at the AGM.
Board composition is regularly reviewed to ensure that the Board retains its effectiveness. The Board has confirmed that each Director continues to perform effectively and demonstrates commitment to his or her role.
Each of Jim Brown, Michelle Cracknell, John Hastings-Bass, Mary Kerrigan and Mary Phibbs are considered by the Board to be independent Non-Executive Directors. The Chair, supported by the Board and Nomination and Governance Committee, considers that each of the Non-Executive Director's experience and performance meets the demands of the business in line with the strategy of the Company, and confirms that the contribution of each Non-Executive Director concerned is, and continues to be, important to the Company's long-term sustainable success.
The biographical details of all Directors standing for re-election are set out on pages 12 to 14 of this Notice. In the Board's view, these illustrate why each Director's contribution is, and continues to be, important to the Company's long-term sustainable success.
All Directors are recommended by the Board for re-election.
Resolution 11: Reappointment of auditor
The Group Audit Committee has assessed the effectiveness, independence, objectivity and professional scepticism of the external auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and concluded that the external auditor was in all respects effective. The Board, on the recommendation of the Group Audit Committee, recommends the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's auditor, to hold office until the conclusion of the next General Meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company.
Resolution 12: Authority to agree the auditor's remuneration
In accordance with current best practice, Resolution 12 is a separate Resolution, which authorises the Group Audit Committee to determine the remuneration of the Company's auditor.
Just Group plc
Explanatory notes continued
Resolution 13: Political donations and political expenditure
For the purposes of this authority, the terms “political donation”, “political parties”, “independent election candidates”, “political organisation” and “political expenditure” have the meanings given by sections 363 to 365 of the Act. Part 14 of the Act restricts Companies from making donations to political parties, other political organisations or independent election candidates and from incurring political expenditure, in each case without shareholders' consent. It is not proposed or intended to alter the Company's policy of not making such donations or incurring such expenditure. However, it may be that some of the activities of the Company and its subsidiaries may fall within the potentially broad definitions used in the Act and, without the necessary authorisation, this could inhibit the Company's ability to communicate its views effectively to political audiences and to relevant interest groups.
Accordingly, the Company believes that the authority contained within Resolution 13 is necessary to allow it and its subsidiaries to fund activities, which are in the interests of shareholders. Such authority will enable the Company and its subsidiaries to ensure that they do not unintentionally commit a technical breach of the Act. Resolution 13 does not purport to authorise any particular donation or expenditure but is expressed in general terms as required by the Act and is intended to authorise normal donations and expenditure.
Any political donation or expenditure which may be incurred under authority of this Resolution will be disclosed in the next Annual Report and Accounts. It is the Company's intention to seek renewal of this authority on an annual basis. If passed, the authority will expire at the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
Resolution 14: Authority to allot shares
The Directors currently have the authority to allot ordinary shares in the capital of the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into shares in the capital of the Company, up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £69,242,103. This authority was obtained at the 2024 AGM and is due to expire at the end of the forthcoming AGM.
The guidelines of the Investment Association (“IA”) on Directors' authority to allot shares state that IA members will regard as routine an authority to allot up to two thirds of the Company's existing issued share capital, provided that any amount in excess of one third of the Company's existing issued share capital is applied to fully pre-emptive rights issues only. The Board considers it appropriate that the Directors should continue to have this authority to allot shares in the capital of the Company. In light of the IA's guidelines, this would mean authorising the Directors to allot ordinary shares in the capital of the Company up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £69,246,862 (representing approximately two thirds of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at 4 March 2025, being the latest practicable date before the publication of this document (the “Latest Practicable Date”).
If passed, the authority will expire at the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising the authority granted pursuant to this Resolution 14. However, the Directors consider it appropriate to maintain the flexibility that this authority provides. The Company did not hold any shares in treasury as at the Latest Practicable Date.
Resolutions 15 and 16 (Special Resolutions): Disapplication of pre-emption rights
If the Directors wish to allot new ordinary shares and other equity securities (within the meaning of the Act), or sell treasury shares, for cash (other than in connection with an employees' share scheme), the Act requires that these shares are offered first to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing equity holdings. There may be circumstances, however, when it is in the interests of the Company to be able to allot new equity securities, or sell treasury shares, for cash other than on a pre-emptive basis.
The disapplication authorities sought in Resolutions 15 and 16 follow the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles published in November 2022 (the “PEG Statement of Principles”). The PEG Statement of Principles allows Companies to annually seek authority to issue equity securities for cash otherwise than in connection with a pre-emptive offer up to:
(a) 10% of issued ordinary share capital on an unrestricted basis -- i.e. whether or not in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment;
(b) an additional 10% of issued ordinary share capital, provided that it is intended to be used only in connection with the financing (or refinancing, if the authority is to be used within 12 months after the original transaction) of an acquisition or specified capital investment which is announced contemporaneously with the allotment or which has taken place in the preceding 12-month period and is disclosed in the announcement of the allotment; and
(c) a follow-on offer to existing holders of ordinary shares that have not been allocated shares under an issue made under (a) or (b) above in accordance with the PEG Statement of Principles.
The purpose of Resolution 15 is to authorise the Directors to allot new ordinary shares or other equity securities pursuant to the authority given in Resolution 14, or sell treasury shares, for cash (a) in connection with a pre-emptive offer or rights issue (subject to certain exclusions) or (b) otherwise up to an aggregate nominal value of £10,387,029 (representing 10% of the total issued share capital of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date) with a further disapplication for up to 2% of the total issued share capital of the Company to be used as a follow-on offer in accordance with the PEG Statement of Principles, without the shares first being offered to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing equity holdings.
The purpose of Resolution 16 is to authorise the Directors to allot new ordinary shares or other equity securities pursuant to the authority given in Resolution 14 or sell treasury shares, for cash, up to an aggregate nominal value of £10,387,029 (representing 10% of the total issued share capital of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date) with a further disapplication for up to 2% of the total issued share capital of the Company to be used as a follow-on offer in accordance with the PEG Statement of Principles, without the shares first being offered to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings. Such authority shall be in addition to the authority in Resolution 15.
10
Just Group plc
Explanatory notes continued
However, the additional authority in Resolution 15 is to be used only in connection with financing, or refinancing (if the authority is used within 12 months after the original transaction) an acquisition or specified capital investment (of a kind contemplated by the PEG Statement of Principles) which is announced contemporaneously with the allotment or which has taken place in the preceding 12-month period and is disclosed in the announcement of the allotment.
Such authorities, if given, will expire at the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising the authorities in Resolutions 15 or 16, but consider it appropriate to allow the Company flexibility to finance business opportunities by the issue of shares or sale of treasury shares, or to conduct a pre-emptive offer or rights issue, without the need to comply with the strict requirements of the statutory pre-emption provisions contained in the Act.
Resolution 17 (Special Resolution): Purchase of own shares
The Directors are of the opinion that it would be advantageous for the Company to be in a position to purchase its own shares through the London Stock Exchange should market conditions and price justify that action. The authority limits the maximum number of shares that could be purchased to 103,870,293 (representing approximately 10% of the Company's issued share capital as at the Latest Practicable Date) and sets minimum and maximum prices at which shares may be purchased by the Company under this authority. If approved, the authority will expire at the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising this authority. The authority would be exercised only if the Directors believed that to do so would have a positive effect on earnings per share and would be in the interests of the Company and of its shareholders generally. Any purchases of ordinary shares would be by means of market purchases on a recognised investment exchange.
A listed company purchasing its own shares may hold those shares in treasury and make them available for re-sale as an alternative to cancelling them. Accordingly, if this Resolution is passed, the Company will have the option of holding, as treasury shares, any of its own shares that it purchases pursuant to the authority conferred. This would give the Company the ability to sell treasury shares quickly and cost effectively and provide the Company with additional flexibility in the management of its capital base. No dividends are paid on, and no voting rights are attached to, shares held in treasury. The Company did not hold any shares in treasury as at the Latest Practicable Date but it is intended that any shares which are purchased under this authority will be held in treasury, rather than being cancelled.
The total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares that was outstanding at Tuesday 4 March 2025, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice, was 32,681,329. The proportion of issued share capital that they represented at that time was 3.15% 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 3.93%.
Shareholders' approval is sought for the renewal of the Company's authority to buy back its own ordinary shares in the market as permitted by the Act.
Resolution 18: Authority to allot shares in relation to contingent convertible securities
Under Resolution 18, it is proposed that the Directors be given the authority and power to allot ordinary shares and grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into ordinary shares for the purposes of any issue(s) of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds (as defined in Appendix 2). This authority is limited to the aggregate nominal amount of £50m (representing approximately 48% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date). Further information on the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds is given in Appendix 2 to this Notice.
The Group is subject to the Solvency II regulatory framework, which requires the Group to maintain sufficient capital to absorb losses in periods of stress and to provide a buffer to increase resilience against unexpected losses.
While the authority sought under Resolution 18 is not contemplated by the IA guidelines, the Directors believe it is in the best interests of the Company to have the ability to issue Restricted Tier 1 Bonds from time to time and the authority sought may be used if market conditions allow and, in the opinion of the Directors at the relevant time, such an issuance of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds would be desirable to improve the capital structure of the Company. However, the request for authority in Resolution 18 should not be taken as an indication that the Company will or will not issue any, or any given amount of, Restricted Tier 1 Bonds.
The authority sought under Resolution 18 will apply until the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
Explanatory notes continued
Resolution 19 (Special Resolution): Disapplication of pre-emption rights in relation to contingent convertible securities
Under Resolution 19, it is proposed that the Directors be given the power to allot ordinary shares and grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into ordinary shares pursuant to Resolution 18 without first offering them to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings. This will allow the Company to manage its capital in the most efficient and economic way for the benefit of shareholders.
If passed, Resolution 19 will give the Directors the power to allot ordinary shares and grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into ordinary shares on a non-pre-emptive basis up to an aggregate nominal amount of £50m (representing approximately 48% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date before the publication of this document) in connection with the issue of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds. Further information on Restricted Tier 1 Bonds is given in Appendix 2 to this Notice.
Should a 'Trigger Event' (as explained in Appendix 2) occur, the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds will convert into or be exchanged for ordinary shares. The Directors may or may not give existing shareholders the opportunity to purchase the ordinary shares issued on conversion of the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds in proportion to their existing shareholdings in the Company. Where practicable and permitted by applicable law and regulations, any such decision will be made on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
The power sought under Resolution 19 will apply until the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
Resolution 20 (Special Resolution): Notice for General Meetings
Under the Act, the notice period required 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. Approval of a shorter notice period of not less than 14 clear days was granted by Resolution of the Company at the 2024 AGM. To preserve this ability, Resolution 20 seeks renewal of the approval for a notice period of not less than 14 clear days to apply to General Meetings. It is intended that the shorter notice period would not be used as a matter of routine, but only where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be in the interests of shareholders as a whole. Should a shorter notice period be used, an electronic voting facility will be provided.
Annual General Meetings will continue to be convened on at least 21 clear days' notice.
If approved, the authority will be effective until the conclusion of the Company's next AGM or, if earlier, at the close of business on 30 June 2026.
Resolution 21 (Ordinary Resolution): Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan
The Company wishes to obtain shareholder approval for the renewal of the Just Retirement Group plc Share Incentive Plan, which is now to be known as the Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan (the "SIP").
The SIP is a UK all-employee share ownership plan which was originally established by the Company in 2013. As the last shareholder approval expired in 2023, the Company now wishes to obtain a further shareholder approval of the SIP on the basis of rules that have been updated to materially continue with the main elements and related features of the existing SIP but with appropriate changes that align the SIP to the latest best practice expectations. This will allow flexibility for the Company to make an all-employee offer under the SIP in future. The SIP has been designed to comply with the relevant legislation applicable to UK tax-qualified share incentive plans, so that UK employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries may be provided with ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in a tax-efficient manner.
The main provisions of the SIP are summarised in Appendix 3 to this Notice and Resolution 21 proposes the approval of this plan. The trust deed and rules of the SIP will be available for inspection from the date of this Notice on the National Storage Mechanism and will also be available for inspection at the place of the AGM for at least 15 minutes before and during the AGM. The Resolution also gives the Directors the authority to establish schedules to the SIP, or separate plans, that are commercially similar, for the purposes of granting awards to employees and Executive Directors who are based outside the UK. Any awards made under such schedules or separate plans will count towards the limits on individual and overall participation in the SIP.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
12
Just Group plc
Appendix 1: Biographies of Directors standing for re-election
Board of Directors
At the date of this document, the Board of Directors of the Company comprises:
Chair
John Hastings-Bass
Executive Directors
David Richardson
Mark Godson
Independent Non-Executive Directors
James Brown (known as Jim Brown)
Michelle Cracknell
Mary Kerrigan
Mary Phibbs
All of the Directors have been subject to a Board performance review in the last 12 months, which included a review of the effectiveness of the Directors. Following the Board performance review, the Nomination and Governance Committee confirmed the continuing commitment and effective contribution of the Directors to the sustainable success of the Company. The Board recommends that each of the Directors be re-elected as set out in this Notice. In addition, the Board considers all of the Non-Executive Directors to be independent and they have sufficient time to fulfil their roles. Further biographical details including information on the effective contribution of each Director to the long-term sustainable success of the Company are set out below.
John Hastings-Bass
Chair
Appointed: 13 August 2020
R O R I E
Skills and experience: John brings over 45 years of business experience in the insurance and reinsurance sectors and has undertaken the role of Chair in a number of publicly quoted and privately owned businesses.
Contribution: John has extensive commercial and insurance cross-sectoral experience, which has broadened and enriched the Board. His experience, together with his role as Chair of various publicly quoted and privately owned businesses, qualifies him to serve as the Chair of the Company, leading the Board and ensuring its sustained effectiveness.
External appointments
- Chair of BMS Group Limited
- Chair of Dale Management Agency Limited
- Non-Executive Director of Dale Partners Group Limited
- Non-Executive Director of Dora Holdings Jersey Limited
- Non-Executive Director of BMS Capital & Risk Advisory Limited
- Non-Executive Director of BMS Investment Holdings Limited
- Trustee of the Landmark Trust and Chair of its Audit Committee
Committee Membership
| Group Audit Committee | Mary Phibbs – Chair
Michelle Cracknell
Mary Kerrigan |
| --- | --- |
| Group Risk and Compliance Committee | John Hastings-Bass – Interim Chair
Jim Brown
Mary Phibbs |
| Market Disclosure Committee | John Hastings-Bass – Chair
Mark Godson
Mary Phibbs
David Richardson |
| Nomination and Governance Committee | John Hastings-Bass – Chair
Michelle Cracknell
Mary Phibbs |
| Remuneration Committee | Michelle Cracknell – Chair
Jim Brown
John Hastings-Bass
Mary Phibbs |
Committee key
A Member of the Group Audit Committee
RI Member of the Group Risk and Compliance Committee
M Member of the Market Disclosure Committee
N Member of the Nomination and Governance Committee
RE Member of the Remuneration Committee
Committee Chair
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Appendix 1: Biographies of Directors standing for re-election continued
David Richardson
Group Chief Executive Officer
Appointed: 4 April 2016
M
Skills and experience: Over a 30-year career David has gained deep and varied experience across long-term savings, life insurance, pensions and reinsurance sectors. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board, in particular with respect to the Group's businesses and the markets in which they operate, and provides a high level of competency in executive leadership of the Company.
Contribution: Since his appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer, David has focused on transforming the Group into a customer-focused leader in the retirement space, growing the business sustainably and profitably to create material value for shareholders. He significantly contributes to the Company's strategy and continues to drive the implementation of the strategy throughout the business as well as his regular engagement with shareholders, regulators, employees and other stakeholders.
Mark Godson
Group Chief Financial Officer
Appointed: 1 December 2023
M
Skills and experience: Prior to his appointment as Group Chief Financial Officer, Mark was a partner at Ernst & Young ("EY"), and leader of their UK actuarial practice. His career in the insurance industry has spanned over 20 years across several international markets, with particular expertise in delivering growth strategies, business transformation, commercial optimisation, and mergers and acquisitions.
Contribution: Mark has significant insurance and international experience, with a strong understanding of the markets that the Group operates in. He brings to the Board extensive experience of business transformation which plays a significant part in the implementation and success of the Company's strategy.
Mary Phibbs
Senior Independent Director
Appointed: 5 January 2023
A N RE RI M
Skills and experience: Mary has more than 40 years' experience in the financial services industry, with a diverse career spanning risk and investment management, banking, finance, capital markets, treasury and international business.
Contribution: Mary is an experienced Non-Executive Director with substantial corporate governance knowledge. Through her role as Chair of the Group Audit Committee, she valuably contributes core audit experience as a chartered accountant.
External appointments
- Non-Executive Director of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales
- Non-Executive Director of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPP Investments") and Chair of its Risk Committee
James Brown (known as Jim Brown)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 1 November 2023
RE RI
Skills and experience: Jim has considerable corporate finance, restructuring and mergers and acquisition experience, and has worked within the financial services industry throughout his career, latterly within the Retail and Commercial banking sector.
Contribution: Jim's experience, knowledge and strong competence in areas including change management provide a significant contribution to the Company and its strategy, and brings a fresh perspective to the Board.
External appointments
- Chair of Secure Trust Bank plc
Michelle Cracknell
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 1 March 2020
A N
Skills and experience: Michelle brings a wealth of strategic and customer behavioural experience, having spent over 30 years in senior roles in the regulated financial services industry.
Michelle has extensive experience in later-life benefits which is a key business area for the Group, as well as having recent and relevant financial services experience at Board level including as Chief Executive Officer and as a Non-Executive Director.
Contribution: Through Michelle's role as Chair of the Remuneration Committee, she contributes a valuable and broad knowledge and understanding of remuneration and later life benefits.
As the Employee Engagement lead, Michelle regularly engages with employees on areas including remuneration, the importance of Company culture, and the changing landscape of retirement, and through her role provides an employee voice in the Boardroom.
Michelle is also the Consumer Duty Champion supporting the Chair and Group Chief Executive Officer in ensuring that Consumer Duty is raised in all relevant discussions, and meets regularly with relevant stakeholders in the business to engage on the Group's approach to ensuring it achieves good consumer outcomes.
External appointments
- Chair of FIL Wealth Management Limited
- Non-Executive Director of FIL Holdings (UK) Limited
- Non-Executive Director of Financial Administration Services Limited
- Non-Executive Director of FIL Platform Solutions (UK) Limited
- Non-Executive Director of PensionBee Group plc and Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee
- Non-Executive Director of the Board of Sport England and Chair of its Audit, Risk and Governance Committee
- Trustee of Lloyds Banking Group Pension Funds Trustees Limited
- Trustee of the Orthogeriatric Research Fund
Just Group plc
Appendix 1: Biographies of Directors standing for re-election continued
Mary Kerrigan
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 1 February 2022
(A)
Skills and experience: Mary has considerable experience in the pensions, life insurance and investment industries, and is a former partner of Willis Towers Watson.
Contribution: Through Mary's role as the Chair of the Investment Committee of the life companies, she contributes a valuable and broad knowledge and understanding of the Investment sector. In addition, as the Sustainability lead for the Company, Mary champions sustainability matters at Board level and challenges management on whether sustainability has been considered in its decision-making.
External appointments
- Non-Executive Director of New Ireland Assurance Company plc and is Chair of its Risk Committee
- Non-Executive Director of Aegon Asset Management UK plc
- Independent Member of La Banque Postale Asset Management Limited
- Non-Executive Director of Companion Services DAC and is Chair of its Risk Committee
- Member of the Independent Governance Committee of Prudential Assurance UK Limited
- Trustee of the London Irish Centre
14
Appendix 2: Further information on Restricted Tier 1 Bonds
What are “Restricted Tier 1 Bonds”?
Solvency II-compliant Restricted Tier 1 Bonds, structured as contingent convertible securities, the terms of which will provide that, upon the occurrence of certain trigger events, the securities will be irrevocably converted into ordinary shares.
Why is the Company seeking authorities in connection with the issuance of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds?
The Group is subject to the Solvency II regulatory framework. In accordance with regulatory requirements, the Group is required to hold sufficient capital to absorb losses in periods of stress and to provide a buffer to increase resilience against unexpected losses, thereby protecting the interests of policyholders. At least half of the Group's overall capital requirements may only be met with certain types of high-quality capital (referred to as "Tier 1 Capital"), including share capital, retained profits and, for up to 20% of Tier 1 Capital, bonds that are written down, or, in the case of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds, bonds that are converted into ordinary shares, in the event that the Group's capital position falls below defined levels. The Group may issue Restricted Tier 1 Bonds to satisfy part of its Tier 1 Capital requirements. Any issue of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds would form part of the Group's overall strategy to maintain a strong capital base from which it can achieve its objectives.
What is a "Trigger Event" and what will happen if a trigger event occurs?
A trigger event will arise if the Group determines, in consultation with the Prudential Regulation Authority, that it has ceased to comply with its capital requirements under Solvency II in a significant way. This may occur if the amount of capital held by the Group falls below 75% of its capital requirements, if the Group fails to comply with its capital requirements for a continuous period of three months or more or if the Group fails to comply with other minimum capital requirements applicable to it. Only if a trigger event occurs (and not under any other circumstances) will any Restricted Tier 1 Bonds issued by the Group convert into new ordinary shares. The holders of any Restricted Tier 1 Bonds will not have the option to request conversion of the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds.
The Group may, if permitted by law and regulation and if considered appropriate at the relevant time, issue Restricted Tier 1 Bonds that include in their terms and conditions a mechanism through which the Group may elect to give existing shareholders the opportunity to purchase the ordinary shares issued on conversion of the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds in proportion to their existing shareholdings in the Company (subject to legal, regulatory or practical restrictions).
What steps can the Group take on or before a trigger event?
If the Group's capital position were to deteriorate, a number of steps are available to the Group to improve its capital position before the occurrence of a trigger event. These could include reducing the Group's liabilities or raising extra share capital from investors by way of a rights issue. If the Company were, in the future, to launch a rights issue, the Company's existing shareholders would be offered the opportunity to acquire new ordinary shares in proportion to their existing shareholding.
How can the issue of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds provide a more efficient capital structure?
The Group can satisfy its Tier 1 Capital requirements through, among other things, the issue of ordinary shares, retention of profits and the issue of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds. Satisfying the Group's Tier 1 Capital requirements in part through the issue of Restricted Tier 1 Bonds is expected to be a cost-effective means of raising capital and therefore would enable the Group to reduce its overall cost of capital. This is, in turn, expected to be more beneficial for existing shareholders than if the Group were to satisfy its Tier 1 Capital requirements through the issue of ordinary shares or the retention of profits alone.
At what price will Restricted Tier 1 Bonds be converted into or exchanged for ordinary shares?
The terms and conditions of any Restricted Tier 1 Bonds issued will specify a conversion price or a mechanism for setting a conversion price, which is the rate at which the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds will be exchanged into ordinary shares. The resolutions enable the Directors to set the specific terms and conditions of the Restricted Tier 1 Bonds (including a conversion price or mechanism for setting a conversion price) after considering market conditions at the time of issuance. Given the nature of the trigger events and the implications on the Group's business at the time any trigger event occurs, the Group's expectation is that the conversion price at the time of conversion would exceed the market price of the ordinary shares at such time.
How have you calculated the size of the authorities you are seeking?
These authorities are set at a level which, based on the conversion price embedded in the Group's current outstanding Restricted Tier 1 Bonds, corresponds approximately to the Group's regulatory headroom for Restricted Tier 1 Bonds as at the Latest Practicable Date (limited to 20% of Tier 1 Capital). The Group expects to review the size of these authorities on an annual basis, to reflect any significant movements in the Group's Tier 1 Capital.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
16
Just Group plc
Appendix 3: Further information on the Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan
1. General
The operation of the Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan (the "SIP") will be overseen by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") (or a duly authorised committee, such as the Company's Remuneration Committee).
Decisions of the Board are final and conclusive.
Benefits under the SIP are not pensionable.
2. Eligibility
All UK-resident taxpayer employees of participating companies (including Executive Directors of the Company) must be offered the opportunity to participate on the same terms, and will be eligible if they:
- have such period of continuous employment as the Board may determine (not exceeding the relevant statutory limits as apply from time to time);
- are not participating at the same time in another UK tax-qualified share incentive plan established by the Company or a connected company; and
- have not exceeded any relevant statutory limit (which applies on an aggregated basis to the SIP and any other UK tax-qualified share incentive plan).
Other employees who meet the eligibility criteria but who are not UK-resident taxpayers may also be offered the opportunity to participate, at the discretion of the Board.
Those under notice to terminate their employment are not eligible.
3. Awards under the SIP
Awards will be over fully paid ordinary shares in the Company, and will be granted in one or more of the following forms, at the discretion of the Board:
- upfront free shares which are subject to restrictions and possibly forfeiture ("Free Shares"), up to £3,600 a year;
- shares which employees purchase using deductions taken from their pre-tax salary ("Partnership Shares"), up to the lower of £1,800 and 10% of salary;
- upfront free shares which are subject to restrictions and possibly forfeiture and which may be awarded if an employee also buys Partnership Shares ("Matching Shares"), at a ratio of not more than two Matching Shares per Partnership Share; and
- shares paid for with reinvested dividends ("Dividend Shares").
The limits set out above are the current limits under the UK legislation governing UK tax-qualified share incentive plans. Different limits may apply in the future, should the legislation change in this respect.
Awards may be settled using newly issued, treasury or existing shares.
4. SIP Trust
The SIP operates through a UK-resident trust (the "SIP Trust"). The trustee of the SIP Trust may purchase, be transferred or subscribe for shares that are awarded to or purchased on behalf of participants in the SIP. A participant will be the beneficial owner of any shares held on the participant's behalf by the trustee of the SIP Trust.
5. Dilution limit
An award may not be made that would cause the total number of new issue and (for so long as required by institutional investor guidelines) treasury shares that have been allocated in the previous 10 years (or could still be allocated by virtue of rights granted) under the SIP and under any other employee share plans operated by the Company to exceed 10% of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue immediately before that award is made.
Where there has been variation in the share capital of the Company, the number of shares taken into account under this limit will be adjusted as the Board considers appropriate to take account of the variation.
6. Partnership Shares
The Board may allow eligible employees to use their salary (before tax) to buy Partnership Shares. Salary deductions will be a minimum of not more than £10 on each occasion (or such other amount set out in UK legislation governing UK tax-qualified share incentive plans) up to the Partnership Share limit set out above (or a lower limit specified by the Board). The Board will decide whether Partnership Shares will be acquired at regular intervals, on a one-off basis or both.
The salary deducted in order to purchase Partnership Shares can be accumulated for a period of up to 12 months (the "Accumulation Period"), after which it will be used to buy the Partnership Shares within 30 days, or alternatively Partnership Shares can be purchased within a 30-day period after each deduction is made.
A participant may stop and restart deductions, and may be permitted to vary deductions. Where an Accumulation Period is used, participants may not restart deductions more than once during any Accumulation Period unless the Board decides otherwise.
The Board may set a maximum aggregate number of shares available for an award of Partnership Shares. If the Company receives applications in excess of this, applications will be scaled down.
Once acquired, Partnership Shares may generally be withdrawn from the SIP Trust by the participant at any time and they cannot be forfeited.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Appendix 3: Further information on the Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan continued
7. Matching Shares and Free Shares
The Board may offer Matching Shares to eligible employees, in accordance with a specified matching ratio to the number of Partnership Shares bought. The Board may also decide to offer Free Shares to eligible employees.
A holding period of between three and five years (or such other period as permitted under UK legislation governing UK tax-qualified share incentive plans) will apply to Matching Shares and Free Shares, as determined by the Board. During the holding period, participants generally cannot withdraw the shares from the SIP Trust (or otherwise dispose of them), unless they cease relevant employment.
The Board may also determine that a forfeiture period applies, during which participants may forfeit their Matching Shares or Free Shares in certain prescribed circumstances or on the occurrence of specified events, as set out in the relevant award agreement.
The same forfeiture provisions will apply to all Matching Shares or Free Shares (as applicable) that are awarded in the same award.
8. Dividend Shares
The Board may allow or require a participant to reinvest the whole or part of any cash dividends, paid on shares held on that participant's behalf in the SIP Trust, in the purchase of Dividend Shares. Dividend Shares must generally be held in the SIP Trust for three years (or such other period as permitted under the UK legislation governing UK tax-qualified share incentive plans), unless the participant ceases relevant employment.
Dividend Shares cannot be forfeited.
9. Leavers
If a participant ceases to hold relevant employment, that participant:
- will be required to withdraw any Free Shares, Partnership Shares, Matching Shares and Dividend Shares from the SIP Trust; and/or
- may forfeit the Free Shares or Matching Shares, as described above.
A participant will be considered to have ceased relevant employment when they no longer hold employment with the Company or any associated company, as defined in the relevant UK legislation governing UK tax-qualified share incentive plans.
10. Corporate events
In the event of certain corporate events during the holding period (including a general offer and other similar takeover events), a participant may direct the trustee of the SIP Trust as to how to act in relation to their shares held in the SIP Trust.
11. Variation of capital
Shares acquired on a variation or reconstruction of share capital of the Company may be treated in the same way as the shares awarded under the SIP (in respect of which the rights are conferred) and as if they were awarded at the same time. In the event of a rights issue, participants will be able to direct the trustee of the SIP Trust as to how to act in respect of their shares held in the SIP Trust.
12. Rights attaching to shares
Shares issued in connection with the SIP will rank equally with other shares of the same class then in issue. The Company will apply for the listing of any shares issued in connection with the SIP. Participants will only be entitled to rights attaching to shares from the date of allotment or transfer to them.
The trustee of the SIP Trust will not vote in relation to any unallocated shares held in the SIP Trust. The trustee will abstain from voting in relation to shares held on a participant's behalf if the trustee has not received that participant's written direction by the deadline specified by the trustee.
17
Just Group plc
Appendix 3: Further information on Just Group plc Share Incentive Plan continued
13. Amendments and termination
The Board (with the agreement of the trustee of the SIP Trust) may amend the SIP in any way and at any time, but the Company will obtain prior approval of the shareholders of the Company for any change that is to the advantage of present or future participants and which relates to any of the following:
- the persons who may receive shares under the SIP;
- the total number or amount of shares that may be delivered under the SIP;
- the maximum entitlement for any participant;
- the basis for determining a participant's entitlement to, and the terms of, shares provided under the SIP and the rights of a participant in the event of a capitalisation issue, rights issue or open offer, sub-division or consolidation of shares or reduction of capital or any other variation of capital of the Company; and
- to the provision requiring shareholder approval for changes.
There is an exception to this shareholder approval requirement for amendments to ensure the SIP complies with the requirements of the UK legislation governing UK tax-qualified share incentive plans and also for minor amendments to benefit the administration of the SIP, to comply with or take account of a change in legislation and/or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment of any member of the Company's Group or any present or future participant.
If an alteration or addition would adversely affect the existing rights of a participant, that participant's prior written consent is required unless the alteration or addition is made as a result of a change in law.
Amendments that would infringe the rule against perpetuities, cause the SIP to cease to be an "employees' share scheme" within the meaning of UK company law, and/or that would cause the SIP to cease to meet the requirements for a UK tax-qualified share incentive plan (at a time when the SIP is intended to qualify as such), will not be effective.
The Board may establish further plans based on the SIP, but modified to take account of any local tax, exchange control or securities laws in other jurisdictions, provided any awards made under them count towards the dilution limit in the SIP and provided that no individual will be entitled to more shares than the maximum entitlement under the SIP.
The SIP will terminate on the date the Board decides, although awards cannot be made later than 74 years after the original date of the trust deed. Once the SIP has been terminated, no further shares will be awarded and a process must be followed to remove all the shares from the SIP Trust.
14. Summary of trust deed and rules
This summary does not form part of the trust deed and rules of the SIP and should not be taken as affecting the interpretation of their detailed terms and conditions. The Board reserves the right to amend or add to the trust deed and rules of the SIP up until the time of the AGM, provided that such amendments or additions do not conflict in any material respect with this summary.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Notes
Appointment of proxy
-
A shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the AGM may appoint another person(s) (who need not be a shareholder of the Company), a ("proxy") to exercise all or any of their rights to attend, speak and vote at the meeting. Shareholders may appoint more than one proxy provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that shareholder.
-
A proxy does not need to be a shareholder of the Company but must attend the AGM in person to represent you. Your proxy could be the Chair of the AGM, a Director of the Company or another person who has agreed to attend and represent you. Your proxy must vote as you instruct and must attend the AGM for your vote to be counted. Details of how to appoint the Chair of the AGM or another person as your proxy, using the Form of Proxy enclosed with this Notice, are set out in the notes to the Form of Proxy. The valid appointment of a proxy does not prevent you from attending the AGM and voting in person.
-
A shareholder who wishes to appoint a proxy should complete the Form of Proxy which accompanies this Notice and which includes full details of how to appoint a proxy. If you do not have a Form of Proxy and believe that you should have one, or if you require additional Forms of Proxy, please contact Equiniti's helpline on +44 (0) 371 384 2787. Lines are open between 8:30am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales). As an alternative to completing a hard copy Form of Proxy, proxies may be appointed electronically in accordance with note 5.
Nominated Persons
- A copy of this Notice has been sent for information only to persons who have been nominated by a shareholder to enjoy information rights under section 146 of the Act (a "Nominated Person"). The rights to appoint a proxy cannot be exercised by a Nominated Person; they can only be exercised by a shareholder. However, a Nominated Person may have a right under an agreement with the shareholder by whom they were nominated to be appointed as a proxy for the AGM. If a Nominated Person does not have such a right or does not wish to exercise it, they may have a right under such an agreement to give instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights.
Submission of Form of Proxy
-
In order to be valid, a proxy appointment instruction must be submitted to the Company's Registrar (together with any authority under which it is executed or a copy of the authority certified in ink by a bank, a stockbroker or a solicitor) by one of the following methods:
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online, by going to Equiniti's Shareview Portfolio. Once you have logged in, simply click "View" on the "My Investments" page and then click on the link to vote and follow the on-screen instructions. If you have not yet registered for a Shareview Portfolio, go to www.shareview.co.uk and enter the requested information. It is important that you register for a Shareview Portfolio with enough time to complete the registration and authentication processes;
- in hard-copy form by post, by courier or by hand to the Company's Registrar at the address shown on the Form of Proxy; or
- in the case of CREST members, by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service in accordance with the procedures set out in note 10.
The appointment of a proxy in each case must be received by the Company's Registrar by no later than 10:00am on Tuesday 6 May 2025 (or, in the case of an adjournment, not later than 48 hours (excluding non-working days) before the time fixed for the holding of the adjourned meeting).
- To change your proxy instructions you may submit a new proxy appointment instruction, using the methods set out in note 5 above. Where you have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy Form of Proxy and would like to change the instructions using another hard-copy Form of Proxy, please contact Equiniti at Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA. The deadline for receipt of proxy appointments (see note 5) also applies in relation to amended instructions. Any attempt to terminate or amend a proxy appointment received after the relevant deadline will be disregarded. Where two or more valid separate appointments of proxy are received in respect of the same share in respect of the same meeting, the one which is last received shall be treated as replacing and revoking the other(s). If the Company is unable to determine which is last sent, the one which is last received shall be so treated. If the Company is unable to determine either which is last sent or which is last received, none of them shall be treated as valid in respect of the relevant share(s).
Attendance
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Only persons entered on the register of members of the Company at 6:30pm on Tuesday 6 May 2025 (or, if the AGM is adjourned, at 6:30pm on the date which is two business days prior to the adjourned meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote at the AGM or adjourned meeting. Changes to entries on the register after this time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of persons to attend or vote (and the number of votes they may cast) at the AGM or adjourned meeting.
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Under section 319A of the Act, the Company must answer any question relating to the business being dealt with at the AGM which is put by a shareholder attending that meeting in person or by proxy, except in certain circumstances, including if it is undesirable in the interests of the Company, involves the disclosure of confidential information, or if the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question.
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The doors will open at 9:30am and you may wish to arrive by 9:45am. There will be access and facilities for shareholders who use wheelchairs. Please contact the Company at [email protected] in advance if you have any additional needs.
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CREST electronic proxy voting
CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so by utilising the procedures described in the CREST Manual on the Euroclear website (www.euroclear.com). CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. In order for a proxy appointment made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited's (“EUI”) specifications and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer's agent (ID number RA19) by 10:00am on Tuesday 6 May 2025 (the latest time(s) for receipt of proxy appointments specified in this Notice). For this purpose, 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 by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in regulation 35(5) (a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that EUI does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member or sponsored member or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his or her CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.
If you are an institutional investor, you may be able to appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform, a process which has been agreed by the Company and approved by the Registrar. For further information regarding Proxymity, please go to www.proxymity.io. Your proxy must be lodged by 10:00am on Tuesday 6 May 2025 in order to be considered valid. Before you can appoint a proxy via this process you will need to have agreed to Proxymity's associated terms and conditions. It is important that you read these carefully as you will be bound by them, and they will govern the electronic appointment of your proxy.
Method of voting
Voting on all resolutions will be conducted by way of a poll rather than a show of hands. This is a more transparent method of voting as shareholders' votes are counted according to the number of shares held and votes cast. As soon as practicable following the AGM, the results of the voting at the meeting and the number of votes cast for and against and the number of votes actively withheld in respect of each of the resolutions will be announced via a Regulatory Information Service and will also be available on the Company's website at www.justgroupplc.co.uk/investors.
Corporate representative
A shareholder of the Company which is a corporation may authorise a person or persons to act as its representative(s) at the AGM. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, each such representative may exercise (on behalf of the corporation) the same powers as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual shareholder of the Company, provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.
The Company's total voting rights
As at Tuesday 4 March 2025 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice), the Company's issued share capital consisted of 1,038,702,932 ordinary shares, carrying one vote each. As the Company does not hold any shares in treasury, the total voting rights in the Company as at Tuesday 4 March 2025 were 1,038,702,932.
Notice of AGM
The following information is available on the Company's website, www.justgroupplc.co.uk: (i) the contents of this Notice; (ii) the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts; (iii) details of the total number of shares in respect of which members are entitled to exercise voting rights at the AGM; and (iv) the interests which have been disclosed to the Company since 31 December 2024 in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (“DTR”): (a) Directors' interests under DTR 3.1.2; and (b) the interests of persons with disclosable interests in the Company's issued ordinary shares under DTR 5. If applicable, any members' statements, members' resolutions or members' matters of business received by the Company after the date of this notice will also be made on the Company's website.
Inspection of documents
Copies of the following documents are available for inspection at the registered office of the Company during normal business hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) from the date of this Notice until the conclusion of the AGM and will be available for inspection at the AGM from at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting and until its conclusion: Executive Directors' employment contracts;Non-Executive Directors' letters of appointment;qualifying third-party indemnity provisions of which the Directors have the benefit; andShare Incentive Plan trust deed and rules.
Amendment of Resolution
Under section 338 and section 338A of the Act, members meeting the threshold requirements in those sections have the right to require the Company (i) to give, to members of the Company entitled to receive, notice of the meeting, notice of a Resolution which may properly be moved and is intended to be moved at the meeting; and/or (ii) to include in the business to be dealt with at the meeting 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 of any person, or (c) it is frivolous or vexatious. Such a request may be in hard-copy form or in electronic form, 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 persons making it, must be received by the Company not later than the date six clear weeks before the meeting, and (in the case of a matter to be included on the business only) must be accompanied by a statement setting out the grounds for the request.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Notes continued
Audit statements
- Members satisfying the thresholds in section 527 of the Act can require the Company to publish a statement on its website setting out any matter relating to (i) the audit of the Company's accounts (including the Auditor's Report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the AGM; and (ii) any circumstances connected with an auditor of the Company ceasing to hold office since the last AGM, that the members propose to raise at the AGM. The Company may not require the members requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with section 527 of the Act. Where the Company is required to place a statement on a website under section 527 of the Act, it must forward a copy of the statement to the auditor when it publishes the statement on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM includes any such statement that the Company has been required to publish on its website.
Electronic address
- You may not use any electronic address provided in this Notice to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.
Data protection statement
- 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 Shareholder 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. Please refer to the Company's privacy statement available at www.justgroupplc.co.uk/site-services/privacy-statement, should you require further information about the way in which the Company processes your personal data.
Final dividend
- Shareholders are reminded that the Company will no longer be issuing dividend cheques. If you have not already done so, please contact the Company's Registrar, Equiniti, to arrange for a bank mandate to be set up. Details of how to contact Equiniti are set out on page 22 of this Notice.
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Just Group plc
Shareholder information
Shareholder enquiries
For enquiries about shareholdings, including dividends and lost share certificates, please contact the Company's Registrar:
By post
- Equiniti Limited
- Aspect House
- Spencer Road
- Lancing
- West Sussex BN99 6DA
By telephone
Tel: 0371 384 2787
For deaf and speech impaired customers, Equiniti welcomes calls via Relay UK. Please see www.relayuk.bt.com for more information. Lines are open from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales).
Electronic communications
Shareholders are encouraged to elect to receive shareholder documents electronically by registering with Shareview at www.shareview.co.uk.
Shareholders who have registered will be sent an email notification whenever shareholder documents are available on the Company's website. When registering, shareholders will need their Shareholder Reference Number which can be found on their share certificate or Form of Proxy.
How to manage shareholdings
Information on how to manage shareholdings can be found on the help page at www.shareview.co.uk. It provides the following:
- answers to commonly asked questions regarding shareholder registration;
- links to downloadable forms and guidance notes; and
- a choice of contact methods – online, phone or post.
If the answer to a question is not included in the information provided, shareholders can send enquiries via secure email from these pages. A form will need to be completed, together with a Shareholder Reference Number, name, address and email address, if desired.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 8 May 2025
Getting to the AGM
Venue:
The meeting will be held at 1 Angel Lane, London, EC4R 3AB on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 10:00am.
By Underground:
There are several stations nearby on different lines: Cannon Street, Mansion House and Monument are all served by the District and Circle lines, London Bridge is served by the Jubilee and Northern Lines and Bank is served by the Northern, Central and Waterloo & City lines, and Docklands Light Railway. Each of these stations is within a 10 minute walk of the venue.
By Rail:
Cannon Street Station (Southeastern) and London Bridge Station (Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink) are both between 5 and 10 minutes walk from the venue.
Shareholders with Special Needs:
There will be access and facilities for shareholders who use wheelchairs. Please contact the Company at [email protected] in advance if you have any additional needs.

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Just Group plc