AGM Information • Apr 10, 2024
AGM Information
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If you have sold or transferred all your ordinary shares in Marshalls plc, please pass this document (but not the personalised Form of Proxy) to the purchaser or transferee or to the agent through whom you made the sale of those shares for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2024
This Circular contains the Notice of Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 11.00 am at the offices of Walker Morris LLP, 33 Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 4DL and the explanatory notes for the business to be carried out at the Meeting.
A Form of Proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting is enclosed. To be valid, the Form of Proxy should be completed, signed and returned in accordance with the instructions printed on it to the Company's Registrars, Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY, as soon as possible but in any event so as to arrive not later than 11.00 am on Monday 13 May 2024. Shareholders can vote and/or appoint a proxy online by registering at www.eproxyappointment.com. Shareholders may also access the online voting facility and cast their vote via smartphone. Any votes cast online must be cast and any proxy appointment must be filed in each case no later than 11.00 am on Monday 13 May 2024.
Registered Office: Landscape House, Premier Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland HX5 9HT
(Registered in England: No. 5100353)
10 April 2024
To: Ordinary Shareholders
Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to invite you to this year's Annual General Meeting to be held at the offices of Walker Morris LLP, 33 Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 4DL, at 11.00 am on Wednesday 15 May 2024. The formal Notice of Annual General Meeting can be found on page 5 of this document.
Shareholders who wish to vote on the Resolutions but who do not intend to come to the Annual General Meeting may appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend, vote and speak at the Annual General Meeting, as set out in the notes to the Notice of Annual General Meeting and the explanatory notes on the enclosed Form of Proxy.
All the Resolutions will be put to a poll. The outcome of the poll vote for each Resolution will be published following the Meeting on the Company's website and by RIS announcement.
Ordinary Shareholders will be asked to receive the Report of the Directors and the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 together with the Auditor's Report.
The Company is required to appoint an auditor at each Annual General Meeting at which accounts are presented to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting. Resolution 2 therefore proposes that Deloitte LLP be reappointed as auditor to the Company and Resolution 3 authorises the Directors to determine its remuneration.
A final dividend of 5.70 pence per ordinary share is recommended by the Directors for payment to shareholders on the Register of Members of the Company at the close of business on 7 June 2024. Subject to approval by the Ordinary Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, the dividend will be paid on 1 July 2024. An interim dividend of 2.60 pence per ordinary share was paid on 1 December 2023.
The UK Corporate Governance Code (the "Code") recommends that all Directors stand for re-election annually. The Company supports the principles of good governance set out in the Code and, accordingly, in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, providing that all Directors retire at each annual general meeting, Vanda Murray, Justin Lockwood, Simon Bourne, Graham Prothero, Angela Bromfield, Avis Darzins and Diana Houghton will retire and will offer themselves for re-election as Directors. Matthew (Matt) Pullen was appointed to the Board as a Director on 8 January 2024 and accordingly will stand for election for the first time as a Director. Martyn Coffey stood down as a Director of the Company on 29 February 2024, and was succeeded by Matt Pullen as Chief Executive from 1 March 2024.
The Nomination Committee of the Board, led by the Chair, was responsible for the appointment of the Directors and has appraised the performance of each of the individual Directors to be re-elected. The Committee concluded that each of the Directors fulfils their role very effectively and has demonstrated a high degree of commitment. In decision making, the Non-Executive Directors have contributed relevant skills and knowledge, particularly in strategic thinking and planning, financial matters, innovation, business transformation, technological change, health and safety, engagement with stakeholders and culture change. The performance of the Chair has been appraised by the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director in consultation with the remaining Non-Executive Directors. Each of the Non-Executive Directors standing for re-election satisfies the Code as regards their independence.
Biographical details of the Directors, including their skills and experience, are on pages 64 to 65 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 ("Annual Report").
The current Directors' Remuneration Policy (the "Policy") was approved by shareholders at the 2023 Annual General Meeting. An explanation of how the Policy has been applied is included in the Directors' Remuneration Report (which is on pages 88 to 102 of the Annual Report).
The Directors' Remuneration Report (on page 90) summarises the actions taken by the Board following the significant vote against (c. 25 per cent) the Company's 2022 Directors' Remuneration Report.
The Directors' Remuneration Report is submitted to an advisory vote, which means that payments already made or promised to Directors will not have to be repaid in the event that the Resolution to approve the Report is not passed.
The authority given to the Directors at the Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2023 to allot (or issue) shares pursuant to Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 expires at the conclusion of this year's Annual General Meeting. Resolution 14 seeks renewal of this authority, to expire at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 15 August 2025).
In line with guidelines issued by the Investment Association ("IA") to the effect that IA members will permit and treat as routine resolutions seeking authority to allot shares representing up to two-thirds of the Company's issued share capital in certain circumstances, the Board considers it appropriate to seek a resolution to grant authority to the Directors to allot shares in the capital of the Company up to a maximum nominal amount of £42,161,454, representing approximately two-thirds (or 66 per cent) of the current issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at 3 April 2024 (the latest practicable date before publication of this letter). Of this amount, £21,080,727, representing approximately one-third (or approximately 33 per cent) of the current issued share capital of the Company, can only be allotted pursuant to a pre-emptive offer by way of a rights issue.
Part (a) of Resolution 14 renews the Directors' general authority to issue shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £21,080,727, representing approximately one-third of the current issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares).
Part (b) of Resolution 14 extends this authority to a further aggregate nominal amount of £21,080,727, representing approximately one-third of the current issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) which can only be exercised pursuant to a fully pre-emptive offer by way of a rights issue.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising this authority.
Resolutions 1–14 inclusive are proposed as Ordinary Resolutions at the Annual General Meeting.
The Companies Act 2006 provides that any allotment of new shares for cash must be made pro rata to individual shareholders' holdings, unless such provisions are disapplied under section 570 of the Companies Act 2006. The authority granted to the Directors by shareholders on 10 May 2023 to allot shares for cash pursuant to Section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 expires at the conclusion of this years' Annual General Meeting.
Resolution 15 will be proposed as a special resolution for the renewal of the Directors' authority to allot equity shares to shareholders in respect of: (i) a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer; and (ii) other allotments up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £6,324,218, representing approximately 10 per cent of the current issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 3 April 2024 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this letter). This authority also allows the Directors, within the same aggregate limit, to sell for cash shares that may be held by the Company in treasury.
Resolution 16 will be proposed as a special resolution to allow the Directors to allot equity securities for cash without first offering them to shareholders pro-rata to their holdings in connection with an acquisition or capital investment of the kind contemplated by the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles up to a further maximum aggregate nominal amount of £6,324,218, representing approximately 10 per cent of the current issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 3 April 2024 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this letter).
If both Resolutions are approved, the total aggregate nominal value of ordinary shares which may be allotted for cash without first offering them pro-rata to existing shareholders would be £12,648,436, being approximately 20 per cent of the current issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 3 April 2024 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this letter).
These authorities are in line with institutional shareholder guidance and, in particular, with the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles published in November 2022.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising the authorities granted by Resolutions 15 and 16, but consider it prudent to obtain the flexibility that this authority provides.
The authorities granted under Resolutions 15 and 16 will expire at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 15 August 2025).
Resolution 17 will be proposed as a Special Resolution for the renewal of the Company's authority to purchase its own shares in the market during the period until the next Annual General Meeting of the Company (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 15 August 2025) for up to 37,920,012 shares, representing approximately 14.99 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at 3 April 2024 (the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this document). The price payable shall not be more than the higher of: (a) 5 per cent above the average price of the middle market quotation as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the ordinary shares for the five business days before the purchase is made; and (b) an amount equal to the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid for an ordinary share in the Company as derived from the London Stock Exchange Trading System (in each case exclusive of any expenses) and, in any event, not less than 25 pence per share, being the nominal value of the shares.
The Directors have no current intention of exercising the authority to purchase the Company's own ordinary shares. In considering whether or not to purchase ordinary shares under the market purchase authority, the Directors will take into account cash resources, the effect on gearing and other investment opportunities before exercising the authority. In addition, the Company will only exercise the authority to make such a purchase in the market when the Directors consider it is in the best interests of shareholders generally to do so and it would result in an increase in earnings per ordinary share. Any purchases of ordinary shares would be by means of market purchases through the London Stock Exchange. As at 3 April 2024 (being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this document) there were options outstanding over 1,172,861 ordinary shares representing 0.46 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares). If the authority given by this Resolution 17 were to be fully used, the options currently in issue would then represent 0.54 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares).
Listed companies purchasing their own shares may hold them in treasury as an alternative to cancelling them. Treasury shares may be cancelled, sold for cash or used for the purpose of employee share schemes. The authority to be sought by this Resolution is intended to apply equally to shares to be held by the Company as treasury shares. No dividends will be paid on shares which are held as treasury shares and no voting rights will be attached to them. Shares held as treasury shares will be treated as if cancelled. Any shares which are repurchased will be cancelled or held in treasury.
If Resolution 17 is passed at the Annual General Meeting, it is the Company's current intention to hold in treasury all of the shares it may purchase pursuant to the authority granted to it. However, in order to respond properly to the Company's capital requirements and prevailing market conditions, the Directors will need to reassess at the time of any and each actual purchase whether to hold the shares in treasury or cancel them, provided it is permitted to do so. In line with guidelines issued by the IA, the Company is only proposing to hold a maximum of up to 10 per cent of its issued share capital in treasury. The Company does not currently hold any shares in treasury.
Resolution 18 allows the Company to hold general meetings (other than the Annual General Meeting) on 14 clear days' notice. This is in order to avoid the effect of Section 307A of the Companies Act 2006 which, without such a resolution, would have the effect of requiring the Company to give not less than 21 clear days' notice of general meetings. A similar resolution was approved at the Company's Annual General Meeting in 2023. This Resolution 18, proposed as a Special Resolution, seeks renewal of the approval until the close of the 2025 Annual General Meeting, when it is intended that the approval be renewed. The 14-day notice period will only be relied upon by the Directors in circumstances where the proposals to be tabled are time sensitive and where short notice is considered by the Board to be to the advantage of shareholders.
Resolutions 15–18 inclusive are proposed as Special Resolutions at the Annual General Meeting.
The Board believes that all the proposed Resolutions to be considered at the Annual General Meeting are likely to promote the success of the Company and are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Board recommends that you vote in favour of the proposed Resolutions. The Directors will be voting in favour of the proposed Resolutions in respect of their own shareholdings in the Company which as at 3 April 2024 amounted in aggregate to 258,098 shares representing approximately 0.10 per cent of the existing issued ordinary share capital of the Company.
Your participation is important to us. If you would like to ask questions of the Directors in relation to any of the business to be put to the Annual General Meeting in advance, please send them to the Company Secretary at [email protected] and the Company will do its best to respond. Alternatively, you can ask questions during the course of the Meeting.
Your vote is important to us and all shareholders are encouraged to vote in advance. You can complete and return the enclosed Form of Proxy so as to reach the Registrars, Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY, not less than 48 hours (excluding non-working days) before the time appointed for the holding of the Meeting. Alternatively, a shareholder can vote online or appoint a proxy online by registering at www.eproxyappointment.com no later than 11.00 am on Monday 13 May 2024. Details about how to use this facility are set out in the enclosed Form of Proxy. Completion and return of a Form of Proxy will not prevent you from attending and voting at the Meeting if you so wish. Members can access information relating to the Annual General Meeting, including the information required by Section 311A of the Companies Act 2006, on the Company's website (www.marshalls.co.uk).
Yours faithfully
Vanda Murray OBE Chair of the Board
Registered Office: Landscape House, Premier Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland HX5 9HT
(Registered in England: No. 5100353)
NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Marshalls plc will be held on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 11.00 am at the offices of Walker Morris LLP, 33 Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 4DL, to consider and, if thought fit, pass the following Resolutions which are to be proposed, in the case of Resolutions 1 to 14, as Ordinary Resolutions and, in the case of Resolutions 15 to 18, as Special Resolutions of the Company:
and provided that such authority shall expire at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 15 August 2025), save that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require shares to be allotted or Rights to be granted after such expiry, and the Directors may allot shares and grant Rights in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred by this Resolution had not expired.
and such power shall expire at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Company (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 15 August 2025), but so that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted or treasury shares to be sold after such expiry, and the Directors may allot equity securities or sell treasury shares in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred by this Resolution had not expired.
and such power shall expire at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Company (or, if earlier, at the close of business on 15 August 2025), but so that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted or treasury shares to be sold after such expiry, and the Directors may allot equity securities or sell treasury shares in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred by this Resolution had not expired.
That a general meeting, other than an Annual General Meeting, may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
By Order of the Board
Dated: 10 April 2024
Shiv Sibal Registered Office: Company Secretary Landscape House Premier Way Lowfields Business Park Elland HX5 9HT
Marshalls plc

Marshalls plc, Landscape House, Premier Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland HX5 9HT
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