AGM Information • Jun 14, 2023
AGM Information
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer


for the Annual General Meetings of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited This document is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, you are recommended to obtain your own personal financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, accountant or other independent professional adviser authorised under Part VI of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you have sold or otherwise transferred all your ordinary shares in Ninety One plc or Ninety One Limited, please send this document together with the accompanying Form of Proxy at once to the relevant transferee or to the stockbroker, bank or other person through whom the sale or transfer was effected, for transmission to the relevant transferee.
Please find enclosed the notices of the Annual General Meetings of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited (together "Ninety One") to be held on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (BST) and 12:00 p.m. (SAST) respectively (the "Annual General Meetings" or "AGMs"). In accordance with Ninety One's dual-listed companies ("DLC") structure, the AGMs will be held in parallel, and the shareholders of both companies will have the opportunity to vote on each of the resolutions, with the votes aggregated to determine the result.
The Ninety One Limited AGM will be held as an electronic meeting and the Ninety One plc AGM will be held as a hybrid physical and electronic meeting. For those shareholders electing to join and participate in person, the Ninety One plc AGM will be held at 55 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7EL.
The formal notice of Ninety One plc's AGM is set out on page 3 of this document and an explanation of each resolution proposed can be found on page 7. The formal notice of Ninety One Limited's AGM is set out on page 15 of this document and an explanation of each resolution proposed can be found on page 20.
For those shareholders that join and participate in the meetings electronically, the guide for electronic participation and instructions for joining the AGMs by electronic means can be found on pages 29 to 30 of this document. The meeting IDs which Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited shareholders will need to join the meetings are set out in these instructions.
The unique Shareholder Reference Number (SRN) and PIN, which Ninety One plc shareholders will also require to join the meeting, can be found on the form of proxy or email received by the shareholder (if they are registered for email communications). The unique username and password, which Ninety One Limited shareholders will require to join the meeting, will be issued when a shareholder pre-registers to participate in the meeting.
Shareholders joining electronically will be able to participate in the meeting and ask questions by submitting their questions relating to the business of the meeting online in written form or by telephone.
The order of business will be as follows:
Shareholders who would like to ask questions are encouraged to submit them in advance and should be emailed to [email protected] by 17:00 p.m. (BST) and 18:00 p.m. (SAST) on Monday, 24 July 2023. Questions that are received by this time will be addressed at the AGMs and a summary of questions and answers will be made available on the Ninety One website as soon as practicable following the conclusion of the AGMs. Shareholders will also be able to ask questions at the AGMs either by telephone, in person or in written form.
The AGMs provide an important opportunity for shareholders to express their views on the financial performance, management and governance of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited. The boards of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited (together "the Board") would therefore like to encourage all shareholders to participate. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please ensure that you complete and return a proxy form no later than 48 hours before the time for the holding of the meeting. Further information on voting and proxies can be found in the notes to the respective notices set out below on pages 12 to 14 and 25 to 26 respectively.
There are two ways for shareholders to vote on the day of the meeting:
For those attending electronically, please refer to pages 29 to 30 for instructions on how to join the meeting and submit your votes on the day via the Lumi platform. Voting on all resolutions on the day will be by way of a poll through the Lumi website or poll card at the physical meeting. Votes can be cast once the Chairman has declared the poll open.
The Board is responsible for producing and approving our Sustainability and Stewardship Report, which can be found on our website www.ninetyone.com.
Ninety One continues to support the Say on Climate initiative and we believe that a dedicated resolution seeking advisory approval of our climate strategy, as set out in our Sustainability and Stewardship Report, creates an additional layer of public accountability which we will carefully consider.
Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 6.7 pence per Ninety One plc ordinary share and 160.0 cents per Ninety One Limited ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2023. If the recommended final dividend is approved, this will be paid on 11 August 2023 to all ordinary shareholders who were on the register of members as at close of business on 21 July 2023.
Shareholders will have received the Ninety One Integrated Annual Report and Accounts 2023 ("Integrated Annual Report"), or will have been notified of its availability on our website, www.ninetyone.com. Ninety One encourages all shareholders to receive shareholder communications and payments electronically as part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. If you do not already do so, you can register to receive future shareholder communications via email by logging on to www.investorcentre.co.uk/ecomms.
The Board believes that the proposals set out in the notices of the AGMs promote the success of the companies and are in the best interests of the companies and their shareholders as a whole. The Board therefore unanimously recommends that you vote in favour of all the resolutions. Your directors intend to vote in favour of all the resolutions in respect of their own holdings.
Gareth Penny Chairman
13 June 2023
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of Ninety One plc will be held at 11:00 a.m. (BST) on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 at 55 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7EL with facilities to participate electronically.
Shareholders entitled to attend, participate in and vote at the AGM or proxies of such shareholders that wish to participate in and/or vote at the AGM by way of electronic participation, must refer to the guide to joining the electronic AGM on pages 29 to 30 of this document.
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolutions of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited set out below:
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolutions of Ninety One plc set out below:
To receive and adopt the audited annual financial statements of Ninety One plc for the year ended 31 March 2023, together with the reports of the directors of Ninety One plc and of the auditor of Ninety One plc.
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification the following ordinary resolutions and special resolutions of Ninety One plc set out below:
That the directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to and in accordance with Section 551 of the UK Companies Act 2006 ("UK Companies Act") to exercise all the powers of Ninety One plc to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of:
Such authority to apply in substitution for all previous authorities pursuant to Section 551 of the UK Companies Act and to expire at the conclusion of the next AGM to be held in 2024 or, if earlier, 30 September 2024, but so that, in each case, Ninety One plc may make offers or enter into agreements during the relevant period which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or to convert any securities into shares to be granted after the authority expires.
That Ninety One plc is generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of Section 701 of the UK Companies Act to make market purchases (as defined in Section 693 of the UK Companies Act) of ordinary shares of £0.0001 each in the capital of Ninety One plc provided that:
That a general meeting of Ninety One plc, other than an AGM, may be called by the directors on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolutions of Ninety One Limited set out below:
To present the audited financial statements of Ninety One Limited for the year ended 31 March 2023, together with the reports of the directors, the auditor, the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and the chair of the Sustainability, Social and Ethics Committee to the shareholders.
That the shareholders re-elect/elect, each by way of a separate vote, the following independent nonexecutive directors, as members of the Audit and Risk Committee, with effect from the end of this AGM:
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification the following ordinary resolutions and special resolutions of Ninety One Limited set out below:
That:
subject to the South African Companies Act, No 71 of 2008, as amended ("SA Companies Act"), the Memorandum of Incorporation of Ninety One Limited (the "MoI") and the Listings Requirements of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (the "JSE Listings Requirements"), if and to the extent applicable, such authority to endure until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024 or the date of expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this special resolution, whichever is the shorter period.
That subject to passing resolution 23 in accordance with the SA Companies Act, the JSE Listings Requirements and the MoI, the directors of Ninety One Limited are authorised by way of a general authority to allot and issue for cash all or any of the ordinary shares in the authorised but unissued share capital of Ninety One Limited, which they shall have been authorised to allot and issue in terms of ordinary resolution 23 above, as and when suitable situations arise, subject to the specific limitations as required by the JSE Listings Requirements, such authority to endure until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024 or the date of expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this special resolution, whichever is the shorter period. Such authority will be subject to the following:
In terms of the JSE Listings Requirements, an ordinary resolution supported by a 75% majority of the votes exercised by all equity security holders present or represented by proxy at the AGM, is required to approve this resolution.
v. neither Ninety One Limited nor its subsidiaries may acquire any shares during a prohibited period, as defined by the JSE Listings Requirements, unless there is in place a repurchase programme where dates and quantities of shares to be traded during the prohibited period are fixed and full details of the programme have been submitted to the JSE prior to the commencement of the prohibited period.
Special resolution 2 – Financial Assistance.
That to the extent required by the SA Companies Act and subject to compliance with the requirements of the SA Companies Act, the JSE Listings Requirements and the MoI (each as presently constituted and as amended from time to time), the directors of Ninety One Limited may authorise Ninety One Limited to provide direct or indirect financial assistance, including by way of lending money, guaranteeing a loan or other obligation, and securing any debt or obligation, or otherwise to:
ii. any of the present or future directors or prescribed officers of Ninety One Limited or of a related or interrelated company or entity (or any person related to any of them or to any company or corporation related or interrelated to any of them), or to any other person who is a participant in any of Ninety One Limited's present or future share or other employee incentive schemes, for the purpose of, or in connection with, the subscription of any option, or any securities, issued or to be issued by Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, or for the purchase of any securities of Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, where such financial assistance is provided in terms of any such scheme, such authority to endure until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024.
Special resolution 3 – Non-executive directors' remuneration.
That in terms of section 66(9) of the SA Companies Act, payment of the remuneration to the non-executive directors of Ninety One Limited for their service as directors be approved as follows:
By order of the board
Company Secretary
55 Gresham Street London EC2V 7EL
13 June 2023
In accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code all directors will retire and be subject to election or annual re-election at the AGM.
Prior to recommending to the board that the Chairman and directors be re-elected, the Nominations and Directors Affairs Committee (the "Nominations Committee") conducted an evaluation to consider their independence, time commitment and contribution. In considering the independence of Khumo Shuenyane the Nominations Committee noted that, pursuant to the reduction in Investec's shareholding in Ninety One, Khumo was no longer a shareholder representative of Investec. The Nominations Committee also considered the requirements of the applicable corporate governance codes, the JSE Listings Requirements and Section 94 of the South African Companies Act. After careful consideration, the Nominations Committee recommended to the board that Khumo be declared an independent non-executive director. Upon the Nominations Committee's recommendation the board duly declared Khumo to be an independent non-executive director in February 2023.
Following its evaluation of the directors, the Nominations Committee was satisfied that all directors continue to fulfil their duties and accordingly the re-election of each of the directors is recommended. Biographical details of each of the directors to be re-elected follow the notices of the AGMs and can be found on pages 27 to 28 below.
Further information on the work of the Nominations Committee can be found in the Integrated Annual Report.
Principle 14 of the South African King IV Code on Corporate Governance ("King IV Code") and the JSE Listings Requirements require a listed company to table its directors' remuneration policy and directors' remuneration report for separate non-binding advisory votes at the AGM every year.
However, the UK Companies Act requires a listed company to present its directors' remuneration policy at its AGM at least every three years, such vote being binding. The directors' remuneration report is also required to be tabled for a separate non-binding advisory vote at the AGM every year.
Shareholders are asked to approve the DLC annual report on remuneration that is included on pages 99 to 111 of the Integrated Annual Report. Although the vote on resolution 9 is non-binding, the board will consider the outcome of the vote when reviewing the implementation of the DLC directors' remuneration policy ("Remuneration Policy") in the future.
Shareholders are also asked to approve the Remuneration Policy which is set out on pages 91 to 98 of the Integrated Annual Report. The vote on resolution 10 is a binding vote. The Remuneration Policy remains largely unchanged compared to that approved by shareholders at the AGM held on 26 July 2022 under a non-binding vote. The last binding vote on the Remuneration Policy was at the AGM held on 3 September 2020. If approved by shareholders, the Remuneration Policy will take effect immediately after the end of the AGM and will apply until replaced by a new or amended policy.
The board will seek to engage with shareholders, in a manner prescribed in the Remuneration Policy, in the event that resolutions 9 or 10 have been voted against by 25% or more of the votes exercised by shareholders.
This resolution seeks an advisory vote on Ninety One's climate strategy which is set out in the Sustainability and Stewardship Report 2023.
Ninety One is a supporter and advocate of regular reporting on climate-related financial risks and their impact on listed companies.
The directors are required by company law to present the audited financial statements, together with the reports of the Audit and Risk Committee, the directors and the auditor, for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 to shareholders at the AGM.
Enclosed or otherwise made available with this notice of AGM is a copy of the Integrated Annual Report containing the reports of the Audit and Risk Committee, the directors and the auditor as well as the audited consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 March 2023.
A final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2023 for Ninety One plc of 6.7 pence per ordinary share is recommended by the board. Shareholder approval for the declaration of this final dividend is required. If approved, the dividend will become due and payable on 11 August 2023 to shareholders on the respective UK and SA registers as at close of business on 21 July 2023.
The auditor of a company must be appointed or reappointed at each general meeting at which the accounts are presented. Following a detailed review by the Audit and Risk Committee, which included an assessment of their independence and audit quality, resolution 14 proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Ninety One plc's auditor, until the conclusion of the next general meeting of Ninety One plc at which accounts are presented. Allan McGrath is the designated audit partner and has not been subject to disqualification.
Resolution 15 authorises the Audit and Risk Committee to set the auditors' remuneration.
The Articles of Association of Ninety One plc permit the directors of Ninety One plc to allot shares and other securities in accordance with section 551 of the UK Companies Act, up to an amount authorised by the shareholders in a general meeting. The purpose of resolution 16 is to grant power to the directors to allot ordinary shares and Special Converting Shares.
The authority in paragraph (i) will allow the directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert other securities into, shares up to a maximum nominal amount of £3,113.12, which is equivalent to 5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of Ninety One plc as at 2 June 2023.
Renewal of the authority is sought annually, in accordance with best practice. The authority is requested to ensure that the directors have appropriate authority and flexibility to respond to market developments and enable allotments to take place to manage Ninety One plc's capital resources. The board would utilise the authority in exceptional circumstances where this would be in the best interests of shareholders. Notwithstanding this general position, the board may utilise this authority specifically for allotments contemplated under the 2021 Ninety One plc Long Term Incentive Plan ("2021 plc LTIP") (as approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM).
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP using market purchased shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One plc's shares trading on the LSE may constrain its ability to do so and the board may need to use newly issued shares to satisfy the awards from time to time. Ninety One plc also has the ability to issue shares to participants under the 2021 plc LTIP and/or a trustee from time to time, in each case to enable Ninety One plc to comply with its obligations to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP from time to time. Such issuance shall always be subject to the overall dilution limits and any applicable individual limits.
If the board does allot shares under the 2021 plc LTIP during the period until the next AGM of Ninety One plc to be held in 2024, notwithstanding that such issuance would take place pursuant to the statutory authority of the directors under section 549(2) of the UK Companies Act to allot shares in pursuance of an employees' share scheme, the maximum allotment authority under this resolution would be treated as having been proportionately reduced.
The Investment Association's share capital management guidelines allow for allotments of up to two-thirds of the company's issued share capital, provided that any amount over one-third is applied to fully pre-emptive rights issues only. Notwithstanding this, the board has decided, in recognition of the views of many of our shareholders, to seek authority to allot ordinary shares representing no more than 5% in nominal value of Ninety One plc's current issued ordinary share capital, and will not be seeking to disapply statutory pre-emption rights of Ninety One plc.
The authority in paragraph (ii) authorises the directors to allot Special Converting Shares to reflect the number of ordinary shares issued by Ninety One Limited at any time and from time-to-time up to a nominal value of £1,500.45, per the requirements of the DLC structure and agreements. Shares held in treasury are not included for the purposes of the calculation of the nominal value of ordinary shares which may be allotted under this authority. As at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice), Ninety One plc holds no treasury shares for voting right purposes.
If the resolution is passed, the authority to allot shares will expire at the end of the AGM to be held in 2024 or, if earlier, 30 September 2024.
The directors consider it may, in certain circumstances, be in the best interests of shareholders generally for Ninety One plc to purchase its own ordinary shares. Accordingly, the purpose and effect of this resolution is to grant a general authority, subject to specified limits, to Ninety One plc to purchase its own ordinary shares, up to a maximum of 31,131,231 ordinary shares, until the AGM in 2024 or, if earlier, 30 September 2024. This represents 5% of the ordinary shares in issue as at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice) and Ninety One plc's exercise of this authority is subject to the stated upper and lower limits on the price payable.
As of 2 June 2023 (the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice), there were options outstanding over 154,067 ordinary shares, representing 0.0247% of Ninety One plc's issued ordinary share capital at that date. If the authority to buy back shares under this resolution 17 was exercised in full, the total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares would represent 0.026% of Ninety One plc's issued ordinary share capital. The UK Companies Act permits Ninety One plc to purchase its own ordinary shares to be held in treasury, with a view to possible resale at a future date.
The board believes that the directors should retain the flexibility to utilise the authority granted under this resolution. Purchases under this authority would only be made where the directors considered them to be in the best interests of shareholders. Notwithstanding this general position, this authority may also be used to make repurchases of Ninety One plc shares contemplated under the 2021 plc LTIP (as approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM).
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP using market purchased shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One plc's shares trading on the LSE may constrain its ability to do so and the board may need to use treasury shares to satisfy the awards from time to time. Ninety One plc also has the ability to transfer treasury shares which have arisen from the repurchase of shares to participants under the 2021 plc LTIP and/or a trustee from time to time, in each case to enable Ninety One plc to comply with its obligations to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP from time to time.
If Ninety One plc were to purchase shares pursuant to the UK Companies Act, they will be cancelled or, to the extent determined by the directors of Ninety One plc, held in treasury. The authority will be exercised only if the directors of Ninety One plc believe that to do so would result in an increase of earnings per ordinary share and would be in the best interests of shareholders generally or, in the case of the creation of treasury shares, that to do so would be in the best interests of shareholders generally.
Under the UK Companies Act, the notice period required for all general meetings is 21 days. AGMs will always be held on at least 21 clear days' notice but shareholders can approve a shorter notice period for other general meetings, as long as this is not less than 14 days.
In order to maintain flexibility for Ninety One plc, resolution 18 seeks such approval. The shorter notice period would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings, but only where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole. The approval will be effective until the next AGM of Ninety One plc, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.
The directors are required by SA company law to present to the meeting the audited financial statements, together with the reports of the directors, the auditor, the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and the chair of the Sustainability, Social and Ethics Committee for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.
Enclosed or otherwise made available with this notice of AGM is a copy of the Integrated Annual Report containing the reports of the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, the chair of the Sustainability, Social and Ethics Committee, the reports of the directors and the auditor as well as the
audited consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 March 2023.
A final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2023 for Ninety One Limited of 160.0 cents per ordinary share is recommended by the board. Shareholder approval for the declaration of this final dividend is required. If approved, the dividend will become due and payable on 11 August 2023 to shareholders on the SA register as at close of business on 21 July 2023.
In terms of section 90(1) of the SA Companies Act, each year at its AGM, Ninety One Limited must appoint an auditor who complies with the requirements of section 90(2) of the SA Companies Act. Following a detailed review by the Audit and Risk Committee, which included an assessment of its independence and audit quality, resolution 21 proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee that PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. be re-appointed as the auditor of Ninety One Limited. Chantel van den Heever is the designated audit partner and has not been subject to disqualification.
Section 94(2) of the SA Companies Act and principle 8 of the King IV Code require shareholders of a public company to elect the members of an audit committee at each AGM and therefore, resolution 22 seeks to elect Audit and Risk Committee members for Ninety One Limited.
Accordingly, based on the recommendations of the Nominations Committee, resolution 22 sets out the names of non-executive directors who the Nominations Committee considers to be suitable candidates for election as Audit and Risk Committee members. The members of the Nominations Committee have satisfied themselves that, inter alia, the independent non-executive directors offering themselves for election as members of the Audit and Risk Committee:
Khumo Shuenyane was appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee on 1 April 2023 following the retirement of Idoya Basterrechea Aranda from the Audit and Risk Committee on 31 March 2023. Khumo has been a nonexecutive director of Ninety One since 1 August 2021. In considering the independence of Khumo Shuenyane the Nominations Committee noted that, pursuant to the reduction in Investec's shareholding in Ninety One, Khumo was no longer a shareholder representative of Investec. The Nominations Committee also considered the requirements of the applicable corporate governance codes, the JSE Listings Requirements and Section 94 of the South African Companies Act. After careful consideration, the Nominations Committee recommended to the board that Khumo be declared an independent non-executive director. Upon the Nominations Committee's recommendation the board duly declared Khumo to be an independent non-executive director in February 2023.
Resolutions 23 and 24 are proposed in accordance with the terms of the MoI, subject to the provisions of section 41 of the SA Companies Act, and the JSE Listings Requirements. For resolution 24 to be passed it must be supported by at least 75% of the voting rights exercised on the resolution in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements. Note that the authority to issue shares for cash in resolution 24 is part of the general authority in resolution 23 and not in addition to it.
The maximum number of shares which may be issued under the authorities proposed by resolutions 23 and 24 will be a number equal to 5% of the unissued ordinary shares in the authorised share capital of Ninety One Limited, and a number of Special Converting Shares being a number equal to 5% of the issued ordinary share capital in Ninety One plc, as at 2 June 2023. Should Ninety One Limited's unissued share capital as at the date of the AGM be higher than the unissued share capital as at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice) the board will permit Ninety One Limited's use of this authority to 5% of the unissued ordinary share capital of Ninety One Limited as at the date of the AGM.
Since June 2022, following changes to the JSE Listings Requirements, related parties have the ability to participate in the allotment and issue of ordinary shares for cash provided they meet certain provisions as prescribed in the JSE Listings Requirements and outlined in resolution 24.
The renewal of the authority to issue shares is sought annually, in accordance with best practice. The authority is requested to ensure that the directors have appropriate authority and flexibility to respond to market developments and enable issuances to take place to manage Ninety One Limited capital resources. The board would utilise the authority in exceptional circumstances where this would be in the best interests of shareholders.
At the 2021 AGM, shareholders specifically approved amendments to the 2021 Ninety One Limited Long Term Incentive Plan ("Limited LTIP"), authorising Ninety One Limited to issue shares in accordance with the Limited LTIP rules from time to time to participants and/or a trust and/or company administering the Limited LTIP for the purpose of settling and/or satisfying awards.
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the Limited LTIP using market purchased shares and/or treasury shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One Limited's shares trading on the JSE may constrain its ability to do so. Ninety One Limited also has the ability to issue shares to participants under the Limited LTIP and/or a trust and/or other company administering the Limited LTIP from time to time, to enable Ninety One Limited to comply with its obligations to settle and/or satisfy awards under the Limited LTIP from time to time. Such issuance shall always be subject to the aggregate number of new shares to be issued not resulting in Ninety One Limited exceeding the aggregate maximum number of Ninety One Limited ordinary shares that may be utilised for the purpose of the Limited LTIP.
If the board does issue shares under the Limited LTIP during the period until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024, such issuance would take place pursuant to the authority granted at the 2021 AGM, the maximum allotment authority under this resolution would be treated as having been proportionately reduced.
In part (ii) of resolution 23, the reason for the additional authorisation of the 154,067 Special Converting Shares being placed under the control of the directors is to take account of the same number of previously authorised options over Ninety One plc ordinary shares.
The reason for and effect of special resolution 1 is to grant a renewable general authority to Ninety One Limited or its subsidiaries, to acquire ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited which are in issue from time to time, subject to the SA Companies Act and the JSE Listings Requirements.
The board believes that the directors should retain the flexibility to utilise the authority granted under this resolution. Purchases under this authority would only be made where the directors considered them to be in the best interests of shareholders. Notwithstanding this general position, this authority may also be used to make repurchases of Ninety One Limited shares contemplated by the Limited LTIP (as approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM).
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the Limited LTIP using market purchased shares and/or treasury shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One Limited's shares trading on the JSE may constrain its ability to do so.
The directors of Ninety One Limited are of the opinion that, after considering the effect of such acquisition of ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited which are in issue from time to time, if implemented and on the assumption that the maximum of 10% of the current issued ordinary share capital will be acquired, using the mechanism of the general authority at the maximum price at which the acquisition may take place and having regard to the price of the ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited on the JSE at the last practical date prior to the date of the notice of AGM of Ninety One Limited convened for 26 July 2023:
Should Ninety One Limited's issued share capital as at the date of the AGM be lower than the issued share capital as at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice) the board will limit Ninety One Limited's use of this authority to 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of Ninety One Limited as at the date of the AGM.
The directors, whose names appear on pages 68 to 69 in the Ninety One Integrated Annual Report, collectively and individually accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information pertaining to special resolution 1 and certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no facts that have been omitted which would make any statement false or misleading and that all reasonable enquiries to ascertain such facts have been made and that the special resolution contains all information.
Other than the facts and developments reported on in the Integrated Annual Report, there have been no material changes in the affairs or financial position of Ninety One Limited and its subsidiaries since 1 April 2023 and up to the date of this notice of AGM of Ninety One Limited. The following additional information is provided in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements for purposes of the general authority:
As part of the normal conduct of the business of Ninety One Limited, where necessary and subject to applicable laws and regulation, Ninety One Limited may be required to give financial assistance to one or more related or inter-related companies or corporations, which financial assistance may include, but is not limited to, the granting of loans to such related or inter-related companies or corporations, as well as granting letters of support and guarantees in appropriate circumstances.
Ninety One Limited would like the ability to provide such financial assistance where necessary.
Furthermore, it may be necessary for Ninety One Limited to provide financial assistance to any of its present or future subsidiaries and/or to any other related or interrelated company or entity, and/or to a member of a related or interrelated company or entity, to subscribe for options or securities of Ninety One Limited or another company related or interrelated to it.
Under sections 44 and 45 of the SA Companies Act, Ninety One Limited will, however, require a special resolution to be adopted before such financial assistance may be provided. It is therefore imperative that Ninety One Limited obtains the approval of shareholders in terms of special resolution 2 so that it is able to effectively organise its internal financial administration.
Sections 44 and 45 also contain exemptions in respect of employee share schemes, as contemplated in the SA Companies Act, which satisfy the requirements of section 97 of the SA Companies Act. To the extent that any of Ninety One Limited's or Ninety One plc's share or other employee incentive schemes do not constitute employee share schemes that satisfy such requirements, financial assistance (as contemplated in sections 44 and 45) to be provided under such schemes will, inter alia, also require approval by special resolution. Accordingly, special resolution 2 authorises financial assistance to any of the directors or prescribed officers of Ninety One Limited or its related or interrelated companies or entities (or any person related to any of them or to any company or corporation related or interrelated to them), or to any other person who is a participant in any of Ninety One's share or other employee incentive schemes, for the purpose of, or in connection with, the subscription of any option, or any securities, issued or to be issued by Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, or for the purchase of any securities of Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, where such financial assistance is provided in terms of any such scheme.
The reason and effect of special resolution 3 is to enable Ninety One Limited to comply with the provisions of sections 65(11)(h), 66(8) and 66(9) of the SA Companies Act, which stipulate that remuneration to non-executive directors for their service as directors may be paid only in accordance with a special resolution approved by shareholders.
The board is not proposing any increase in the non-executive directors' remuneration.
For more information on the directors' remuneration, please refer to pages 99 to 111 in the Integrated Annual Report.
in each case so as to be received no later than 11:00 a.m. (BST) on Monday, 24 July 2023 or if the meeting is adjourned, not less than 48 (forty-eight) hours before the time fixed for the adjourned meeting.
are available for inspection at Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited's registered offices during business hours on any weekday (Saturdays, Sundays and any public holidays in England or South Africa excluded) and at the place of the Ninety One plc AGM for at least 15 (fifteen) minutes prior to and during the AGM. In addition, copies will be available electronically on request to [email protected].
As of 2 June 2023 (the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice) Ninety One plc's issued capital consists of: 622,624,622 Ninety One plc shares of £0.0001 each; 300,089,454 Ninety One plc Special Converting Shares of £0.0001 each; one UK DAS share of £0.0001; one UK DAN share of £0.0001; one Ninety One plc special voting share of £0.0001; and one Ninety One plc special rights share of £0.0001, all of which were fully paid or credited as fully paid. Ninety One plc holds no ordinary shares in treasury for voting right purposes and therefore the total number of voting rights in Ninety One plc is 622,624,622.
Ninety One plc may not require the shareholders requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with sections 527 or 528 of the UK Companies Act. Where Ninety One plc is required to place a statement on a website under section 527 of the UK Companies Act, it must forward the statement to its auditor not later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM includes any statement that Ninety One plc has been required to publish on a website under section 527 of the UK Companies Act.
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of Ninety One Limited will be held at 12:00 p.m. (SAST) on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 electronically, to:
Shareholders entitled to attend, participate in and vote at the AGM or proxies of such shareholders that wish to participate in and/or vote at the AGM by way of electronic participation, must either:
In terms of sections 59(1)(a) and (b) of the SA Companies Act, the board has set the record date for the purpose of determining which shareholders are entitled to:
Shareholders who have not dematerialised their shares or who have dematerialised their shares with 'own name' registration, and who are entitled to attend, participate in and vote at the AGM, are entitled to appoint one or more persons as their proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend and to speak and vote in their stead at the AGM, provided that, if more than one proxy is appointed concurrently by a shareholder, each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different shares held by the shareholder. A proxy need not be a shareholder.
Shareholders who have not dematerialised their shares or who have dematerialised their shares with 'own name' registration, and who are entitled to attend, participate in and vote at the AGM, and who do not deliver forms of proxy to the transfer secretaries in South Africa on or before 12:00 p.m. (SAST) on Monday, 24 July 2023 will nevertheless be entitled to lodge the form of proxy in respect of the AGM immediately prior to the exercising of the shareholders' rights at the AGM, in accordance with the instructions therein, by emailing it to [email protected].
Shareholders who have dematerialised their shares, other than those shareholders who have dematerialised their shares with 'own name' registration, should contact their CSDP or broker in the manner and within the time stipulated in the agreement entered into between them and their CSDP or broker:
For an ordinary resolution to be approved by shareholders, it must be supported by more than 50% of the voting rights exercised on the resolution.
For a special resolution to be approved by shareholders, it must be supported by at least 75% of the voting rights exercised on the resolution.
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolutions of Ninety One plc and Ninety One Limited set out below:
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolutions of Ninety One plc set out below:
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification the following ordinary resolutions and special resolutions of Ninety One plc set out below:
That the directors be generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to and in accordance with Section 551 of the UK Companies Act 2006 ("UK Companies Act") to exercise all the powers of Ninety One plc to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of:
Such authority to apply in substitution for all previous authorities pursuant to Section 551 of the UK Companies Act and to expire at the conclusion of the next AGM to be held in 2024 or, if earlier, 30 September 2024, but so that, in each case, Ninety One plc may make offers or enter into agreements during the relevant period which would, or might, require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or to convert any securities into shares to be granted after the authority expires.
That Ninety One plc is generally and unconditionally authorised for the purpose of Section 701 of the UK Companies Act to make market purchases (as defined in Section 693 of the UK Companies Act) of ordinary shares of £0.0001 each in the capital of Ninety One plc provided that:
That a general meeting of Ninety One plc, other than an AGM, may be called by the directors on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following ordinary resolutions of Ninety One Limited set out below:
That the shareholders re-elect/elect, each by way of a separate vote, the following independent nonexecutive directors, as members of the Audit and Risk Committee, with effect from the end of this AGM:
To consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification the following ordinary resolutions and special resolutions of Ninety One Limited set out below:
That:
i. a number equal to 5% of the unissued ordinary shares in the authorised share capital of Ninety One Limited as at 2 June 2023 (for which purposes any shares approved to be issued by Ninety One Limited in terms of any share plan or incentive scheme for the benefit of employees shall be excluded) be and are hereby placed under the control of the directors as a general authority and that the directors be and are hereby authorised to allot, issue and otherwise dispose of such shares to such person or persons upon such terms and conditions as the directors in their discretion deem fit; and
ii. a number equal to 5% of the total issued ordinary Special Converting Share capital of Ninety One plc as at 2 June 2023 plus 154,067 (being a number equal to the total number of options in issue in respect of Ninety One plc ordinary shares as at 2 June 2023), be and are hereby placed under the control of the directors as a general authority. The Special Converting Shares are required by the dual listed companies' structure and agreements,
subject to the South African Companies Act, No 71 of 2008, as amended ("SA Companies Act"), the Memorandum of Incorporation of Ninety One Limited (the "MoI") and the Listings Requirements of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (the "JSE Listings Requirements"), if and to the extent applicable, such authority to endure until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024 or the date of expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this special resolution, whichever is the shorter period.
That subject to passing resolution 23 in accordance with the SA Companies Act, the JSE Listings Requirements and the MoI, the directors of Ninety One Limited are authorised by way of a general authority to allot and issue for cash all or any of the ordinary shares in the authorised but unissued share capital of Ninety One Limited, which they shall have been authorised to allot and issue in terms of ordinary resolution 23 above, as and when suitable situations arise, subject to the specific limitations as required by the JSE Listings Requirements, such authority to endure until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024 or the date of expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this special resolution, whichever is the shorter period. Such authority will be subject to the following:
In terms of the JSE Listings Requirements, an ordinary resolution supported by a 75% majority of the votes exercised by all equity security holders present or represented by proxy at the AGM, is required to approve this resolution.
That as authorised in terms of the MoI, as a general authority provided for in the JSE Listings Requirements, which authority shall be valid until Ninety One Limited's next AGM to be held in 2024, or the date of expiry of 15 months from the date of the passing of this special resolution, whichever is the shorter period, that the acquisition by Ninety One Limited or any of its subsidiaries from time to time of the issued ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited, upon such terms and conditions and in such amounts as the directors of Ninety One Limited or its subsidiaries may from time to time decide, be approved, but subject to the provisions of the SA Companies Act and the JSE Listings Requirements, it being recorded that as at 2 June 2023, the JSE Listings Requirements provide, inter alia, that:
i. any such acquisition of ordinary shares shall be effected through the order book operated by the JSE trading system and done without any prior understanding or arrangement;
That to the extent required by the SA Companies Act and subject to compliance with the requirements of the SA Companies Act, the JSE Listings Requirements and the MoI (each as presently constituted and as amended from time to time), the directors of Ninety One Limited may authorise Ninety One Limited to provide direct or indirect financial assistance, including by way of lending money, guaranteeing a loan or other obligation, and securing any debt or obligation, or otherwise to:
i. any related or inter-related company or corporation (or to any future related or inter-related company or corporation), for any purpose or in connection with any matter, including, but not limited to, any option, or any securities issued or to be issued by Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, or for the purchase of any securities of Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity; and/or
That in terms of section 66(9) of the SA Companies Act, payment of the remuneration to the non-executive directors of Ninety One Limited for their service as directors be approved as follows:
By order of the board
36 Hans Strijdom Avenue Foreshore, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
13 June 2023
In accordance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code all directors will retire and be subject to election or annual re-election at the AGM.
Prior to recommending to the board that the Chairman and directors be re-elected, the Nominations and Directors Affairs Committee (the "Nominations Committee") conducted an evaluation to consider their independence, time commitment and contribution. In considering the independence of Khumo Shuenyane the Nominations Committee noted that, pursuant to the reduction in Investec's shareholding in Ninety One, Khumo was no longer a shareholder representative of Investec. The Nominations Committee also considered the requirements of the applicable corporate governance codes, the JSE Listings Requirements and Section 94 of the South African Companies Act. After careful consideration, the Nominations Committee recommended to the board that Khumo be declared an independent non-executive director. Upon the Nominations Committee's recommendation the board duly declared Khumo to be an independent non-executive director in February 2023.
Following its evaluation of the directors, the Nominations Committee was satisfied that all directors continue to fulfil their duties and accordingly the re-election of each of the directors is recommended.
Biographical details of each of the directors to be reelected follow the notices of the AGMs and can be found on pages 27 to 28 below.
Further information on the work of the Nominations Committee can be found in the Integrated Annual Report.
Principle 14 of the South African King IV Code on Corporate Governance ("King IV Code") and the JSE Listings Requirements require a listed company to table its directors' remuneration policy and directors' remuneration report for separate non-binding advisory votes at the AGM every year.
However, the UK Companies Act requires a listed company to present its directors' remuneration policy at its AGM at least every three years, such vote being binding. The directors' remuneration report is also required to be tabled for a separate non-binding advisory vote at the AGM every year.
Shareholders are asked to approve the DLC annual report on remuneration that is included on pages 99 to 111 of the Integrated Annual Report. Although the vote on resolution 9 is non-binding, the board will consider the outcome of the vote when reviewing the implementation of the DLC directors' remuneration policy ("Remuneration Policy") in the future.
Shareholders are also asked to approve the Remuneration Policy which is set out on pages 91 to 98 of the Integrated Annual Report. The vote on resolution 10 is a binding vote.
The Remuneration Policy remains largely unchanged compared to that approved by shareholders at the AGM held on 26 July 2022 under a non-binding vote. The last binding vote on the Remuneration Policy was at the AGM held on 3 September 2020. If approved by shareholders, the Remuneration Policy will take effect immediately after the end of the AGM and will apply until replaced by a new or amended policy.
The board will seek to engage with shareholders, in a manner prescribed in the Remuneration Policy, in the event that resolutions 9 or 10 have been voted against by 25% or more of the votes exercised by shareholders.
This resolution seeks an advisory vote on Ninety One's climate strategy, which is set out in the Sustainability and Stewardship Report 2023.
Ninety One is a supporter and advocate of regular reporting on climate-related financial risks and their impact on listed companies.
The directors are required by company law to present the audited financial statements, together with the reports of the Audit and Risk Committee, the directors and the auditor, for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 to shareholders at the AGM.
Enclosed or otherwise made available with this notice of AGM is a copy of the Integrated Annual Report containing the reports of the Audit and Risk Committee, the directors and the auditor as well as the audited consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 March 2023.
A final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2023 for Ninety One plc of 6.7 pence per ordinary share is recommended by the board. Shareholder approval for the declaration of this final dividend is required. If approved, the dividend will become due and payable on 11 August 2023 to shareholders on the respective UK and SA registers as at close of business on 21 July 2023.
The auditor of a company must be appointed or reappointed at each general meeting at which the accounts are presented. Following a detailed review by the Audit and Risk Committee, which included an assessment of their independence and audit quality, resolution 14 proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Ninety One plc's auditor, until the conclusion of the next general meeting of Ninety One plc at which accounts are presented. Allan McGrath is the designated audit partner and has not been subject to disqualification.
Resolution 15 authorises the Audit and Risk Committee to set the auditors' remuneration.
The Articles of Association of Ninety One plc permit the directors of Ninety One plc to allot shares and other securities in accordance with section 551 of the UK Companies Act, up to an amount authorised by the shareholders in a general meeting. The purpose of resolution 16 is to grant power to the directors to allot ordinary shares and Special Converting Shares.
The authority in paragraph (i) will allow the directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert other securities into, shares up to a maximum nominal amount of £3,113.12, which is equivalent to 5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of Ninety One plc as at 2 June 2023.
Renewal of the authority is sought annually, in accordance with best practice. The authority is requested to ensure that the directors have appropriate authority and flexibility to respond to market developments and enable allotments to take place to manage Ninety One plc's capital resources. The board would utilise the authority in exceptional circumstances where this would be in the best interests of shareholders. Notwithstanding this general position, the board may utilise this authority specifically for allotments contemplated under the 2021 Ninety One plc Long Term Incentive Plan ("2021 plc LTIP") (as approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM).
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP using market purchased shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One plc's shares trading on the LSE may constrain its ability to do so and the board may need to use newly issued shares to satisfy the awards from time to time. Ninety One plc also has the ability to issue shares to participants under the 2021 plc LTIP and/or a trustee from time to time, in each case to enable Ninety One plc to comply with its obligations to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP from time to time. Such issuance shall always be subject to the overall dilution limits and any applicable individual limits.
If the board does allot shares under the 2021 plc LTIP during the period until the next AGM of Ninety One plc to be held in 2024, notwithstanding that such issuance would take place pursuant to the statutory authority of the directors under section 549(2) of the UK Companies Act to allot shares in pursuance of an employees' share scheme, the maximum allotment authority under this resolution would be treated as having been proportionately reduced.
The Investment Association's share capital management guidelines allow for allotments of up to two-thirds of the company's issued share capital, provided that any amount over one-third is applied to fully pre-emptive rights issues only. Notwithstanding this, the board has decided, in recognition of the views of many of our shareholders, to seek authority to allot ordinary shares representing no more than 5% in nominal value of Ninety One plc's current issued ordinary share capital, and will not be seeking to disapply statutory pre-emption rights of Ninety One plc.
The authority in paragraph (ii) authorises the directors to allot Special Converting Shares to reflect the number of ordinary shares issued by Ninety One Limited at any time and from time-to-time up to a nominal value of £1,500.45, per the requirements of the dual listed companies' structure and agreements. Shares held in treasury are not included for the purposes of the calculation of the nominal value of ordinary shares which may be allotted under this authority. As at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice), Ninety One plc holds no treasury shares for voting right purposes.
If the resolution is passed, the authority to allot shares will expire at the end of the AGM to be held in 2024 or, if earlier, 30 September 2024.
The directors consider it may, in certain circumstances, be in the best interests of shareholders generally for Ninety One plc to purchase its own ordinary shares. Accordingly, the purpose and effect of this resolution is to grant a general authority, subject to specified limits, to Ninety One plc to purchase its own ordinary shares, up to a maximum of 31,131,231 ordinary shares, until the AGM in 2024 or, if earlier, 30 September 2024. This represents 5% of the ordinary shares in issue as at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice) and Ninety One plc's exercise of this authority is subject to the stated upper and lower limits on the price payable.
As of 2 June 2023 (the latest practicable date prior to publication of this notice), there were options outstanding over 154,067 ordinary shares, representing 0.0247% of Ninety One plc's issued ordinary share capital at that date. If the authority to buy back shares under this resolution 17 was exercised in full, the total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares would represent 0.026% of Ninety One plc's issued ordinary share capital. The UK Companies Act permits Ninety One plc to purchase its own ordinary shares to be held in treasury, with a view to possible resale at a future date.
The board believes that the directors should retain the flexibility to utilise the authority granted under this resolution. Purchases under this authority would only be made where the directors considered them to be in the best interests of shareholders. Notwithstanding this general position, this authority may also be used to make repurchases of Ninety One plc shares contemplated under the 2021 plc LTIP (as approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM).
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP using market purchased shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One plc's shares trading on the LSE may constrain its ability to do so and the board may need to use treasury shares to satisfy the awards from time to time. Ninety One plc also has the ability to transfer treasury shares which have arisen from the repurchase of shares to participants under the 2021 plc LTIP and/or a trustee from time to time, in each case to enable Ninety One plc to comply with its obligations to settle and/or satisfy awards under the 2021 plc LTIP from time to time.
If Ninety One plc were to purchase shares pursuant to the UK Companies Act, they will be cancelled or, to the extent determined by the directors of Ninety One plc, held in treasury. The authority will be exercised only if the directors of Ninety One plc believe that to do so would result in an increase of earnings per ordinary share and would be in the best interests of shareholders generally or, in the case of the creation of treasury shares, that to do so would be in the best interests of shareholders generally.
Under the UK Companies Act, the notice period required for all general meetings is 21 days. AGMs will always be held on at least 21 clear days' notice but shareholders can approve a shorter notice period for other general meetings, as long as this is not less than 14 days.
In order to maintain flexibility for Ninety One plc, resolution 18 seeks such approval. The shorter notice period would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings, but only where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole. The approval will be effective until the next AGM of Ninety One plc, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.
The directors are required by SA company law to present to the meeting the audited financial statements, together with the reports of the directors, the auditor, the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and the chair of the Sustainability, Social and Ethics Committee for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.
Enclosed or otherwise made available with this notice of AGM is a copy of the Integrated Annual Report containing the reports of the chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, the chair of the Sustainability, Social and Ethics Committee, the reports of the directors and the auditor as well as the audited consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 March 2023.
A final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2023 for Ninety One Limited of 160.0 cents per ordinary share is recommended by the board. Shareholder approval for the declaration of this final dividend is required. If approved, the dividend will become due and payable on 11 August 2023 to shareholders on the SA register as at close of business on 21 July 2023.
In terms of section 90(1) of the SA Companies Act, each year at its AGM, Ninety One Limited must appoint an auditor who complies with the requirements of section 90(2) of the SA Companies Act. Following a detailed review by the Audit and Risk Committee, which included an assessment of its independence and audit quality, resolution 21 proposes, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee that PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. be re-appointed as the auditor of Ninety One Limited. Chantel van den Heever is the designated audit partner and has not been subject to disqualification.
Section 94(2) of the SA Companies Act and principle 8 of the King IV Code require shareholders of a public company to elect the members of an audit committee at each AGM and therefore, resolution 22 seeks to elect Audit and Risk Committee members for Ninety One Limited.
Accordingly, based on the recommendations of the Nominations Committee, resolution 22 sets out the names of non-executive directors who the Nominations Committee considers to be suitable candidates for election as Audit and Risk Committee members. The members of the Nominations Committee have satisfied themselves that, inter alia, the independent non-executive directors offering themselves for election as members of the Audit and Risk Committee:
Khumo Shuenyane was appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee on 1 April 2023 following the retirement of Idoya Basterrechea Aranda from the Audit and Risk Committee on 31 March 2023. Khumo has been a nonexecutive director of Ninety One since 1 August 2021. In considering the independence of Khumo Shuenyane the Nominations Committee noted that, pursuant to the reduction in Investec's shareholding in Ninety One, Khumo was no longer a shareholder representative of Investec. The Nominations Committee also considered the requirements of the applicable corporate governance codes, the JSE Listings Requirements and Section 94 of the South African Companies Act. After careful consideration, the Nominations Committee recommended to the board that Khumo be declared an independent non-executive director. Upon the Nominations Committee's recommendation the board duly declared Khumo to be an independent non-executive director in February 2023.
Resolutions 23 and 24 are proposed in accordance with the terms of the MoI, subject to the provisions of section 41 of the SA Companies Act, and the JSE Listings Requirements.
For resolution 24 to be passed it must be supported by at least 75% of the voting rights exercised on the resolution in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements. Note that the authority to issue shares for cash in resolution 24 is part of the general authority in resolution 23 and not in addition to it.
The maximum number of shares which may be issued under the authorities proposed by resolutions 23 and 24 will be a number equal to 5% of the unissued ordinary shares in the authorised share capital of Ninety One Limited, and a number of Special Converting Shares, being a number equal to 5% of the issued ordinary share capital in Ninety One plc, as at 2 June 2023. Should Ninety One Limited's unissued share capital as at the date of the AGM be higher than the unissued share capital as at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice) the board will limit Ninety One Limited's use of this authority to 5% of the unissued ordinary share capital of Ninety One Limited as at the date of the AGM.
Since June 2022, following changes to the JSE Listings Requirements, related parties have the ability to participate in the allotment and issue of ordinary shares for cash provided they meet certain provisions as prescribed in the JSE Listings Requirements and outlined in resolution 24.
The renewal of the authority to issue shares is sought annually, in accordance with best practice. The authority is requested to ensure that the directors have appropriate authority and flexibility to respond to market developments and enable issuances to take place to manage Ninety One Limited capital resources. The board would utilise the authority in exceptional circumstances where this would be in the best interests of shareholders.
At the 2021 AGM, shareholders specifically approved amendments to the 2021 Ninety One Limited Long Term Incentive Plan ("Limited LTIP"), authorising Ninety One Limited to issue shares in accordance with the Limited LTIP rules from time to time to participants and/or a trust and/or company administering the Limited LTIP for the purpose of settling and/or satisfying awards.
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the Limited LTIP using market purchased shares and/or treasury shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One Limited's shares trading on the JSE may constrain its ability to do so. Ninety One Limited also has the ability to issue shares to participants under the Limited LTIP and/or a trust and/or other company administering the Limited LTIP from time to time, to enable Ninety One Limited to comply with its obligations to settle and/or satisfy awards under the Limited LTIP from time to time. Such issuance shall always be subject to the aggregate number of new shares to be issued not resulting in Ninety One Limited exceeding the aggregate maximum number of Ninety One Limited ordinary shares that may be utilised for the purpose of the Limited LTIP.
If the board does issue shares under the Limited LTIP during the period until the next AGM of Ninety One Limited to be held in 2024, such issuance would take place pursuant to
the authority granted at the 2021 AGM, the maximum allotment authority under this resolution would be treated as having been proportionately reduced.
In part (ii) of resolution 23, the reason for the additional authorisation of the 154,067 Special Converting Shares being placed under the control of the directors is to take account of the same number of previously authorised options over Ninety One plc ordinary shares.
The reason for and effect of special resolution 1 is to grant a renewable general authority to Ninety One Limited or its subsidiaries, to acquire ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited which are in issue from time to time, subject to the SA Companies Act and the JSE Listings Requirements.
The board believes that the directors should retain the flexibility to utilise the authority granted under this resolution. Purchases under this authority would only be made where the directors considered them to be in the best interests of shareholders. Notwithstanding this general position, this authority may also be used to make repurchases of Ninety One Limited shares contemplated by the Limited LTIP (as approved by shareholders at the 2021 AGM).
While the board generally intends to settle and/or satisfy awards under the Limited LTIP using market purchased shares and/or treasury shares from time to time, the limited liquidity in Ninety One Limited's shares trading on the JSE may constrain its ability to do so.
The directors of Ninety One Limited are of the opinion that, after considering the effect of such acquisition of ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited which are in issue from time to time, if implemented and on the assumption that the maximum of 10% of the current issued ordinary share capital will be acquired, using the mechanism of the general authority at the maximum price at which the acquisition may take place and having regard to the price of the ordinary shares of Ninety One Limited on the JSE at the last practical date prior to the date of the notice of AGM of Ninety One Limited convened for 26 July 2023:
ɽ the working capital of the Ninety One Limited and its subsidiaries will be adequate for ordinary business purposes for a period of 12 months after the date of the notice of AGM of Ninety One Limited convened for 26 July 2023.
Should Ninety One Limited's issued share capital as at the date of the AGM be lower than the issued share capital as at 2 June 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this notice) the board will limit Ninety One Limited's use of this authority to 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of Ninety One Limited as at the date of the AGM.
The directors, whose names appear on pages 68 to 69 in the Ninety One Integrated Annual Report, collectively and individually accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information pertaining to special resolution 1 and certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no facts that have been omitted which would make any statement false or misleading and that all reasonable enquiries to ascertain such facts have been made and that the special resolution contains all information.
Other than the facts and developments reported on in the Integrated Annual Report, there have been no material changes in the affairs or financial position of Ninety One Limited and its subsidiaries since 1 April 2023 and up to the date of this notice of AGM of Ninety One Limited. The following additional information is provided in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements for purposes of the general authority:
As part of the normal conduct of the business of Ninety One Limited, where necessary and subject to applicable laws and regulation, Ninety One Limited may be required to give financial assistance to one or more related or inter-related companies or corporations, which financial assistance may include, but is not limited to, the granting of loans to such related or inter-related companies or corporations, as well as granting letters of support and guarantees in appropriate circumstances.
Ninety One Limited would like the ability to provide such financial assistance where necessary.
Furthermore, it may be necessary for Ninety One Limited to provide financial assistance to any of its present or future subsidiaries and/or to any other related or interrelated company or entity, and/or to a member of a related or interrelated company or entity, to subscribe for options or securities of Ninety One Limited or another company related or interrelated to it.
Under sections 44 and 45 of the SA Companies Act, Ninety One Limited will, however, require a special resolution to be adopted before such financial assistance may be provided. It is therefore imperative that Ninety One Limited obtains the approval of shareholders in terms of special resolution 2 so that it is able to effectively organise its internal financial administration.
Sections 44 and 45 also contain exemptions in respect of employee share schemes, as contemplated in the SA Companies Act, which satisfy the requirements of section 97 of the SA Companies Act. To the extent that any of Ninety One Limited's or Ninety One plc's share or other employee incentive schemes do not constitute employee share schemes that satisfy such requirements, financial assistance (as contemplated in sections 44 and 45) to be provided under such schemes will, inter alia, also require approval by special resolution. Accordingly, special resolution 2 authorises financial assistance to any of the directors or prescribed officers of Ninety One Limited or its related or interrelated companies or entities (or any person related to any of them or to any company or corporation related or interrelated to them), or to any other person who is a participant in any of Ninety One's share or other employee incentive schemes, for the purpose of, or in connection with, the subscription of any option, or any securities, issued or to be issued by Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, or for the purchase of any securities of Ninety One Limited or a related or interrelated company or entity, where such financial assistance is provided in terms of any such scheme.
The reason and effect of special resolution 3 is to enable Ninety One Limited to comply with the provisions of sections 65(11)(h), 66(8) and 66(9) of the SA Companies Act, which stipulate that remuneration to non-executive directors for their service as directors may be paid only in accordance with a special resolution approved by shareholders.
The board is not proposing any increase in the non-executive directors' remuneration.
For more information on the directors' remuneration, please refer to pages 99 to 111 in the Integrated Annual Report.
Gareth is an Independent Non-Executive Director and the Chairman.
Gareth has considerable experience in chairing both public and private boards. For 22 years, Gareth was at De Beers and Anglo American plc, the last five of which he was group Chief Executive Officer of the De Beers Group. He was previously Chairman of Norilsk Nickel and of the Edcon Group. Gareth also served as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of the Julius Baer Group and on the Senior Advisory Board of TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P.
Gareth is the Chairman of EnQuest plc.
Hendrik is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
Hendrik entered the asset management industry in 1988. He joined Investec Group in 1991 to establish Investec Asset Management, which rebranded to Ninety One in 2020. He also served as Joint Chief Executive Officer of Investec Group from 1 October 2018 until the demerger and the listing of Ninety One on 16 March 2020.
Hendrik is a Non-Executive Director of Naspers Limited and its European subsidiary, Prosus.
Kim is the Finance Director.
Kim joined Investec Asset Management in 1993 as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. She served as an Executive Director of Investec Group and Investec Limited from October 2018 until the demerger and listing of Ninety One in March 2020. Prior to joining Investec, Kim qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and was the Finance and Operations Manager at two South African life insurance companies.
None.
Colin is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Human Capital and Remuneration Committee.
Colin has spent his career in financial services, principally at Close Brothers Group plc, where he worked for 24 years and was Chief Executive Officer from 2002 until 2009. Previously, he was a Non-Executive Director of M&G Group Limited and Virgin Money Holdings (UK) plc.
Colin is Senior Independent Director and chairs the Remuneration Committee of Hiscox Limited. He is also Chairman of Hiscox Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Hiscox.
Idoya is an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Idoya was a founding member, Chief Investment Officer and Deputy General Director of Norbolsa SVB (the investment arm of the Basque Savings Banks) from 1989 to 2013, and Senior Partner at Fidentiis SGIIC S.A. from 2014 to 2020. Idoya has been a member of the Bizkaia Bar Association since 1984.
Idoya is a Senior Advisor at Bestinver SA and serves as a Non-Executive Director of Bilbao Stock Exchange.
Busi is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Sustainability, Social and Ethics Committee.
Busi has held several non-executive directorships, including appointments as Chair of the board of Airports Company South Africa Limited and the Central Energy Fund Proprietary Limited. She was also previously a Partner at Ethos Private Equity Proprietary Limited.
Busi is Chair of the Board of Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa. She is also lead Independent Director of Tsogo Sun Gaming Limited.
Victoria is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Victoria previously served as a Non-Executive Director at Gloucester Insurance Limited and Perpetual Income & Growth Investment Trust plc and was a Senior Advisor to Bowater Industries Limited. Victoria is a qualified solicitor and spent 10 years in private practice before joining Ernst & Young as their first UK General Counsel in 1991. She was a Partner for 20 years and for the last five, she was a global executive board member and global managing partner for risk.
Victoria currently serves as Senior Independent Director at Integrafin Holdings plc, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Euroclear Bank SA/NV, Senior Independent Director at the HM Courts & Tribunals Service and Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at the CBI.
Khumo was declared an Independent Non-Executive Director by the Board in February 2023.
Khumo has served on the boards of several listed and unlisted companies. Khumo is a qualified chartered accountant and worked for Arthur Anderson for a number of years before joining Investec Bank Limited, where he became Chairman in 2018. Prior to joining Delta Partners in 2014 where Khumo worked for six years in various capacities, he served as Group Chief Mergers and Acquisitions Officer for MTN Group Limited and a member of its Group Executive Committee.
Khumo serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Investec Limited, Investec plc, Investec Property Fund Limited and Vodacom Group Limited.
This can be done by accessing the AGM website, http://web.lumiagm.com.
Lumi AGM can also be accessed online using most well-known internet browsers such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari on a PC, laptop or internet-enabled device such as a tablet or smartphone. If you wish to access the AGM using this method, please go to https://web.lumiagm.com on the day.
On accessing the website, you will be asked to enter a Meeting ID which is 165-671-853 for Ninety One plc shareholders or 178-028-531 for Ninety One Limited shareholders. For Ninety One plc shareholders, you will then be prompted to enter your unique Shareholder Reference Number (SRN) and PIN. These can be found printed on your form of proxy or email if you are registered for email communications. For Ninety One Limited shareholders you will then be prompted to enter your unique user name and password. These will be issued to you when pre-registering to participate in the meeting.
Access to the meeting via the website will be available from 09:00 a.m. (BST) and 10:00 a.m. (SAST) on 26 July 2023. Please note, however, that your ability to vote will not be enabled until the chair formally opens the meeting at 11:00 a.m. (BST) / 12:00 p.m. (SAST).
If you are a Ninety One plc shareholder and unable to access your SRN and PIN, please contact the company's registrar before 11:00 a.m. (BST) on 24 July 2023 on +44 (0)370 703 6027. Lines are open from 08:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m. (BST) Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales).
If you are a Ninety One Limited shareholder and unable to access your unique username and password, please contact the company's transfer secretaries before 12:00 p.m. (SAST) on 24 July 2023 at [email protected].
Once the Chair has formally opened the meeting, they will explain the voting procedure. Voting will be enabled on all resolutions at the start of the formal meeting on the Chair's instruction. This means shareholders may, at any time while the poll is open, vote electronically on any or all of the resolutions in the Notice of Meeting, resolutions will not be put forward separately.
Once the resolutions have been proposed, the list of resolutions will appear along with the voting options available. Select the option that corresponds with how you wish to vote, "FOR", "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN". Once you have selected your choice, the option will change colour
and a confirmation message will appear to indicate your vote has been cast and received. There is no submit button. If you make a mistake or wish to change your vote, simply select the correct choice, if you wish to "cancel" your vote, select the "cancel" button. You will be able to do this at any time whilst the poll remains open and before the Chair announces its closure at the end of the meeting.
Questions for the Board can be submitted in advance of the AGMs or asked at the AGMs either in person, by telephone or in written form. To enable the Board to address as many shareholder questions as possible, we would request that where possible, questions are submitted in advance of the AGMs. Pre-submitted questions can be emailed to CoSecGlobal@ninetyone. com. Questions that are received by 17:00 p.m. (BST) and 18:00 p.m. (SAST) on Monday, 24 July 2023 will be addressed at the AGMs. If multiple questions on the same topic are received in advance of the AGMs, the Chair may choose to provide a single answer to address shareholder queries on the same topic.
Shareholders attending electronically may ask questions via the website by typing and submitting their question in writing or by phoning in using the number displayed on the website.
To ask a written question, select the messaging icon from within the navigation bar and type your question at the top of the screen, once finished, press the "send" icon to the right of the message box the submit your question.
If you would like to ask your question verbally, press the "Request to Speak" button at the bottom of the broadcast window. If you are watching the broadcast in full screen mode, this button is found at the top of the window. Then follow the on-screen instructions to join the queue.
If you would prefer to dial a telephone number to ask your verbal question, the dial in details will be available within the Home tab of the platform.
When called to speak by the Chair, your microphone will be unmuted and you will be free to ask your question.
To obtain your SRN and PIN that your proxy or corporate representative will need to join the meeting, please contact Ninety One plc's registrar before 11:00 a.m. (BST) on 24 July 2023 on +44 (0)370 703 6027. Lines are open from 08:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m. (BST) Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales).
Ninety One plc Paula Watts 55 Gresham Street London, EC2V 7EL United Kingdom
Ninety One Africa Proprietary Limited 36 Hans Strijdom Avenue Cape Town, 8001 South Africa
www.ninetyone.com
Telephone: UK +44 (0) 20 3938 2000 South Africa +27 (0) 21 901 1000
Ninety One plc Registration number 12245293
Ninety One Limited Registration number 2019/526481/06
Ninety One plc PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Ninety One Limited PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions Bridgwater Road Bristol BS99 6ZZ United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 370 703 6027
Rosebank Towers 15 Biermann Avenue Rosebank 2196 South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 370 5000
JSE Sponsor J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd 31
32


Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.