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Pearson PLC Foreign Filer Report 2021

Apr 30, 2021

5260_ffr_2021-04-30_13abf7fe-92ea-481d-a733-e3f842283055.zip

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6-K 1 a2845x.htm PEARSON PLC RESULTS OF AGM 2021 Document created using Blueprint(R) - powered by Issuer Direct - www.issuerdirect.com Copyright 2021 Issuer Direct Corporation a2845x

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of April 2021

PEARSON plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

80 Strand

London, England WC2R 0RL

44-20-7010-2000

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports

under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F X Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information

contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the

Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Yes No X

30 April 2021

Pearson plc

("Pearson" or the "Company")

Results of Annual General Meeting 2021

Pearson plc held its annual general meeting ("AGM") at 12 noon today. Resolutions 1 to 18, and 20, as set out in the Company's Notice of AGM dated 24 March 2021, were proposed and approved on a poll. Resolution 19, which sought approval to hold general meetings on 14 clear days' notice, was not passed.

The table below shows the results of the poll for each resolution. As at 6.30pm on 28 April 2021, the Company's issued share capital was 753,734,370 ordinary shares of 25p each. The Company does not hold any ordinary shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company were 753,734,370. The proportion of the Company's issued share capital represented by those votes cast is approximately 82.6%.

Resolution For and Discretionary % votes cast For and Discretionary Against % votes cast Against Total votes cast (excluding votes withheld) % of issued capital voted Withheld/ Abstentions*
1. To receive the 2020 report and accounts 622,032,902 99.99 47,267 0.01 622,080,169 82.53% 518,169
2. To declare a final dividend 622,414,932 99.97 162,029 0.03 622,576,961 82.60% 21,377
3. To elect Andy Bird 622,365,032 99.98 146,737 0.02 622,511,769 82.59% 79,705
4. To re-elect Elizabeth Corley 521,566,499 83.78 100,975,619 16.22 622,542,118 82.59% 49,356
5. To re-elect Sherry Coutu 583,616,600 93.75 38,891,824 6.25 622,508,424 82.59% 83,050
6. To re-elect Sally Johnson 622,066,654 99.92 475,188 0.08 622,541,842 82.59% 49,632
7. To re-elect Linda Lorimer 622,359,361 99.97 157,456 0.03 622,516,817 82.59% 74,657
8. To re-elect Graeme Pitkethly 622,353,764 99.97 158,085 0.03 622,511,849 82.59% 79,625
9. To re-elect Tim Score 583,410,391 93.73 39,052,073 6.27 622,462,464 82.58% 129,010
10. To re-elect Sidney Taurel 554,638,906 89.36 66,024,487 10.64 620,663,393 82.35% 1,928,081
11. To re-elect Lincoln Wallen 622,348,971 99.97 189,126 0.03 622,538,097 82.59% 53,377
12. To approve the annual remuneration report 390,536,623 62.75 231,880,414 37.25 622,417,037 82.58% 181,301
13. To re-appoint the auditors 601,070,597 96.55 21,473,855 3.45 622,544,452 82.59% 53,886
14. To determine the remuneration of the auditors 619,894,574 99.58 2,645,756 0.42 622,540,330 82.59% 52,950
15. To authorise the company to allot ordinary shares 542,431,953 87.13 80,129,183 12.87 622,561,136 82.60% 37,202
16. To waive the pre-emption rights 560,976,071 90.12 61,507,273 9.88 622,483,344 82.59% 114,994
17. To waive the pre-emption rights - additional
percentage 542,937,885 87.22 79,553,166 12.78 622,491,051 82.59% 107,287
18. To authorise the company to purchase its own shares 614,537,945 98.71 8,026,931 1.29 622,564,876 82.60% 33,462
19. To approve the holding of general meetings on 14 clear days'
notice 341,087,427 54.79 281,476,924 45.21 622,564,351 82.60% 33,987
20. To approve the adoption of New Articles 622,366,464 99.98 138,923 0.02 622,505,387 82.59% 92,951
  • Votes withheld are not legal votes.

In accordance with the Listing Rules, copies of the New Articles of Association and the resolutions that do not constitute ordinary business at an annual general meeting will shortly be available for inspection at the National Storage Mechanism which is located at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

The Board appreciates the support shown by the majority of shareholders for most of the resolutions at today's AGM. We note the opposition to the motion to authorise holding general meetings on 14 clear days' notice, as well as the significant minority vote against Pearson's remuneration report.

Pearson has engaged extensively with shareholders in recent months and there is strong ongoing support for Andy Bird's appointment as Chief Executive and confidence in his new strategy to return Pearson to growth.

We will continue to engage actively with shareholders to understand their views and, where applicable, their reasons for voting down resolution 19 and for the significant minority vote against resolution 12 and will carefully consider all feedback. We will publish an update on that engagement and on any action taken as a result of this within six months of the AGM, in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

ENDS

Contacts

Investor Relations Jo Russell Anjali Kotak Teddy Symington +44 (0) 7785 451 266 +44 (0) 7802 890 724 +44 (0) 7443 354 088
Media Tom Steiner Gemma Terry +44 (0) 7787 415 891 +44 (0) 7841 363 216
Teneo Charles Armitstead +44 (0) 7703 330 269

About Pearson

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose - to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world's leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com and @Pearsonplc.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: 30
April 2021
By: /s/
NATALIE WHITE
------------------------------------
Natalie
White
Deputy
Company Secretary

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