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SUNCORP GROUP LIMITED — AGM Information 2014
Sep 18, 2014
65879_rns_2014-09-18_219ffe19-ea55-488e-a8e4-17a0c15398d5.pdf
AGM Information
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Suncorp Group Limited
Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting
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WICKHAM TCE
AGM
LOCATION
SOFITEL
ROMA ST
ANN ST
ADELAIDE ST
QUEEN ST
ST ANDREW’S
UNITING
CHURCH
CENTRAL
STATION
ANZAC
SQUARE
KINGGEORGE
SQUARE
TURBOT ST
CREEK ST
ALBERT ST
EDWARD ST
PARKWICKHAM
PARK
KING EDWARD
HOSPITALPRIVATE BRISBANE
WHARF ST QUEEN ST
EAGLE ST
BRISBANE RIVER
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Suncorp Group Limited 2014 Annual General Meeting ( AGM ) to be held in the Ballroom Le Grand of the Sofitel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane, on Thursday 23 October 2014 at 2.30pm (Brisbane time). Shareholder registration will begin at 1.30pm.
GETTING THERE:
BUS. A number of bus routes pass King George Square, Queen Street Mall or Central Train Station. Sofitel is a short walk from these locations.
PARKING. There is a hotel car park available to attendees for a fee (access from Turbot Street). An alternative option is Wickham Terrace car park opposite Sofitel on Turbot Street.
TRAIN. The nearest station, Central Station, is located beneath the hotel.
REGISTERED OFFICE
Suncorp Group Limited Level 28, 266 George Street Brisbane, Qld, 4000 07 3362 1222
suncorpgroup.com.au
ABN 66 145 290 124
CONTENTS
Page 1 Letter from the Chairman Page 2 Suncorp Group’s 2013/14 Results Page 3 Suncorp Group’s Strategy Page 4 Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting Page 5 Important Voting Information Page 6 Explanatory Memorandum
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INFORMATION ON SUNCORP GROUP
This Notice of Annual General Meeting forms part of Suncorp Group’s 2013/14 Annual Reporting Suite which includes the Directors’ Report and Financial Statements and the Annual Review. These documents are available on the website at suncorpgroup.com.au/investors-reports , on our tablet application or copies may be obtained on request by calling 1300 882 012 (+61 2 8767 1219 from outside Australia) or emailing [email protected].
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Letter from the Chairman
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DEAR SHAREHOLDER
Please find enclosed notice of the 2014 Suncorp Group Limited AGM which will be held on Thursday 23 October 2014 in the Ballroom Le Grand, Sofitel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane, starting at 2.30pm (Brisbane time). Directions to the venue are detailed on the inside cover. Shareholder registration opens at 1.30pm.
At the AGM the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Patrick Snowball and I will comment on the Suncorp Group’s performance for the financial year ended 30 June 2014. The AGM will be webcast live on suncorpgroup.com.au and these speeches will also be available on the website. Shareholders may submit specific questions in advance to the Board by emailing [email protected] (or by post to GPO Box 1453, Brisbane, Qld 4001).
Suncorp Group’s performance in 2013/14 is detailed in the 2013/14 Annual Reporting Suite which includes the Directors’ Report and Financial Statements and the Annual Review. Shareholders who elected to receive these documents will find a copy enclosed. The reports are also available online at suncorpgroup.com.au .
The enclosed shareholder voting form has detailed instructions on how shareholders may lodge their vote, or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf if they are unable to attend.
Shareholders are invited to light refreshments with the Board and our Senior Leadership Team at the conclusion of the AGM. I look forward to seeing you then.
Yours faithfully
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Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO Chairman 19 September 2014
A shareholder voting form is enclosed for ordinary shareholders entitled to attend the AGM and vote. This form is barcoded to facilitate easier registration and has detailed information on how shareholders may lodge their vote either directly or by appointing a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf. Please note, preference shareholders are welcome to attend and ask questions at the AGM, however only ordinary shareholders are entitled to vote on the business of the AGM.
Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting 1
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Suncorp Group’s 2013/14 Results
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Suncorp Group reported net profit after tax of $730 million for the year ended 30 June 2014.
Dividends for the year total $1.05 cents per share, up 40% from 2013.
RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS
In 2013/14 the share price increased almost 14%, outperforming the ASX 200. The Suncorp Group Limited Board declared the payment of a final ordinary dividend of 40 cents per share and a special dividend of 30 cents per share. The total dividend payout for 2013/14 is $1.05 per share fully franked, an increase of 40%. This demonstrates the Board’s commitment to returning capital to shareholders that is in excess of regulatory ratios and surplus to Group operating requirements. Following the payment of dividends, the Group’s capital position remains strong.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Group’s net profit after tax was $730 million and profit after tax from business lines was $1,330 million. This included a $496 million non-cash write-down of intangible assets in the Suncorp Life business following a review of claims and lapse assumptions in May 2014. This has not impacted the Group’s ability to pay dividends.
General Insurance profit after tax was $1,010 million. The key drivers were premium growth, favourable natural hazard and investment experience and a continued focus on claims and expense management.
Suncorp Bank delivered an after tax profit of $228 million. The 2013/14 financial year represents a period of transition for Suncorp Bank. It consolidated operations and addressed legacy funding and cost positions related to the former Non-core portfolio, laying the foundations for sustainable, profitable growth.
Suncorp Life profit after tax was $92 million. The result was driven by $50 million of claims and lapse experience losses. The lower planned profit margin also includes the impact of a renewed reinsurance arrangement and revised assumptions.
DIVIDENDS (CENTS PER SHARE)
7.5% YIELD BASED ON $14.00 SHARE PRICE
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120
SPECIAL DIVIDEND
FINAL DIVIDEND
40% $1.05
INTERIM DIVIDEND
30
100
80 $0.75
20 40
60
15 30
40 20
20 2O 35
25
20 20
15 15
0 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14
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$ 730
$1.05 DIVIDEND PER SHARE 9 million
TOP 15 ASX-LISTED
- net profit after tax (NPAT)
2 Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting
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Suncorp Group’s Strategy
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A CLEAR STRATEGY DRIVING RESULTS
The Board and executive team’s commitment to the One Company. Many Brands business model provides clarity of purpose and direction. The focus remains on Australia and New Zealand where the business continues to deliver profitable growth. Suncorp is a simple but modern, lowrisk financial services Group focussed on operational efficiencies, cost control and timely investments in systems and product development, to deliver sustainable shareholder returns. Legacy issues such as the Non-core banking portfolio and Life business assumptions have now been resolved and the business is in its strongest position in recent history.
Suncorp’s priorities are to:
- continue to simplify the business and extract value through efficiency and cost reduction (simplification), and
In 2013/14, Suncorp has continued to responsibly manage its businesses in the interest of shareholders, customers and the community. Progress has been made in ensuring products remain affordable and accessible, most recently through a partnership with Good Shepherd Microfinance to deliver a renters’ insurance product to low income and disadvantaged
people. Suncorp’s employees continue to improve their engagement levels and pride in the company and its contributions. Community support has been extended through grants programs and scholarships for road and community safety initiatives. These are just some of the many examples of CR programs.
SUNCORP GROUP’S MARKET COMMITMENTS FOR 2014/15
Suncorp Group’s 2013/14 results put the Group in a good position to deliver its market commitments in 2014/15.
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THE GROUP’S ASPIRATIONAL GROWTH ON TRACK [TO ] THE TOTAL DIVIDEND
TARGET WAS RESET (PREVIOUSLY 7% TO 9%) IN 2014 TO REFLECT MARKET DELIVER ANTICIPATED SIMPLIFICATION AT THE UPPER END OF THE PAYOUT RATIO IS 73.6% ,
CONDITIONS. END OF YEAR GROUP BENEFITS IN 2014/15. GROUP TARGET.
GROWTH WAS 5.4% .
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- invest benefits created by simplification programs to be more responsive to changing consumer behaviour and in turn deliver greater value to customers and shareholders (differentiation).
EVOLVING OUR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY APPROACH
Suncorp’s approach to Corporate Responsibility (CR) promotes the identification and management of key economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities. It factors into strategy setting, risk management and stakeholder engagement functions.
Suncorp believes that successful companies take an interest in the many people and communities they affect. Those companies will strive to make a positive difference through the way they conduct their business and how they interact with the world around them. CR at Suncorp embodies this way of thinking.
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Group RoE [2]
of at least 10%
THE GROUP in the 2015
financial year
14.3%
FOR THE THIRD SUCCESSIVE YEAR, A
SPECIAL DIVIDEND [ HAS BEEN PAID ] ON TRACK
SUPPORTING THE COMMITMENT TO RETURN TO MEET THE
SURPLUS CAPITAL TO SHAREHOLDERS. 2014/15 TARGET.
1 Insurance Trading Ratio (ITR)
2 Return on Equity (RoE)
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THE GROUP
CONTINUES TO
DELIVER, CLOSING THE
YEAR WITH 14.3%
UNDERLYING ITR.
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Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting 3
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Notice of 2014
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 23 October 2014
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The AGM of Suncorp Group Limited ( the Company ) will be held at 2.30pm (Brisbane time) on Thursday 23 October 2014 in the Ballroom Le Grand, Sofitel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane.
Business
FINANCIAL AND OTHER REPORTS
To receive and consider the Financial Report, Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report for the Company and its controlled entities for the financial year ended 30 June 2014.
Note: There is no requirement for shareholders to approve these reports.
RESOLUTION 1 – REMUNERATION REPORT
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an advisory resolution:
To adopt the Remuneration Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2014.
VOTING RESTRICTIONS: The Company will disregard any votes cast on this resolution by, or on behalf of, a director (other than the Chairman) or other member of the key management personnel ( KMP , details of whose remuneration are set out in the Remuneration Report) of the Suncorp Group, or their closely related parties, unless the vote is cast as a proxy for a person who is entitled to vote on this resolution, in accordance with the directions on the shareholder voting form.
The Chairman of the AGM ( Chairman ) may vote on the resolution, as a proxy for a person who is entitled to vote on this resolution, whether or not the shareholder voting form directs how the proxy is to vote, provided the shareholder voting form expressly authorises the Chairman to exercise the proxy (even though the resolution is connected with the remuneration of the KMP of the Suncorp Group, including the Chairman).
The Chairman intends to vote any undirected proxies in favour of this resolution.
Note: This resolution is advisory only and does not bind the Company or directors.
RESOLUTION 2 − GRANT OF PERFORMANCE 2 RIGHTS TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR AND GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:
That approval is given for the grant of 276,839 performance rights under the Suncorp Group Equity Incentive Plan to the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Patrick Snowball, in the manner set out in the Explanatory Memorandum.
VOTING RESTRICTIONS
The Company will disregard any votes cast on this resolution by, or on behalf of, Mr Patrick Snowball and any of his associates.
However, the Company need not disregard a vote if it is cast by Mr Patrick Snowball or any other KMP of the Suncorp Group (or a closely related party) as a proxy for a person who is entitled to vote on this resolution, in accordance with the directions on the shareholder voting form.
The Chairman may also vote on this resolution, as a proxy for a person who is entitled to vote on this resolution, whether or not the shareholder voting form directs how the proxy is to vote, provided the shareholder voting form expressly authorises the Chairman to exercise the proxy (even though the resolution is connected with the remuneration of a KMP of the Suncorp Group).
The Chairman intends to vote any undirected proxies in favour of this resolution.
Note: No directors of the Company, other than Mr Snowball, are eligible to participate in the Suncorp Group Equity Incentive Plan.
RESOLUTION 3 – RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions as separate ordinary resolutions:
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(a) That Mr William J Bartlett, being a non-executive director who retires in accordance with the Company’s Constitution, be re-elected as a director of the Company.
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(b) That Ms Audette E Exel, being a non-executive director who retires in accordance with the Company’s Constitution, be re-elected as a director of the Company.
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(c) That Mr Ewoud J Kulk, being a nonexecutive director who retires, be re-elected as a director of the Company.
RESOLUTION 4 – AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:
That the Constitution of the Company be amended as set out in the document tabled at the Meeting, and described in the Explanatory Memorandum.
By Order of the Board
A C Lenahan
Group Executive Group General Counsel and Company Secretary 19 September 2014
4 Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting
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Important Voting Information
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ENTITLEMENT TO ATTEND AND VOTE
Shareholders will be eligible to vote at the AGM if they are registered holders of ordinary shares in the Company as at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on Tuesday 21 October 2014. Accordingly, transactions registered after that time will be disregarded in determining shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the AGM. Shareholders who are eligible to vote should read the voting instructions on the enclosed shareholder voting form.
Shareholders can vote in one of three ways:
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by attending the AGM and voting, either in person (or by attorney), or in the case of corporate shareholders, by corporate representative
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by lodging a direct vote, or
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by appointing a proxy to attend the AGM and vote on their behalf.
DIRECT VOTING AND VOTING BY PROXY
If shareholders wish to lodge a direct vote or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf at the AGM, they can do so by:
-
(a) completing a shareholder voting form online at linkmarketservices.com.au . To do this shareholders will need their Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN), which is shown on the enclosed shareholder voting form, or
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(b) completing the shareholder voting form that accompanies this Notice of Meeting and returning it either:
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by mail to Suncorp Group Limited, c/- the Company’s share registry, Link Market Services Limited ( Link ), using the reply paid envelope provided
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by fax to Link on (02) 9287 0309, or
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by hand delivery to Link, 1A Homebush Bay Drive, Rhodes NSW 2138 or Level 12, 680 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.
Only those shareholder voting forms received by Link by 2.30pm (Brisbane time) on Tuesday 21 October 2014 (being 48 hours before the commencement of the AGM) will be considered valid.
If the shareholder voting form is signed by the shareholder’s attorney, the original or an original certified copy of the authority under which the attorney was appointed must accompany the shareholder voting form.
Any person appointed as proxy does not need to be a member of the Company, and a shareholder can appoint an individual or a body corporate as a proxy.
A body corporate appointed as a proxy must also lodge a Certificate of Appointment of a Corporate Representative.
A shareholder who is entitled to cast two or more votes may appoint two proxies and may specify the proportion or number of votes each proxy is appointed to exercise.
If a shareholder who has lodged a direct vote or appointed a proxy to vote on their behalf attends the AGM, the direct vote or proxy appointment is cancelled or suspended.
For further instructions on voting, please refer to the shareholder voting form that accompanies this Notice of Meeting.
UNDIRECTED PROXIES
-
Any undirected proxy given to the Chairman on Resolutions 1 and 2 by a shareholder entitled to vote on those resolutions will be voted in favour of those resolutions and the shareholder will be taken to have expressly authorised the Chairman to exercise the proxy as he sees fit.
-
Any undirected proxy given to a director (other than the Chairman) or other member of the KMP of the Suncorp Group, or their closely related parties, on Resolutions 1 and 2 by a shareholder entitled to vote on these resolutions will not be voted unless shareholders specify how the proxy should vote by ticking ‘For’ or ‘Against’ opposite that resolution on the shareholder voting form.
-
Any undirected proxy given to the Chairman on any other resolution will be voted in favour of the resolution.
An Explanatory Memorandum accompanies and forms part of this Notice of Meeting. Shareholders should read these documents in full. This AGM will also be webcast live on suncorpgroup.com.au.
Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting 5
Explanatory Memorandum
This Explanatory
Memorandum accompanies and forms part of the Notice of Meeting for the Company’s AGM to be held on Thursday 23 October 2014 at 2.30pm (Brisbane time). Information relevant to the business to be considered at the AGM is provided in this Explanatory Memorandum and shareholders should read this document in full.
Business
FINANCIAL AND OTHER REPORTS
This item provides shareholders with an opportunity to ask questions concerning the Company’s Financial Report, Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report for the year ended 30 June 2014 (which are contained in the 2013/14 Directors’ Report and Financial Statements), and the Company’s performance generally. There is no requirement for shareholders to approve these reports.
For those shareholders who did not elect to receive a printed copy, the 2013/14 Directors’ Report and Financial Statements are published on the Suncorp Group website at suncorpgroup.com.au . For shareholders who wish to obtain a copy, one can be posted (free of charge) by contacting Link on 1300 882 012 (+61 2 8767 1219 from outside Australia).
The Auditor will be present to answer questions from shareholders relevant to:
-
the conduct of the audit
-
the preparation and content of the Auditor’s Report
-
the accounting policies adopted by the Company in relation to the preparation of the financial statements, and
-
the independence of the Auditor in relation to the conduct of the audit.
The Auditor will also respond to any written questions that are relevant to the content of the Independent Auditor’s Report or the conduct of the audit, provided these are submitted to the Company no later than five business days prior to the AGM.
RESOLUTION 1 – REMUNERATION REPORT
The Remuneration Report, as contained in the Company’s 2013/14 Directors’ Report and Financial Statements, has been submitted to shareholders for consideration and adoption (by way of advisory resolution). Shareholders will be given an opportunity at the AGM to ask questions about, or comment on, the Remuneration Report.
The Remuneration Report provides information on the following matters:
-
the principles adopted by the Board for determining the nature and amount of remuneration of directors and Senior Executives (including KMP, and as defined in the Remuneration Report)
-
the performance conditions that apply to the different components of the remuneration framework, why those performance conditions were chosen and how performance is measured against them, and
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remuneration details for directors and Senior Executives.
The Board believes the Company’s remuneration policy, structures and frameworks, as outlined in the Remuneration Report, are appropriate relative to the size of the Company, its business objectives and current and emerging market practices.
Shareholders should note that the vote will be advisory only and does not bind the Company or directors.
However the Board will consider the outcome of the vote and comments made by shareholders on the Remuneration Report at the AGM when reviewing the Company’s remuneration policies.
Under the Corporations Act 2001
( Corporations Act ), if 25% or more of votes that are cast are voted against the adoption of the Remuneration Report at two consecutive annual general meetings, shareholders will be required to vote at the second of those annual general meetings on a resolution (a ‘spill resolution’) that another meeting be held within 90 days at which all of the Company’s directors (other than the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer), who are in office at the second annual general meeting, must stand for re-election.
RESOLUTION 2 – GRANT OF PERFORMANCE 2 RIGHTS TO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AND GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Board is seeking the approval of shareholders for the grant of 276,839 performance rights under the Suncorp Group Equity Incentive Plan 2014 Long Term Incentive Offer ( Plan ) to the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer ( Group CEO ), Mr Patrick Snowball.
Under the Plan, a performance right entitles a participant to one fully paid ordinary share in the Company (or under limited circumstances, a cash payment in lieu of an allocation of ordinary shares) at no cost, and arises at a set future point in time, provided specific performance hurdles are met ( performance right ). If a performance right vests and shares are allocated, a payment equal to the dividends earned on those allocated shares during the performance period is paid (less applicable taxes that have been paid by the Plan trustee with respect to the dividends).
While there is no requirement to seek shareholder approval in relation to the grant of these performance rights, the Board is seeking shareholder approval of this grant in recognition of the importance of shareholder engagement on key remuneration issues, such as the remuneration of the Group CEO.
FACE VALUE OF PERFORMANCE RIGHTS
On 26 June 2014, the Board approved an award of performance rights with a face value of $4,000,000 ( Group CEO’s performance rights ) as Mr Snowball’s long-term incentive ( LTI ) remuneration for the 2015 financial year. The purpose of LTI remuneration is to focus the Group CEO and Senior Executives on the Company’s longterm business strategy, align their interests with those of shareholders and support the creation of long-term shareholder value.
The face value of the Group CEO’s performance rights was determined with the input of independent advisers, and takes into account the appropriate level of total remuneration based on a number of factors, including the extent to which the total remuneration is market competitive. The proposed award of the Group CEO’s performance rights has been endorsed by the Board on the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee.
6 Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting
Subject to shareholder approval, the Group CEO’s performance rights will be granted to Mr Snowball as soon as practicable following the AGM. The grant of performance rights under the Plan will, subject to the terms and conditions described below, allow Mr Snowball to obtain ordinary shares in the Company. Any shares acquired under the Plan are acquired on market.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
NUMBER OF PERFORMANCE RIGHTS
The number of performance rights that Mr Snowball will receive is calculated by dividing the face value of the Group CEO’s performance rights by the value of a performance right. The value of a performance right for the purpose of this grant is $14.4488, representing the volume weighted average price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the Australian Securities Exchange over the five trading days up to 1 September 2014. Therefore the resulting number of performance rights, rounded down to the nearest whole number, to be granted to Mr Snowball will be 276,839 and represents the maximum number of shares that would be allocated if all vesting conditions are met.
PERFORMANCE PERIOD
The performance period will begin on 1 October 2014 and will end on 30 September 2017. This aligns with all other Plan offers made to Senior Executives for the 2015 financial year.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The Board has determined that the performance rights to be granted to Mr Snowball (if shareholder approval is granted) will be subject to the performance measures outlined below. These performance measures will be assessed over the performance period.
Performance is measured by ranking the Company’s total shareholder return ( TSR ) against its peer comparator group ( Peer Comparator Group ). The Peer Comparator Group comprises the 50 largest companies ranked by market capitalisation listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (S&P/ ASX 100 Index) at the beginning of the performance period, excluding listed Real Estate Investment Trusts and mining companies. The Remuneration Committee believes the Peer Comparator Group is appropriate in the absence of a suitable peer group of direct comparators.
TSR measures the percentage change in the Company’s share price, together with the value of dividends received during the performance period (assuming that all of those dividends are reinvested into new shares) and capital returns. TSR will vary over time but reflects the market perception of the Company’s overall performance relative to the Peer Comparator Group.
The relative TSR performance measure is chosen on the basis that it:
-
offers a relative measure of changes in shareholder value by comparing the Company’s return to shareholders against the returns of companies of similar size and investment profile
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provides alignment between shareholder returns and reward outcomes for the Group CEO and Senior Executives over the long term, and
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minimises the impact market cycles may have when measuring shareholder returns.
The ranking of the Company’s TSR at the end of the performance period determines the extent to which performance rights vest, in accordance with the vesting schedule represented in the table below:
RELATIVE TSR PERCENTAGE OF PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE OUTCOME RIGHTS THAT WILL VEST Below the 50th percentile 0% (below median performance) At the 50th percentile 50% (median performance) 50% plus 2% for each full 1% increase in the Between the 50th and 75th percentiles Company’s ranking against the Peer Comparator Group At or above the 75th percentile 100%
There will be no retesting of TSR performance at the end of the performance period if a grant of performance rights is made to Mr Snowball under this resolution. Where performance conditions are not met, the performance rights will lapse.
HEDGING PROHIBITION
Executives and employees who receive equity or equity-linked deferred remuneration are prohibited from hedging their economic exposures before the equity or equity-linked remuneration is fully vested. In the event of a breach, the individual’s entitlement to performance rights or securities is forfeited with immediate effect.
TREATMENT OF GROUP CEO’S PERFORMANCE RIGHTS ON CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Unvested performance rights will lapse if Mr Snowball’s employment is terminated for cause. If Mr Snowball’s employment is terminated for any other reason, a pro-rata number of performance rights will be forfeited (calculated based on the number of months Mr Snowball did not work during the performance period, as a proportion of the number of months making up the performance period). The balance of performance rights will continue beyond cessation of employment and will vest or lapse depending on whether the performance conditions are achieved, subject to the Board’s discretion to determine otherwise.
OTHER INFORMATION
In relation to the Plan:
-
Mr Snowball is the only director entitled to participate in the Plan
-
there is no loan scheme in relation to the performance rights
-
900,000 performance rights ( Initial Grant ) were granted to Mr Snowball on 1 October 2009 following his commencement of employment with the Suncorp Group, representing his full LTI entitlement for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 financial years:
-
the 900,000 performance rights vest in three equal tranches of 300,000 ordinary shares per tranche subject to the performance measures outlined above, tested over a three to five-year period
TRADING OF SHARES ONCE VESTED
Shares allocated upon the vesting of performance rights under the Plan are subject to the Suncorp Group Securities Trading Policy.
Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting 7
Explanatory Memorandum (continued)
− Mr Snowball accepted the initial vesting of Tranche 1 at 96% on 30 September 2012, resulting in 288,000 shares vesting
-
Mr Snowball accepted the initial vesting of Tranche 2 at 100% on 30 September 2013, resulting in 300,000 shares vesting
-
the potential vesting date for the performance rights under Tranche 3 is 30 September 2014
-
446,752 performance rights with a value of $4,000,000 were granted to Mr Snowball on 25 October 2012, following shareholder approval. This grant has a potential vesting date of 30 September 2015. There will be no option to extend the performance period beyond this date, and
-
324,396 performance rights with a value of $4,000,000 were granted to Mr Snowball on 24 October 2013, following shareholder approval. This grant has a potential vesting date of 30 September 2016. There will be no option to extend the performance period beyond this date.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board, with Mr Snowball abstaining and not voting, recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the resolution to grant 276,839 performance rights under the Plan to the Group CEO.
RESOLUTION 3 – RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with the Company’s Constitution, at every AGM, one third of the rotation directors (being all directors other than the Managing Director) must retire from office and are eligible for reelection. Accordingly, for the 2014 AGM, two Directors must retire and seek re-election.
Mr William Bartlett and Ms Audette Exel will retire by rotation at the 2014 AGM and, being eligible, have offered themselves for re-election.
In addition, while not required by the Company’s Constitution or the ASX Listing Rules, Mr Ewoud Kulk will retire at the 2014 AGM and being eligible, offers himself for reelection. The Board believes it is prudent for
Mr Kulk to offer himself for re-election early in this way, given five of seven current rotation directors would otherwise be required to retire and seek re-election at the 2015 AGM.
Profiles for Mr Bartlett, Ms Exel and Mr Kulk follow.
The Board regularly reviews the independence of each non-executive director and undertakes an annual review, in accordance with the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Principles and Recommendations, the Corporations Act 2001, the Board Charter and the Suncorp Group Conflicts of Interest Policy. The most recent review was undertaken in July 2014. The Board considers all of the current non-executive directors, including each of the directors seeking re-election, to be independent.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the re-election of the directors offering themselves for re-election.
DIRECTORS’ PROFILES
MR WILLIAM J BARTLETT
Mr Bartlett has been a director of the Company since December 2010 (and a director of Suncorp-Metway Limited since July 2003). He is a member of each
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of the Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committees.
Mr Bartlett is a director of Reinsurance Group of America Inc., RGA Reinsurance Company of Australia Limited, GWA International Limited and Abacus Property Group. He is also Chairman of the Council of Governors of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Mr Bartlett has 35 years’ experience in accounting and was a partner of Ernst & Young in Australia for 23 years, retiring on 30 June 2003. He also has extensive experience in the actuarial, insurance and financial services sectors through membership of many industry and regulatory advisory bodies including the Life Insurance Actuarial Standards Board (1994-2007).
Mr Bartlett is 65, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Certified Practising Accountant, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (South Africa).
MS AUDETTE E EXEL
Ms Exel has been a director of the Company (and of Suncorp-Metway Limited) since June 2012. She is a member of the Risk Committee.
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Ms Exel is a founder of the ISIS Group and Chief Executive Officer of its Australian company, ISIS (Asia Pacific) Pty Limited. She is also co-founder and Chair of The ISIS Foundation and is Vice Chairman of the Board of The Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Trustees (Bermuda) Limited.
Ms Exel has recently been awarded an honorary Order of Australia for her work with women and children living in extreme poverty in Nepal and Uganda through The ISIS Foundation.
Before establishing ISIS, Ms Exel was Managing Director of Bermuda Commercial Bank (1993-1996), Chairman of the Bermuda Stock Exchange (1995-1996) and was on the board of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Bermuda’s central financial services regulator (1999-2005) and was chair of its Investment Committee.
Prior to joining Bermuda Commercial Bank, Ms Exel practised as a lawyer specialising in international finance. She began her career with Allen, Allen and Hemsley in Sydney, Australia before joining the English firm of Linklaters & Paines in their Hong Kong office.
Ms Exel won the Telstra 2012 Commonwealth Bank NSW Business Owner award and the Telstra 2012 NSW Business Woman of the Year Award.
Ms Exel is 51, and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law (Honours). She is called to the Bars of NSW, Australia; England and Wales; and Bermuda.
8 Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting
MR EWOUD J KULK
Mr Kulk has been a director of the Company since December 2010 (and a director of Suncorp-Metway Limited since March 2007). He is Chairman of the Risk Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.
Mr Kulk is Chairman of AA Insurance (NZ), a director of the Westmead Millennium Institute, a past member of the NSW Council of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a past president of the Insurance Council of Australia. He has over 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry.
Mr Kulk was a director of Promina Group Limited at the date of the merger with the Suncorp Group. He was Managing Director of the Australian General Insurance Group (1994-1998) and was Group Director Asia Pacific for Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group plc from March 1998 until his retirement in September 2003.
Mr Kulk is 68, holds a Bachelor of Economics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.
RESOLUTION 4 – AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
WHY DOES THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRE AMENDMENT?
A number of amendments to the Company’s Constitution ( Constitution ) are proposed, to ensure that the Constitution reflects current corporate governance standards, and is in accordance with recent amendments to the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules. The proposed amendments are summarised below.
Similar amendments to the Constitution were included in the 2013 Notice of AGM but were not put to the 2013 AGM for shareholder vote. Specific shareholder feedback that was received by the Company in 2013 has been taken into account when drafting proposed amendments for the 2014 AGM. In contrast to the amendments proposed in 2013, the Company does not propose any change to the:
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maximum number of directors from the current number of 13, or
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procedures for written resolutions of directors.
SUMMARY
A) BOARD SIZE
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It is proposed to amend rule 24.1 of the Constitution to:
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set the minimum number of directors (not counting alternates) at not less than five, compared with a current minimum of seven, and
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remove the existing wording that the Board shall determine the number of directors within the overall range, which is currently inconsistent with recent amendments to the Corporations Act. The Corporations Act requires shareholder approval for any proposal by directors to reduce the number of directors below the maximum number set out in the Constitution.
No change is proposed to the maximum number of directors, which will remain at 13. The Company currently has eight directors.
The reasons for the proposed amendments are to ensure that:
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the Board can still operate effectively if a number of directors leave the Board at the same time. The proposed change is consistent with the constitutions of other publicly listed companies and the Board’s current intention is that the number of directors during the normal course of business would sit above this minimum, and
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the Constitution is consistent with the recent amendments to the Corporations Act.
B) FEE FOR REGISTERING PAPER-BASED TRANSFERS
It is proposed to amend rule 11.3(c) of the Constitution so that the Company may charge a reasonable administrative fee for the registration of a paper-based transfer of shares in the Company, but only if the fee is permitted by the ASX Listing Rules.
The proposed amendment aligns the Constitution with ASX Listing Rule 8.14.1, which allows publicly listed companies to charge a reasonable fee for registering paper-based transfers. The proposed amendment also aligns the Constitution with the constitutions of other publicly listed companies.
The reason for the proposed amendment is to give the Company the flexibility, as permitted by the ASX Listing Rules, to seek to recover reasonable administrative costs incurred by the Company when registering paper-based transfers. The majority of transfers of shares in the Company take place electronically onmarket – these transfers will not incur the proposed fee. The ability to impose the proposed fee will apply only to off-market transfers of shares in the Company using paper-based transfer forms.
C) CLARIFICATION AND CORRECTION OF PROXY DOCUMENTATION
It is proposed to amend rule 19 of the Constitution to enable the Company to:
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seek clarification from a shareholder about any instruction given by that shareholder on a proxy form and to amend the proxy form to reflect any clarification provided to the Company by the shareholder (rule 19.8(a))
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return an incorrectly executed proxy form or power of attorney to the shareholder and request that the shareholder duly execute the proxy form or power of attorney before the meeting (rule 19.8(b)), and
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give shareholders more time to return correctly executed proxy forms or powers of attorney to the Company before the general meeting is held (rules 19.3(b) and 19.8(c)).
The reason for the proposed amendment is to ensure that the intended proxy instructions of shareholders are able to be accurately implemented by the Company. In particular, under the proposed amendment, if a:
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shareholder has not provided clear instructions on the instrument appointing their proxy, or has incorrectly executed the relevant proxy form or power of attorney, the Company can seek to clarify and correct the instructions, proxy form or power or attorney, and
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correction to the proxy form or power of attorney is required, the period of time has been extended in which the corrected proxy form or power of attorney must be received by the Company before the meeting, to allow more time for the shareholder to make these corrections.
Suncorp Group Limited Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting 9
Explanatory Memorandum (continued)
D) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
It is proposed to amend rule 24.6 of the Constitution to introduce a requirement that each director (other than the Managing Director) stand for re-election at least every three years. A requirement that at least one director seek re-election at each AGM is maintained.
The reason for the proposed amendment is to ensure consistency with ASX Listing Rule 14.4. The proposed amendment provides that a director’s single term cannot exceed three years but does not impose any limit on a director serving multiple terms (that is, a director serving for an overall period of more than three years) provided that the director is re-elected by shareholders for each additional term.
E) PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
It is proposed to amend rule 36.7 of the Constitution to allow the Company to pay dividends into a bank account of the Company where:
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the shareholder has not provided bank details
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the transfer of funds to a bank account nominated by the shareholder is rejected or refunded, or
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the amount is to be paid by cheque, and the shareholder does not have a registered address, or the Company believes that the shareholder is not known at the registered address or the address directed by the shareholder.
If the shareholder subsequently nominates a valid bank account, the Company will arrange payment of the relevant dividend amount into that account.
Further, it is proposed that the Company will have the discretion to invest unclaimed money to acquire further shares in the Company on behalf of the shareholder when no claim has been made within 11 months of the dividend being paid.
The reason for the proposed amendment is to assist in the administration of unclaimed dividend payments. F) INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE
It is proposed to amend rule 39 of the Constitution, which provides for the Company’s indemnity of, and provision of insurance for, current and past directors, the Company Secretary and other officers (together, Officers ) of the Company and any Suncorp Group Company.
The proposed amendments are technical and clarifying in nature, for example, they clarify:
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that the indemnity:
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is enforceable without incurring any expense or making any payment
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is a continuing obligation, enforceable by an Officer even though they may have ceased to be an Officer
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applies to liabilities incurred both before and after the adoption of rule 39, and
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that the indemnity and insurance
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provisions of the Constitution do not affect a person’s other rights in relation to a particular liability, do not limit the Company’s ability to indemnify or provide or pay for insurance for nonOfficers and do not limit the terms of any indemnity arrangements entered into prior to adoption of rule 39.
The reason for the proposed amendment is to reflect amendments to the Corporations Act and to align the indemnity and insurance provisions in the Constitution with the constitutions of other publicly listed companies.
A copy of the Company’s existing Constitution and a version of the Constitution with the proposed amendments marked up are available on the Suncorp Group website at suncorpgroup.com.au or copies can be obtained (free of charge) from Link on 1300 882 012 (+61 2 8767 1219 from outside Australia). A copy of the proposed amended Constitution will also be available at the AGM.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the proposed amendments to the Constitution as set out above.
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19453 01/09//14 A
LODGE YOUR VOTE
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Suncorp Group Limited
ABN 66 145 290 124
www.linkmarketservices.com.au
ONLINE
By mail: Suncorp Group Limited [By fax:][ +61 2 9287 0309] PO Box A50 Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia
All enquiries to: Telephone: 1300 882 012 Overseas: +61 2 8767 1219
SHAREHOLDER VOTING FORM Please mark either Box A OR Box B 2:30pm on Thursday, 23 October 2014, at the Ballroom Le Grand, Sofitel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane OR B APPOINT A PROXY (mark box) appoint the Chairman Chairman if you are as your proxy, please write the name of the person or NOT of the Meeting (mark box) you are appointing as your proxy below. OR Failing the person or body corporate named, or if no person or body corporate is named, I/we appoint the Chairman of the Meeting, as my/our proxy to vote on my/our behalf (including in accordance with the directions set out below or, if no directions have been given, to vote as the proxy sees fit, to the extent permitted by the law and any applicable voting exclusions) and at any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. I/we expressly authorise the Chairman of the Meeting to exercise my/our proxy even if the resolution is connected directly or indirectly with the remuneration of a member of the key management personnel. X VOTING DIRECTIONS
STEP 1 Please mark either Box A OR Box B I/We being a member(s) of Suncorp Group Limited (the Company) and entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at 2:30pm on Thursday, 23 October 2014, at the Ballroom Le Grand, Sofitel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane (the Meeting) hereby:
A VOTE DIRECTLY OR B APPOINT A PROXY elect to lodge my/our vote(s) directly (mark box) appoint the Chairman Chairman if you are as your proxy, please write the name of the person or NOT appointing the Chairman of the Meeting in relation to the Meeting and of the Meeting body corporate (excluding the registered shareholder) at any adjournment or (mark box) you are appointing as your proxy below. postponement of the Meeting. OR You should mark either “For” or “Against” for each Failing the person or body corporate named, or if no person or body corporate is resolution. named, I/we appoint the Chairman of the Meeting, as my/our proxy to vote on my/our If you mark the “Abstain” box behalf (including in accordance with the directions set out below or, if no directions for a resolution, your vote for have been given, to vote as the proxy sees fit, to the extent permitted by the law and that resolution will not be any applicable voting exclusions) and at any adjournment or postponement of the counted. Meeting. I/we expressly authorise the Chairman of the Meeting to exercise my/our proxy even if the resolution is connected directly or indirectly with the remuneration of a member of the key management personnel. The Chairman of the Meeting intends to vote undirected proxies in favour of all resolutions. In exceptional circumstances the Chairman of the Meeting may change his voting intentions on any resolution, in which case an ASX announcement will be made. Voting directions will only be valid and accepted by the Company if they are signed and received no later than 48 hours before the Meeting. Please read the voting instructions overleaf before marking any boxes with an X
STEP 2 VOTING DIRECTIONS Advisory Resolution For Against Abstain * For Against Abstain * 1 Remuneration Report 3(b) Re-election of non-executive director Ms Audette E Exel Ordinary Resolutions 3(c) Re-election of non-executive director 2 Grant of performance rights to the Mr Ewoud J Kulk Managing Director and Group CEO Special Resolution 3(a) Re-election of non-executive director 4 Amendment of Constitution Mr William J Bartlett * If you are voting under Box B and mark the Abstain box for a particular resolution, you are directing your proxy not to vote on your behalf on a show of hands or on a poll and your votes will not be counted in computing the required majority on a poll.
STEP 3 SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDERS – THIS MUST BE COMPLETED
Shareholder 1 (Individual)
Sole Director and Sole Company Secretary
Joint Shareholder 2 (Individual) Joint Shareholder 3 (Individual) Director/Company Secretary (Delete one) Director
This form should be signed by the shareholder. If shareholders have a joint holding, either shareholder may sign. If signed by the shareholder’s attorney, the power of attorney must have been previously noted by the registry or a certified copy attached to this voting form. If executed by a company, the form must be executed in accordance with the company’s constitution and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
SUN PRX401R
HOW TO COMPLETE THIS SHAREHOLDER VOTING FORMHOW TO COMPLETE THIS VOTING FORM
Voting under STEP 1 Box A – Vote Directly
Appointment of a Second Proxy
If you mark the box under A you are indicating that you wish to vote directly. Please mark either the “For” or “Against” box only for each resolution, for a valid direct vote to be recorded on that resolution at STEP 2. You may include the number of shares to be voted on any resolution by inserting the percentage or number of shares in the “For” or “Against” boxes. If you mark the “Abstain” box for a resolution, your vote for that resolution will not be counted.
You are entitled to appoint up to two persons as proxies to attend the Meeting and vote on a poll. If you wish to appoint a second proxy, an additional voting form may be obtained by telephoning the Company’s share registry, Link Market Services Limited on 1300 882 012, or you may copy this voting form.
To appoint a second proxy you must:
- (a) on each of the first voting form and the second voting form state the percentage of your voting rights or number of shares applicable to that form. If the appointments do not specify the percentage or number of votes that each proxy may exercise, each proxy may exercise half your votes. Fractions of votes will be disregarded.
If you have lodged a direct vote, and you attend the Meeting, your attendance will cancel your direct vote.
Voting under STEP 1 Box B – Appoint a Proxy
If you wish to appoint the Chairman as your proxy, mark the box under B. If the person you wish to appoint as your proxy is someone other than the Chairman please write the name of that person in the box provided. If you leave this section blank, or your named proxy does not attend the Meeting, the Chairman will be your proxy. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company and may be an individual or a body corporate.
- (b) return both voting forms together to the Company’s share registry, Link Market Services Limited.
Signing Instructions
You must sign this voting form as follows in the spaces provided: Individual: where the holding is in one name, the holder must sign.
sign. Joint Holding: shareholder may sign. Power of Attorney: hand. Companies: Corporations Act 2001 the appropriate place. Corporate Representatives may be obtained from the Company’s share registry. This voting form (and any Power of Attorney under which it is signed) must be received at any address given below by being at least 48 hours before the commencement of the Meeting. Any voting form received after
Votes on Resolutions – Proxy Appointment
Joint Holding: where the holding is in more than one name, either shareholder may sign. Power of Attorney: to sign under Power of Attorney, you must have already lodged the Power of Attorney with the registry. If you have not previously lodged this document for notation, please attach a certified copy of the Power of Attorney to this voting form when you return it and return both documents by post or by hand.
You can direct your proxy how to vote by placing a mark in one of the boxes opposite each resolution. All your shares will be voted in accordance with such a direction unless you indicate only a portion of voting rights are to be voted on any resolution by inserting the percentage or number of shares you wish to vote in the appropriate box or boxes. If you mark more than one box on any resolution your vote on that resolution will be invalid.
If you do not mark any of the boxes on a given resolution then, subject to the rest of this paragraph and the restrictions in the Notice of Meeting, your proxy may vote as he or she chooses. If you wish to appoint as your proxy a Director (other than the Chairman) or other member of the key management personnel of the Suncorp Group, or their closely related parties, you must specify how they should vote on Resolutions 1 and 2 by completing the “For”, “Against” or “Abstain” boxes on the voting form. If you do not do that, your proxy will not be able to exercise your vote on your behalf. If you appoint the Chairman as your proxy, or the Chairman is appointed as your proxy by default, but do not complete any of the boxes “For”, “Against” or “Abstain” opposite a resolution on the voting form, the Chairman intends to exercise your vote in favour of the resolution. If you wish to appoint the Chairman as your proxy with a direction to vote against, or to abstain from voting on a resolution, you should specify this by completing the “Against” or “Abstain” boxes opposite the resolution on the voting form.
Companies: where the company has a Sole Director who is also the Sole Company Secretary, this voting form must be signed by that person. If the company (pursuant to section 204A of the Corporations Act 2001 ) does not have a Company Secretary, a Sole Director can also sign alone. Otherwise this voting form must be signed by a Director jointly with either another Director or a Company Secretary. Please indicate the office held by signing in the appropriate place.
If a corporate representative is to attend the Meeting the appropriate “Certificate of Appointment of Corporate Representative” should be produced prior to admission in accordance with the Notice of Meeting. A form of the certificate may be obtained from the Company’s share registry.
Lodgement of a Voting Form
This voting form (and any Power of Attorney under which it is signed) must be received at any address given below by 2:30pm (Brisbane time) on Tuesday, 21 October 2014, being at least 48 hours before the commencement of the Meeting. Any voting form received after that time will not be valid for the scheduled Meeting.
Voting forms may be lodged:
ONLINE www.linkmarketservices.com.au
Login to the Link website using the holding details as shown on the voting form. Select ‘Voting’ and follow the prompts to lodge your vote. To use the online lodgement facility, shareholders will need their “Holder Identifier” (Securityholder Reference Number (SRN) or Holder Identification Number (HIN) as shown on the front of the voting form).
by mail using the reply paid envelope:
Suncorp Group Limited PO Box A50 Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia
by fax:
+61 2 9287 0309
by hand:
by delivering it to Link Market Services Limited, 1A Homebush Bay Drive, Rhodes NSW 2138 or Level 12, 680 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
If you would like to attend and vote at the Meeting, please bring this voting form with you. This will assist in registering your attendance.