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VERIS LIMITED — AGM Information 2021
Sep 20, 2021
66021_rns_2021-09-20_1d32dd7e-7cb3-49d8-ade0-59de9a85142d.pdf
AGM Information
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ASX / MEDIA RELEASE - VRS
20 September 2021
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Dear Shareholders
IMPACT OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The shareholder meeting is scheduled to be held in Perth on Wednesday, 20 October 2021 at 10:00AM (AWST) ( Meeting ).
The Company is continuing to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 virus in Western Australia and is following guidance from the Federal and State Governments. Having considered the current circumstances, and on the basis that four (4) Shareholders attended the Company’s previous general meeting held on 21 October 2020, at this stage the Directors have made the decision that a physical meeting will be held. Accordingly, Shareholders will be able to attend the Meeting in person.
To assist the Company in ensuring that the Meeting is held in compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions at the time of the Meeting, it will be helpful for Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting in person to register their attendance via the Company’s email [email protected] by no later than 10:00AM (AWST) on 18 October 2021. This will greatly assist the Company to manage any amendments required to the meeting format as a result of any changes to government restrictions which may apply at the time of the meeting. The Company will endeavour to adopt a format that will best ensure that all Shareholders who wish to attend are able to participate.
In accordance with the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Act 2021, the Company will not be sending hard copies of the Notice of Meeting to shareholders unless a shareholder has requested a hard copy. The Notice of Meeting can be viewed and downloaded from the link set out below.
The Company strongly encourages Shareholders to lodge a directed proxy form prior to the meeting and register their attendance prior to the Meeting if they intend to attend. Questions should also be submitted in advance of the Meeting as this will provide management with the best opportunity to prepare for the meeting, for example by preparing answers in advance to Shareholders questions. However, votes and questions may also be submitted during the Meeting.
Please find below a link to the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Memorandum:
- https://www.veris.com.au/investors/corporate governance/
Alternatively, a complete copy of the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Statement has been posted on the Company’s ASX market announcements page.
If you have nominated an email address and have elected to receive electronic communications from the Company, you will also receive an email to your nominated email address with a link to an electronic copy of the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Statement.
In order to receive electronic communications from the Company in the future, please update your Shareholder details online at www.investorcentre.com/contact and log in with your unique shareholder identification number and postcode (or country for overseas residents), where you can find on your enclosed personalised proxy form. Once logged in you can also lodge your proxy vote online by clicking on the “Vote” tab.
Corporate Level 12, 3 Hasler Road T 08 9317 0600 Veris Australia Pty Ltd Aqura Technologies Pty Ltd Osborne Park veris.com.au ABN 53 615 735 727 ABN 34 128 703 248 WA 6017 aqura.com.au
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If you are unable to access the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Memorandum online please contact the Company Secretary, Steven Harding, on +61 8 6241 3455 or via email at [email protected].
The Australian government and the respective State governments are implementing a wide range of measures to contain or delay the spread of COVID-19. If it becomes necessary or appropriate to make alternative arrangements to those set out in the Company’s Notice of Meeting, the Company will notify Shareholders accordingly via the Company’s website at veris.com.au and the Company’s ASX Announcement Platform at asx.com.au (ASX: VRS).
This announcement is authorised for market release by the Board of Veris Limited.
Sincerely
Steven Harding Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
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VERIS LIMITED ACN 122 958 178 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is given that the Meeting will be held at:
TIME : 10:00am (WST) DATE : Wednesday, 20 October 2021 PLACE : Veris Limited Level 10, 3 Hasler Road OSBORNE PARK WA 6017
The business of the Meeting affects your shareholding and your vote is important.
This Notice of Meeting should be read in its entirety. If Shareholders are in doubt as to how they should vote, they should seek advice from their professional advisers prior to voting.
The Directors have determined pursuant to Regulation 7.11.37 of the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) that the persons eligible to vote at the Meeting are those who are registered Shareholders at 4:00pm WST on Monday, 18 October 2021.
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
AGENDA
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
To receive and consider the annual financial report of the Company for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 together with the declaration of the Directors, the Director’s report, the Remuneration Report and the auditor’s report.
2. RESOLUTION 1 – ADOPTION OF REMUNERATION REPORT
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass, with or without amendment, the following resolution as a non-binding resolution :
“That, for the purposes of section 250R(2) of the Corporations Act and for all other purposes, approval is given for the adoption of the Remuneration Report as contained in the Company’s annual financial report for the financial year ended 30 June 2021.”
Note: the vote on this Resolution is advisory only and does not bind the Directors or the Company.
A voting prohibition statement applies to this Resolution. Please see below.
3. RESOLUTION 2 – ELECTION OF DIRECTOR – MR DAVID MURRAY
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass, with or without amendment, the following resolution as an ordinary resolution :
“That, for the purpose of clause 13.4 of the Constitution, Listing Rule 14.4 and for all other purposes, Mr David Murray, a Director who was appointed casually on 1 June 2021, retires, and being eligible, is elected as a Director.”
4. RESOLUTION 3 – RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTOR – MR BRIAN ELTON
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass, with or without amendment, the following resolution as an ordinary resolution :
“That, for the purpose of clause 13.2 of the Constitution, Listing Rule 14.4 and for all other purposes, Mr Brian Elton, a Director, retires by rotation, and being eligible, is re-elected as a Director.”
5. RESOLUTION 4 – RATIFICATION OF PRIOR ISSUE OF SHARES – LISTING RULE 7.1
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass, with or without amendment, the following resolution as an ordinary resolution :
“That, for the purposes of Listing Rule 7.4 and for all other purposes, Shareholders ratify the issue of 277,718 Shares on the terms and conditions set out in the Explanatory Statement.”
A voting exclusion statement applies to this Resolution. Please see below.
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6. RESOLUTION 5 – APPROVAL OF 7.1A MANDATE
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a special resolution :
“That, for the purposes of Listing Rule 7.1A and for all other purposes, approval is given for the Company to issue up to that number of Equity Securities equal to 10% of the issued capital of the Company at the time of issue, calculated in accordance with the formula prescribed in Listing Rule 7.1A.2 and otherwise on the terms and conditions set out in the Explanatory Statement.”
7. RESOLUTION 6 – REPLACEMENT OF CONSTITUTION
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a special resolution :
“That, for the purposes of section 136(2) of the Corporations Act and for all other purposes, approval is given for the Company to repeal its existing Constitution and adopt a new constitution in its place in the form as signed by the chairman of the Meeting for identification purposes.”
Dated: 20[th] September 2021
By order of the Board
Steven Harding Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
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Voting Prohibition Statements
| Resolution 1 – Adoption of Remuneration Report |
A vote on this Resolution must not be cast (in any capacity) by or on behalf of either of the following persons: (a) a member of the Key Management Personnel, details of whose remuneration are included in the Remuneration Report; or (b) a Closely Related Party of such a member. However, a person (thevoter) described above may cast a vote on this Resolution as a proxy if the vote is not cast on behalf of a person described above and either: (a) the voter is appointed as a proxy by writing that specifies the way the proxy is to vote on this Resolution; or (b) the voter is the Chair and the appointment of the Chair as proxy: (i) does not specify the way the proxy is to vote on this Resolution; and (ii) expressly authorises the Chair to exercise the proxy even though this Resolution is connected directly or indirectly with the remuneration of a member of the Key Management Personnel. |
|---|---|
Voting Exclusion Statements
In accordance with Listing Rule 14.11, the Company will disregard any votes cast in favour of the resolution set out below by or on behalf of the following persons:
| Resolution 4 – Ratification of Prior Issue of Shares – Listing Rule 7.1 |
A person who participated in the issue or is a counterparty to the agreement being approved (namely Wumara Group) or an associate of Wumara Group. |
|---|---|
However, this does not apply to a vote cast in favour of the Resolution by:
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(a) a person as a proxy or attorney for a person who is entitled to vote on the Resolution, in accordance with the directions given to the proxy or attorney to vote on the Resolution in that way; or
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(b) the Chair as proxy or attorney for a person who is entitled to vote on the Resolution, in accordance with a direction given to the Chair to vote on the Resolution as the Chair decides; or
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(c) a holder acting solely in a nominee, trustee, custodial or other fiduciary capacity on behalf of a beneficiary provided the following conditions are met:
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(i) the beneficiary provides written confirmation to the holder that the beneficiary is not excluded from voting, and is not an associate of a person excluded from voting, on the resolution; and
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(ii) the holder votes on the resolution in accordance with directions given by the beneficiary to the holder to vote in that way.
Voting in person
To vote in person, attend the Meeting at the time, date and place set out above.
Voting by proxy
To vote by proxy, please complete and sign the enclosed Form and return by the time and in accordance with the instructions set out on the Form.
In accordance with section 249L of the Corporations Act, Shareholders are advised that:
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each Shareholder has a right to appoint a proxy;
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the proxy need not be a Shareholder of the Company; and
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- a Shareholder who is entitled to cast two (2) or more votes may appoint two (2) proxies and may specify the proportion or number of votes each proxy is appointed to exercise. If the member appoints two (2) proxies and the appointment does not specify the proportion or number of the member’s votes, then in accordance with section 249X(3) of the Corporations Act, each proxy may exercise one-half of the votes.
Shareholders and their proxies should be aware that:
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if proxy holders vote, they must cast all directed proxies as directed; and
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any directed proxies which are not voted will automatically default to the Chair, who must vote the proxies as directed.
Return of Proxy Form
Proxies should be returned as follows:
Online: www.investorvote.com.au
By mail: Share Registry – Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited, GPO Box 242, Melbourne Victoria 3001, Australia By fax: 1800 783 447 (within Australia) +61 3 9473 2555 (outside Australia) By mobile: Scan the QR Code on your proxy form and follow the prompts Custodian voting: For Intermediary Online subscribers only (custodians) please visit www.intermediaryonline.com to submit your voting intentions
So that it is received not less than 48 hours prior to commencement of the Meeting.
Proxy forms received later than this time will be invalid.
Should you wish to discuss the matters in this Notice of Meeting please do not hesitate to contact the Company Secretary on +61 8 9317 0600.
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E XPLANATORY STATEMENT
This Explanatory Statement has been prepared to provide information which the Directors believe to be material to Shareholders in deciding whether or not to pass the Resolutions.
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
In accordance with the Corporations Act, the business of the Meeting will include receipt and consideration of the annual financial report of the Company for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 together with the declaration of the Directors, the Directors’ report, the Remuneration Report and the auditor’s report.
The Company will not provide a hard copy of the Company’s annual financial report to Shareholders unless specifically requested to do so. The Company’s annual financial report is available on its website at www.veris.com.au or on the ASX Platform for Veris Limited (ASX:VRS) at www.asx.com.au.
2. RESOLUTION 1 – ADOPTION OF REMUNERATION REPORT
2.1 General
The Corporations Act requires that at a listed company’s annual general meeting, a resolution that the remuneration report be adopted must be put to the shareholders. However, such a resolution is advisory only and does not bind the company or the directors of the company.
The remuneration report sets out the company’s remuneration arrangements for the directors and senior management of the company. The remuneration report is part of the directors’ report contained in the annual financial report of the company for a financial year.
The chair of the meeting must allow a reasonable opportunity for its shareholders to ask questions about or make comments on the remuneration report at the annual general meeting.
2.2
Voting consequences
A company is required to put to its shareholders a resolution proposing the calling of another meeting of shareholders to consider the appointment of directors of the company ( Spill Resolution ) if, at consecutive annual general meetings, at least 25% of the votes cast on a remuneration report resolution are voted against adoption of the remuneration report and at the first of those annual general meetings a Spill Resolution was not put to vote. If required, the Spill Resolution must be put to vote at the second of those annual general meetings.
If more than 50% of votes cast are in favour of the Spill Resolution, the company must convene a shareholder meeting ( Spill Meeting ) within 90 days of the second annual general meeting.
All of the directors of the company who were in office when the directors' report (as included in the company’s annual financial report for the most recent financial year) was approved, other than the managing director of the company, will cease to hold office immediately before the end of the Spill Meeting but may stand for re-election at the Spill Meeting.
Following the Spill Meeting those persons whose election or re-election as directors of the company is approved will be the directors of the company.
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2.3 Previous voting results
At the Company’s previous annual general meeting the votes cast against the remuneration report considered at that annual general meeting were less than 25%. Accordingly, the Spill Resolution is not relevant for this Annual General Meeting.
3. RESOLUTION 2 – ELECTION OF DIRECTOR – MR DAVID MURRAY
3.1 General
The Constitution allows the Directors to appoint at any time a person to be a Director either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing Directors, but only where the total number of Directors does not at any time exceed the maximum number specified by the Constitution.
Pursuant to the Constitution and Listing Rule 14.4, any Director so appointed holds office only until the next annual general meeting and is then eligible for election by Shareholders but shall not be taken into account in determining the Directors who are to retire by rotation (if any) at that meeting.
Mr David Murray, having been appointed by other Directors on 1 June 2021 in accordance with the Constitution, will retire in accordance with the Constitution and Listing Rule 14.4 and being eligible, seeks election from Shareholders.
3.2
Qualifications and other material directorships
Mr David Murray has over 40 years’ experience in professional services, providing a unique combination of global, regional, commercial and industry skills to the Veris Board.
Mr Murray was a Deloitte Australia Partner for 26 years incorporating leadership roles across the business including the National Executive, Business Unit Leader, Papua New Guinea Office Managing Partner and other National leadership roles and responsibilities.
Mr Murray is currently a Board member of a global insurance entity. He also Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee of that entity. He is also Director of a local not-forprofit organisation. Mr Murray is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
3.3 Independence
Mr Murray has no interests, position or relationship that might influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, in a material respect his/her capacity to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues before the Board and to act in the best interest of the Company as a whole rather than in the interests of an individual security holder or other party.
If elected the Board considers Mr Murray will be an independent Director.
3.4 Other material information
The Company conducts appropriate checks on the background and experience of candidates before their appointment to the Board. These include checks as to a person’s experience, educational qualifications, character, criminal record and
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bankruptcy history. The Company undertook such checks prior to the appointment of Mr Murray.
Mr Murray has confirmed that he considers he will have sufficient time to fulfil his responsibilities as a Non-Executive Director of the Company and does not consider that any other commitment will interfere with his availability to perform his duties as a Non-Executive Director of the Company.
3.5 Board recommendation
The Board (other than Mr Murray) has reviewed Mr Murray’s performance since his appointment to the Board and considers that Mr Murray’s skills and experience will continue to enhance the Board’s ability to perform its role. Accordingly, the Board supports the election of Mr Murray and recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of Resolution 2.
4. RESOLUTION 3 – RE-ELECTION OF DIRECTOR – MR BRIAN ELTON
4.1 General
Listing Rule 14.4 and clause 13.2 of the Constitution provide that, other than a managing director, a director of an entity must not hold office (without reelection) past the third annual general meeting following the director’s appointment or 3 years, whichever is the longer. However, where there is more than one managing director, only one is entitled to be exempt from this rotation requirement.
Mr Brian Elton, who has served as a Director since 29 March 2018 and was last reelected on 21 November 2018, retires by rotation and seeks re-election.
4.2 Qualifications and other material directorships
Mr Brian Elton is the founder of Elton Consulting and a Strategic Advisor to WSP. Mr Elton joined the Veris Board as Executive Director in March 2018 when this business was acquired by Veris. Subsequent to the sale of Elton Consulting in November 2019, Mr Elton became a Non-Executive Director. He has extensive experience in growing a highly commercially successful professional services business, and indepth knowledge of east coast development and infrastructure sectors. He has an extensive network of contacts and clients in government, the not-for-profit sector and Tier 1 private sector organisations, and is well regarded and trusted by clients.
Mr Elton has over 40 years of experience in urban and regional planning in the UK and Australia focusing on urban strategy, urban policy and governance and the delivery of major projects. He founded Elton Consulting 32 years ago, maintaining a profitable and growing business every year since.
Mr Elton is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His affiliations include the International Association of Public Participation, Green Building Council of Australia and the Urban Development Institute of Australia. Mr Elton has been appointed as the Veris Ltd representative on the EMFOX Pty Ltd Board (Trading as Wumura Group) following Veris’ acquisition of a 49% interest in the Wumura Group.
Mr Elton is also a Director of Ozfish Unlimited, a national profit-for -purpose organisation.
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4.3 Independence
If re-elected the Board does not consider Mr Elton will be an independent Director.
4.4 Board recommendation
The Board has reviewed Mr Elton’s performance since his appointment to the Board and considers that Mr Elton’s skills and experience will continue to enhance the Board’s ability to perform its role. Accordingly, the Board supports the reelection of Mr Elton and recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of Resolution 3.
5. RESOLUTION 4 – RATIFICATION OF PRIOR ISSUE OF SHARES – LISTING RULE 7.1
5.1 Background
As announced on 9 July 2021, the Company and EMFOX Pty Ltd (ACN 610 280 281) trading as Wumara Group ( Wumara Group ) entered into an agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire a 49% interest in Wumara Group ( Acquisition ).
As consideration for the Acquisition and pursuant to the agreement ( Acquisition Agreement ), the Company agreed to:
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(a) pay $180,000 in cash; and
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(b) issue shares to the value of $20,000 at a deemed issue price of the 30-day VWAP of the Company’s shares immediately prior to settlement, with the shares to be restricted for 12 months following settlement.
On 15 July 2021, the Company announced that it had completed the Acquisition and issued 277,718 Shares as part consideration for the Acquisition, at a deemed issue price of $0.072.
5.2 General
Broadly speaking, and subject to a number of exceptions, Listing Rule 7.1 limits the amount of equity securities that a listed company can issue without the approval of its shareholders over any 12 month period to 15% of the fully paid ordinary securities it had on issue at the start of that 12 month period.
The issue of the Shares does not fit within any of the exceptions set out in Listing Rule 7.2 and, as it has not yet been approved by Shareholders, it effectively uses up part of the 15% limit in Listing Rule 7.1, reducing the Company’s capacity to issue further equity securities without Shareholder approval under Listing Rule 7.1 for the 12 month period following the date of issue of the Shares.
Listing Rule 7.4 allows the shareholders of a listed company to approve an issue of equity securities after it has been made or agreed to be made. If they do, the issue is taken to have been approved under Listing Rule 7.1 and so does not reduce the company’s capacity to issue further equity securities without shareholder approval under that rule.
The Company wishes to retain as much flexibility as possible to issue additional equity securities in the future without having to obtain Shareholder approval for such issues under Listing Rule 7.1. Accordingly, the Company is seeking Shareholder ratification pursuant to Listing Rule 7.4 for the issue of the Shares.
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Resolution 4 seeks Shareholder ratification pursuant to Listing Rule 7.4 for the issue of the Shares.
5.3 Technical information required by Listing Rule 14.1A
If Resolution 4 is passed, the Shares will be excluded in calculating the Company’s 15% limit in Listing Rule 7.1, effectively increasing the number of equity securities the Company can issue without Shareholder approval over the 12 month period following the date of issue of the Shares.
If Resolution 4 is not passed, the Shares will be included in calculating the Company’s 15% limit in Listing Rule 7.1, effectively decreasing the number of equity securities that the Company can issue without Shareholder approval over the 12 month period following the date of issue of the Shares.
5.4 Technical information required by Listing Rule 7.5
Pursuant to and in accordance with Listing Rule 7.5, the following information is provided in relation to Resolution 4:
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(a) the Shares were issued to Wumara Group (or its nominee);
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(b) in accordance with paragraph 7.4 of ASX Guidance Note 21, the Company confirms that none of the recipients were:
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(i) related parties of the Company, members of the Company’s Key Management Personnel, substantial holders of the Company, advisers of the Company or an associate of any of these parties; and
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(ii) issued more than 1% of the issued capital of the Company;
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(c) 277,718 Shares were issued and the Shares issued were all fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company issued on the same terms and conditions as the Company’s existing Shares;
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(d)
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the Shares were issued on 15 July 2021;
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(e) the Shares were issued at a deemed issue price of $0.072, in part consideration for the acquisition of a 49% interest in Wumara Group. The Company has not and will not receive any other consideration for the issue of the Shares;
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(f) the purpose of the issue of the Shares was to satisfy the Company’s obligations pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement; and
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(g) the Shares were issued to Wumara Group (or its nominee) under the Acquisition Agreement. A summary of the material terms of the Acquisition Agreement is set out in Section 5.1 above.
6. RESOLUTION 5 – APPROVAL OF 7.1A MANDATE
6.1 General
Broadly speaking, and subject to a number of exceptions, Listing Rule 7.1 limits the amount of Equity Securities that a listed company can issue without the approval of its shareholders over any 12 month period to 15% of the fully paid ordinary securities it had on issue at the start of that period.
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However, under Listing Rule 7.1A, an eligible entity may seek shareholder approval by way of a special resolution passed at its annual general meeting to increase this 15% limit by an extra 10% to 25% ( 7.1A Mandate ).
An ‘eligible entity’ means an entity which is not included in the S&P/ASX 300 Index and has a market capitalisation of $300,000,000 or less. The Company is an eligible entity for these purposes.
As at the date of this Notice, the Company is an eligible entity as it is not included in the S&P/ASX 300 Index and has a current market capitalisation of $36,302,659 (based on the number of Shares on issue and the closing price of Shares on the ASX on 13 September 2021.
Resolution 5 seeks Shareholder approval by way of special resolution for the Company to have the additional 10% placement capacity provided for in Listing Rule 7.1A to issue Equity Securities without Shareholder approval.
If Resolution 5 is passed, the Company will be able to issue Equity Securities up to the combined 25% limit in Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A without any further Shareholder approval.
If Resolution 5 is not passed, the Company will not be able to access the additional 10% capacity to issue Equity Securities without Shareholder approval under Listing Rule 7.1A, and will remain subject to the 15% limit on issuing Equity Securities without Shareholder approval set out in Listing Rule 7.1.
6.2 Technical information required by Listing Rule 7.1A
Pursuant to and in accordance with Listing Rule 7.3A, the information below is provided in relation to Resolution 5:
(a) Period for which the 7.1A Mandate is valid
The 7.1A Mandate will commence on the date of the Meeting and expire on the first to occur of the following:
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(i) the date that is 12 months after the date of this Meeting;
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(ii) the time and date of the Company’s next annual general meeting; and
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(iii) the time and date of approval by Shareholders of any transaction under Listing Rule 11.1.2 (a significant change in the nature or scale of activities) or Listing Rule 11.2 (disposal of the main undertaking).
(b) Minimum price
Any Equity Securities issued under the 7.1A Mandate must be in an existing quoted class of Equity Securities and be issued at a minimum price of 75% of the volume weighted average price of Equity Securities in that class, calculated over the 15 trading days on which trades in that class were recorded immediately before:
- (i) the date on which the price at which the Equity Securities are to be issued is agreed by the entity and the recipient of the Equity Securities; or
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- (ii) if the Equity Securities are not issued within 10 trading days of the date in Section 7(b)(i), the date on which the Equity Securities are issued.
(c)
Use of funds raised under the 7.1A Mandate
The Company intends to use funds raised from issues of Equity Securities under the 7.1A Mandate to allow for the continued growth of the national surveying and digital and spatial strategy including acquisitions of additional businesses (including expenses associated with such acquisitions).
(d)
Risk of Economic and Voting Dilution
Any issue of Equity Securities under the 7.1A Mandate will dilute the interests of Shareholders who do not receive any Shares under the issue.
If Resolution 5 is approved by Shareholders and the Company issues the maximum number of Equity Securities available under the 7.1A Mandate, the economic and voting dilution of existing Shares would be as shown in the table below.
The table below shows the dilution of existing Shareholders calculated in accordance with the formula outlined in Listing Rule 7.1A.2, on the basis of the closing market price of Shares and the number of Equity Securities on issue or proposed to be issued as at 13 September 2021.
The table also shows the voting dilution impact where the number of Shares on issue (Variable A in the formula) changes and the economic dilution where there are changes in the issue price of Shares issued under the 7.1A Mandate.
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Dilution
Issue Price
Shares $0.035 $0.070 $0.105
Number of Shares on Issue
issued –
(Variable A in Listing Rule 10% voting 50% Issue 50%
7.1A.2) dilution decrease Price increase
Funds Raised
518,609,419 51,860,941 $1,815,132 $3,630,265 $5,445,398
Current
Shares Shares
50% 777,914,129 77,791,412 $2,722,699 $5,445,398 $8,168,098
increase Shares Shares
100% 1,037,218,838 103,721,883 $3,630,265 $7,260,531 $10,890,797
increase Shares Shares
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*The number of Shares on issue (Variable A in the formula) could increase as a result of the issue of Shares that do not require Shareholder approval (such as under a prorata rights issue or scrip issued under a takeover offer) or that are issued with Shareholder approval under Listing Rule 7.1.
The table above uses the following assumptions:
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There are currently 518,609,419 Shares on issue.
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The issue price set out above is the closing market price of the Shares on the ASX on 13 September 2021 being $0.070).
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The Company issues the maximum possible number of Equity Securities under the 7.1A Mandate.
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The Company has not issued any Equity Securities in the 12 months prior to the Meeting that were not issued under an exception in Listing Rule 7.2 or with approval under Listing Rule 7.1.
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The issue of Equity Securities under the 7.1A Mandate consists only of Shares. It is assumed that no Options are exercised into Shares before the date of issue of the Equity Securities. If the issue of Equity Securities includes quoted Options, it is assumed that those quoted Options are exercised into Shares for the purpose of calculating the voting dilution effect on existing Shareholders.
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The calculations above do not show the dilution that any one particular Shareholder will be subject to. All Shareholders should consider the dilution caused to their own shareholding depending on their specific circumstances.
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This table does not set out any dilution pursuant to approvals under Listing Rule 7.1 unless otherwise disclosed.
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The 10% voting dilution reflects the aggregate percentage dilution against the issued share capital at the time of issue. This is why the voting dilution is shown in each example as 10%.
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The table does not show an example of dilution that may be caused to a particular Shareholder by reason of placements under the 7.1A Mandate, based on that Shareholder’s holding at the date of the Meeting.
Shareholders should note that there is a risk that:
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(i) the market price for the Company’s Shares may be significantly lower on the issue date than on the date of the Meeting; and
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(ii) the Shares may be issued at a price that is at a discount to the market price for those Shares on the date of issue.
(e) Allocation policy under the 7.1A Mandate
The recipients of the Equity Securities to be issued under the 7.1A Mandate have not yet been determined. However, the recipients of Equity Securities could consist of current Shareholders or new investors (or both), none of whom will be related parties of the Company.
The Company will determine the recipients at the time of the issue under the 7.1A Mandate, having regard to the following factors:
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(i) the purpose of the issue;
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(ii) alternative methods for raising funds available to the Company at that time, including, but not limited to, an entitlement issue, share purchase plan, placement or other offer where existing Shareholders may participate;
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(iii) the effect of the issue of the Equity Securities on the control of the Company;
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(iv) the circumstances of the Company, including, but not limited to, the financial position and solvency of the Company;
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(v) prevailing market conditions; and
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(vi) advice from corporate, financial and broking advisers (if applicable).
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(f) Previous approval under Listing Rule 7.1A
The Company previously obtained approval from its Shareholders pursuant to Listing Rule 7.1A at its annual general meeting held on 21 October 2020 ( Previous Approval ).
During the 12-month period preceding the date of the Meeting, being on and from 20 October 2020, the Company issued 40,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Previous Approval ( Previous Issue ), which represent approximately 9.84% of the total diluted number of Equity Securities on issue in the Company on 20 October 2020, which was 406,336,613.
Further details of the issues of Equity Securities by the Company pursuant to Listing Rule 7.1A.2 during the 12 month period preceding the date of the Meeting are set out below. The Previous Issue was ratified by Shareholders at the Company’s general meeting held on 21 April 2021.
The following information is provided in accordance with Listing Rule 7.3A.6(b) in respect of the Previous Issue:
Date of Issue and Date of Issue : 4 March 2021 Appendix 2A Date of Appendix 2A : 4 March 2021 Recipients Professional and sophisticated investors as part of a placement announced on 25 February 2021. The placement participants were identified through a bookbuild process, which involved Wentworth Securities Pty Ltd (ACN 155 409 63) (AFSL 422477) seeking expressions of interest to participate in the placement from non-related parties of the Company. Number and Class 40,000,000 Shares of Equity Securities Issued Issue Price and $0.07 per Share (at a discount 10.3% to Market Price). discount to Market Price[1 ] (if any) Total Cash Amount raised : $2,800,000 Consideration and Amount spent : $2,800,00 Use of Funds Use of funds : Continued investment in Veris Australia’s transition to a data-as-a-service digital spatial offering, investment in the continued upgrading of Veris Australia’s leading edge digital laser scanning equipment, continued investment in the development and commercialisation of Aqura Technologies’ proprietary product suite supporting its transition to an as-a-service technology provider, and ongoing working capital.
Notes:
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Market Price means the closing price of Shares on ASX (excluding special crossings, overnight sales and exchange traded option exercises). For the purposes of this table the discount is calculated on the Market Price on the last trading day on which a sale was recorded prior to the date of issue of the relevant Equity Securities.
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Fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company, ASX Code: VRS (terms are set out in the Constitution).
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7. RESOLUTION 6 – REPLACEMENT OF CONSTITUTION
7.1 General
A company may modify or repeal its constitution or a provision of its constitution by special resolution of shareholders.
Resolution 6 is a special resolution which will enable the Company to repeal its existing Constitution and adopt a new constitution ( Proposed Constitution ) which is of the type required for a listed public company limited by shares updated to ensure it reflects the current provisions of the Corporations Act and Listing Rules.
This will incorporate amendments to the Corporations Act and Listing Rules since the current Constitution was adopted (on 30 November 2012).
The Directors believe that it is preferable in the circumstances to replace the existing Constitution with the Proposed Constitution rather than to amend a multitude of specific provisions.
The Proposed Constitution is broadly consistent with the provisions of the existing Constitution
The Directors believe these amendments are not material nor will they have any significant impact on Shareholders. It is not practicable to list all of the changes to the Constitution in detail in this Explanatory Statement, however, a summary of the proposed material changes is set out below.
A copy of the Proposed Constitution is available for review by Shareholders at the Company’s website veris.com.au and at the office of the Company. A copy of the Proposed Constitution can also be sent to Shareholders upon request to the Company Secretary (+61 8 9317 0600). Shareholders are invited to contact the Company if they have any queries or concerns.
7.2 Summary of material proposed changes
Restricted Securities (clause 2.12)
The Proposed Constitution complies with the changes to Listing Rule 15.12 which took effect from 1 December 2019. As a result of these changes, ASX will require certain more significant holders of restricted securities and their controllers (such as related parties, promoters, substantial holders, service providers and their associates) to execute a formal escrow agreement in the form Appendix 9A, as is currently the case. However, for less significant holdings (such as non-related parties and non-promoters), ASX will permit the Company to issue restriction notices to holders of restricted securities in the form of the new Appendix 9C advising them of the restriction rather than requiring signed restriction agreements.
Minimum Shareholding (clause 3)
Clause 3 of the Constitution outlines how the Company can manage securityholdings which represent an “unmarketable parcel” of securities, being a securityholding that is less than $500 based on the closing price of the Company’s securities on ASX as at the relevant time.
The Proposed Constitution is in line with the requirements for dealing with “unmarketable parcels” outlined in the Corporations Act such that where the Company elects to undertake a sale of unmarketable parcels, the Company is
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only required to give one notice to holders of an unmarketable parcel to elect to retain their securityholding before the unmarketable parcel can be dealt with by the Company, saving time and administrative costs incurred by otherwise having to send out additional notices.
Clause 3 of the Proposed Constitution continues to outline in detail the process that the Company must follow for dealing with unmarketable parcels.
Fee for registration of off market transfers (clause 8.4(c))
On 24 January 2011, ASX amended Listing Rule 8.14 with the effect that the Company may now charge a “reasonable fee” for registering paper-based transfers, sometimes referred to “off-market transfers”.
Clause 8.4 of the Proposed Constitution is being made to enable the Company to charge a reasonable fee when it is required to register off-market transfers from Shareholders. The fee is intended to represent the cost incurred by the Company in upgrading its fraud detection practices specific to off-market transfers.
Before charging any fee, the Company is required to notify ASX of the fee to be charged and provide sufficient information to enable ASX to assess the reasonableness of the proposed amount.
Joint Holders (clause 9.8)
CHESS is currently being replaced by ASX with a projected go-live date of April 2023. As part of the CHESS replacement, the registration system will be modernised to record holder registration details in a structured format that will allow up to four joint holders of a security. Clause 9.8 of the Proposed Constitution provides that the number of registered joint holders of securities shall be as permitted under the Listing Rules and the ASX Settlement Operating Rules.
Capital Reductions (clause 10.2)
The Proposed Constitution now permits sales of unmarketable parcels to a sale nominee as part of a capital reduction.
Direct Voting (clause 13, specifically clauses 13.35 – 13.40)
The Proposed Constitution includes a new provision which allows Shareholders to exercise their voting rights through direct voting (in addition to exercising their existing rights to appoint a proxy). Direct voting is a mechanism by which Shareholders can vote directly on resolutions which are to be determined by poll. Votes cast by direct vote by a Shareholder are taken to have been cast on the poll as if the Shareholder had cast the votes on the poll at the meeting. In order for direct voting to be available, Directors must elect that votes can be cast via direct vote for all or any Resolutions and determine the manner appropriate for the casting of direct votes. If such a determination is made by the Directors, the notice of meeting will include information on the application of direct voting.
Use of technology (clause 14)
The Proposed Constitution includes a new provision to permit the use of technology at general meetings to the extent permitted under the Corporations Act, Listing Rules and applicable law.
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Closing date for Director nominations (clause 15.3)
On 19 December 2019, ASX amended Listing Rule 3.13.1 to provide that companies must release an announcement setting out the date of its meeting and the closing date for nominations at least 5 business days before the closing date for the receipt of such nominations. The closing date period under clause 15.3 of the Proposed Constitution has been amended to at least 30 business days to allow the Company time to issue the required notification for director nominations prior to circulating the notice of meeting.
Dividends (clause 23)
Section 254T of the Corporations Act was amended effective 28 June 2010.
There is now a three-tiered test that a company will need to satisfy before paying a dividend replacing the previous test that dividends may only be paid out of profits.
The amended requirements provide that a company must not a pay a dividend unless:
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(a) the company’s assets exceed its liabilities immediately before the dividend is declared and the excess is sufficient for the payment of the dividend;
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(b) the payment of the dividend is fair and reasonable to the company’s shareholders as a whole; and
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(c) the payment of the dividend does not materially prejudice the company’s ability to pay its creditors.
The existing Constitution reflects the former profits test and restricts the dividends to be paid only out of the profits of the Company. The Proposed Constitution is updated to reflect the new requirements of the Corporations Act. The Directors consider it appropriate to update the Constitution for this amendment to allow more flexibility in the payment of dividends in the future should the Company be in a position to pay dividends.
Partial (proportional) takeover provisions (new clause 37)
A proportional takeover bid is a takeover bid where the offer made to each shareholder is only for a proportion of that shareholder’s shares.
Pursuant to section 648G of the Corporations Act, the Company has included in the Proposed Constitution a provision whereby a proportional takeover bid for Shares may only proceed after the bid has been approved by a meeting of Shareholders held in accordance with the terms set out in the Corporations Act.
This clause of the Proposed Constitution will cease to have effect on the third anniversary of the date of the adoption of last renewal of the clause.
Information required by section 648G of the Corporations Act
Effect of proposed proportional takeover provisions
Where offers have been made under a proportional off-market bid in respect of a class of securities in a company, the registration of a transfer giving effect to a contract resulting from the acceptance of an offer made under such a
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proportional off-market bid is prohibited unless and until a Resolution to approve the proportional off-market bid is passed.
Reasons for proportional takeover provisions
A proportional takeover bid may result in control of the Company changing without Shareholders having the opportunity to dispose of all their Shares. By making a partial bid, a bidder can obtain practical control of the Company by acquiring less than a majority interest. Shareholders are exposed to the risk of being left as a minority in the Company and the risk of the bidder being able to acquire control of the Company without payment of an adequate control premium. These amended provisions allow Shareholders to decide whether a proportional takeover bid is acceptable in principle, and assist in ensuring that any partial bid is appropriately priced.
Knowledge of any acquisition proposals
As at the date of this Notice of Meeting, no Director is aware of any proposal by any person to acquire, or to increase the extent of, a substantial interest in the Company.
Potential advantages and disadvantages of proportional takeover provisions
The Directors consider that the proportional takeover provisions have no potential advantages or disadvantages for them and that they remain free to make a recommendation on whether an offer under a proportional takeover bid should be accepted.
The potential advantages of the proportional takeover provisions for Shareholders include:
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(a) the right to decide by majority vote whether an offer under a proportional takeover bid should proceed;
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(b) assisting in preventing Shareholders from being locked in as a minority;
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(c) increasing the bargaining power of Shareholders which may assist in ensuring that any proportional takeover bid is adequately priced; and
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(d) each individual Shareholder may better assess the likely outcome of the proportional takeover bid by knowing the view of the majority of Shareholders which may assist in deciding whether to accept or reject an offer under the takeover bid.
The potential disadvantages of the proportional takeover provisions for Shareholders include:
-
(a) proportional takeover bids may be discouraged;
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(b) lost opportunity to sell a portion of their Shares at a premium; and
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(c) the likelihood of a proportional takeover bid succeeding may be reduced.
Recommendation of the Board
The Directors do not believe the potential disadvantages outweigh the potential advantages of adopting the proportional takeover provisions and as a result
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consider that the proportional takeover provision in the Proposed Constitution is in the interest of Shareholders and unanimously recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of Resolution 6.
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GLOSSARY
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$ means Australian dollars.
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7.1A Mandate has the meaning given in Section 6.1.
Annual General Meeting or Meeting means the meeting convened by the Notice.
Acquisition Agreement means the agreement described in Section 5.1, dated 9 July 2021.
ASIC means the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.
ASX means ASX Limited (ACN 008 624 691) or the financial market operated by ASX Limited, as the context requires.
Board means the current board of directors of the Company.
Business Day means Monday to Friday inclusive, except New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and any other day that ASX declares is not a business day.
Chair means the chair of the Meeting.
Closely Related Party of a member of the Key Management Personnel means:
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(a) a spouse or child of the member;
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(b) a child of the member’s spouse;
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(c) a dependent of the member or the member’s spouse;
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(d) anyone else who is one of the member’s family and may be expected to influence the member, or be influenced by the member, in the member’s dealing with the entity;
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(e) a company the member controls; or
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(f) a person prescribed by the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) for the purposes of the definition of ‘closely related party’ in the Corporations Act.
Company means Veris Limited (ACN 122 958 178).
Constitution means the Company’s constitution.
Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Directors means the current directors of the Company.
Equity Securities includes a Share, a right to a Share or Option, an Option, a convertible security and any security that ASX decides to classify as an Equity Security.
Explanatory Statement means the explanatory statement accompanying the Notice.
Key Management Personnel has the same meaning as in the accounting standards issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board and means those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, or if the Company is part of a consolidated entity, of the consolidated entity, directly or
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indirectly, including any director (whether executive or otherwise) of the Company, or if the Company is part of a consolidated entity, of an entity within the consolidated group.
Listing Rules means the Listing Rules of ASX.
Notice or Notice of Meeting means this notice of meeting including the Explanatory Statement and the Proxy Form.
Option means an option to acquire a Share.
Optionholder means a holder of an Option.
Proxy Form means the proxy form accompanying the Notice.
Remuneration Report means the remuneration report set out in the Director’s report section of the Company’s annual financial report for the year ended 30 June 2021.
Resolutions means the resolutions set out in the Notice, or any one of them, as the context requires.
Section means a section of the Explanatory Statement.
Share means a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company.
Shareholder means a registered holder of a Share.
Variable A means “A” as set out in the formula in Listing Rule 7.1A.2.
WST means Western Standard Time as observed in Perth, Western Australia.
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==> picture [57 x 52] intentionally omitted <==
ABN 80 122 958 178
Need assistance?
Phone:
1300 850 505 (within Australia) +61 3 9415 4000 (outside Australia)
Online:
www.investorcentre.com/contact
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
For your proxy appointment to be effective it must be received by 10:00am (AWST) on Monday, 18 October 2021.
Proxy Form
How to Vote on Items of Business
Lodge your Proxy Form:
All your securities will be voted in accordance with your directions.
Online:
APPOINTMENT OF PROXY
Voting 100% of your holding: Direct your proxy how to vote by marking one of the boxes opposite each item of business. If you do not mark a box your proxy may vote or abstain as they choose (to the extent permitted by law). If you mark more than one box on an item your vote will be invalid on that item.
Voting a portion of your holding: Indicate a portion of your voting rights by inserting the percentage or number of securities you wish to vote in the For, Against or Abstain box or boxes. The sum of the votes cast must not exceed your voting entitlement or 100%.
Appointing a second proxy: You are entitled to appoint up to two proxies to attend the meeting and vote on a poll. If you appoint two proxies you must specify the percentage of votes or number of securities for each proxy, otherwise each proxy may exercise half of the votes. When appointing a second proxy write both names and the percentage of votes or number of securities for each in Step 1 overleaf.
Lodge your vote online at
www.investorvote.com.au using your secure access information or use your mobile device to scan the personalised QR code.
Your secure access information is
Control Number: 185804
SRN/HIN:
For Intermediary Online subscribers (custodians) go to www.intermediaryonline.com
A proxy need not be a securityholder of the Company.
SIGNING INSTRUCTIONS FOR POSTAL FORMS
Individual: Where the holding is in one name, the securityholder must sign.
Joint Holding: Where the holding is in more than one name, all of the securityholders should sign.
Power of Attorney: If you have not already lodged the Power of Attorney with the registry, please attach a certified photocopy of the Power of Attorney to this form when you return it.
Companies: Where the company has a Sole Director who is also the Sole Company Secretary, this 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 form must be signed by a Director jointly with either another Director or a Company Secretary. Please sign in the appropriate place to indicate the office held. Delete titles as applicable.
By Mail:
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited GPO Box 242 Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia
By Fax:
1800 783 447 within Australia or +61 3 9473 2555 outside Australia
PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING
Corporate Representative
If a representative of a corporate securityholder or proxy is to participate in the meeting you will need to provide the appropriate “Appointment of Corporate Representative”. A form may be obtained from Computershare or online at www.investorcentre.com/au and select "Printable Forms".
PLEASE NOTE: For security reasons it is important that you keep your SRN/HIN confidential.
280304_0_COSMOS_Sample_Proxy/000001/000001/i
Change of address. If incorrect, mark this box and make the correction in the space to the left. Securityholders sponsored by a broker (reference number commences with ‘ X ’) should advise your broker of any changes.
Proxy Form
Please mark to indicate your directions
Step 1 Appoint a Proxy to Vote on Your Behalf
I/We being a member/s of Veris Limited hereby appoint
the Chairman OR of the Meeting
PLEASE NOTE: Leave this box blank if you have selected the Chairman of the Meeting. Do not insert your own name(s).
or failing the individual or body corporate named, or if no individual or body corporate is named, the Chairman of the Meeting, as my/our proxy to act generally at the meeting on my/our behalf and to vote in accordance with the following directions (or if no directions have been given, and to the extent permitted by law, as the proxy sees fit) at the Annual General Meeting of Veris Limited to be held at Veris Limited, Level 10, 3 Hasler Road, Osborne Park, WA 6017 on Wednesday, 20 October 2021 at 10:00am (AWST) and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. Chairman authorised to exercise undirected proxies on remuneration related resolutions: Where I/we have appointed the Chairman of the Meeting as my/our proxy (or the Chairman becomes my/our proxy by default), I/we expressly authorise the Chairman to exercise my/our proxy on Resolution 1 (except where I/we have indicated a different voting intention in step 2) even though Resolution 1 is connected directly or indirectly with the remuneration of a member of key management personnel, which includes the Chairman.
Important Note: If the Chairman of the Meeting is (or becomes) your proxy you can direct the Chairman to vote for or against or abstain from voting on Resolution 1 by marking the appropriate box in step 2.
Step 2 Items of Business
PLEASE NOTE: If you mark the Abstain box for an item, you are directing your proxy not to vote on your behalf on a show of hands or a poll and your votes will not be counted in computing the required majority.
For Against Abstain
| Resolution | 1 | Adoption of Remuneration Report | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2 | Election of Director – Mr David Murray | |||
| Resolution | 3 | Re-election of Director - Mr Brian Elton | |||
| Resolution | 4 | Ratification of Prior Issue of Shares - Listing Rule 7.1 | |||
| Resolution | 5 | Approval of 7.1A Mandate | |||
| Resolution | 6 | Replacement of Constitution |
The Chairman of the Meeting intends to vote undirected proxies in favour of each item of business. In exceptional circumstances, the Chairman of the Meeting may change his/her voting intention on any resolution, in which case an ASX announcement will be made.
Step 3 Signature of Securityholder(s) This section must be completed.
| Individual or Securityholder 1 Securityholder 2 Securityholder 3 Sole Director & Sole Company Secretary Director Director/Company Secretary Update your communication details By providing your email address, you consent to receive future Notice of Meeting & Proxy communications electronically Mobile Number Email Address (Optional) Date / / |
/ / |
|---|---|
VRS