Board Committees
There are a number of standing Committees of the Board to which various matters are delegated. The Committees all have formal Terms of Reference that have been approved by the Board.
Nomination Committee members
- Sir Martin Read CBE – Chair
- Gill Barr
- Anthony Bickerstaff
- Mihiri Jayaweera
- Debbie Lentz
- Stewart Oades
- James Wroath
Role of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee’s role is to review the leadership needs of the Board and senior management, with a view to ensuring the Group’s continued ability to perform effectively. The Nomination Committee’s remit, which is set out in its Terms of Reference, includes responsibility for:
- reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board and its Committees and making recommendations to the Board on any desired changes;
- reviewing the succession plans for the Executive Directors;
- making recommendations to the Board on suitable candidates to fill vacancies for both Non-executive and Executive Directors;
- ensuring that the procedure for appointing new Directors is rigorous and transparent and that appointments are made on merit and against objective criteria;
- reviewing potential conflicts of interests of Directors; and
- reviewing the external commitments of the Directors and the time required to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Before a Board appointment is made, the Nomination Committee evaluates the skills, knowledge and experience of the Board to ensure that any new appointment complements these qualities. Candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are considered and appointments are made on merit, with due regard to the benefits of diversity on the Board, including gender. The selection process generally involves interviews with a number of candidates, using the services of a professional search firm.
For the appointment of the Chair, the Nomination Committee prepares a job specification, including an assessment of the time commitment expected, recognising the need for availability in the event of a crisis.
Remuneration Committee members
- Gill Barr – Chair and Independent NED
- Sir Martin Read CBE – Independent NED
- Debbie Lentz – Independent NED
Meetings
In addition to the members of the Committee, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief People Officer attend certain Committee meetings by invitation. Executive attendees are invited to provide advice and assistance to Committee meetings that materially support the Committee making appropriately considered and informed decisions.
Role of the Remuneration Committee
The role of the Remuneration Committee (the ‘Committee’) is to ensure that the remuneration of Directors and senior managers supports the delivery of the strategic objectives of the Group. The Remuneration Committee's remit, which is set out in its Terms of Reference, includes responsibilities to:
- determine and agree with the Board the broad policy for the remuneration of the Company’s Executive Directors and the Chair;
- approve the design of, and determine targets for, relevant performance-related pay schemes operated by the Group;
- determine whether performance targets have been met;
- review the design of all share incentive plans for approval by the Board and shareholders;
- oversee any major changes in employee benefit structures at Group level; and
- select and appoint consultants to provide independent advice to the Committee.
The Committee recognises the importance of engaging with stakeholders in relation to the setting of remuneration policy and considers all the feedback it receives.
Deloitte LLP is the appointed advisor to the Committee regarding remuneration. The Committee annually reviews the support and advice provided and is comfortable that Deloitte provides objective and independent remuneration advice and has no conflict of interest with the Group that may impair its independence. Deloitte is a founding member and signatory of the Code of Conduct for Remuneration Consultants. For more detail please refer to the website www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com.
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE PDF
The Directors’ remuneration policy was last approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 22 July 2020, with a vote of 96.45% in favour.
Audit Committee members
- Anthony Bickerstaff – Chair and Independent NED
- Mihiri Jayaweera – Independent NED
- Stewart Oades – Independent NED
Meetings
The Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial Controller, Head of Internal Audit and the External Auditor attend and report to each Audit Committee meeting. The Company Chair and the Chief Executive Officer also regularly attend Committee meetings by invitation.
Attendance at the Committee’s meetings is set out in the Corporate Governance Report within the Annual Report and Accounts.
During the year, the Audit Committee met privately and separately with the External Auditor and the Head of Internal Audit.
Each member of the Audit Committee is independent and membership meets the requirements of the Code.
Role of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board in the effective review of financial performance, internal controls, financial reporting and risk management.
The Audit Committee’s remit, which is set out in its Terms of Reference, includes responsibilities for:
the content and integrity of financial statements and any formal announcements relating to financial performance, including review of the significant financial reporting judgements contained therein;
- reviewing the Company’s internal controls and risk management systems;
- reviewing the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function;
- recommendations to the Board in relation to the appointment, reappointment and removal of the External Auditor, its remuneration and terms of engagement;
- reviewing and monitoring the External Auditor’s independence and objectivity and the effectiveness of the audit process;
- reviewing Group policies, including setting the policy to control engagement of the External Auditor to supply non-audit services;
- reporting to the Board on any matters it considers action or improvement is needed, including recommendation of remedial actions; and
- reporting to the Board on how the Committee has discharged its responsibilities.
The Audit Committee has unrestricted access to Company documents, management, the External Auditor and any other advisors, as and when required.
