Nomination Committee - terms of reference

The Board of the Company ("the Board") has for several years had a Nomination Committee ("the Committee").

The purpose of the Committee is to consider, and make recommendations to the Board concerning, the composition of the Board, including proposed appointees to the Board whether to fill any vacancies that may arise or to change the number of Board members.

The Committee shall normally consist of the Chairman and non-executive directors appointed by the Board. A majority of members of the Committee shall be independent non-executive directors. The quorum for meetings of the Committee shall be two members. The Chairman of the Committee shall be the Chairman of the Company or an independent non-executive director, as appointed by the Board, but the Chairman of the Company shall not chair the Committee when it is dealing with the appointment of a successor to the Chairmanship of the Company. The Chairman of the Committee should be available to answer questions at the Company's Annual General Meeting.

In particular, the Committee shall:

• regularly review the structure, size and composition (including the skills, knowledge and experience) of the Board and make recommendations to the Board with regard to any changes;


• be responsible for nominating, for the approval of the Board, appropriate individuals to fill Board vacancies as and when they arise having considered candidates with relevant experience from a wide range of backgrounds;


• before making an appointment, evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board and, in the light of this evaluation, prepare a description of the role and capabilities required for a particular appointment;


• review annually the time required from a non-executive director. Performance evaluation should be used to assess whether the non-executive director is giving sufficient commitment to the role;


• give full consideration to succession planning in the course of its work, taking into account the challenges and opportunities facing the Company and what skills and expertise are therefore needed on the Board in the future;


• make a statement in the Annual Report about its activities and the process used for appointments and explain if external advice or open advertising has not been used;


• make available its terms of reference; and


• ensure that on appointment to the Board, non-executive directors receive a formal letter of appointment setting out clearly what is expected of them in terms of time commitment, committee service and involvement outside Board meetings.

The Committee shall make recommendations:

• as regards plans for succession for both executive and non-executive directors;


• as regards the re-appointment of any non-executive director at the conclusion of their specified term of office;


• concerning the re-election by shareholders of any director under the retirement by rotation provisions in the Company's Articles of Association; and


• concerning any matters relating to the continuation in office of any director at any time.

Back to shareholder information