Matters Reserved For The Board
THE STANLEY GIBBONS GROUP PLC
SCHEDULE OF MATTERS RESERVED FOR THE BOARD
(Adopted 12 March 2008. Reviewed 23 March 2011, 4 December 2013, 24 June 2015 and 31 October 2022).
1. Strategy and management
1.1 Responsibility for the overall leadership of the Group and setting the Group’s values and standards.
1.2 Approval of the Group’s strategic aims and objectives.
1.3 Approval of the annual operating and capital expenditure budgets and any material changes to them.
1.4 Oversight of the Group’s operations ensuring:
• competent and prudent management;
• sound planning;
• maintenance of sound management and internal control systems;
• adequate accounting and other records; and
• compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
1.5 Review of performance in the light of the Group’s strategic aims, objectives, business plans and budgets and ensuring that any necessary corrective action is taken.
1.6 Extension of the Group’s activities into new business or geographic areas.
1.7 Any decision to cease to operate all or any material part of the Group’s business.
2. Structure and capital
2.1 Changes relating to the Group’s capital structure including reduction of capital, share issues (except under employee share plans), share buybacks (including the use of treasury shares).
2.2 Major changes to the Group’s corporate structure, including, but not limited to acquisitions and disposals which are material relative to the size of the Group (taking into account initial and deferred consideration).
2.3 Changes to the Group’s management and control structure.
2.4 Any changes to the Company’s listing or its status as a public company
3. Financial reporting and controls
3.1 Approval of the half-yearly report, interim management statements and any preliminary announcement of the final results.
3.2 Approval of the annual report and accounts (including the corporate governance statement and directors’ remuneration report).
3.3 Approval of the dividend policy.
3.4 Declaration of the interim dividend and recommendation of the final dividend.
3.5 Approval of any significant changes in accounting policies or practices.
3.6 Approval of treasury policies including foreign currency exposure and the use of financial derivatives.
3.7 Approval of material unbudgeted capital or operating expenditures (outside predetermined limits).
4. Internal controls
4.1 Ensuring maintenance of a sound system of internal control and risk management including:
• receiving reports on, and reviewing the effectiveness of, the group’s risk and control processes to support its strategy and objectives;
• approving procedures for the detection of fraud and the prevention of bribery;
• undertaking an annual assessment of these processes; and
• approving an appropriate statement for inclusion in the annual report.
5. Contracts
5.1 Approval of major capital projects and oversight over execution and delivery.
5.2 Contracts which are material strategically or by reason of size, entered into by the company or any subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, for example bank facilities above £250,000 and acquisitions or disposals of fixed assets (including intangible assets such as intellectual property) above £250,000 within budget or £100,000 unbudgeted.
5.3 Contracts of the company or any subsidiary not in the ordinary course of business that will be on the Balance Sheet for two consecutive years, for example loans and repayments above £250,000; foreign currency transactions above £250,000; major acquisitions or disposals above £250,000.
5.4 Major investments including the acquisition or disposal of interests of more than 3 percent in the voting shares of any company or the making of any takeover offer.
5.5 Investment products with guaranteed redemptions in excess of 20% of the group’s net assets in any one calendar year.
6. Communication
6.1 Ensuring a satisfactory dialogue with shareholders based on the mutual understanding of objectives.
6.2 Approval of resolutions and corresponding documentation to be put forward to shareholders at a general meeting.
6.3 Approval of all circulars, prospectuses and listing particulars.
6.4 Approval of press releases concerning matters decided by the board.
7. Board membership and other appointments
7.1 Changes to the structure, size and composition of the board, following recommendations from the nomination committee.
7.2 Ensuring adequate succession planning for the board and senior management so as to maintain an appropriate balance of skills and experience within the Group and on the board.
7.3 Appointments to the board, following recommendations by the nomination committee.
7.4 Selection of the chairman of the board and the chief executive.
7.5 Appointment of the senior independent director to provide a sounding board for the chairman and to serve as an intermediary for the other directors when necessary.
7.6 Membership and chairmanship of board committees following recommendations from the nomination committee.
7.7 Continuation in office of directors at the end of their term of office, when they are due to be re-elected by shareholders at the AGM and otherwise as appropriate.
7.8 Continuation in office of any director at any time, including the suspension or termination of service of an executive director as an employee of the company, subject to the law and their service contract.
7.9 Appointment or removal of the company secretary.
7.10 Appointment, reappointment or removal of the external auditor to be put to shareholders for approval, following the recommendation of the audit committee.
7.11 Appointments to boards of subsidiaries.
8. Remuneration
8.1 Determining the remuneration policy for the directors, company secretary and other senior executives in the Group or any of its subsidiaries.
8.2 Determining the remuneration of the non-executive directors, subject to the Articles of Association and shareholder approval as appropriate.
8.3 The introduction of new share incentive plans or major changes to existing plans, to be put to shareholders for approval.
9. Delegation of authority
9.1 The division of responsibilities between the chairman, the chief executive and other executive directors, which should be clearly established, set out in in writing and agreed by the board.
9.2 Approval of the delegated levels of authority, including the chief executive’s authority limits.
9.3 Establishing board committees and approving their terms of reference, and approving material changes thereto.
9.4 Receiving reports from board committees on their activities.
10. Corporate governance matters
10.1 Undertaking a formal and rigorous annual review of its own performance, that of its committees and individual directors, and the division of responsibilities.
10.2 Determining the independence of non-executive directors in the light of their character, judgment and relationships.
10.3 Considering the balance of interests between shareholders, employees, customers and the community.
10.4 Review of the group’s overall corporate governance arrangements.
10.5 Receiving reports on the views of the company’s shareholders to ensure that they are communicated to the board as a whole
10.6 Authorising conflicts of interest where permitted by the company’s Articles of Association.
11. Policies
11.1 Approval of policies, including:
• Code of Conduct;
• Share dealing code;
• Bribery prevention policy;
• Whistleblowing policy;
• Health and safety policy;
• Environmental and sustainability policy;
• Communications policy including procedures for the release of price sensitive information;
• Corporate social responsibility policy; and
• Charitable donations policy
12. Other
12.1 The making of political donations.
12.2 Approval of the appointment of the Group’s principal professional advisers.
12.3 Prosecution, defense or settlement of litigation, or an alternative dispute resolution mechanism involving above £100,000, with prior Board approval, or notification where otherwise material to the interests of the group.
12.4 Approval of the overall levels of insurance for the group including directors’ & officers’ liability insurance and indemnification of directors.
12.5 Major changes to the rules of the group’s pension scheme, or changes of company trustee(s) or fund management arrangements.
12.6 Disposal of any of the Group’s principal brands or IP.
12.7 Any decision likely to have a material impact on the Group from any perspective, including, but not limited to, financial, operational, strategic or reputational.
12.8 This schedule of matters reserved for board decisions.
Matters which the board considers suitable for delegation are contained in the terms of reference of its committees.
In addition, the board will receive reports and recommendations from time to time on any matter which it considers significant to the group.
Approved by the Board 31 October 2022