Vodafone 2015 Annual Report Download - page 61

Keeping up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with key business
developments is essential for the Directors
to maintain and enhance their effectiveness.
This is achieved by:
a receiving presentations from executives
in our business on matters of signicance.
This year the Board had training sessions
on topics that are increasingly relevant for
Vodafone as it executes its strategy, namely
on xed access technologies, content and
Vodafone’s digital strategy;
a nancial plans, including budgets
and forecasts are regularly discussed
at Board meetings;
a the Directors have the opportunity to learn
the views of major investors at planned
investor relations events throughout
the year;
a visits to different parts of the Group.
Details of the Board’s visit to Delhi in India
is set out on page 57; and
a regular updates on the Group’s businesses
and the regulatory and industry specic
environments in which we operate, by way
of written briengs and meetings with
senior executives and, where appropriate,
external sources.
As part of the Board’s review of its effectiveness
in 2015, the Directors assessed whether they
had enough opportunities for training and
development. The Board is condent that all
its members have the knowledge, ability and
experience to perform the functions required
of a director of a listed company.
Board Induction
The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that
each Director receives an induction on joining
the Board and receives the training he or she
requires, tailored to their specic requirements.
This year, an induction programme was
provided for Nick Read, our new Chief Financial
Ofcer. Valerie Gooding, Dame Clara Furse
and Sir Crispin Davis were also inducted
into the Board. Valerie Gooding’s induction
had been mostly completed during the
2014 nancial year but she continued her
introductory visits during the 2015 nancial
year. During the induction process new
Non-Executive Directors meet with each
of the Executive Committee members to hear
about the aspects of Vodafone’s business for
which they are responsible. They also meet
with the Chief Executive of Vodafone UK and,
when practicable, with at least one other local
market chief executive. The Directors being
inducted also meet with the Group General
Counsel and Company Secretary, Group Audit
Director and Group Risk and Compliance
Director. Briengs are provided by a law
rm for those Directors who are not already
familiar with the laws and regulations affecting
listed companies.
Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Vodafone Group Plc
Annual Report 2015
59