Unilever 2011 Annual Report Download - page 43

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40
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE continued
Attendance
The following table shows the attendance of Directors at Board and Committee meetings for the year ended 31 December 2011.
If Directors are unable to attend a Board or Committee meeting, they have the opportunity beforehand to discuss any agenda items with
the chairman of the meeting.
Attendance is expressed as the number of meetings attended out of the number eligible to attend.
Main
Board
Audit
Committee
Corporate
Responsibility
and Reputation
Committee
Nomination
Committee
Remuneration
Committee
Michael Treschow 8/8(a) 6/6 5/5
Jeroen van der Veer(b) 4/4 2/2 2/2
Kees Storm 8/8 5/5(a) 4/4(f) 3/3(f)
Paul Polman(c) 8/8
Jean-Marc Huët(c) 7/8
Louise Fresco 8/8 4/4
Ann Fudge 8/8 3/4(f) 4/5
Charles Golden 7/8 5/5
Byron Grote 7/8 4/5
Sunil B Mittal(d) 2/4
Hixonia Nyasulu 8/8 4/4
Sir Malcolm Rifkind 8/8 4/4(a)
Paul Walsh(e) 8/8 6/6(a) 5/5(a)
(a) Chairman.
(b) Jeroen van der Veer retired from the Boards and stepped down as Chairman of both the Nomination and Remuneration Committees on 12 May 2011.
(c) Executive Director.
(d) Sunil B Mittal was appointed to the Boards on 12 May 2011.
(e) Paul Walsh was appointed Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees on 12 May 2011.
(f) Appointed to the Committee on 12 May 2011.
Our Shareholders
Shareholder matters
Relations with shareholders and other investors
We believe it is important both to explain our business
developments and financial results to investors and to understand
their objectives.
The Chief Financial Officer has lead responsibility for investor
relations, with the active involvement of the Chief Executive
Officer. They are supported by our Investor Relations department
which organises presentations for analysts and investors, and
such presentations are generally made available on our website.
Briefings on quarterly results are given via teleconference and are
accessible by telephone or via our website. For further information
visit our website at www.unilever.com/investorrelations.
The Boards are briefed on reactions to quarterly results
announcements. They, or the relevant Board Committee, are
briefed on any issues raised by shareholders that are relevant to
their responsibilities. Our shareholders can raise issues directly
with the Chairman and, if appropriate, the Vice-Chairman &
Senior Independent Director.
Both NV and PLC communicate with their respective
shareholders at the AGMs as well as responding to their questions
and enquiries during the course of the year. We take the views of
our shareholders into account and, in accordance with all
applicable legislation and regulations, may consult them in an
appropriate way before putting proposals to our AGMs.
General Meetings of shareholders
At the AGMs, a review is given of the progress of the business over
the last year and there is a discussion of current issues.
Shareholders are encouraged to attend the meetings and ask
questions, and the question and answer sessions form an important
part of the meetings. The business generally conducted includes
approval/adoption of the Annual Report and Accounts, appointment
of directors, appointment of external auditors, and authorisation for
the Boards to allot and repurchase shares.
General Meetings of shareholders of NV and PLC are held at
times and places decided by our Boards. NV meetings are
normally held in Rotterdam and PLC meetings are normally held
in London. These AGMs have historically been held on consecutive
days, but advances in technology mean that Unilever is able to
begin to explore new approaches to the way it holds company
meetings, with the aim of bringing the NV and PLC shareholders
closer together. Therefore in 2012 we will be holding the NV and
PLC meetings on the same day, with the NV meeting being held in
the morning in Rotterdam, and the PLC meeting being held in the
afternoon in London. At each AGM, half the Board will attend in
person, and the other half of the Board will attend the meeting via
satellite link. It is our intention that both the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer will attend both meetings in person.
The external auditors are welcomed to the AGMs and they are
entitled to address the meetings.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2011
Report of the Directors Governance