State Street Global Advisors' ("SSGA") United Kingdom ("UK") and Ireland Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a company's business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.
When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSGA considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments. SSGA expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. When we feel that a country's regulatory requirements do not address some of the key philosophical principles that SSGA believes are fundamental to its global voting guidelines, we may hold companies in such markets to our global standards.
In its analysis and research into corporate governance issues in the UK and Ireland, SSGA expects all companies, regardless of domicile, that obtain a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange or the Irish Stock Exchange to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code and proactively monitors companies' adherence to the Code. Consistent with the ‘comply or explain' expectations established by the Code, SSGA encourages companies to proactively disclose their level of compliance with the Code. In instances of non-compliance when companies cannot explain the nuances of their governance structure effectively, either publicly or through engagement, SSGA may vote against the independent board leader.
SSGA's Proxy Voting and Engagement Philosophy
In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. Asset Stewardship Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSGA has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSGA engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance ("ESG") issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.
The team works alongside members of SSGA's active fundamental and EMEA investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSGA is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the UK and European markets.
SSGA is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment ("UNPRI") and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.
Directors and Boards
SSGA believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSGA views board quality as a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board diversity, evaluations and refreshment, and company governance practices.SSGA votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including board quality, general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSGA believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests. Further, SSGA expects boards of FTSE-350 listed companies to have at least one female board member.
SSGA’s broad criteria for director independence in UK companies include factors such as:
• Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; • Employment history with company;
• Excessive tenure and a preponderance of long-tenured directors;
• Relations with controlling shareholders;
• Family ties with any of the company’s advisers, directors or senior employees; and
• If the company classifies the director as non-independent.
When considering the election or re-election of a director, SSGA also considers the number of outside board directorships a non-executive and an executive may undertake as well as attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSGA monitors other factors that may influence the independence of a non-executive director, such as performance related pay, cross-directorships andsignificant shareholdings. SSGA supports the annual election of directors.
While SSGA is generally supportive of having the roles of chairman and CEO separated in the UK market, SSGA assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to factors such as the company’s specific circumstances, overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. Similarly, SSGA will monitor for circumstances where a combined chairman/CEO is appointed or where a former CEO becomes chairman.
SSGA may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities when considering their suitability for reappointment (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing and breach of fiduciary responsibilities).
SSGA believes companies should have committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Similarly, executive pay is an important aspect of corporate governance, and it should be determined by the board of directors. SSGA expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. SSGA will vote against nominees who are executive members of audit or remuneration committees.
In its analysis of boards, SSGA considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process in place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint. The nomination committee is responsible for evaluating and keeping under review the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the board and ensuring that adequate succession plans are in place for directors and the CEO. SSGA may vote against the re-election of members of the nomination committee if, over time, the board has failed to address concerns over board structure or succession.
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Generally, SSGA supports proposals to limit directors’ liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, with gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Audit Related Issues
Companies should have robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.
Appointment of External Auditors
SSGA believes that a company’s auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, SSGA will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if an adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSGA may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSGA may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors SSGA generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
Shareholder Rights and Capital Related Issues
Share Issuances
The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholders’ ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSGA supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are not excessive relative to a company’s existing capital base.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seek to issue new shares whilst dis-applying pre-emption rights, SSGA may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSGA may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.
Share Repurchase Programs
SSGA generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, specify the range of premium/discount to market price at which a company can repurchase shares, and the timeframe for the repurchase. SSGA may vote against share repurchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.
Dividends
SSGA generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSGA may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the company’s long-term financial health.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported.
SSGA will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
• Offer premium;
• Strategic rationale;
• Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;
• Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and
• Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. SSGA may vote against a transaction considering the following:
• Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock;
• Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and
• At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price.
Anti-Takeover Measures
SSGA opposes anti-takeover defenses such as authorities for the board when subject to a hostile takeover to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
Remuneration
Executive Pay
Despite the differences among the types of plans and awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSGA’s analysis of executive pay — there should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term.
Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration policies and reports, SSGA considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long-term and short-term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSGA may oppose remuneration reports where pay seems misaligned with shareholders’ interests. SSGA may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
Equity Incentives Plans
SSGA may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSGA does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
Non-Executive Director Pay
Authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors’ fees are generally not controversial. SSGA generally supports resolutions regarding directors’ fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSGA will evaluate on a company- bycompany basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
Risk Management
SSGA believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSGA allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSGA expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSGA considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSGA supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into overall strategy, operations and business activities. SSGA’s team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSGA may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder concerns.
