UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
RENALYTIX PLC
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Renalytix plc is filing this Amendment No. 1 to its definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the Proxy Statement), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on November 13, 2023 (the Original Filing), solely for the purpose of correcting an inadvertent clerical error to the date that ADS proxy cards submitted by ADS holders must be received by Citibank, N.A. from no later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 11, 2023 to no later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 11, 2023.
Except as described above, no changes have been made to the Original Filing, and this Proxy Statement does not modify, amend or update any of the other information contained in the Original Filing. The information contained in this Proxy Statement is as of the date of the Original Filing and does not reflect any information or events occurring after the date of the Original Filing.
November 13, 2023
Re: 2023 Annual General Meeting of Renalytix plc
Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to invite you to our 2023 Annual General Meeting (the AGM) of Renalytix plc (the Company) which will be held at 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 15, 2023 at 6 Stratton Street Mayfair, London W1J 8LD.
This letter, the notice of AGM set out in this document (the Notice of AGM), and associated materials for the AGM are being sent, or otherwise made available, to you because, as of November 10, 2023, you are registered as a holder of ordinary shares in the register of members of the Company. On or about November 21, 2023, this letter, the Notice of AGM and associated materials will also be available to holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and contains information relevant to holders of ADSs.
The Notice of AGM is set out in this document, and it contains the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM (the Resolutions).
Details regarding the business to be conducted at AGM, and admission to the AGM, are described in the accompanying Notice of AGM, proxy statement and the enclosed ADS Proxy Card (if applicable).
For the purposes of the AGM, a quorum will be formed by two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the business to be transacted at the AGM.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES IN THE COMPANY IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
If you are a holder of ADSs, please refer to the section below Holders of American Depositary Shares.
You will not receive a hard copy form of proxy with this document. Instead, you will be able to submit a proxy electronically using the link www.signalshares.com. You will need to log into your Signal Shares account or register if you have not previously done so. To register you will need your Investor Code which is detailed on your share certificate or available from Link Group. Proxies submitted electronically must be submitted by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. You can also vote electronically via the shareholder app LinkVote+ or, if you are an institutional investor, via the Proxymity platform; full details are set out in the notes to the Notice of AGM. You may request a hard copy form of proxy directly from Link Group, shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk or on +44(0)371 664 0300. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 17:30 (GMT), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Hard copy forms of proxy must be received by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023.
A proxy may also be appointed by CREST members, by using the CREST electronic proxy appointment service, further details of which are set out in the notes to the Notice of AGM. Proxies submitted via CREST (under ID RA10) must be sent as soon as possible and in any event delivered by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023, in order to be valid. The completion and return of a form of proxy, submitting a proxy instruction electronically or submitting a CREST proxy instruction will not preclude shareholders from attending and/or voting at the AGM should they so wish.
HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
In order to exercise your vote as a holder of an interest in the capital of the Company represented by ADSs, you or your bank, broker or nominee must be registered as a holder of ADSs in the ADS register by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 10, 2023 (the record date for ADS holders). If you hold ADSs through a bank, broker or nominee on November 10, 2023, the AGM documentation, including the ADS proxy card, will be sent to your broker who should forward the materials to you. Please reach out to your broker to provide your voting instructions. Please note that ADS proxy cards submitted by ADS holders must be received by Citibank, N.A. no later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 11, 2023.
If you have queries about how you can deliver voting instructions, please contact Citibank, N.A. ADR Shareholder Services at tel: +1-877-248-4237 (toll free within the United States) or +1-781-575-4555 (for international callers) or by email: citibank@shareholders-online.com or at Citibank Shareholder Services, P.O. Box 43077, Providence, RI 02940-3077.
RECOMMENDATION
The Board of Directors believes that each Resolution is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and is likely to promote the success of the Company. Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote in favor of each of the Resolutions. Each director with personal holdings of equity interests in the Company intends to do so in respect of his or her own beneficial holdings. You will find an explanatory note in relation to each of the Resolutions in the attached proxy statement.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Renalytix plc.
Sincerely,
/s/ Christopher Mills | ||
Christopher Mills Chairman |
Renalytix plc
Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London, United Kingdom
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 with registered number 11257655)
NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2023 Annual General Meeting (the AGM) of Renalytix plc (the Company) will be held at 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 15, 2023 at 6 Stratton Street Mayfair, London W1J 8LD to consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolutions of which Resolutions 1 to 8 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and Resolutions 9 to 11 as special resolutions.
Ordinary Resolutions
1. | To receive and adopt the accounts for the year ended June 30, 2023 together with the reports of the Directors and the auditors thereon (the 2023 U.K. Annual Report). |
2. | To approve the Directors Remuneration Report set out on pages 38 to 54 (inclusive) of the 2023 U.K. Annual Report. |
3. | To re-appoint Catherine Coste as a Director of the Company who, having been appointed since the last annual general meeting, is retiring in accordance with Article 83.1 of the Companys articles of association and, being eligible, is offering herself for re-appointment. |
4. | To re-appoint Chirag R. Parikh as a Director of the Company who retires by rotation in accordance with Article 83.1 of the Companys articles of association and, being eligible, is offering himself for re-appointment. |
5. | To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. |
6. | To re-appoint Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP as auditors to act as such until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company at which the requirements of section 437 of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) are complied with. |
7. | To authorise the Directors of the Company to determine the auditors remuneration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. |
8. | That in substitution for any existing such authorities (but without prejudice to any allotment of Relevant Securities (as defined in i) below) made or agreed to be made pursuant to such authorities), the Directors be and they are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised pursuant to section 551 of the Act to exercise all the powers of the Company: |
i) | to allot shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares of the Company (all of which transactions are hereafter referred to as an allotment of Relevant Securities) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £85,251.39 (representing approximately 35% of the Companys issued share capital); and |
ii) | to allot further equity securities (within the meaning of Section 560(1) of the Act) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £81,191.80 (representing approximately one-third of the Companys issued share capital) in connection with a pre-emptive offer in favour of shareholders where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interest of the shareholders are proportionate (as nearly as practicable) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares held by them, which satisfies the conditions and may be subject to all or any of the exclusions specified in paragraph i) of Resolution 9. |
The authorities conferred by this resolution shall expire (unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in general meeting) at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or the close of business on March 14, 2025, whichever is earlier, save that the Company may, before such expiry, revocation or variation, make an offer or agreement which would or might require Relevant Securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot Relevant Securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired or been revoked or varied.
Special Resolutions
9. | That, subject to and conditional upon the passing of Resolution 8 above, the Directors be given power in accordance with sections 570 and 573 of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 8 above and/or sell treasury shares as if section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale provided that this power shall be limited to: |
i) | the allotment of equity securities in connection with an offer or issue of equity securities to or in favour of (a) holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as may be practicable) to their existing holdings and (b) holders of other equity securities if this is required by the rights of those securities or, if the Directors consider it necessary, as permitted by the rights of those securities, and so that the Directors may make such exclusions or other arrangements as they consider expedient or necessary in relation to fractional entitlements, record dates, shares represented by depositary receipts, the use of more than one currency for making payments in respect of such offer, treasury shares, legal or practical problems under the laws in any territory or the requirements of any relevant regulatory body or stock exchange or any other matter; and |
ii) | the allotment of equity securities for cash pursuant to the authority granted under paragraph i) of Resolution 8 (otherwise than under paragraph i) of this Resolution 9) up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £85,251.39, which represents approximately 35% of the Companys issued share capital. |
The power conferred by this resolution shall expire (unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in general meeting) at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or the close of business on March 14, 2025, whichever is earlier, save that the Company may before such expiry, revocation or variation make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted or treasury shares to be sold after such expiry, revocation or variation and the Directors may allot equity securities and sell treasury shares pursuant to such offer or agreement as if the power hereby conferred had not expired or been revoked or varied. This power is in substitution for any and all powers previously conferred on the Directors under Section 570 of the Act, but without prejudice to any allotment of equity securities made or agreed to be made pursuant to such powers.
10. | That the Company be and is generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of section 701(1) of the Act to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) on the London Stock Exchange of ordinary shares of £0.0025 each in the capital of the Company (Ordinary Shares) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may from time to time decide provided that: |
iii) | the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary Shares authorised to be purchased is 9,743,015 (representing approximately 10% of the Companys issued ordinary share capital); |
(ii)
iv) | the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an Ordinary Share is £0.0025 per share; |
v) | the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an Ordinary Share is the higher of (a) 105% of the average of the middle market quotations for an Ordinary Share as derived from the AIM section of the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the date on which the Ordinary Share is purchased and (b) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out; |
vi) | unless previously varied or revoked, the authority conferred shall expire at the conclusion of the Companys next annual general meeting or the close of business on December 31, 2024, if earlier; and |
vii) | the Company may make a contract or contracts to purchase Ordinary Shares under the authority hereby conferred prior to the expiry of such authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of such authority and may make a purchase of Ordinary Shares in pursuance of any such contract or contracts. |
11. | That with effect from the conclusion of the AGM the draft articles of association produced to the AGM and, for the purpose of identification, initialled by the Chairman be adopted as the articles of association of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the Companys existing articles of association. |
In accordance with the Companys articles of association, voting on all resolutions at the AGM will be on a poll rather than a show of hands.
Resolutions 1 through 8 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions under English law. Assuming that a quorum is present, an ordinary resolution is passed on a poll if it is approved by holders representing a simple majority (more than 50%) of the total voting rights of shareholders present (in person or by proxy) who (being entitled to vote) vote on the resolution.
Resolutions 9 through 11 will be proposed as special resolutions under English law. Assuming that a quorum is present, a special resolution is passed on a poll if it is approved by holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders present (in person or by proxy) who (being entitled to vote) vote on the resolution.
The results of AGM and any other information required by the Act will be made available on our website (www.renalytix.com) as soon as reasonably practicable following the AGM and for the required period thereafter and announced by filing of a current report on Form 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and publishing a RNS announcement in the United Kingdom.
Registered Office | BY ORDER OF THE BOARD | |
Finsgate 5-7 Cranwood Street London EC1V 9EE United Kingdom |
![]() | |
Salim Hamir | ||
November 13, 2023 |
Company Secretary |
(iii)
Arrangements for the AGM
The AGM will be held at 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 15, 2023 at 6 Stratton Street Mayfair, London W1J 8LD. Shareholders who wish to vote are encouraged to submit their votes by proxy as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than the deadlines set out in paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 8 below. The Board recommends that Shareholders appoint the Chairman of the AGM as their proxy. In the event that the AGM arrangements change, the Company will issue a further communication via a regulatory information service. As such, we strongly recommend Shareholders monitor such communications, which can also be found on our website at https://investors.renalytix.com/news-and-events/news-releases/general.
1. | Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and article 49.4 of the Companys articles of association, the Company specifies that only those members registered on the Companys register of members at the close of business on December 13, 2023 shall be entitled to attend and vote at the AGM or adjourned meeting (as applicable) in respect of the number of Ordinary Shares registered in their name at the time. Changes to the register of members after that time will be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the AGM. |
2. | If you are a member of the Company at the time set out in note 1 above, you are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of your rights to attend, speak, and vote at the AGM. You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these notes and the notes to the hard copy proxy form (if requested). A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company but must attend the AGM to represent you. You may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares. To appoint more than one proxy, please contact the Registrar, Link Group at the address set out in note 5 below. The Board recommends that Shareholders appoint the Chairman of the AGM as their proxy. |
3. | You will not receive a hard copy form of proxy with this document. Instead, you will be able to submit your proxy electronically using the link www.signalshares.com. You will need to log into your Signal Shares account, or register if you have not previously done so. To register you will need your Investor Code, which is detailed on your share certificate or available from our Registrar, Link Group. Proxies submitted electronically must be submitted by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. |
4. | You can also vote electronically: |
| by downloading the shareholder app, LinkVote+, on the Apple App Store or Google Play and following the instructions; or |
| if you are an institutional investor, you may be able to appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform, a process which has been agreed by the Company and approved by the Registrar, Link Group. For further information regarding Proxymity, please go to www.proxymity.io. Your proxy must be lodged by 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023 in order to be considered valid or, if the meeting is adjourned, by the time which is 48 hours before the time of the adjourned meeting. Before you can appoint a proxy via this process you will need to have agreed to Proxymitys associated terms and conditions. It is important that you read these carefully as you will be bound by them and they will govern the electronic appointment of your proxy. |
5. | You may request a hard copy form of proxy directly from the Registrar, Link Group at shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk or on Tel: 0371 664 0300. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 9:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. (GMT), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. To be valid, any hard copy form of proxy and power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed or a notarially certified or office copy of such power or authority or other instrument appointing a proxy must be completed and returned to Link Group, PXS1, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. |
6. | CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic proxy appointment service should do so in accordance with the procedures set out below. |
(iv)
7. | CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the AGM (and any adjournment of the AGM) by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual (available from www.euroclear.com/). CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed a service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. |
8. | In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a CREST Proxy Instruction) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & International Limiteds specifications and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must be transmitted so as to be received by the issuers agent (ID RA10) by 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to mean the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST application host) from which the issuers agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, any change of instructions to proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the appointee through other means. |
9. | CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK & International Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular message. Normal system timings and limitations will, therefore, apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or sponsored member, or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting system providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001. |
10. | Unless otherwise indicated on the Form of Proxy, CREST, Proxymity or any other electronic voting instruction, the proxy will vote as they think fit or, at their discretion or withhold from voting. |
11. | In the case of joint holders, where more than one of the joint holders purports to appoint a proxy, only the appointment submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which the names of the joint holders appear in the Companys register of members in respect of the joint holding (the first-named being the most senior). |
12. | To change your proxy instructions simply submit a new proxy appointment using the methods set out above. Note that the cut-off time for receipt of proxy appointments (see above) also apply in relation to amended instructions; any amended proxy appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded. Where you have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy proxy form and would like to change the instructions using another hard-copy proxy form, please contact Link Group at the contact details noted in note 5 above. If you submit more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time for the receipt of proxies will take precedence |
13. | In order to revoke a proxy instruction, you will need to inform the Company by contacting Link Group on 0371 664 0300. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 - 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an officer of the company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or authority) must be included with the revocation notice. The revocation notice must be received by Link Group no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. If you attempt to revoke your proxy appointment but the revocation is received after the time specified then, subject to the note directly below, your proxy appointment will remain valid. |
(v)
14. | Appointment of a proxy does not preclude you from attending the AGM and voting in person. |
15. | Any corporation which is a member of the Company can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same Ordinary Shares. |
16. | As at 5:00 p.m. (GMT) on November 10, 2023 being the latest practicable date before the circulation of this document, the Companys issued share capital comprised 97,430,156 Ordinary Shares. Each Ordinary Share carries the right to one vote at a general meeting of the Company and, therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company as at 5:00 p.m. (GMT) on November 10, 2023 being the latest practicable date before the circulation of this document is 97,430,156. |
17. | You may not use any electronic address provided either in this Notice of AGM or any related documents (including any hard copy form of proxy) to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated. |
18. | Any member attending the AGM has the right to ask questions. The Directors will not answer questions relating to the individual rights of shareholders at the AGM, but if you wish to submit a question via email we will respond to the extent we are able. |
19. | In accordance with the Articles, voting on all resolutions at the AGM will be on a poll rather than a show of hands. |
20. | A copy of this Notice of AGM, and other information required by Section 311A of the Act, can be found on the Companys website at www.renalytix.com. |
RECOMMENDATION
The Board of Directors believes that each Resolution is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and is likely to promote the success of the Company. Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote in favor of each of the Resolutions. Each Director with personal holdings of equity interests in the Company intends to do so in respect of his or her own beneficial holdings. You will find an explanatory note in relation to each of the Resolutions in the attached proxy statement.
(vi)
Renalytix plc
Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London EC1V 9EE
United Kingdom
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 with registered number 11257655)
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15, 2023
INFORMATION CONCERNING PROXY SOLICITATION AND VOTING
We have sent, or otherwise made available, to you this proxy statement because the Board of Directors (the Board or Board of Directors) of Renalytix plc (referred to herein as the Company, we, us or our) is soliciting your proxy to vote at our annual general meeting of shareholders (referred to herein as the Meeting or the AGM) to be held at 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 15, 2023 at 6 Stratton Street Mayfair, London W1J 8LD.
This proxy statement summarizes information about the proposals to be considered at the Meeting and other information you may find useful in determining how to vote. You will not receive a hard copy form of proxy with this proxy statement. Instead, you will be able to submit a proxy electronically using the link www.signalshares.com. Proxies submitted electronically must be submitted by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. You can also vote electronically via the shareholder app LinkVote+ or, if you are an institutional investor, via the Proxymity platform. Full details are set out in the notes to the Notice of 2023 AGM (the Notice of AGM). You may request a hard copy form of proxy directly from Link Group, shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk or on +44(0)371 664 0300. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 17:30 (GMT), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Hard copy forms of proxy must be received by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023.
In addition to solicitations by mail, our directors, officers and regular employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone, e-mail and personal interviews. All costs of solicitation of proxies will be covered by us.
We are mailing, or otherwise making available, the Notice of AGM and this proxy statement to our ordinary shareholders of record as of November 10, 2023 (being the latest practicable date before the circulation of this document) for the first time on or about November 21, 2023. In this mailing, we are also including or making available our U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports for the year ended June 30, 2023 (the 2023 U.K. Annual Report) and our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, as amended to date (the Annual Report on Form 10-K). In addition, we have provided brokers, dealers, bankers, and their nominees, at our expense, with additional copies of our proxy materials, the 2023 U.K. Annual Report and the Annual Report on Form 10-K so that our record holders can supply these materials to the beneficial owners of our ordinary shares.
While this document is being sent, or made available, to our ordinary shareholders of record, this document will also be sent, or made available, to holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and contains information relevant to holders of ADSs.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the AGM to Be Held on December 15, 2023:
The Notice of AGM, this proxy statement, the Annual Report on Form 10-K and the 2023 U.K. Annual Report are available on the Investors section of our website at https://investors.renalytix.com.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING
1) Why am I receiving these materials?
Ordinary shareholders
We have sent, or otherwise made available to, you this proxy statement and related materials because you are an ordinary shareholder of record and our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Meeting, including at any adjournments or postponements of the Meeting. You are invited to attend the AGM in person to vote on the proposals described herein. However, you do not need to attend the Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, please submit a proxy electronically using the link www.signalshares.com, via the shareholder app LinkVote+ or, if you are an institutional investor, via the Proxymity platform. You may request a hard copy form of proxy directly from Link Group, shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk or on +44(0)371 664 0300. Full details are set out in the notes to the Notice of AGM. Proxies submitted electronically or hard copy forms of proxy must be submitted by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023.
CREST members may appoint a proxy by using the CREST electronic proxy appointment service. CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or give an instruction through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so by using the procedures described in the CREST manual.
You are encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the Meeting as your proxy.
Materials for ordinary shareholders will be mailed, or otherwise made available, on or about November 16, 2023 to all ordinary shareholders of record entitled to vote at the Meeting.
ADS holders
Materials for ADS holders of record, including the Notice of AGM, this proxy statement, the Annual Report on Form 10-K, the 2023 U.K. Annual Report and an ADS proxy card (the ADS Proxy Card), will be mailed or made available on or about November 21, 2023 to all ADS holders, including banks, brokers and nominees, who are registered as holders of ADSs in the ADS register at 10:00 p.m. GMT (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on November 10, 2023 (the record date for ADS holders).
The duly completed ADS Proxy Cards submitted by the ADS holders of record must be received by Citibank, N.A. no later than 3 p.m. GMT (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on December 11, 2023.
2) Who can vote at the Meeting?
Ordinary shareholders
Only ordinary shareholders of record registered in the register of members at close of business (GMT) on December 13, 2023 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters that are subject to a shareholder vote.
As of November 10, 2023 (being the latest practicable date before the circulation of this proxy statement) there were 97,430,156 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, which are entitled to vote.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, we urge you to submit your proxy to ensure your vote is counted. All proxies, however submitted, must be lodged with our Registrar, Link Group, by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023 for holders of ordinary shares.
You are encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the Meeting as your proxy.
2
If you sell or transfer your ordinary shares in the Company on or prior to close of business on December 13, 2023, your proxies, if submitted, (whether before or after you sell or transfer your ordinary shares) will be treated as invalid. Please pass this document and the accompanying materials to the person who arranged the sale or transfer for delivery to the purchaser or transferee. The purchaser or transferee should contact our Registrar, Link Group, for details in relation to submission of proxies.
Beneficial owners of ordinary shares which are registered in the name of a broker, bank or nominee
If your ordinary shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, nominee or other similar organization and you are the beneficial owner of shares, these proxy materials may be forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Meeting. You are encouraged to provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or nominee so that they may submit a proxy.
ADS holders
You are entitled to exercise your vote as a holder of an interest in the capital of the Company represented by ADSs if you or your brokerage firm, bank or nominee is registered as a holder of ADSs in the ADS register maintained by Citibank, N.A. as of 10:00 p.m. GMT (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on November 10, 2023 (the record date for ADS holders).
If you hold ADSs through a brokerage firm, bank or nominee as of the record date, the materials for ADS holders, including the ADS Proxy Card, will be sent to that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the ADS holder of record. Please reach out to that organization to provide your voting instructions.
Please note that ADS Proxy Cards submitted by ADS holders must be received by Citibank, N.A. no later than 3:00 p.m. GMT (10 a.m. Eastern Time) on December 11, 2023.
Citibank, N.A. will collate all votes properly submitted by ADS holders and submit a vote on behalf of all ADS holders. Each ADS represents two voting ordinary shares.
Contacts for ADS holders
If you have queries about how you can deliver voting instructions, please contact Citibank, N.A. ADR Shareholder Services by telephone: +1-877-248-4237 (toll free within the United States) or +1-781-575-4555 (for international callers) or by email: citibank@shareholders-online.com or at Citibank, N.A. Shareholder Services, P.O. Box 505050, Louisville, KY 40233-9724.
Contacts at the Company
If at any point you require guidance, please contact Salim Hamir, Company Secretary, by telephone at +44 20 3139 2910.
3) What is the difference between an ordinary shareholder of record and a beneficial owner?
These terms describe how your ordinary shares are held. If your ordinary shares are registered directly in our register of members maintained by Link Group, our Registrar, you are a shareholder of record and the proxy materials are being sent directly, or otherwise being made available, to you. If your ordinary shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you are a beneficial owner of the shares held by your broker, bank or nominee and the proxy materials may be made available or forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee, who is treated as the shareholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you may have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your ordinary shares by following the voting instructions provided to you by such broker, bank or other nominee.
3
4) What are the requirements to elect the directors and approve each of the proposals?
You may cast your vote for or against each of the proposals or abstain from voting your shares on one or more of these proposals.
In accordance with the Companys articles of association, voting on all resolutions at the AGM will be on a poll rather than a show of hands.
Proposals 1 through 8 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions under English law. Assuming that a quorum is present, an ordinary resolution is passed on a poll if it is approved by holders representing a simple majority (more than 50%) of the total voting rights of shareholders present (in person or by proxy) who (being entitled to vote) vote on the resolution.
Proposals 9 through 11 will be proposed as special resolutions under English law. Assuming that a quorum is present, a special resolution is passed on a poll if it is approved by holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders present (in person or by proxy) who (being entitled to vote) vote on the resolution.
The result of the shareholder votes on the ordinary resolutions in proposals 1 (receipt and adoption of the Companys U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports), 2 (approval of our U.K. statutory directors annual report on remuneration for the year ended June 30, 2023) and 5 (ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024) are advisory in nature and as a result will not require our Board of Directors or any committee thereof to take any action. However, our Board of Directors values the opinions of our shareholders and will carefully consider the outcome of the votes on such proposals.
5) What are the voting recommendations of our Board regarding the election of directors and other proposals?
The following table summarizes the items that will be brought for a vote of our shareholders at the Meeting, along with the Boards voting recommendations.
Proposal | Description of Proposal |
Boards Recommendation |
||||
1 | Receipt and adoption of the Companys U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports* | FOR | ||||
2 | Approval of the Companys Directors Remuneration Report* | FOR | ||||
3 | Re-appointment of Catherine Coste to the Board of Directors | FOR | ||||
4 | Re-appointment of Chirag Parikh to the Board of Directors | FOR | ||||
5 | Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024* | FOR | ||||
6 | Re-appointment of Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP, a United Kingdom entity, as U.K. statutory auditors of the Company, to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of shareholders | FOR | ||||
7 | Authorization for the Board of Directors to determine the auditors remuneration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 | FOR | ||||
8 | Authorization for the Board of Directors to (i) allot shares or to grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £85,251.39 and (ii) allot further equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £81,191.80 in connection with a pre-emptive offer in favour of shareholders | FOR |
4
Proposal | Description of Proposal |
Boards Recommendation |
||||
9 | Authorizing the Board of Directors to allot equity securities for cash in connection with a pre-emptive offer and otherwise up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £85,251.39 pursuant to the authorization in Resolution 8 as if U.K. statutory pre-emption rights did not apply | FOR | ||||
10 | Authorization of share repurchases on the London Stock Exchange | FOR | ||||
11 | Adoption of new articles of association | FOR |
* | Denotes an advisory vote. |
6) What constitutes a quorum?
Under our current articles of association, a quorum will be present if two shareholders of the Company entitled to vote are present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. As described in Proposal 11, we are recommending that the quorum requirement in our articles of association be amended to comply with certain requirements of the Nasdaq rules.
If you are an ordinary shareholder of record, your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you are present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of ordinary shares held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other similar organization your shares will be counted towards the quorum if your broker or nominee submits a proxy for those shares and the proxy represents the holder at the Meeting. A member represented by a proxy at the Meeting will be counted towards the quorum requirement even where the proxy abstains from voting. If a form of proxy does not instruct the proxy how to vote, the proxy may vote as he or she sees fit or abstain in relation to any business of the Meeting.
If there is no quorum, the Meeting will stand adjourned to such time, date and place as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Meeting (being not less than 10 clear days later). Under our current articles of association, if a quorum is not present at the adjourned meeting, one person entitled to vote on the business to be transacted, being a member or a proxy for a member or a duly authorized representative of a corporation which is a member, shall be a quorum and any notice of an adjourned meeting shall state this.
7) How do I vote my shares?
Ordinary shareholders
If you are an ordinary shareholder of record, you may vote in person at the Meeting or if you do not wish to vote in person or will not be attending the Meeting, you may vote by proxy. You may appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Full details on how to appoint a proxy are set out in the notes to the Notice of AGM. If you properly give instructions as to your proxy appointment and your proxy appointment is not subsequently revoked, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If your ordinary shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, nominee or similar organization, you should follow directions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee.
All proxies must be lodged with our Registrar (Link Group) by no later than 3:30 p.m. GMT (10:30 a.m. Eastern Time) on December 13, 2023.
You are encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the Meeting as your proxy.
ADS holders
If you are a holder of ADSs, you may exercise your right to vote by completing and submitting the ADS Proxy Card which will be sent, or made available, to you by Citibank, N.A. If your ADSs are held in an account
5
at a brokerage firm, bank, nominee or similar organization, you should follow the directions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee. All ADS Proxy Cards, however submitted, must be received by Citibank, N.A. no later than 3:00 p.m. GMT (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on December 11, 2023.
Citibank, N.A. will collate all votes properly submitted by ADS holders and submit a vote to the Company on behalf of all ADS holders.
8) How will my shares be voted if I do not specify how they should be voted?
If you submit your proxy electronically or via a hard copy form of proxy but do not indicate how you want your shares to be voted, your shares may be voted by the person that you appoint as your proxy as he or she deems fit or your proxy may abstain in relation to any business of the Meeting.
If you submit a signed ADS proxy card but it is missing voting instructions, Citibank, N.A. will deem the ADS holder to have instructed it to vote in favor of the proposals. In accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement by and among the Company, Citibank, N.A. as depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder dated as of July 21, 2020 (the Deposit Agreement) and as amended to date, holders of ADSs as of 10:00 p.m. GMT (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on November 10, 2023 (the record date for ADS holders) who do not provide the depositary with voting instructions on or before 3:00 p.m. GMT (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on December 11, 2023 will be deemed to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote the underlying ordinary shares at the Meeting, and such shares, if such discretionary proxy is given, will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations; provided, however, that no such discretionary proxy shall be given by the depositary with respect to any matter to be voted upon as to which the Company informs the depositary that (a) the Company does not wish such proxy to be given, (b) substantial opposition exists, or (c) the rights of holders of deposited securities under the Deposit Agreement may be adversely affected.
If you are a beneficial owner of ADSs and your broker, bank or nominee does not receive instructions from you about how your ADSs are to be voted, such broker, bank or nominee may be permitted to vote your ADSs on your behalf, depending on the rules applicable to such broker, bank or nominee and the type of proposal. Under rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which are also applicable to Nasdaq-listed companies, brokers, banks and other securities intermediaries that are subject to NYSE rules may use their discretion to vote your uninstructed ADSs on matters considered to be routine under NYSE rules, but they do not have discretionary power to vote your ADSs on non-routine matters. Therefore, brokers, banks and other nominees who hold ADSs on behalf of their beneficial owners may not give a proxy to the Company to vote those ADSs with respect to Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 11 and without specific voting instructions from such beneficial owners, as none of these other matters to be voted upon at the Meeting are considered routine matters under the NYSE Rule 452 and brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary voting power for such non-routine matters.
A broker non-vote refers to an ADS represented at the Meeting held by the holder of the underlying ordinary shares as to which instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner or person entitled to vote such shares and with respect to which, on one or more, but not all matters, the broker does not have discretionary voting power to vote such share because such matter is considered non-routine under New York Stock Exchange rules.
We encourage you to submit your proxy with instructions and exercise your right to vote as a shareholder.
9) Can I change my vote or revoke a proxy?
An ordinary shareholder of record can revoke his or her proxy before the time of voting at the Meeting by:
| contacting our Registrar, Link Group on 0371 664 0300. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable |
6
international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 - 17:30 (GMT), Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. In the case of an ordinary shareholder which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an officer of the company or an attorney for the company. Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or authority) must be included with the revocation notice. The revocation notice must be received by Link Group no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023. If you attempt to revoke your proxy appointment but the revocation is received after the time specified then, subject to the note directly below, your proxy appointment will remain valid; or |
| attending the Meeting and entering a new vote at the Meeting. |
If your ordinary shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, nominee or similar organization, you may be able to change or revoke your voting instructions by contacting the broker, bank or other nominee holding the shares or by your broker, bank or other nominee validly appointing you as proxy to attend at the Meeting. See also What if I plan to attend the Meeting?
If you hold ADSs, directly or through a broker, bank or other nominee, you must follow the instructions provided by Citibank, N.A. or such broker, bank or other nominee if you wish to change your vote. The last instructions you submit prior to the deadline indicated by Citibank, N.A. or the broker, bank or other nominee, as applicable, will be used to instruct Citibank, N.A. how to vote your ADSs.
10) Who counts the votes?
Link Group has been engaged as our independent agent to tabulate shareholder votes. If you are an ordinary shareholder of record, you can submit your proxy electronically (via www.signalshares.com, the shareholder app LinkVote+ or, if you are an institutional investor, the Proxymity platform) or request a hard copy form of proxy (see instructions set out in the notes to the Notice of AGM). A proxy may also be appointed by CREST members, by using the CREST electronic proxy appointment service, further details of which are set out in the notes to the Notice of AGM. Proxies submitted via CREST (under ID RA10) must be sent as soon as possible and in any event so as to be received by no later than 3:30 p.m. (GMT) on December 13, 2023, in order to be valid. If you hold your ordinary shares through a broker, please provide voting instructions to your broker.
If you are a registered holder of ADSs, you can return your executed ADS Proxy Card to Citibank, N.A. for tabulation. If you hold your ADSs through a broker, bank or other organization, that organization can return the ADS Proxy Card to Citibank, N.A. following your instruction. Citibank, N.A. will submit your votes to Link Group for tabulation.
11) How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by Link Group, who will separately count for and against votes, and votes withheld or abstentions. A vote withheld or abstention is not a vote in law and will not be counted in the calculation of the votes for and against a resolution. Broker non-votes will have no effect on any proposal. Brokers, banks and other nominees who hold ordinary shares or ADSs on behalf of their beneficial owners may not give a proxy to the Company to vote those shares with respect to Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 11 and without specific voting instructions from such beneficial owners, as none of these other matters to be voted upon at the Meeting are considered routine matters under the NYSE Rule 452 and brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary voting power for such non-routine matters.
12) How many votes do I have?
In accordance with the articles of association, voting on all resolutions at the AGM will be on a poll rather than a show of hands. On a poll, each shareholder present in person or by proxy or in the case of a corporation,
7
by a duly authorized representative, has one vote for each voting ordinary share held by the ordinary shareholder. Each ADS of the Company represents two voting ordinary shares.
13) What if I plan to attend the Meeting?
Ordinary shareholders can attend the Meeting, but attendance will be limited to ordinary shareholders of record as of close of business (GMT) on December 13, 2023. In order to obtain admittance to the Meeting each ordinary shareholder may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a drivers license or passport.
If you are an ADS holder, please note that you will not be able to cast votes at the Meeting. In order to vote your ADSs, you should complete and submit the ADS Proxy Card in accordance with the instructions set out above.
If the arrangements for our AGM change materially, we will issue a further communication via a Form 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), a RNS announcement in the United Kingdom and on our website at www.renalytix.com.
14) Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will bear the costs of solicitation of proxies for the AGM, including the preparation, assembly, printing, mailing and distribution of the proxy materials. In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies from shareholders by telephone, personal interview or otherwise. Such directors, officers and employees will not receive additional compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. Brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians have been requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of ordinary shares and ADSs held of record by them, and we will reimburse such custodians for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We may also retain an independent contractor to assist in the solicitation of proxies. If retained for such services, we will pay the costs.
15) What do I do if I receive more than one proxy statement or ADS Proxy Card?
If you hold your ordinary shares in more than one account, you will receive a proxy statement for each account. If you hold ADSs in more than one account, you will receive an ADS Proxy Card and related proxy materials for each account. To ensure that all of your shares are voted, please submit your proxy. Please be sure to vote all of your shares.
16) Will there be any other business conducted at the Meeting?
No. In accordance with our articles of association, no matters other than proposals 1 through 11 may be presented at the Meeting. We have not been notified of, and our Board is not aware of, any other matters to be presented for action at the Meeting.
17) What is Link Groups role?
Link Group is our registrar. All communications concerning ordinary shareholder of record accounts, including address changes, name changes, ordinary share transfer requirements and similar issues can be handled by contacting Link Group by telephone: +44 (0)371 664 0300 (if calling from overseas, please ensure the country code is used) or by writing to Link Group, PXS1, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL.
18) What is Citibanks role?
Citibank, N.A. serves as our ADS depositary bank. Communications concerning ADS holder of record accounts can be handled by contacting Citibank, N.A. ADR Shareholder Services by telephone: +1-877-248-4237
8
(toll free within the United States) or +1-781-575-4555 (for international callers) or by email: citibank@shareholders-online.com or at Citibank, N.A. Shareholder Services, P.O. Box 505050, Louisville, KY 40233-9724.
19) What proxy materials are available on the internet?
The proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and annual report to shareholders are available at www.renalytix.com.
20) How can I find out the results of the voting at the Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Meeting. Voting results will be announced by the filing of a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC within four business days after the Meeting and publishing a RNS announcement in the United Kingdom as soon as reasonably practicable following the AGM. If final voting results are unavailable at that time, we will file an amended current report on Form 8-K within four business days of the day the final results are available.
The results of any polls taken on the resolutions at the Meeting and any other information required by the U.K. Companies Act 2006 (the Companies Act) will be made available on our website (www.renalytix.com) and announced via a RNS announcement in the United Kingdom as soon as reasonably practicable following the Meeting and for the required period thereafter.
9
RESOLUTION TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE COMPANYS U.K. STATUTORY ANNUAL ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS
At the AGM, in accordance with the Companies Act, our Board of Directors will present our U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports for the year ended June 30, 2023 (the 2023 U.K. Annual Report), which includes the audited portion of the directors annual report on remuneration. We will provide our shareholders with an opportunity to receive the U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports and to raise questions in relation to them. The 2023 U.K. Annual Report may be found on our website at https://investors.renalytix.com/financials-and-filings/annual-and-half-year-reports. In accordance with best practice, we are proposing an ordinary resolution to receive and adopt the 2023 U.K. Annual Report.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to receive and adopt the 2023 U.K. Annual Report.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the resolution to receive and adopt the Companys 2023 U.K. Annual Report.
10
APPROVAL OF OUR DIRECTORS REMUNERATION REPORT
The Companies Act requires that our directors remuneration report, as set forth as Annex A to this proxy statement and on pages 38 to 54 of the 2023 U.K. Annual Report, be subject to an annual advisory vote. Accordingly, we are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the directors remuneration report.
Our Board believes that appropriate remuneration of directors plays a vital part in helping to achieve our overall objectives. We encourage shareholders to read the directors remuneration report. Our Board and the Remuneration Committee believe that the policies and procedures as articulated in the directors remuneration report are effective and that as a result of these policies and procedures we have and will continue to have high-quality directors. Our U.K. statutory auditors, Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP, have audited those parts of the directors remuneration report that are required to be audited. Our Board has approved and signed the directors remuneration report in accordance with English law.
This vote is advisory and non-binding and the directors entitlement to receive remuneration is not conditional on it. Payments made or promised to directors will not have to be repaid, reduced or withheld in the event that the resolution is not passed. Although non-binding, our Board and Remuneration Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our director remuneration program. Following the AGM, and as required under English law, the directors remuneration report will be delivered to the U.K. Registrar of Companies.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to approve, on an advisory basis, our directors remuneration report.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the approval of the directors remuneration report set forth in Annex A at Pages A-1 to A-20.
11
Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven members.
Our articles of association require that those directors who were appointed by the Board since our 2022 Annual General Meeting must retire from office and may offer themselves for re-appointment. Ms. Catherine Coste has been appointed by the Board since our 2022 annual general meeting.
Additionally, our articles of association require any director who held office at the time of the two preceding annual general meetings and who did not retire at either of them, or who has held office with the Company (other than as a Director holding an executive position) for a continuous period of nine years or more at the date of the AGM, to retire from office. Such director may offer himself or herself for re-appointment. Pursuant to our articles of association, Dr. Chirag R. Parikh will, on this occasion, retire from office and stand for re-appointment by our shareholders.
Having carried out an evaluation of the individual performance of each of Ms. Catherine Coste and Dr. Chirag R. Parikh with the support of the Nomination Committee, the Board is satisfied that their performance continues to be effective and that they continue to demonstrate commitment to their roles. The Board considers that it is entirely appropriate for each of Ms. Catherine Coste and Dr. Chirag R. Parikh to seek re-appointment at the AGM.
Each of the above directors has been nominated for re-appointment and no other nominees for directors have been presented. Therefore, it is anticipated that following the AGM, if all of the above directors are re-elected, the Board of Directors will be comprised of seven members.
In connection with proposals 3 and 4, we set forth the biographical information for the nominees to our Board of Directors. For biographical information for the other directors, see Board of Directors and Corporate Governance.
12
RE-APPOINTMENT OF CATHERINE COSTE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Catherine Coste is currently a member of our Board of Directors and has been nominated for re-appointment as a director. If re-appointed, she will hold office from the date of her re-appointment until the 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders where she must retire from office and offer herself for re-appointment, or until her earlier death, resignation or removal. Ms. Coste has agreed to serve if re-appointed, and the Board has no reason to believe that she will be unable to serve.
Catherine Coste has served as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2023. Ms. Coste retired from Deloitte and Touche LLP in September 2020, where she was a senior partner and served as one of Deloittes life sciences industry executive leaders. She spent 32 years at Deloitte in both corporate and professional services positions leading global finance, internal audit and operations teams. Ms. Coste has served as a director of both Minerva Surgical, Inc. since February 2021, where she serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and as member of the Compensation Committee, and Biomerica, Inc. since August 2020, where she is Chair of the Audit Committee, and serves on the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Coste also has extensive experience in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, corporate risk analysis and management, cyber risk assessment, fraud prevention, IT systems analysis and upgrades, internal controls, and corporate governance. Ms. Coste is a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Coste earned her B.A. in business administration, accounting, from California State University, Hayward. We believe that Ms. Coste is qualified to serve on our Board because of her extensive experience as a director of publicly traded companies and significant corporate finance and business expertise.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to re-appoint Catherine Coste to our Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the re-appointment of Catherine Coste to our Board of Directors.
13
RE-APPOINTMENT OF CHIRAG PARIKH TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chirag R. Parikh, Ph.D., M.D. is currently a member of our Board of Directors and has been nominated for re-appointment as a director. If re-appointed, he will hold office from the date of his re-appointment until the 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders where he must retire from office and offer himself for re-appointment, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Dr. Parikh has agreed to serve if re-appointed, and the Board has no reason to believe that he will be unable to serve.
Chirag R. Parikh, Ph.D., M.D. has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2019. Since July 2018, Dr. Parikh has served as a Professor of Medicine and the Division Director of Nephrology at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Parikh also served a faculty member at Yale University where he directed the Program of Applied Translational Research. Dr. Parikhs research focuses on the translation and validation of novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of kidney diseases. He has assembled multicenter longitudinal prospective cohorts for translational research studies across several clinical settings of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease for the efficient translation of novel biomarkers. Dr. Parikh received his medical degree from Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai, India and subsequently completed his Nephrology fellowship and a Ph.D. in Clinical Investigation at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. We believe that Dr. Parikh is qualified to serve on our Board because of his academic and research experience in the field in which we operate.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to re-appoint Chirag R. Parikh to our Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the re-appointment of Chirag R. Parikh to our Board of Directors.
14
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board has selected Ernst & Young LLP (EY), as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and has further directed that management submit the selection of its independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the shareholders at the AGM. A representative of EY will not be present at the Meeting.
Neither our articles of association nor other governing documents nor applicable law require shareholder ratification of the selection of EY as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee of the Board is submitting the selection of EY to the shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain EY. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 by Ernst & Young LLP, Iselin, New Jersey (PCAOB ID: 42), one of the Companys principal accountants.
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Audit Fees |
$ | 465 | $ | 876 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees |
| | ||||||
Tax Fees |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
All Other Fees |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Fees |
$ | 465 | $ | 876 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements, the review of our quarterly financial statements, and audit services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with regulatory filings.
All fees described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP. The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committees approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committees members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
15
The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by Ernst & Young LLP is compatible with maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
16
RE-APPOINTMENT OF MESSRS PKF LITTLEJOHN LLP, A UNITED KINGDOM ENTITY, AS U.K. STATUTORY AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY, TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
At each meeting at which the accounts are laid before shareholders, the Company is required to appoint U.K. statutory auditors to serve until the next such meeting. Proposal 6 seeks your approval of the re-appointment of Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP, a United Kingdom entity (PKF Littlejohn), to serve as our U.K. statutory auditor, to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of shareholders. In the event this proposal does not receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote and who are present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, the Board of Directors may appoint an auditor to fill the vacancy. A representative of PKF Littlejohn will not be present at the Meeting.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 by PKF Littlejohn, one of the Companys principal accountants.
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Audit Fees |
$ | 71 | $ | 71 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees |
| | ||||||
Tax Fees |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
All Other Fees |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Fees |
$ | 71 | $ | 71 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and audit services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with regulatory filings.
All fees described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to approve the re-appointment of Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP as our U.K. statutory auditors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the re-appointment of Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP, a United Kingdom
entity, as our U.K. statutory auditors.
17
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE THE AUDITORS REMUNERATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024
In accordance with the Companies Act, the remuneration of our U.K. statutory auditors must be fixed in a general meeting of shareholders or in such manner as may be determined in a general meeting of shareholders. Proposal 7 authorizes the Directors to determine our auditors remuneration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Fees for Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and Messrs PKF Littlejohn LLP, our statutory auditor, in respect of the years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, are set forth in Proposal 5 and Proposal 6, respectively, above.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to approve the authorization for the directors to determine the auditors remuneration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the authorization of our directors to determine our Auditors remuneration.
18
BACKGROUND ON PROPOSALS 8 AND 9
Pursuant to the Companies Act, our Board of Directors may only allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any securities into, shares (other than pursuant to an employees share scheme as defined in the Companies Act) if authorized to do so by our shareholders. If shareholders authorize our Board to allot shares or grant rights over shares, the Companies Act requires us, where the allotment is for cash, to offer them first to our existing shareholders in proportion to their holdings, unless the shareholders have sanctioned the disapplication of their statutory rights of pre-emption in respect of such allotment or grant of rights.
The authorities granted at the general meeting held on June 8, 2023 are due to expire at the AGM. Proposals 8 and 9 are intended to continue to give the Directors flexibility to act in the best interests of shareholders, where the opportunity arises, by issuing new shares. To ensure the Companys continued ability to respond to market conditions and address business needs, the Board considers it appropriate that it be authorized to (i) allot shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any securities into, shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of £85,251.39 (representing approximately 35% of the Companys issued share capital) and (ii) allot further equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act) up to an aggregate nominal value of £81,191.80 (representing approximately one-third of the Companys issued share capital) in connection with a pre-emptive offer in favour of shareholders.
At the general meeting of the Company on June 8, 2023, the Directors were authorized to allot equity securities for cash and/or to sell ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares on a non-pre-emptive basis for up to 20% of the then existing issued share capital. Such authority is due to expire at the AGM. As of November 10, 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document), such authority has been partially utilized to issue ordinary shares and ordinary shares represented by ADSs to settle certain amortized payment and interest amounts due under the $21.2 million amortizing senior convertible bonds due April 2027 and to grant certain restricted share units to its consultants. The Directors considers it appropriate that they be authorized to allot shares for cash and/or to sell ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares in connection with a pre-emptive offering in favour of shareholders and otherwise up to an aggregate nominal amount of 85,251.39 (being approximately 35% of the Companys issued share capital) pursuant to the authorization in Resolution 8 as if U.K. statutory pre-emption rights did not apply.
The Directors consider it is important that they have this authority to provide some flexibility in relation to the issue of shares on a non-pre-emptive basis. The Directors believe that it is important for the Board to have the flexibility to raise funds through the issue of new equity as required to finance the Companys working capital requirements and growth plans. Raising funds to fuel commercial opportunities is essential to the Company, particularly now that with FDA De Novo marketing authorization in June, kidneyintelX.dkd is expected to become available commercially later in this fiscal year and the Company expects to see growth in adoption. In addition, the Company may also need to use these authorities to settle amortization and/or interest payments on its convertible bonds issued in April 2022 in ADSs and/or ordinary shares. Further, proposals 8 and 9 are, in the Directors view, appropriate to avoid the Company being at a competitive disadvantage as compared to its peer companies, many of whom are incorporated in the United States and not subject to the same restrictions on their ability to issue shares as apply to the Company under the Companies Act.
Approval of Proposals 8 and 9 by shareholders will not exempt the Company from any Nasdaq corporate governance or other requirements, including those limiting the issuance of shares. For these reasons, we, therefore, consider that the Proposals 8 and 9 are appropriate to the needs of the Company and in the interests of shareholders.
We are asking you to approve these proposals, which the Board believes are in the best interests of its shareholders and the Company as a whole.
The full details of the proposals are set forth below.
19
AUTHORIZATION OF ALLOTMENT OF SHARES
Under the Companies Act, our Board of Directors cannot allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any securities into, shares in the Company (other than pursuant to an employees share scheme) unless they are authorized to do so by the Company in general meeting. The current authority granted to the Board of Directors at the general meeting held on June 8, 2023 expires at the AGM.
Proposal 8 will be proposed as an ordinary resolution to grant authority to the Board of Directors to (i) allot new shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares in the Company up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £85,251.39 (representing approximately 35% of the Companys existing issued share capital) and (ii) allot further equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act) up to an aggregate nominal value of £81,191.80 (representing approximately one-third of the Companys issued share capital) in connection with a pre-emptive offering in favour of existing shareholders.
If approved by shareholders, this authority will expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or March 14, 2025, whichever is earlier. If shareholders do not approve Proposal 8, the Company would not be able to allot further shares in the Company other than pursuant to an employees share scheme. Absent a further shareholder authorization, the Board considers that it would be significantly constrained in its ability to fund the development of the Companys business.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to approve the authorization of the allotment of shares.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote
FOR the authorization of allotment of shares.
20
DISAPPLICATION OF PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS
Proposal 9 seeks a disapplication of statutory pre-emption rights for pre-emptive offerings and otherwise for cash issues of up to a certain proportion of the Companys issued ordinary share capital. The current disapplication of pre-emption rights approved at the general meeting held on June 8, 2023 expires at the AGM.
Proposal 9 will be proposed as a special resolution to allot equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act) for cash and/or to sell ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares without first offering them to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings. Other than in connection with a pre-emptive offering, this authority will be limited to shares of an aggregate maximum nominal amount of £85,251.39 (being approximately 35% of the Companys issued share capital).
Proposal 9 will be required to be passed as a special resolution and, if passed, this authority will expire (unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in general meeting) at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or the close of business on March 14, 2025, whichever is earlier. If shareholders do not approve Proposal 9, the Company will not be able to allot further shares in the Company on a non-pre-emptive basis other than pursuant to an employees share scheme. Absent a shareholder authorization to allot equity securities free from applicable rights of pre-emption, the Board considers that it would be significantly constrained in its ability to fund the development of the Companys business.
Proposal 9 is conditional on the approval of Proposal 8 because English law requires that a pre-emption disapplication be given in respect of a particular authorization (general or specific) to allot shares. Proposal 9 will therefore not be passed unless Proposal 8 is also approved, notwithstanding that shareholders may have voted to approve Proposal 9.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to approve the disapplication of pre-emption rights.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote
FOR the disapplication of pre-emption rights.
21
AUTHORIZATION OF SHARE REPURCHASES ON THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE
Proposal 10, which will be proposed as a special resolution, seeks authority to enable the Company to purchase its ordinary shares on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM) during the period until the next annual general meeting of the Company or 31 December 2024, if earlier, for up to 9,743,015 ordinary shares, representing approximately 10% of the issued share capital of the Company. This authority would only allow for purchases of ordinary shares on AIM and would not allow for purchases of ADSs representing ordinary shares on Nasdaq.
The price payable (excluding expenses) shall not be more than the higher of (i) 105% of the average of the middle market quotations as derived from the AIM section of the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange plc for the ordinary shares for the five business days before the purchase is made and (ii) the higher of the price quoted for the last independent trade of, and the highest current independent bid for, any number of the ordinary shares as derived from the London Stock Exchange trading system. The price payable shall not be less than £0.0025 per share, being the nominal value of the ordinary shares.
In certain circumstances, it may be advantageous for the Company to purchase its own shares for either cancellation or to be held as treasury shares available for sale and this resolution seeks authority to do this.
This power will only be used if the Directors consider that to do so would promote the success of the Company and be in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole. The Company would, within the guidelines set from time to time by the Board, make either a single purchase or a series of purchases, when market conditions are suitable, with the aim of maximizing the benefits to Shareholders. The Board considers that it will be most advantageous to Shareholders for the Company to be able to make such purchases as and when it considers market conditions to be favorable and therefore does not propose to set a timetable for making any such purchases.
Under the Companies Act, the Company is allowed to hold any ordinary shares purchased in the market in treasury rather than cancelling them. This gives the Company the ability to sell treasury shares quickly and cost-effectively and would provide the Company with additional flexibility in the management of its capital base. The Directors will decide at the time of any purchase which option to pursue. Shares held in treasury have their voting and dividend rights suspended. The Directors will have regard to any guidelines issued by investor groups as at the time of any such purchase with respect to the holding or resale of treasury shares.
As at November 10, 2023 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document) options to subscribe for a total of 7,503,507 ordinary shares were outstanding under the Companys equity incentive schemes, representing approximately 7.7% of the issued share capital of the Company at that date and approximately 8.60% of the issued share capital of the Company if the authority sought by this resolution were to be exercised in full.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to authorize certain share repurchases on AIM.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote
FOR the authorization of share repurchases on AIM.
22
ADOPTION OF NEW ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Our shareholders are asked to approve the adoption of new articles of association in order to amend the definition of quorum for purposes of shareholder actions at general meetings and meetings of holders of classes of shares to conform with the listing standards of Nasdaq. Consistent with English law, our current articles of association provide that (i) two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to attend and vote on the business to be transacted shall constitute a quorum at general meetings and (ii) in the event of an adjourned general meeting or class meeting at least one shareholder, or shareholder of the relevant class, present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(c), however, defines a quorum as no less than 331/3 percent of the outstanding shares of a companys common voting stock. Until July 1, 2023, we were a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), and were thus permitted, pursuant to Nasdaqs listing standards, to follow our home country practice with respect to quorum requirements in lieu of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(c). However, since we are no longer a foreign private issuer and therefore no longer subject to this exemption, the definition of quorum in our current articles of association should be amended so that it conforms to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(c).
Therefore, it is proposed that articles 11.3, 52 and 53 of our current articles of association be amended so that the quorum requirements for general meetings and meetings of holders of classes of shares conform with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(c) which defines a quorum as no less than 331/3 percent of the outstanding shares of a companys common voting stock. Accordingly, Proposal 11 is submitted for a shareholder vote at the AGM to adopt new articles of association in order to replace articles 11.3, 52 and 53 of the current articles of association with the following new articles (the Proposed Quorum Amendment):
11.3. All the provisions in these Articles as to general meetings shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to every class meeting except that the quorum at every such meeting shall not be less than two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the nominal amount paid up on the issued shares of the class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares).
52. Quorum
No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. If a quorum is not present, a chairman of the meeting can still be chosen and this will not be treated as part of the business of the meeting. A quorum shall be present if both:
(a) | two qualifying persons are present at a meeting unless each is a qualifying person only because (i) he is authorised to act as the representative of a corporation in relation to the meeting, and they are representatives of the same corporation or (ii) he is appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting, and they are proxies of the same member; and |
(b) | those qualifying persons present together hold (or are the representative or proxy of members in relation to the meeting holding) at least one-third in number of the issued shares entitled to vote on the business to be transacted. |
For the purposes of this Article 52, (A) a qualifying person is an individual who is a member, a person authorised to act as the representative of a member (being a corporation) in relation to the meeting or a person appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting and (B) where a qualifying person is present as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting, only the shares in respect of which the proxy is authorised to exercise voting rights will be treated as held for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
53. Procedure if quorum not present
If a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes (or such longer interval as the chairman in his absolute discretion thinks fit) from the time appointed for holding a general meeting, or if a quorum
23
ceases to be present during a meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved if convened on the requisition of members. In any other case, the meeting shall stand adjourned to another day, (not being less than ten (10) clear days after the date of the original meeting), and at such time and place as the chairman (or, in default, the Board) may determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved.
This description of the Proposed Quorum Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the full text of the Articles as they are proposed to be adopted included as Annex B to this proxy statement, in which we have shown the proposed amendments colored in red, with deletions indicated by strikeouts and additions indicated by underlining.
Proposal 11 will be required to be passed as a special resolution. If our shareholders approve Proposal 11, the new articles of association would become effective from the conclusion of the AGM.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders present in person or by proxy who (being entitled to vote) vote on the matter will be required to approve the adoption of new articles of association.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote
FOR the adoption of new Articles of Association to amend Articles 11.3, 52 and 53 of the Companys current Articles of Association.
24
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth information with respect to our current directors, including their ages as of October 24, 2023.
Name |
Age | Position(s) | ||||
James McCullough |
55 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||
Fergus Fleming |
56 | Chief Technical Officer and Director | ||||
Catherine Coste |
57 | Director | ||||
Daniel Levangie |
73 | Director | ||||
Erik Lium, Ph.D. |
55 | Director | ||||
Christopher Mills |
71 | Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||||
Chirag R. Parikh, Ph.D., M.D. |
50 | Director |
Director Nominees
The biographical information for Catherine Coste and Chirag Parikh, the nominees to our Board of Directors, is provided in Proposals 1 and 2, respectively.
Continuing Directors
Below is biographical information for those directors who are not standing for re-appointment at this Meeting and who will remain seated following the Meeting.
James McCullough has served as our co-founder and Chief Executive Officer since our inception. Mr. McCullough has leadership experience building emerging technology companies in both the public and private sectors with specific expertise in the life-sciences industry. From 2008 to 2014, he served as chief executive officer of Exosome Diagnostics Inc., a venture backed personalized medicine company developing non-invasive liquid biopsy diagnostics in cancer that was acquired by Bio-Techne Corporation in 2018. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. McCullough also served as a managing partner of Renwick Capital, LLC, a managing consulting firm specializing in assisting emerging healthcare technology companies with strategic planning and business execution. He received his B.A. from Boston University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Fergus Fleming has served as our Chief Technical Officer and as a member of our Board since our inception. Since June 2013, Mr. Fleming has served as Managing Director of FF Consulting Limited, where he has provided product development and commercialization support to medical devices and diagnostics companies. While working at FF Consulting Limited, Mr. Fleming has served as Head of Business Development for Oncomark Limited from November 2016 to October 2018, and served in a number of roles at EKF Diagnostics plc. Mr. Fleming has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences sector, including leadership positions with Baxter Healthcare, Boston Scientific and Trinity Biotech plc. Mr. Fleming received a degree in Science from University College Galway, Ireland.
Daniel J. Levangie has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2021. Mr. Levangie is the co-founder of, and has served as manager of, ATON Partners, a private investment firm, since 2013 and as president and CEO of CereVasc, LLC, a medical device company, since September 2018. He has served on the board of directors of Exact Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ: EXAS) since 2010. From 2013 through 2017, Mr. Levangie served as president of Insulet Drug Delivery Systems and served as a lead director of Insulet Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Levangie was chief executive officer of Dune Medical Devices, Inc. and co-founder and managing partner of Constitution Medical Investors, Inc., a Boston-based private investment and product development firm acquired by Roche Diagnostics Corporation in 2013, and held executive management
25
positions with Cytyc Corporation (Cytyc) including executive vice president and chief operating officer, chief executive officer and president until the acquisition of Cytyc by Hologic, Inc. in 2007. He served on the board of Hologic from 2007 to 2009. Mr. Levangie received a B.S. in Pharmacy from Northeastern University.
Erik Lium, Ph.D. has served as a member of our Board of Directors since November 2018. Since March 2014, Dr. Lium has served in various roles at Mount Sinai, where he is currently the president of Mount Sinai Innovation Partners, and the executive vice president and chief commercial innovation officer of the Mount Sinai Health System. In addition to his service on the Board, Dr. Lium represents Mount Sinai on several private company boards and previously served as a member of the investment review committee for the Accelerate NY Seed Fund. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Dr. Lium served in a number of role at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), including as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Innovation, Technology & Alliances, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research and principal investigator for the Bay Area National Science Foundation I-Corps node. Additionally, prior to its acquisition in 2004, Dr. Lium served as President of LabVelocity Inc. Mr. Lium pursued postdoctoral research at UCSF in the laboratory of J. Michael Bishop, M.D., earned a Ph.D. from the Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biophysical Studies at Columbia University in the laboratory of Dr. Saul J. Silverstein, and holds a B.S. in Biology from Gonzaga University.
Christopher Mills has served as a member of our Board of Directors since our inception. Mr. Mills founded Harwood Capital Management in 2011, a successor company to its former parent company, J.O. Hambro Capital Management, which Mr. Mills co-founded in 1993. Mr. Mills is Chief Executive Officer and Investment Manager of North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harwood Capital Management Ltd. Mr. Mills currently serves on the board of a number of public companies, including EKF Diagnostics plc, Sureserve Group plc, Augean plc and MJ Gleeson plc. Mr. Mills received a B.A. in Business Studies from Guildhall University.
During the year ended June 30, 2023, there were four full meetings of our Board of Directors. All of our Directors attended a minimum of 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the committees of which he or she was a member during the year ended June 30, 2023.
There are no family relationships between any of our executive officers or directors, nor are there any arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any executive officer or director was selected as such.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Composition of Our Board of Directors
In accordance with our articles of association, at every annual general meeting, there shall retire from office any director who has been appointed by our Board of Directors since the last annual general meeting, or who shall have been a director at each of the preceding two annual general meetings and who was not re-appointed at either such meeting, or who has held office (other than in an executive position) for a continuous period of nine years or more at the date of such annual general meeting. A retiring director shall be eligible for re-appointment. A director retiring at a meeting shall, if he is not re-appointed at such meeting, retain office until the meeting appoints someone in his place, or if it does not do so, until the conclusion of such meeting.
Leadership
The leadership structure of our Board of Directors separates the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board in order to ensure independent leadership of the Board. Accordingly, the Chairman of the Board has substantial ability to shape the work of the Board. We believe that separation of the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of the Board in its oversight of our business and affairs. In addition, we believe that having an independent Chairman of the Board creates an
26
environment that is more conducive to objective evaluation and oversight of managements performance, increasing management accountability and improving the ability of the Board to monitor whether managements actions are in our best interests and shareholders. As a result, we believe that having an independent Chairman of the Board can enhance the effectiveness of the Board as a whole.
Independence of our Board of Directors
As required under the Nasdaq listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed companys board of directors must qualify as independent, as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. The Board consults with the Companys counsel to ensure that the Boards determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of independent, including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior management and its independent auditors, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following five directors are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards: Catherine Coste, Daniel Levangie, Erik Lium, Christopher Mills and Chirag R. Parikh. In addition, the Board determined that Mr. Timothy Scannell, who resigned in October 2023, and Ms. Ann Berman, who resigned in September 2022, each were independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. In making this determination, the Board found that none of these directors or nominees for director had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the Company. James McCullough and Fergus Fleming are not independent based on their employment with the Company as executive officers.
Our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present. All of the committees of our Board of Directors are comprised entirely of directors determined by the Board of Directors to be independent.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
Our management is primarily responsible for assessing and managing risk, while our Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing managements execution of its responsibilities. Our Board of Directors is supported by its committees in fulfillment of this responsibility. For example, our audit committee focuses on our overall financial risk by evaluating our internal controls and disclosure policies as well as ensuring the integrity of our financial statements and periodic reports. The audit committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Our remuneration committee strives to create incentives that encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking consistent with our business strategy. Our nomination committee ensures that our governance policies and procedures are appropriate in light of the risks we face.
COMMITTEES OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors has three standing committees: an audit committee, a remuneration committee and a nomination committee. The charters for each of these committees can be found on our website at www.renalytix.com. Each committee reviews its respective charter at least annually.
Name | Audit | Remuneration | Nomination | |||
Catherine Coste |
Chair | X | ||||
Daniel Levangie |
X | Chair | ||||
Erik Lium |
X | |||||
Christopher Mills |
Chair | |||||
Chirag R. Parikh |
X | |||||
Total meetings in fiscal 2023 |
3 | 3 | |
27
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Catherine Coste, Daniel Levangie and Erik Lium and assists the Board of Directors in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. The audit committee consists exclusively of members of our Board who are financially literate, and both Ms. Coste and Mr. Levangie are considered an audit committee financial expert as defined by applicable SEC rules and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Board made a qualitative assessment of each of Mr. Levangies and Ms. Costes level of knowledge and experience based on a number of factors, including their formal education and experience. Our Board has determined that all of the members of the audit committee satisfy the independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The audit committee is governed by a charter that complies with Nasdaq rules.
The audit committees responsibilities include:
| monitoring the integrity of our financial and narrative reporting; |
| reviewing accounting policies and key estimates and judgments; |
| reviewing the appropriateness and completeness of the internal controls; |
| recommending the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the independent auditor to the annual general meeting of shareholders; |
| the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight (as set forth in the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder) of any accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit services; |
| pre-approving the audit services and non-audit services to be provided by our independent auditor before the auditor is engaged to render such services; |
| evaluating the independent auditors qualifications, performance and independence, and presenting its conclusions to the full Board of Directors on at least an annual basis; |
| reviewing and discussing with the executive officers, the Board of Directors and the independent auditor our financial statements and our financial reporting process; and |
| reviewing procedures for detection of fraud, whistleblowing and prevention of bribery, and reports on systems for internal financial control, financial reporting and risk management. |
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 with management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the SEC. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firms independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
Ms. Catherine Coste
Mr. Daniel Levangie
Mr. Erik Lium
28
The material in this report is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Remuneration Committee
Our remuneration committee consists of Cathy Coste and Daniel Levangie and assists the Board of Directors in determining executive officer compensation. Mr. Levangie serves as chairman of the remuneration committee. Our Board has determined that each member of the remuneration committee is independent as defined under the applicable Nasdaq rules.
The remuneration committees responsibilities include:
| identifying, reviewing and proposing policies relevant to executive officer compensation; |
| evaluating each executive officers performance in light of such policies and reporting to the Board; |
| analyzing the possible outcomes of the variable remuneration components and how they may affect the remuneration of the executive officers; |
| recommending any equity long-term incentive component of each executive officers compensation in line with the remuneration policy and reviewing our executive officer compensation and benefits policies generally; and |
| reviewing and assessing risks arising from our compensation policies and practices. |
Our Board of Directors has delegated to the Remuneration Committee the authority to determine the compensation for our executive officers. Non-executive director compensation is recommended by our Remuneration Committee to the Board of Directors for approval. Our Chief Executive Officer may participate in general discussions with our Remuneration Committee and Board of Directors about these compensation matters but he does not participate in discussions during which his individual compensation is being considered and approved.
In 2023, the Remuneration Committee retained the services of Aon plc, an independent compensation consultant, to assist the Remuneration Committee with respect to compensation actions in 2023 with the goal of ensuring that our compensation arrangements for our Chief Executive Officer, our other senior executive officers and our non-executive directors were appropriate and competitive. Aon plc provided data from comparable publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies and otherwise assisted the Remuneration Committee in its design of competitive compensation for our Chief Executive Officer, senior executives and non-executive directors. The Remuneration Committee expects to continue to use compensation consultants to assist the Remuneration Committee in determining competitive levels of executive and non-executive compensation and specific design elements of our executive compensation program and non-executive directors compensation program. The Remuneration Committee continued to retain Aon plc through 2022 and 2023 in order to ensure that our compensation arrangements are competitive for 2023. After review and consultation, the Remuneration Committee determined that Aon plc is independent and that there is no conflict of interest resulting from retaining Aon plc in 2022 or in 2023. In reaching these conclusions, our Remuneration Committee considered the factors set forth in the SEC rules and the applicable Nasdaq rules.
Nomination Committee
Our nomination committee consists of Christopher Mills and Chirag Parikh, and assists our Board of Directors in identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board and executive officers consistent with criteria established by our Board and in developing our corporate governance principles. Mr. Christopher Mills serves as chairman of the nomination committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the nomination committee is independent as defined under the applicable Nasdaq rules.
29
The nomination committees responsibilities include:
| drawing up selection criteria and appointment procedures for directors; |
| reviewing and evaluating the size and composition of our Board and making a proposal for a composition profile of the Board of Directors at least annually; |
| assessing the independence of directors and director nominees, as well as any additional qualification requirements for directors or director nominees who will be members of committees of the Board of Directors, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors relating to such matters; |
| recommending nominees for election to our Board of Directors and its corresponding committees; |
| assessing the functioning of individual members of Board and executive officers and reporting the results of such assessment to the Board of Directors; |
| developing and recommending to the Board rules governing the Board, reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of such rules governing the Board and recommending any proposed changes to the Board of Directors; and |
| periodically reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the Companys corporate governance guidance and, as appropriate, recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Directors for its consideration and approval. |
The nomination committee considers candidates for Board of Director membership suggested by its members and the Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, in selecting nominees for directors, the nomination committee will review candidates recommended by shareholders in the same manner and using the same general criteria as candidates recruited by the committee and/or recommended by our Board of Directors. Any shareholder who wishes to recommend a candidate for consideration by the committee as a nominee for director should follow the procedures described later in this proxy statement under the heading Additional InformationShareholder Proposals for 2024 Annual General Meeting.
Our Board of Directors is responsible for filling vacancies on our Board of Directors and for nominating candidates for election by our shareholders each year. The Board of Directors delegates the selection and nomination process to the Nomination Committee, with the expectation that other members of the Board of Directors, and of management, will be requested to take part in the process as appropriate.
Director Nomination Process
Our Board will determine the appropriate characteristics, skills, and experience for our Board as a whole and for its individual members. Our Board considers recommendations for nominees from the Nomination Committee. Our Board will consider the minimum general criteria below, and may add any specific additional criteria with respect to specific searches, in selecting candidates and existing directors for serving on our Board. An acceptable candidate may not fully satisfy all of the criteria, but is expected to satisfy nearly all of them. Our Board believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the highest personal integrity and ethics, the ability to read and understand basic financial statements, and being over 21 years of age.
Our Board and the Nomination Committee also intend to consider such factors as possessing relevant expertise upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, having sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the Company, demonstrated excellence in his or her field, having the ability to exercise sound business judgment and having the commitment to rigorously represent the long-term interests of our
30
stockholders. However, our Board and the Nomination Committee retain the right to modify these qualifications from time to time.
Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition of our Board and the competencies of the individual members, the current and future operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders, with the objective of having a balanced and effective Board that reflects a variety of characteristics, perspectives, skills and professional experience. The Nomination Committees review and periodic assessments of the characteristics, perspectives, skills and professional experience it seeks in our Board as a whole, and in individual directors, in connection with its review of our Boards composition, enables it to assess the effectiveness of its goal of achieving a balanced and effective Board with diversity. Our Board considers age, skills, diversity (including diversity of gender, ethnic background and country of origin) and other factors that it deems appropriate to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience, and capability on our Board.
In the case of incumbent directors who, pursuant to the Articles, are required to retire from office and are offering themselves for re-appointment, the Nomination Committee reviewed these directors service to the Company, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any relationships and transactions that might impair the directors independence, as well as the overall composition of our Board and the desire to add new skill sets, expertise and diversity to the Company. In the case of all director candidates, the Nomination Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent for Nasdaq purposes, which determination is based upon applicable Nasdaq listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if necessary.
The Nomination Committee uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm. The Nomination Committee conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates after considering the function and needs of our Board. The Nomination Committee meets to discuss and consider the candidates qualifications and then selects a nominee for recommendation to our Board by majority vote.
Board Diversity
Board Size | As of October 24, 2023 | |||||||
Total Number of Directors: |
7 | |||||||
Part 1: Gender |
Male | Female | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose | ||||
Number of Directors Based on Gender Identity |
6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Part 2: Demographic Information |
||||||||
African American or Black |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Alaskan Native or American Indian |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Asian |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Hispanic or Latinx |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
White |
5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
LGBTQ+ |
0 | |||||||
Did Not Disclose Demographic Information |
0 |
Shareholder Recommendations and Nominees
Our Nomination Committee considers both recommendations and nominations for candidates to the Board from shareholders so long as such recommendations and nominations comply with our articles of association and applicable laws, including the rules and regulations of the SEC. Shareholders may recommend director nominees
31
for consideration by the Nomination Committee by writing to our Company Secretary at the address below, or the Companys registered office address from time to time, and providing evidence of the shareholders ownership of our ordinary shares and/or ADSs, the nominees name, home and business address, as well as the nominees detailed biographical data and qualifications for board membership, and information regarding any arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and the recommended candidate.
Following verification of the shareholder status of the person submitting the recommendation, all properly submitted recommendations will be promptly brought to the attention of the Nomination Committee. Shareholders who desire to nominate persons directly for election to the Board at an annual general meeting of shareholders must meet the deadlines and other requirements set forth under Additional InformationShareholder Proposals for 2024 Annual General Meeting. Any vacancies on the Board of Directors occurring between our annual general meetings of shareholders may be filled by persons selected by a majority of the directors then in office, in which case any director so elected will serve until the next annual general meeting of shareholders when such director will offer himself or herself for re-appointment.
You may write to the Nomination Committee at:
c/o Salim Hamir
Company Secretary
Renalytix plc
5-7 Cranwood Street
London EC1V 9EE
United Kingdom
Director Attendance at Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Directors are expected to try to attend our annual general meeting of shareholders to the extent practicable.
Code of Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to all officers, directors and employees including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct is available on the Companys website at www.renalytix.com, under Governance. The Company intends to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Conduct that are required to be disclosed pursuant to the disclosure requirements of Item 5.05 of Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver.
Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Any interested party with concerns about our Company may report such concerns to the Board of Directors or the Chairman of our Board of Directors and Nomination Committee. Communications may be addressed to the entire Board of Directors or to any individual director. All such communications will initially be received and processed by our Company Secretary. Spam, junk mail, advertisements and threatening, hostile, illegal and similar unsuitable communications will not be delivered to the Board. Shareholders can contact members of the Board of Directors by writing care of our Company Secretary at the Companys registered office address.
A copy of any such written communication may also be forwarded to our legal counsel and a copy of such communication may be retained for a reasonable period of time. The director may discuss the matter with our legal counsel, with independent advisors, with non-management directors, or with our management, or may take other action or no action as the director determines in good faith, using reasonable judgment, and applying his or her own discretion.
32
Communications may be forwarded to other directors if they relate to important substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that may be important for other directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances, and matters as to which we tend to receive repetitive or duplicative communications.
The Audit Committee oversees the procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or audit matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. We have also established a toll-free telephone number for the reporting of such activity, which is +1 (415) 389-6400.
Hedging Policy
The Company does not currently have any practices or policies regarding hedging or offsetting any decrease in the market value of our equity securities. Prior to the AGM, we expect that our Board will adopt a policy that will prohibit our employees, including our executive officers, and non-employee members of our Board from engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions, using margin accounts, pledges, or other inherently speculative transactions involving our equity securities.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our current executive officers, including their ages as of October 24, 2023. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers.
Name |
Age | Position | ||||
James McCullough |
55 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||
Fergus Fleming |
56 | Chief Technical Officer and Director | ||||
Oliver James Sterling |
53 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Thomas McLain |
65 | President | ||||
Michael J. Donovan |
69 | Chief Medical Officer | ||||
Howard Doran |
63 | Chief Business Officer |
The biography of each of Mr. McCullough and Mr. Fleming is set forth above under Board of Directors.
Oliver James Sterling, MBA, has served as Chief Financial Officer since the Companys inception. From 2015 to 2021, Mr. Sterling also served as managing partner of Renwick Capital LLC. Prior to that, he served as a managing director at SF Sentry Securities, Brock Capital Group LLC and Aleutian Capital Group. Mr. Sterling serves as a director of Star Mountain Lower Middle-Market Capital Corp. He also has experience as a strategy management consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. Sterling received his B.A. in geography (alternative energy and environmental science) from Boston University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Thomas McLain has served as our President since July 2019. Prior to joining Renalytix AI, he held leading positions, including as Chief Executive Officer, of Exosome Diagnostics Inc. from July 2014 to July 2019. Mr. McLain has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vermillion, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of Claro Scientific LLC, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals and Vice President at Bausch & Lomb. Mr. McLain received his B.A. in Economics at College of the Holy Cross and his MBA at the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at University of Rochester.
Michael J. Donovan, Ph.D., M.D. has served as our Chief Medical Officer since our inception. Since November 2011, Donovan has also served as a Professor of Experimental Pathology and Director of the Biorepository and Pathology core at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In addition to an academic
33
career at Harvard Medical School and Boston Childrens Hospital, Dr. Donovan has over 20 years experience in the biotechnology industry, serving in various senior management roles at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Incyte Pharmaceuticals. He most recently served as Chief Clinical Officer of Vigilant Biosciences, Inc., Chief Medical Officer of MetaStat, Inc. and Chief Medical Officer of Exosome Diagnostics, Inc. Dr. Donovan received a B.S. in Zoology, an M.S. in Endocrinology and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Rutgers University. He received his M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Howard Doran Jr. has served as our Chief Business Officer since September 2023. Mr. Doran served as a director of OncoGenesis, Inc. from June 2018 until October 2021 and previously served as a director of CereVasc, LLC from July 2015 until October 2018. Prior to this, Mr. Doran served as President and Chief Executive Officer of LipoScience, Inc. from February 2014 until successful completion of Labcorps acquisition of LipoScience, Inc. in November 2014. Prior to this, Mr. Doran was President and Chief Operating Officer of Constitution Medical, Inc., an early-stage in vitro diagnostics company, developer of the Bloodhound Fully Integrated Hematology System, from June 2010 to January 2014. Previously, Mr. Doran was a member of the senior executive team of Hologic, Inc. and served as President of Hologics Global Diagnostics business. Mr. Doran joined the senior management team of Hologic in October 2007 at the time of Hologics acquisition of Cytyc Corporation, where he had been serving as Senior Vice President and Business Unit Director of Cytycs $500 million in vitro diagnostics business. From 1997 through 2007, he was a key member of the management team of Cytyc Corporation, serving in a number of senior commercial roles of increasing responsibility including physician sales and marketing, managed care initiatives and laboratory sales and marketing. Mr. Doran received a B.S. in Management from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
34
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of the Companys ordinary shares (and our ADSs, each of which represents 2 ordinary shares) as of October 26, 2023 by: (i) each director; (ii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) all current executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (iv) all those known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of its ordinary shares.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.
This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal shareholders. Applicable percentage ownership is based on 97,430,156 ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, outstanding as of October 26, 2023. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of such person, we include all shares subject to options held by the person that are currently exercisable, or would be exercisable or would vest based on service-based vesting conditions as of December 25, 2023, which is 60 days after October 24, 2023. However, except as described above, we do not deem such shares outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Renalytix plc Finsgate 5-7 Cranwood Street, London, United Kingdom.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) |
Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned |
||||||
5% Shareholders: |
||||||||
Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai(2) |
14,823,853 | 15.6 | % | |||||
Harwood Capital LLP(3) |
10,777,019 | 11.3 | % | |||||
Jefferson River Capital LLC(4) |
8,533,280 | 9.0 | % | |||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
||||||||
James McCullough(5) |
2,746,386 | 2.9 | % | |||||
Fergus Fleming(6) |
1,107,642 | 1.2 | % | |||||
Catherine Coste |
| * | ||||||
Daniel Levangie(7) |
22,500 | * | ||||||
Erik Lium, Ph.D. |
| * | ||||||
Thomas McLain(8) |
1,297,311 | 1.3 | % | |||||
Christopher Mills(3) |
10,777,019 | 11.3 | % | |||||
Chirag R. Parikh, Ph.D., M.D.(9) |
115,724 | * | ||||||
O. James Sterling(10) |
1,805,236 | 1.9 | % | |||||
All directors and current executive officers as a group (11 persons)(11) |
17,871,818 | 18.3 | % |
* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%. |
(1) | Our shareholders, executive officers and directors may hold ordinary shares, ADS or a combination of both. This column shows each holders beneficial ownership assuming all shares were held as ordinary shares, which may not be the case. Our ADSs are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol RNLX. Ordinary shares are convertible to ADSs at a two to one ratio. |
(2) | Consists of 204,501 shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. The address of Mount Sinai is 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York, 10029. |
35
(3) | Consists of (i) 7,000,000 ordinary shares held by North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc (NASCIT), of which Harwood Capital LLP (Harwood Capital) is investment manager, (ii) 2,800,000 ordinary shares held by Oryx International Growth Fund Limited (Oryx), of which Harwood Capital is an investment advisor, (iii) 272,500 ordinary shares held by Harwood Holdco Limited (Harwood Holdco), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harwood Capital Management Limited Group (the Harwood Group), and (iv) 704,519 ordinary shares held by Harwood Capital, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Harwood Group. Mr. Mills is partner and chief investment officer of Harwood Capital, and is the owner of the Harwood Group. The address of the Harwood Group, Harwood Capital, Harwood Holdco, NASCIT and Oryx is 6 Stratton St, Mayfair, London W1J 8LD, United Kingdom. |
(4) | Consists of 8,294,932 ordinary shares held by the Hamilton E. James 2003 Childrens Trust (the Trust) and 238,348 ordinary shares directly held by Mr. Hamilton James. Jefferson River Capital LLC (Jefferson River) is the investment adviser of the Trust and Mr. James, and each of Jefferson River, the Trust and Mr. James disclaims beneficial ownership of any of the reported securities except to the extent of such partys pecuniary interest in such securities. The address of Jefferson River Capital LLC is 499 Park Ave., 27th floor, New York, NY 10022. |
(5) | Consists of 191,988 ordinary shares directly held by Mr. McCullough and 2,554,398 shares held by The McCullough 2020 Irrevocable Trust, of which Mr. McCullough is a trustee. |
(6) | Consists of 569,481 ordinary shares directly held by Mr. Fleming and 538,161 shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. |
(7) | Consists of 22,500 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. |
(8) | Consists of 59,150 ordinary shares directly held by Mr. McLain and 1,238,161 shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. |
(9) | Consists of 115,724 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. |
(10) | Consists of 1,805,236 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. |
(11) | Consists of 2,403,128 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options vested as of December 25, 2023. |
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
The following table provides certain information with respect to all of the Companys equity compensation plans in effect as of June 30, 2023.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Plan Category |
(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
(b) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
(c) Number of securities remaining available for issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (1) |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
5,289,744 | $ | $4.28 | 16,939,496 | (4) | |||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
5,289,744 | $ | $4.28 | 16,939,496 | (4) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Pursuant to the terms of the 2020 Plan, the number of ordinary shares available for issuance under the Companys 2020 Equity Incentive Plan automatically increases on each January 1 until and including January 1, 2030, by an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) 5% of the ordinary shares outstanding on the final |
36
day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) such smaller number of shares as is determined by our Board of Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the Companys 2020 Employee Share Purchase Plan (2020 ESPP), the number of ordinary shares available for issuance under the 2020 ESPP automatically increases on each January 1 until and including January 1, 2030, by an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) 1% of the ordinary shares outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) 2,000,000 ordinary shares. |
37
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Related-Person Transactions Policy and Procedures
We have adopted a policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our ordinary shares and any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into a related person transaction with us without the approval or ratification of our Board or our Audit Committee. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our ordinary shares or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and such person would have a direct or indirect interest, must be presented to our Board or our Audit Committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our Board or our Audit Committee is to consider the material facts of the transaction, including whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related persons interest in the transaction.
The related person transactions policy also covers related party transactions under the AIM Rules for Companies published by the London Stock Exchange, or the AIM Rules, which contains a different definition of a related party to the definition of a related person set out above for U.S. purposes. The AIM Rules require that any transaction with a related party (pursuant to the definition in the AIM Rules) that exceeds 5% in any of the class tests set out in the AIM Rules, taking into account certain provisions relating to aggregation of transactions, should be announced without delay as soon as the terms of the transaction are agreed, and that the announcement should include certain specified information including a statement that our directors (with the exception of any director who is involved in the transaction as a related party) consider, having consulted with our nominated adviser for AIM, that the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable insofar as our shareholders are concerned.
Certain Related-Person Transactions
Except as described below, there have been no transactions since July 1, 2021 to which we have been a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than five percent of our capital stock, or any members of their immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements that are described under Executive Compensation and Director Compensation. For a description of severance and change in control arrangements that we have entered into with some of our executive officers, see Executive CompensationPotential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.
2022 Placement
In April 2022, we issued and sold an aggregate of 2,428,688 ordinary shares for a purchase price of $3.625 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $8.8 million. The following table summarizes the number of ordinary shares purchased by related persons.
Shareholder |
Ordinary Shares |
Subscription Price ($) |
Gross Proceeds to Company ($) |
|||||||||
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai(1) |
1,103,448 | 3,999,999.00 | 3,999,999.00 | |||||||||
Harwood Capital LLP(2) |
551,724 | 1,999,999.50 | 1,999,999.50 | |||||||||
Thomas McLain(3) |
55,172 | 199,998.50 | 199,998.50 | |||||||||
Timothy Scannell(4) |
68,964 | 249,994.50 | 249,994.50 | |||||||||
Ann Berman(5) |
27,586 | 99,999.25 | 99,999.25 |
38
(1) | As at the date of the 2022 placement, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai beneficially owned more than 5% of the Companys ordinary shares. |
(2) | Consist of (i) ordinary shares purchased by NASCIT, of which Harwood Capital was investment manager, (ii) ordinary shares purchased by Oryx, of which Harwood Capital was an investment advisor, (iii) ordinary shares purchased by Harwood Capital, and (iv) ordinary shares purchased by Harwood Capital Nominees Limited (Harwood Nominees). Mr. Mills is a member of our Board of Directors and has been partner and chief investment officer of Harwood Capital. |
(3) | As at the date of the 2022 placement, Mr. McLain served as our President. |
(4) | As at the date of the 2022 placement, Mr. Scannell served as a member of our Board of Directors. |
(5) | As at the date of the 2022 placement, Ms. Berman served as a member of our Board of Directors. |
2023 Placement
In February 2023, we issued and sold an aggregate of 3,699,910 ordinary shares at a price of £0.90 per ordinary share and 7,511,525 ADSs, at a price of $2.17 per ADS. The private placement generated gross cash proceeds of $20.3 million. The following table summarizes the number of ordinary shares purchased by related persons.
Shareholder |
Ordinary Shares |
Subscription Price ($) |
Gross Proceeds to Company ($) |
|||||||||
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai(1) |
2,764,978 | 3,000,001.13 | 3,000,001.13 | |||||||||
Oryx(2) |
32,794 | 35,417.52 | 35,417.52 | |||||||||
NASCIT(2) |
313,581 | 338,667.48 | 338,667.48 |
(1) | As at the date of the 2023 placement, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai beneficially owned more than 5% of the Companys ordinary shares. Mr. Lium sits on our Board as a representative of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. |
(2) | As at the date of the 2023 placement, Harwood Capital was investment manager to NASCIT and an investment advisor to Oryx. Mr. Mills is a member of our Board of Directors and has been partner and chief investment officer of Harwood Capital. |
Relationship Agreement, by and among Renalytix plc, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and NPLUS1 Singer Advisory LLP
On October 30, 2018, we, Mount Sinai and NPLUS1 Singer Advisory LLP, or Singer, entered into a Relationship Agreement, or the Relationship Agreement, to regulate the terms of the relationship between us and Mount Sinai and to ensure that we can operate independently of Mount Sinai, pursuant to which, among other things, Mount Sinai has the right to appoint one member to our Board of Directors and Mount Sinai has agreed to not take any action intended to prevent our Board of Directors from operating independently of Mount Sinai. The Relationship Agreement was effective from November 6, 2018, the date of admission of our ordinary shares to trading on AIM.
Pursuant to the Relationship Agreement and for so long as (i) Mount Sinai shall hold as beneficial owner 5% by nominal value of our issued ordinary shares and (ii) our ordinary shares are admitted to trading on AIM, Mount Sinai agreed, among other things, to:
| not take any action intended to prevent the Board of Directors from operating independently of Mount Sinai; |
| not take any action that would have the effect of preventing or might reasonably be expected to prevent any member of the Company from complying with its obligations under certain U.K. applicable laws including, without limitation, AIM Rule 13; and |
39
| allow a committee of the Board of Directors comprising of independent directors and Singer to deal with any matters in connection with (i) any actual or proposed transaction, agreement or arrangement between us and Mount Sinai, (ii) any matter in which any member of Mount Sinai is interested (iii) and any decision by us concerning the enforcement of its rights under, and the operation of, this Relationship Agreement. |
The Relationship Agreement provides that any respective dispute between us and Mount Sinai relating to our management, the operation of the Board of Directors or any transaction, agreement or arrangement with Mount Sinai shall be passed to, and dealt with on our behalf by, a committee comprising only of independent directors following consultation with Singer.
The obligations of the parties under the Relationship Agreement shall automatically terminate upon:
| such time as Mount Sinai ceases to hold as beneficial owner any ordinary shares; or |
| written notice to the other parties on or at any time after (i) we pass a resolution for our winding up or a court of competent jurisdiction making an order for our winding up or dissolution, (ii) the making of an administration order in relation to us or the appointment of a receiver over, or an encumbrancer taking possession of or selling, any of our assets, or (iii) we make an arrangement or composition with its creditors generally or making an application to a court of competent jurisdiction for protection from its creditors generally. |
Pursuant to the Relationship Agreement, we agreed to appoint a representative designated by Mount Sinai to the Board of Directors as a non-executive director, and further the right to appoint a board observer. In connection therewith, Mount Sinai appointed Erik Lium to the Board of Directors. Mount Sinais right to maintain a representative on the Board of Directors and the right to appoint an observer at Board of Director meetings shall continue for so long as Mount Sinai continues to beneficially hold not less than 5% by nominal value of our issued ordinary shares.
The Relationship Agreement is filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 10.16 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Relationship Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.
Indemnity Agreements
In July 2020, we entered into deeds of indemnity with each of our directors and executive officers in connection with the listing of our ADSs on Nasdaq. The deeds of indemnity and our articles of association require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.
40
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Our named executive officers, or NEOs, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, consisting of our principal executive officer and the next two most highly compensated executive officers serving as of June 30, 2023, were:
| James McCullough, our Chief Executive Officer and Director; |
| Thomas McLain, our President; and |
| O. James Sterling, our Chief Financial Officer. |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents all of the compensation awarded to or earned by or paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Option Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(1) |
All Other Compensation ($)(2) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
James McCullough |
2023 | 601,271 | | 405,675 | 29,375 | (2) | 1,036,321 | |||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
2022 | 601,000 | | | 35,011 | (3) | 636,011 | |||||||||||||||||
Thomas McLain |
2023 | 450,271 | | 202,500 | 9,930 | (4) | 662,701 | |||||||||||||||||
President |
2022 | 435,000 | | | 8,593 | (5) | 443,593 | |||||||||||||||||
O. James Sterling |
2023 | 426,251 | | 174,735 | 22,691 | (6) | 623,677 | |||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2022 | 423,600 | | | 37,737 | (7) | 461,337 |
(1) | Represents amounts paid pursuant to our annual incentive compensation program, described below. |
(2) | Represents $20,224 paid in 2023 by us in 401(k) contributions and $9,151 paid in 2023 by us for Mr. McCulloughs life insurance premiums. |
(3) | Represents $27,000 paid in 2022 by us in 401(k) contributions and $8,011 paid in 2022 by us for Mr. McCulloughs life insurance premiums. |
(4) | Represents $9,930 paid in 2023 by us for Mr. McLains life insurance premiums. |
(5) | Represents $8,593 paid in 2022 by us for Mr. McLains life insurance premiums. |
(6) | Represents $19,000 paid in 2023 by us in 401(k) contributions and $3,574 paid in 2023 by us for Mr. Sterlings life insurance premiums. |
(7) | Represents $34,163 paid in 2022 by us in 401(k) contributions and $3,574 paid in 2022 by us for Mr. Sterlings life insurance premiums. |
Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table
We review compensation annually for all employees, including our executives. In setting executive base salaries and bonuses and granting equity incentive awards, we consider compensation for comparable positions in the market, the historical compensation levels of our executives, individual performance as compared to our expectations and objectives, our desire to motivate our employees to achieve short- and long-term results that are in the best interests of our shareholders and a long-term commitment to our company. We do not target a specific competitive position or a specific mix of compensation among base salary, bonus or long-term incentives.
The remuneration committee of our Board determines our executives compensation. Our remuneration committee typically reviews and discusses managements proposed compensation with the Chief Executive Officer for all executives other than the Chief Executive Officer, which is recommended by our Board. Based on those discussions and its discretion, the remuneration committee then recommends the compensation for each executive officer. Our remuneration committee, without members of management present, discusses and approves (or recommends to the Board for determination and approval) the compensation of our executive officers. In 2023, the remuneration committee retained Aon plc., a compensation consulting firm, to evaluate and make recommendations with respect to our executive compensation program.
41
The table below sets out, for each element of pay, a summary of how remuneration of executive officers is structured and how it supports the Companys strategy.
Purpose and Link to Strategy |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
Base Salary | ||||||
To attract, retain and motivate executive officers of the highest caliber who are capable of delivering the Companys strategic objectives, reflecting the individuals experience and role within the Company. Base salary is designed to provide an appropriate level of fixed income to avoid an over-reliance on variable pay elements that could encourage excessive risk taking. | Salaries are normally reviewed annually, and changes are generally effective from 1 October- The annual salary review of the executive officers takes into consideration a number of factors, including:
scope of the individuals responsibilities;
abilities, experience and performance of the individual;
business performance;
salary increases awarded to the overall employee population;
market competitiveness and US and UK market practice; and
the underlying rate of inflation. |
Executive officer level salaries are determined considering industry benchmarking data. There is no prescribed maximum annual salary or salary increase. Base salary increases are awarded at the discretion of the Committee; however, the Committee is guided by the general increase for the broader employee population but may decide to award a lower increase for Executive officers or exceed this to recognise, for example, an increase in the scale, scope or responsibility of the role and/or take account relevant market movements. salary increases will normally executive officer level salaries are approved by the Board in line with corporate performance and are consistent with positions held. | No formal metrics, although any increases take account of Company performance and the individual performance of the executive officer. | |||
Benefits | ||||||
Benefits in kind offered to executive officers are provided on a market- competitive basis, to assist with their recruitment and retention. | The Company aims to offer benefits that are in line with the executive officers local market and those offered to the wider workforce. | There is no defined maximum value for benefits, but the Committee will consider the aggregate value of any such benefits when determining what should be offered. | Not performance related. |
42
Purpose and Link to Strategy |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
Pension / Retirement Benefits | ||||||
The Company aims to provide a contribution towards life in retirement. | Depending on their location and comparable benefits offered to local employees, executive officers may be eligible to receive employer contributions to a defined contribution pension scheme or a cash supplement in lieu of such contributions, or a mixture of both. | The maximum employer pension contribution or cash in lieu amount will be a percentage of annual base salary aligned with that provided to other senior executives in the executive officers location. | Not performance related. | |||
Annual Bonus | ||||||
An annual bonus rewards the achievement of objectives that support the Companys corporate goals and delivery of the business strategy | Bonuses are determined based on objectives that are agreed with the Committee, and the Board, at the start of each financial year although the Committee retains the discretion to amend objectives during the year if it considers that objectives are no longer appropriate. Different performance measures and weightings may be used each year, as agreed with the Committee, to take into account changes in the business strategy. Bonuses are normally paid in cash (but may be paid in the form of an equity award, at the discretion of the Committee). | Executive officer level bonuses are approved by the Board in line with corporate performance and are consistent with positions held. | Performance measures are determined by the Committee each year and may vary to ensure that they promote the Companys business strategy and shareholder value. The annual bonus will be based on corporate measures, including, but not limited to, financial and/or strategic measures. Bonus measures are reviewed at least annually and the Committee has the discretion to change the measures or to introduce new measures when it deems appropriate. | |||
Equity Incentive Plan (EIP) | ||||||
To attract, motivate, retain and reward for long-term, sustainable performance linked to corporate strategy and provide alignment with shareholders interests. | Equity awards granted to executive officers may take the form of options, restricted shares, performance share units, restricted share units, or other forms of awards granted in accordance with the discretionary EIP that may be in place from time to time. | There is no maximum opportunity for equity incentives. However, the Committee will generally assess the position at similar sized comparative companies prior to making any award to ensure that any awards are aligned to the market. | Vesting of equity awards is generally subject to continued employment and may also be subject to the achievement of performance conditions aligned with the Companys strategic plan. Measures, their |
43
Purpose and Link to Strategy |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
The executive officers received a grant under the EIPs predecessor plan upon listing on AIM and it is intended that top-up awards shall be issued under the EIP from time to time in the discretion of the Committee. | weightings and the period over which performance is tested will be determined by the Committee. The Committee will select the most appropriate form of EIP for awards each year and/or each individual grant. Vesting of equity awards may be accelerated in part or in full in connection with certain corporate events such as a change of control. | |||||
All employee equity plans | ||||||
Encourages employee share ownership and therefore increases alignment of interests with shareholders. | The Company may, from time to time, operate tax- advantaged share plans for which executive officers would be eligible on the same basis as all other eligible employees. | Within the limits of the relevant legislation. | Not performance related. |
Annual Performance Bonuses
Each of our executive officers is eligible to receive performance bonus under our annual incentive compensation program. Under our 2023 annual incentive compensation program, each of our named executive officers was eligible to receive a cash incentive payment equal to (1) his or her target incentive, as a percentage of annual base salary, multiplied by (2) the percentage achievement of certain fiscal year 2023 corporate goals established by our Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, and approved by our Board, subject to the named executive officer remaining employed by us through the payment date. The Committee determined that while Management made progress in key areas in fiscal year 2023 growing the business, the Company did not achieve 100% of its annual corporate objectives, and therefore bonuses for company executives will be paid out at 75% of the target. This outcome was based on achievements versus goals in the following key areas: overachievement in the area of technology/innovation, partial achievement in executive team performance, insurance reimbursement and governance, inclusion, and operations, and underachievement of the revenue target.
Retirement Benefits and Other Compensation
Health and Welfare and Retirement Benefits
All of our current named executive officers are eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans, including our medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans, in each case on the same basis as all of our other employees.
401(k) Plan
The Company maintains a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan which covers all U.S. employees. Employees are eligible after three months of service. Under the 401(k) plan, participating employees may make
44
contributions in an amount up to the limit set by the Internal Revenue Service on an annual basis. The Company has a safe harbor plan and makes contributions to employee accounts of 5% of compensation (as defined by the plan). The Company paid $0.1 million and $0.2 million in contributions for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table presents information regarding outstanding share options held by our named executive officers as of June 30, 2023. None of our named executive officers held restricted shares or other share awards as of June 30, 2023.
Name |
Option Awards | |||||||||||||||||||
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable |
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable |
Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) |
Option exercise price ($) |
Option expiration date |
||||||||||||||||
James McCullough |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Thomas McLain |
538,161 | (1) | | | $ | 2.55 | (4) | 5/31/2029 | ||||||||||||
183,335 | (2) | 16.665 | 16,665 | $ | 6.95 | (5) | 8/28/2030 | |||||||||||||
500,000 | (3) | | | $ | 11.69 | (6) | 4/15/2031 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
O. James Sterling |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | |
(1) | Fully vested and exercisable. |
(2) | This option vests as follows: one twelfth (1/12th) of the shares subject to the option award vested or shall vest in equal quarterly installments commencing on November 28, 2020, subject to the executive officers continuous service. |
(3) | Fully vested and exercisable. |
(4) | The exercise price of this grant is £2.02, or $2.55 based on an exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.262. |
(5) | The exercise price of this grant is £5.50, or $6.94 based on an exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.262. |
(6) | The exercise price of this grant is £9.25, or $11.67 based on an exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.262. |
45
Employment Agreements; Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The material terms of the severance agreements we have entered into with our NEOs are summarized below.
Employment Agreement of James McCullough
James McCullough, our Chief Executive Officer, is employed by Renalytix AI, Inc., our wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, and entered into an employment agreement with Renalytix AI, Inc. in November 2018. Mr. McCullough also entered into a separate appointment letter with us in October 2018, which governs the terms of his appointment as a director. He receives no compensation or benefits for his service as a director above those that are provided under the employment agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McCullough is entitled to annual base salary, initially $350,000, which is subject to annual review by our remuneration committee and to a minimum annual increase of 3%. Our remuneration committee approved an increase to Mr. McCulloughs annual base salary to $601,000. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McCullough is also: (1) eligible for an annual cash bonus in the sole discretion of the remuneration committee; (2) entitled to participate on the same basis as similarly situated employees in our benefit plans in effect from time to time during his employment; and (3) entitled to five weeks holiday per annum.
Mr. McCullough is employed at-will. If his employment is terminated by us without Cause, as defined in the employment agreement, and in circumstances constituting a separation from service, as defined in the U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), or by Mr. McCullough with Good Reason, as defined in the employment agreement, Mr. McCullough is entitled to be paid his salary and benefits in the usual way up to his termination date and, provided he complies with certain conditions including execution of a release, is entitled to receive the following severance benefits:
| 12 months base salary; |
| if elected, continued coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, or COBRA, for himself and his covered dependents for up to 12 months following termination; |
| any accrued but unpaid bonus in relation to any prior years employment, together with a pro rata bonus in respect of the portion of the then current year worked; and |
| accelerated vesting of the portion of equity awards held by Mr. McCullough which would have vested within 12 months following the termination date had Mr. McCullough remained in employment for such period, or full vesting of all equity in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the employment agreement. |
In the event that Mr. McCulloughs employment is terminated by us due to his death or Disability, as defined in the employment agreement, he is entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid bonus in relation to any prior years employment, together with a pro rata bonus in respect of the portion of the then current year worked.
Mr. McCullough has also entered into an employee confidential information and invention assignment agreement with Renalytix AI, Inc., which governs matters related to confidentiality, intellectual property and post- termination covenants. Mr. McCullough is subject to confidentiality obligations which remain in place following termination of employment, and to non-solicitation and non-compete restrictive covenants for a period of 12 months post-termination of his employment.
Employment Agreement with Thomas McLain
Thomas McLain, our President, is employed by Renalytix AI, Inc., our wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, and entered into an employment agreement with Renalytix AI, Inc. in June 2019. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McLain is entitled to annual base salary, initially $300,000, which is subject to
46
annual review by our remuneration committee and to a minimum annual increase of 3%. Our remuneration committee approved an increase to Mr. McLains annual base salary to $450,000. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McLain is also: (1) eligible for an annual cash bonus in the sole discretion of the remuneration committee and (2) entitled to four weeks holiday per annum.
Mr. McLain is employed at-will. If his employment is terminated by us without Cause, as defined in the employment agreement, and in circumstances constituting a separation from service, as defined in the U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), or by Mr. McLain with Good Reason, as defined in the employment agreement, Mr. McLain is entitled to be paid his salary and benefits in the usual way up to his termination date and, provided he complies with certain conditions including execution of a release, is entitled to receive the following severance benefits:
| 6 months base salary; |
| if elected, continued coverage under COBRA for himself and his covered dependents for up to 12 months following termination; |
| any accrued but unpaid bonus in relation to any prior years employment, together with a pro rata bonus in respect of the portion of the then current year worked; and |
| accelerated vesting of the portion of equity awards held by Mr. McLain which would have vested within 12 months following the termination date had Mr. McLain remained in employment for such period, or full vesting of all equity in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the employment agreement. |
In the event that Mr. McLains employment is terminated by us due to his death or Disability, as defined in the employment agreement, he is entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid bonus in relation to any prior years employment, together with a pro rata bonus in respect of the portion of the then current year worked.
Mr. McLain has also entered into an employee confidential information and invention assignment agreement with Renalytix AI, Inc., which governs matters related to confidentiality, intellectual property and post- termination covenants. Mr. McLain is subject to confidentiality obligations which remain in place following termination of employment, and to non-solicitation and non-compete restrictive covenants for a period of 12 months post-termination of his employment.
Employment Agreement with O. James Sterling
O. James Sterling, our Chief Financial Officer, is employed by Renalytix AI, Inc., our wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, and entered into an employment agreement with Renalytix AI, Inc. in October 2018. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Sterling is entitled to annual base salary, initially $275,000, which is subject to annual review by our remuneration committee and to a minimum annual increase of 3%. Our remuneration committee approved an increase to Mr. Sterlings annual base salary to $423,600. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Sterling is also: (1) eligible for an annual cash bonus in the sole discretion of the remuneration committee and (2) entitled to five weeks holiday per annum.
Mr. Sterling is employed at-will. If his employment is terminated by us without Cause, as defined in the employment agreement, and in circumstances constituting a separation from service, as defined in the U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), or by Mr. Sterling with Good Reason, as defined in the employment agreement, Mr. Sterling is entitled to be paid his salary and benefits in the usual way up to his termination date and, provided he complies with certain conditions including execution of a release, is entitled to receive the following severance benefits:
| 12 months base salary; |
| if elected, continued coverage under COBRA for himself and his covered dependents for up to 12 months following termination; |
47
| any accrued but unpaid bonus in relation to any prior years employment, together with a pro rata bonus in respect of the portion of the then current year worked; and |
| accelerated vesting of the portion of equity awards held by Mr. Sterling which would have vested within 12 months following the termination date had Mr. Sterling remained in employment for such period, or full vesting of all equity in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the employment agreement. |
In the event that Mr. Sterlings employment is terminated by us due to his death or Disability, as defined in the employment agreement, he is entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid bonus in relation to any prior years employment, together with a pro rata bonus in respect of the portion of the then current year worked.
Mr. Sterling has also entered into an employee confidential information and invention assignment agreement with Renalytix AI, Inc., which governs matters related to confidentiality, intellectual property and post- termination covenants. Mr. Sterling is subject to confidentiality obligations which remain in place following termination of employment, and to non-solicitation and non-compete restrictive covenants for a period of 12 months post-termination of his employment.
The table below sets out, for each element of pay, a summary of how remuneration of non-executive directors is structured and how it supports the Companys strategy.
Purpose and Link to Strategy |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
Cash fees and benefits | ||||||
Set at a level that is sufficient to attract and retain high calibre non- executives who contribute to the business. | The Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors receive fees paid in cash. Fees are paid and reviewed annually.
Non-Executive Directors ordinarily do not participate in any pension, bonus or performance-based share incentive plans. Travel, accommodation and other business-related expenses incurred in carrying out the role as well as fees for tax advice associated with completion of international tax returns will be paid by the Company including, if relevant, any gross-up for tax.
Tax equalisation and/or relocation benefits may |
When reviewing fee levels and benefits, account is taken of market movements in the fees and benefits of Non-Executive Directors, Board Committee responsibilities and ongoing time commitments.
Actual fee levels are disclosed in the annual Directors Remuneration Report for the relevant financial year. |
Not performance related. |
48
Purpose and Link to Strategy |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
be provided to Non-Executive Directors who are required to relocate or become tax resident in a new jurisdiction. | ||||||
Equity-based awards | ||||||
To facilitate share ownership and provide alignment with shareholders. | Non-Executive Directors may receive equity awards under any equity incentive plan operated by the Company from time to time which permits their participation with careful consideration being given to ensuring their independence. Non-Executive Directors may receive an initial equity award upon appointment or election. Initial equity awards will normally vest over a specified period of time, subject generally to continued service. Vesting of equity awards may be accelerated in part or in full in connection with certain corporate events such as a change of control. In addition, Non-Executive Directors may be granted an equity award each year which may vest in full upon grant or over time subject to continued service. If a new Non- Executive Director joins the Board following the date of grant of this annual grant in any calendar year, such Non- Executive Director may be granted a pro rata portion of the next annual grant to reflect his or her service during the relevant part of the relevant year. | There is no maximum number of equity incentive awards that may be awarded to individuals each year. However, when reviewing award levels, account is taken of market movements in equity incentive awards, Board committee responsibilities, ongoing time commitments and the general economic environment. | Non-executive directors do not participate in performance based equity incentives. |
49
We have historically provided our non-employee directors with an annual cash retainer as well as additional annual retainers for service as chairman of the Board and service as chair or member of the Boards committees. The fees for committee service are in addition to the annual cash retainer for Board service. Members of committee can receive either a chair or a member retainer for service on the committee, but not both.
Position |
Annual Cash Retainer ($) |
|||||
Board of Directors |
Chair | 24,096 | ||||
Member | 24,096 | |||||
Audit Committee |
Chair | | ||||
Member | | |||||
Remuneration Committee |
Chair | | ||||
Member | | |||||
Nomination Committee |
Chair | | ||||
Member | |
2023 Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our Board during the year ended June 30, 2023 by our non-employee directors. James McCullough, our Chief Executive Officer, is also a member of our Board but does not receive any additional compensation for service as a director. Fergus Fleming, our Chief Technical Officer, also serves on the Board but does not receive any compensation for service as a director. Information about compensation for Mr. McCullough during the year ended June 30, 2023 is set forth above under Summary Compensation Table.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Option Awards(4) ($) |
All other compensation ($) |
Total ($) | ||||||||||||
Daniel J. Levangie |
24,000 | | | 24,000 | ||||||||||||
Erik Lium, Ph.D.(1) |
24,000 | | | 24,000 | ||||||||||||
Christopher Mills |
24,000 | | | 24,000 | ||||||||||||
Chirag R. Parikh, Ph.D., M.D. |
24,000 | | | 24,000 | ||||||||||||
Timothy Scannell(2) |
24,000 | | | 24,000 | ||||||||||||
Ann Berman(3) |
5,000 | | | 5,000 | ||||||||||||
Catherine Coste(4) |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Fergus Fleming |
| | | |
(1) | Dr. Lium sits on our Board as a representative of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai receives all fees payable in respect of Dr. Liums service as a non-executive director, and Mount Sinai has been granted an option under our Share Option Plan in relation to such service. |
(2) | Timothy Scannells term as a director ended in October 2023. |
(3) | Ann Bermans term as a director ended in September 2022. |
(4) | Catherine Coste joined the Board in June 2023. |
50
(5) | The following table provides information regarding the aggregate number of option awards granted to our non-employee directors that were outstanding as of June 30, 2023: |
Name |
||||
Daniel J. Levangie |
40,000 | |||
Erik Lium, Ph.D.(1) |
204,501 | |||
Christopher Mills |
| |||
Chirag R. Parikh, Ph.D., M.D. |
115,724 | |||
Timothy Scannell(2) |
40,000 | |||
Ann Berman(3) |
10,000 | |||
Catherine Coste(4) |
| |||
Fergus Fleming |
538,161 |
(1) | Dr. Lium sits on our Board as a representative of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai receives all fees payable in respect of Dr. Liums service as a non-executive director, and Mount Sinai has been granted an option under our Share Option Plan in relation to such service. |
(2) | Timothy Scannells term as a director ended in October 2023. |
(3) | Ann Bermans term as a director ended in September 2022. |
(4) | Catherine Coste joined the Board in June 2023. |
In addition, each of the non-executive directors is entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing their duties as a director.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None of the members of our Remuneration Committee is or has been an officer or employee of our Company, nor will they be. None of our executive officers has served as a member of the Board of Directors, or as a member of the Compensation Committee or similar committee, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee during 2021, 2022 or thus far in 2023. For a description of transactions between us and members of our Remuneration Committee and affiliates of such members, as applicable, please see Certain Relationships and Transactions with Related Persons.
INDEMNIFICATION
We provide indemnification for our directors and executive officers so that they will be free from undue concern about personal liability in connection with their service to us. To the extent permitted by the Companies Act, we are empowered to indemnify our directors against any liability they incur by reason of their directorship. We maintain directors and officers insurance to insure such persons against certain liabilities. We have entered into a deed of indemnity with each of our directors and executive officers. In addition to such indemnification, we provide our directors and executive officers with directors and officers liability insurance.
Insofar as indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our board, executive officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
51
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, as amended (the Annual Report on Form 10-K), including audited financial statements, accompanies this proxy statement. Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits thereto are available from the Company without charge upon written request of a shareholder. Copies of these materials are also available online through the SEC at www.sec.gov.
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for AGM materials with respect to two or more shareholders or ADS holders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of AGM addressed to those shareholders or ADS holders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially means extra convenience for shareholders or ADS holders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are our shareholders will be householding the Companys proxy materials. A single set of AGM materials will be delivered to multiple shareholders or ADS holders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders or ADS holders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate set of AGM materials, please notify your broker or us. Please direct contact to us at Salim Hamir, Company Secretary, Renalytix plc, Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9EE, United Kingdom or by telephone at +44 20 3139 2910. Shareholders or ADS holders who currently receive multiple copies of the AGM materials at their addresses and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their brokers.
EACH ORDINARY SHAREHOLDER IS URGED TO SUBMIT A PROXY.
EACH ADS HOLDER IS URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THE ADS PROXY CARD TO CITIBANK, N.A., THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE ADSs.
52
U.K. Statutory Annual Accounts and Reports of the Board of Directors and Auditors of Renalytix plc for the year ended June 30, 2023
Consistent with its obligations under the Companies Act, our Board of Directors will present at the AGM our U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports for the year ended June 30, 2023, which have been approved by and, where appropriate, signed on behalf of our Board of Directors and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in the United Kingdom after the AGM. A copy of our U.K. statutory directors remuneration report, including the annual report on remuneration, is included as Annex A to this proxy statement. A complete copy of our U.K. statutory annual accounts and reports, including the statutory Board of Directors report, and auditors report on our U.K. accounts will be sent, or made available, separately to you no less than 21 days prior to the AGM. You will be provided an opportunity to raise questions in relation to such accounts and reports at the AGM. Full accounts and reports will be available for inspection prior to and during the AGM.
Shareholders Rights to Call a General Meeting
Our shareholders have the right to call a meeting of our shareholders. The Companies Act generally requires the directors to call a general meeting once we have received requests to do so from shareholders representing at least 5% of our paid-up shares entitled to vote at a general meeting. The Companies Act prohibits shareholders of a U.K. public limited company from passing written resolutions. However, significant shareholders would, in any case, still have the power to call a general meeting and propose resolutions. These provisions are mandatory under the Companies Act and cannot be waived by our shareholders.
Shareholder Proposals for 2024 Annual General Meeting
Rule 14a-8 Proposals Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2024 annual general meeting of shareholders, shareholder proposals must be received by the Company at the Office of the Company Secretary, Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9EE, United Kingdom no later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date on which we sent or published our proxy materials for the AGM (or July 16, 2024). However, if the date of the 2024 annual general meeting is more than 30 calendar days from the date of the anniversary of the AGM, then the notice must be received by our Company Secretary a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials.
Other Proposals Shareholders intending to include a proposal on the agenda for the 2024 annual general meeting of shareholders, irrespective of whether they intend to have the proposal included in our proxy statement, must comply with the requirements under our articles of association and English law. Under section 338 of the Companies Act, shareholders representing at least 5% of holders entitled to vote on a resolution at an annual general meeting may require the Company to include such resolution in its notice of an annual general meeting. Provided the applicable thresholds are met, notice of the resolution must be received by the Company at the Office of the Company Secretary, Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9EE, United Kingdom at least six weeks prior to the date of the annual general meeting, or, if later, at the time notice of the annual general meeting is delivered to shareholders.
To comply with the universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Companys nominees must provide notice at our principal executive offices that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than 60 days prior to the anniversary of the AGM (or October 16, 2024).
Proposals and nominations that are not received by the dates specified above, or otherwise do not meet all relevant requirements, will be considered untimely or improper, as applicable. We also encourage anyone
53
sending in a shareholder proposal to additionally send such proposals via email to Salim Hamir, Company Secretary (shamir@renalytix.com).
Shareholder Rights
Under section 527 of the Companies Act, shareholders meeting the threshold requirements set out in that section have the right to require the Company to publish on a website a statement setting out any matter relating to:
| the audit of the Companys accounts (including the auditors report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the AGM; or |
| any circumstance connected with an auditor of the Company ceasing to hold office since the previous meeting at which annual accounts and reports were laid in accordance with section 437 of the Companies Act. |
The Company may not require the shareholders requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with sections 527 or 528 of the Companies Act. Where the Company is required to place a statement on a website under section 527 of the Companies Act, it must forward the statement to the Companys auditor not later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM includes any statement that the Company has been required under section 527 of the Companies Act to publish on a website.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need more information about the Meeting, please write to us at:
Salim Hamir
Company Secretary
Renalytix plc
Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London EC1V 9EE
United Kingdom
54
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the AGM. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | ||
![]() | ||
Salim Hamir Secretary |
November 13, 2023
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, as amended, is available without charge upon written request to: Salim Hamir, Corporate Secretary, Renalytix plc.
55
Directors Remuneration Report and Policy
RENALYTIX PLC
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
Dear shareholder,
As the Chair of the Remuneration Committee (the Committee), I am pleased to present, on behalf of the board of directors (the Board) of Renalytix PLC (the Company or Renalytix), the Directors remuneration report for the year ended 30 June 2023 (the Directors Remuneration Report).
The Companys Annual Report and Accounts, along with the Directors Remuneration Report, will be subject to an advisory vote at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting on 15 December 2023 (the AGM). There are no other matters that the Company requires approval for under Chapter 4A of Part 10 of the Companies Act 2006. The Directors Remuneration Policy (the Remuneration Policy) was approved by the shareholders at the Companys AGM on 19 December 2021. We have included a copy of our current Remuneration Policy, which will remain in effect for the 2024 financial year.
Introduction
During the period covered by this Directors Remuneration Report, we maintained the remuneration programs and policies that the Committee established during the financial year 2023 and implemented strategic compensation initiatives designed to incentivise and retain key employees in the Company.
As we move into financial year 2024 and beyond, the Committees role will be to ensure that Directors and senior executives at Renalytix are appropriately compensated and incentivised to deliver growth to shareholders in a long-term and sustainable manner. The Committee seeks to accomplish this by establishing remuneration programs that are grounded in market practice, are effective at driving proper management behaviors, clearly link pay and performance and are cost efficient overall.
Corporate Governance Standards
As a public company, we are subject to corporate governance standards and regulations applicable in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Global Marketplace for Talent
Renalytix is a biopharmaceutical company with operations in Europe and the United States. The Company plans to expand its operations in both geographic regions in line with the growth of its clinical and manufacturing activities and its plans to commercialize its products in these geographies. Given that the market for experienced directors and biopharmaceutical executive management talent, particularly in the United States, is very competitive, the Committee references the US market as the leading indicator for remuneration levels and practices. This will help attract and retain directors and motivate the superior executive management talent needed to successfully manage the Companys complex global operations. Being consistent in this market view of the United States as the primary benchmark for remuneration practices for directors and executive directors (CEO and CTO) is key for the Company as it builds its global operations in a manner designed to deliver sustainable long-term growth and shareholder value.
![]() |
A-1 |
Committee decisions have been taken in light of the extensive benchmarking for director and executive director compensation conducted in 2023, which included a review of compensation practices of comparable companies to Renalytix in the US and Europe. In taking any actions, the Committee is mindful of the general UK compensation framework, including investor bodies guidance, and the UK Corporate Governance Code, and has incorporated these into its remuneration programs, policies and decisions where it believes they best serve the long-term interests of shareholders.
Remuneration Program Highlights
While I recommend that you carefully read the disclosure on our programs and policies that follows this letter to help with the understanding of our approach to director compensation, I want to highlight the following aspects of our program below:
| Pay for Performance - We believe that a significant portion of remuneration of our directors and our executive directors (CEO & CTO) should be based on achieving objectives designed to create inherent value in the Company, and ultimately on achieving value creation for our shareholders. In line with this belief, the compensation of our CEO includes a significant performance-based cash bonus opportunity and a large equity incentive component. Further, our directors receive equity incentives designed to reward long-term value creation for our shareholders. |
| Shareholding requirements for Executive Directors - We believe having these requirements encourages executive directors to build meaningful shareholding positions and furthers alignment of their interests with those of shareholders. |
| 2023 Remuneration Outcome - As outlined above, a core principle in Renalytixs remuneration program is the linkage between pay and performance. In financial year 2023, the annual bonuses of James McCullough our CEO and Fergus Fleming our CTO, our executive directors were based on a combination of corporate and personal objectives. The Committee determined that while Management made progress in key areas in financial year 2023 growing the business, the Company did not achieve 100% of its annual corporate objectives, and therefore bonuses for company executives will be paid out at 75% of the target. This outcome was based on achievements versus goals in the following key areas: overachievement in the area of Technology/Innovation, partial achievement in Executive team performance, Insurance reimbursement and Governance, Inclusion, Operations and underachievement of the Revenue Target. |
| Major Decisions and Substantial Changes regarding Directors Remuneration - During financial year 2023, there were no major decisions or substantial changes on our directors remuneration scheme however the company did engage remuneration consultants in the financial year to advise the Committee on all aspects of senior executive and director remuneration. The remuneration consultants findings were relied upon when approving compensation for financial year 2023. |
Conclusion
On behalf of the Committee, I hope you will agree that our judgements set out in this report are a sensible approach to reward and motivate our directors and our CEO to deliver sustainable growth and shareholder value over the long term and do so in a responsible and cost efficient manner.
I hope that you find the information in this report helpful and responsive to shareholders and other stakeholders expectations, and look forward to the AGM, where we hope to have your support.
Daniel J. Levangie
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
27 October 2023
![]() |
A-2 |
DIRECTORS REMUNERATION POLICY
This part of the Directors remuneration report sets out the Directors remuneration policy for the Companys directors and executive directors and has been prepared in accordance with the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.
The remuneration policy was approved by shareholders in a binding vote at our AGM on 19 December 2021 and took effect from the date of approval.
The policy applies for a maximum period of three years (or until a revised policy is approved by shareholders) and will therefore next need to be approved in a binding vote at the AGM in 2024.
The scenario charts have been updated to reflect the intended application of the policy for the financial year 2024 and references to prior financial years have been updated where appropriate to aid understanding. A copy of the as approved policy (including the scenario charts set out in that Policy) is in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year 2021 which is available at: https://investors.renalytixai.com/financials-and-filings/annual-and-half-year-reports. The policy is unchanged this year, and as such is not subject to a shareholder vote.
Renalytixs remuneration policy has been designed to:
| align to the Companys strategy and business model; |
| attract, retain and motivate high calibre individuals who have the potential to support the growth of the Company; |
| be competitive against appropriate market benchmarks, focusing particularly on the US bio-technology sector; and |
| take account of good governance and promote the long-term success of the Company. |
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION POLICY TABLE
The table below sets out, for each element of pay, a summary of how remuneration of executive directors is structured and how it supports the Companys strategy.
Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
BASE SALARY | ||||||
To attract, retain and motivate executive directors of the highest calibre who are capable of delivering the Companys strategic objectives, reflecting the individuals experience and role within the Company.
Base salary is designed to provide an appropriate level of fixed income to avoid an over- reliance on variable pay elements that could |
Salaries are normally reviewed annually, and changes are generally effective from 1 October.
The annual salary review of the Executive Directors takes into consideration a number of factors, including:
scope of the individuals responsibilities; |
Executive Director level salaries are determined considering industry benchmarking data. There is no prescribed maximum annual salary or salary increase.
Base salary increases are awarded at the discretion of the Committee; however, the Committee is guided by the general increase for the broader employee |
No formal metrics, although any increases take account of Company performance and the individual performance of the Executive Director. |
![]() |
A-3 |
Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
BASE SALARY | ||||||
encourage excessive risk taking. |
abilities, experience and performance of the individual;
business performance;
salary increases awarded to the overall employee population;
market competitiveness and US and UK market practice; and
the underlying rate of inflation. |
population but may decide to award a lower increase for Executive Directors or exceed this to recognize, for example, an increase in the scale, scope or responsibility of the role and/or take account relevant market movements.
Executive Director level salary increases are approved by the Board in line with corporate performance and are consistent with positions held. |
||||
BENEFITS | ||||||
Benefits in kind offered to Executive Directors are provided on a market- competitive basis, to assist with their recruitment and retention. | The Company aims to offer benefits that are in line with the Executive Directors local market and those offered to the wider workforce. | There is no defined maximum value for benefits, but the Committee will consider the aggregate value of any such benefits when determining what should be offered. | Not performance related. | |||
PENSION | ||||||
The Company aims to provide a contribution towards life in retirement. | Depending on their location and comparable benefits offered to local employees, Executive Directors may be eligible to receive employer contributions to a defined contribution pension scheme or a cash supplement in lieu of such
contributions, or a mixture of both. |
The maximum employer pension contribution or cash in lieu amount will be a percentage of annual base salary aligned with that provided to other senior executives in the Executive Directors location. | Not performance related. | |||
ANNUAL BONUS | ||||||
An annual bonus rewards the achievement of objectives that support the Companys corporate goals and delivery of the business strategy. | Bonuses are determined based on objectives that are agreed with the Committee, and the Board, at the start of each | Executive Director level bonuses are approved by the Board in line with corporate performance | Performance measures are determined by the Committee each year and may vary to ensure that they promote the |
![]() |
A-4 |
Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
ANNUAL BONUS | ||||||
financial year although the Committee retains the discretion to amend objectives during the year if it considers that objectives are no longer appropriate.
Different performance measures and weightings may be used each year, as agreed with the Committee, to take into account changes in the business strategy.
Bonuses are normally paid in cash (but may be paid in the form of an equity award, at the discretion of the Committee). |
and are consistent with positions held. | Companys business strategy and shareholder value. The annual bonus will be based on corporate measures, including, but not limited to, financial and/or strategic measures. Bonus measures are reviewed at least annually and the Committee has the discretion to change the measures or to introduce new measures when it deems appropriate. | ||||
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN (EIP) | ||||||
To attract, motivate, retain and reward for long-term, sustainable performance linked to corporate strategy and provide alignment with shareholders interests. | Equity awards granted to Executive Directors may take the form of options, restricted shares, performance share units, restricted share units, or other forms of awards granted in accordance with the discretionary EIP that may be in place from time to time. The Executive Directors received a grant under the EIPs predecessor plan upon listing on AIM and it is intended that top- up awards shall be issued under the EIP from time to time in the discretion of the Committee. | There is no maximum opportunity for equity incentives. However, the Committee will generally assess the position at similar sized comparative companies prior to making any award to ensure that any awards are aligned to the market.
|
Vesting of equity awards is generally subject to continued employment and may also be subject to the achievement of performance conditions aligned with the Companys strategic plan. Measures, their weightings and the period over which performance is tested will be determined by the Committee.
The Committee will select the most appropriate form of EIP for awards each year and/or each individual grant. Vesting of equity awards may be accelerated in part or in full in connection with certain corporate events such as a change of control.
|
![]() |
A-5 |
Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
ALL EMPLOYEE EQUITY PLANS | ||||||
Encourages employee share ownership and therefore increases alignment of interests with shareholders. | The Company may, from time to time, operate tax-advantaged share plans for which Executive Directors would be eligible on the same basis as all other eligible employees. |
Within the limits of the relevant legislation. | Not performance related. |
Notes to the Executive Director Remuneration Policy Table
Legacy Arrangements
For the duration of this Remuneration Policy, the Company will honour any commitments made in respect of current or former Directors before the date on which either: (i) the Remuneration Policy becomes effective; or (ii) an individual becomes a Director, even where not consistent with the Remuneration Policy set out in this report or prevailing at the time such commitment is fulfilled. For the avoidance of doubt, all outstanding historic awards that were granted in connection with, or prior to, our IPO on NASDAQ remain eligible to vest based on their original or modified terms.
Clawback Provisions
The Company does not currently have a policy on recoupment and clawback, but the Committee will keep this under review.
Shareholding Requirements
Executive directors are not currently required to build and retain a shareholding, but the Committee will keep this under review.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION POLICY TABLE
The table below sets out, for each element of pay, a summary of how remuneration of non-executive directors is structured and how it supports the Companys strategy.
Chair and Non-Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
CASH FEES AND BENEFITS | ||||||
Set at a level that is sufficient to attract and retain high calibre non- executives who contribute to the business. | The Chair and the Non- Executive Directors receive fees paid in cash.
Fees are paid and reviewed annually. |
When reviewing fee levels and benefits, account is taken of market movements in the fees and benefits of Non-Executive Directors, | Not performance related. |
![]() |
A-6 |
Chair and Non-Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
CASH FEES AND BENEFITS | ||||||
Non-Executive Directors ordinarily do not participate in any pension, bonus or performance-based share incentive plans. Travel, accommodation and other business-related expenses incurred in carrying out the role as well as fees for tax advice associated with completion of international tax returns will be paid by the Company including, if relevant, any gross- up for tax and/or social security contributions.
Tax equalization and/or relocation benefits may be provided to Non-Executive Directors who are required to relocate or become tax resident in a new jurisdiction. |
Board Committee responsibilities and ongoing time commitments.
Actual fee levels are disclosed in the annual Directors Remuneration Report for the relevant financial year. |
|||||
EQUITY-BASED AWARDS | ||||||
To facilitate share ownership and provide alignment with shareholders. | Non-Executive Directors may receive equity awards under any equity incentive plan operated by the Company from time to time which permits their participation with careful consideration being given to ensuring their independence.
Non-Executive Directors may receive an initial equity award upon appointment or election. Initial equity awards will normally vest over a specified period of time, subject generally to continued service. |
There is no maximum number of equity incentive awards that may be awarded to individuals each year. However, when reviewing award levels, account is taken of market movements in equity incentive awards, Board committee responsibilities, ongoing time commitments and the general economic environment. |
Non-executive directors do not participate in performance-based equity incentives. |
![]() |
A-7 |
Chair and Non-Executive Directors | ||||||
Purpose and Link to |
Operation |
Maximum Opportunity |
Performance Metrics | |||
EQUITY-BASED AWARDS | ||||||
Vesting of equity awards may be accelerated in part or in full in connection with certain corporate events such as a change of control.
In addition, Non-Executive Directors may be granted an equity award each year which may vest in full upon grant or over time subject to continued service. If a new Non-Executive Director joins the Board following the date of grant of this annual grant in any calendar year, such Non-Executive Director may be granted a pro rata portion of the next annual grant to reflect his or her service during the relevant part of the relevant year. |
REMUNERATION FOR NEW APPOINTMENTS
Where it is necessary to appoint or replace an Executive Director, the Committee has determined that the new Executive Director will receive a compensation package in accordance with the provisions of the approved remuneration policy in force at the time of appointment but focusing on the objective of appointing the most appropriate person in the right geography.
In setting base salaries for new Executive Directors, the Committee will consider the existing salary package of the new Director, the individuals skills, level of experience and the market rate for the role.
In setting the annual performance bonus, the Committee may wish to set different performance metrics (to those of other Executive Directors) in the first year of appointment. Where it is appropriate to offer a below-median salary on initial appointment, the Committee will have the discretion to allow phased salary increases over a period of time for a newly appointed Director as the Executive gains experience in their new role, even though this may involve increases in excess of inflation and the increases awarded to the wider workforce.
Benefits and pensions will be in line with those offered to other executive directors, taking account of local market practice with relocation expenses provided at the discretion of the Committee if necessary. Tax equalization may also be considered if an executive is adversely affected by taxation due to their employment with the Group. Legal fees and other costs incurred by the individual may also be met by the Company.
![]() |
A-8 |
The ongoing incentive opportunity offered to new recruits will be in line with that offered to existing Directors. Different measures and targets under the bonus plan or the Companys equity incentive arrangements may be set initially taking account of the responsibilities of the individual and the point in the financial year at which they join. A new employee may be granted normal annual equity awards in the first year of employment in addition to any awards made with respect to prior employment being forfeited, which shall be excluded from any annual maximum on the size of awards.
To enable the recruitment of exceptional talent, the Committee may determine that the buy-out of remuneration forfeit from a prior employer is necessary. Where possible, any replacement remuneration will be offered on a like-for-like basis with the forfeited awards and may be in the form of cash or shares and depending whether the award forgone has similar performance conditions, may or may not be subject to performance conditions. The value of any buy-out will be limited to the value of remuneration forfeit. Where appropriate, such awards will be granted under existing share plans, however, the Committee will have discretion to make standalone awards where appropriate.
In respect of internal appointments, any commitments entered into in respect of a prior role, including variable pay elements, may be allowed to pay out according to their prior term, adjusted as relevant to take into account the appointment.
The terms of appointment for a new Non-Executive Director would be in accordance with the remuneration policy for Non- Executive Directors in force at that time.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS SERVICE CONTRACTS
James McCullough (Chief Executive Officer) is currently employed at-will pursuant to an employment agreement entered into with Renalytix AI, Inc, dated 2 November 2018 but effective on 1 November 2018. His employment may be terminated by either party at any time for any or no reason, with or without notice. Severance payments no more generous than those described in this policy will be payable to him on termination. Upon termination of his employment agreement, our Chief Executive Officer is required to resign from all other positions within the Companys group. Following termination of his employment, our Chief Executive Officer will be bound by certain post-termination covenants.
As is customary for US executives, our Chief Executive Officers remuneration is subject to a best-after-tax cutback for excise tax calculations under section 280G of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, with no tax gross-up.
Fergus Fleming (Chief Technology Officer) is currently employed on an indefinite term pursuant to an employment agreement entered into with the Company dated 1 November 2018. His employment may be terminated by either party on 12 months written notice.
At its discretion, upon receipt of his written notice, or as an alternative to providing notice, terminate the employment with immediate effect and make a payment in lieu of notice, comprising base salary only, for the notice period (or remainder thereof, should notice have been given). In the event of a breach of service agreement or other summary termination of employment, no such payments will be made.
A copy of these contracts may be viewed at the Companys head office or may be requested from the Company Secretary at the annual general meeting.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT
All Non-Executive Directors, including the Chair, have specific terms of engagement which may be terminated on not less than six months notice by either party.
![]() |
A-9 |
The remuneration of Non-Executive Directors is determined by the Board within the limits set by the Companys articles of association and based on a review of fees and equity-based remuneration paid to Non-Executive Directors of similar companies.
A Board evaluation has been performed and the results of this exercise confirmed that all Non-Executive Directors were independent.
TERMINATION AND LOSS OF OFFICE PAYMENTS
Depending on market practice in the jurisdiction in which an Executive Director is employed, exit payments shall depend on the circumstances of termination and may be made by reference to a notice period (including a payment in lieu of notice) or employment at-will together with a severance payment. Where a notice period applies, this will not exceed 12 months but may be accompanied by additional severance entitlements where applicable.
The Companys policy on remuneration for Executive Directors who leave the Company is set out below. The Committee will exercise its discretion when determining amounts that should be paid to leavers, taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case.
US-BASED EXECUTIVES
Termination without |
Termination for cause |
Termination without cause or with | ||||
Salary and benefits | Subject to the executive executing a release: a payment of up to 12 months salary and benefits including COBRA or other applicable healthcare coverage payable in equal monthly instalments or as a lump sum, at the discretion of the Committee. | No payment. | Subject to the executive executing a release: a payment of up to 18 months salary and benefits and benefits payable in equal monthly instalments or as a lump sum, at the discretion of the Committee. | |||
Annual bonus | Any earned but unpaid bonus, a pro-rata portion of the bonus that would have been due for any part year worked, plus up to one years target bonus, or a higher bonus at the discretion of the Committee, payable as a lump sum or on a monthly basis. | No payment. | Any earned but unpaid bonus, a pro-rata portion of the bonus that would have been due for any part year worked, plus up to 1.5 years target bonus, or a higher bonus at the discretion of the Committee, payable as a lump sum or on a monthly basis. | |||
Equity incentive awards | The Company may accelerate the vesting of the portion of equity held on the termination date that would have vested over the following one year period. | Unvested awards lapse in full. | Full vesting on termination. |
1: | Includes, among others, a material diminution in role, a material reduction in base salary or mandated relocation, as defined by contract. |
![]() |
A-10 |
NON-US BASED EXECUTIVES
When calculating termination payments for Non-US based Executives, the Committee will consider a variety of factors, including individual and Company performance, the length of service of the Executive Directors in question and, where appropriate, the obligation for the Executive Directors to mitigate loss. In the event of a change of control and ownership, the Committee may exercise its discretion to provide for additional remuneration and/or benefits for Executive Directors who leave the Company in connection with such change of control, and will take into account all relevant circumstances when making any such determination.
In the case of a good leaver (to be determined at the discretion of the Committee) the following policy will normally apply, although the Committee retains the discretion to make payments which are no more generous than those applicable to a US based Executive Director (as described above), when viewed in the round with notice / payment in lieu of notice entitlements:
| notice period of twelve months or payment in lieu of notice; |
| statutory redundancy payments will be made, as appropriate; |
| Executive Directors have no entitlement to a bonus payment in the event that they cease to be employed by the Company, however, they may be considered for a pro-rated award by the Committee in good leaver circumstances; and |
| any share-based entitlements granted to an Executive Director under the Companys share and individual share contracts or share option plans will be determined based upon the relevant individual share option contracts or plan rules, and performance conditions or hurdles and vesting may be accelerated in the discretion of the Committee. |
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS
The Committee will make payment of any statutory entitlements as necessary. In addition, the Committee will retain the discretion to make additional payments in settlement of, or to compromise, an actual or potential claim in connection with a termination of any Executive Director as necessary.
The Committee reserves the right to make reasonable legal, relocation and outplacement costs, if deemed necessary.
ILLUSTRATION OF APPLICATION OF THE POLICY
Pay-For-Performance Scenario Analysis
The charts below have been updated to reflect the intended application of the policy for the 2024 financial year. A copy of the shareholder approved policy (including the scenario charts for the 2023 financial year) is in the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2022, which is available on the Companys website. The charts below provide an estimate of the potential future reward opportunities for the Executive Directors, and the potential split between different elements of remuneration under different performance scenarios:
| Minimum - fixed pay only. |
| Target (performance in line with expectations) - fixed pay, plus bonus and equity payouts at threshold level (50% of maximum). |
| Maximum (performance meets or exceeds maximum) - fixed pay, plus the maximum bonus payout and full vesting of any equity awards, based on grant-date face value of awards to be granted in financial year 2024. |
![]() |
A-11 |
Fixed Pay Comprises:
| Salaries - salary effective at 1 July 2023. |
| Benefits - an estimated value of all benefits receivable in the 2024 financial year. |
| Pension - 5% of salary for the CEO and CTO. |
Amounts are shown in thousands (USD).
Values do not include the impact of any share price appreciation over the vesting period. The reporting regulations require the disclosure of maximum total pay including the impact of a 50% increase in share price over the vesting period for equity awards subject to multi-year performance measures which is not applicable to any of our current equity awards. The equity award amounts shown above relate to share options vesting during the year using the Companys AIM closing price at the end of the quarter in which the award vested less associated exercise price.
Statement Of Consideration Of Employees Pay and Remuneration Conditions Elsewhere In The Group
The Company does not formally consult with employees on the matters of Executive Director remuneration. However, the Committee is made aware of employment conditions in the wider Group. The same broad principles apply to the remuneration policy for both Executive Directors and the wider employee population. However, the remuneration for Executive Directors has a stronger emphasis on performance-related pay than for other employees. Salaries, benefits and pensions are compared to appropriate market rates in the jurisdiction in which the Executive Director is employed and is set at an appropriate level with allowance for role, responsibilities and experience.
Statement Of Consideration Of Shareholders Views
The Committee will consider any Shareholder feedback received at the Annual General Meeting and at meetings throughout the year, when reviewing the overall remuneration policy each year. The guidance from relevant shareholder representative bodies is also considered on an ongoing basis.
![]() |
A-12 |
More specifically the Committee will consult with major Shareholders when proposing any significant changes to the policy in the future.
ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION
This report constitutes a Directors Remuneration Report in accordance with the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, the Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018, and the Companies (Directors Remuneration Policy and Directors Remuneration Report) Regulations 2019 and section 420 of the Companies Act 2006. This report sets out the Group policy on Directors remuneration, including emoluments, benefits and other share-based awards made to each Director.
This section of the remuneration report provides details of how our remuneration policy was implemented during the financial year ended 30 June 2023, and how it will be implemented during the year ending 30 June 2024.
This report splits certain information into that for Executive Directors and that for Non-Executive Directors.
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE (THE COMMITTEE)
Governance
In its decision-making process, the Committee takes account of information from both internal and independent sources and Aon surveys. Aon was appointed as remuneration consultants by the Committee based on their expertise in the field via a competitive tender process. Aon advises the Committee on all aspects of senior executive remuneration. Aon has kept the Committee up to date on remuneration trends and corporate governance best practice. Aon does not have any other connection with the Company and is considered to be independent and objective by the Committee. During the year ended 30 June 2023, fees charged by Aon amounted to approximately USD 19,500 and this was charged on a time spent basis.
The current members of the Committee are Daniel J. Levangie (Chair), Timothy Scannell and Catherine Coste.
Remuneration Committee report
The Companys Chief Human Resources Officer provides updates to the Committee, as required, to ensure that the Committee is fully informed about pay and performance issues throughout the Company. The Committee takes these factors into account when determining the remuneration of the Executive Directors and senior executives.
No Executive Director or employee can participate in any discussion directly relating to their own personal conditions of service or remuneration.
No conflicts of interest have arisen during the year and none of the members of the Committee has any personal financial interest in the matters discussed, other than as option holders. The fees of the Non-Executive Directors are approved by the Board on the joint recommendation of the Committee and the Chief Executive Officer.
Director |
Meetings Attended | |||
Daniel J. Levangie |
3/3 | |||
Timothy Scannell |
3/3 | |||
Catherine Coste |
1/1 |
The Committee met three times in the year to 30 June 2023. Catherine Coste was only a member of the committee for one meeting.
![]() |
A-13 |
Discretions Retained By The Committee
The Committee operates under the powers it has been delegated by the Board. In addition, it complies with rules that require certain matters to be put to either shareholder or Board approval. These rules provide the Committee with certain discretions which serve to ensure that the implementation of the Remuneration Policy is fair, both to the individual director and to the shareholders. The Committee operates the Companys remuneration plans in accordance with their rules from time to time. To maintain an efficient administrative process, the Committee retains the following discretions to apply its judgement in setting remuneration:
| the eligibility to participate in the plans; |
| the timing of grant of awards and any payments; |
| the size of awards and payments (subject to any maximum limits set out in the policy table above and the respective plan rules); |
| the determination of whether the performance conditions have been met; |
| determining a good or bad leaver under the terms of the plan and the treatment of such leavers cash and equity remuneration; |
| dealing with a change of control or restructuring of the Group; |
| adjustments required in certain capital events such as rights issues, corporate restructuring, events and special dividends and certain other out-of-the-ordinary events; |
| the annual review of performance and other vesting conditions for the annual bonus plan and equity awards. |
In certain circumstances, such as a material acquisition/divestment of a Group business, which mean the original performance conditions are no longer appropriate, the Committee may adjust the targets, alter weightings or set different measures as necessary, to ensure the conditions achieve their original purpose and are not materially less difficult to satisfy.
The Committee may make minor amendments to the Remuneration Policy (for regulatory, exchange control, tax or administrative purposes or to take account of a change in legislation) without obtaining shareholder approval for that amendment.
Directors Remuneration financial year ended 30 June 2023
The total remuneration of the individual Directors who served during the period is shown below. Total remuneration is the sum of emoluments for the period in service as a director plus Company pension contributions, and the value of long-term incentive awards vesting by reference to performance in the twelve months to 30 June 2023.
![]() |
A-14 |
Directors Remuneration financial year ended 30 June 2023
Year | Base Salary ($000s)a |
Benefits ($000s)b |
Bonus ($000s)c |
EIPd | Pension ($000s)e |
Total Remuneration ($000s) |
Total Fixed Remuneration ($000s) |
Total Variable Remuneration ($000s) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Directors |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James McCullough |
2023 | 601 | 30 | 406 | | 20 | 1,057 | 651 | 406 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 601 | 20 | | | 27 | 648 | 648 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fergus Fleming |
2023 | 351 | 16 | 154 | | 18 | 539 | 385 | 154 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 378 | 16 | | | 75 | 469 | 469 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Executive Directors |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Erik Lium (Mount Sinai representative)1 |
2023 | 24 | | | | | 24 | 24 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 27 | | | | | 27 | 27 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Christopher Mills |
2023 | 24 | | | | | 24 | 24 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 27 | | | | | 27 | 27 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chirag Parikh2 |
2023 | 24 | | | | | 24 | 24 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 88 | | | | | 88 | 88 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daniel Levangie |
2023 | 24 | | | | | 24 | 24 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 27 | | | | | 27 | 27 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Timothy Scannell |
2023 | 24 | | | | | 24 | 24 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 7 | | | | | 7 | 7 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ann Berman3 |
2023 | 5 | | | | | 5 | 5 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 27 | | | | | 27 | 27 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catherine Coste4 |
2023 | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | | | | | | | | |
Notes to the remuneration table
a. | All amounts presented were earned in respect of the financial period. |
b. | This is the taxable value of benefits paid or payable in respect of the financial period. For executive directors, benefits include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance paid for by the Company |
c. | The remuneration committee has concluded that executive bonuses will be paid out at 75% of targets for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. |
d. | The amount shown relates to the market value of the EIP and other equity awards vesting during the year using the Companys AIM closing price at the end of the quarter in which the award vested less associated exercise price. |
e. | The amount shown relates to Company contributions to the defined contribution scheme, plus any cash in lieu. |
1. | Dr. Lium sits on our board as a representative of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. This fee is invoiced annually by Mt. Sinai. |
2. | In the financial year ended 30 June 2022, in addition to $26,621 in board fees, Chirag Parikhs remuneration includes consulting services performed for Renalytix. Chirag received $500/hr for consulting services in the financial year ended 30 June 2022. |
3. | Ann Berman resigned from the board in September 2022. |
4. | Catherine Coste joined the board on 30 June 2023 and did not receive remuneration in the financial year ended 30 June 2023 or the financial year ended 30 June 2022. |
![]() |
A-15 |
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE BONUS 2022/2023 financial year
In the 2023 financial year, all employees were eligible for an annual discretionary cash bonus, whereby performance objectives were established at the beginning of the financial year by reference to suitably challenging corporate goals.
For the 2023 financial year, the company refined the annual bonus calculation as annual bonuses for all staff (including Executive Directors) were calculated and achieved by reference to both corporate and individual performance.
The achievement against the scorecard of corporate goals was as follows:
Corporate goals |
Weighting% | 2023 Achievement % | ||||||
Revenue |
30% | 0% | ||||||
Executive Team Performance |
20 | % | 25 | % | ||||
Insurance Coverage |
20 | % | 50 | % | ||||
Technology and Innovation |
25 | % | 200 | % | ||||
Governance, Inclusion and Operations Team |
5 | % | 50 | % | ||||
Total |
100 | % |
Specific targets associated with each corporate goal are commercially sensitive and have been omitted to protect competitive information. However, full details of the targets will be disclosed when they are no longer considered commercially sensitive.
Achievement against objectives is given careful consideration by the Committee prior to finalisation of bonus outcomes. The Committee reviewed the formulaic outcome of the scorecard and concluded that 75% of corporate goals were met and the scorecard outcome, as shown above, reflected the performance of the Executive Directors in the year, accordingly no discretion was exercised to alter the formulaic outcome. As a result of corporate performance, the following bonuses were calculated for the Companys executive directors and approved by the Board.
Bonus scorecard Outcome ($000s) |
% of salary | Maximum opportunity Cash amount ($000s) |
% of salary | |||||||||||||
James McCullough |
406 | 68 | % | 541 | 90 | % | ||||||||||
Fergus Fleming |
154 | 44 | % | 193 | 55 | % |
During the year ended 30 June 2023, no Executive Directors or non-executive directors were awarded options or other awards under the EIP scheme. There was no change in the exercise price or date of existing options.
![]() |
A-16 |
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS SHARE AWARDS
Shareholdings as at 30 June 2023 for each director who has held office during the 2023 financial year are set out in the table below (together with interests held by his or her connected persons):
Directors Interests In Shares At 30 June 2023
Director |
Total shares owned outright plus vested options |
Shares owned outright |
Percentage of issued share capital |
Vested but not exercised |
Unvested but subject to performance |
Unvested and not subjected to performance |
||||||||||||||||||
Current Directors |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
James McCullough1 |
2,746,386 | 2,746,386 | 2.9 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Fergus Fleming |
1,107,642 | 569,481 | 0.6 | % | 538,161 | | | |||||||||||||||||
Mount Sinai (Board Seat) |
14,823,853 | 14,619,352 | 15.5 | % | 204,501 | | | |||||||||||||||||
Christopher Mills2 |
10,072,500 | 10,072,500 | 10.6 | % | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Chirag Parikh |
115,724 | | | 115,724 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Daniel Levangie |
17,500 | | | 17,500 | | 22,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
Timothy Scannell |
78,964 | 68,964 | 0.1 | % | 10,000 | | 30,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Catherine Coste |
| | | | | |
1. | James McCullough shareholding includes 2,746,386 shares held through his family trust, The McCullough 2020 Irrevocable Trust (the Trust). |
2. | Christopher Mills is partner and Chief Investment Officer of Harwood Capital LLP. Harwood Capital LLP is Investment Manager to North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc and investment adviser to Oryx International Growth Fund Limited. Christophers shareholding is made up of 6,145,001 ordinary shares held by North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC, 2,780,000 ordinary shares are held by Oryx International Growth Fund Limited and 801,124 ordinary shares are held by Harwood Capital LLP. |
3. | Executive Directors are encouraged to build a meaningful shareholding so as to align their interests with those of shareholders but no formal shareholders requirements apply. |
4. | Save as noted, no connected persons hold any interests. |
REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)
Performance Graph and Table
The following graph shows Renalytixs cumulative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) from the Companys November 2018 IPO on AIM relative to the FTSE AIM All Share Index and the Nasdaq Biotech Index. These two indices were chosen due to Renalytixs listing on both exchanges and the sector in which it operates. For the period from 6 November 2018 to 30 June 2023 Renalytix Plc data relates to AIM TSR, and from 17 July 2020 the data relates to Nasdaq TSR (as show by the separate line).
TSR is defined as the return on investment obtained from holding a companys shares over a period. It includes dividends paid, the change in capital value of the shares and any other payment made to or by shareholders within the period.
![]() |
A-17 |
ALIGNING PAY WITH PERFORMANCE
CEO Remuneration Compared With Annual Growth In TSR:
The total remuneration figure for the CEO (James McCullough) is shown in the table below, along with the value of bonuses, and EIP vesting, as a percentage of the maximum opportunity. As 2021 was the first year reported since listing on Nasdaq and therefore the first year which this disclosure was required, it is not possible to provide meaningful comparative data from period prior to that date.
James McCullough |
2023 ($000s) |
2022 ($000s) |
2021 ($000s) |
|||||||||
Total remuneration |
1,057 | 648 | 1,193 | |||||||||
Actual bonus as a % of the maximum |
75 | % | 0 | % | 50 | % | ||||||
Actual share award vesting as % of the maximum |
| | |
Percentage Change In Remuneration Of The Directors and Employees
Set out below is the change between the financial years 2021 to 2023 in base salary, benefits, pension and annual performance bonus for all the directors and the Companys employees.
Percent change FY22 - FY23 |
Percent change FY21 - FY22 |
Percent change FY20 - FY21 | ||||||||||||||||
Salary | Benefits | Bonus | Salary | Benefits | Bonus | Salary | Benefits | Bonus | ||||||||||
James McCullough |
0% | 48% | | 3% | -68% | -100% | 58% | 36% | 371% | |||||||||
Fergus Fleming |
-7% | 1% | | 3% | -8% | -100% | 58% | 512% | 116% | |||||||||
Mount Sinai |
-9% | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Christopher Mills |
-9% | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Chirag Parikh |
-73% | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Daniel Levangie |
-9% | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Timothy Scannell |
262% | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Ann Berman 1 |
-80% | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
Catherine Coste 2 |
| | | | | | | | |
![]() |
A-18 |
1. | Ann Berman resigned from the board in September 2022. |
2. | Catherine Coste joined the board in June 2023 therefore she did not receive remuneration for the 2023 financial year (or any prior year). |
Relative Importance Of Spend On Pay
Total revenue and administrative expenditures have been selected as comparators for the employee costs as no dividends have been paid and these two financial measures are strong indicators of the activity within the Company and of its performance.
Year ended 30 June 2023 |
Year ended 30 June 2022 |
Change ($000s) |
Change (%) | |||||||||||
Total employee remuneration ($000s) |
20,887 | 26,527 | (5,641 | ) | -21% | |||||||||
Average number of employees |
82 | 93 | (11 | ) | -12% | |||||||||
Revenue ($000s) |
3,403 | 2,970 | 433 | 15% | ||||||||||
Administrative expenditures ($000s) |
43,056 | 58,290 | (15,234 | ) | -26% | |||||||||
No dividends distributions or share buyback transactions occurred in either 2023 or 2022 |
| | |
Statement Of Implementation Of Policy In 2023/24
Base salary: There was no change in James McCulloughs or Fergus Flemings base salary for the 2022/2023 financial year. The 2023/2024 salary increases have not been determined but are expected to be effective 1 January 2024 and are expected to be in line with market rates for all of eligible employees, being those that had joined the business prior to 1 July 2023.
Pension and benefits: In 2023/2024, Executive Directors are eligible for the same benefits as provided to all senior employees. The Executive Directors are each entitled to the maximum employer pension contribution of 5% of their respective base salary which is paid into a defined contribution pension scheme / paid in cash in lieu of pension contributions.
Annual performance bonus: For 2023/2024, the Executive Directors annual cash bonus target payouts are 90% of base salary for the executive director and 55% of the base salary for the chief technology officer. The Committee considers overall corporate performance and individual performance when determining the final bonus amount to be awarded to an Executive Director. Performance will be tested against targets set by the Committee at the start of the year and will comprise a combination of corporate goals and individual goals for James McCullough and Fergus Fleming.
Specific targets are commercially sensitive and therefore are not disclosed in advance. However, full details of the targets and performance against them will be disclosed when they are no longer considered commercially sensitive.
The Chairman and non-executive directors will continue to be paid their current level of fees.
Payments For Loss Of Office (Audited Information)
There were no loss of office payments in 2022/2023.
Payments To Past Directors (Audited Information)
The Company made payments of $5,000 to Ann Berman for her service as a director for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. Ann Berman resigned from the board in September 2022.
![]() |
A-19 |
Clawback
The Committee shall make any required amendments to the malus and clawback policy or adopt a new Dodd-Frank compliant policy as required by the SEC and Nasdaq.
Shareholder Voting On Remuneration Matters At AGM
The table below sets out the previous votes cast at our AGM in 2022 in respect of the previous Directors Remuneration Report and the votes cast at our AGM in 2021 in respect of the Remuneration Policy.
Votes For | Votes Against | Votes Withheld | ||||||||||||||||||
% | Number | % | Number | Number | ||||||||||||||||
Directors Remuneration Report |
80.64 | % | 29,678,455 | 19.36 | % | 7,125,845 | 11,996 | |||||||||||||
Directors Remuneration Policy |
70.34 | % | 25,272,488 | 29.66 | % | 10,658,539 | 26,932 |
Daniel J. Levangie
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
27 October 2023
![]() |
A-20 |
CONTENTS
CLAUSE
1. | EXCLUSION OF MODEL ARTICLES (AND ANY OTHER PRESCRIBED REGULATIONS) | 1 | ||||
2. | INTERPRETATION | 1 | ||||
3. | FORM OF RESOLUTION | 3 | ||||
4. | LIMITED LIABILITY | 3 | ||||
5. | CHANGE OF NAME | 3 | ||||
6. | SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS | 3 | ||||
7. | POWER TO ATTACH RIGHTS TO SHARES | 4 | ||||
8. | ALLOTMENT OF SHARES AND PRE-EMPTION | 4 | ||||
9. | REDEEMABLE SHARES | 5 | ||||
10. | PARI PASSU ISSUES | 5 | ||||
11. | VARIATION OF RIGHTS | 5 | ||||
12. | RIGHTS DEEMED NOT VARIED | 6 | ||||
13. | PAYMENT OF COMMISSION | 6 | ||||
14. | TRUSTS NOT RECOGNISED | 6 | ||||
15. | UNCERTIFICATED SHARES | 6 | ||||
16. | SHARE CERTIFICATES | 7 | ||||
17. | REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES | 8 | ||||
18. | LIEN ON SHARES NOT FULLY PAID | 8 | ||||
19. | ENFORCEMENT OF LIEN BY SALE | 8 | ||||
20. | APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE | 8 | ||||
21. | CALLS | 8 | ||||
22. | LIABILITY OF JOINT HOLDERS | 9 | ||||
23. | INTEREST ON CALLS | 9 | ||||
24. | SUMS TREATED AS CALLS | 9 | ||||
25. | POWER TO DIFFERENTIATE | 9 | ||||
26. | PAYMENT OF CALLS IN ADVANCE | 9 | ||||
27. | NOTICE IF CALL OR INSTALMENT NOT PAID | 9 | ||||
28. | FORFEITURE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE | 9 | ||||
29. | NOTICE AFTER FORFEITURE | 10 | ||||
30. | FORFEITURE MAY BE ANNULLED | 10 | ||||
31. | SURRENDER | 10 | ||||
32. | SALE OF FORFEITED SHARES | 10 | ||||
33. | EFFECT OF FORFEITURE | 10 | ||||
34. | EVIDENCE OF FORFEITURE | 10 | ||||
35. | FORM OF TRANSFER | 10 | ||||
36. | RIGHT TO REFUSE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER | 11 | ||||
37. | NOTICE OF REFUSAL TO REGISTER A TRANSFER | 11 | ||||
38. | NO FEES ON REGISTRATION | 11 | ||||
39. | OTHER POWERS IN RELATION TO TRANSFERS | 12 | ||||
40. | TRANSMISSION OF SHARES ON DEATH | 12 | ||||
41. | ELECTION OF PERSON ENTITLED BY TRANSMISSION | 12 | ||||
42. | RIGHTS ON TRANSMISSION | 12 | ||||
43. | DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 12 | ||||
44. | SUDIVISION | 13 | ||||
45. | FRACTIONS | 13 | ||||
46. | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS | 14 | ||||
47. | CONVENING OF GENERAL MEETINGS | 14 | ||||
48. | NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS | 14 |
-i-
49. | CONTENTS OF NOTICE OF MEETINGS | 14 | ||||
50. | OMISSION TO GIVE NOTICE AND NON-RECEIPT OF NOTICE | 15 | ||||
51. | POSTPONEMENT OF GENERAL MEETING | 15 | ||||
52. | QUORUM | 15 | ||||
53. | PROCEDURE IF QUORUM NOT PRESENT | 15 | ||||
54. | CHAIRMAN OF GENERAL MEETING | 16 | ||||
55. | ENTITLEMENT TO ATTEND AND SPEAK | 16 | ||||
56. | ADJOURNMENTS | 16 | ||||
57. | NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT | 16 | ||||
58. | BUSINESS OF ADJOURNED MEETING | 16 | ||||
59. | SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS AND ORDERLY CONDUCT | 17 | ||||
60. | OVERFLOW MEETING ROOMS | 17 | ||||
61. | SATELLITE MEETING PLACES | 17 | ||||
62. | PROCEDURE WHERE GENERAL MEETINGS HELD AT MORE THAN ONE PLACE | 18 | ||||
63. | AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTIONS | 18 | ||||
64. | WITHDRAWAL AND RULING AMENDMENTS OUT OF ORDER | 19 | ||||
65. | MEMBERS RESOLUTIONS | 19 | ||||
66. | METHOD OF VOTING | 19 | ||||
67. | OBJECTION TO ERROR IN VOTING | 19 | ||||
68. | VOTING PROCEDURE | 19 | ||||
69. | VOTES OF MEMBERS | 19 | ||||
70. | NO RIGHT TO VOTE WHERE SUMS OVERDUE ON SHARES | 20 | ||||
71. | VOTING BY PROXY | 20 | ||||
72. | RECEIPT OF PROXY | 21 | ||||
73. | REVOCATION OF PROXY | 22 | ||||
74. | AVAILABILITY OF APPOINTMENTS OF PROXY | 22 | ||||
75. | CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES | 23 | ||||
76. | FAILURE TO DISCLOSE INTERESTS IN SHARES | 23 | ||||
77. | POWER OF SALE OF SHARES OF UNTRACED MEMBERS | 24 | ||||
78. | APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE OF SHARES OF UNTRACED MEMBERS | 25 | ||||
79. | NUMBER OF DIRECTORS | 25 | ||||
80. | POWER OF COMPANY TO APPOINT DIRECTORS | 26 | ||||
81. | POWER OF BOARD TO APPOINT DIRECTORS | 26 | ||||
82. | ELIGIBILITY OF NEW DIRECTORS | 26 | ||||
83. | CLASSES AND RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS | 26 | ||||
84. | DEEMED RE-APPOINTMENT | 26 | ||||
85. | PROCEDURE IF INSUFFICIENT DIRECTORS APPOINTED | 26 | ||||
86. | REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS | 27 | ||||
87. | VACATION OF OFFICE BY DIRECTOR | 27 | ||||
88. | RESOLUTION AS TO VACANCY CONCLUSIVE | 28 | ||||
89. | APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE DIRECTORS | 28 | ||||
90. | ALTERNATE DIRECTORS PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS | 28 | ||||
91. | ALTERNATE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR OWN ACTS | 28 | ||||
92. | INTERESTS OF ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 28 | ||||
93. | REVOCATION OF ALTERNATE DIRECTOR | 28 | ||||
94. | DIRECTORS FEES | 29 | ||||
95. | EXPENSES | 29 | ||||
96. | ADDITIONAL REMUNERATION | 29 | ||||
97. | REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS | 29 | ||||
98. | PENSIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS | 29 | ||||
99. | POWERS OF THE BOARD | 30 | ||||
100. | POWERS OF DIRECTORS IF LESS THAN MINIMUM NUMBER | 30 |
-ii-
101. | POWERS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS | 30 | ||||
102. | DELEGATION TO COMMITTEES | 30 | ||||
103. | LOCAL MANAGEMENT | 30 | ||||
104. | POWER OF ATTORNEY | 31 | ||||
105. | EXERCISE OF VOTING POWER | 31 | ||||
106. | PROVISION FOR EMPLOYEES ON CESSATION OF BUSINESS | 31 | ||||
107. | OVERSEAS REGISTERS | 31 | ||||
108. | BORROWING POWERS | 31 | ||||
109. | BOARD MEETINGS | 33 | ||||
110. | NOTICE OF BOARD MEETINGS | 33 | ||||
111. | QUORUM | 33 | ||||
112. | CHAIRMAN | 33 | ||||
113. | VOTING | 33 | ||||
114. | PARTICIPATION BY TELEPHONE OR OTHER FORM OF COMMUNICATION | 33 | ||||
115. | RESOLUTION IN WRITING | 34 | ||||
116. | PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES | 34 | ||||
117. | MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS | 34 | ||||
118. | VALIDITY OF PROCEEDINGS | 34 | ||||
119. | TRANSACTIONS OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE COMPANY | 34 | ||||
120. | AUTHORISATION OF DIRECTORS CONFLICTS OF INTEREST | 35 | ||||
121. | DIRECTORS PERMITTED INTERESTS | 36 | ||||
122. | GENERAL | 37 | ||||
123. | POWER TO AUTHENTICATE DOCUMENTS | 37 | ||||
124. | USE OF SEALS | 38 | ||||
125. | DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS | 38 | ||||
126. | INTERIM DIVIDENDS | 38 | ||||
127. | CALCULATION AND CURRENCY OF DIVIDENDS | 38 | ||||
128. | AMOUNTS DUE ON SHARES CAN BE DEDUCTED FROM DIVIDENDS | 39 | ||||
129. | DIVIDENDS NOT IN CASH | 39 | ||||
130. | NO INTEREST ON DIVIDENDS | 39 | ||||
131. | METHOD OF PAYMENT | 39 | ||||
132. | UNCASHED DIVIDENDS | 40 | ||||
133. | UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS | 40 | ||||
134. | SCRIP DIVIDENDS | 41 | ||||
135. | CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES | 42 | ||||
136. | RECORD DATES | 44 | ||||
137. | INSPECTION OF RECORDS | 44 | ||||
138. | ACCOUNT TO BE SENT TO MEMBERS | 44 | ||||
139. | SERVICE OF NOTICES | 45 | ||||
140. | HARD COPY FORM | 45 | ||||
141. | ELECTRONIC FORM | 46 | ||||
142. | ELECTRONIC MEANS | 46 | ||||
143. | WEBSITE | 46 | ||||
144. | SENDING OR SUPPLYING ANY DOCUMENT, INFORMATION OR NOTICE BY ANY OTHER MEANS | 46 | ||||
145. | PRESENCE AT MEETING EVIDENCE IN ITSELF OF RECEIPT OF NOTICE | 47 | ||||
146. | NOTICE ON PERSON ENTITLED BY TRANSMISSION | 47 | ||||
147. | RECORD DATE FOR SERVICE | 47 | ||||
148. | EVIDENCE OF SERVICE | 47 | ||||
149. | NOTICE WHEN POST NOT AVAILABLE | 48 | ||||
150. | VALIDATION OF DOCUMENTS IN ELECTRONIC FORM | 48 | ||||
151. | WINDING UP | 48 | ||||
152. | INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE | 48 | ||||
153. | EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION | 49 |
-iii-
THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
RENALYTIX AI PLC
ADOPTED ON 23 OCTOBER 2018
1. | Exclusion of model articles (and any other prescribed regulations) |
No regulations or articles set out in any statute, or in any statutory instrument or other subordinate legislation made under any statute, concerning companies (including the regulations in the Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3229)) shall apply as the articles of the Company. The following shall be the articles of association of the Company.
2. | Interpretation |
2.1 | In these articles, unless the context otherwise requires: |
Act: Companies Act 2006;
address: includes any number or address used for the purposes of sending or receiving documents or information by electronic means;
Affiliates: in relation to a person any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person, where control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise, provided that Affiliates shall not include any portfolio companies of a person;
Articles: these articles of association as altered from time to time and Article shall be construed accordingly;
Board: the board of Directors for the time being of the Company or the Directors present or deemed to be present at a duly convened quorate meeting of the Directors;
certificated shares: a share which is not an uncertificated share and references in these Articles to a share being held in certificated form shall be construed accordingly;
class meeting: shall have the meaning given to it in Article 11;
clear days: in relation to a period of notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is served or deemed to be served and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;
Companies Acts: the Act, the Companies Act 1985 and, where the context requires, every other statute from time to time in force concerning companies and affecting the Company;
Company: Renalytix AI plc;
Director: a Director for the time being of the Company;
1
DTC: The Depository Trust Company and any Affiliate or nominee therefore, including Cede & Co, and any successors thereto;
electronic form: has the meaning given to it in section 1168 of the Act;
electronic means: has the meaning given to it in section 1168 of the Act;
hard copy form: has the meaning given to it in section 1168 of the Act;
Listing: listing of the Companys Ordinary Shares (including the form of American Depositary Shares) on any regulated market, stock exchange or trading platform;
member: a member of the Company, or where the context requires, a member of the Board or of any committee;
Office: the registered office from time to time of the Company;
Operator: the Operator of a relevant system (as defined in the uncertificated securities rules) or the transfer agent of the Company (as applicable);
Ordinary Shares: means the Companys ordinary shares of £0.0025 each as sub-divided or consolidated from time to time;
paid up: paid up or credited as paid up;
participating class: a class of shares title to which is permitted by the Operator to be transferred by means of a relevant system;
Register: the register of members of the Company to be maintained under the Act or as the case may be any overseas branch register maintained under Article 107;
relevant system: a computer-based system which allows units of securities without written instruments to be transferred and endorsed pursuant to the uncertificated securities rules or other applicable regulations;
SEC: the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
Secretary: the secretary of Company for the time being;
share: an Ordinary Share;
Share Warrant: a warrant to bearer issued by the Company in respect of its shares;
Seal: the common seal of the Company or, where the context allows, any official seal kept by the Company under section 50 of the Act;
uncertificated securities rules: any provision of the Companies Acts relating to the holding, evidencing of title to, or transfer of uncertificated shares and any legislation, rules or other arrangements made under or by virtue of such provision;
uncertificated share: a share of a class which is at the relevant time a participating class, title to which is recorded on the Register as being held in uncertificated form and references in these Articles to a share being held in uncertificated form shall be construed accordingly; and
Voting Control: with respect to a share the exclusive power (whether directly or indirectly) to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement, or otherwise.
2
2.2 | Headings are used for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of these Articles. |
2.3 | A person includes a corporate and an unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality). |
2.4 | Words in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. |
2.5 | A reference to one gender shall include a reference to the other gender. |
2.6 | A reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as it is in force for the time being, taking account of any amendment, extension, or re-enactment and includes any subordinate legislation for the time being in force made under it. |
2.7 | Any words or expressions defined in the Companies Acts in force when these Articles or any part of these Articles are adopted shall (if not inconsistent with the subject or context in which they appear) have the same meaning in these Articles or that part, save that the word company shall include any body corporate. |
2.8 | A reference to a document being signed or to signature includes references to its being executed under hand or under seal or by any other method and, in the case of a communication in electronic form, such references are to its being authenticated as specified by the Companies Acts. |
2.9 | A reference to writing or written includes references to any method of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise. |
2.10 | A reference to documents or information being sent or supplied by or to a company (including the Company) shall be construed in accordance with section 1148(3) of the Act. |
2.11 | A reference to a meeting shall not be taken as requiring more than one person to be present if any quorum requirement can be satisfied by one person. |
3. | Form of resolution |
Subject to the Companies Acts, where anything can be done by passing an ordinary resolution, this can also be done by passing a special resolution.
4. | Limited liability |
The liability of the members of the Company is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares in the Company held by them.
5. | Change of name |
The Company may change its name by resolution of the Board.
6. | Shareholder rights |
6.1 | The Ordinary Shares shall rank pari passu as a single class. |
6.2 | In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the assets of the Company available for distribution to members shall be distributed amongst all holders of the Ordinary Shares in proportion to the number of shares held irrespective of the amount paid or credited as paid on any share. |
6.3 | Any: |
(a) | consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another entity or entities (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity) as a result of which the holders of the Companys outstanding shares possessing the voting power (under ordinary circumstances) to elect a majority of the Board immediately prior to such sale or issue cease to own the Companys outstanding shares possessing the voting power (under ordinary circumstances) to elect a majority of the Board; |
3
(b) | sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets (determined either for the Company alone or together with its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis); or |
(c) | sale, transfer or issuance or series of sales, transfers and/or issues of shares by the Company or the holders thereof, as a result of which the holders of the Companys outstanding shares possessing the voting power (under ordinary circumstances) to elect a majority of the Board immediately prior to such sale or issue cease to own the Companys outstanding shares possessing the voting power (under ordinary circumstances) to elect a majority of the Board, |
shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company for purposes of this Article (unless the Board determine otherwise), and the holders of the Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to receive from the Company the amounts payable with respect to the Ordinary Shares on a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company under this Article in cancellation of their Ordinary Shares upon the completion of any such transaction.
6.4 | At a general meeting of the Company and at any separate class meeting of the holders of Ordinary Shares, where a holder of Ordinary Shares is entitled to vote, such holder is entitled to one vote for each Ordinary Share held. |
6.5 | A holder of Ordinary Shares is entitled to receive notice of any general meeting of the Company (and notice of any separate class meeting of the holders of Ordinary Shares) and a copy of every report, accounts, circular or other document sent out by the Company to members. |
7. | Power to attach rights to shares |
Subject to the Companies Acts and to any rights attached to existing shares, any share may be issued with or have attached to it such rights and restrictions as the Company may by ordinary resolution determine, or if no ordinary resolution has been passed or so far as the resolution does not make specific provision, as the Board may determine.
8. | Allotment of shares and pre-emption |
8.1 | Subject to the Companies Acts, these Articles and to any relevant authority of the Company in general meeting required by the Act, the Board may offer, allot (with or without conferring rights of renunciation), grant options over or otherwise deal with or dispose of shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares to such persons, at such times and upon such terms as the Board may decide. No share may be issued at a discount to the nominal value of such share. |
8.2 | The Board may, at any time after the allotment of any share but before any person has been entered in the Register, recognise a renunciation by the allottee in favour of some other person and accord to the allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation and/or allow the rights to be represented to be one or more participating securities, in each case upon the subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may think fit to impose. |
8.3 | Under and in accordance with section 551 of the Act, the Directors shall be generally and unconditionally authorised to exercise for each prescribed period all the powers of the Company to allot shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the Section 551 Amount. |
8.4 | Under and within the terms of the said authority or otherwise in accordance with section 570 of the Act, the Directors shall be empowered during each prescribed period to allot equity securities (as defined by the Act) wholly for cash: |
(a) | in connection with a rights issue; and |
(b) | otherwise than in connection with a rights issue up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the Section 561 Amount. |
8.5 | During each prescribed period the Company and its Directors by such authority and power may make offers or agreements which would or might require equity securities or other securities to be allotted after the expiry of such period. |
4
8.6 | For the purposes of this Article: |
(a) | rights issue means an offer of equity securities (as defined by the Act) open for acceptance for a period fixed by the Board to holders of equity securities on the Register on a fixed record date in proportion to their respective holdings of such securities or in accordance with the rights attached to them but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or expedient with regard to treasury shares, fractional entitlements or legal or practical problems under the laws of any territory or under the requirements of any recognised regulatory body or stock exchange in any territory; |
(b) | prescribed period means any period (not exceeding five years on any occasion) for which the authority, in the case of Article 8.3, is conferred or renewed by ordinary or special resolution stating the Section 551 Amount and in the case of Article 8.4 is conferred or renewed by special resolution stating the Section 561 Amount; |
(c) | Section 551 Amount means for any prescribed period, the amount stated in the relevant ordinary or special resolution; |
(d) | Section 561 Amount means for any prescribed period, the amount stated in the relevant special resolution; and |
(e) | the nominal amount of any securities shall be taken to be, in the case of rights to subscribe for or to convert any securities into shares of the Company, the nominal amount of such shares which may be allotted pursuant to such rights. |
9. | Redeemable shares |
Subject to the Companies Acts and to any rights attaching to existing shares, any share may be issued which can be redeemed or is liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the holder. The Board may determine the terms, conditions and manner of redemption of any redeemable shares which are issued. Such terms and conditions shall apply to the relevant shares as if the same were set out in these Articles.
10. | Pari passu issues |
If new shares are created or issued which rank equally with any other existing shares, or the Company purchases any of its own shares, the rights of the existing shares will not be regarded as changed or abrogated unless the terms of the existing shares expressly say otherwise.
11. | Variation of rights |
11.1 | Subject to the Companies Acts, the rights attached to any class of shares can be varied or abrogated: |
(a) | in such manner (if any) as may be provided by those rights; |
(b) | with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than three-quarters in nominal value of the issued share of that class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares); or |
(c) | with the authority of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the relevant class of shares known as a class meeting. |
11.2 | The provisions of this Article will apply to any variation or abrogation of rights of shares forming part of a class. Each part of the class which is being treated differently is treated as a separate class in applying this Article. |
11.3 | All the provisions in these Articles as to general meetings shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to every class meeting except that the quorum at every such meeting shall not be less than two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the nominal amount paid up on the issued shares of the class) (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares). |
11.4 | The Board may convene a class meeting whenever it thinks fit and whether or not the business to be transacted involves a variation or abrogation of class rights. |
5
12. | Rights deemed not varied |
Unless otherwise expressly provided by the rights attached to any class of shares, those rights shall be deemed not to be varied by the purchase by the Company of any of its own shares or the holding of such shares as treasury shares.
13. | Payment of commission |
The Company may in connection with the issue of any shares or the sale for cash of treasury shares exercise all powers of paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Companies Acts. Any such commission or brokerage may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or other securities or the grant of an option to call for an allotment of shares or any combination of such methods.
14. | Trusts not recognised |
Except as otherwise expressly provided by these Articles, required by law or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Company shall not recognise any person as holding any share on any trust, and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise (even when having notice of it) any equitable, contingent, future, partial or other claim to or interest in any share other than an absolute right of the holder of the whole of the share.
15. | Uncertificated shares |
15.1 | Under and subject to the uncertificated securities rules, the Board may permit title to shares of any class to be evidenced otherwise than by certificate and title to shares of such a class to be transferred by means of a relevant system and may make arrangements for a class of shares (if all shares of that class are in all respects identical) to become a participating class. Title to shares of a particular class may only be evidenced otherwise than by a certificate where that class of shares is at the relevant time a participating class. The Board may also, subject to compliance with the uncertificated securities rules, determine at any time that title to any class of shares may from a date specified by the Board no longer be evidenced otherwise than by a certificate or that title to such a class shall cease to be transferred by means of any particular relevant system. |
15.2 | In relation to a class of shares which is a participating class and for so long as it remains a participating class, no provision of these Articles shall apply or have effect to the extent that it is inconsistent in any respect with: |
(a) | the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form; |
(b) | the transfer of title to shares of that class by means of a relevant system; or |
(c) | any provision of the uncertificated securities rules, |
and, without prejudice to the generality of this Article, no provision of these Articles shall apply or have effect to the extent that it is in any respect inconsistent with the maintenance, keeping or entering up by the Operator, so long as that is permitted or required by the uncertificated securities rules, of an Operator register of securities in respect of that class of shares in uncertificated form.
15.3 | Shares of a class which is at the relevant time a participating class may be changed from uncertificated to certificated form, and from certificated to uncertificated form, in accordance with and subject as provided in the uncertificated securities rules. |
15.4 | If, under these Articles or the Companies Acts, the Company is entitled to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, forfeit, re-allot, accept the surrender of or otherwise enforce a lien over an uncertificated share, then, subject to these Articles and the Companies Acts, such entitlement shall include the right of the Board to: |
(a) | require the holder of the uncertificated share by notice in writing to change that share from uncertificated to certificated form within such period as may be specified in the notice and keep it as a certificated share for as long as the Board requires; |
6
(b) | appoint any person to take such other steps, by instruction given by means of a relevant system or otherwise, in the name of the holder of such share as may be required to effect the transfer of such share and such steps shall be as effective as if they had been taken by the registered holder of that share; and |
(c) | take such other action that the Board considers appropriate to achieve the sale, transfer, disposal, forfeiture, re-allotment or surrender of that share or otherwise to enforce a lien in respect of that share. |
15.5 | Unless the Board determines otherwise, shares which a member holds in uncertificated form shall be treated as separate holdings from any shares which that member holds in certificated form but a class of shares shall not be treated as two classes simply because some shares of that class are held in certificated form and others in uncertificated form. |
15.6 | Unless the Board determines otherwise or the uncertificated securities rules require otherwise, any shares issued or created out of or in respect of any uncertificated shares shall be uncertificated shares and any shares issued or created out of or in respect of any certificated shares shall be certificated shares. |
15.7 | The Company shall be entitled to assume that the entries on any record of securities maintained by it in accordance with the uncertificated securities rules and regularly reconciled with the relevant Operator register of securities are a complete and accurate reproduction of the particulars entered in the Operator register of securities and shall accordingly not be liable in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done by or on behalf of the Company in reliance on such assumption. Any provision of these Articles which requires or envisages that action will be taken in reliance on information contained in the Register shall be construed to permit that action to be taken in reliance on information contained in any relevant record of securities (as so maintained and reconciled). |
16. | Share certificates |
16.1 | Every person (except a person to whom the Company is not by law required to issue a certificate) whose name is entered in the Register as a holder of any certificated shares shall be entitled, without charge, to receive within the time limits prescribed by the Companies Acts (unless the terms of issue prescribe otherwise) one certificate for all of the shares of that class registered in his name. |
16.2 | The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate in respect of shares held jointly by two or more persons. Delivery of a certificate to the person first named in the Register shall be sufficient delivery to all joint holders. |
16.3 | Where a member has transferred part only of the shares comprised in a certificate, he shall be entitled without charge to a certificate for the balance of such shares to the extent that the balance is to be held in certificated form. Where a member receives more shares of any class, he shall be entitled without charge to a certificate for the extra shares of that class to the extent that the balance is to be held in certificated form. |
16.4 | A share certificate may be issued under Seal (by affixing the Seal to or printing the Seal or a representation of it on the certificate) or signed by at least two Directors or by at least one Director and the Secretary. Such certificate shall specify the number and class of the shares in respect of which it is issued and the amount or respective amounts paid up on it. The Board may by resolution decide, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that any signatures on any share certificates need not be autographic but may be applied to the certificates by some mechanical or other means or may be printed on them or that the certificates need not be signed by any person. |
16.5 | Every share certificate sent in accordance with these Articles will be sent at the risk of the member or other person entitled to the certificate. The Company will not be responsible for any share certificate lost or delayed in the course of delivery. |
7
17. | Replacement certificates |
17.1 | Any two or more certificates representing shares of any one class held by any member may at his request be cancelled and a single new certificate for such shares issued in lieu without charge on surrender of the original certificates for cancellation. |
17.2 | Any certificate representing shares of any one class held by any member may at his request be cancelled and two or more certificates for such shares may be issued instead. |
17.3 | If a share certificate is defaced, worn out or said to be stolen, lost or destroyed, it may be replaced on such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Board may decide and, where it is defaced or worn out, after delivery of the old certificate to the Company. |
17.4 | The Board may require the payment of any exceptional out-of-pocket expenses of the Company incurred in connection with the issue of any certificates under this Article. In the case of shares held jointly by several persons, any such request as is mentioned in this Article may be made by any one of the joint holders. |
18. | Lien on shares not fully paid |
The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share, not being a fully paid share, for all amounts payable to the Company (whether presently or not) in respect of that share. The Companys lien over a share takes priority over any third partys interest in that share, and extends to any dividend or other money payable by the Company in respect of that share (and, if the lien is enforced and the share is sold by the Company, the proceeds of sale of that share). The Board may at any time, either generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article.
19. | Enforcement of lien by sale |
The Company may sell, in such manner as the Board may decide, any share over which the Company has a lien if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable and is not paid within fourteen (14) clear days after a notice has been served on the holder of the share or the person who is entitled by transmission to the share, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with the share may be sold. For giving effect to the sale, in the case of a certificated share, the Board may authorise some person to sign an instrument of transfer of the share sold to, or in accordance with the directions, of the buyer. In the case of an uncertificated share, the Board may require the Operator to convert the share into certificated form and after such conversion, authorise any person to sign the instrument of transfer of the share to effect the sale of the share. The buyer shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.
20. | Application of proceeds of sale |
The net proceeds of any sale of shares subject to any lien, after payment of the costs, shall be applied:
(a) | first, in or towards satisfaction of so much of the amount due to the Company or of the liability or engagement (as the case may be) as is presently payable or is liable to be presently fulfilled or discharged; and |
(b) | second, any residue shall be paid to the person who was entitled to the share at the time of the sale but only after the certificate for the shares sold has been surrendered to the company for cancellation, or an indemnity in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Directors has been given for any lost certificates, and subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed on the share prior to the sale. |
21. | Calls |
21.1 | Subject to these Articles and the terms on which the shares are allotted, the Board may from time to time make calls on the members in respect of any monies unpaid on their shares (whether in respect of nominal value or premium) and not payable on a date fixed by or in accordance with the terms of issue. |
8
21.2 | Each member shall (subject to the Company serving upon him at least fourteen (14) clear days notice specifying when and where payment is to be made and whether or not by instalments) pay to the Company as required by the notice the amount called on for his shares. |
21.3 | A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call was passed. |
21.4 | A call may be revoked or postponed, in whole or in part, as the Board may decide. |
21.5 | Liability to pay a call is not extinguished or transferred by transferring the shares in respect of which the call is required to be paid. |
22. | Liability of joint holders |
The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of the share.
23. | Interest on calls |
If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the person from whom it is due and payable shall pay all expenses that may have been incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment together with interest on the amount unpaid from the day it is due and payable to the time of actual payment at such rate (not exceeding the Bank of England base rate by more than five percentage points) as the Board may decide. The Board may waive payment of the interest or the expenses in whole or in part.
24. | Sums treated as calls |
An amount payable in respect of a share on allotment or at any fixed date, whether in respect of nominal value or premium or as an instalment of a call, shall be deemed to be a call and if it is not paid these Articles shall apply as if that sum had become due and payable by virtue of a call.
25. | Power to differentiate |
On or before the issue of shares, the Board may decide that allottees or holders of shares can be called on to pay different amounts or that they can be called on at different times.
26. | Payment of calls in advance |
The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive from any member willing to advance the same, all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid on the shares held by him. Such payment in advance of calls shall, to the extent of the payment, extinguish the liability on the shares on which it is made. The Company may pay interest on the money paid in advance, or so much of it as exceeds the amount for the time being called upon the shares in respect of which such advance has been made, at such rate as the Board may decide. The Board may at any time repay the amount so advanced by giving at least three months notice in writing to such member of its intention to do so, unless before the expiration of such notice the amount so advanced shall have been called up on the shares in respect of which it was advanced.
27. | Notice if call or instalment not paid |
If any member fails to pay the whole of any call (or any instalment of any call) by the date when payment is due, the Board may at any time give notice in writing to such member (or to any person entitled to the shares by transmission), requiring payment of the amount unpaid (and any accrued interest and any expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment) by a date not less than fourteen (14) clear days from the date of the notice. The notice shall name the place where the payment is to be made and state that, if the notice is not complied with, the shares in respect of which such call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
28. | Forfeiture for non-compliance |
If the notice referred to in Article 27 is not complied with, any share for which it was given may be forfeited, by resolution of the Board to that effect, at any time before the payment required by the notice has been made. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited shares and not paid before the forfeiture.
9
29. | Notice after forfeiture |
When any share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served on the holder of the share or the person entitled to such share by transmission (as the case may be) before forfeiture. An entry of such notice having been given and of the forfeiture and the date of forfeiture shall immediately be made in the Register in respect of such share. However, no forfeiture shall be invalidated by any omission to give such notice or to make such entry in the Register.
30. | Forfeiture may be annulled |
The Board may annul the forfeiture of a share, at any time before any forfeited share has been cancelled or sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, on the terms that payment shall be made of all calls and interest due on it and all expenses incurred in respect of the share and on such further terms (if any) as the Board shall see fit.
31. | Surrender |
The Board may accept the surrender of any share liable to be forfeited and, in any event, references in these Articles to forfeiture shall include surrender.
32. | Sale of forfeited shares |
32.1 | A forfeited share shall become the property of the Company. |
32.2 | Subject to the Companies Acts, any such share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, on such terms and in such manner as the Board thinks fit. |
32.3 | The Board may, for the purposes of the disposal, authorise some person to transfer the share in question and may enter the name of the transferee in respect of the transferred share in the Register even if no share certificate is lodged and may issue a new certificate to the transferee. An instrument of transfer executed by that person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the share. The Company may receive the consideration (if any) given for the share on its disposal. |
33. | Effect of forfeiture |
A shareholder whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a member in respect of such forfeited shares and shall surrender the certificate for such shares to the Company for cancellation. Such shareholder shall remain liable to pay to the Company all sums which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him to the Company in respect of such shares with interest (not exceeding the Bank of England base rate by 2 percentage points) from the date of the forfeiture to the date of payment. The Directors may waive payment of interest wholly or in part and may enforce payment, without any reduction or allowance for the value of the shares at the time of forfeiture or for any consideration received on their disposal.
34. | Evidence of forfeiture |
A statutory declaration by a Director or the Secretary that a share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. The declaration shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer if necessary) constitute a good title to the share. The person to whom the share is transferred or sold shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money or other consideration (if any), nor shall his title to the share be affected by any act, omission or irregularity relating to or connected with the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture or disposal of the share.
35. | Form of transfer |
35.1 | Subject to these Articles: |
(a) | each member may transfer all or any of his shares which are in certificated form by instrument of transfer in writing in any usual form or in any form approved by the Board. Such instrument shall be |
10
executed by or on behalf of the transferor and (in the case of a transfer of a share which is not fully paid up) by or on behalf of the transferee. All instruments of transfer, when registered, may be retained by the Company. |
(b) | each member may transfer all or any of his shares which are in uncertificated form by means of a relevant system in such manner provided for, and subject as provided in, the uncertificated securities rules. No provision of these Articles shall apply in respect of an uncertificated share to the extent that it requires or contemplates the effecting of a transfer by an instrument in writing or the production of a certificate for the share to be transferred. |
35.2 | The transferor of a share shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share concerned until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of it. |
36. | Right to refuse registration of transfer |
36.1 | The Board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of a share in certificated form (or renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment) unless: |
(a) | it is for a share which is fully paid up; |
(b) | it is for a share upon which the Company has no lien; |
(c) | it is only for one class of share; |
(d) | it is in favour of a single transferee or no more than four joint transferees; |
(e) | it is duly stamped or is duly certificated or otherwise shown to the satisfaction of the Board to be exempt from stamp duty (if this is required); and |
(f) | it is delivered for registration to the Office (or such other place as the Board may determine), accompanied (except in the case of a transfer by a person to whom the Company is not required by law to issue a certificate and to whom a certificate has not been issued or in the case of a renunciation) by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to prove the title of the transferor (or person renouncing) and the due execution of the transfer or renunciation by him or, if the transfer or renunciation is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person to do so. |
36.2 | The Board shall not refuse to register any transfer or renunciation of partly paid shares which are listed on a stock exchange or securities trading platform on the grounds that they are partly paid shares in circumstances where such refusal would prevent dealings in such shares from taking place on an open and proper basis. |
36.3 | Transfers of shares will not be registered in the circumstances referred to in Article 76. |
36.4 | The Board may refuse to register a transfer of uncertificated shares in any circumstances that are allowed or required by the uncertificated securities rules and the relevant system. |
37. | Notice of refusal to register a transfer |
If the Board refuses to register a transfer of a share it shall notify the transferee of the refusal and the reasons for it within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company or the instructions to the relevant system received. Any instrument of transfer which the Board refuses to register shall be returned to the person depositing it (except if there is suspected or actual fraud). All instruments of transfer which are registered may be retained by the Company.
38. | No fees on registration |
No fee shall be charged for registration of a transfer or other document or instruction relating to or affecting the title to any share or for making any other entry in the Register.
11
39. | Other powers in relation to transfers |
Nothing in these Articles shall prevent the Board:
(a) | from recognising a renunciation of the allotment of any share by the allottee in favour of another person; or |
(b) | (if empowered to do so by these Articles) from authorising any person to execute an instrument of transfer of a share and from authorising any person to transfer that share in accordance with any procedures implemented under Article 19. |
40. | Transmission of shares on death |
If a member dies, the survivors or survivor (where he was a joint holder), and his executors or administrators (where he was a sole or the only survivor of joint holders), shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his shares. Nothing in these Articles shall release the estate of a deceased member from any liability for any share which has been solely or jointly held by him.
41. | Election of person entitled by transmission |
41.1 | Any person becoming entitled to a share because of the death or bankruptcy of a member, or otherwise by operation of law, may (on such evidence as to his title being produced as the Board may require) elect either to become registered as a member or to have some person nominated by him registered as a member. If he elects to become registered himself, he shall notify the Company to that effect. If he elects to have some other person registered, he shall execute an instrument of transfer of such share to that person. All the provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer of shares shall apply to the notice or instrument of transfer (as the case may be) as if it were an instrument of transfer executed by the member and his death, bankruptcy or other event had not occurred. Where the entitlement of a person to a share because of the death or bankruptcy of a member or otherwise by operation of law is proved to the satisfaction of the Board, the Board shall within thirty (30) days after proof cause the entitlement of that person to be noted in the Register. |
41.2 | A person entitled by transmission to a share in uncertificated form who elects to have some other person registered shall either: |
(a) | procure that instructions are given by means of the relevant system to effect transfer of such uncertificated share to that person; or |
(b) | change the uncertificated share to certificated form and execute an instrument of transfer of that certificated share to that person. |
42. | Rights on transmission |
Where a person becomes entitled to a share because of the death or bankruptcy of any member, or otherwise by operation of law, the rights of the holder in relation to such share shall cease. However, the person so entitled may give a good discharge for any dividends and other monies payable in respect of it and shall have the same rights to which he would be entitled if he were the holder of the share, except that he shall not be entitled to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any meeting of the Company or an separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares of the Company before he is registered as the holder of the share. The Board may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share. If the notice is not complied with within thirty (30) days, the Board may withhold payment of all dividends and the other monies payable in respect of such share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
43. | Destruction of documents |
43.1 | The Company may destroy any: |
(a) | instrument of transfer, after six years from the date on which it is registered; |
12
(b) | dividend mandate or any variation or cancellation of a dividend mandate or any notification of change of name or address, after two years from the date on which it is recorded; |
(c) | share certificate, after one year from the date on which it is cancelled; |
(d) | instrument of proxy which has been used for the purpose of voting at any time after one year has elapsed from the date of use; |
(e) | instrument of proxy which has not been used for the purpose of voting at any time after a period of one month has elapsed from the end of the meeting to which the instrument of proxy relates; |
(f) | Share Warrant (including coupons or tokens detailed from it) which has been cancelled at any time after seven years from the date on which it was cancelled; or |
(g) | other document for which any entry in the Register is made, after six years from the date on which an entry was first made in the Register in respect of it, |
provided that the Company may destroy any such type of document at a date earlier than that authorised by this Article if a copy of such document is made and retained (whether electronically, by microfilm, by digital imaging or by other similar means) until the expiration of the period applicable to the destruction of the original of such document.
43.2 | It shall be conclusively presumed in favour of the Company that every: |
(a) | entry in the Register purporting to have been made on the basis of a document so destroyed was duly and properly made; |
(b) | instrument of transfer so destroyed was duly registered; |
(c) | share certificate so destroyed was duly cancelled; and |
(d) | other document so destroyed had been properly dealt with under its terms and was valid and effective according to the particulars in the records of the Company. |
43.3 | This Article shall only apply to the destruction of a document in good faith and without notice of any claim (regardless of the parties to it) to which the document might be relevant. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as imposing any liability on the Company in respect of the destruction of any such document other than as provided for in this Article which would not attach to the Company in the absence of this Article. References in this Article to the destruction of any document include references to the disposal of it in any manner. |
43.4 | References in this Article to instruments of transfer shall include, in relation to uncertificated shares, instructions and/or notifications made in accordance with the relevant system relating to the transfer of such shares. |
44. | Sub-division |
Any resolution authorising the Company to sub-divide its shares or any of them may determine that, as between the shares resulting from the sub-division, any of them may have any preference or advantage or be subject to any restriction as compared with the others.
45. | Fractions |
45.1 | Where any difficulty arises in regard to any consolidation or division, the Board may settle such difficulty as they see fit. In particular, without limitation, the Directors may sell to any person (including the Company) the shares representing the fractions for the best once reasonably obtainable and distribute the net proceeds of sale in due proportion among those members or retain such net proceeds for the benefit of the Company and: |
(a) | in the case of shares in certificated form, the Board may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares to the purchaser or a person nominated by the purchaser and take such other steps (including the giving of directions to or on behalf of the holder, who shall be bound by them) as they think fit to effect such transfer; and |
13
(b) | in the case of shares in uncertificated form, the Board may: |
(i) | to enable the Company to deal with the share in accordance with the provisions of this Article, require or procure any relevant person or the Operator (as applicable) to convert the share into certificated form; and |
(ii) | after such conversion, authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares to the purchaser or a person nominated by the purchaser and take such other steps (including the giving of directions to or on behalf of the holder, who shall be bound by them) as they think fit to effect the transfer. |
45.2 | The transferee shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings in reference to the sale. |
46. | Annual general meetings |
An annual general meeting shall be held once a year, at such time (consistent with the terms of the Companies Acts) and place as may be determined by the Board.
47. | Convening of general meetings |
All meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called general meetings. The Board or the chairman of the Board may, whenever it thinks fit, and shall on requisition in accordance with the Companies Acts, proceed to convene a general meeting. For all other purposes, and unless expressly provided otherwise in these Articles, the procedures for giving notice (other than as to duration) of, the conduct of, and voting at annual general meetings and all other general meetings shall be the same.
48. | Notice of general meetings |
A general meeting shall be called by at least such minimum notice as is required or permitted by the Companies Acts. The period of notice shall in either case be exclusive of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day on which the meeting is to be held and shall be given to all members other than those who are not entitled to receive such notices from the Company. The Company may give such notice by any means or combination of means permitted by the Companies Acts.
49. | Contents of notice of meetings |
49.1 | Every notice calling a meeting shall specify; |
(a) | whether the meeting shall be a physical or electronic meeting or a hybrid meeting; |
(b) | in the case of a physical meeting and/or a hybrid meeting the place, date and time of the meeting, |
(c) | in the case of an electronic and/or hybrid meeting, the date, time and electronic platform for the meeting, which electronic platform may vary from time to time and from meeting to meeting as the board, in its sole discretion, sees fit, |
and there shall appear with reasonable prominence in every such notice a statement that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to a proxy or (if he has more than one share) proxies to exercise all or any of his rights to attend, speak and vote and that a proxy need not be a member of the Company. Such notice shall also include the address of the website on which the information required by the Act is published, state the procedures with which members must comply in order to be able to attend and vote at the meeting (including the date by which they must comply), provide details of any forms to be used for the appointment of a proxy and state that a member has the right to ask questions at the meeting in accordance with the Act.
49.2 | The notice shall specify the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting and shall set out the text of all resolutions to be considered by the meeting and shall state in each case whether it is proposed as an ordinary resolution or as a special resolution. |
49.3 | In the case of an annual general meeting, the notice shall also specify the meeting as such. |
14
49.4 | For the purposes of determining which persons are entitled to attend or vote at a meeting and how many votes a person may cast, the Company may specify in the notice of meeting a time, not more than forty-eight (48) hours before the time fixed for the meeting (not taking into account non-working days) by which a person must be entered in the Register in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting or appoint a proxy to do so. |
50. | Omission to give notice and non-receipt of notice |
The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting or to send an instrument of proxy (where this is intended to be sent out with the notice) to, or the non-receipt of either by, any person entitled to receive the same shall not invalidate the proceedings of that meeting.
51. | Postponement of general meeting |
If the Board considers that it is impracticable or unreasonable to hold a general meeting on the date or at the time or place stated in the notice calling the meeting, it may postpone or move the meeting (or do both). The Board shall take reasonable steps to ensure that notice of the date, time and place of the rearranged meeting is given to any member trying to attend the meeting at the original time and place. Notice of the date, time and place of the rearranged meeting shall, if practicable, also be placed in at least two national newspapers published in the United Kingdom. Notice of the business to be transacted at such rearranged meeting shall not be required. If a meeting is rearranged in this way, appointments of proxy are valid if they are received as required by these Articles not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the rearranged meeting and for the purpose of calculating this period, the Board can decide in their absolute discretion, not to take account of any part of a day that is not a working day. The Board may also postpone or move the rearranged meeting (or do both) under this Article.
52. | Quorum |
No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. If a quorum is not present, a chairman of the meeting can still be chosen and this will not be treated as part of the business of the meeting. A quorum shall be present if both:
(a) | two qualifying persons are present at a meeting unless each is a qualifying person only because (i) he is authorised to act as the representative of a corporation in relation to the meeting, and they are representatives of the same corporation or (ii) he is appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting, and they are proxies of the same member; and |
(b) | those qualifying persons present together hold (or are the representative or proxy of members in relation to the meeting holding) at least one-third in number of the issued shares entitled to vote on the business to be transacted. |
For the purposes of this Article 52, (A) a qualifying person is an individual who is a member, a person authorised to act as the representative of a member (being a corporation) in relation to the meeting or a person appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting and (B) where a qualifying person is present as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting, only the shares in respect of which the proxy is authorised to exercise voting rights will be treated as held for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
53. | Procedure if quorum not present |
If a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes (or such longer interval as the chairman in his absolute discretion thinks fit) from the time appointed for holding a general meeting, or if a quorum ceases to be present during a meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved if convened on the requisition of members. In any other case, the meeting shall stand adjourned to another day, (not being less than ten (10) clear days after the date of the original meeting), and at such time and place as the chairman (or, in default, the Board) may determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved.
15
54. | Chairman of general meeting |
The chairman of the Board shall preside at every general meeting of the Company. If there is no such chairman or if at any meeting he shall not be present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or shall be unwilling to act as chairman, the deputy chairman (if any) of the Board shall, if present and willing to act, preside at such meeting. If more than one deputy chairman is present they shall agree amongst themselves who is to take the chair or, if they cannot agree, the deputy chairman who has been in office as a Director the longest shall take the chair. If no chairman or deputy chairman shall be so present and willing to act, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act or, if there be only one Director present, he shall be chairman if willing to act. If there be no Director present and willing to act, the members present and entitled to vote shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. Nothing in these Articles shall restrict or exclude any of the powers or rights of a chairman of a meeting which are given by law.
55. | Entitlement to attend and speak |
55.1 | A Director (and any other person invited by the chairman to do so) may attend and speak at any general meeting and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares of the Company, whether or not he is a member. |
55.2 | The Board may resolve to enable persons entitled to attend a general meeting hosted on an electronic platform (such meeting being an electronic general meeting) to do so by simultaneous attendance by electronic means with no member necessarily in physical attendance at the electronic general meeting. The members or their proxies present shall be counted in the quorum for, and entitled to vote at, the general meeting in question, and that meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chairman of the general meeting is satisfied that adequate facilities are available throughout the electronic general meeting to ensure that members attending the electronic general meeting who are not present together at the same place may, by electronic means, attend and speak and vote at it. |
55.3 | Nothing in these Articles prevents a general meeting being held both physically and electronically. |
56. | Adjournments |
56.1 | The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present, and shall, if so directed by the meeting, adjourn any meeting from time to time (or indefinitely) and from place to place as the meeting shall determine. |
56.2 | Without prejudice to any other power which he may have under these Articles or at common law, the chairman may, without the need for the consent of the meeting, interrupt or adjourn any meeting from time to time and from place to place or for an indefinite period if he is of the opinion that it has become necessary to do so in order to secure the proper and orderly conduct of the meeting or to give all persons entitled to do so a reasonable opportunity of attending, speaking and voting at the meeting (where facilities at a physical meeting place and/or an electronic platform appear to the chairman to have become inadequate for the purpose) or to ensure that the business of the meeting is properly disposed of. |
56.3 | Meetings can be adjourned more than once, in accordance with the procedures set out in this Article. |
57. | Notice of adjournment |
If the meeting is adjourned indefinitely or for more than three months, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the same manner as in the case of the original meeting. Except as provided in these Articles, there is no need to give notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be considered there.
58. | Business of adjourned meeting |
No business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business which might properly have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
16
59. | Security arrangements and orderly conduct |
59.1 | The Board may direct that any person wishing to attend any meeting should provide such evidence of identity and submit to such searches or other security arrangements or restrictions as the Board shall consider appropriate in the circumstances and shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to refuse entry to any meeting to any person who fails to provide such evidence of identity or to submit to such searches or to otherwise comply with such security arrangements or restrictions. |
59.2 | The Board and, at any electronic general meeting, the chairman may make any arrangement and impose any requirement or restriction as is: |
(a) necessary to ensure the identification of those taking part and the security of the electronic communication; and
(b) proportionate to those objectives.
In this respect, the Company is able to authorise any voting application, system or facility for electronic general meetings as it sees fit.
59.3 | The chairman shall take such action or give directions as he thinks fit to promote the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting as laid down in the notice of the meeting and to ensure the security of the meeting and the safety of the people attending the meeting. The chairmans decision on matters of procedure or arising incidentally from the business of the meeting shall be final as shall be his determination as to whether any matter is of such a nature. |
60. | Overflow meeting rooms |
60.1 | The Board may, in accordance with this Article, make arrangements for members and proxies who are entitled to attend and participate in a general meeting, but who cannot be seated in the main meeting room where the chairman will be, to attend and take part in a general meeting in an overflow room or rooms. Any overflow room will have appropriate links to the main room and will enable audio-visual communication between the meeting rooms throughout the meeting. The Board will decide how to divide members and proxies between the main room and the overflow room. If an overflow room is used, the meeting will be treated as being held and taking place in the main meeting room and the meeting will consist of all the members and proxies who are attending both in the main meeting room and the overflow room. |
60.2 | Details of any arrangements for overflow rooms will be set out in the notice of the meeting but failure to do so will not invalidate the meeting. |
61. | Satellite meeting places |
61.1 | To facilitate the organisation and administration of any general meeting, the Board may decide that the meeting shall be held at two or more locations. |
61.2 | For the purposes of these Articles, any general meeting of the Company taking place at two or more locations shall be treated as taking place where the chairman of the meeting presides (the principal meeting place) and any other location where that meeting takes place is referred in this Article as a satellite meeting. |
61.3 | A member present in person or by proxy at a satellite meeting may be counted in the quorum and may exercise all rights that they would have been able to exercise if they were present at the principal meeting place. |
61.4 | The Board may make and change from time to time such arrangements as they shall in their absolute discretion consider appropriate to: |
(a) | ensure that all members and proxies for members wishing to attend the meeting can do so; |
(b) | ensure that all persons attending the meeting are able to participate in the business of the meeting and to see and hear anyone else addressing the meeting; |
17
(c) | ensure the safety of persons attending the meeting and the orderly conduct of the meeting; and |
(d) | restrict the numbers of members and proxies at any one location to such number as can safely and conveniently be accommodated there. |
61.5 | The entitlement of any member or proxy to attend a satellite meeting shall be subject to any such arrangements then in force and stated by the notice of the meeting or adjourned meeting to apply to the meeting. |
61.6 | If there is a failure of communication equipment or any other failure in the arrangements for participation in the meeting at more than one place, the chairman may adjourn the meeting in accordance with Article 56. Such adjournment will not affect the validity of such meeting, or any business conducted at such meeting up to the point of adjournment, or any action taken pursuant to such meeting. |
61.7 | A person (satellite chairman) appointed by the Board shall preside at each satellite meeting. Every satellite chairman shall carry out all requests made of him by the chairman of the meeting, may take such action as he thinks necessary to maintain the proper and orderly conduct of the satellite meeting and shall have all powers necessary or desirable for such purposes. |
62. | Procedure where general meetings held at more than one place |
62.1 | The provisions of this Article shall apply if any general meeting is held at or adjourned to more than one place. |
62.2 | The notice of such a meeting or adjourned meeting shall specify the principal meeting place and the Directors shall make arrangements for simultaneous attendance and participation at the principal meeting place and at other satellite meetings by members, provided that persons attending at any particular place shall be able to see and hear and be seen and heard by means of audio visual links by persons attending the principal meeting place and at the other satellite meeting places at which the meeting is held. |
62.3 | The Directors may from time to time make such arrangements for the purpose of controlling the level of attendance at any such place (whether involving the issue of tickets or the imposition of some geographical or regional means of selection or otherwise) as they shall in their absolute discretion consider appropriate, and may from time to time vary any such arrangements or make new arrangements in place of them, provided that a member who is not entitled to attend, in person or by proxy, at any principal meeting place shall be entitled so to attend at one of the satellite meetings, and the entitlement of any member so to attend the meeting or adjourned meeting at such place shall be subject to any such arrangements as may from time to time be in force and by the notice of meeting or adjourned meeting stated to apply to the meeting. |
62.4 | For the purposes of all other provisions of these Articles, any such meeting shall be treated as being held at the principal meeting place. |
62.5 | If a meeting is adjourned to more than one place, not less than seven days notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given despite any other provision of these Articles. |
63. | Amendment to resolutions |
63.1 | If an amendment to any resolution under consideration is proposed but is ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting in good faith, any error in such ruling shall not invalidate the proceedings on the original resolution. |
63.2 | In the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment to it (other than an amendment to correct a patent error) may in any event be considered or voted on. In the case of a resolution duly proposed as an ordinary resolution no amendment to it (other than an amendment to correct a patent error) may be considered or voted on unless either at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which such ordinary resolution is to be proposed, notice in writing of the terms of the amendment and intention to move the same has been lodged at the Office or received in electronic form at the electronic address at which the Company has or is deemed to have agreed to receive it or the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that it may be considered or voted on. |
18
64. | Withdrawal and ruling amendments out of order |
With the consent of the chairman of the meeting, an amendment may be withdrawn by its proposer before it is voted on. If an amendment proposed to any resolution under consideration is ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in the ruling.
65. | Members resolutions |
65.1 | Members of the Company shall have the rights provided by the Companies Acts to have the Company circulate and give notice of a resolution which may be properly moved, and is intended to be moved, at the Companys next annual general meeting. |
65.2 | Expenses of complying with these rights shall be borne in accordance with the Companies Acts. |
66. | Method of voting |
66.1 | Any resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided exclusively on a poll. |
66.2 | At general meetings, resolutions shall be put to the vote by the chairman of the meeting and there shall be no requirement for the resolution to be proposed or seconded by any person. |
67. | Objection to error in voting |
No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter or to the counting of, or failure to count, any vote, except at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same is of sufficient magnitude to vitiate the resolution or may otherwise have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman of the meeting on such matters shall be final and conclusive.
68. | Voting Procedure |
68.1 | Any poll on any question of adjournment shall be taken immediately. A poll on any other matter shall be taken in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) and at such time and place, not more than thirty (30) days from the date of the meeting or adjourned meeting, as the chairman shall direct. The chairman may appoint scrutineers who need not be members. It is not necessary to give notice of a poll not taken immediately if the time and place at which it is to be taken are announced at the meeting. In any other case, at least seven clear days notice shall be given specifying the time, date and place at which the poll shall be taken. The result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was due to be conducted. |
68.2 | Votes may be given in person or by proxy. A member entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way. |
68.3 | No notice need be given of a poll not taken during the meeting if the time and place at which it is to be taken are announced at the meeting. In any other case, at least seven clear days notice must be given specifying the time and place at which the poll is to be taken. |
69. | Votes of members |
69.1 | Subject to Article 69.2, to the Companies Acts and to any special terms as to voting on which any shares may have been issued or may for the time being be held and to any suspension or abrogation of voting rights under these Articles, at any general meeting: |
(a) | every shareholder present in person or by duly appointed proxy or corporate representative has one vote for every Share of which he is the holder or in respect of which his appointment as proxy or corporate representative has been made; and |
(b) | a member, proxy or corporate representative entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses the same way. |
19
69.2 | If two or more persons are joint holders of a share, then in voting on any question the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders. For this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register. |
69.3 | Where in England or elsewhere a receiver or other person (by whatever name called) has been appointed by any court claiming jurisdiction in that behalf to exercise powers with respect to the property or affairs of any member on the ground (however formulated) of mental disorder, the Board may in its absolute discretion, upon or subject to production of such evidence of the appointment as the Board may require, permit such receiver or other person on behalf of such member to vote in person by proxy on behalf of such member at any general meeting or to exercise any other right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company. Evidence to the satisfaction of the Board of the authority of the person claiming to exercise the right to vote shall be deposited at the Office, or at such other place as is specified in accordance with these Articles for the deposit of instruments of proxy, at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the right to vote is to be exercised and, in default, the right to vote shall not be exercisable. |
69.4 | In the case of equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a casting vote. |
69.5 | In order that the Company may determine the members entitled to vote at any meeting of members or any adjournment thereof, and how many votes such person may cast, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed the record date for determining members entitled to vote at a meeting of members shall, unless otherwise required by law, be at the close of business on the business day preceding the day on which notice is given. |
70. | No right to vote where sums overdue on shares |
No member may vote at a general meeting (or any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares), either in person or by proxy, or to exercise any other right or privilege as a member in respect of a share held by him unless:
(a) | all calls or other sums presently due and payable by him in respect of that share whether alone or jointly with any other person together with interest and expenses (if any) have been paid to the Company; or |
(b) | the Board determines otherwise. |
71. | Voting by Proxy |
71.1 | Subject to Article 71.2, an instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing in any usual form (or in another form approved by the Board) executed under the hand of the appointor or his duly constituted attorney or, if the appointor is a corporation, under its seal or signed by a duly authorised officer or attorney or other person authorised to sign. |
71.2 | Subject to the Companies Acts, the Board may accept the appointment of a proxy received by electronic means on such terms and subject to such conditions as it considers fit. The appointment of a proxy received by electronic means shall not be subject to the requirements of Article 71.1. |
71.3 | For the purposes of Articles 71.1 and 71.2, the Board may require such reasonable evidence it considers necessary to determine: |
(a) | the identity of the member and the proxy; and |
(b) | where the proxy is appointed by a person acting on behalf of the member, the authority of that person to make the appointment. |
71.4 | A member may appoint another person as his proxy to exercise all or any of his rights to attend and to speak and to vote on a resolution or amendment of a resolution, or on other business arising, at a meeting |
20
or meetings of the Company. Unless the contrary is stated in it, the appointment of a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to exercise all such rights, as the proxy thinks fit. |
71.5 | A proxy need not be a member. |
71.6 | A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different shares held by the member. When two or more valid but differing appointments of proxy are delivered or received for the same share for use at the same meeting, the one which is last validly delivered or received (regardless of its date or the date of its execution) shall be treated as replacing and revoking the other or others as regards that share. If the Company is unable to determine which appointment was last validly delivered or received, none of them shall be treated as valid in respect of that share. |
71.7 | Delivery or receipt of an appointment of proxy does not prevent a member attending and voting in person at the meeting or an adjournment of the meeting. |
71.8 | The appointment of a proxy shall (unless the contrary is stated in it) be valid for an adjournment of the meeting as well as for the meeting or meetings to which it relates. The appointment of a proxy shall be valid for 12 months from the date of execution or, in the case of an appointment of proxy delivered by electronic means, for 12 months from the date of delivery unless otherwise specified by the Board. |
71.9 | Subject to the Companies Acts, the Company may send a form of appointment of proxy to all or none of the persons entitled to receive notice of and to vote at a meeting. If sent, the form shall provide for three-way voting on all resolutions (other than procedural resolutions) set out in the notice of meeting. |
71.10 | The Company shall not be bound to enquire whether any proxy or corporate representative votes in accordance with the instructions given to him by the member he represents and if a proxy or corporate representative does not vote in accordance with the instructions of the member he represents the vote or votes cast shall nevertheless be valid for all purposes. |
72. | Receipt of proxy |
72.1 | An instrument appointing a proxy and any reasonable evidence required by the Board in accordance with Article 71.3 shall: |
(a) | subject to Articles 72.1(c) and (d), in the case of an instrument of proxy in hard copy form, delivered to the office, or another place in the United Kingdom specified in the notice convening the meeting or in the form of appointment of proxy or other accompanying document sent by the Company in relation to the meeting (a proxy notification address) not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the form of appointment of proxy proposes to vote; |
(b) | subject to Articles 72.1(c) and (d), in the case of an appointment of a proxy sent by electronic means, where the Company has given an electronic address (a proxy notification electronic address): |
(i) | in the notice calling the meeting; |
(ii) | in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company in relation to the meeting; |
(iii) | in an invitation to appoint a proxy issued by the Company in relation to the meeting; or |
(iv) | on a website maintained by or on behalf of the Company on which any information relating to the meeting is required by the Act to be kept, |
it shall be received at such proxy notification electronic address not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the form of appointment of proxy proposes to vote.
(c) | in the case of a poll taken more than forty-eight (48) hours after it is demanded, delivered or received at a proxy notification address or a proxy notification electronic address and not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed for the holding of the adjourned meeting; or |
21
(d) | in the case of a poll which is not taken at the meeting but is taken forty-eight (48) hours or less thereafter, or in the case of an adjourned meeting to be held forty-eight (48) hours or less after the time fixed for holding the original meeting, received: |
(i) | at a proxy notification address or a proxy notification electronic address in accordance with Articles 72.1(a) or (b); |
(ii) | by the chairman of the meeting or the secretary or any Director at the meeting, as the case may be, at the original meeting; or |
(iii) | at a proxy notification address or a proxy notification electronic address by such time as the chairman of the meeting may direct at the meeting. |
In calculating the periods in this Article, no account shall be taken of any part of a day that is not a working day.
72.2 | The Board may decide, either generally or in any particular case, to treat a proxy appointment as valid notwithstanding that the appointment or any of the information required under Article 71.3 has not been received in accordance with the requirements of this Article. |
72.3 | Subject to Article 72.2, if the proxy appointment and any of the information required under Article 71.3 is not received in the manner set out in Article 72.1, the appointee shall not be entitled to vote in respect of the shares in question. |
72.4 | Without limiting the foregoing, in relation to any uncertificated shares, the Board may from time to time: |
(a) | permit appointments of a proxy by means of a communication sent in electronic form in the form of an uncertificated proxy instruction; and |
(b) | permit supplements to, or amendments or revocations of, any such uncertificated proxy instruction by the same means. |
The Board may in addition prescribe the method of determining the time at which any such uncertificated proxy instruction is to be treated as received by the Company or a participant acting on its behalf. The Board may treat any such uncertificated proxy instruction which purports to be or is expressed to be sent on behalf of a holder of a share as sufficient evidence of the authority of the person sending that instruction to send it on behalf of that holder.
73. | Revocation of proxy |
A vote given shall be valid in the event of the death or mental disorder of the principal or the revocation of the instrument of proxy, or of the authority under which the instrument of proxy was executed, or the transfer of the share for which the instrument of proxy is given, unless notice in writing of such death, mental disorder, revocation or transfer shall have been received by the Company at the Office, or at such other place as has been appointed for the deposit of instruments of proxy, no later than the last time at which an appointment of a proxy should have been received in order for it to be valid for use at the meeting at which the vote was given.
74. | Availability of appointments of proxy |
The Directors may at the expense of the Company send or make available appointments of proxy or invitations to appoint a proxy to the members by post or by electronic means or otherwise (with or without provision for their return prepaid) for use at any general meeting or at any separate class meeting, either in blank or nominating in the alternative any one or more of the Directors or any other person If for the purpose of any meeting, appointments of proxy or invitations to appoint as proxy a person or one of a number of persons specified in the invitations are issued at the Companys expense, they shall be issued to all (and not to some only) of the members entitled to be sent a notice of the meeting and to vote at it. The accidental omission, or the failure due to circumstances beyond the Companys control, to send or make available such an appointment of proxy or give such an invitation to, or the non-receipt thereof by, any member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
22
75. | Corporate representatives |
75.1 | A corporation (whether or not a company within the meaning of the Act) which is a member may, by resolution of its Directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative (or, as the case may be, representatives) at any meeting of the Company or at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares. |
75.2 | Any person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation (in respect of that part of the corporations holdings to which the authority relates) as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual member. |
75.3 | The corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be present in person and at any such meeting if a person so authorised is present at it, and all references to attendance and voting in person shall be construed accordingly. |
75.4 | A Director, the Secretary or some person authorised for the purpose by the Secretary may require the representative to produce a certified copy of the resolution so authorising him or such other evidence of his authority reasonably satisfactory to them before permitting him to exercise his powers. |