Pursuant to the Minister of Finance’s Regulation on current and periodic information to be published by issuers of securities and conditions for recognition as equivalent of information whose disclosure is required under the laws of a non-member state, dated February 19th 2009 (Dz.U. of 2009 No. 33, item 259), and in light of the resolutions adopted by the Supervisory Board of the Warsaw Stock Exchange on the Code of Best Practice for WSE Listed Companies, the Management Board of Pelion S.A. (the Company) provides a statement of compliance with corporate governance rules in 2014.
The code of corporate governance principles adopted by the Company and places where the text of the code is publicly availableIn 2014, the Company complied with corporate governance principles for listed companies, as specified in appendix to Resolution No. 19/1307/2012 of the WSE Supervisory Board, dated November 21st 2012: 'Code of Best Practice for WSE Listed Companies'. The text of the Code is available on the WSE’s website dedicated to corporate governance: (www.corp-gov.gpw.pl) and on the Company’s website: www.pelion.eu in the 'Best Practices' section.
Corporate governance principles with which the Company did not comply and reasons for non-compliance
In 2014, the Company complied with all corporate governance principles set out in the Code of Best Practice for WSE Listed Companies ('Code of Best Practice'), attached as an appendix to WSE Supervisory Board Resolution No. 19/1307/2012 of November 21st 2012, except the principle provided for in Section IV.10, requiring companies to enable their shareholders to participate in a General Meeting using means of electronic communication, through real-time bilateral communication where shareholders may take the floor during a General Meeting from a location other than the General Meeting.
In connection with the public discussion of the planned changes to best practices applied by companies as of January 1st 2013, relating to the principle that General Meetings should be conducted using means of electronic communication, the Company, by virtue of a General Meeting resolution of May 9th 2012, deleted the provisions enabling shareholders to participate in a General Meeting using means of electronic communication from the Company's Articles of Association as well as the corresponding provisions of the Rules of Procedure for the Company's General Meeting. Pursuant to WSE Supervisory Board Resolution No. 19/130/2012 of November 21st 2012, concerning adoption of amendments to the 'Code of Best Practice for WSE Listed Companies', the section providing for enabling shareholders to participate in a General Meeting using means of electronic communication was amended only by deleting item 3, which required companies to enable shareholders to participate in a General Meeting using means of electronic communication through exercising their right to vote during a General Meeting either in person or through a proxy.
In view of the amendments introduced by WSE Supervisory Board Resolution No. 19/130/2012 of November 21st 2012 concerning adoption of amendments to the 'Code of Best Practice for WSE Listed Companies', the provision on enabling shareholders to participate in a General Meeting using means of electronic communication was reintroduced to Pelion S.A.'s Articles of Association and the Rules of Procedure for the General Meeting, by virtue of the Company's Annual General Meeting's resolutions of April 30th 2014.
The internal audit system of the Pelion Group facilitates the implementation of the mission and objectives of the Group companies. It also helps to achieve long-term profitability goals and maintain the accuracy of financial and management reporting. The internal audit system comprises a range of audit procedures, establishes the division of tasks and responsibilities, and serves to identify and assess risks which may have a bearing on the achievement of objectives.
Pelion S.A. has implemented the Group's internal audit rules which set out audit standards and define the key responsibilities and tasks of the audit function.
As for the organisational aspect, the internal audit system of the Pelion Group comprises: functional audit performed as part of general supervision over operations and observance of internal rules by the companies of the Pelion Group and their subordinate units, as well as institutional audit performed by the internal audit department of Pelion S.A. The internal functional audit is performed by the Company’s Management Board, heads of entities owned by the Pelion Group and employees according to their respective scopes of duties. Structuring of the functional audit involves specifying and developing audit mechanisms, divided into 'current' audit and 'ex-post' audit, including 'planned ex-post' audit. Current audit comprises practically applied, formally described mechanisms, organisational solutions and controls which work mainly as a preventive measure and whose role is to prevent the Group entities from making mistakes in the course of transactions. Ex-post audit consists of controls the aim of which is to check the consistency of actions taken against what is required after their completion. The audit mechanisms are supported by the implemented organisational model for ex-post functional audits, including for the planning by the Group companies of audits covering periodically identified key process risks. Each year, the Pelion Group companies design, in cooperation with the internal audit department, special check tests to be performed by the companies in selected areas of their operations. A system was also created to monitor the performance of those tests, including a system of reporting test results to the internal audit department. The scope of entities to be covered by the planned ex-post audit system is determined by the Pelion Management Board, which indicates the Group companies to be covered by the system.
The internal institutional audit is performed by the internal audit department based on cooperation agreements with the Group companies, a set of internal rules prepared based on the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and other international professional standards, in particular the standards adopted by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). The audit department reports to the President of the Management Board of Pelion S.A.
The responsibilities of Pelion S.A.’s internal audit department include first of all the evaluation of efficiency of the risk management and internal audit procedures. The audit department makes the necessary adjustments to the audit mechanisms, seeking to improve efficiency and security of the Group companies by performing assurance and advisory tasks.
Audit tasks are planned each year, for periods covering several years. Planning is performed based on the results of risk review carried out by the audit department for the entire Group, and based on the risk management systems used by the Group companies to address risks in their key operating areas and processes.
The audit department fulfils its responsibilities also through its involvement in the planning of functional audit check tests, as well as monitoring and organising the process of reporting test results. Thus, the audit department is involved in exercising supervision over the quality and effectiveness of the ex-post functional audit system.
The annual and long-term audit plans for the Pelion Group are subject to approval by the Management Board of Pelion S.A., as well as its Supervisory Board, which may request that the plans be changed or supplemented. Audit plans for the individual Group companies are also approved by their respective heads and Supervisory Boards, and form an element of the Group's general audit plan.
The results and effectiveness of internal audits are reported both to the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of Pelion S.A. through the Supervisory Board Audit Team, and to the Management and Supervisory Boards of the audited companies. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board of Pelion S.A. monitor the implementation of instructions and recommendations issued by the internal audit department.
The information flow within the Company enables preparation of up-to-date, complete, and reliable financial reports which comply with the regulations and accounting policies approved by the Management Board. In 2014, the accounting records of Group companies were kept by Business Support Solution S.A. (BSS S.A.), a Pelion Group company. Preparation of financial statements and consolidated financial statements was also assigned to BSS S.A., which follows its own control procedures in this respect. In order to ensure effectiveness of the Company’s internal audit and risk management system used for the purposes of financial reporting, the Company’s Management Board has adopted and approved:
Additionally, Pelion S.A. and BSS S.A. apply a number of other rules for the audit system as well as the identification and assessment of risks related to the Company’s operations, such as:
a) entering accounting records based solely on correct and approved documents,
b) reviewing the documents in terms of their formal, accounting and substantive correctness,
c) reconciliation of data periodically on a regular basis,
d) review of the Company’s assets by means of inventory-taking and measurement of assets, equity and liabilities for the purposes of reporting as at each reporting date,
e) authorisation system (approval and authorisation of transactions within or above pre-defined limits by authorised persons),
f) reconciliation system (verification of transaction details, balance reconciliation),
g) work schedules (allowing for schedule flexibility),
h) multi-level accounting management process (mitigating the moral risk in financial reporting).
The Company’s accounting records are maintained using the Oracle e-Business Suite and Asseco integrated IT systems. The systems ensure clear division of responsibility, consistency of records, and cross-checking between the accounting records. The Oracle e- Business Suite and Asseco systems are password-protected against unauthorised access, and have functional access control. The specifications of the IT systems meet the requirements set out in Art. 10.1.3c of the Accountancy Act of September 29th 1994. Financial reporting is carried out using the Hyperion system. The key principle of IT systems management is data security, which is achieved by multi-level authorisation of system users, access control and creation of backup copies.
Access to databases of the IT systems is controlled through appropriate employee authorisations. Access to the software is controlled at each stage of preparing financial statements, from source data input, through data processing, to final information output. The system is independently monitored and supported with appropriate contingency solutions. The Group companies have in place the necessary procedures for data backup and system recovery. The internal audit system enables identification and mitigation of major risks, such as abuse, irregularities, and losses. The Group continuously monitors certain pre-defined parameters and tracks changes in business indicators, such as inventory cycle or the average collection period. Processes are regularly reviewed at Group companies to identify adequate management procedures.
The efficacy of the internal audit and risk management procedures applied in financial reporting is reflected by the high quality of the financial statements, as confirmed by qualified auditors’ opinions.
Another component of the internal audit system is the audit of financial statements by independent auditors. They are responsible for auditing the full-year separate and consolidated financial statements and reviewing the half-year separate and consolidated financial statements. The Supervisory Board appoints the auditor from among recognised audit firms which submitted their proposals in the bidding process.
The table below presents the shareholders holding, directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, 5% or more of total voting rights at the General Meeting of Pelion S.A. as at December 31st 2014 (based on the information available to the Company):
No. | Shareholder holding more than 5% of total voting rights at GM | Number of shares held | % of share capital | Number of votes | % of total vote at GM |
1 | Jacek Szwajcowski | 1 187 800 | 10,62% | 5 854 600 | 32,03% |
2 | Zbigniew Molenda | 741 319 | 6,63% | 3 074 519 | 16,82% |
3 | Aviva Otwarty Fundusz Emerytalny (Aviva BZ WBK) | 1 397 777 | 12,50% | 1 397 777 | 7,65% |
4 | ING Otwarty Fundusz Emerytalny (ING OFE) | 1 107 480 | 9,90% | 1 107 480 | 6,06% |
5 | Legg Mason* | 1 027 346 | 9,18% | 1 027 346 | 5,62% |
6 | FMR LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries | 975 000 | 8,72% | 975 000 | 5,33% |
7 | KIPF Sp. z o.o.** | 950 000 | 8,49% | 950 000 | 5,20% |
The existing shareholders do not hold any voting rights at the General Meeting other than those attached to Pelion shares.
Pelion S.A. issued 1,773,300 preference shares (voting preference: each share confers the right to five votes).
As at December 31st 2014, 1,773,300 Series A, B, C and F shares were shares with voting preference: each share conferred the right to five votes.
The holders of preference shares are Mr Jacek Szwajcowski (1,166,700), Mr Zbigniew Molenda (583,300) and Mr Ignacy Przystalski (23,300).
There are no restrictions on the exercise of voting rights attached to Company shares.
Restrictions on transferability of Company securitiesSave for restrictions stipulated by the laws of general application, no restrictions (including in particular contractual restrictions) apply to the transferability of Company shares.
Rules governing appointment and dismissal of management staff; the management’s powers, including the right to decide on the issue or buyback of sharesArt. 14 of the Company’s Articles of Association provides for the power of the Supervisory Board to appoint, remove and determine the number of members of the Management Board and define the Rules of Procedure for the Management Board, as well as for a three-year term of office of the Management Board and the joint representation principle.
The Supervisory Board appoints the president of the Management Board from among the candidates nominated by the Supervisory Board members.
At the request of the president of the Management Board, the Supervisory Board determines the number of the Management Board members, including vice-presidents, and appoints other members of the Management Board. Members of the Supervisory Board may propose the number of the Management Board members as well as candidates for the Management Board members.
Representations may be made and signatures affixed on behalf of the Company by two members of the Management Board acting jointly.
Detailed procedures for the Management Board are stipulated in its Rules of Procedure (the current Rules of Procedure are available at www.pelion.eu).
The General Meeting decides on the issue or buyback of shares.
In order to amend the Company’s Articles of Association, a resolution by the General Meeting and an entry in the relevant registry are required. A detailed procedure for adoption of resolutions concerning amendments to the Company’s Articles of Association is governed by the applicable laws, the Rules of Procedure for the General Meeting, and Company’s Articles of Association.
On April 30th 2014, the Annual General Meeting of the Company resolved to amend the Company's Articles of Association:
1. Art. 6. was amended to read as follows: “The Company’s share capital amounts to no less than PLN 22,371,150 (twenty-two million, three hundred and seventy-one thousand, one hundred and fifty zloty) and no more than PLN 23,840,550 (twenty-three million, eight hundred and forty thousand, five hundred and fifty zloty), and is divided into no less than 11,185,575 (eleven million, one hundred and eighty-five thousand, five hundred and seventy-five) and no more than 11,920,275 (eleven million, nine hundred and twenty thousand, two hundred and seventy-five) shares with a par value of PLN 2 (two zloty) per share”;
2. Art. 7.1 was amended to read as follows: “The Company’s share capital comprises a total of 1,773,300 (one million, seven hundred and seventy-three thousand, three hundred) registered shares and a total of 9,412,275 (nine million, four hundred and twelve thousand, two hundred and seventy-five) bearer shares”;
3. Art. 12 was amended by adding Art. 12.4 and 12.5 reading as follows:
a) The Company shall enable its Shareholders to participate in General Meetings by electronic means of communication, in the form of:
- real-time transmission of General Meetings,
- real-time two-way communication enabling shareholders to take part in discussions, ask questions, submit procedural motions (including objections to be recorded in the minutes), and propose draft resolutions.
b) The procedures and technical requirements relating to the performance of the Company’s obligation set out in Article 12.4 shall be provided in detail in a relevant Management Board resolution. In its resolution, the Management Board shall only lay down such requirements and restrictions binding on the shareholders exercising their right to participate in the General Meeting in the manner specified in Art. 12.4 which are necessary for the verification of their identity and the security of electronic communications.”
The General Meeting of Pelion S.A. operates in accordance with:
The proceedings of the General Meeting are broadcast via the Company’ s website (www.pelion.eu).
Art. 12 of the Company’s Articles of Association defines the powers of the General Meeting, which have been sourced from the Commercial Companies Code verbatim or modified to the extent permitted by the Code and consistent with the corporate governance principles.
The powers of the General Meeting include:
The manner of operation of the General Meeting is subject to the provisions of the Rules of Procedure for the General Meeting, which are in line with the Commercial Companies Code and corporate governance. The Rules govern procedural matters, whose detailed regulation ensures proper conduct of meetings and due respect for the shareholders’ rights.
The key matters covered by the Rules of Procedure include:
The procedure for exercise of shareholder rights provided for in the law:
1) The right of a shareholder to request that a certain item be placed on the agenda of the General Meeting
A shareholder or shareholders representing at least one twentieth of the share capital may request that certain items be placed on the agenda of the General Meeting. Any such request should be submitted to the Management Board no later than twenty-one days prior to the scheduled date of the Meeting and should state the reasons for or contain a draft resolution concerning the proposed item. The request may be sent in writing, to the Company's registered office address, or in electronic form to: walne_zgromadzenie@pelion.eu.
In order to identify the shareholders as persons entitled to submit such requests, registered certificates of deposit issued by a relevant entity and copies of identity documents confirming the identity of shareholders or their proxies (official identification document of the above persons, and a copy of registration documents or other documents confirming the right of given persons to represent a shareholder who is not a natural person), should be attached to the submitted request.
Any amendments to the agenda made upon a shareholder's request are announced by the Management Board as soon as practicable but no later than eighteen days prior the scheduled date of the General Meeting. The new agenda is published on the Company's website.
2) The right of a shareholder to propose draft resolutions on matters which have been placed or are to be placed on the agenda prior to the scheduled date of the General Meeting
A shareholder or shareholders representing at least one twentieth of the share capital may submit draft resolutions, prior to the scheduled date the General Meeting, on matters which have been placed or which are to be placed on the agenda. The request may be sent in writing, to the Company's registered office address, or in electronic form to: walne_zgromadzenie@pelion.eu.
The proposal should present the reasons for or contain a draft resolution concerning the proposed item of the agenda. Furthermore, shareholders who submit draft resolutions should present, in order to enable their identification as persons eligible to submit such requests, registered certificates of deposit issued by a relevant entity. Copies of identity documents confirming the identity of shareholders or their proxies (official identification document of the above persons, and a copy of registration documents or other documents confirming the right of given persons to represent a shareholder who is not a natural person), should be attached to the submitted proposal. The Company publishes draft resolutions submitted by shareholders on its website without undue delay.
3) The right of a shareholder to appoint a proxy, and manner of exercising the voting right through a proxy
A shareholder may attend the General Meeting and exercise voting rights in person or through a proxy. A proxy may exercise all the rights of a shareholder at the General Meeting unless the power of proxy stipulates otherwise. A proxy votes the shares held by a given shareholder and registered in one or more securities accounts in the same way, unless the power of proxy stipulates otherwise. If a shareholder appoints more than one proxy, it is assumed that the proxies exercise the voting rights acting jointly, unless the power of proxy stipulates otherwise. The power of proxy should be granted in writing or in electronic form. If the power of proxy is granted in electronic form, the shareholder must notify the Company of the same by sending an email to: walne_zgromadzenie@pelion.eu, after having delivered to the Company in writing the email address used to grant the power of proxy. If a shareholder fails to deliver the email address or fails to notify the Company that an electronic power of proxy have been granted by the shareholder, the proxy will not be admitted to attend the General Meeting.
Copies of documents confirming the identity of shareholders or their proxies (official identification document of the above persons, and a copy of registration documents or other documents confirming the right of given persons to represent a shareholder who is not a natural person), should be attached to the written notice that a power of proxy has been granted, or notice that a power of proxy has been granted sent in the electronic form, to enable the identification of the shareholder granting power of proxy in electronic form.
Management Board
The Pelion Management Board operates in accordance with:
The Company applies Rules of Procedure for the Management Board of Pelion Spółka Akcyjna of Łódź, dated December 13th 2013 (the consolidated text of the Rules is available at www.pelion.eu).
The Management Board manages the Company’s affairs and represents the Company before third parties. All matters related to the management of the Company and not reserved to the other governing bodies under relevant laws or the Company’s Articles of Association fall within the scope of powers of the Management Board. Representations may be made and signatures affixed on behalf of the Company by two members of the Management Board acting jointly. Detailed procedures for the Management Board are defined in its Rules of Procedure.
The principal issues resolved in the Rules of Procedure include:
No. | Name | Position held | Period |
1 | Jacek Szwajcowski | President | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
2 | Zbigniew Molenda | Vice-President of the Management Board - Distribution | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
3 | Ignacy Przystalski | Vice-President of the Management Board - Sales | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
4 | Jacek Dauenhauer | Vice-President of the Management Board - Financial Strategy | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
5 | Mariola Belina-Prażmowska | Vice-President of the Management Board - Development and Investor Relations | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
Supervisory Board
The Pelion Supervisory Board operates in accordance with:
Art. 13 of the Company’s Articles of Association stipulates the rules for appointment of members to the Supervisory Board, determines the Supervisory Board’s powers and defines its term of office (one year). The Company’s Articles of Association stipulate that at least three members of the Supervisory Board should be elected from among candidates who:
Candidates for members of the Supervisory Board who satisfy the above requirements should submit relevant written representations to the Company. Upon appointment to the Supervisory Board, such persons are considered independent members of the Supervisory Board. Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association, resolutions on the matters listed below may not be adopted by the Supervisory Board without approval of the majority of its independent members:
The other provisions of the Articles of Association have been sourced from the Commercial Companies Code verbatim or have been modified to provide more detail.
The Rules of Procedure for the Supervisory Board contain detailed stipulations concerning the operation of the Supervisory Board.
Key issues addressed by the Rules include:
No. | Name | Position held | Period |
1 | Jerzy Leszczyński | Chairman | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
2 | Hubert Janiszewski | Deputy Chairman | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
3 | Jan Kalinka | Member | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
4 | Jacek Tucharz | Member | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
5 | Anna Biendara | Member | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
Audit Committee
Pursuant to Art. 86.3 of the Act on Auditors, Their Self-Government, Qualified Auditors of Financial Statements, and Public Supervision, dated May 7th 2009 (the 'Act'), the responsibilities of an audit committee, as specified in the Act, were assigned to the Supervisory Board of Pelion S.A.
In 2014, the tasks of the Audit Committee were performed by the entire Supervisory Board, which appointed three of its members as the Audit Team. The Audit Team coordinates the audit-related work of the Supervisory Board. Except for Ms Anna Biendara, all members of the Audit Team meet the independence criteria, and two of its members are qualified in accounting and finance.
The responsibilities of the Audit Team, as the body performing the Supervisory Board's audit duties, include:
No. | Name | Position held | Period |
1 | Jacek Tucharz | Team Head | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
2 | Jan Kalinka | Team Member | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
3 | Anna Biendara | Team Member | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is composed of two members of the Supervisory Board. As required by the Rules of Procedure for the Supervisory Board, the members of the Committee meet the criteria of independence.
One of the key functions of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee is to propose Supervisory Board resolutions regarding changes in the composition of the Management Board and remuneration of the Management Board members. The Supervisory Board may assign other tasks to the Committee.
No. | Name | Position held | Period |
1 | Hubert Janiszewski | Chairman | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |
2 | Jacek Tucharz | Member | Jan 1-Dec 31 2014 |