THE BOARD’S CONDUCT OF ITS AFFAIRS
Principle 1
Every company should be headed by an effective Board to lead and control the company. The Board is collectively responsible for the success of the company. The Board works with Management to achieve this and the Management remains accountable to the Board.
Commentary
Composition of the Board: At the date of issue of this Statement of Corporate Governance, the Board comprises eight (8) Non-Executive Directors and the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director (the “CEO/ED”). All Independent Directors as well as those nominated by the two (2) major shareholders, namely China National Aviation Fuel Group Limited (“CNAF”) and BP Investments Asia Limited (“BP”), were appointed on the strength of their expertise, experience and stature.
The Board is composed of members who are diverse in terms of education, skills, regional and industry experience, geographical origin, interpersonal skills, race, gender and age. Details including the academic and professional qualifications and major appointments of each Director are provided under the “Board of Directors” section of this Annual Report.
The Board recognises and embraces the importance of Board diversity which aims to cultivate a broad spectrum of demographic attributes and personal characteristics in the boardroom, leveraging on differences in thought, perspective, knowledge, skill, regional and industry experience, cultural and geographical background to ensure that the Company retains its competitive advantage.
The Board has put in place Internal Policy Guidelines on Board Diversity to provide guidance to the Nominating Committee in reviewing and assessing the appropriate mix of diversity, skills, experience and expertise required on the Board and the Board Committees of the Company, and the extent to which the required skills and core competencies are represented on the Board. In carrying out its responsibilities in accordance with the said Internal Policy Guidelines on Board Diversity, the Nominating Committee will take into account the Company’s diversity objectives as well as the need to maintain flexibility to effectively address Board renewal and succession planning at Board level and to ensure that the Company continues to attract and retain highly qualified individuals to serve on the Board and Board Committees.
The Board believes that developing a heterogeneous Board will contribute to the achievement of its strategic and commercial objectives which will include: (i) driving better business performance and results; (ii) making corporate governance more effective; (iii) encouraging a wider range of ideas and options and ensuring high quality and responsible decision-making capability; and (iv) ensuring sustainable growth and development of the CAO Group.
Role of the Board: The Directors are collectively responsible to the Company’s shareholders for the long-term success of the CAO Group and for its overall strategic direction, its values and its governance. They provide the Company with the core competencies and the leadership necessary for the CAO Group to meet its business objectives within the framework of its systems of internal controls and processes.
All members of the Board are aware of their responsibility to take decisions objectively which promote the success of the CAO Group for the benefit of shareholders.
The CAO Corporate Governance Policy sets forth the matters reserved for the Board’s decision, and provides clear directions to Management on matters that must be approved by the Board. In addition, Management has the responsibility for overseeing the implementation by the CAO Group’s operating subsidiaries of the policies and strategy set by the Board, and for creating the framework for their successful day-to-day operation.
Some of the businesses that the Board transacts include:
a) setting, reviewing and approving corporate strategies, annual budgets and financial plans;
b) reviewing the adequacy and integrity of the Company’s internal controls, risk management systems, financial reporting systems and monitoring the performance of the CAO Group and the Management;
c) ensuring that the CAO Group and Management comply with all laws, regulations, policies, directives, guidelines and internal code of conduct;
d) considering and approving the nominations of suitable candidates to the Board of Directors; and
e) ensuring accurate, adequate and timely reporting to, and communication with shareholders.
Key matters that are specifically reserved for the Board’s consideration and decision include, but are not limited to, corporate planning, material acquisitions and disposals of assets, corporate or financial restructuring, formulation of any dividend policy or the change of such dividend policy, declaration of dividends, interested person transactions and any appointment, re- appointment or removal of the Chairman of the Board.
Apart from matters specifically reserved for Board’s consideration and decision, the Board will approve transactions exceeding certain threshold limits, whilst delegating authority for transactions below those limits to Board Committees and the Management for approval.
Delegation of Authority to Board Committees: To ensure the efficient discharge of its responsibilities and to provide independent oversight of Management, various Board committees namely, the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Risk Management Committee; have been constituted with clear written terms of reference. Each Committee has the authority to examine issues relevant to their terms of reference and to make recommendations to the Board for action. The ultimate responsibility and decision on all matters still lies with the Board.
An annual review and assessment on the adequacy of existing terms of reference of each of the Board Committees had been carried out by the respective Board Committees, taking into consideration the recommendations of the 2018 Code.
To optimise operational efficiency, the Company regularly reviews and updates its financial authorisation and approval limits for purchases and expenses requisitions as well as expenses/fees relating to costs of sales (within and outside the approved full-year budget) in tandem with the business operational needs.
Meetings of the Board and Board Committees: The Board met four (4) times in 2018. At the scheduled quarterly Board meetings for the financial year 2018, the Board: (i) reviewed and approved the release of the quarterly and full-year results; (ii) discussed reports by Management relating to major corporate activities; (iii) approved the annual budget; and (iv) reviewed the performance of the CAO Group’s businesses. When Directors cannot be physically present, telephonic attendance and conference via audio-visual communication at Board and Board committee meetings are allowed under the Company’s Constitution. The number of meetings of the Board and Board Committees held in 2018 as well as the attendances of each Board member at these meetings are disclosed below:

Notes:
1 Mr Wang Yanjun, an Executive Director and a CNAF-nominee Director, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer on 12 September 2018 in place of Mr Meng Fanqiu . 2 Mr David Windle, a BP-nominee Director, resigned as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director on 1 November 2018 and had concurrently relinquished his office as Chairman of the Risk Management Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. 3 Mr Feng Hai, a CNAF-nominee Director, was appointed as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director on 1 November 2018. He was concurrently appointed as Vice Chairman of the Nominating Committee and as a member of the Risk Management Committee. 4 Mr Chan Yat Chung, a BP-nominee Director, was appointed as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director on 1 November 2018 in place of Mr David Windle. Mr Chan was concurrently appointed as the Chairman of the Risk Management Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.
Quarterly Meetings of Board and Board Committees, Independent Directors’ Meeting and Annual General Meeting:
Meetings of the Board and Board Committees, Independent Directors’ Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the Company for each year are scheduled some time in the month of July in the preceding year to facilitate the Directors’ individual administrative arrangements in respect of any competing commitments.
Director Familiarisation Programme: A formal letter is sent to newly appointed Non-Executive Directors upon their appointment explaining their duties and obligations as a Director as well as the governance policies and practices of the CAO Group. In addition, the formal letter of appointment sets out their expected time commitment and make clear that, by accepting the appointment, they are confirming that they are able to meet the expectations of their role. They are also required to disclose their other significant commitments to the Board prior to their appointment and to give notice of any subsequent changes.
Comprehensive and tailored training is provided for all new Directors appointed to the Board as part of their orientation to ensure that they are familiar with (i) the Company’s strategic objectives and the nature and scope of its operations; (ii) the Board’s role and the governance structure and processes of the Company; (iii) Directors’ duties and responsibilities under statute and common law; (iv) applicable legal requirements and other regulatory requirements; (v) broad overview on the rules of SGX-ST Listing Manual; and (vi) the CAO Corporate Governance Policy. Facility visits to our associated companies’ premises are also arranged to enable newly appointed Directors to acquire an understanding of the CAO Group’s business operations.
Comprehensive Director familiarisation sessions were arranged for Mr Li Yongji and Mr Wang Yanjun who joined the Board in February 2018 and for Mr Feng Hai and Mr Chan Yat Chung who joined the Board in November 2018.The purpose of the familiarisation sessions was to familiarise them with the business activities, strategic direction, policies and corporate governance practices of the CAO Group. Areas covered included 2020 Corporate Strategy and Investments, oil trading and aviation marketing businesses of the CAO Group, risk management framework, policies and practices, overview of the financial performance of the CAO Group, Investor Relations Activities, Directors’ Duties and Continuing Listing Obligations and Governance Structure, Policy and Practices of the CAO Group. These sessions also provided opportunities for the aforesaid Directors to get acquainted with senior management, and also foster better rapport and communications with Management.
Continuing Professional Development of Directors: In line with CAO’s Policy on Director Orientation and Professional Development adopted by the Board since November 2012, continuing professional development programmes were organised for Directors to ensure that all Directors are updated on important market developments in the energy industry and issues which may have a significant impact on the businesses, financial and operational matters of the CAO Group. These programmes are conducted by external advisers, experts or senior management and these included: (i) a Board Information Session relating to (a) “Enterprise Risk Management” conducted by KPMG Consulting Pte Ltd; (b) “Recent Changes in International Financial Reporting Standards and its Implications on CAO’s Financial Performance” conducted by Deloitte & Touche LLP; and (iii) a Board Information Session relating to “Recent Key Changes to the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance and SGX-ST Listing Rules” conducted by Allen & Gledhill LLP.
Directors’ Disclosure of Interests: The Board has established the Board of Directors Conflict of Interest Policy (the “Board Conflict of Interest Policy”) which is adjunct to the Company’s overarching commitment to high levels of integrity and transparency. The Board Conflict of Interest Policy provides guidance and assistance to the Board in identifying and disclosing actual and potential conflicts of interest, and to help ensure the avoidance of any conflicts of interest where necessary.
All Directors are required to officially disclose their interests in the Company including any interested person transactions with the Company. To facilitate a comprehensive disclosure by Directors and the CEO/ED of the Company of any interests arising from multiple or cross directorships, shares or equity ownership interests etc., a revised letter template for the general disclosure of interests by Directors and the CEO/ED have been devised for use by Directors and the CEO/ED. As a further commitment of the Board to transparent disclosure, management and monitoring of existing and potential conflicts of interest, a “Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form” by Directors and key management personnel of the Company has been devised to facilitate adequate and timely disclosures by Directors and KMP.
Any Director who has an interest that may present a conflict between (a) his or her obligation with the Company and his or her personal business or other interests; and/or (b) the interests of the appointing major shareholder and the interests of the Company on which he or she serves, will either recuse himself or herself from participating in the deliberations and voting on the matter or declare his or her interest and abstain from decision-making.
All Directors practise good governance by updating the Company about changes to their interests in a timely manner.
Board Composition and Balance
Principle 2
There should be a strong and independent element on the Board, which is able to exercise objective judgment on corporate affairs independently, in particular, from Management and Substantial Shareholders. No individual or small group of individuals should be allowed to dominate the Board’s decision making.
Commentary
Composition of Independent Directors on the Board: Of the nine (9) members on the Board, six (6) are nominated by substantial shareholders and are deemed as non-independent. The three (3) Independent Directors namely, Dr Wang Kai Yuen, Mr Ang Swee Tian and Mr Li Runsheng constitute at least one-third of the Board. Currently, at least two (2) Independent Directors are resident in Singapore. These two (2) Independent Directors are Dr Wang Kai Yuen and Mr Ang Swee Tian. None of the nine (9) Board members is related to one another.
Independent Element of the Board: The Nominating Committee assesses and determines the independence of a Director upon appointment and on an annual basis. The Nominating Committee takes into consideration CAO’s Internal Policy Guidelines on Directors’ Test of Independence which set out the process for considering the independence of Directors of the Company (the “Directors’ Test of Independence Policy”). The Directors’ Test of Independence Policy (i) specifies the materiality thresholds and independence criteria which the Nominating Committee will use to assess the independence of a Director; (ii) identifies the information that the Company will collect from Directors to enable the Nominating Committee to assess the independence of Directors; and (iii) outlines the basis of disclosure to shareholders of the assessment of the independence of Directors, including the disclosure of any relationships that may be perceived to affect the independence or objectivity of a Director.
The Nominating Committee carried out the review on the independence of each non-executive Director in September 2018 by taking into consideration the Directors’ Test of Independence Policy and the information collected from each Director through the completion by each Director of a confirmation of independence checklist. The Director is required to declare any circumstances in which he or she may be considered non-independent. The Nominating Committee will then review the confirmation of independence checklist by applying the Directors’ Test of Independence Policy before affirming the independence of a Director.
Under the 2012 Code and in accordance with the CAO Corporate Governance Policy, the Nominating Committee is tasked with the responsibility to undertake a “particularly rigorous review” of a director’s independence after he or she has served on the Board for a continuous period of nine (9) years or longer term from the date of his or her first appointment. If the Nominating Committee decides to regard such a director independent, the Nominating Committee shall disclose its explanation in the Company’s annual report. As of the date of this report, Independent Directors namely, Dr Wang Kai Yuen and Mr Ang Swee Tian, each held office for more than nine (9) years. At the time of the Nominating Committee’s review on the independence of each non-executive Director of the Company, the Form of Directors’ Declaration relating to the Director’s Independence had been modified to facilitate the Nominating Committee’s assessment of the independent status of the aforesaid long-tenured Independent Directors of the Company. These questions require the long-tenured Independent Directors of the Company to consider and provide their inputs and/or comments reaffirming their ability to make unfettered independent business judgements.
In the Form of Director’s Declaration for 2018, both Dr Wang Kai Yuen and Mr Ang Swee Tian had confirmed that there were neither any circumstances that could have materially interfered with their exercise of unfettered and independent judgment nor were there any occurrence of any circumstances where the interests of CAO might not be best served by the interests of the major shareholders of CAO. This is evident from the minutes of the proceedings of the Board and relevant Board Committees over the past years, where each of Dr Wang Kai Yuen and Mr Ang Swee Tian had expressed his individual viewpoints and objectively scrutinised and sought clarifications from the Management, employees, external auditors and internal auditors of CAO as he considered necessary.
Both have demonstrated their independence in character and judgement in discharging their duties and responsibilities as Directors of the Company and their ability to act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders generally. The Board accepted the Nominating Committee’s view and affirmed the independence of these Directors.
The composition of the Board is reviewed annually by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is satisfied that the Board comprises Directors who as a group possess the necessary calibre, experience and core competencies for effective decision-making. Individual directors’ profiles can be found in “Board of Directors” section of the Annual Report.
All Singapore-listed companies are required to comply with Guideline 2.2 of the 2012 Code and make the necessary Board composition changes at the annual general meeting following the end of financial years commencing on or after 1 May 2016. In this regard, considering the rationale of Guideline 2.2 of the 2012 Code is basically intended to prevent any one (1) major shareholder from dominating the decision-making process of the Board where the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer are both nominated by the same major shareholder and notwithstanding that the Chairman of the Board is not an Independent Director of the Company, there already exists an appropriate level of checks and balances in the management and operation of the Company via the Shareholders’ Agreement as the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company presently comprises representatives from its two (2) major shareholders namely, CNAF and BP. In addition, the Company had appointed the Lead Independent Director, who is also concurrently the Deputy Chairman of the Board.
Hence, considering that the safeguards for a balanced Board are already in place, the Board is of the view that it would be appropriate to maintain the present Board composition of the Company for the foreseeable future.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Principle 3
There should be a clear division of responsibilities between the leadership of the Board and the executives responsible for managing the company’s business. No one individual should represent a considerable concentration of power.
Commentary
Separate Role of Chairman and CEO: The Chairman, with the assistance of the Deputy Chairman, is primarily responsible for overseeing the overall management and strategic development of the Company. With the assistance of the Company Secretary, the Chairman schedules Board meetings and ensures that all procedures and good governance practices are complied with. The CEO/ED consults both with the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman for their views on the agenda for Board meetings.
The CEO/ED executes the Board’s decisions and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Company’s business, making operational decisions for the Company and implementing the Company’s business, direction, strategies and policies.
The Chairman regularly consults with the Deputy Chairman/Lead Independent Director as well as other members of the Board and Board committees on major issues. As such, the Board believes there are adequate safeguards in place against having a concentration of power and authority in a single individual.
The Chairman and the CEO/ED are not related to each other.
The list of responsibilities of the Chairman and the CEO/ED is available for inspection at the Company’s registered office.
Regular Meetings of Independent Directors: In accordance with the CAO Corporate Governance Policy, the Independent Directors of CAO meet at least once a year, without the presence of the other Directors, to discuss any matters relevant to the CAO Group, such as its investment criteria, risk management and internal controls, risk appetite and risk tolerance, performance of management, Board communication and performance, and strategic issues. Led by the Deputy Chairman/ Lead Independent Director, the Independent Directors of CAO held their meeting on 1 November 2018 without the presence of the other Directors. The Independent Directors of CAO discussed the key changes in the 2012 Code, consequential amendments to the SGX-ST listing rules and implications on CAO. The Independent Directors also discussed issues relating to Board renewal and the recommended tenure for Independent Directors as well as the localisation and internationalisation of employees of the CAO Group.
Board Membership
Principle 4
There should be a formal and transparent process for the appointment of new Directors to the Board.
Commentary
Composition of Nominating Committee and Terms of Reference: The Nominating Committee was established by the Board to make recommendations for all Board appointments. The Nominating Committee comprises five (5) members, the majority of whom, including its Chairman, are Independent Non-Executive Directors:
Nominating Committee
Li Runsheng |
Chairman |
Feng Hai (1) |
Vice Chairman |
Wang Kai Yuen |
Member |
Ang Swee Tian |
Member |
Bella Young Pit Lai |
Member |
Note:
(1)Mr Feng Hai was appointed as Vice Chairman on 1 November 2018 in place of Mr Li Yongji.
The Chairman of the Nominating Committee is not associated with any substantial shareholder of the Company.
The Nominating Committee held two (2) meetings in 2018 where it met to discuss and review (i) the independence of Non- Executive Directors; (ii) Board Performance Evaluation; and (iii) the Nominating Committee Annual Self-Assessment Findings. The Nominating Committee had also reviewed and approved several other matters under its remit via email circulation.
The responsibilities of the Nominating Committee include:
a) the review of the structure, size and composition (including the skills, qualification, experience and other aspects of diversity such as gender and age) of the Board and the Board Committees;
b) the review of the succession plans for the Board Chairman, Directors and Chief Executive Officer;
c) the development of a transparent process for evaluating and the performance of the Board, its Board Committees and non-executive Directors, including assessing whether the non-executive Directors are able to commit enough time to discharge their responsibilities and the maximum number of listed company Board representations which a Director may hold;
d) the review of the training and professional development programmes of the Board;
e) the appointment and re-appointment of all Directors (including alternate Directors, if any);
f) the review and confirmation of the independence of each Director; and
g) the review of the management structure of key operating subsidiaries of the Company and evaluation of the performance of key management personnel of these key operating subsidiaries, as and when proposed by any Director.
Board Nomination Process for the Selection and Appointment of New Independent Directors: The Nominating Committee will generally apply the Internal Guidelines for Selection and Appointment of Independent Directors of CAO (the “Internal Guidelines”) for the process of identifying, evaluating and selecting suitable candidates for appointments as new Independent Directors of the Company. In considering the overall balance of the Board’s composition, the Nominating Committee will give due consideration to the selection and evaluation criteria set out in the Internal Guidelines, having regard to the normally accepted nomination criteria which include but not limited to (i) the appropriate background, experience, industry knowledge or ability to acquire that knowledge, professional skills and qualifications; (ii) demonstrated, willingness to devote the required time, including being available to attend meetings of the Board and Board Committees; and (iii) high levels of personal and professional integrity as well as business ethics.
In the case of selection and appointment of CNAF-Nominee Directors and BP-Nominee Directors, the Nominating Committee will not apply the Internal Guidelines. However, with regard to the nominations received from either CNAF or BP for the appointment and/or replacement of their respective nominee Directors, the Nominating Committee may apply the relevant evaluation criteria in the Internal Guidelines when assessing their suitability in complementing the core competencies of the Board at that time.
Directors’ Multiple Directorships in Listed Companies: In line with the Board adopted guiding principles for the determination of a specified maximum number of listed board representations. Directors of CAO should not, as a general guide, hold more than six (6) board representations in listed companies (the “Maximum Number of Listed Board Representations”). In addition, the following considerations are also taken into account:
(i) where the individual also holds a full-time executive position; and
(ii) where the individual is a full-time independent director.
All Directors of the Company have complied with the requirement on the Maximum Number of Listed Board Representations.
The Nominating Committee had reviewed each Director’s external directorships as well as the Director’s attendance and contributions to the Board. Despite the multiple directorships of some Directors, the Nominating Committee is satisfied that all of the Directors of the Company have complied with the requirement on the Maximum Number of Listed Board Representations. The Nominating Committee is also satisfied that the Directors spent adequate time on the Company’s affairs and have carried out their responsibilities.
Retirement by Rotation and Re-election of Directors: Pursuant to Regulation 94 of the Company’s Constitution, one-third of the members of the Board of Directors shall retire by rotation at every annual general meeting of the Company (the “AGM”) and these Directors may offer themselves for re-election, if eligible. For the 25th AGM to be held on 24 April 2019, Dr Wang Kai Yuen and Mr Ang Swee Tian are due for retirement by rotation and would be eligible for re-election.
To support Board renewal and to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, Dr Wang Kai Yuen and Mr Ang Swee Tian, who have each served the Board beyond nine (9) years from the date of their respective first appointments, have expressed their intention not to seek re-election as Directors at the 25th AGM. Accordingly, upon Dr Wang Kai Yuen’s retirement as a Director of the Company, he would concurrently relinquish his office as Deputy Chairman and Lead Independent Director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, Member of the Audit Committee and Member of the Nominating Committee. Upon Mr Ang Swee Tian’s retirement as a Director of the Company, he would concurrently relinquish his office as Chairman of the Audit Committee, Member of the Risk Management Committee, Member of the Remuneration Committee and Member of the Nominating Committee. Having considered the current Board composition of the Company against the desired capabilities of the Board taking into account the Company’s current circumstances and future expectations, and based on the review and the general selection and evaluation criteria set out in the Internal Guidelines, the Nominating Committee had commenced the search for prospective candidates identified from a number of sources, including but not limited to director or management contacts or shareholder recommendations.
In line with the Internal Guidelines, Nominating Committee and the Chairman of the Board would be conducting interviews with the selected candidates to ascertain their suitability and the Board would be updated on the selection process. When the Nominating Committee had identified and selected suitable candidates, recommendations would be made to the Board on the appointment of the same as soon as possible.
In accordance with Regulation 100 of the Company’s Constitution, Mr Feng Hai and Mr Chan Yat Chung, who were appointed as Non-Executive, Non-Independent Directors of the Company on 1 November 2018, each will hold office as Directors until the next annual general meeting of the Company and will be eligible for re-election under Regulation 100 at the 25th AGM.
Board Performance
Principle 5
There should be a formal assessment of the effectiveness of the Board as a whole and its board committees and the contribution by each Director to the effectiveness of the Board.
Commentary
Board Performance: The Nominating Committee evaluated the performance of each Director and the effectiveness of the Board as a whole.
Since the adoption of the CAO Corporate Governance Policy in 2012, the Board has, through the Nominating Committee, implemented a formal process annually for assessing the effectiveness of the Board as a whole and its Board Committees (the “Overall Board/ Board Committees’ Performance Evaluation”). The Overall Board/Board Committees’ Performance Evaluation entailed the completion by each member of the Nominating Committee of a Board assessment and effectiveness questionnaire (the “Board Evaluation Questionnaire”).
The elements of the Board Evaluation Questionnaire included questions on (i) the Board’s composition; (ii) Board’s access to information prior to Board meetings and on an ongoing basis to enable them to properly discharge their duties and responsibilities as Directors; (iii) the expertise and experience of each member of the Board; (iv) the conduct of proceedings of meetings, participation and contributions to the Board both inside and outside of Board meetings; (v) the assessment of the performance benchmark for assessing the performance of the Board as a whole and in ensuring the continued return for shareholders; and (vi) the standard of conduct in preventing conflicts of interest and the disclosure of personal interests and abstention from voting where appropriate.
A summary of the assessment ratings on each of the elements of the Board Evaluation Questionnaire by each member of the Nominating Committee for last three (3) preceding years was also sent to the members of the Nominating Committee.
Each member of the Nominating Committee would first carry out his own assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Board as a whole and its Board Committees using the Board Evaluation Questionnaire.
To further enhance the long-term performance of the Board and its Board Committees, a separate process for the review of the performance of individual (non-executive) directors was also adopted (the “Individual Board Member Performance Evaluation”) and conducted on an annual basis concurrently with the Overall Board/Board Committees’ Performance Evaluation.
The Individual Board Member Performance Evaluation was conducted using the 360-Degree Board Member Evaluation Form. The 360-Degree Board Member Evaluation Form was designed to facilitate the assessment of each individual (non-executive) Board member in areas such as “Leadership”, “Strategic Thinking”, “Board Contribution” and “Governance”.
The 360-Degree Board Member Evaluation Form was emailed to Directors individually by separate emails and each Board member was required to complete the 360-Degree Board Member Evaluation Form for each of the other non-executive Directors, on an anonymous basis.
A general summary of (i) the assessment ratings on each of the elements of the Board Evaluation Questionnaire by each member of the Nominating Committee; and (ii) the results of assessment and evaluation of the 360-Degree Board Member Evaluation Form for each non-executive Director of CAO, will be collated by the Company Secretary for the Nominating Committee’s deliberation and consensus at its Nominating Committee Meeting held in November each year.
During the year, each of the Board committees also conducted an annual self-evaluation to assess its effectiveness as a whole and explored ways to further enhance its effectiveness.
The Nominating Committee is satisfied with the current compositions and performances of the Board and the Board Committees, both individually and as a whole.
Access to Information
Principle 6
In order to fulfil their responsibilities, Directors shall be provided with complete, adequate and timely information prior to Board meetings and on an on-going basis so as to enable them to make informed decisions to discharge their duties and responsibilities.
Commentary
Information Flow: The Company has put in place enhanced communication processes between the Board and Management in terms of information flow.
Agenda for meetings and all Board papers for discussions are circulated to Directors at least ten (10) calendar days in advance so that the Directors are prepared for the meetings. However, sensitive matters may be tabled at the meeting itself or discussed without any papers being distributed. Management and senior executives of the Company would be present during the Board meeting or Board Committee meeting, as the case may be, to present their proposals or to answer any questions that Board members may have.
The Board as a whole as well as individual Directors have direct access to Management represented by senior executive officers of the Company and the CAO Group. The Management provides the Directors with monthly updates on the operational and financial performance of the CAO Group, and also responds to regular questions from the Board or individual Directors in a timely manner.
Where the Board deems it necessary, the Board can obtain independent advice from external consultants. This enhances the Board’s ability to discharge its functions and duties.
All Board members have direct access to and the advice and services of the Company Secretary. The Company Secretary attends all Board and Board Committee meetings and assists the respective Chairman of the Board/Board Committees in ensuring that Board/ Board Committee papers, procedures and the applicable laws and regulations are adhered to.
Information about the Company and the CAO Group are freely available to each Board member. Management will promptly supply any additional information that the Board requires.
The Board also has ready access to external professionals for consultations.
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