Last checked at 6 Apr 2020 15:00
6 April 2020
2020 Annual General Meeting
Further to its announcements on 12 March 2020 and 23 March 2020 relating to the 2020 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") and the announcement dated 2 April 2020 relating to, amongst other things, the withdrawal of the final dividend proposal (the "Final Dividend Announcement"), Bunzl plc (the "Company") hereby announces that, given the developing situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19), and in particular the compulsory measures (the "Stay at Home Measures") published by the Government on 23 March 2020, prohibiting, among other things, public gatherings of more than two people, the Company is now notifying shareholders, proxies and corporate representatives that they should not attend the AGM in person. There will be a requisite number of people present in order to establish a quorum of two members present in person or by proxy, and the attendance of additional people will therefore contrary to the Stay at Home Measures. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, any shareholder, proxy or corporate representative seeking to attend the meeting will be refused entry on the grounds of safety.
The AGM will continue to be held at 11.30 on Wednesday, 15 April 2020 and other than as notified in the Final Dividend Announcement, the business to be conducted at the meeting remains unchanged. There will be no effect on voting instructions already received. The Company strongly encourages all shareholders to vote by appointing the Chair of the AGM as a proxy (appointing the Chair of the AGM as proxy, rather than another named person, ensures your vote will be counted in the meeting). Please refer to the notes to the AGM Notice for instructions on how to vote by proxy. If any shareholders, duly appointed proxies or duly appointed corporate representatives wish to ask any questions about the business of the AGM, please submit them in writing prior to the AGM to the Company's registered office for the attention of the Company Secretary. Responses will be given as soon as reasonably practicable to those questions reasonably considered to be appropriate and relevant.
The above measures are set out fully in the letter from the Chairman dated 6 April 2020 (the "Chairman's Letter"). A copy of the Chairman's Letter can be obtained on the Company's website at http://www.bunzl.com/investors/agm-information.aspx. As required by the Listing Rules, a copy of the Chairman's Letter has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism.