Last checked at 7 May 2020 17:27
Inchcape plc (the "Company")
Alternative 2020 Annual General Meeting arrangements
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company has put in place alternative arrangements for the AGM following UK Government guidance restricting public gatherings.
· The time date and date remain the same, 21 May 2020 at 11am
· The AGM venue has changed and will now be held at 22a St James's Square, London SW1Y 5LP
· Shareholders must not attend the AGM in person and are strongly encouraged to vote by way of proxy.
· The AGM will be convened with the minimum necessary quorum of two shareholders, facilitated by the Company. All valid proxy votes (whether submitted electronically or in hard copy form) will be included in the poll to be taken at the meeting.
· The directors will not recommend a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019
Shareholders are urged to register their proxy appointment electronically via the Company's Registrar's website. If shareholders prefer to return a hard copy Form of Proxy, they should do so in accordance with the instructions on the Form, which was distributed with the Notice of Meeting. Shareholders are encouraged to appoint the chair of the meeting as their proxy to ensure that their vote is counted and to complete a proxy appointment as soon as possible and in any event by 11.00am on Tuesday 19 May 2020. Where necessary, you should contact the registered shareholder (the custodian or broker) who looks after your investments in the Company on your behalf, in order to vote your shares.
The Board understands that beyond voting on the formal business of the meeting, the AGM also serves as a forum for shareholders to raise questions and comments to the Board. Therefore, shareholders are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the AGM to AGM@inchcape.com. Questions and answers will be available on the Company's website following the conclusion of the AGM.
As announced on 7 April 2020, the Board of the Company intends to withdraw resolution number 4 as set out in the Notice of Annual General Meeting dated 12 March 2020, relating to the payment of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019.
The withdrawal of resolution 4 does not affect the validity of the proxy form circulated to shareholders in respect of the AGM or any proxy votes submitted in relation to the other resolutions set out in the Notice of Annual General Meeting.
The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all shareholders for their continued support and understanding. We fully acknowledge that these are unusual measures in exceptional circumstances, and we hope that our shareholders and other stakeholders understand that health and safety must be our first priority.
The situation in relation to COVID-19 continues to develop and we are closely monitoring developments, including any regulatory changes. If it becomes necessary or appropriate to revise the arrangements for the AGM, further announcements will be made and information will be made available on our website at www.inchcape.com