4. Corporate governance

AFEP-MEDEF Code recommendationCompany’s positionExplanationSection of the Universal Registration Document
Requirement for corporate officers to hold shares Recommendation no. 23:“The Board of Directors defines a minimum number of shares that the corporate officers must retain through to the end of their term of office. This decision is reviewed at least on each extension of their term of office. […] Until this objective regarding the holding of shares has been achieved, the corporate officers will devote a proportion of exercised options or allocated performance shares to this end as determined by the Board.”

Requirement for corporate officers to hold shares Recommendation no. 23:

“The Board of Directors defines a minimum number of shares that the corporate officers must retain through to the end of their term of office. This decision is reviewed at least on each extension of their term of office. […] Until this objective regarding the holding of shares has been achieved, the corporate officers will devote a proportion of exercised options or allocated performance shares to this end as determined by the Board.”

Company’s position

The Board of Directors has not set rules for the holding by the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of a minimum number of the Company’s shares.

Requirement for corporate officers to hold shares Recommendation no. 23:

“The Board of Directors defines a minimum number of shares that the corporate officers must retain through to the end of their term of office. This decision is reviewed at least on each extension of their term of office. […] Until this objective regarding the holding of shares has been achieved, the corporate officers will devote a proportion of exercised options or allocated performance shares to this end as determined by the Board.”

Explanation

The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer does not receive any compensation for his or her term of office as Director. His or her compensation is limited in accordance with Decree no. 53–707 of 9 August 1953 modified by Decree no. 2012-915 of 26 July 2012. Finally, the Company has not put in place a stock and/or performance stock option plan in favour of the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. Accordingly, it was decided to not implement this recommendation. Furthermore, the executive corporate officer must also act in the Company’s best interests, irrespective of the number of Company shares they hold personally.

Requirement for corporate officers to hold shares Recommendation no. 23:

“The Board of Directors defines a minimum number of shares that the corporate officers must retain through to the end of their term of office. This decision is reviewed at least on each extension of their term of office. […] Until this objective regarding the holding of shares has been achieved, the corporate officers will devote a proportion of exercised options or allocated performance shares to this end as determined by the Board.”

Section of the Universal Registration Document

See sections 4.6.1.1 (“Total compensation of the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer”), 4.6.2 (“Stock options – Bonus shares”).

Rules for the distribution of compensation paid to Directors for their term of office Recommendation no. 21.1: The method of distribution of this compensation “should take into account, in such ways as it shall determine, the Directors’ actual attendance at meetings of the Board and Committees, and the amount shall therefore consist primarily of a variable portion”.

Rules for the distribution of compensation paid to Directors for their term of office Recommendation no. 21.1: The method of distribution of this compensation

 “should take into account, in such ways as it shall determine, the Directors’ actual attendance at meetings of the Board and Committees, and the amount shall therefore consist primarily of a variable portion”.

Company’s position

A significant but not “preponderant” share of the compensation paid to Directors for their term of office is dependent upon actual attendance by the Directors of the Board and Committee meetings.

Rules for the distribution of compensation paid to Directors for their term of office Recommendation no. 21.1: The method of distribution of this compensation

 “should take into account, in such ways as it shall determine, the Directors’ actual attendance at meetings of the Board and Committees, and the amount shall therefore consist primarily of a variable portion”.

Explanation

Special distribution rules were adopted, which in particular take account of the level of responsibilities and the time spent by the Directors on their duties. Though the variable share of compensation paid for the term of office, that compensates the actual presence of Directors is not preponderant, the Company considers that it is nonetheless significant, insofar as it accounts for 50% of the total amount allocated and, as recommended by the AFEP-MEDEF Code, as it is appropriate to the level of responsibilities assumed by the Directors and to the time that they must spend on their duties.

Rules for the distribution of compensation paid to Directors for their term of office Recommendation no. 21.1: The method of distribution of this compensation

 “should take into account, in such ways as it shall determine, the Directors’ actual attendance at meetings of the Board and Committees, and the amount shall therefore consist primarily of a variable portion”.

Section of the Universal Registration Document

See section 4.6.1.2 “Total compensation of Directors”.