The Board of Directors believes that good corporate governance is essential to the efficient and prudent operation of the GEL Group's business. To this end, it has developed strong corporate governance policies and procedures which are continually strengthened to ensure their soundness in keeping with best practice.
The maximum number of directors permitted by the Company's Articles of Continuance is 15. There are currently eight members, seven independent non-executive directors including the Chairman, and one executive member. The Board meets formally every month, while special Board meetings are convened as necessary. The business of the Board meetings is in keeping with its mandate and responsibilities. These include: the review of management decisions; the approval, implementation and monitoring of the Group's detailed strategic plan and budget; the consideration and approval of recommendations issuing from the Board Committees for action and receipt of progress reports on implementation of such recommendations; the consideration of various managerial reports on the performance of the Group's operations; the consideration, approval and monitoring of investment opportunities and major capital expenditure; the review and approval of both interim and final un-audited and audited consolidated financial statements and their disclosure; the approval of interim and final dividends; and the review and monitoring of corporate governance, internal controls, risk assessment and legal and regulatory compliance.
To assist with carrying out its mandate, the Board has established Committees. Each Committee has its own terms of reference, defined policies, and guidelines established by the Board and is directed by its own chairperson who reports to the Board. These terms of reference, policies and guidelines are continually reviewed, assessed and amended as necessary, to ensure that both the particular Committee's mandate and the Company's objectives are attained. The Corporate Secretary or her nominee acts as secretary to each Committee and minutes of all Committee meetings are recorded and circulated to the Board to facilitate the consideration and approval of any particular recommendation issuing from such Committee meeting.
The Management Committee performs the most senior management function of the Group. Appointed by the Board, this Committee is responsible for managing the Company and its subsidiaries as directed by the Board. The main responsibilities of this Committee include: designing adequate yardsticks of performance for this Committee, development of management personnel, developing objectives and structured action plans for their achievement, developing staff training programs, reviewing and analyzing operating results and liquidity and recommending specific matters to the Board for its consideration and decision.
This Committee has authority to approve: remuneration, profit sharing and allowances for senior personnel below the Management Committee level, capital expenditure in accordance with the Company's capital expenditure policy, and the execution of surety bonds and guarantees other than arising in the ordinary course of business.This committee also has authority to appoint managing directors and/or general managers and other senior management of subsidiary companies, directors to boards of subsidiary and associated companies, standing and ad hoc committees as it chooses to delegate.
Current Members of the Management Committee:
- Mr. Anthony H. Ali (Chairman)
- Mrs. C. Natasha Small
- Mr. Nicholas V. Mouttet
- Mr. Paulo Teixeira
The Audit & Risk Committee assists the Board in ensuring an effective system of financial reporting, internal control, and risk management. In carrying out its functions, it provides a direct channel of liaison between the external and internal auditors with the Board and assists the Board in ensuring that the external audit is conducted in a thorough, objective, and cost effective manner. This Committee also reviews the internal and external audit annual work plans in accordance with the Internal Audit Charter to promote accountability and transparency in the Group's financial operations and to maintain effective financial controls. This Committee is mainly responsible for the review of audit reports submitted by the internal and external auditors and the prompt implementation of the recommendations and management action plans relative to those reports. It also reviews the performance and the value-for-money benefit of the external auditors, for both statutory audit and non-audit work and annually examines the independence of the external auditors. The Corporate Secretary acts as secretary to this Committee and minutes of all meetings are recorded.
This Committee comprises three members appointed by the Board, all of whom are independent non-executive directors. The internal auditor and members of GEL's senior management team may attend meetings at the invitation of the chairman of this Committee. This Committee meets at least four times per year.
Current Members of the Audit & Risk Committee:
- Mr. Daniel W. Farmer (Chair)
- Dr. Jose S. Lopez Alarcon
- Mr. Ryle L. Weekes
The Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in ensuring corporate fairness, transparency, and accountability in the pursuit of the Company's goals and objectives. In so doing, this Committee has responsibility for and makes recommendations to the Board in relation to the enhancement of the Group's system of corporate governance. This is done by establishing, monitoring, and reviewing the principles of good governance; creating appropriate procedures and codes of conduct for the Company and the adoption thereof by all subsidiaries; and promoting high standards of corporate governance based on principles of openness, integrity, and accountability. To that end, the Company's legal and regulatory requirements are taken into account, and the review of the Board's complement and mix and succession planning for top executive management positions within the Company. The Corporate Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee and minutes of all meetings are recorded.
This Committee consists of four members appointed by the Board, all of whom are non-executive directors. The chairman of this Committee is a non-executive member of the Board. The Committee meets at least four times per year.
Current Members of the Corporate Governance Committee:
- Mr. William P. Putnam (Chair)
- Ms. Marla R. K. Dukharan
The Compensation & Human Resources Committee assists the Board with the fixing and reviewing of executive compensation and benefits and the development and review of corporate human resource principles, policies, and strategies. This Committee's primary responsibilities include: recommending the compensation of the Management Committee members to the Board; evaluating the performance of the Managing Director and other Management Committee members; overseeing the Company's stock option and purchase plans, and other executive incentive plans; reviewing the competitive position of and recommending changes to the plans, systems, and practices of the Company relative to compensation and benefits; and reviewing the financial performance of the major benefit plans and recommending to the Board suggested changes to the incentive compensation and equity based plans.
This Committee consists of three members appointed by the Board, all of whom are non-executive directors. Meetings are convened as necessary by the chairman of this Committee, but at least one meeting should be held per year.
Current Members of the Compensation & Human Resources Committee:
- Ms. Laurie O. Condon (Chair)
- Dr. Jose S. Lopez Alarcon