Corporate Governance Report for Duni AB (publ) Duni AB is a Swedish limited public company which has been listed on NASDAQ in Stockholm since November 14, 2007. Governance of Duni takes place through General Meetings, the Board of Directors and the CEO, as well as Duni’s group management, in accordance with, among other things, the Swedish Companies Act, the Company’s Articles of Association and rules of procedure for the Board of Directors and the CEO. Representatives from Duni’s group management also serve as directors on the boards of subsidiaries. Duni has undertaken to NASDAQ Stockholm to apply the Swedish Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”), which is applied by all Swedish companies whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market in Sweden. Duni applies the Code in its entirety. ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION The current articles of association were adopted at the Annual General Meeting held on May 6, 2009. They provide, among other things, that the registered office shall be in Malmö, that members of the Board of Directors shall be elected each year for a term of office until the close of the next Annual General Meeting, and that each share shall carry one vote. The complete articles of association are available on Duni’s website, www.duni.com. General meeting At the General Meeting, the shareholders decide upon key issues. Among other things, the General Meeting adopts the income statements and balance sheets, resolves upon allocation of the Company’s earnings, discharge from liability for the directors and the CEO, election of the Board of Directors and auditors, as well as remuneration to the Board of Directors and auditors. Pursuant to the Swedish Companies Act, notice to attend Duni’s Annual General Meeting must be given not earlier than six weeks and not later than four weeks prior to the meeting. Notice shall be given through an announcement in Post and Inrikes Tidningar (The Official Gazette) and on Duni’s website. The fact that notice has been given shall be announced in Svenska Dagbladet and in Sydsvenska Dagbladet. In order to participate at the Annual General Meeting, a shareholder must notify the Company not later than the date stated in the notice. 2015 Annual General Meeting Duni’s 2015 Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 in Malmö. 183 shareholders, representing approximately 69.8% of the voting rights, were present at the General meeting in person or through proxies. The Chairman of the Board, Anders Bülow, was elected to chair the meeting. All directors and employee representatives were present. Members of group management and the auditor were also present. The minutes from the meeting are available on Duni’s website, www.Duni.com. All resolutions were adopted in accordance with the Nomination Committee’s proposals. Some of the resolutions adopted at the General Meeting were: a dividend of SEK 4.50 per share for the 2015 financial year; that the Board shall comprise five directors without alternates; the re-election of all directors; the re-election of Anders Bülow as Chairman of the Board; the re-election of PwC as auditors; that Board fees be increased such that the Chairman of the Board shall receive SEK 535,000 (previously SEK 500,000) and other directors shall each receive SEK 285,000 (previously SEK 265,000); that remuneration be paid to the chairman of the Audit Committee in the amount of SEK 115,000 (previously SEK 107,000) and to the chairman of the Remuneration Committee in the amount of SEK 60,000 (previously SEK 55,000); that remuneration be paid to other members of the Audit Committee in the amount of SEK 54,000 (previously SEK 50,000) and to other members of the Remuneration Committee in the amount of SEK 27,500 each (previously SEK 25,000); adoption of the Board’s proposals for guidelines for remuneration to senior executives ; procedures regarding the composition and work of the Nomination Committee; that the Board be authorised, on one or more occasions until the next annual general meeting, to decide upon an increase in the Company’s share capital not exceeding SEK 5,800,000 through the issuance of not more than 4,640,000 new shares. 2016 Annual General Meeting The next Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of Duni will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at Skånes Dansteater, Östra Varvsgatan 13A in Malmö. More information about the Annual General Meeting, notice of participation, etc. is available on Duni’s website. Nomination Committee The Nomination Committee nominates the individuals to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting for election to Duni’s Board. Proposals are also produced regarding auditor fees, board fees for the Chairman of the Board and other directors, as well as compensation for committee work. All proposals are presented at the Annual General Meeting as well as in the notice to attend and on the website prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Nomination Committee shall be comprised of representatives of Duni’s three largest shareholders as per September 30. Board Chairman Anders Bülow convened the Nomination Committee in October 2015 and the composition was presented on October 28, 2015. The Nomination Committee held its first meeting on November 30, 2015. Approximately one week later, the list of shareholders as of November 30 became available. The list showed that changes had taken place in the holdings of the largest shareholders. Swedbank Robur fonder had increased its holding during the period and thereby exceeded Carnegie Fonder, which on the date in question was the fourth largest shareholder. Swedbank Robur fonder was contacted in order to explain the situation. Swedbank chose to waive its seat and the Nomination Committee was able to continue as originally composed. When the Nomination Committee held its meetings and arrived at proposals, Swedbank Robur fonder was contacted once again in order to be acquainted with the proposals. They announced that they supported the Nomination Committee’s proposals and thus the Nomination Committee pending the 2016 Annual General Meeting has comprised the four largest shareholders. During the period pending the 2016 Annual General Meeting, the Nomination Committee held two meetings at which minutes were taken. The work of the Nomination Committee begins by reviewing the independent evaluation of the current Board, which is carried out each year. Anders Bülow notified the Nomination Committee that he was declining re-election. The Nomination Committee considers that the Board functions well, that a composition comprising only five members provides for an effective Board of Directors, and that all directors are duly engaged and committed, including employee representatives. The Nomination Committee also notes that the Board is comprised of a sound and relevant mix of skills and experience. The Nomination Committee held discussions regarding proposed new directors and a Chairman of the Board. Ultimately, the Nomination Committee agreed that Mellby Gård Investerings AB, which is Duni’s larger shareholder, shall continue to have a representative on the Board. Johan Andersson, CEO of Mellby Gård AB, is proposed as a new director and Magnus Yngen is proposed by the Nomination Committee to serve as the Chairman of the Board. The Nomination Committee proposes that, with exception of Anders Bülow, the other directors be re-elected at the 2016 Annual General Meeting. Other recommendations for election will be presented in the notice to attend the Annual General Meeting. The Nomination Committee comprises the following members: Name Represents Ownership stake, Dec. 31, 2015 Anders Bülow Chairman of the Board Rune Andersson (Chairman) Mellby Gård Investerings AB 29.99% Hans Hedström Carnegie fonder 6.83% Bernard R. Horn Jr Polaris Capital Management, LLC 8.61% Total 48.01% The Board of Directors Duni’s Board decides on the Company’s business focus, strategy, business plans, resources and capital structure, organization, acquisitions, major investments, divestments, the annual report and interim reports, and other overarching issues of a strategic nature. The Board also appoints the CEO, who is responsible for the day-to-day management in accordance with the Board’s instructions. The directors The directors are elected each year by the Annual General Meeting for a term of office until the close of the next annual general meeting. Pursuant to the Articles of Association, the Board shall comprise no fewer than three and no more than twelve directors, as well as two employee representatives. Since the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2015, the Board comprises five directors and two employee representatives. Duni’s CEO is not a member of the Board but usually participates at board meetings to present matters, as does the CFO. The Board comprises the following members The Board’s work At the first ordinary board meeting which is held after the Annual General Meeting, Duni’s Board adopts written instructions which describe the Board’s rules of procedure. The adopted rules of procedure state how the work is to be allocated between the Board’s members, and how often the Board shall meet. In addition, the rules of procedure regulate the Board’s obligations, quorum, instructions to the CEO, the allocation of responsibility between the Board and the CEO, etc. The Board has also established two committees from among its members: the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee. The Board meets in accordance with a predetermined yearly plan, and additional meetings are arranged as needed. During 2015, the Board held eleven meetings at which minutes were taken. The following items, among others, were on the agenda in 2015: Annual accounts, including reports from the auditors, proposed allocation of earnings and Year-End report; Annual report and preparations pending the Annual General Meeting; Follow-up of the audit performed with the auditor-in-charge; Interim reports; Rules of procedure for the Board and the CEO; Annual review of the policy manual; Review of business plans; Growth issues and acquisition issues; Regular evaluation and analyses regarding the performance of each business area in terms of growth and profitability; Restructuring program including closure of the hygiene products business and structural issues concerning the operations in Dalsland; Strategic issues and risks; Goods supply and logistics issues; Regular forecasts for 2015; Ongoing investments, including capacity investment in Skåpafors; The economic climate and economic conditions. In addition to the board meetings, the Chairman of the Board and the CEO hold regular discussions concerning the management of the Company. The CEO, Thomas Gustafsson, is responsible for implementation of the business plan as well as the regular management of the Company’s affairs, and also the day-to-day operations in the Company. The Board receives monthly written information in the form of a monthly report containing monitoring of the Company’s sales, operating income and working capital trend, as well as comments on how the various business areas and markets are developing. Prior to each board meeting, the Board also reviews the most recent balance sheet and the cash flow. The main owners, the directors and the CEO also conduct each year a detailed evaluation of the Board of Directors based on the adopted rules of procedure. The evaluation covers, among other things, the composition of the Board, individual directors, as well as the Board’s work and routines. The “Code” contains rules regarding the independence of the directors and imposes the requirement that a majority of the directors must be independent of the Company and company management. At least two of the directors who are independent of the Company and company management must also be independent in relation to all shareholders who control ten percent or more of the share capital or voting capital of Duni AB. Not more than one member of company management may be a member of the Board. Attendance at board meetings in 2015: Function Independent 1) Board meetings Audit Committee Remuneration Committee Anders Bülow Chairman 2) 11 of 11 4 of 4 3 of 3 Pauline Lindwall Director x 10 of 11 – 3 of 3 Alex Myers Director x 10 of 11 4 of 4 – Pia Rudengren Director x 11 of 11 4 of 4 – Magnus Yngen Director x 11 of 11 – 3 of 3 Per-Åke Halvordsson Employee representative 3) 11 of 11 – – Henry Olsen Employee representative 3) 11 of 11 – – Åsa Lundqvist Employee representative 3) 9 of 11 – – Inge Larsson Employee representative 3) 11 of 11 – – 1) As defined in the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. 2) Not independent (in relation to Duni’s larger shareholder). 3) Not independent (in relation to Duni). Remuneration Committee The Remuneration Committee prepares issues concerning remuneration and other benefits for corporate management, while decisions thereon are taken by Duni’s Board of Directors. Compensation and benefits for corporate management are evaluated through comparisons with market data provided by external sources. Such data demonstrates that Duni has competitive compensation levels and that the total compensation package is reasonable and not excessively high. Once a year, the Remuneration Committee evaluates the performance of senior executives and also certain second-tier managers in accordance with a systematic procedure. The Remuneration Committee held three meetings in 2015 and comprises three members: Magnus Yngen (Chairman), Anders Bülow and Pauline Lindwall. Duni’s CEO, Thomas Gustafsson, participates at the meetings, as does the HR Director, who serves as a secretary at meetings of the Remuneration Committee. Audit Committee Duni’s Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring the quality of the Company’s financial and business reporting. The Committee also evaluates Duni’s internal control processes and management of financial and operating risks. The Committee meets regularly with the Company’s auditors in order to obtain information regarding the focus and scope of the external audit and to evaluate the work of the external auditors. The evaluation also covers the scope of any non-audit-related work performed by the auditors on behalf of Duni. When preparing a proposal regarding the election of auditors and compensation for audit work, the Nomination Committee is assisted by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held four meetings in 2015 and comprises three members: Pia Rudengren (Chairman), Anders Bülow and Alex Myers. The CFO and the Group Accounting Manager, as well as the auditors, participate at all meetings. Remuneration to the board of directors Fees and other remuneration to the Board, including the Chairman of the Board, are decided upon by the Annual General Meeting. In accordance with a resolution adopted by the Annual General Meeting on May 5, 2015, the annual fee was set at a total of SEK 1,675,000, of which SEK 535,000 is payable to the Chairman of the Board. In addition, a resolution was adopted regarding fees for committee work totaling SEK 338,000 The allocation of the remuneration among the members of the Board is shown in the table below. Board remuneration for the period May 2015 – April 2016 SEK Board meetings Audit Committee Remuneration Committee Total Anders Bülow 535 000 54 000 27 500 616 500 Pauline Lindwall 285 000 – 27 500 312 500 Alex Myers 285 000 54 000 – 339 000 Pia Rudengren 285 000 115 000 – 400 000 Magnus Yngen 285 000 – 60 000 345 000 Totalt 1 675 000 223 000 115 000 2 013 000 CEO Duni’s CEO is Thomas Gustafsson (1965), Diploma in Business Administration. The Board has adopted instructions regarding the work and role of the CEO. The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Company’s operations in accordance with guidelines issued by the Board of Directors. On December 31, 2015 Thomas Gustafsson held 26,400 shares in Duni AB. No party closely related to the CEO has any significant shareholding in Duni AB. Thomas Gustafsson has no ownership interests in companies with which Duni has significant commercial relations. Further information regarding the CEO is provided in Note 13 in the Annual Report. Group management Thomas Gustafsson presides over the work of group management and adopts decisions, in consultation with other members of group management, consisting of the heads of business areas and heads of staff functions. The composition of group management changed during the year and, at the end of December 2015, comprised 9 persons including the CEO. During most of 2015, group management comprised 10 members. On March 1, 2015, Fredrik Malmgren replaced Ulfert Rott in the Production & Supply Chain position. Later in the year, this role was renamed as Operations. On October 23, 2015, Duni’s group management increased with a new role. Thomas Lööb joined group management as Director Corporate Development. At the same time, it was announced that as from January 1, 2016 the position of Commercial Development would no longer be included in Duni’s group management and that Leen Amersfort, who had held this position, was leaving group management and would, on the same date, take up a new position within the Table Top business area. On December 1, Maria Wahlgren left Duni and her position as head of the Table Top business area. She is replaced by Robert Dackeskog, former head of the Consumer business area. At the same time, Tina Andersson assumed the position as Business Area Director Consumer & Corporate Marketing and, as from December 1, her former position of Corporate Marketing & Communications is no longer included in Duni’s group management. The structure of group management meetings was changed during 2015. During the year, management held four two-day meetings. The year’s meetings have been characterized by regular monitoring of the rolling business plan, evaluation and changes to the business areas’ organization, strategy and plans of action. During the year, particular focus was placed on further strengthening the service level to customers as well as discussions and analyses concerning measures taken to strengthen the brand. Group management also addresses matters concerning the Group as a whole, as well as individual business areas. In addition, group management holds a half-day meeting each month together with Duni’s Group Controller in order to jointly review the month’s sales and results for each business area, production, logistics and central functions. Group management 2015 Remuneration to senior executives Remuneration to the CEO and other members of group management is in accordance with guidelines regarding remuneration to senior executives adopted by the Annual General Meeting on May 5, 2015 and which apply until the next Annual General Meeting. The guidelines proposed to the 2016 Annual General Meeting are in all essential respects equivalent to the guidelines which applied in 2015. Remuneration shall be on market terms and comprise fixed and variable salary, other benefits as well as pension. The variable salary may never exceed the fixed salary. 2015, SEK m Basic salary Variable remuneration Other benefits Pension cost Severance package Total CEO – Thomas Gustafsson 3.8 1.5 0.0 1.9 – 7.2 Other senior executives 13.8 4.6 0.6 4.0 2.6 25.6 17.6 6.1 0.6 5.9 2.6 32.8 The table above shows the total gross remuneration paid to group management, including basic salaries, variable remuneration, pension payments and other benefits. Thomas Gustafsson receives an annual gross salary of SEK 3,782,000 and has a possibility to achieve a bonus not exceeding 55% of his annual basic salary, based on predetermined targets for the Group. In addition, he is entitled to certain other employment benefits such as a company car. Both Duni and Gustafsson may terminate the agreement upon six months’ written notice. In addition, except in the event of termination by the Company due to negligence, Gustafsson is entitled to an amount equal to twelve times his monthly salary. Thomas Gustafsson participates in a contribution-based pension scheme to which Duni makes an annual contribution equal to 35% of his annual gross salary and a three-year average of bonus payments, until termination of the agreement. Thomas Gustafsson’s retirement age is 65. Duni has not granted any loans, extended or issued any guarantees or provided any security to the benefit of Duni’s directors, senior executives or auditors. None of the directors, senior executives or auditors has entered into transactions with Duni, whether directly or indirectly through any affiliated company. Audit At the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2015, PricewaterhouseCoopers AB was elected auditor, with Eva Carlsvi as auditor-in-charge. The auditors review the annual accounts and the Annual Report as well as the Company’s ongoing operations and routines in order to express an opinion regarding the accounts and management by the Board of Directors and the CEO. The audit of the annual accounts and Annual Report is conducted in January-February. Thereafter, compliance with the Annual General Meeting’s guidelines regarding remuneration for senior executives is audited. The auditors participate at all meetings of the Audit Committee during the year. In October, an interim audit is carried out in combination with a general review of Duni’s report for the third quarter. Other than Duni, Eva Carlsvi has no engagements in companies over which Duni’s major owners, directors or the CEO have a significant influence. Eva Carlsvi is an authorized public accountant and member of FAR SRS. Apart from the audit engagement, fees to PwC for other engagements during 2015 totalled SEK 3.0 m (2014: SEK 6.0 m). Compensation to accounting firm SEK m Group Parent company 2015 2014 2015 2014 Compensation for audit engagement 4.4 4.4 1.8 1.9 Compensation for accounting work other than audit engagement 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 Compensation for tax consultation 1.6 2.6 0.1 0.4 Compensation for other consultations 0.9 3.0 0.8 2.7 Total compensation, accounting firm 7.4 10.4 3.2 5.4