BP 2012 Annual Report Download - page 152

Corporate governance
BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2012
150
Memorandum and Articles of Association
The following summarizes certain provisions of the company’s
Memorandum and Articles of Association and applicable English law. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the UK Companies Act
2006 (Act) and the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
For information on where investors can obtain copies of the
Memorandum and Articles of Association see Documents on display on
page 159.
At the AGM held on 17 April 2008 shareholders voted to adopt new
Articles of Association, largely to take account of changes in UK company
law brought about by the Act. Further amendments to the Articles of
Association were approved by shareholders at the AGM held on 15 April
2010. There have been no further amendments to the Articles of
Association.
Objects and purposes
BP is incorporated under the name BP p.l.c. and is registered in England
and Wales with the registered number 102498. The provisions regulating
the operations of the company, known as its ‘objects’, were historically
stated in a company’s memorandum. The Act abolished the need to have
object provisions and so at the AGM held on 15 April 2010 shareholders
approved the removal of its objects clause together with all other
provisions of its Memorandum that, by virtue of the Act, are treated as
forming part of the company’s Articles of Association.
Directors
The business and affairs of BP shall be managed by the directors. The
company’s Articles of Association provide that directors may be appointed
by the existing directors or by the shareholders in a general meeting. Any
person appointed by the directors will hold office only until the next
general meeting and will then be eligible for re-election by the
shareholders. There is no requirement for a director to retire on reaching
any age.
The Articles of Association place a general prohibition on a director voting
in respect of any contract or arrangement in which the director has a
material interest other than by virtue of such director’s interest in shares in
the company. However, in the absence of some other material interest not
indicated below, a director is entitled to vote and to be counted in a
quorum for the purpose of any vote relating to a resolution concerning the
following matters:
t The giving of security or indemnity with respect to any money lent or
obligation taken by the director at the request or benefit of the company
or any of its subsidiaries.
t Any proposal in which the director is interested, concerning the
underwriting of company securities or debentures or the giving of any
security to a third party for a debt or obligation of the company or any of
its subsidiaries.
t Any proposal concerning any other company in which the director is
interested, directly or indirectly (whether as an officer or shareholder or
otherwise) provided that the director and persons connected with such
director are not the holder or holders of 1% or more of the voting
interest in the shares of such company.
t Any proposal concerning the purchase or maintenance of any insurance
policy under which the director may benefit.
The Act requires a director of a company who is in any way interested in a
contract or proposed contract with the company to declare the nature of
the director’s interest at a meeting of the directors of the company. The
definition of ‘interest’ includes the interests of spouses, children,
companies and trusts. The Act also requires that a director must avoid a
situation where a director has, or could have, a direct or indirect interest
that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the company’s interests. The
Act allows directors of public companies to authorize such conflicts where
appropriate, if a company’s Articles of Association so permit. BP’s Articles
of Association permit the authorization of such conflicts. The directors
may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money, except that
the amount remaining undischarged of all moneys borrowed by the
company shall not, without approval of the shareholders, exceed the
amount paid up on the share capital plus the aggregate of the amount of
the capital and revenue reserves of the company. Variation of the
borrowing power of the board may only be affected by amending the
Articles of Association.
Remuneration of non-executive directors shall be determined in the
aggregate by resolution of the shareholders. Remuneration of executive
directors is determined by the remuneration committee. This committee
is made up of non-executive directors only. There is no requirement of
share ownership for a director’s qualification.
Dividend rights; other rights to share in company
profits; capital calls
If recommended by the directors of BP, BP shareholders may, by
resolution, declare dividends but no such dividend may be declared in
excess of the amount recommended by the directors. The directors may
also pay interim dividends without obtaining shareholder approval. No
dividend may be paid other than out of profits available for distribution, as
determined under IFRS and the Act. Dividends on ordinary shares are
payable only after payment of dividends on BP preference shares. Any
dividend unclaimed after a period of 12 years from the date of declaration
of such dividend shall be forfeited and reverts to BP.
The directors have the power to declare and pay dividends in any currency
provided that a sterling equivalent is announced. It is not the company’s
intention to change its current policy of paying dividends in US dollars.
At the company’s AGM held on 15 April 2010, shareholders approved the
introduction of a Scrip Dividend Programme (Programme) and to include
provisions in the Articles of Association to enable the company to operate
the Programme. The Programme enables ordinary shareholders and
BP ADS holders to elect to receive new fully paid ordinary shares (or
BP ADSs in the case of BP ADS holders) instead of cash. The operation of
the Programme is always subject to the directors’ decision to make the
scrip offer available in respect of any particular dividend. Should the
directors decide not to offer the scrip in respect of any particular dividend,
cash will automatically be paid instead.
Apart from shareholders’ rights to share in BP’s profits by dividend (if any
is declared or announced), the Articles of Association provide that the
directors may set aside:
t A special reserve fund out of the balance of profits each year to make
up any deficit of cumulative dividend on the BP preference shares.
t A general reserve out of the balance of profits each year, which shall be
applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the company may
properly be applied. This may include capitalization of such sum,
pursuant to an ordinary shareholders’ resolution, and distribution to
shareholders as if it were distributed by way of a dividend on the
ordinary shares or in paying up in full unissued ordinary shares for
allotment and distribution as bonus shares.
Any such sums so deposited may be distributed in accordance with the
manner of distribution of dividends as described above.
Holders of shares are not subject to calls on capital by the company,
provided that the amounts required to be paid on issue have been paid off.
All shares are fully paid.
Voting rights
The Articles of Association of the company provide that voting on
resolutions at a shareholders’ meeting will be decided on a poll other than
resolutions of a procedural nature, which may be decided on a show of
hands. If voting is on a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or
by proxy has one vote for every ordinary share held and two votes for
every £5 in nominal amount of BP preference shares held. If voting is on a
show of hands, each shareholder who is present at the meeting in person
or whose duly appointed proxy is present in person will have one vote,
regardless of the number of shares held, unless a poll is requested.
Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights.
Holders of record of ordinary shares may appoint a proxy, including a
beneficial owner of those shares, to attend, speak and vote on their behalf
at any shareholders’ meeting.
Record holders of BP ADSs are also entitled to attend, speak and vote at
any shareholders’ meeting of BP by the appointment by the approved
depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., of them as proxies in respect of
the ordinary shares represented by their ADSs. Each such proxy may also