3.5.8Other regulatory matters
Conflicts of Interest
The members of the Management Board have a services contract with SBM Offshore N.V. In these contracts it is stipulated that members of the Management Board may not compete with the Company. In the service agreement, between the Company and each of the members of the Management Board a change of control clause is included.
The Management Board Rules and the Code of Conduct of the Company regulate conflict of interest matters. The Supervisory Board Rules also contain regulation based on the Dutch Corporate Governance Code that deals with reporting of conflict of interest of the Chairman and members of the Supervisory Board. Decisions to enter into transactions in which there are conflicts of interest with Management Board members that are of material significance to the Company and/or to the relevant Management Board members require the approval of the Supervisory Board. In 2016, there were no such transactions.
The Company’s Code of Conduct does not permit employees and directors to accept gifts of value for themselves or their relatives, to provide advantages to third parties to the detriment of the Company or to take advantage of business opportunities to which SBM Offshore is entitled.
With reference to the Remuneration Committee, no loans or guarantees have been provided to members of the Management Board. No other conflicts of Interest in relation to the members of the Management Board or the Supervisory Board were reported during the year 2016.
Regulations concerning Ownership of and Transactions in Shares
In addition to the Company’s Insider Trading Rules, the Supervisory Board and Management Board rules contain a provision with regard to the ownership of and transactions in shares in the Company and in shares of Dutch listed companies other than SBM Offshore N.V. This provision stipulates that Supervisory Board and Management Board members will not trade in Company shares or other shares issued by entities other than the Company on the basis of share price sensitive information if this information has been obtained in the course of managing the Company’s business.
For information about the shares (or other financial instruments) held in SBM Offshore N.V. by members of the Management Board, reference is made to note 5.3.23 to the consolidated financial statements.
Mandates with Third Parties
Reference is made to the overview of the Management Board and Supervisory Board members in section 3.1 and 3.2 of this report in which their material mandates outside SBM Offshore are listed. The Company is fully compliant with Best Practice II.1.8 of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code and section 2 of the Dutch Civil Code regarding mandates at other listed and large Dutch Companies. Members of the Management Board may also be appointed to the statutory board of the Company’s operational entities.
Code of Conduct and Reporting of Alleged Irregularities
The Company has a Code of Conduct, which was updated in March 2012 and is posted on the Company’s website. The Company also has a procedure allowing employees to report alleged irregularities with respect to the Code without jeopardizing their employment position. A free phone and web-based reporting facility (the SBM Offshore Integrity Line) is in place, which employees can use – anonymously if they wish – in their own language. The facility is operated by an external provider, People Intouch.
The Company has several ethics and anti-corruption initiatives, including:
- Code of Conduct containing a section on the use of agents and commercial relations with Public Officials
- Anti-Corruption Policy and Compliance Guide
- Due diligence and third-party vetting procedures
- Rules of conduct to report suspected irregularities, including a hotline called the ‘SBM Offshore Integrity Line’
- Internal Audit Anti-corruption modules for third-party audits and SBM Offshore companies
- Internal training sessions and e-learning courses
- Use of standard contracts and inclusion of anti-corruption and conflict of interest clauses in contracts
- Strengthening of internal controls, notably ICOFR / IFRS system and new finance and accounting policies
Diversity
The Supervisory Board rules state that the composition of the Supervisory Board shall be such that the combined experience, expertise and independence of its members enable the Supervisory Board to best carry out the full range of its responsibilities. For SBM Offshore, the topic of diversity is of great importance, especially to have a workforce that reflects the international markets in which the Company is active. For that reason, the diversity policy of SBM Offshore is broader than gender diversity. Currently, the Supervisory Board consists of five male and three female members and covers four different nationalities. The Management Board has one French, one Swiss/French, one Dutch and one British member (all male). In succession planning, (gender) diversity is always considered. Ultimately the most qualified candidates will be nominated for appointment. In its Risk Appetite, the Company has established the need for nationality diversity in its workforce and its senior leadership population specifically. The HR systems support the realization of this ambition.
Executive Committee
Since end of 2012, an Executive Committee (Excom) is in place currently comprising of the Management Board members, the Managing Directors of the Company’s Regional Centers, the Managing Director for the Business Unit FPSO, the Managing Director of Operations and the Lead Executive Project Director. The Excom meets each quarter. In the meetings both strategic and operational topics are discussed. The Excom facilitates decision-making without detracting from the exercise of statutory responsibilities by the members of the Management Board and the internal Company authority matrix.
Miscellaneous
SBM Offshore N.V. has a revolving credit facility under which the agreement of the participating banks must be obtained in the event of a change in control of the Company after a public take-over bid has been made. Under exceptional circumstances, certain vessel charter contracts contain clauses to the effect that the prior consent of the client is required in case of a change of control or merger or where the company resulting from such change of control or merger would have a lower financial rating or where such change of control or merger would affect the proper execution of the contract. In addition, local bidding rules and regulations (e.g. in Brazil for Petrobras) may require client approval for changes in control.
Further information
The Investor Relations and the Corporate Governance sections of the Company website (www.sbmoffshore.com) provide extensive information including the Articles of association, the Company Code of Conduct, the Supervisory Board and Committee rules and the Management Board rules. The website also contains the contact details of the Investor Relations department and of the Company Secretary for questions regarding corporate governance matters.