Update on shareholder consultation
Balfour Beatty plc (the "Company"), in compliance with Provision 4 of the UK Corporate Governance Code, today provides an update in response to the voting outcome on Resolution 4 (the re-election of Philip Aiken) at the Company's AGM held on 13 May 2021.
Following consultation with shareholders, the Board acknowledges and understands that the concerns regarding the re-election of Philip Aiken, the former Group Chair and Chair of the Nomination Committee, related to the Board not having met the 33% target for representation of women on boards as set out in the Hampton-Alexander Review.
Diversity and inclusion are central to the Nomination Committee's decision-making and oversight in relation to new Board appointments. The Board recognises that greater diversity of gender, ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds not only ensure a more proportionate representation of wider society but also places the Group in a stronger position to deliver long term value for its stakeholders.
Furthermore, the Board is committed to ensuring that its composition is diverse with a Board sponsored Diversity and Inclusion Policy to support this.
As part of its ongoing succession planning process, the Nomination Committee is currently overseeing an externally supported search for a new Non-Executive Director with diversity and inclusion considerations key to that search process. An update will be provided when appropriate.
Analyst/investor enquiries:
Angus Barry
Tel.
+44 (0)7966 281635
angus.barry@balfourbeatty.com
Media enquiries:
Antonia Walton
Tel. +44 (0) 203 810 2345
antonia.walton@balfourbeatty.com
Notes to editors:
· Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group with 26,000 employees driving the delivery of powerful new solutions, shaping thinking, creating skylines and inspiring a new generation of talent to be the change-makers of tomorrow.
· We finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.
· Over the last 112 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world including: the £1.5 billion A14 improvement scheme - Britain's biggest road project; Hong Kong's HK$5.5 billion world-class harbour theatre project for the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; and the 12.5 mile $429 million North Metro Commuter Rail line in Colorado, US.