COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors has referred certain responsibilities to two Board Committees, the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee. These Committees operate within defined terms. To read these terms click on the name of the relevant committee below.
Audit Committee:
Nigel Moore (Chairman) and Cameron Davies
Financial Reporting
The Audit Committee shall monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the company, including its annual and interim reports, preliminary results' announcements and any other formal announcement relating to its financial performance, reviewing significant financial reporting issues and judgments which they contain. The Audit Committee shall also review summary financial statements, significant financial returns to regulators and any financial information contained in certain other documents, such as announcements of a price sensitive nature.
The Audit Committee shall review and challenge where necessary:
- the consistency of, and any changes to, accounting policies both on a year on year basis and across the company/group;
- the methods used to account for significant or unusual transactions where different approaches are possible;
- whether the company has followed appropriate accounting standards and made appropriate estimates and judgments, taking into account the views of the external auditor;
- the clarity of disclosure in the company's financial reports and the context in which statements are made; and
- all material information presented with the financial statements, such as the operating and financial reports and the corporate governance statement (insofar as it relates to the audit and risk management);
- The Audit Committee shall review the annual financial statements of the pension funds where not reviewed by the Board as a whole.
Internal Controls and Risk Management Systems
The Audit Committee shall:
- keep under review the effectiveness of the company's internal controls and risk management systems; and
- review and approve the statements to be included in the annual report concerning internal controls and risk management.
Whistleblowing
The Audit Committee shall review the company's arrangements for its employees to raise concerns, in confidence, with the Company Secretary or the Audit Committee about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. The Audit Committee shall ensure that these arrangements allow proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and appropriate follow up action.
Internal Audit
Although the company does not have an internal audit function, the Audit Committee will consider on an annual basis whether or not there should be one and if so make recommendations to the Board accordingly.
External AuditThe Audit Committee shall:
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The Audit Committee shall also review the effectiveness of the audit, review any representation letter(s) requested by the external auditor before they are signed by management; review the management letter and management's response to the auditor's findings and recommendations; and develop and implement a policy on the supply of non-audit services by the external auditor, taking into account any relevant ethical guidance on the matter.
Reporting Responsibilities
- The Audit Committee Chairman shall report formally to the Board on its proceedings after each meeting on all matters within its duties and responsibilities.
- The Audit Committee shall make whatever recommendations to the Board it deems appropriate on any area within its remit where action or improvement is needed.
- The Audit Committee shall compile a report to shareholders on its activities to be included in the company's annual report.
Other Matters
The Audit Committee shall:
- have access to sufficient resources in order to carry out its duties, including access to the company secretariat for assistance as required;
- be provided with appropriate and timely training, both in the form of an induction programme for new members and on an ongoing basis for all members;
- give due consideration to laws and regulations, the provisions of the Combined Code and the requirements of the UK Listing Authority's Listing Rules as appropriate;
- be responsible for co-ordination of the internal and external auditors;
- oversee any investigation of activities which are within its terms of reference and act as a court of the last resort; and
- at least once a year, review its own performance, constitution and terms of reference to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes it considersnecessary to the Board for approval.
Remuneration Committee
Cameron Davies (Chairman) and Nigel Moore
The Remuneration Committee shall:
- determine and agree with the Board the framework or broad policy for the remuneration of the company's Chairman, the executive directors, and the company secretary. The remuneration of non-executive directors shall be a matter for the Chairman and the executive members of the Board. No director or manager shall be involved in any decisions as to their own remuneration;
- in determining such policy, take into account all factors which it deems necessary.
- The objective of such policy shall be to ensure that members of the executive management of the company are provided with appropriate incentives to encourage enhanced performance and are, in a fair and responsible manner, rewarded for their individual contributions to the success of the company;
- review the ongoing appropriateness and relevance of the remuneration policy;
- approve the design of, and determine targets for, any performance related pay schemes operated by the company and approve the total annual payments made under such schemes;
- review the design of all share incentive plans for approval by the Board and shareholders. For any such plans, determine each year whether awards will be made, and if so, the overall amount of such awards, the individual awards to executive directors and other senior executives and the performance targets to be used;
- determine the policy for, and scope of, pension arrangements for each executive director and other senior executives;
- ensure that contractual terms on termination, and any payments made, are fair to the individual, and the company, that failure is not rewarded and that the duty to mitigate loss is fully recognised;
- within the terms of the agreed policy determine the total individual remuneration package of each executive director including bonuses, incentive payments and share options or other share awards;
- in determining such packages and arrangements, give due regard to any relevant legal requirements, the provisions and recommendations in the Combined Code and the UK Listing Authority's Listing Rules and associated guidance;
- review and note annually the remuneration trends across the company or group;
- oversee any major changes in employee benefits structures throughout the company or group;
- agree the policy for authorising claims for expenses from the Chief Executive and Chairman;
- ensure that all provisions regarding disclosure of remuneration including pensions, as set out in the Directors' Remuneration Report Regulations 2002 and the Combined Code are fulfilled; and
- be exclusively responsible for establishing the selection criteria, selecting, appointing and setting the terms of reference for any remuneration consultants who advise the committee: and to obtain reliable, up-to-date information about remuneration in other companies. The Committee shall have full authority to commission any reports or surveys which it deems necessary to help it fulfil its obligations.
Form 8.3 - ASCENT RESOURCES PLC
(d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of... more
Form 8.3 - Ascent Resources PLC
(d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of... more
Rule 2.10 Announcement
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, the Company confirms that it has 1,150,987,602 ordinary... more



