Objective
The Group’s conflict of interest policy is not designed to eliminate or exclude relationships and activities that might create a duality of interest, but rather to encourage transparency and careful deliberation in those cases where conflicts or perceived conflicts may arise.
Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest may exist when the interests or concerns or potential interests or concerns of any director, officer, fellow, or staff member, or any individual, group or organisation to which one of these people has allegiance, may be seen as competing with the interests or concerns of the Group, or may impair these people’s independence or loyalty to the Group.
For example, a conflict of interest may exist if a director, officer, fellow, or staff member:
- has a business or financial interest in any third party dealing with the Group;
- holds office, serves on a Board, participates in management, or is employed by any third party dealing with the Group;
- derives remuneration or other financial gain from a transaction involving the Group (other than salary or salary and benefits expressly authorised by the Group); and
- engages in any outside employment or other activity that will materially encroach on such person’s obligations to the Group; compete with the Group’s activities; involve any use of the Group’s equipment, supplies, or facilities; or imply the Group’s sponsorship or support of the outside employment or activity.
Disclosure
When any conflict of interest is relevant to a matter under consideration or requiring action by the Board of Directors, or committee thereof, the interested person shall call it to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and shall not be present during Board or committee discussion or decision on the matter. However, that person shall provide the Board or applicable committee with any and all relevant information on the particular matter.
The minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof shall reflect that the conflict of interest was disclosed, that the interested person was not present during discussion or decision on the matter, and did not vote.
Review and Application of Policy
Each director will be asked to complete a Conflict of Interest Policy Disclosure Statement upon his or her election or re-election to the Board and annually thereafter. Each officer and senior staff member will be asked to complete such a Statement upon his or her employment and on an annual basis thereafter.
This policy will be disseminated and published to all directors, officers, fellow, employees, contractors, suppliers and business partners who is presently serving the Group, or who may hereafter become associate with it, together with all updates and clarifications.