Activities
The Board of the Wolters Kluwer Preference Shares Foundation met twice in 2010. The matters discussed included the full-year 2009 results, the half-year 2010 results, the execution of the strategy, the financing of the company, acquisitions and divestments, developments in the market, and the general course of events at Wolters Kluwer. A representative of the Executive Board of the company and corporate staff attended the meetings in order to give the Board of the Foundation information about the developments within Wolters Kluwer. The Board of the Foundation also followed developments of the company outside of Board meetings, among others through receipt by the Board members of all press releases. As a result, the Board of the Foundation has a good view on the course of events at Wolters Kluwer. The Board of the Foundation also closely monitored the developments with respect to corporate governance and relevant Dutch legislation, and discussed that topic during the meetings. Furthermore, the composition of the Board of the Foundation was discussed. All members of the Board of the Foundation are independent of the company. The Foundation acquired no preference shares during the year under review.
Exercise of the preference shares option
Wolters Kluwer and the Foundation have concluded an agreement based on which preference shares can be taken by the Foundation. This option on preference shares is at present a measure that could be considered as a potential protection at Wolters Kluwer against exercising influence by a third party on the policy of the company without the consent of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, including events that could threaten the continuity, independence, identity, or coherence between the activities of the company. The Foundation is entitled to exercise the option on preference shares in such a way that the number of preference shares taken will be no more than 100% of the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares at the time of exercise. Among others by the exercise of the option on the preference shares by the Foundation, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board will have the possibility to determine their position with respect to, for example, a party making a bid on the shares of Wolters Kluwer and its plans, or with respect to a third party that otherwise wishes to exercise decisive influence, and enables the Boards to examine and implement alternatives.
Composition of the Board of the Wolters Kluwer Preference Shares Foundation
Mr. Lindenbergh retired by rotation in 2010 and was reappointed. The Foundation is a legal entity that is independent from the Company as stipulated in clause 5:71 (1) sub c of the Act on financial supervision (Wet op het financieel toezicht).
Alphen aan den Rijn, February 22, 2011
Board of Wolters Kluwer Preference Shares Foundation
R.P. Voogd, Chairman
R.W.J.M. Bonnier
P. Bouw
H.G. Bouwman
J.H.M. Lindenbergh