Fiscal 2021 Universal Registration Document

6. Corporate governance

PAYMENT CONDITION

In accordance with French law, payment of the annual variable compensation is subject to shareholder approval during the Annual Shareholders Meeting.

APPOINTMENT TO OR TERMINATION OF OFFICE

If a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed or the existing Chief Executive Officer's term of office is terminated during the course of a fiscal year, the same principles as described above will apply, on a pro rata basis by reference to the period during which the Chief Executive Officer concerned actually holds office.

If a Chief Executive Officer is appointed during the second half of the fiscal year, the performance appraisal will be carried out on a discretionary basis by the Board of Directors, taking into account the recommendations of the Compensation Committee.

Long-term compensation
OBJECTIVE

The Board of Directors considers that the long-term variable compensation plan which also applies to other key positions within the Company is particularly suited to the position of Chief Executive Officer in view of the direct contribution that he/she is expected to make to Sodexo's long-term performance. It is based on the performance criteria selected by the Board of Directors in direct alignment with the Company's strategic priorities. The system therefore helps to increase the Chief Executive Officer's motivation and loyalty while aligning his/her interests with those of the Company and its shareholders. These performance conditions comprise (i) organic revenue growth and underlying operating profit margins over a period of several years, in line with market guidance (ii) Sodexo's share performance compared with a peer group, and (iii) corporate responsibility criteria.

LONG-TERM COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Sodexo's long-term compensation program currently consists solely of performance share grants.

Performance share grants are decided by the Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation issued by the Compensation Committee, during the first half of each fiscal year, after the publication of the financial statements for the previous fiscal year.

The vesting period is three years, in line with the period over which performance conditions are measured and in keeping with market practices.

The Board of Directors has capped the value of the performance shares granted to the Chief Executive Officer at 150% of his/her total annual compensation (comprising fixed compensation and annual variable compensation, assuming targets achieved). In addition, the performance shares granted to him/her may not represent more than 5% of the total shares granted annually.

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

The proportion of the performance shares that will vest depends on the achievement of both internal and external performance conditions, as measured over a three-year period. The achievement rates will be disclosed on a criterion-by-criterion basis once the Board of Directors has assessed whether the performance targets have been reached.

As the Group's medium-term objectives are not publicly disclosed, the organic growth revenue target and underlying operating margin target will remain confidential. The performance conditions reflect a good balance between operating performance, investor confidence and the Group's corporate responsibility performance. They are fully in line with Sodexo's business model of sustainable and profitable growth and meet the expectations of all of the Company's stakeholders.

The criteria used are intended to measure overall performance and are directly related to the Group's main strategic objectives, with the following weightings:

  • financial performance: 50%;
  • stock market performance: 30%;
  • corporate responsibility performance, including diversity targets for the Group’s management bodies and an internal Corporate Responsibility target, as presented below: 20%.
Sodexo Corporate Responsibility indicator

Fostering a Culture of Environmental Responsibility through Long Term Incentives.

Building an internal CSR performance index:

– supporting our overall carbon reduction target;

– with quantitative and available figures.

Performance condition applying to 10% of all shares awarded to employees on the Fiscal 2021 plan.

Responsible sourcing
Food waste reduction
Energy managment
Healthy and sustainable eating

If it became necessary to change the related criteria, the Board of Directors would ensure consistent and stringent criteria over the long-term.