The Board
The boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, the Combined Board of Reed Elsevier NV and the Board of Reed Elsevier Group plc are harmonised. All of the directors of Reed Elsevier Group plc are also members of the Board of Directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and of either the Executive Board or the Supervisory Board of Reed Elsevier NV. Reed Elsevier NV may appoint two directors who are not appointed to the boards of either Reed Elsevier PLC or Reed Elsevier Group plc, and has appointed one such director. The names, nationality and biographical details of each director can be found by clicking here.
The boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV, Reed Elsevier Group plc and Elsevier Reed Finance BV each comprise a balance of executive and non-executive directors who bring a wide range of skills and experience to the deliberations of the boards. All non-executive directors are independent of management and are free from any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement.
Appointment to the Board
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders maintain their rights to appoint individuals to the respective boards, in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association of these companies. Subject to this, no individual may be appointed to the boards of Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV (either members of the Executive Board or the Supervisory Board) or Reed Elsevier Group plc unless recommended by the joint Nominations Committee. Members of the Committee abstain when their own re-appointment is being considered.
All Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV directors are subject to retirement at least every three years, and are able then to make themselves available for re-election by shareholders at the respective Annual General Meetings. However, as a general rule, non-executive directors of Reed Elsevier PLC and members of the Reed Elsevier NV Supervisory Board serve on the respective board for two three-year terms, although the boards may invite individual directors to serve up to one additional three-year term.
Board committees
In accordance with the principles of good corporate governance, the following committees, all of which have written terms of reference, have been established by the respective board:
- Audit Committees: established for Reed Elsevier PLC, Reed Elsevier NV and Reed Elsevier Group plc.
- Remuneration Committee: Reed Elsevier Group plc has established this Committee, which is responsible for recommending to the boards the remuneration of the executive directors of Reed Elsevier Group plc, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.
- Nominations Committee: jointly established by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.
- Corporate Governance Committee: jointly established by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.
The terms of reference for each of the committees can be accessed here and further description of the nature of each of the committees can be found in the annual report pages 44 – 46.