Work of the Board
The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the Company's organisation and administration. Based on its analysis of the Company's operating environment, the Board is also responsible for deciding on strategic matters.
In general, the Board of Directors addresses issues of significant importance, such as:
- Adoption of rules of procedure, which include instructions for the President & CEO. These instructions include the authority to make decisions regarding investments, corporate acquisitions and sales, as well as financing issues.
- Strategy plan.
- Acquisition and sale of companies or businesses in excess of established amounts.
- Major investments.
- Repurchase of own shares.
The work of the Board of Directors follows an annual plan. In addition to the statutory meeting held in conjunction with the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors normally convenes on seven occasions each year (scheduled meetings). Extraordinary meetings are convened when necessary. Each meeting follows an agenda, which together with supporting documentation, is distributed to the directors prior to each Board meeting.
The agenda for the statutory meeting of the Board includes the adoption of the rules of procedure for the Board of Directors, decisions regarding signatory powers and the approval of the minutes. The items addressed at the scheduled meeting in May include the year-end financial statements, the proposed appropiation of profit and the financial report. In conjunction with this meeting, the Company's auditors report to the Audit Committee on their observations and assessments based on the audit performed. Each scheduled meeting also includes a number of fixed agenda items, including reports on the current financial outcome of the Company's operations.
The decisions of the Board, which are based on detailed supporting information, are made after discussions led by the Chairman of the Board. The task of the committees appointed by the Board is to draft motions for resolutions by the Board. The Board of Directors evaluates its own work and that of the President & CEO on an ongoing basis. A structured evaluation is also performed under the supervision of the Chairman of the Board in connection with the regular meeting in February each year.