DAS recognises the benefits of a diverse and inclusive board. A reflection of differences in (amongst other differentiators) skills, experience, knowledge, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and personality can result in:
Access to a broader range of markets and business models
Innovative solutions to problems
Increased “richness” and diversity in thinking and decision making
Improved business performance.Whilst all board appointments should be, and are, made on merit, DAS will give weight to diversity in its monitoring criteria for board effectiveness.
The Group Director of HR and Legal Services co-ordinates the monitoring of board diversity, inclusion and effectiveness on an annual basis. In undertaking these tasks, consideration will be given to the balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge of board members and the diversity of the board; and recommendations will be made to the Group Nomination Committee on the appointment of Directors accordingly.
The Group Nomination Committee will incorporate these recommendations into its deliberations and will explicitly justify decisions that are inconsistent with such recommendations. The Group Nomination Committee will also ensure remuneration parity in its appointments. The Chairman of the Board will also explicitly justify any board’s decision not to approve Group Nomination Committee recommendations.
DAS is committed to avoiding “tokenism” in this approach. Board member appointments will remain on merit, and with the concept of healthy board diversity and inclusion being encouraged and actively managed.
Approved by the Board of DAS UK Holdings Limited and of DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited
March 2018