Because they hold shares in the Company, shareholders are considered to be its owners. Consequently, in this capacity they have a number of rights, including:
In their roles as owners, shareholders also have certain duties. The most important of these is voting at Shareholders' Meetings, as the decisions taken at these meetings shape the Company's future. In order for shareholders to cast a fully informed vote they need to keep abreast of any events or circumstances that could affect the Company’s operations.
The Annual General Meeting is held in the first six months of each financial year. It is called by the Board of Directors, or by the Statutory Auditors, or by one or more shareholders who hold at least 5% of the Company's capital.
The AGM can be held in one of three forms, depending on the type of resolutions being put to the vote:
The AGM is a time for the Company's executives to report on business for the previous year and to present to shareholders the strategy and objectives for the current year. It is also an opportunity for shareholders to take part in important decisions about Assystem and to have their say on the way the management team runs the Company.
Assystem publishes a notice of meeting in the BALO (French legal gazette) at least 35 days before the scheduled date of the AGM and a further notice is then published in another legal gazette at least 15 days before the Meeting. The Company individually informs registered shareholders of the Meeting and sends them their admission card. Other shareholders are required to contact their bank or broker.
How to participate in the AGM:
Do not forget that you will not be able to carry out any trades in your shares for at least two working days before the AGM takes place.
All shareholders present or represented at the AGM can vote on the resolutions put forward by the Board of Directors or by any shareholders who together represent at least 5% of the Company’s capital. Shareholders can also vote by post and can submit written questions, which should be sent by registered mail with recorded delivery. Each share carries one voting right, except for shares held in treasury which carry no voting rights.
This form of shareholding mainly concerns shareholders who are seeking long-term involvement with the Company. It enables shareholders to be directly identified by the Company, and it is the Company itself that manages the shares. This solution has many advantages:
If you wish to hold your shares in directly-registered form please contact your bank or broker and ask them to transfer your shares to Société Générale Securities Services (Assystem's share registrar).