Corporate Governance – Statement of Compliance For the year ended 31 December 2022
Introduction
St. Anthony Co. plc (the “Company”) is committed to observing the principles of transparency and responsible corporate governance. The Board considers compliance and corporate governance principles to constitute an important means of maintaining the confidence of present and future shareholders, bondholders, creditors, employees, business partners and the public. Pursuant to the requirements of the Capital Markets Rules issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority, the Company hereby reports on how it has complied with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance (the “Code’’) contained in Appendix 5.1 of the Capital Markets Rules for the financial period ended 31 December 2022, which report details the extent to which the Code has been adopted, as well as the effective measures taken by the Company to ensure compliance with said Code.
The Board recognises that, in virtue of Capital Markets Rule 5.101, the Company is exempt from the requirement to disclose the information prescribed by Capital Markets Rules 5.97.1 to 5.97.3, 5.97.6 and 5.97.8.
For the purpose of this Statement of Compliance and during the period under review, the Group is defined as comprising the Company [as parent company], Goldvest Company Limited (C 18266) [the guarantor of the €15,500,000 4.55% Secured Bonds 2032 issued by the Company] and St. George’s Care Ltd (C 95621) [the operating arm of the Group currently carrying out the operation of the nursing and residential retirement homes at the Casa Antonia property and at the Imperial property, respectively].
Compliance with the Code
Principles 1 and 4 - The Board of Directors and its Responsibilities
The Board is responsible for overseeing the Company’s strategic planning process, as well as reviewing and monitoring management’s execution and attainment of financial projections. The Board delegates certain powers, authorities and discretions to the Audit Committee, as duly constituted in terms of the Capital Markets Rules, the role and competence of which committee are further described hereunder.
The Board of Directors has a composition that ensures that the Company is led by individuals who have the necessary skills and diversity of knowledge. It considers strategic issues, key projects and regularly monitors performance against delivery of the key targets of previously approved projections.
In fulfilling its mandate, the Board assumes responsibility for:
-reviewing the Company’s strategy on an on-going basis, as well as setting the appropriate business objectives;
-reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls;
-implementing an appropriate organisational structure for planning, executing, controlling and monitoring business operations in order to achieve the Company’s objectives;
-identifying and ensuring that significant risks are managed satisfactorily; and
-ensuring that Company policies are being rigorously observed.
Principle 2 - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The role of Chairman of the Board of Directors is occupied by Mr Edward Vella. The Chairman is responsible to lead the Board and set its agenda. The Chairman ensures that the Board is in receipt of precise, timely and objective information and encourages active engagement by all members of the Board for discussion of all issues raised during Board meetings. The Board has, to date, not deemed it necessary to appoint a Chief Executive Officer of the Company given the nature of the Company’s operations and sphere of activity; specifically, the Company is a special purpose vehicle set up to act as a financing company solely for the Group’s requirements.