UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of August, 2023
Commission File Number 00132945
WNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
(Translation of Registrants name into English)
Gate 4, Godrej & Boyce Complex
Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli (W)
Mumbai 400 079, India
+91-22-6826-2100
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☑ Form 40-F ☐
Other Events
Annual general meeting of shareholders
On August 18, 2023 WNS (Holdings) Limited (the Company) issued a press release announcing details of its annual general meeting (the AGM) to be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 and distributed to its shareholders a notice of the AGM, the proxy statement for the AGM and the form of proxy. A copy of the press release, the notice of AGM, the proxy statement and form of proxy are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, Exhibit 99.2, Exhibit 99.3 and Exhibit 99.4, respectively. A copy of the notice of the AGM and voting card provided by the depositary of the Companys American Depositary Shares (ADSs) to holders of ADSs are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.5 and Exhibit 99.6, respectively.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: August 18, 2023
WNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Gopi Krishnan | |
Name: | Gopi Krishnan | |
Title: | General Counsel |
Exhibit 99.1
WNS (Holdings) Limited Announces Details of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
NEW YORK, NY and MUMBAI, INDIA, August 18, 2023 WNS (Holdings) Limited (the Company) (NYSE: WNS), a leading provider of global business process management (BPM) solutions, today announced that the annual general meeting of its shareholders (the AGM) will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, beginning at 11:00 am British Summer Time at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands.
A Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the AGM is entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend the AGM and to vote on their behalf. A form of proxy should be completed in accordance with the instructions printed thereon.
The Companys annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2023 (the Annual Report), containing its annual consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2023 and the auditors report thereon, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2023. The Company distributed the notice of annual general meeting, proxy statement and form of proxy on or about August 18, 2023.
The Annual Report, notice of the annual general meeting, proxy statement, form of proxy and ADR voting card are available on the investor relations page of the Companys corporate website, www.wns.com. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the Annual Report, notice of the annual general meeting, proxy statement, form of proxy and ADR voting card, free of charge, by sending a written request to the Company Secretary, Mourant Secretaries (Jersey) Limited, of 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands at MourantGSWNS@mourant.com (attention: Michael Lynam, telephone: +44 1534 676 000) or General Counsel Gopi.Krishnan@wns.com (attention: Gopi Krishnan).
About WNS
WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE: WNS) is a leading Business Process Management (BPM) company. WNS combines deep industry knowledge with technology, analytics, and process expertise to co-create innovative, digitally led transformational solutions with over 400 clients across various industries. WNS delivers an entire spectrum of BPM solutions including industry-specific offerings, customer experience services, finance and accounting, human resources, procurement, and research and analytics to re-imagine the digital future of businesses. As of June 30, 2023, WNS had 59,871 professionals across 66 delivery centers worldwide including facilities in Canada, China, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
For more information, visit www.wns.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Investors Contact:
David Mackey
EVP Finance & Head of Investor Relations
David.mackey@wns.com
Exhibit 99.2
WNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held on September 21, 2023
To our Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an annual general meeting (the Annual General Meeting) of the shareholders of WNS (Holdings) Limited, a company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands (the Company), will be held at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (British Summer Time ) for the purpose of considering the following business, as more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice, and if thought fit, adopting the following resolutions:
ORDINARY BUSINESS
The following resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:
Resolution 1 (Audited annual accounts)
THAT the audited accounts of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, including the report of the auditors, be and hereby are adopted.
Resolution 2 (Re-appointment of auditors)
THAT Grant Thornton Bharat LLP be and hereby is re-appointed as the Companys independent auditors until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
Resolution 3 (Auditors remuneration)
THAT:
(a) | a sum of US$821,150 (excluding taxes and out of pocket expenses); and |
(b) | a further sum in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, provided that such amount will be reported in the Companys audited financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2024. |
be and hereby are approved as being available for the payment of remuneration of the Auditor for the audit services to be rendered in respect of the Companys financial statements for the financial year ending March 31, 2024 and that the Board of Directors or a committee thereof is authorized to determine the remuneration payable from time to time to the auditors during this period in accordance with this approval.
Resolution 4 (Re-election of Class II Director, Mr. Keshav Murugesh)
THAT Mr. Keshav Murugesh be and hereby is re-elected to hold office as a Class II Director from the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Resolution 5 (Re-election of Class II Director, Ms. Diane de Saint Victor)
THAT Ms. Diane de Saint Victor be and hereby is re-elected to hold office as a Class II Director from the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Resolution 6 (Re-election of Class II Director, Mr. Keith Haviland)
THAT Mr. Keith Haviland be and hereby is re-elected to hold office as a Class II Director from the date of the Annual General Meeting.
SPECIAL BUSINESS
The following resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:
Resolution 7 (Directors remuneration for the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024)
THAT:
(a) | an aggregate sum of US$ 6 (six) million be and hereby is approved as being available for the payment of remuneration and other benefits (excluding any charges incurred in connection with exercising issued and outstanding awards and any costs related to making of awards of options and restricted share units referred to in (b) below) to the Directors of the Company, to be applied, as the Directors may decide in their discretion, for the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 in accordance with the Companys compensation objectives and assessment process set out in the section Compensation Discussion and Analysis as disclosed in the accompanying Proxy Statement; and |
(b) | as a further part of the Directors remuneration, the making of awards of options and restricted share units (Awards) under the 2016 Incentive Award Plan (as may be amended and restated pursuant to and in accordance with the terms thereof) (the 2016 Incentive Award Plan) to Directors by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, in its discretion, for the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 be and hereby is approved, provided that the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company that may be issued or transferred pursuant to any Awards made or to be made to the Directors is limited to the maximum number of ordinary shares available for such purpose under the 2016 Incentive Award Plan. |
The following resolution will be proposed as a special resolution:
Resolution 8: (To authorize the purchase of 3.3 million ADSs, effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive), subject to a minimum and maximum price and an aggregate limit on the ADSs to be purchased):
THAT the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorized:
a) | Pursuant to Article 57 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, to make purchases of ADSs, provided that: |
i) | the maximum number of ADSs hereby authorized to be purchased under this authority is 3.3 million; |
ii) | the minimum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ADS shall be US$10; |
iii) | the maximum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ADS shall be US$180; |
b) | the authority hereby conferred shall be effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive); and |
c) | pursuant to Article 58A of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, to hold as treasury shares any Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs purchased under the authority conferred by paragraph (a) of this resolution. |
DATED: August 17, 2023
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mourant Secretaries (Jersey) Limited Company Secretary |
Registered Office: 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands |
NOTES:
1. | The Board of Directors have fixed the close of business on August 17, 2023 as the record date for determining those persons whose names appear on our Register of Members as holders of our ordinary shares (collectively, our Shareholders) who will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual General Meeting, and to receive copies of this notice, the accompanying Form of Proxy, Proxy Statement and the notice of availability of the Companys annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2023 (the Annual Report). |
2. | A Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend the Annual General Meeting and to vote on his behalf. A proxy need not be a Shareholder. A Form of Proxy, which should be completed in accordance with the instructions printed thereon, is enclosed with this document. The appointment of a proxy will not prevent a Shareholder from subsequently attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting in person. |
Important notice: We intend to hold the Annual General Meeting as a physical meeting. However, we will closely monitor the situation, in particular any potential restrictions on public gatherings, non-essential travel or any such other unprecedented event which will restrict the conduct of physical meeting. If such a situation arises, any resulting change will be communicated to the shareholders before the meeting through our website and public announcement.
3. | To be valid, the instrument appointing a proxy or proxies, and any power of attorney or other authority (e.g. board minutes) under which it is signed (or a notarially certified copy of any such power or authority), must be deposited at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote. |
4. | A proxy may be revoked by: (i) giving the Company notice in writing deposited at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) before the commencement of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote; (ii) depositing a new Form of Proxy with the Company Secretary before the commencement of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote (although it should be noted that the new Form of Proxy will only be a valid proxy, as opposed to being capable of revoking an earlier Form of Proxy, if deposited not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote); or (iii) attending in person and voting on a poll. |
5. | A body corporate which is a Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting may authorize a person to act as its representative at the Annual General Meeting in respect of all or a particular number of ordinary shares held by the Shareholder. A body corporate which is a Shareholder may appoint more than one person to act as its representative. If a body corporate which is a Shareholder appoints more than one person to act as its representative, each resolution (and each instrument of appointment) shall specify the number of ordinary shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed its representative. For the avoidance of doubt, a body corporate which is a Shareholder may appoint (in addition to the representatives (if any) appointed by it) any number of persons to act as its proxy at the Annual General Meeting in respect of all or a particular number of ordinary shares held by the Shareholder. A person duly authorized to act as a representative of a body corporate which is a Shareholder shall be entitled to exercise on behalf of the Shareholder the same powers (in respect of the number of ordinary shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed its representative) as the Shareholder could exercise. If a Shareholder which is a body corporate appoints more than one representative (but subject to the voting instructions (if any) given by the Shareholder), no representative need cast all the votes used by him in respect of any resolution in the same way as any other representative or any proxy appointed by the Shareholder. |
6. | If the Annual General Meeting is adjourned for lack of a quorum, the adjourned meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m. (British Summer Time) on September 28, 2023 at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands. Under the Companys Articles of Association, the quorum for the holding of general meetings is not less than two Shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding ordinary shares conferring not less than one-third of the total voting rights of all the Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. |
7. | A copy of the Annual Report is available for inspection at the Companys registered office. In addition, Shareholders will be provided with a copy of the Annual Report, free of charge, upon request by contacting the Company Secretary, Mourant Secretaries (Jersey) Limited, of 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (MourantGSWNS@mourant.com attention: Michael Lynam telephone: +44 1534 676000) or gopi.krishnan@wns.com, attention: Gopi Krishnan. Shareholders may also access a copy of the Annual Report on the Companys website at www.wns.com. |
8. | Explanatory notes to the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting are contained in the Proxy Statement, which accompanies this Notice of Annual General Meeting. |
Exhibit 99.3
WNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held on September 21, 2023
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND VOTING
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the Board or the Board of Directors) of WNS (Holdings) Limited, a company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands (the Company or WNS), of proxies for voting at the Companys Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual General Meeting) to be held on September 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (British Summer Time) at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands or any adjournments thereof, for the purposes summarized in the accompanying Notice of Annual General Meeting and described in more detail in this Proxy Statement.
Shareholders Entitled to Notice of and to Vote at the Annual General Meeting
The Board has fixed the close of business on August 17, 2023 as the date for determining those holders of ordinary shares (collectively, the Shareholders) who will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Copies of the Notice of Annual General Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Form of Proxy appointing a proxy or proxies, and the notice of availability of the Companys annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2023 (the Annual Report) were first mailed to Shareholders on or about August 17, 2023. Shareholders are advised to read this Proxy Statement carefully prior to returning their Form of Proxy.
A Shareholder is a person whose name appears on our Register of Members as a holder of our ordinary shares.
At the close of business on June 30, 2023 there were 47,358,289 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
Quorum
No business may be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting is present. Pursuant to the Articles of Association of the Company, the quorum for the holding of general meetings is not less than two Shareholders present in person or by proxy holding ordinary shares conferring not less than one-third of the total voting rights. If a quorum is not present, the Annual General Meeting will be adjourned to 11:00 a.m. (British Summer Time ) on September 28, 2023 at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands.
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Proxies
To be valid, the instrument appointing a proxy or proxies, and any power of attorney or other authority (e.g. board minutes) under which it is signed (or a notarially certified copy of any such power or authority), must be deposited at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote. Shareholders may appoint the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting as their proxy.
A Shareholder may appoint more than one person to act as his proxy and each such person shall act as proxy for the Shareholder for the number of ordinary shares specified in the instrument appointing the person as proxy. If a Shareholder appoints more than one person to act as his proxy, each instrument appointing a proxy shall specify the number of ordinary shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed his proxy. Each duly appointed proxy has the same rights as the Shareholder by whom he was appointed to speak at a meeting and vote at a meeting in respect of the number of ordinary shares held by the Shareholder for which he was appointed as proxy.
A proxy may be revoked by: (i) giving the Company notice in writing deposited at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) before the commencement of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote; (ii) depositing a new Form of Proxy with the Company Secretary before the commencement of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote (although it should be noted that the new form of proxy will only be a valid proxy, as opposed to being capable of revoking an earlier Form of Proxy, if deposited not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote); or (iii) attending in person and voting on a poll. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be revoked by the appointing Shareholder attending and participating in a meeting, unless the appointing Shareholder votes on a poll at the meeting in respect of the ordinary shares for which the relevant proxy is appointed his proxy.
A body corporate which is a Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting may authorize a person to act as its representative at the Annual General Meeting in respect of all or a particular number of the shares held by the Shareholder. A body corporate which is a Shareholder may appoint more than one person to act as its representative. If a body corporate which is a Shareholder appoints more than one person to act as its representative, each resolution (and each instrument of appointment) shall specify the number of shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed its representative. For the avoidance of doubt, a body corporate which is a Shareholder may appoint (in addition to the representatives (if any) appointed by it) any number of persons to act as its proxy at the Annual General Meeting in respect of all or a particular number of the shares held by the Shareholder. A person duly authorized to act as a representative of a body corporate which is a Shareholder shall be entitled to exercise on behalf of the Shareholder the same powers (in respect of the number of shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed its representative) as the Shareholder could exercise. If a Shareholder which is a body corporate appoints more than one representative (but subject to the voting instructions (if any) given by the Shareholder), no representative is required to cast all the votes used by him in respect of any resolution in the same way as any other representative or any proxy appointed by the Shareholder.
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Voting
On a show of hands, every Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall have one vote and, on a poll, every Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for each ordinary share held or represented. On a poll, a Shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way. A resolution put to the vote of Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is demanded by the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting or a Shareholder present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting. In the case of joint holders only one of them may vote and in the absence of election as to who is to vote, the vote of the holder whose name appears first in order in the Register of Members, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders.
Ordinary shares represented by a duly executed instrument appointing a proxy or proxies that is deposited with the Company at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) at least 48 hours before the time appointed for the Annual General Meeting will be voted at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with Shareholders instructions contained in the instrument.
Resolutions 1 to 7 are proposed as ordinary resolutions. On a show of hands, each of the ordinary resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting will be duly passed by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of Shareholders present in person or by proxy and voting at the Annual General Meeting. If a poll is demanded in the manner described above, each of the ordinary resolution(s) to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting for which voting by poll is demanded will be duly passed by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of votes cast at the Annual General Meeting for each ordinary share held or represented, with each Shareholder present in person or by proxy having one vote for each ordinary share held or represented. In the event of an equality of votes, whether upon a show of hands or on a poll, the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
Resolutions 8 is proposed as special resolution. On a show of hands, the special resolution to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting will be duly passed by the affirmative vote of a majority of not less than two-thirds of Shareholders present in person or by proxy and voting at the Annual General Meeting. If a poll is demanded in the manner described above, the special resolution to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting for which voting by poll is demanded will be duly passed by the affirmative vote of a majority of not less than two-thirds of votes cast at the Annual General Meeting for each ordinary share held or represented, with each Shareholder present in person or by proxy having one vote for each ordinary share held or represented. In the event of an equality of votes, whether upon a show of hands or on a poll, the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
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General Information
The entire cost of the solicitation of proxies for the Annual General Meeting will be borne by WNS.
In this Proxy Statement, references to $ or US$ mean United States dollars, the legal currency of the United States.
References to we, our and us refer to WNS (Holdings) Limited and its subsidiaries.
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SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS
Shareholders will be requested to vote on the following proposals at the Annual General Meeting:
1. | Adoption of the audited annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, together with the auditors report; |
2. | Re-appointment of Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the auditors of the Company. |
3. | Approval of auditors remuneration for the financial year ending March 31, 2024; |
4. | Re-election of Class II Director Mr. Keshav Murugesh; |
5. | Re-election of Class II Director Ms. Diane de Saint Victor; |
6. | Re-election of Class II Director Mr. Keith Haviland; |
7. | Approval of Directors remuneration for their services to be rendered during the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024; and |
8. | Purchase of up to 3.3 million ADSs, effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive), subject to a minimum and maximum price as described in this Proxy Statement (the Repurchase Plan); |
PROPOSAL NO. 1
THAT the audited accounts of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, including the report of the auditors, be and hereby are adopted.
A companys auditors are required by the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (the Companies Law) to make a report to the companys shareholders on the accounts examined by them. The auditors report must state whether in their opinion the accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with the law and in particular whether either a true and fair view is given or the accounts are presented fairly in all material respects.
The Companys financial statements included in the Annual Report have been prepared in conformity with the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and are accompanied by the auditors report from Grant Thornton Bharat LLP (which is set out as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement). Shareholders are requested to adopt the audited accounts of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2023, together with the auditors report (as set out in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement).
The Board recommends a vote FOR the adoption of the audited accounts of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, together with the auditors report.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
THAT Grant Thornton Bharat LLP be and hereby is re-appointed as the Companys independent auditors until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
A public company incorporated under the Companies Law is required by the Companies Law at each annual general meeting to obtain shareholders approval to appoint an auditor to hold office from the conclusion of that meeting to the conclusion of the next annual general meeting.
Shareholders are requested to approve the re-appointment of Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the Companys auditors in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 and until the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
The Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board, recommends a vote FOR a re-appointment of Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the Companys auditors until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
THAT:
(a) | a sum of US$821,150 (excluding taxes and out of pocket expenses); and |
(b) | a further sum in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, provided that such amount will be reported in the Companys audited financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2024, |
be and hereby are approved as being available for the payment of remuneration to Grant Thornton Bharat LLP for the audit services to be rendered in respect of the Companys financial statements for the financial year ending March 31, 2024 and that the Board of Directors or a committee thereof is authorized to determine the remuneration payable from time to time to the auditors during this period in accordance with this approval.
Under the Articles of Association of the Company, the business of a general meeting includes fixing the remuneration of the auditors. The precise amount of fees to be charged by the auditors for audit services to be rendered in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 is not known. Consequently, the approval of the Shareholders in the Annual General Meeting is sought for the following to be available for payment of remuneration to the auditors for their respective audit services in respect of the Companys financial statements to be rendered during the financial year ending March 31, 2024:
(a) a sum of US$821,150 (excluding taxes and out of pocket expenses); and
(b) a further sum in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, provided that such amount will be reported in the Companys audited financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2024.
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The precise amount to be paid to the auditors for audit services will be determined by the Board or a committee thereof. The amount of fees that will be approved by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, pursuant to the approval of Shareholders being granted herein (if this proposal is adopted), taking into consideration the number and location of the Companys worldwide subsidiaries. The amount of fees may be higher than US$821,150 to the extent any additional subsidiary is incorporated or acquired in the financial year ending March 31, 2024, is approved by the Board or a committee thereof and is disclosed to Shareholders in the annual report for the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
The Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board, recommends a vote FOR the fixing of the auditors remuneration for the audit services to be rendered in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
THAT Mr. Keshav Murugesh be and hereby is re-elected to hold office as a Class II Director from the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Mr. Keshav Murugesh is currently a Class II Director of the Company. The period of office of a Class II Director expires at the Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, it is proposed that Mr. Keshav Murugesh be re-elected as a Class II Director.
The biography of Mr. Keshav Murugesh and a complete listing of all our Directors are provided in this Proxy Statement.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the re-election of Mr. Keshav Murugesh to the Board of Directors.
PROPOSAL NO. 5
THAT Ms. Diane de Saint Victor be and hereby is re-elected to hold office as a Class II Director from the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Ms. Diane de Saint Victor is currently a Class II Director of the Company. The period of office of a Class II Director expires at the Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, it is proposed that Ms. Diane de Saint Victor be re-elected as a Class II Director.
The biography of Ms. Diane de Saint Victor and a complete listing of all our Directors are provided in this Proxy Statement.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the re-election of Ms. Diane de Saint Victor to the Board of Directors.
PROPOSAL NO. 6
THAT Mr. Keith Haviland be and hereby is re-elected to hold office as a Class II Director from the date of the Annual General Meeting.
Mr. Keith Haviland is currently a Class II Director of the Company. The period of office of a Class II Director expires at the Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, it is proposed that Mr. Keith Haviland be re-elected as a Class II Director.
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The biography of Mr. Keith Haviland and a complete listing of all our Directors are provided in this Proxy Statement.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the re-election of Mr. Keith Haviland to the Board of Directors.
SPECIAL BUSINESS
PROPOSAL NO. 7
THAT:
(a) | an aggregate sum of US$ 6 (six) million be and hereby is approved as being available for the payment of remuneration and other benefits (excluding any charges incurred in connection with exercising issued and outstanding awards and any costs related to the grant of Awards (as defined in the Plan) referred to in (b) below) to the Directors of the Company, to be applied as the Directors may decide in their discretion, for such payment to be made during the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 in accordance with the Companys compensation objectives and assessment process set out in the section Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement; and |
(b) | as a further part of the Directors remuneration, the grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan to the Directors by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof in its discretion to be made during the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 be and hereby is approved, provided that the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares/ADSs that may be issued or transferred pursuant to any Awards made or to be made to the Directors pursuant to the Plan is limited to the maximum number of ordinary shares/ADSs available or reserved for such purpose under the Plan. |
In accordance with Article 102 of the Articles of Association of the Company, the Company is requesting Shareholders approval for an aggregate sum of US$ 6(six) million to be available for the payment of remuneration and other benefits (excluding any charges incurred in connection with exercising issued and outstanding awards and any costs related to the grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan) to the Directors of the Company. The remuneration and other benefits will be apportioned amongst the Directors in accordance with the Companys compensation objectives and assessment process set out in the section Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement.
Further, as part of the Directors remuneration, the Company is also requesting Shareholders approval for Awards to be granted to the Directors of the Company by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof in its discretion (subject to the maximum number of ordinary shares/ADSs available or reserved for such purpose under the Plan) in accordance with the 2016 Incentive Award Plan for the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
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The aggregate sum of remuneration and other benefits (excluding any charges incurred in connection with exercising issued and outstanding awards and any costs related to the grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan) paid to the Directors for their services rendered during the financial year ended March 31, 2023 was US$ 3.5 million. Our Directors were granted 431,825 restricted share units (RSUs) during the financial year ended March 31, 2023. During the financial year ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted RSUs to drive higher growth, based on performance and market conditions along with service conditions. The RSUs will vest upon the Company achieving the market capitalization target along with net revenue targets (together referred to as the vesting conditions). The vesting period ranges from 3 years and 2 months to 4 years and 9 months from the grant date depending on the achievement of the respective vesting conditions at each evaluation period. The vesting of RSUs will happen only on achievement of both vesting conditions. Any unvested RSUs due to non-achievement of the vesting conditions at the end of vesting period will lapse.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of (a) a maximum sum of US$ 6 (six) million to be available for the payment of Directors remuneration and other benefits (excluding any charges incurred in connection with exercising issued and outstanding awards and any costs related to the grant of Awards referred to in (b)); and (b) the grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan to Directors by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof in its discretion (subject to the maximum number of ordinary shares/ADSs available or reserved for such purpose under the 2016 Incentive Award Plan) to be made during the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
PROPOSAL NO. 8
That the purchase of ADSs, effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive), subject to a minimum and maximum price and an aggregate limit on the number of ADSs to be purchased as set out below (the Repurchase Plan), be and hereby is approved.
That the Company be and is hereby generally and unconditionally authorized:
a) | pursuant to Article 57 of the Companies Law, to make purchases of the Companys ADSs, provided that: |
i) | the maximum number of the Companys ADSs hereby authorized to be purchased under this authority is 3.3 million; |
ii) | the minimum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ADS is S$10; |
iii) | the maximum price, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ADS is US$180; |
iv) | the authority hereby conferred shall be effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive); and |
b) | pursuant to Article 58A of the Companies Law, to hold as treasury shares any ordinary shares represented by ADSs purchased under the authority conferred by paragraph (a) of this resolution. |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE REPURCHASE PLAN
Currently, the Companys authorized share capital is £6,100,000 divided into 60,000,000 ordinary shares and 1,000,000 preferred shares of 10 pence each. Pursuant to Article 57 of the Companies Law, a company may purchase its own depositary certificates in respect of such shares. However, the Companies Law also sets out a number of limitations on the terms of such purchases. A purchase under Article 57 of the Companies Law is required by law to be sanctioned by a special resolution of the Company, i.e. a resolution that is passed by at least two-thirds of the shares voted in person or by proxy at the Annual General Meeting.
Limit on Allowed Purchases under the Repurchase Plan
The total number of the Companys ADSs hereby authorized to be purchased under this authority is 3.3 million, representing approximately 6.97% of the Companys ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023.
Duration of the Repurchase Plan
The authority for the purchase of the Companys ADSs under the Repurchase Plan conferred by the Shareholders shall be effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive).
Purchase Price
The minimum price for purchases under the Repurchase Plan, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ADS shall be US$10. The maximum price for purchases under the Repurchase Plan, exclusive of any expenses, which may be paid for an ADS shall be US$180. These minimum and maximum prices have been determined by the Company considering the market volatility and anticipated price range over a period until March 31, 2027.
Manner of Purchases of ADSs and Implementation of Repurchase Plan
Under the Repurchase Plan, the Company may purchase its ADSs from time to time through open market purchases, accelerated share repurchase transactions, or other open market purchases permitted by applicable federal securities laws.
The Board of Directors has authorized each member of our Board of Directors or the Group Chief Executive Officer or the Group Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel, acting singly, to, on behalf of the Company, prepare, execute and file or submit all necessary notifications, forms and agreements as may be required or as they consider desirable to implement the Repurchase Plan.
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Treasury Shares
Under the Companies Law, a company may hold as treasury shares any of the ordinary shares it has redeemed or purchased, but may not exercise any voting rights attaching to such shares, make or receive any distribution in respect of such shares, nor exercise any other right in respect of such shares. Shares held as treasury shares may be cancelled, sold, transferred for the purposes of or under an employees share scheme or held by the company without cancelling, selling or transferring them. A company may hold as treasury shares such number of shares in the company that it has redeemed or purchased under the Companies Law as it thinks fit provided that another person holds at least one non-redeemable share in the company.
Status of Purchased Ordinary Shares
Any ordinary share represented by the ADS that we purchase or acquire will be held by us as a treasury share.
Source of Funds
The Company may source the funds for such repurchases from internal or external sources. Our directors do not propose to implement the Repurchase Plan in a manner and to such an extent that would materially affect our working capital requirements.
Pursuant to the Companies Law, the directors of the Company authorizing the purchase of ADSs pursuant to the Repurchase Plan shall make a statement as to the solvency of the Company at the time of any purchase of ADSs pursuant to the Repurchase Plan in the form prescribed by the Companies Law.
Rationale for the Repurchase Plan
We believe that the Repurchase Plan will benefit our shareholders by providing our directors with appropriate flexibility to repurchase our ADSs if the directors believe that such repurchases would be in the best interests of our shareholders. Our decision to repurchase our ADSs from time to time will depend on our continuing assessment of then current market conditions, our need to use available cash to fund our expansion, acquisitions and other strategic transactions, the level of our debt and the terms and availability of financing.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the resolution to authorize the purchase of our ADSs, effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive), subject to a minimum and maximum price and an aggregate limit on the ADSs to be purchased as set forth above.
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OTHER BUSINESS
The Board does not presently intend to bring any other business before the Annual General Meeting, and so far as is known to the Board, no matters will be brought before the Annual General Meeting except as is specified in this Proxy Statement. As to any business that may properly come before the Annual General Meeting, however, it is intended that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of those persons voting such proxies.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission or the SEC) allows the Company to incorporate by reference into this Proxy Statement the information in documents the Company files with or submits to the SEC. This means that the Company can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents shall not create any implication that there has been no change in the Companys affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is current as of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this Proxy Statement and should be read with the same care. When the Company updates the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information contained in this Proxy Statement and information incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. The Company incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings or submissions that it makes with the Commission (except for our future submissions on Form 6-K which will only be incorporated by reference into this document if it states in such submissions that they are being incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement) after the date of this Proxy Statement and before the date of the Annual General Meeting:
1. | The Companys annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-32945) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 filed with the Commission on May 16, 2023; |
2. | The Companys report on Form 6-K (File No. 001-32945), containing its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2023 and for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 submitted to the Commission on August 4, 2023. |
The Company will provide, without charge, at the written or oral request of anyone, including any beneficial owner, to whom this Proxy Statement is delivered, copies of the documents incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement, other than exhibits to those documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference. Requests should be directed to: WNS (Holdings) Limited, Plant 10, Gate 4, Godrej & Boyce Complex, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli (W), Mumbai 400 079, India, Attention: Gopi Krishnan.
The Companys filings with the Commission are available to the public over the Internet at the Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document that the Company files with the Commission at the Commissions public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the Commission at 1-800-732-0330 for further information about the public reference room.
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DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Directors and Executive Officers
Our Board of Directors consists of eight directors.
The following table sets forth the name, age (as at June 30, 2023) and position of each of our directors and executive officers as at the date hereof.
Name | Age | Designation | ||||
Directors |
||||||
Timothy L. Main (1)(2) |
65 | Non-Executive Chairman | ||||
Jason Liberty (3) |
48 | Director | ||||
Keshav R. Murugesh |
59 | Director and Group Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Françoise Gri (1)(4) |
65 | Director | ||||
Keith Haviland (5) |
64 | Director | ||||
Mario P. Vitale (5) |
67 | Director | ||||
Lan Tu (2)(6) |
56 | Director | ||||
Diane de Saint Victor (2)(5) |
68 | Director | ||||
Executive Officers |
||||||
Keshav R. Murugesh |
59 | Group Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Sanjay Puria |
49 | Group Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Swaminathan Rajamani |
47 | Chief People Officer |
Notes:
(1) | Member of our Compensation Committee. |
(2) | Member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance & Environmental, Social and Governance (NCG & ESG) Committee |
(3) | Chairman of our Audit Committee with effect from January 1, 2023. |
(4) | Chairperson of our NCG & ESG Committee. |
(5) | Member of our Audit Committee. |
(6) | Chairperson of our Compensation Committee with effect from January 1, 2023. |
Summarized below is relevant biographical information covering at least the past five years for each of our directors and executive officers.
Directors
Timothy L Main was appointed to the WNS Board in June 2021, and he also serves on WNS Compensation and NCG & ESG Committee. In September 2021, he was appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. Currently, Mr. Main serves on the Board of Quest Diagnostics as Chair of the Cybersecurity Committee and a member of the Audit & Finance and Governance committees. He has spent his entire career in the B2B services or outsourcing environment, including more than 25 years at Jabil, a leading provider of manufacturing services with a global operational footprint. He was the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and a member of the Cyber Committee at Jabil Inc. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Jabil, he led the companys transformation and growth to a USD 17.6 billion, 141,000 employee organization through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. He comes with a rich experience and distinguished track record in international operations, corporate governance, vision and strategy, and technology-led growth. Mr. Main holds degrees from Michigan University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. The business address of Mr. Main is 515, Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
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Keshav R. Murugesh was appointed as our Group Chief Executive Officer and director in February 2010. Mr. Murugesh is based out of UK since March 18, 2022. As CEO he leads the transformation of WNS business model across the years resulting in the Company being recognized as a Digital led Business Transformation leader with clients investing heavily in Domain, Digital and Data to Insights. Prior to joining WNS, Mr. Murugesh was the Chief Executive Officer of Syntel Inc., a Nasdaq-listed information technology company. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Prior to Syntel, he worked in various capacities with ITC Limited, an affiliate of BAT Plc. between 1989 and 2002. He also serves as Honorary Co -Chief Mentor and Non-executive member of Project Management Committee (PMG) for KALPATARU CoE on Industry 4.0. Presently, he is an Executive Council member of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). He is also a Charter Member of the Board of Trustees for TiE Mumbai, which is a non-profit organization focusing on fostering entrepreneurship though mentoring, networking, funding and incubation and a member on advisory board of Atlas Skilltech University, a self-financed academic university. Previously, he held the position of Chairman and a Director at the Data Security Council of India, a not-for-profit, industry body on data protection in India set up by NASSCOM (from 2019 to 2020) and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council of NASSCOM . He was the Chairman of the Audit Committee of NASSCOM (from 2017 to 2018) of which he stepped off on being elected Vice Chairman and the Honorary Chairman of The Confederation of Indian Industry Western Indias Education Committee (from 2017-to 2018). He has also served as a former chairman of the BPM Council at NASSCOM. NASSCOM is the industry association for the IT-BPM sector in India. He is on the Board of WNS Cares Foundation, a company that focuses on WNSs CSR arm and sustainability initiatives. He was the Chairman of SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) India, which is a global organization involved in educational outreach projects in partnership with businesses across the globe, from 2005 to 2011. The business address of Mr. Murugesh is Malta House, 36-38 Piccadilly, W1J 0DP, London, United Kingdom.
Françoise Gri was appointed to our Board of Directors in May 2015. Ms. Gri brings over 31 years of international business experience to WNS, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group, a European leader in local tourism. In her previous roles, she was Executive Vice President France, and then for all of Southern Europe, at Manpower, Inc., a workforce solutions company which she joined in 2007. During her 26-year career at IBM, she served in various executive positions, being at last as the President and Country GM for IBM France. She is a chairperson of Omnes Education erstwhile known as INSEEC U, which is a private multidisciplinary higher education and research institution, and a member of the Board of Directors and chairperson of the Risk Committee at Credit Agricole. She is also on the board of Francaise Des Jeux, Credit Agricole Investment Banking and acts as an independent lead director at Edenred. Ms. Gri has a Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Ecole Nationale Superieure dInformatique et Mathematiques Appliquees ENSIMAG in Grenoble, France. The business address of Ms. Gri is 91 Boulevard Raspail 75006 Paris.
Keith Haviland was appointed to our Board of Directors in July 2017. He brings significant global technology and business experience to WNS, including strategic vision, executive leadership, operational execution and C-suite relationships. He spent 23 years with Accenture where he was a key founder of their offshore business model and technology global delivery network, creating Accentures centres in India and other locations. He later becoming responsible for all client facing technology services including consulting, systems integration and outsourcing. He finished his tenure at Accenture in 2013 as Senior Managing Director of Technology Services and a member of their Global Leadership Council. Currently, Keith is an Emmy nominated and award winning film producer and the founder of Haviland Digital Limited, a company dedicated to creating award-winning intelligent film, television and digital media. He also serves on the board of several private companies viz Mission Control Productions Limited, Caravan Media Limited, 35 Yard Development Limited and Tin Goose Films Ltd. Mr. Haviland received a Master of Arts degree from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University in Mathematics and Management Science and is Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. The business address of Mr. Haviland is 8 Albany Park Road, Kingston Upon Thames, London, KT2 5SW, United Kingdom.
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Mario P. Vitale was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2017. He has over 41 years of experience in the insurance industry. Currently, Mr. Vitale serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Resilience Cyber Insurance Solutions, a startup of a cyber-insurance platform for insurance. Most recently he was also a member of the advisory board of Kalepa Insurance and Director of Growthsource Academy, a non-profit organization. He also serves as the Trustee of St Johns University College of Insurance and as a Director on the Board of Broad Street Partners, an insurance brokerage Services Company. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Insurance, a leading specialty insurer. In his previous roles, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Insurance Groups Global Corporate business in North America from October 2006 to March 2011 and the Chief Executive Officer of Willis North America from January 2000 to October 2006. He was the Chairman of the Board of Blue Marble, a micro-insurance company from February 2016 to April 2017. The business address of Mr. Vitale is 1300 S Miami Ave, Unit 3705, Miami FL 33130 United States.
Jason Liberty was appointed to our Board of Directors in February 2020. Mr. Liberty is a Chairman of our Audit Committee. Mr. Liberty brings over 25 years of finance experience and deep domain expertise in the travel and leisure vertical. Currently, Mr. Liberty is the Director, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (Royal Caribbean). Since joining Royal Caribbean in 2005, Mr. Liberty has had many roles, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In his former role he was responsible for overseeing their finance and accounting, strategy, shared service operations, technology, supply chain, port operations, legal and risk management functions. Before joining Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in 2005, he was a senior manager with KPMG, LLP. Mr. Liberty earned his MBA from University of North Carolina at Chapel- Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. The business address of Mr. Liberty is 1050, Caribbean Way, Miami FL33131.
Lan Tu was appointed to the WNS Board in February 2022 and serves as a Chairperson of Compensation Committee and a member of NCG & ESG Committee. Currently, Ms. Tu is the Senior Independent Director on the board of Shawbrook Bank Ltd and Shawbrook group PLC and a member of the nominations, remuneration, risk and audit committees. She also serves as a director and the Vice Chair on the Board of Kings College London and is a member of its Remuneration, Audit and Risk, and Staff and Culture Strategy Committees as well. Lan brings more than 31 years of diverse business experience to WNS, especially in strategic growth and financial services. Most recently, she served as the first CEO of Virgin Money Investments and as a Non-Executive Director at Arrow Global Group plc. Lans prior experience includes serving as the Chief Strategy Officer at Abrdn plc. She spent 12 years at American Express in a variety of roles. She began her career at McKinsey & Company in its London office. Lan holds an MBA degree from Harvard Business School and a Joint Honors BSc. degree from Kings College London. The business address of Ms. Tu is 1 Blakemore Villas, Blakemore Gardens, London SW13 9EH, United Kingdom.
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Diane de Saint Victor was appointed to the WNS Board in April 2023 and also serves on our Audit Committee and NCG & ESG Committee. She brings decades of transformative business experience to WNS, including deep expertise in ESG and digital compliance, international law, talent management, and government relations. She has held senior-level roles with companies across varied industries during her career including global industrial, consumer goods, and financial services firms. Most recently, Diane was an Executive Committee Member of ABB, a Switzerland based technology leader in electrification and automation, where she led the global legal function as General Counsel. Prior to joining ABB, she held executive positions at Airbus Group, SCA Hygiene, Honeywell International, General Electric, and GE Healthcare. Diane currently serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Imperial Brands, C&A AG, and Transocean. She has previously held the position of non-executive director on the Barclays board. She holds a Business Law and an International Law Degree from Paris, France Law School. The business address of Ms Diane Baarerstrasse 63, 6300 Zug (Switzerland).
Executive Officers
Keshav R. Murugesh is our Group Chief Executive Officer. Please see Directors above for Mr. Murugeshs biographical information.
Sanjay Puria serves as our Group Chief Financial Officer. He is based out of Mumbai, India and leads WNSs global finance, information technology and procurement services functions. Presently, he serves on the Board of WNS Cares Foundation. Mr. Puria has over 24 years of experience, out of which over 20 years have been in the offshore services industry. He is a veteran at WNS, having managed several key finance functions including corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, financial planning and analysis, and strategic business development before taking over as the Group Chief Financial Officer. Prior to WNS, he was at the helm of operations for a global provider of integrated information technology and knowledge process outsourcing solutions, where his role centered around managing acquisitions, joint ventures, complex and multi-year contracts, strategizing on geographical expansion, revenue and cost management, pricing and commercials and implementation of LEAN initiatives. Mr. Puria is also Member of NASSCOM BPM Council, a not-for-profit industry association for IT-BPM sector in India. Mr. Puria is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has passed the Certified Public Accountant examination from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The business address of Mr. Puria is Gate 4, Godrej & Boyce Complex, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli, (West) Mumbai 400 079, India.
Swaminathan Rajamani is our Chief People Officer. Presently, he serves on the Board of WNS Cares Foundation. He leads WNSs Human Resources function and is responsible for the entire gamut of people-oriented processes. Prior to joining WNS, he was with CA Technologies, where he served as Vice President Human Resources and was the Country Head HR for India. He has also served as Head of HR Operations at Syntel and thereafter, for a short while, was its Global HR Head. Prior to Syntel, he had a long tenure at GE spanning multiple roles such as Master Black Belt HR and Assistant Vice President and Head Operations for HR, Customer Research and Operational Analytics, apart from other roles in mergers and acquisitions. He is a certified Change Acceleration Coach and a keen practitioner of Six Sigma. He has a Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Madras. The business address of Mr. Rajamani is Gate 4,Godrej & Boyce Complex, Pirojshahnagar, Vikhroli (West) Mumbai 400079, India
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Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Objectives
Our compensation philosophy is to align employee compensation with our business objectives, so that compensation is used as a strategic tool that helps us recruit, motivate and retain highly talented individuals who are committed to our core values: clients first, integrity, respect, collaboration, learning and excellence. We believe that our compensation programs are integral to achieving our goal of One WNS One GoalOutperform!
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the overall goals and objectives of our executive compensation programs, as well as our compensation plans, and making changes to such goals, objectives and plans. Our Compensation Committee bases our executive compensation programs on the following objectives, which guide us in establishing and maintaining all of our compensation programs:
| Pay Differentiation: Based on the Job Responsibility, Individual Performance and Company Performance. As employees progress to higher levels in our company, their ability to directly impact our results and strategic initiatives increases. Therefore, as employees progress, an increasing proportion of their pay is linked to company performance and tied to creation of shareholder value. |
| Pay for Performance. Our compensation is designed to pay for performance and thus we provide higher compensation for strong performance and, conversely, lower compensation for poor performance and/or where company performance falls short of expectations. Our compensation programs are designed to ensure that successful, high-performing employees remain motivated and committed during periods of temporary downturns in our performance. |
| Balanced in Focus on Long-Term versus Short-Term Goals. As part of our compensation philosophy, we believe that equity-based compensation should be higher for employees with greater levels of responsibility and influence on our long-term results. Therefore, a significant portion of these individuals total compensation is dependent on our long-term share price appreciation. In addition, our compensation philosophy seeks to incentivize our executives to focus on achieving short-term performance goals in a manner that supports and encourages long-term success and profitability. |
| Competitive Value of the Job in the Marketplace. In order to attract and retain a highly skilled work force in a global market space, we remain competitive with the pay of other employers who compete with us for talent in relevant markets. |
| Easy to understand. We believe that all aspects of executive compensation should be clearly, comprehensibly and promptly disclosed to employees in order to effectively motivate them. Employees need to easily understand how their efforts can affect their pay, both directly through individual performance accomplishments and indirectly through contributions to achieving our strategic, financial and operational goals. We also believe that compensation for our employees should be administered uniformly across our company with clear-cut objectives and performance metrics to eliminate the potential for individual supervisor bias. |
Our Compensation Committee also considers risk when developing our compensation programs and believes that the design of our compensation programs should not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking.
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Components of Executive Compensation
The compensation of our executive officers consists of the following five primary components:
| Base salary or, in the case of executive officers based in India, fixed compensation; |
| Cash bonus or variable incentive; |
| Equity incentive grants of RSUs; |
| Other benefits and perquisites; and |
| Severance benefits. |
The following is a discussion of our considerations in determining each of the compensation components for our executive officers.
Base Salary or Fixed Compensation
Base salary is a fixed element of our executives annual cash compensation, which is not tied to any performance criteria. We consider base salary an important part of an executives compensation and our Compensation Committee reviews each executive officers base salary annually as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibility. Any base salary adjustments are usually approved early in the fiscal year, effective as at April 1, or as set out in the relevant employment agreement. The specific amount of base salary for each executive officer depends on the executives role, scope of responsibilities, experience and skills. Market practices are also considered in setting base salaries. Base salaries are intended to assist us in attracting executives and recognizing differing levels of responsibility and contribution among executives.
Cash Bonus or Variable Incentive
In addition to base salary, annual cash bonuses are another important piece of total compensation for our executive officers. Annual bonus opportunities are intended to support the achievement of our business strategies by tying a meaningful portion of compensation to the achievement of established objectives for the year. These objectives are discussed in more detail below. Annual bonus opportunities also are a key tool in attracting highly sought-after executives, and cash bonuses add a variable component to our overall compensation structure.
Equity Incentive Grants of RSUs
Our equity-based incentive program, through which we grant RSUs, is a key element of the total compensation for our executive officers. This equity-based incentive program is intended to attract and retain highly qualified individuals, align their long-term interests with those of our shareholders, avoid short term focus and effectively execute our long term business strategies. Our equity-based compensation is subject to multi-year vesting requirements by which executives gains can either be realized through (i) the achievement of set performance criteria and continued employment through the vesting period, or, simply, (ii) continued employment through the vesting period. These RSUs vests based on time and performance and these performance linked RSUs have the potential to vest above 100% based on meeting the set targets. For every grant made to our executives, the time to performance based vesting ratio is 27:73 at the maximum level of achievement.
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We believe that our executive officers should also own and hold our equity to further align their interests with the long-term interests of our shareholders and further promote our commitment to sound corporate governance practices. To achieve this, we have adopted share ownership guidelines, pursuant to which each executive officer is required to achieve their respective target share ownership level over a period of five years. For more information, see Share Ownership Share Ownership Guidelines.
Other Benefits and Perquisites
We provide benefits and perquisites to our executive officers that are generally available to and consistent with those provided to our other employees in the country in which the executive officer is located. We believe these benefits are consistent with the objectives of our compensation philosophy and allow our executive officers to work more efficiently. Such benefits and perquisites are intended to enhance the competitiveness of our overall compensation program. Such benefits normally include medical, accident and life insurance coverage, retirement benefits, club membership, reimbursement of telephone expenses, a car and related maintenance expenses, leased residential accommodation and other miscellaneous benefits which are customary in the location where the executive officer resides and are generally available to other employees in the country. All executive officers are covered by the directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by us.
Severance Benefits
Under the terms of our employment agreements, we are sometimes obligated to pay severance or other enhanced benefits to our executive officers upon termination of their employment.
Our executive officers globally have enhanced levels of benefits based on their job level, seniority and probable loss of employment after a change in control. Executive officers generally are paid severance for a longer period as compared to other employees.
| Accelerated vesting of equity awards. All granted but unvested share options and RSUs would vest immediately and become exercisable (in the case of share options) by our executive officers subject to certain conditions set out in the applicable equity incentive plans or their individual employment agreements. |
| Severance and notice payment. Eligible terminated executive officers would receive severance and notice payments as reflected in their individual employment agreements. |
| Benefit continuation. Eligible terminated executive officers would receive basic employee benefits such as medical and life insurance and other perquisites as reflected in their individual employment agreements. |
In addition, we provide change in control severance protection to certain executive officers. Our Compensation Committee believes that such protection is intended to preserve employee morale and productivity and encourage retention in the face of the disruptive impact of an actual or rumored change in control. In addition, for executive officers, the program is intended to align executive officers and shareholders interests by enabling executive officers to consider corporate transactions that are in the best interests of our shareholders and other constituents without undue concern over whether the transactions may jeopardize the executive officers own interest or employment.
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Our Assessment Process
Our Compensation Committee has established a number of processes to assist it in ensuring that our executive compensation programs are achieving their objectives. Our Compensation Committee typically reviews each component of compensation at least every 12 months with the goal of allocating compensation between long term and currently paid compensation and between cash and non-cash compensation, and combining the compensation elements for each executive in a manner we believe best fulfills the objectives of our compensation programs.
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the performance of each of our executive officers, approving the compensation level of each of our executive officers, establishing criteria for the grant of equity awards for each of our executive officers and approving such equity grants. Each of these tasks is generally performed annually by our Compensation Committee.
There are no predetermined individual or corporate performance factors or goals that are used by our Compensation Committee to establish the amounts or mix of any elements of compensation for the executive officers. Our Compensation Committee works closely with our Group Chief Executive Officer, discussing with him our companys overall performance and his evaluation of and compensation recommendations for our executive officers. From time to time, our Compensation Committee also seeks the advice and recommendations of an external compensation consultant to benchmark certain components of our compensation practices against those of its peers. The companies selected for such benchmarking include companies in similar industries and generally of similar sizes and market capitalizations. Where compensation information is not available for any specific position an executive officer holds for companies that provide business and technology services, our Compensation Committee reviews data corresponding to the most comparable position and also considers the comparative experience of executives.
Our Compensation Committee then utilizes its judgment and experience in making all compensation determinations. Our Compensation Committees determination of compensation levels is based upon what the members of the committee deem appropriate, considering information such as the factors listed above, as well as input from our Group Chief Executive Officer and, from time to time, information and advice provided by an independent compensation consultant.
Other processes that our Compensation Committee has established to assist in ensuring that our compensation programs operate in line with their objectives are:
| Assessment of Company Performance: Our Compensation Committee uses financial performance measures to determine a significant portion of the size of payouts under our cash bonus program. The financial performance measures, adopted on improving both top line (which refers to our revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP) as described in Part I Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Overview of the Annual Report) and bottom line (which refers to our adjusted net income (ANI) (non-GAAP), which is calculated as our profit excluding impairment of goodwill, share-based compensation expense, acquisition-related expenses and amortization of intangible assets. including the tax effect thereon) and other measures, such as our adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP), which is calculated as adjusted operating profit/(loss) (non-GAAP) (calculated as operating profit/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expense, acquisition-related expenses and amortization of intangible assets) as a percentage of revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP), are pre-established by our Compensation Committee annually at the beginning of a fiscal year. When the pre-determined financial measures are achieved, executive officers receive amounts that are set for these targets. These measures reflect targets that are intended to be aggressive but attainable. The remainder of an individuals payout under our cash bonus program is determined by the achievement of individual performance objectives. |
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| Assessment of Individual Performance: Individual performance has a strong impact on the compensation of all employees, including our executive officers. The evaluation of an individuals performance determines a portion of the size of payouts under our cash bonus program and also influences any changes in base salary. Our Compensation Committee, along with our Group Chief Executive Officer, set the respective performance objectives for the fiscal year for the executive officers. The performance objectives are initially proposed by our Group Chief Executive Officer and modified, as appropriate, by our Compensation Committee based on the performance assessment conducted for the preceding fiscal year and also looking at goals for the current fiscal year. Every evaluation metric is supplemented with key performance indicators. At the end of the fiscal year, our Group Chief Executive Officer discusses individuals respective achievement of the pre-established objectives as well as their contribution to our companys overall performance and other leadership accomplishments. This evaluation is shared with our Compensation Committee. After the discussion, our Compensation Committee, in discussion with our Group Chief Executive Officer, assigns a corresponding numerical performance rating that translates into specific payouts under our cash bonus program and also influences any changes in base salary. |
The Compensation Committee approves awards under our cash bonus or variable incentive program consistent with the achievement of applicable goals.
The Committee on occasion makes exceptions to payments in strict accordance with achievement of goals based on unusual or extraordinary circumstances. Executive officers must be on the payroll of our company on the last day of the fiscal year, March 31, to be eligible for payment under our cash bonus or variable incentive program.
Compensation decisions are designed to promote our fundamental business objectives and strategy. Our Compensation Committee periodically reviews matters such as succession planning, management performance and the business environment and considers such matters in making compensation decisions.
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Benchmarking and Use of Compensation Consultant for Fiscal 2023
During fiscal 2023, our Compensation Committee reviewed compensation programs for our executive officers against publicly available compensation data, which was compiled directly by our external compensation consultant. The companies selected by our external compensation consultant for its survey for benchmarking our executive officers compensation included companies in similar industries and generally of similar sizes and market capitalizations.
The list of peer companies against which we benchmarked the compensation of our Group Chief Executive Officer and named executive officers in fiscal 2023 included the following:
Peer Group Companies for Named Executive Officers other than the Group Chief Executive Officer* | ||||
Accenture (BPM) |
FirstSource Solutions | Mphasis | ||
Capgemini (IT/ BPM) |
Genpact Limited | Tata Consultancy Services (BPM) | ||
Cognizant Technologies |
HCL Technologies | Teleperformance | ||
Conduent |
ICICI Bank | Wipro Technologies (BPM) | ||
EXL Services Holding Inc. |
Infosys (BPM) | |||
Peer Group Companies for the Group Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Cognizant Technologies |
Genpact Limited | Teleperformance | ||
Conduent |
HCL Technologies | Wipro Technologies (BPM) | ||
EXL Services Holding Inc. |
* | Different subsets of the peer group were used for different named executive officers depending on the officers position and geographic location. |
Our Compensation Committee used the data derived by our external compensation consultant primarily to ensure that our executive compensation programs are competitive. A selected subset of peer companies from those listed above that were found most closely comparable as benchmark for a particular position were considered to arrive at the compensation benchmark review of individual executive officers. Where compensation information was not publicly disclosed for a specific management position in the relevant industry, our Compensation Committee reviewed data corresponding to the most comparable position and also considered the comparative experience of the relevant executive officers.
There is enough flexibility in the existing compensation programs to respond and adjust to the evolving business environment. Accordingly, an individuals compensation elements could be changed by our Compensation Committee based on changes in job responsibilities of the executive. In addition to input from our external compensation consultants survey, our Compensation Committee also took into consideration our performance and industry indicators in deciding our compensation for fiscal 2023.
Based on the elements listed above and in line with our compensation philosophy, in fiscal 2023 our Compensation Committee adjusted our executive officers compensation as described in Executive Compensation for Fiscal 2023 below.
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Executive Compensation for Fiscal 2023
Total Compensation of Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or proposed to be paid to each of our Group Chief Executive Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer and other named executive officers for services rendered in fiscal 2023 (excluding grants of RSUs which are described below).
Name |
Base salary(1) | Benefits | Bonus | Total | ||||||||||||
Keshav R. Murugesh |
$ | 844,732 | $ | 232,050 | $ | 1,630,428 | $ | 2,707,210 | ||||||||
Sanjay Puria |
$ | 404,343 | $ | 27,380 | $ | 651,615 | $ | 1,083,338 | ||||||||
Gautam Barai(2) |
$ | 432,368 | $ | 35,210 | $ | 811,559 | $ | 1,279,138 | ||||||||
Swaminathan Rajamani |
$ | 385,377 | $ | 24,504 | $ | 621,996 | $ | 1,031,877 | ||||||||
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Total |
$ | 2,066,821 | $ | 319,145 | $ | 3,715,598 | $ | 6,101,564 | ||||||||
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Notes:
(1) | Base salary does not include amount contributed towards provident fund which is set out in the table under Other Benefits and Perquisites. |
(2) | Gautam Barai resigned as an officer of the Company on May 15, 2023. |
Base Salary or Fixed Compensation
In reviewing base salaries for executive officers, our Compensation Committee reviewed compensation programs for our executive officers against publicly available compensation data compiled by our external compensation consultant and considered local market conditions, market data, the executive officers experience and responsibilities, the perceived risk of having to replace the named executive officer and the fact that the executive officers for fiscal 2023 had satisfactorily performed against their prior years individual performance objectives.
Our Compensation Committee has made the following determinations on the executive officers base salary:
| Mr. Keshav R. Murugeshs base salary was revised from $813,754 to $895,129. The salary revision was effective February 19, 2023. |
| Mr. Sanjay Purias base salary (including employer contribution towards Provident Fund (Retirement Benefit)) was revised from $342,606 to $ 411,127 in fiscal 2023. The salary revision was effective April 1, 2022. |
| Mr. Gautam Barais base salary (including employer contribution towards Provident Fund (Retirement Benefit)) was revised from $ 361,294 to $ 436,044 in fiscal 2023. The salary revision was effective April 1, 2022. Mr. Gautam Barai resigned as an officer of the Company on May 15, 2023. |
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| Mr. Swaminathan Rajamanis base salary (including employer contribution towards Provident Fund (Retirement Benefit)) was revised from $ 311,460 to $ 392,440 in fiscal 2023. The salary revision effective April 1, 2022. |
Cash Bonus or Variable Incentive
Our Compensation Committee believes that the executive officers must work as a team and focus primarily on company goals rather than solely on individual goals. Our Compensation Committee believes that enhancing the long-term value of our company requires increased revenue (both from existing and new clients), improved contribution and increased ANI (non-GAAP). Finally, our Compensation Committee believes it must also reward and encourage individual performance and therefore assigned certain weightages of the variable incentive to company and individual objectives, including achievement of targets for our revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP), ANI (non-GAAP), adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP) and certain individual goals for various executive officers. Such bonuses are typically paid in April and/or May each year. The aggregate amount of all cash bonuses to be paid for fiscal 2023 does not exceed the aggregate cash bonus pool approved by our Compensation Committee for fiscal 2023. Each of our executive officers variable incentive packages for fiscal 2023 are as described below:
Our Compensation Committee set Mr. Murugeshs target variable incentive, or cash bonus, at $1,028,696 for 100% achievement of objectives. Our Compensation Committee assigned as Mr. Murugeshs performance objectives the achievement of targets for our revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP) and ANI (non-GAAP), and individual performance objectives. Mr. Murugesh earned 158.5% of his target variable incentive amount on an overall basis.
Our Compensation Committee set Mr. Purias target variable incentive for 2023 at $ 411,127 for 100% achievement of objectives. Our Compensation Committee assigned as Mr. Purias performance objectives the achievement of targets for our revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP) and ANI (non-GAAP), and individual performance objectives. Based on actual performance against these various objectives, Mr. Puria earned 158.5% of his target variable incentive amount on an overall basis.
Our Compensation Committee set Mr. Barais target variable incentive for 2023 at $436,044 for 100% achievement of objectives. Our Compensation Committee assigned as Mr. Barais performance objectives the achievement of targets for our revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP), ANI (non-GAAP), adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP), adjusted gross contribution (non-GAAP), and individual performance objectives. Based on actual performance against these objectives, Mr. Barai earned 186.1% of his target variable incentive amount on an overall basis.
Our Compensation Committee set Mr. Swaminathans target variable incentive for 2023 at $392,440 for 100% achievement of objectives. Our Compensation Committee assigned as Mr. Swaminathans performance objectives the achievement of targets for our revenue less repair payments (non-GAAP) and ANI (non-GAAP), and individual performance objectives. Based on actual performance against these various objectives, Mr. Swaminathan earned 158.5% of his target variable incentive amount on an overall basis.
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Equity Incentive Grants of RSUs
During fiscal 2023, we continued the equity incentive scheme which has a vesting schedule linked to continued employment with our company through vesting date, achievement of financial performance targets and achievement of total shareholder return performance targets.
Consistent with our philosophy on equity grants to our executive officers, we awarded the following number of RSUs to our executive officers during fiscal 2023:
Name |
Date of grant | Total RSUs granted for fiscal 2023 |
Weighted average grant date fair value ($)(1) |
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Keshav R. Murugesh |
April 21, 2022 | 176,250 | (2) | 84.00 | ||||||||
August 1, 2022 | 235,000 | (4) | 29.60 | |||||||||
Sanjay Puria |
April 21, 2022 | 24,000 | (3) | 84.00 | ||||||||
August 1, 2022 | 28,400 | (4) | 29.60 | |||||||||
Gautam Barai(5) |
April 21, 2022 | 28,650 | (3) | 84.00 | ||||||||
August 1, 2022 | 33,800 | (4) | 29.60 | |||||||||
Swaminathan Rajamani |
April 21, 2022 | 21,000 | (3) | 84.00 | ||||||||
August 1, 2022 | 27,200 | (4) | 29.60 |
Notes:
(1) | The amounts shown under this column reflect the dollar amount of the weighted average grant date fair value of equity-based RSUs granted during the year. |
(2) | The RSUs granted (comprising a base award and an additional award of up to 50% of the base award granted for the achievement of specified performance criteria) vests according to the following schedule: 3.75% of the base award vests quarterly on the completion of each of the first eight quarters following the grant date, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date; 2.50% of the base award vests quarterly on the completion of each of the following four quarters, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date; and 60% of the base award vests on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date and the achievement of conditions relating to our Companys financial and total shareholders return performance as determined by our Compensation Committee. The grantee will be eligible for additional RSUs of up to 50% of the base award on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date and the achievement of conditions relating to our Companys financial and total shareholders return performance as determined by our Compensation Committee. The fair value of RSUs based on service and achievement of financial performance is generally the market price of our shares on the date of grant and for total shareholders return performance based RSUs, it is determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation. |
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(3) | The RSUs granted (comprising a base award and an additional award of up to 50% of the base award granted for the achievement of specified performance criteria) vest according to the following schedule: 3.33% of the base award vests quarterly on the completion of each of the first twelve quarters following the grant date, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date; and 60% of the base award vests on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date and the achievement of conditions relating to our Companys financial and total shareholders return performance as determined by our Compensation Committee. The grantee will be eligible for additional RSUs of up to 50% of the base award on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the grantees continued employment with our company through the vesting date and the achievement of conditions relating to our Companys financial and total shareholders return performance as determined by our Compensation Committee. The fair value of RSUs based on service and achievement of financial performance is generally the market price of our shares on the date of grant and for total shareholders return performance based RSUs, it is determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation. |
(4) | During the year ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted RSUs to drive higher growth, based on performance and market conditions along with service conditions. The RSUs will vest upon the Company achieving the market capitalization target along with net revenue targets (together referred as the vesting conditions). The vesting period ranges from 3 years and 2 months to 4 years and 9 months from the grant date dependent on achievement of respective vesting conditions at each evaluation period. The vesting of RSUs will happen only on achievement of both the vesting conditions. Any unvested RSUs due to non-achievement of vesting conditions at the end of vesting period will lapse. |
(5) | Mr. Gautam Barai resigned as an officer of the Company on May 15, 2023. |
Other Benefits and Perquisites
The retirement plans, health and welfare benefits provided to executive officers are the same plans and benefits available to all other employees of our company.
All directors and officers, including executive officers, are covered by the directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by our company.
Additional perquisites provided to our executive officers in fiscal 2023 are summarized below:
Name |
Provident Fund |
Insurance benefits |
Tax Reimbursement |
Club Membership |
Other Benefits | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Keshav R. Murugesh |
$ | 98,835 | $ | 49,201 | $ | 14,795 | $ | 34,926 | $ | 34,293 | $ | 232,050 | ||||||||||||
Sanjay Puria |
$ | 19,734 | $ | 4,531 | $ | 3,115 | $ | | $ | | $ | 27,380 | ||||||||||||
Gautam Barai(1) |
$ | 27,564 | $ | 4,531 | $ | 3,115 | $ | | $ | | $ | 35,210 | ||||||||||||
Swaminathan Rajamani |
$ | 18,837 | $ | 2,552 | $ | 3,115 | $ | | $ | | $ | 24,504 | ||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 164,970 | $ | 60,815 | $ | 24,140 | $ | 34,926 | $ | 34,293 | $ | 319,144 | ||||||||||||
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Note:
(1) | Mr. Gautam Barai resigned as an officer of the Company on May 15, 2023. |
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Non-executive Director Compensation for Fiscal 2023
Total Compensation of Non-Executive Directors
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or proposed to be paid to our non-executive directors for services rendered in fiscal 2023 (excluding grants of RSUs which are described below):
Name |
Retainership Fees |
Retainership fees for Board/Committee Chairman |
Total | |||||||||
Gareth Williams |
$ | 56,250 | $ | 15,000 | (1) | $ | 71,250 | |||||
John Freeland(2) |
$ | 75,000 | $ | | $ | 75,000 | ||||||
Michael Menezes(3) |
$ | 56,250 | $ | 22,500 | (3) | $ | 78,750 | |||||
Françoise Gri |
$ | 75,000 | $ | 15,000 | (4) | $ | 90,000 | |||||
Keith Haviland |
$ | 75,000 | $ | | $ | 75,000 | ||||||
Mario P. Vitale |
$ | 75,000 | $ | | $ | 75,000 | ||||||
Jason Liberty |
$ | 75,000 | $ | 7,500 | (5) | $ | 82,500 | |||||
Timothy L Main |
$ | 160,000 | $ | | $ | 160,000 | ||||||
Lan Tu |
$ | 75,000 | $ | 5,000 | (6) | $ | 80,000 | |||||
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Total |
$ | 722,500 | $ | 65,000 | $ | 787,500 | ||||||
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Notes:
(1) | Fee paid to Mr. Gareth Williams for serving as Chairman of our Compensation Committee till December 31, 2022 in fiscal 2023. Mr. Gareth Williams ceased to be a director after December 31, 2022 |
(2) | Mr. John Freeland will cease to be a director after August 31, 2023. |
(3) | Fee paid to Mr. Michael Menezes for serving as Chairman of our Audit Committee till December 31, 2022 in fiscal 2023. Mr. Michael Menezes ceased to be a director after December 31, 2022. |
(4) | Fee paid to Ms. Françoise Gri for serving as Chairperson of our NCG & ESG Committee in fiscal 2023. |
(5) | Fee paid to Mr. Jason Liberty for serving as Chairman of our Audit Committee effective January 1, 2023 in fiscal 2023. |
(6) | Fees paid to Ms. Lan Tu as Chairperson of our Compensation Committee effective January 1, 2023 in fiscal 2023. |
Equity Incentive Grants of RSUs to Non-executive Directors
The following table sets forth information concerning RSUs awarded to our non-executive directors in fiscal 2023. These RSUs have a vesting period of one year. No options were granted in fiscal 2023.
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Name |
Date of grant | Total RSUs granted for fiscal 2023 |
Grant date fair value ($)(1) |
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Lan Tu |
April 21, 2022 | 1,835 | 84.00 | |||||||||
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | ||||||||||
Timothy L Main |
July 19, 2022 | 3,540 | 77.71 | |||||||||
Michael Menezes(2) |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | |||||||||
Gareth Williams(2) |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | |||||||||
John Freeland(2) |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | |||||||||
Françoise Gri |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | |||||||||
Keith Haviland |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | |||||||||
Mario Vitale |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 | |||||||||
Jason Liberty |
July 19, 2022 | 1,900 | 77.71 |
Note:
(1) | The amounts shown under this column reflect the dollar amount of the aggregate grant date fair value of equity-based RSUs granted during the year. The fair value of RSUs is generally the market price of our shares on the date of grant. |
(2) | Mr. Michael Menezes and Mr. Gareth Williams ceased to be a director after December 31, 2022 and John Freeland will cease to be a director after August 31, 2023. |
Future grants of awards will continue to be determined by our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee under the 2016 Incentive Award Plan.
Employment Agreement of our Executive Director
We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Keshav R. Murugesh in February 2010, to serve as our Group Chief Executive Officer. The agreement was amended with effect from February 19, 2013, February 19, 2014, February 19, 2017 and March 18, 2022, in each case to revise Mr. Murugeshs compensation (including share grants). The agreement provides for Mr. Murugeshs appointment for an initial five-year term, which is renewed automatically for three additional successive terms of three years each (up to Mr. Murugesh attains the age of 60 years), unless either we or Mr. Murugesh elects not to renew the term. Mr. Murugeshs term of appointment under the current agreement expires in August 2023 when Mr. Murugesh attains the age of 60 years.
We entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Murugesh effective April 1, 2022 and his employment shall continue, until August 17, 2025.
Under the terms of the current agreement, Mr. Murugesh is entitled to receive compensation, health and other benefits and perquisites commensurate with his position. Pursuant to the current agreement, Mr. Murugesh will be eligible to receive annually such number of RSUs to be computed based on our average share price (taking the daily US dollar closing price) during March of the fiscal year preceding the date of such determination and the value of such grant shall not be less than eight times the sum of his annual base salary. Mr. Murugesh is entitled to receive additional performance-based grants for meeting additional performance-based criteria, the value of such grant being up to 50% of eight times the sum of his annual base salary. Any grants of RSUs to Mr. Murugesh will be made pursuant to and in accordance with our 2016 Incentive Award Plan.
If Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated by us without cause or by Mr. Murugesh for good reason (each as defined in the current agreement) or is terminated for any reason other than those specified in the current agreement (including, without limitation, expiration of his employment period or we elect not to extend his employment), he would be entitled to all accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation and any unreimbursed expenses, his base salary for a period of 12 months from the effective date of termination which will be paid in monthly installments and his target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, both of which will be paid immediately.
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Further, where Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated for reasons of death, disability or retirement as specified in the current agreement, he would be entitled to all accrued and unpaid salary and bonus, accrued and unused vacation, any unreimbursed expenses and vested benefits and other amounts due to him under our employee benefit plans.
With respect to share options and RSUs:
If Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated by us without cause all share options and RSUs granted in the fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 (excluding the grant made in August 2022) would become exercisable on a fully accelerated basis. Further, all share options and RSUs granted in the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 would vest in accordance with the vesting schedule.
If Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated by Mr. Murugesh for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), all share options and RSUs granted in the fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 would become exercisable on a fully accelerated basis.
If Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated due to death, disability all share options and RSUs granted in the fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 would become exercisable on a fully accelerated basis.
If Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated by us for cause (as defined in the employment agreement) or by Mr. Murugesh due to resignation (as defined in the employment agreement), no share options and RSUs would be accelerated.
If Mr. Murugeshs employment is terminated for any other reason other than the one specified above, all share options and RSUs granted in the fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 would become exercisable on a fully accelerated basis.
If we experience a change in control (as defined in our 2006 Incentive Award Plan for awards granted under that plan or as defined in our 2016 Incentive Award Plan for awards granted under that plan) while Mr. Murugesh is employed under the current agreement, all of the share options and RSUs granted to Mr. Murugesh under the current agreement will vest and the share options and RSUs would become exercisable on a fully accelerated basis.
Employee Benefit Plans
2006 Incentive Award Plan
We adopted our 2006 Incentive Award Plan on June 1, 2006. The purpose of the 2006 Incentive Award Plan was to promote the success and enhance the value of our company by linking the personal interests of the directors, employees and consultants of our company and our subsidiaries to those of our shareholders and by providing these individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance. The 2006 Incentive Award Plan was further intended to provide us with the ability to motivate, attract and retain the services of these individuals. On February 13, 2009, we adopted the Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award Plan. The Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award Plan reflects, among other changes to our 2006 Incentive Award Plan, an increase in the number of ordinary shares and ADSs available for grant under the plan from 3.0 million to 4.0 million shares/ADSs, subject to specified adjustments under the plan. On September 13, 2011, we adopted the Second Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award Plan that reflects an increase in the number of ordinary shares and ADSs available for granted under the plan to 6.2 million shares/ADSs, subject to specified adjustments under the plan. On September 25, 2013, we adopted the Third Amended and Restated 2006 Incentive Award Plan that reflects an increase in the number of ordinary shares and ADSs available for grant under the plan to 8.6 million shares/ADSs, subject to specified adjustments under the plan. On May 31, 2016, our 2006 Incentive Award Plan expired pursuant to its terms.
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Shares Available for Awards
Subject to certain adjustments set forth in the 2006 Incentive Award Plan, the maximum number of shares that could be issued or awarded under the 2006 Incentive Award Plan was equal to the sum of (x) 8,600,000 shares, (y) any shares that remained available for issuance under our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (which was adopted on July 3, 2002 and terminated upon the effective date of our 2006 Incentive Award Plan), and (z) any shares subject to awards under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan which terminated, expired or lapsed for any reason or were settled in cash on or after the effective date of our 2006 Incentive Award Plan. As of the date of termination of the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan on July 25, 2006, the day immediately preceding the date of pricing of our initial public offering, an aggregate of 6,082,042 of our ordinary shares had been authorized for grant under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares which could be subject to awards granted to any one participant during any calendar year was 500,000 shares and the maximum amount that could be paid to a participant in cash during any calendar year with respect to cash-based awards was $10,000,000. To the extent that an award terminated or was settled in cash, any shares subject to the award would again be available for the grant. Any shares tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation with respect to any award would not be available for subsequent grant. Except as described below with respect to independent directors, no determination was made as to the types or amounts of awards that would be granted to specific individuals pursuant to the 2006 Incentive Award Plan.
Administration. The 2006 Incentive Award Plan is administered by our Board of Directors, which may delegate its authority to a committee. We anticipate that our Compensation Committee will administer the 2006 Incentive Award Plan, except that our Board of Directors will administer the plan with respect to awards granted to our independent directors. The plan administrator determined eligibility, the types and sizes of awards, the price and timing of awards and the acceleration or waiver of any vesting restriction, provided that the plan administrator would not have the authority to accelerate vesting or waive the forfeiture of any performance-based awards.
Eligibility. Our employees, consultants and directors and those of our subsidiaries were eligible to be granted awards, except that only employees of our company and our qualifying corporate subsidiaries were eligible to be granted options that are intended to qualify as incentive share options under Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
Awards
Options: The plan administrator was able to grant options on shares. The per share option exercise price of all options granted pursuant to the 2006 Incentive Award Plan would not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. No incentive share option could be granted to a grantee who owned more than 10% of our outstanding shares unless the exercise price was at least 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to an incentive share option became exercisable for the first time by any option holder during any calendar year exceeded $100,000, such excess would be treated as a non-qualified option. The plan administrator would determine the methods of payment of the exercise price of an option, which could include cash, shares or other property acceptable to the plan administrator (and could involve a cashless exercise of the option). The plan administrator designated in the award agreement evidencing each share option grant whether such share option would be exercisable for shares or ADSs. The award agreement could, in the sole discretion of the plan administrator, permit the option holder to elect, at the time of exercise, whether to receive shares or ADSs in respect of the exercised share option or a portion thereof. The term of options granted under the 2006 Incentive Award Plan could not exceed ten years from the date of grant. However, the term of an incentive share option granted to a person who owns more than 10% of our outstanding shares on the date of grant could not exceed five years. Under the 2006 Incentive Award Plan, the number of awards to be granted to our independent directors was determined by our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee.
Restricted Shares. The plan administrator could grant shares subject to various restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, limitations on the right to vote and/or limitations on the right to receive dividends.
Share Appreciation Rights. The plan administrator could grant share appreciation rights representing the right to receive payment of an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share on the date of exercise over the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. The term of share appreciation rights granted could not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The plan administrator could elect to pay share appreciation rights in cash, in shares or in a combination of cash and shares.
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Performance Shares and Performance Share Units. The plan administrator could grant awards of performance shares denominated in a number of shares and/or awards of performance share units denominated in unit equivalents of shares and/or units of value, including dollar value of shares. These awards could be linked to performance criteria measured over performance periods as determined by the plan administrator.
Share Payments. The plan administrator could grant share payments, including payments in the form of shares or options or other rights to purchase shares. Share payments could be based upon specific performance criteria determined by the plan administrator on the date such share payments were made or on any date thereafter.
Deferred Shares. The plan administrator could grant awards of deferred shares linked to performance criteria determined by the plan administrator. Shares underlying deferred share awards would not be issued until the deferred share awards have vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule or upon the satisfaction of any vesting conditions or performance criteria set by the plan administrator. Recipients of deferred share awards generally have no rights as shareholders with respect to such deferred shares until the shares underlying the deferred share awards have been issued.
Restricted Share Units. The plan administrator could grant RSUs, subject to various vesting conditions. On the maturity date, we will transfer to the participant one unrestricted, fully transferable share for each vested RSU scheduled to be paid out on such date. The plan administrator specified the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the participant for such shares. Generally, a participant will have to be employed by us on the date of payment of vested RSUs to be eligible to receive the payment of shares issuable upon vesting of the RSUs.
Performance Bonus Awards. The plan administrator could grant a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of performance goals based on performance criteria and measured over a performance period determined appropriate by the plan administrator. Any such cash bonus paid to a covered employee within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code could be a performance-based award as described below.
Performance-Based Awards. The plan administrator could grant awards other than options and share appreciation rights to employees who are or may be covered employees, as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code, that are intended to be performance-based awards within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code in order to preserve the deductibility of these awards for federal income tax purposes. Participants are only entitled to receive payment for performance-based awards for any given performance period to the extent that pre-established performance goals set by the plan administrator for the period are satisfied. The plan administrator determined the type of performance-based awards to be granted, the performance period and the performance goals. Generally, a participant will have to be employed by us on the date the performance-based award is paid to be eligible for a performance-based award for any period.
Adjustments. In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, the plan administrator has broad discretion to adjust awards, including without limitation, (i) the aggregate number and type of shares that could be issued under the 2006 Incentive Award Plan, (ii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding awards under such plan to account for such changes. The plan administrator also has the authority to cash out, terminate or provide for the assumption or substitution of outstanding awards in the event of a corporate transaction.
Change in Control. In the event of a change in control of our company in which outstanding awards are not assumed by the successor, such awards will generally become fully exercisable and all forfeiture restrictions on such awards will lapse. Upon, or in anticipation of, a change in control, the plan administrator may cause any awards outstanding to terminate at a specific time in the future and give each participant the right to exercise such awards during such period of time as the plan administrator, in its sole discretion, determines.
Vesting of Full Value Awards. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Full value awards (generally, any award other than an option or share appreciation right) will vest over a period of at least three years (or, in the case of vesting based upon attainment of certain performance goals, over a period of at least one year). However, full value awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% to the total issuable shares under the Plan may be granted without any minimum vesting periods. In addition, full value awards may vest on an accelerated basis in the event of a participants death, disability, or retirement, or in the event of the Companys change in control or other special circumstances.
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Non-transferability. Awards granted under the 2006 Incentive Award Plan are generally not transferable.
Withholding. We have the right to withhold, deduct or require a participant to remit to us an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local or foreign taxes (including the participants employment tax obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to any tax concerning the participant as a result of the 2006 Incentive Award Plan.
Termination or Amendment. On May 31, 2016, our 2006 Incentive Award Plan expired pursuant to its terms.
Outstanding Awards. As at June 30, 2023, RSUs to purchase an aggregate of 157,025 ordinary shares were outstanding, out of which RSUs to purchase 58,639 ordinary shares were held by all our directors and executive officers as a group.
There is no purchase price for the RSUs.
RSU Grants Outside of our Plans
On June 1, 2016, June 14, 2016 and July 13, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 44,284 restricted share units to certain of our employees and directors pursuant to an exemption from registration under the United States federal securities laws. We did not seek shareholder approval for these issuances as they are not required under the Companies Law.
2016 Incentive Award Plan
We adopted our 2016 Incentive Award Plan on September 27, 2016. The purpose of the 2016 Incentive Award Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of our company by linking the personal interests of the directors, employees, and consultants of our company and our subsidiaries to those of our shareholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to our shareholders. The 2016 Incentive Award Plan is further intended to provide us with flexibility in our ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of these individuals, upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of our companys operation is largely dependent. On September 27, 2018, we adopted the First Amended and Restated 2016 Incentive Award Plan, which reflects an increase in the number of ordinary shares and ADSs available for grant under the plan from 2.5 million to 3.9 million shares/ADSs, subject to specified adjustments under the plan. On September 24, 2020, we adopted the Second Amended and Restated 2016 Incentive Award Plan which reflects an increase in the number of ordinary shares and ADSs available for grant under the plan from 3.9 million to 6.1 million shares/ADSs subject to specific adjustments under the plan. On July 15, 2021, we adopted the Third Amended and Restated 2016 Incentive Award Plan which reflects the deletion of reload provisions.
Outstanding Awards. As at June 30, 2023, RSUs to purchase an aggregate 4,212,695 ordinary shares were outstanding, out of which RSUs to purchase 1,629,424 ordinary shares were held by all our directors and executive officers as a group. The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs granted during fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $83.70, $74.14 and $43.26 per ADS, respectively.
There is no purchase price for the RSUs.
Other Employee Benefits
We also maintain other employee benefit plans in the form of certain statutory and incentive plans covering substantially all of our employees. In fiscal 2023, the total amount accrued by us to provide for pension, retirement or similar benefits was $16.7 million.
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Provident Fund
In accordance with Indian, Philippines and Sri Lankan laws, all of our employees in these countries are entitled to receive benefits under the respective government provident fund, a defined contribution plan to which both we and the employee contribute monthly at a pre-determined rate (for India and Sri Lanka, currently 12% of the employees base salary and for the Philippines, 100 Philippine peso per month for every employee). These contributions are made to the respective government provident fund and we have no further obligation under this fund apart from our monthly contributions. We contributed an aggregate of $12.7 million, $11.6 million and $9.4 million in each of fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, to the government provident fund.
US Savings Plan
Eligible employees in the US participate in a savings plan (the US Savings Plan), pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Code. The US Savings Plan allows our employees to defer a portion of their annual earnings on a pre-tax basis through voluntary contributions there under. The US Savings Plan provides that we can make optional contributions up to the maximum allowable limit under the Code. We contributed an aggregate of $2.3 million, $2.1 million and $1.8 million in each of fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively, to the US Savings Plan.
UK Pension Scheme
Eligible employees in the UK contribute to a defined contribution pension scheme operated in the UK. The assets of the scheme are held separately from ours in an independently administered fund. The pension expense represents contributions payable to the fund by us. We contributed an aggregate of $1.2 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million in each of fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, to the UK pension scheme.
Gratuity
In accordance with Indian, the Philippines and Sri Lankan laws, we provide for gratuity liability pursuant to a defined benefit retirement plan covering all our employees in India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Our gratuity plan provides for a lump sum payment to eligible employees on retirement, death, incapacitation or on termination of employment (provided such employee has worked for at least five years with our company) which is computed on the basis of employees salary and length of service with us (subject to a maximum of approximately $24,340 per employee in India). In India, we provide the gratuity benefit through determined contributions pursuant to a non-participating annuity contract administered and managed by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Aviva Life Insurance Company Private Limited (ALICPL). Under this plan, the obligation to pay gratuity remains with us although LIC and ALICPL administer the plan. We contributed an aggregate of $2.6 million, $2.4 million and $1.0 million in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, to LIC and ALICPL.
Our Sri Lankan subsidiary, Philippines subsidiary and two Indian subsidiary have unfunded gratuity obligations.
Compensated Absence
Our liability for compensated absences is determined on the basis of an actuarial valuation using the projected unit credit method and is charged to income in the year in which they accrue.
Board Practices
Composition of the Board of Directors
Our Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that our Board of Directors consists of not less than three directors and such maximum number as our directors may determine from time to time. Our Board of Directors as of the date of this Proxy Statement consists of nine directors. Each of Messrs. Main, Vitale, Haviland, Freeland, Liberty, Ms. Gri, Ms. Tu and Ms. de Saint Victor satisfies the independence requirements of the NYSE rules. Mr. Freeland will cease to be a director after August 31, 2023.
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All directors hold office until the expiry of their term of office, their resignation or removal from office for gross negligence or criminal conduct by a resolution of our shareholders or until they cease to be directors by virtue of any provision of law or they are disqualified by law from being directors or they become bankrupt or make any arrangement or composition with their creditors generally or they become of unsound mind. The term of office of the directors is divided into three classes:
| Class I, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal 2026; |
| Class II, whose term will expire at the Annual General Meeting; and |
| Class III, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal 2025. |
Our directors are classified as follows:
| Class I: Mr. Mario P. Vitale, Mr. Tim Main and Ms. Lan Tu ; |
| Class II: Mr. Keshav R. Murugesh, Mr. Keith Haviland and Ms. Diane de Saint Victor; and |
| Class III: Ms. Françoise Gri, Mr. John Freeland and Mr. Jason Liberty. |
The appointments of Messrs. Keith Haviland, Keshav Murugesh and Ms. Diane de Saint Victor will expire at the Annual General Meeting. Messrs. Haviland and Murugesh and Ms. de Saint Victor have expressed their willingness to be re-elected and, accordingly, we are seeking shareholders approval for their re-election at the Annual General Meeting.
At each annual general meeting after the initial classification or special meeting in lieu thereof, the successors to directors whose terms will then expire serve from the time of election until the third annual meeting following election or special meeting held in lieu thereof. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. This classification of the Board of Directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of management of our company.
There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. The employment agreement governing the services of one of our directors provides for benefits upon termination of employment as described above.
Our Board of Directors held five meetings and two board calls in fiscal 2023.
Board Leadership Structure and Board Oversight of Risk
Different individuals currently serve in the roles of Chairman of the Board and Group Chief Executive Officer of our company. Our Board believes that splitting the roles of Chairman of the Board and Group Chief Executive Officer is currently the most appropriate leadership structure for our company. This leadership structure will bring in greater efficiency as a result of vesting two important leadership roles in separate individuals and increased independence for the Board of Directors.
Boards Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board of Directors is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk management processes. The Board of Directors receives and reviews periodic reports from the Head of Risk Management and Audit as considered appropriate regarding our companys assessment of risks. The Board of Directors focuses on the most significant risks facing our company and our companys general risk management strategy, and also ensures that risks undertaken by our company are consistent with the Boards appetite for risk. While the Board oversees our companys risk management, management is responsible for day-to-day risk management processes. We believe this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing the risks facing our company and that our Board leadership structure supports this approach.
The Audit Committee has special responsibilities with respect to financial risks, and regularly reports to the full Board of Directors on these issues. Among other responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviews our companys policies with respect to contingent liabilities and risks that may be material to our company, our companys policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies and procedures, and major legislative and regulatory developments which could materially impact our company.
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The Compensation Committee also plays a role in risk oversight as it relates to our companys compensation policies and practices. Among other responsibilities, the Compensation Committee designs and evaluates our companys executive compensation policies and practices so that our companys compensation programs promote accountability among employees and the interests of employees are properly aligned with the interests of our shareholders.
Committees of the Board
Our Board of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and an NCG & ESG Committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises four directors: Mr. Jason Liberty (Chairman), Mr. Keith Haviland, Mr. Mario P. Vitale and Ms. Diane de Saint Victor. Each of Messrs. Haviland, Liberty and Vitale and Ms. de Saint Victor satisfies the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the NYSE listing standards. The principal duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are as follows:
| to serve as an independent and objective party to monitor our financial reporting process and internal control systems; |
| to review and appraise the audit efforts of our independent accountants and exercise ultimate authority over the relationship between us and our independent accountants; and |
| to provide an open avenue of communication among the independent accountants, financial and senior management and the Board of Directors. |
The Audit Committee has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties. It also has the authority to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties. Mr. Liberty serves as our Audit Committee financial expert, within the requirements of the rules promulgated by the Commission relating to listed-company audit committees.
We have posted our Audit Committee charter on our website at www.wns.com. Information contained in our website does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.
The Audit Committee held five meetings in fiscal 2023.
Compensation Committee
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee comprises four directors: Ms. Lan Tu (Chairperson), Mr.Timothy L Main, Mr. John Freeland and Ms Françoise Gri. Each of Mr. Main, Mr. Freeland, Ms. Gri and Ms. Tu satisfies the independence requirements of the NYSE listing standards. Mr. John Freeland will cease to be a director after August 31, 2023. The scope of this committees duties includes determining the compensation of our executive officers and other key management personnel. The Compensation Committee also administers the 2006 Incentive Award Plan and the 2016 Incentive Award Plan, reviews performance appraisal criteria and sets standards for and decides on all employee shares options allocations when delegated to do so by our Board of Directors.
We have posted our Compensation Committee charter on our website at www.wns.com. Information contained in our website does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.
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The Compensation Committee held four meetings in fiscal 2023.
NCG & ESG Committee
The NCG & ESG Committee comprises five directors: Ms. Françoise Gri (Chairperson), Ms. Lan Tu, Ms. Diane de Saint Victor Messrs John Freeland and Messrs. Timothy L Main. Each of Ms. Gri, Ms. Tu, Ms. de Saint Victor, Messrs. Freeland and Messrs. Main satisfies the independence requirements of the NYSE listing standards.
The principal duties and responsibilities of the nominating and governance committee are as follows:
| to assist the Board of Directors by identifying individuals qualified to become board members and members of board committees, to recommend to the Board of Directors nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders, and to recommend to the Board of Directors nominees for each committee of the Board of Directors; |
| to monitor our corporate governance structure; and |
| to periodically review and recommend to the Board of Directors any proposed changes to the corporate governance guidelines applicable to us. |
We have posted our NCG & ESG Committee charter on our website at www.wns.com. Information contained in our website does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.
The NCG & ESG Committee uses its judgment to identify well qualified individuals who are willing and able to serve on our Board of Directors. Pursuant to its charter, the NCG & ESG Committee may consider a variety of criteria in recommending candidates for election to our board, including an individuals personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company, and a general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly-traded company in todays business environment; experience in our companys industry and with relevant social policy concerns; experience as a board member of another publicly held company; academic expertise in an area of our companys operations; and practical and mature business judgment, including ability to make independent analytical inquiries.
The NCG & ESG Committee considers director nominees with a diverse range of backgrounds, skills, national origins, values, experiences and occupations.
The NCG & ESG Committee held four meetings in fiscal 2023.
Executive Sessions
Our non-executive directors meet regularly in executive session without executive directors or management present. The purpose of these executive sessions is to promote open and candid discussion among the non-executive directors. Our non-executive directors held four executive sessions in fiscal 2023.
Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with the presiding director or with our non-executive directors as a group by writing to the following address: WNS (Holdings) Limited, Attention: Non-Executive Directors, Gate 4, Godrej & Boyce Complex, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli (W), Mumbai 400 079, India.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares by each of our directors and by all our directors and executive officers as a group as at June 30, 2023. As used in this table, beneficial ownership means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose of or direct the sale of any security. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of any option, warrant or right. Ordinary shares subject to options, warrants or rights that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of the person holding the options, warrants or rights, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of any other person. The amounts and percentages as at June 30, 2023 are based on an aggregate of 47,358,289 ordinary shares outstanding as at that date.
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Name |
Number | Percent | ||||||
Directors : |
||||||||
Timothy Main(1) |
14,240 | 0.03 | % | |||||
Keshav Murugesh |
655,749 | 1.38 | % | |||||
John Freeland(2) |
50,453 | 0.11 | % | |||||
Francoise Gri |
21,655 | 0.05 | % | |||||
Keith Haviland |
15,450 | 0.03 | % | |||||
Mario Vitale |
11,990 | 0.03 | % | |||||
Jason Liberty |
7,484 | 0.02 | % | |||||
Lan Tu |
1,835 | 0.00 | % | |||||
Diane de Saint Victor |
| 0.00 | % | |||||
Executive Officers : |
||||||||
Sanjay Puria |
40,468 | 0.09 | % | |||||
Swaminathan Rajamani |
78,082 | 0.16 | % | |||||
All our directors and executive officers as a group 10 persons (as at June 30, 2023) |
897,406 | 1.89 | % |
Notes:
(1) | Timothy L Main holds 10,000 shares in the form of ADSs. |
(2) | Of the 50,453 shares beneficially owned by Mr. John Freeland, 17,250 shares are in the form of ADSs. |
Mr. John Freeland will cease to be director after August 31, 2023.
As at June 30 2023, there were no options held by our directors and executive officers. The following table sets forth information concerning RSUs held by our directors and executive officers as at June 30, 2023:
Name |
RSU Summary | |||||||||||||||
Number of shares underlying unexercised RSUs held that have vested but unexercised |
Number of shares underlying unexercised RSUs held that will become vested in next 60 days from Jun 30, 2023 (With vesting dates) |
Vesting Dates |
Number of shares underlying unexercised RSUs held that have not vested |
|||||||||||||
Directors |
||||||||||||||||
John Freeland |
0 | 1,900 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Francoise Gri |
0 | 1,900 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Keith Haviland |
0 | 1,900 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Mario Vitale |
0 | 1,900 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Jason Liberty |
0 | 1,900 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Timothy Main |
0 | 3,540 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Lan Tu |
0 | 1,900 | 19-Jul-23 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Diane de Saint Victor |
0 | 1,710 | ||||||||||||||
Executive Officers |
||||||||||||||||
Keshav Murugesh |
655,749 | 3,088 | 21-Jul-23 | 701,463 | ||||||||||||
4,406 | 21-Jul-23 | |||||||||||||||
4,519 | 25-Jul-23 | |||||||||||||||
Sanjay Puria |
40,468 | 590 | 21-Jul-23 | 95,336 | ||||||||||||
534 | 21-Jul-23 | |||||||||||||||
583 | 25-Jul-23 | |||||||||||||||
Swaminathan Rajamani |
78,082 | 493 | 21-Jul-23 | 85,123 | ||||||||||||
466 | 21-Jul-23 | |||||||||||||||
513 | 25-Jul-23 |
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Share Ownership Guidelines
In July 2014, our Board of Directors adopted a share ownership policy, which was amended in January 2015 and effective from April 1, 2015, outlining the share ownership guidelines for, among other employees, our directors and executive officers. Our share ownership policy was further amended for other employees and executive officers effective July 2019. We believe that this policy further aligns the interests of our directors and executive officers with the long-term interests of our shareholders and promotes our commitment to sound corporate governance practices.
Under our amended policy, each of our non-executive directors must hold at least the amount of vested shares of our company by the fifth anniversary of such directors initial election to the Board as shown in the table below:
Position |
Share Ownership Guidelines | |
For Non-Executive Directors (except Board Chairman) | 3.0 x value of annual share grant in $ | |
For the Board Chairman | 4.0 x value of annual share grant in $ |
In the event a non-executive director holds at least the required valued of our ordinary shares during the required time period, but the value of the directors shares decreases below the shareholding requirement due to a decline in the price of our ADSs, the director shall be deemed to have complied with this policy so long as the director does not sell any shares.
Our amended policy provides that our executive officers are required to hold a multiple of their annual base salary in shares of our company as shown in the table below.
Position |
Share Ownership Guidelines | |
Group Chief Executive Officer | 4.0 x annual base salary | |
Group Chief Financial Officer | 2.0 x annual base salary | |
Chief People Officer | 2.0 x annual base salary |
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Executive officers have five years to achieve the specified ownership level according to the following build-up schedule: achieving a share ownership level equivalent to 5%, 15%, 30%, 60% and 100% of their specified ownership level in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth year, respectively.
For our Group Chief Financial Officer, our Compensation Committee changed the share ownership level from 1.5 times to 2 times his annual base salary. The additional ownership level of 0.5 times his annual base salary was to be attained over the period of five years in the same ratio as outlined above.
For our and Chief People Officer, our Compensation Committee changed the share ownership level from 1 time to 2 times his annual base salary. The additional ownership level of 1 time his annual base salary was to be attained over the period of five years in the same ratio as outlined above.
Shares owned by immediate family members and any trust for the benefit only of the executive officer/director or his or her family members are included in the determination of such executive officer/directors share ownership level.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as at June 30, 2023 held by each person who is known to us to have a 5.0% or more beneficial share ownership based on an aggregate of 47,358,289 ordinary shares outstanding as of that date. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and includes shares over which the indicated beneficial owner exercises voting and/or investment power or receives the economic benefit of ownership of such securities. Ordinary shares subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the options but are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage Beneficially Owned (1) |
||||||
FMR LLC (2) |
4,895,598 | 10.34 | % | |||||
Nalanda India Fund Limited (3) |
4,122,196 | 8.70 | % |
Notes:
(1) | Based on an aggregate of 47,358,289 ordinary shares outstanding as at June 30, 2023. |
(2) | Information is based on Amendment No. 20 to a report on Schedule 13G jointly filed with the Commission on February 9, 2023 by FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson. FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson filed Amendment No. 20 to a report on Schedule 13G jointly filed with the Commission on February 9, 2023 reporting beneficial ownership of 4,895,598 shares as of December 30, 2022. Abigail P. Johnson is a Director, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of FMR LLC. According to this Amendment No. 20, members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series B voting common shares. Accordingly, through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC. |
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(3) | Information is based on Amendment No. 5 to a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 14, 2019 by Nalanda India Fund Limited. |
The following summarizes the significant changes in the percentage ownership held by our major shareholders during the past three years:
| Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (WDR) reported its beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares to be 11.6% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding) in Amendment No. 9 to a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 14, 2020 and 10.6% based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding at that time) in Amendment No. 10 to a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 12, 2021. On April 30, 2021, WDR filed a current report on Form 8-K with the Commission announcing the completion of its acquisition by Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. |
| Macquarie Group Limited reported its beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares to be 5.32% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding) in a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 14, 2022 and 0.12% (based on the then number of our ordinary share reported as outstanding) in an amendment to a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on July 11, 2022. Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc., which was described in this report on Schedule 13G as being owned by Macquarie Group Limited and a joint filer of the report, reported that it had no beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares. On February 21, 2023, Macquarie Group Limited filed a Form 13F with the Commission and reported that it had beneficial ownership of 2,467,875 of our ordinary shares as at December 31, 2022, which represented 5.1% of our then ordinary shares. On June 1, 2023, Macquarie Group Limited filed a Form 13F with the Commission and reported that it had beneficial ownership of 2,392,777 of our ordinary shares as at March 31, 2023, which represented approximately 4.95% of our then ordinary shares. |
| Grandeur reported its beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares to be 5.15% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding) in a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 17, 2021, 5.88% (based on the then number of ordinary shares reported as outstanding) in a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 14, 2022, and 2.58% (based on the then number of ordinary shares reported as outstanding) in a report on Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 13, 2023. |
None of our major shareholders have different voting rights from our other shareholders.
As at June 30, 2023, 47,358,289 of our ordinary shares, representing 99.55% of our outstanding ordinary shares, were held by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the depositary for our ADS holders. We are aware of 13 record shareholders being a US citizen or an entity incorporated in the US, including the depositary, as at June 30, 2023. Since certain of these ordinary shares and ADSs were held by brokers or other nominees, the number of record holders in the US may not be representative of the number of beneficial holders or where the beneficial holders are resident. All holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to the same voting rights.
40
Related Party Transactions
(Amounts in thousands)
The following is a description of our related party transactions, determined in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act that were either material to us or the related party.
Mr. Keshav Murugesh is a member of the Executive Council at NASSCOM. During fiscal 2023, we paid membership and subscription charges and sponsorship fees for various events conducted by NASSCOM amounting to $64.
See also Directors, Senior Management and Employees Compensation Employment Agreement of our Executive Director for a description of our employment agreement with Mr. Keshav R. Murugesh, our Group Chief Executive Officer and director.
41
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP served as our independent public accountant for fiscal 2023. The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for audit and other services provided by Grant Thornton Bharat LLP and Grant Thornton member firms for fiscal 2023 and 2022.
Fiscal | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Audit fees |
$ | 821,400 | $ | 635,105 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 821,400 | $ | 635,105 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Notes:
Audit fees: This category consists of fees billed for the audit of financial statements, quarterly review of financial statements and other audit services, which are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements and include the group audit; statutory audits required by non-US jurisdictions; consents and attest services.
Audit Committee Pre-approval Process
Our Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves the scope and the cost of all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent auditor. All of the services provided by Grant Thornton Bharat LLP and Grant Thornton member firms during the last fiscal year have been pre-approved by our Audit Committee.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The stock performance graph below shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act (collectively, the Acts), except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts. This graph below compares the total shareholder return of the Companys ADSs, each represented by one ordinary share, with the S&P 500 Index, the NYSE Composite Index and our peer group index over a period from April 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023 . The peer group index is constructed based on the following selected peer group of companies: Infosys Technologies Limited, Wipro Limited, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, Tata Consultancy Services Limited (trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange, India) and Exl Service. Holdings, Inc. and Genpact Limited. We believe that these companies most closely resemble our business mix and that their performance is representative of our industry. The returns of the component entities of the Companys peer group index are weighed according to the market capitalization of each entity as of the beginning of each period for which a return is presented. The total shareholder return assumes US$100 invested at the beginning of the period in the Companys ADSs, the S&P 500 Index, the NYSE composite Index and our peer group index. It also assumes reinvestment of all dividends.
42
Cumulative Total Return
Based upon an initial investment of US$100 on April 1, 2018 with dividends reinvested
43
Appendix A
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP (Formerly Grant Thornton India LLP) 21st Floor, DLF Square Jacaranda Marg, DLF Phase II, Gurugram - 122 002 Haryana, India
T +91 124 462 8000 F +91 124 462 8001 www.grantthornton.in |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
WNS (Holdings) Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of WNS (Holdings) Limited and subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 2023, and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2023, and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2023, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and the requirements of the Company (Jersey) Law 1991.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements under Companies (Jersey) Law 1991
Matters on which we are required to report by exception.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 requires us to report to you, if in our opinion:
| proper accounting records have not been kept by the Company; or |
| the Companys financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or |
| we have not received proper returns adequate for our audit from branches not visited by us; or |
| we have not obtained all the information and explanations, which to the best of our knowledge and belief, are necessary for the purposes of our audit. |
For and on behalf of
Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
Abhishek Gupta
Partner
Gurugram, India
May 16, 2023
44
Exhibit 99.4
WNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
FORM OF PROXY
FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held on September 21, 2023
For use at the Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of WNS (Holdings) Limited (the Company) to be held at 11:00 a.m. (British Summer Time) on Thursday, September 21, 2023 and any adjournment thereof.
I/We [insert name] of [address] (BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE), being (a) shareholder(s) of the above named Company, hereby appoint the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting as my/our proxy to vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at am British Summer Time on day, and at any adjournment thereof or on a poll in respect of [insert number] ** Ordinary shares in the capital of the Company
** | You will need to specify the number of ordinary shares in respect of which the named proxy is entitled to vote. |
I / We direct my / our proxy to vote as follows: -
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS | FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | |||
1. Adoption of annual audited accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, together with the auditors report |
||||||
2. Re-appointment of Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the auditors of the Company |
||||||
3. Approval of auditors remuneration for the financial year ending March 31, 2024 |
||||||
4. Re-election of the Class II Director, Mr. Keshav Murugesh |
||||||
5. Re-election of the Class II Director, Ms. Diane de Saint Victor |
||||||
6. Re-election of the Class II Director, Mr. Keith Haviland |
||||||
7. Approval of Directors remuneration for the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024 |
||||||
8. To authorize the purchase of 3.3 million ADSs, effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive), subject to a minimum and maximum price and an aggregate limit on the ADSs to be purchased |
Date: , 2023
Signature of Shareholder/Authorized Signatory
(If you are signing this form as a director or officer of a body corporate or other entity, please indicate in what capacity you are signing and who you are signing for e.g. Director of X Limited or Director of X Limited as general partner of Y Limited Partnership)
1
NOTES:
1. | Important notice: We intend to hold the Annual General Meeting as a physical meeting. However, we will closely monitor the situation, in particular any potential restrictions on public gatherings, non-essential travel or any such other unprecedented event which will restrict the conduct of physical meeting. If such a situation arises, any resulting change will be communicated to the shareholders before the meeting through our website and public announcement. |
2. | Please indicate with an X in the appropriate box how you wish the proxy to vote. |
3. | The proxy will exercise his discretion as to how he votes or whether he abstains from voting: - |
(a) | on the resolutions referred to in this Form of Proxy if no instruction is given in respect of the resolutions; and |
(b) | on any business or resolution considered at the Annual General Meeting other than the resolutions referred to in this Form of Proxy. |
4. | To be valid, the instrument appointing a proxy, and any power of attorney or other authority (e.g. board minutes) under which it is signed (or a notarized copy of any such power or authority), must be deposited at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote. |
5. | A Form of Proxy executed by a corporation must be either under its common seal or signed by an officer or attorney duly authorized by the corporation. |
6. | In the case of joint holders, the name of all the joint holders should be stated in the Form of Proxy and all should sign it. Joint holders should elect one of their numbers to represent them in person or by proxy in their name. In the absence of such election, the vote of the holder whose name appears first in order in the Register of Shareholders, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of other joint holder(s). For this purpose, seniority is determined by the order in which the names appear in the Register of Shareholders. |
7. | A proxy may be revoked by: (i) giving the Company notice in writing deposited at our registered office at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (Attn: Mourant Governance Services (Jersey) Limited) before the commencement of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote; (ii) depositing a new Form of Proxy with the Company Secretary before the commencement of the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote (although it should be noted that the new Form of Proxy will only be a valid proxy, as opposed to being capable of revoking an earlier Form of Proxy, if deposited not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof or for the taking of a poll at which the proxy proposes to vote); or (iii) attending in person and voting on poll. |
2
8. | A body corporate which is a Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting may authorize a person to act as its representative at the Annual General Meeting in respect of all or a particular number of the shares held by the Shareholder. A body corporate which is a Shareholder may appoint more than one person to act as its representative. If a body corporate which is a Shareholder appoints more than one person to act as its representative, each resolution (and each instrument of appointment) shall specify the number of shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed its representative. For the avoidance of doubt, a body corporate which is a Shareholder may appoint (in addition to the representatives (if any) appointed by it) any number of persons to act as its proxy at the Annual General Meeting in respect of all or a particular number of the shares held by the Shareholder. A person duly authorized to act as a representative of a body corporate which is a Shareholder shall be entitled to exercise on behalf of the Shareholder the same powers (in respect of the number of shares held by the Shareholder for which the relevant person is appointed its representative) as the Shareholder could exercise. If a Shareholder which is a body corporate appoints more than one representative (but subject to the voting instructions (if any) given by the Shareholder), no representative need cast all the votes used by him in respect of any resolution in the same way as any other representative or any proxy appointed by the Shareholder. |
9. | The Company shall be entitled to reject the instrument appointing a proxy or proxies if it is incomplete, improperly completed, illegible or where the true intentions of the appointer are not ascertainable from the instructions of the appointer specified in the instrument appointing a proxy or proxies. |
10. | Facsimile or email copies of this Form of Proxy will not be accepted. |
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY |
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Register No | ||||||
Holding | ||||||
3
Exhibit 99.5
WNS (Holdings) Limited | August 18, 2023 | |
Please be advised of the following Depositarys Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders:
Depositary Receipt Information | ||
CUSIP: |
92932M101 (DTC Eligible) ADS ISIN: US92932M1018 | |
Country of Incorporation: |
Jersey | |
Meeting Details: |
Annual General Meeting | |
ADS Record Date: |
August 17, 2023 | |
Voting Deadline: |
September 11, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST | |
Meeting Date: |
September 21, 2023 | |
Meeting Agenda: |
The Companys Notice of Meeting, including the Agenda, is available at the Companys website: | |
http://www.wns.com | ||
Ratio (ORD:ADS): |
1 : 1 |
Holders of WNS (Holdings) Limited American Depositary Receipts (ADSs) are hereby notified of an Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of WNS (Holdings) Limited (the Company) to be held on September 21, 2023. A copy of the Notice of Meeting from the Company (which includes the agenda) and a copy of the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, can be found on the following websites at www.wns.com.
You may also obtain a paper copy of the Annual Report, free of charge, by sending a written request to WNS registered office at Mourant Secretaries (Jersey), of 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands (MourantGSWNS@mourant.com attention: Michael Lynam telephone 44 1534-676000), or by sending an email to gopi.krishnan@wns.com, attention: Gopi Krishnan. In addition, the Annual Report may be accessed through the SECs website maintained at http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/srch-edgar.
Holders of record of ADSs as of the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled to those voting rights as outlined in the Deposit Agreement between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Depositary (the Deposit Agreement).
As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of such consent or proxy. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 21 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting), at the Companys expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by ordinary, regular mail delivery or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary, to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxies; (b) a statement that the Holders as of the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs; and ( c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given.
Upon the timely receipt of written instructions of a Holder of ADSs on the ADS Record Date of voting instructions, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law and the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs held by such Holder in accordance with such instructions.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of, for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which no specific voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of Jersey law, and in accordance with Section 5.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote.
1
Please note that persons beneficially holding ADSs through a bank, broker or other nominee that wish to provide voting instructions with respect to the securities represented by such ADSs must follow the voting instruction requirements of, and adhere to the deadlines set by, such bank, broker or other nominee. Such requirements and deadlines will differ from those set forth herein for registered holders of ADSs.
Holders and persons and/or entities having a beneficial interest in any ADS (Beneficial Owners) are advised that (a) the Depositary has not reviewed the Companys website or any of the items thereon, and is not liable for the contents thereof, (b) neither the Depositary nor any of its affiliates controls, is responsible for, endorses, adopts, or guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in any document prepared by the Company or on the Companys website and neither the Depositary nor any of its affiliates are or shall be liable or responsible for any information contained therein or thereon, (c) there can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive this notice with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner, and (d) the Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote.
For further information, please contact:
Depositary Receipts
Phone: (800) 749-1873
shemaildb@equiniti.com
2
Exhibit 99.6
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
WNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
September 21, 2023
Please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided so that
your vote is received on or
before 1:00 p.m. EST on September 11, 2023.
¯ Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. ¯
∎ 00033333330300000000 1 |
092123 |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL THE PROPOSALS. RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2023. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ☒ | ||||||||||||
FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | ||||||||||
1. Adoption of the audited annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, together with the auditors report; |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
2. Re-appointment of Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the auditors of the Company; |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
3. Approval of auditors remuneration for the financial year ending March 31, 2024; |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
4. Re-election of Class II Director, Mr. Keshav Murugesh; |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
5. Re-election of Class II Director, Ms. Diane de Saint Victor; |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
6. Re-election of Class II Director, Mr. Keith Haviland; |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
7. Directors remuneration for the period from the Annual General Meeting until the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held in respect of the financial year ending March 31, 2024; and |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||||||||
|
8. To authorize the purchase of 3.3 million ADSs, effective from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027 (both days inclusive), subject to a minimum and maximum price and an aggregate limit on the ADSs to be purchased. |
☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||||
|
Signature of Shareholder | Date: | Signature of Shareholder | Date: |
∎ | Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
∎ |