Remuneration report

 
Remuneration philosophy and policy
The board recognises the importance of people to the continued sustainability and growth of the group. Oversight is therefore maintained over the remuneration policy and the implementation thereof to ensure rewards are competitive and proportionate with the contribution to the group’s performance. As a principle, above average remuneration is awarded to those employees who add significant value as gauged through achievement of performance results.

The executive and key managers’ remuneration is therefore structured to ensure that a significant portion of their package is linked to performance and achievement of sustainability targets through short-term and long-term incentives.

The board does not intend to ask the shareholders for non-binding approval for the group’s remuneration policies. The rationale and basis for the group’s executive remuneration policy is carefully considered by the remuneration/nomination committee and is documented in the annual report. Shareholders with concerns regarding this policy should contact the chairman of either the board or the committee.
 
Remuneration governance
The remuneration/nomination committee is composed of non-executive directors tasked with operating on behalf of the board to ensure the alignment of remuneration with realising shareholder value.
 
Share incentive schemes

Share option scheme

Grindrod has a share option scheme as an incentive to the senior management employees of the group. At the annual general meeting in May 2010, it was resolved that the unissued shares in the share capital of the company reserved for the purpose of the share option scheme continue to be placed under the control of the directors. The aggregate number of shares which are reserved for the scheme, together with the shares under option, is 90 000 000. These shares represent 3% of the authorised share capital and approximately 20% of the issued share capital as at 31 December 2010, excluding treasury shares.

After taking into account options which have lapsed and options withdrawn in respect of retired employees and employees who have left the group, the balance of the options which have been granted is 40 960 000 shares (equivalent to 9% of the issued share capital), of which 37 060 000 shares have been exercised and issued, leaving 3 900 000 shares (equivalent to 0,8% of the issued share capital excluding treasury shares) still under option in terms of the scheme at 31 December 2010. The options are exercisable at the market prices ruling on the dates the options were granted and vary from 239 cents to 1 251 cents per ordinary share and at varying dates before November 2015.

1 600 000 ordinary shares were allotted during the year in terms of the scheme for a consideration of R8 692 000.

Details of share options granted but not yet exercised are:
 
Date option granted Expiry date Number of options Subscription price (cents)
26.11.2003 26.11.2013 750 000 239
27.05.2004 27.05.2014 100 000 380
23.11.2005 23.11.2015               3 050 000 1 251
                3 900 000  
 
There were no options granted under this scheme in 2010.
 

Share price linked option scheme

The group share price linked share option scheme was introduced in 2007 for executives and other key senior managers in place of the aforementioned share option scheme.

Whilst the rules of the new scheme are modelled on those of the option scheme, the important difference is that options under the new scheme are cash settled rather than equity settled. One-third of the options become vested on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the relevant grant date. The options do not have an expiry date beyond the vesting date.

In terms of the rules of the new scheme, the grant price of an option is determined on the same basis as the settlement price, i.e. the average of the closing price of the previous seven trading days. The cash settlement amount of an option is equal to the difference between the weighted average price of Grindrod shares on the date upon which an option vests and the grant price. The participants will receive the amount due as a cash bonus.

The advantages to the company in adopting the new scheme include:
no necessity to issue new shares when options are exercised, i.e. no share dilution;
ease of administration; and
tax effectiveness of the expense in the hands of the company.
 
The remuneration/nomination committee recommends the granting of options for approval by the board of Grindrod Limited.

Options granted to executive directors and senior management as at 31 December 2010 comprise:
 
Date option granted Number of options granted Price (cents)
2007 1 475 000      1 625
2007 1 148 000      2 400
2008 2 348 600      2 350
2008 93 000 2 822
2009 3 749 000      1 430
2010 4 117 000      1 395
  12 930 600         
 

Grindrod Bank share price linked option scheme

In 2009, a share price linked scheme was introduced for Grindrod Bank executives and key employees. The scheme operates on the same principle as the Grindrod Limited share price linked option scheme, with the exception of the share price being based on a combined net asset value of Grindrod Bank and related financial services entities as opposed to the Grindrod listed price.
 
Non-executive directors’ remuneration
The level of fees paid to non-executive directors is reviewed by the remuneration/nomination committee on an annual basis. The recommendations are submitted to the Grindrod board for consideration and the fees are approved in advance by the shareholders at the annual general meeting. Various market surveys are utilised to determine the remuneration levels and reference is made to the fees paid by comparable listed companies.

Non-executive directors do not participate in the group’s incentive bonus plan or share option scheme, however, IAJ Clark continues to hold options granted during his tenure as chief executive officer.
 
Directors’ emoluments
The remuneration paid to directors of the company, whilst in office, during the year ended 31 December 2010 is as follows:
 
  Directors’
fees
R000
Committee
fees
R000
Basic
remuneration
R000
Performance
bonus
R000
Retirement,
medical
and other
benefits
R000
Share
option
gains
R000
Total
2010
R000
Total
2009
R000
Executive directors
JG Jones** 5 797
TJT McClure** 7 518
(retired 31 July 2010)
AK Olivier** 1 241 2 541 3 782 8 644
DA Rennie** 6 717
AF Stewart** 744 1 869 127 2 740 13 996
LR Stuart-Hill** 8 187
Non-executive directors
IAJ Clark 360 38 47 4 689 5 134 7 596
H Adams 153 153 128
MR Faku* 158 158
WD Geach 153 43 196 201
IM Groves 153 98 47 298 280
MJ Hankinson* 158 60 218
RA Norton 56 34 90 203
(retired 19 May 2010)
NTY Siwendu 153
(resigned 1 January 2010)
SDM Zungu* 158           158
From the company             12 927 59 420
Executive directors
JG Jones** 1 765 1 040 524 360 5 689 1 733
TJT McClure** 1 948 1 266 8 595 224 12 033 33 540
(retired 31 July 2010)
DA Polkinghorne** 1 861 1 508 388 3 757 3 732
DA Rennie** 2 421 2 194 816 2 360 7 791 2 437
AK Olivier** 3 972 1 319 247 5 538 2 498
AF Stewart** 1 258 774 2 032
LR Stuart-Hill** 2 596 1 559 878 4 812 9 845 2 436
Non-executive directors
IAJ Clark 78 12 90 79
WD Geach 23 15 38
IM Groves 53 89 142 113
RA Norton 21 47 68 150
(retired 19 May 2010)
NTY Siwendu 70
(resigned 1 January 2010)                
From the subsidiaries             47 023 46 788
Total emoluments 59 950 106 208
* Includes fees paid from December 2009.
**  For purposes of comparison refer to both earnings for total company and subsidiaries.
 
Share option scheme and share price linked option scheme
Details of share options and share price linked option shares granted to directors and not exercised are set out below. View details of these two schemes.
 

Share option scheme

Director Options at
01.01.2010
Options
exercised
during
the year
Price at
which
options
exercised
(cents)
Options at
31.12.2010
Option
price
(cents)
Vesting
dates
Expiry
dates
IAJ Clark 200 000 200 000 239
200 000 100 000 380 100 000 380 27.05.2011 27.05.2014
600 000 300 000 1 251 150 000 1 251 23.11.2011 23.11.2015
        150 000 1 251 23.11.2012 23.11.2015
JG Jones 150 000 150 000 239
500 000 251 100 000 1 251 23.11.2008 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2009 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2010 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2011 23.11.2015
        100 000 1 251 23.11.2012 23.11.2015
AK Olivier 400 000 239 200 000 239 26.11.2009 26.11.2013
200 000 239 26.11.2010 26.11.2013
400 000 1 251 100 000 1 251 23.11.2009 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2010 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2011 23.11.2015
        100 000 1 251 23.11.2012 23.11.2015
DA Rennie 150 000 150 000 239
500 000 1 251 100 000 1 251 23.11.2008 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2009 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2010 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2011 23.11.2015
        100 000 1 251 23.11.2012 23.11.2015
AF Stewart 150 000 239 150 000 239 26.11.2010 26.11.2013
500 000 1 251 100 000 1 251 23.11.2008 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2009 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2010 23.11.2015
100 000 1 251 23.11.2011 23.11.2015
        100 000 1 251 23.11.2012 23.11.2015
LR Stuart-Hill 200 000 200 000 239
400 000 200 000 1 251 100 000 1 251 23.11.2011 23.11.2015
        100 000 1 251 23.11.2012 23.11.2015
4 350 000 1 300 000 3 050 000
 

Share price linked options scheme

Director Options at
01.01.2010
Options
granted
during
the year
Options
vested
during
the year
Vesting
price
(cents)
Options at
31.12.2010
Option price (cents) Vesting
dates
JG Jones 220 000 17 600 2 350 01.03.2011
17 600 2 350 01.03.2012
17 800 2 350 01.03.2013
55 600 1 430 01.03.2012
55 600 1 430 01.03.2013
55 800 1 430 01.03.2014
171 000 57 000 1 395 01.03.2013
57 000 1 395 01.03.2014
          57 000 1 395 01.03.2015
AK Olivier 1 360 000 283 300 1 395 1 625 01.03.2010
283 300 1 625 01.03.2011
283 400 1 625 01.03.2012
62 000 2 350 01.03.2011
62 000 2 350 01.03.2012
62 000 2 350 01.03.2013
108 000 1 430 01.03.2012
108 000 1 430 01.03.2013
108 000 1 430 01.03.2014
688 000 229 300 1 395 01.03.2013
229 300 1 395 01.03.2014
          229 400 1 395 01.03.2015
DA Polkinghorne 285 000 51 600 1 395 1 625 01.03.2010
51 600 1 625 01.03.2011
51 800 1 625 01.03.2012
43 300 2 350 01.03.2011
43 300 2 350 01.03.2012
          43 400 2 350 01.03.2013
DA Rennie 445 000 51 600 1 395 1 625 01.03.2010
51 600 1 625 01.03.2011
51 800 1 625 01.03.2012
28 000 2 350 01.03.2011
28 000 2 350 01.03.2012
28 000 2 350 01.03.2013
68 600 1 430 01.03.2012
68 600 1 430 01.03.2013
68 800 1 430 01.03.2014
264 000 88 000 1 395 01.03.2013
88 000 1 395 01.03.2014
          88 000 1 395 01.03.2015
AF Stewart 348 000 16 600 1 395 1 625 01.03.2010
16 600 1 625 01.03.2011
16 800 1 625 01.03.2012
31 300 2 350 01.03.2011
31 300 2 350 01.03.2012
31 400 2 350 01.03.2013
68 000 1 430 01.03.2012
68 000 1 430 01.03.2013
68 000 1 430 01.03.2014
251 000 83 600 1 395 01.03.2013
83 700 1 395 01.03.2014
          83 700 1 395 01.03.2015
LR Stuart-Hill 444 000 45 000 1 395 1 625 01.03.2010
45 000 1 625 01.03.2011
45 000 1 625 01.03.2012
29 300 2 350 01.03.2011
29 300 2 350 01.03.2012
29 400 2 350 01.03.2013
73 600 1 430 01.03.2012
73 600 1 430 01.03.2013
73 800 1 430 01.03.2014
522 000 174 000 1 395 01.03.2013
174 000 1 395 01.03.2014
          174 000 1 395 01.03.2015
3 102 000 1 896 000 448 100 4 549 900
 
No bonus payments were paid on options which vested in 2010, due to the share price being below the grant price of the shares vested, however, R224 000 was paid to TJT McClure on his retirement on 31 July 2010 in terms of the rules of the scheme.
 

Grindrod Bank Limited share price linked options scheme

Director Options at
01.01.2010
Options
granted
during
the year
Options at
31.12.2010
Option price (cents) Vesting
dates
DA Polkinghorne 447 000 149 000 466 01.03.2012
149 000 466 01.03.2013
149 000 466 01.03.2014
249 000 83 000 499 01.03.2013
83 000 499 01.03.2014
      83 000 499 01.03.2015
447 000 249 000 696 000
 
The option price in respect of each of the Grindrod Bank scheme shares is based on a combined net asset value of the Financial Services division.
 
Directors’ interest in the company
At 31 December 2010, the directors held ordinary shares in the company as follows:
 
Director 2010
  Beneficial indirect
2009
  Beneficial indirect
IAJ Clark 5 719 900 5 119 900
IM Groves (1) 1 298 947 1 500 000
MJ Hankinson 5 000 5 000
AK Olivier 1 634 250 1 634 250
DA Rennie 750 000 600 000
AF Stewart (2) 632 050 980 000
LR Stuart-Hill 8 500 628 500
Aggregate 10 048 647 10 467 650
 
Zero cost collar options have been entered into in respect of the following:
 
Note Number of shares Put strike
(R)
Call strike
(R)
Maturity date
(1) 298 947 18,50 20,68 06.12.2013
(2) 320 000 15,57 25,37 30.11.2011
 
At 31 December 2010, the directors held preference shares in the company as follows:
 
  2010 2009
Director Beneficial
indirect
Non-beneficial indirect Beneficial
indirect
Non-beneficial
indirect
IAJ Clark 205 931 205 931
IM Groves 15 000 15 000
JG Jones 20 000 4 000 20 000 4 000
DA Rennie 10 000 10 000
LR Stuart-Hill 13 800 13 800
Aggregate 254 731 14 000 254 731 14 000
 
There were no direct beneficial holdings in the current or prior year.

These ordinary and preference shareholdings were unchanged at 23 February 2011.
 
General remuneration
Remuneration packages are established for each job based on their relative value using an international system of evaluation and are assessed for competitiveness regularly. Improvements in packages are driven by individual and consequently business performance.

The group’s salary/wage bill including incentive bonuses and profit share incentives for the reporting year and for 2010 per occupation level for temporary and permanent staff was as follows:
 
R000
Occupational level
2010 2009
Permanent Temporary Total Permanent Temporary Total
Top management 104 072 1 182 105 254 92 592 18 421 111 013
Senior management 190 507 2 182 192 689 194 026 13 014 207 040
Middle management 187 961 6 508 194 469 178 693 16 338 195 031
Skilled 250 562 7 665 258 227 242 017 12 359 254 376
Semi-skilled 176 669 28 663 205 332 252 414 28 621 281 035
Least skilled 28 550 3 080 31 630 29 996 12 798 42 794
Total 938 321 49 280 987 601 989 738 101 551 1 091 289