Augean is committed to high standards of corporate governance in all its activities. While the company is not required under AIM rules to comply with the 2008 FRC Combined Code (the Code), the board recognises the value of the Code and has regard to its requirements as far as is practicable and appropriate for a public company of its size and nature. 

The board of directors

The board currently comprises a non-executive chairman, three further independent non-executive directors, the chief executive and the finance director. The chairman has primary responsibility for running the board and the chief executive, supported by the finance director, is responsible for developing strategic plans and initiatives for consideration by the board and for their operational delivery. The non-executive directors bring a variety of different experience to the board, are considered to be independent of management and ensure that rigour is applied to the board decision-making process.

The composition of the board is reviewed regularly. Appropriate training, briefings and induction are available to all directors on appointment and subsequently as necessary, taking into account existing qualifications and experience. All directors have access to the advice and services of the group’s company secretarial partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP and any director may take independent professional advice, if necessary, at the company’s expense. The board meets formally at least eight times a year but additional meetings are held to review and approve special matters if necessary. 
 
Each director is provided with sufficient timely information to enable full consideration of matters in advance of meetings and proper discharge of duties. There is a formal schedule of matters reserved for the board which includes published financial statements, strategy, acquisitions, significant capital projects, budgets and borrowing facilities. Executive directors’ normal retirement age is 60 and non-executive directors’ normal retirement age is 65. One third of all directors are subject to re-appointment by shareholders each year. Any director appointed to the board during the year is subject to election by shareholders at the following annual general meeting (AGM). 

With effect from 1 October 2008, the Companies Act 2006 introduced a statutory duty on directors to avoid conflicts of interest. Shareholders approved new Articles of Association at the 2008 AGM giving directors authority to approve situations involving any such conflicts and to allow conflicts of interest to be dealt with by the board. All directors are required to notify the company on an ongoing basis of their other commitments and these are formally recorded in the minutes of board meetings. The company has established procedures for ensuring that the board’s powers for authorising directors’ conflicts of interest are operated effectively. 
 
Board committees

The company has established a number of committees, details of which are set out below: 

Audit committee

The audit committee comprises the non-executive directors, is chaired by Rory Macnamara, and meets at least twice a year. The external auditor and the executive directors are regularly invited to attend the meetings but the committee also has access to the external auditor’s advice without the presence of the executive directors. The audit committee considers the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk management and control systems of the group. It reviews the scope and results of the external audit, its cost effectiveness and the objectivity and independence of the auditor. It also reviews, prior to publication, the interim report, the preliminary announcement, the annual financial statements and other information included in the annual report. 

Remuneration committee
The remuneration committee comprises the non-executive directors and is chaired by Roger McDowell. It meets at least twice a year and reviews and advises upon the remuneration and benefits packages of the executive directors and other senior management of the group, including the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). The remuneration of the chairman and non-executive directors is agreed upon by the full board.

• The group operates a series of controls to meet its needs. Key features of the control system include the following:
• an annual review of business risks affecting the group which also identifies procedures to manage and mitigate those risks;
• monthly reports to the board on key risks and their management;
• maintenance of a risk register, covering the key health and safety, regulatory and financial risks faced by the group and how these may be mitigated;
• an annual strategic planning and budgeting process;
• a clearly defined organisational structure with terms of reference for board committees and responsibilities and authorisation limits for executive management;
• monthly visits by the executive directors and group senior management to key operating locations to meet with local management and review business performance;
• a range of compliance management systems at the group’s sites subject to external review, including certification to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001; and
• reviews by senior management and the board of monthly financial and operating information, including comparisons with budgets and forecasts; the group has implemented the use of balanced scorecards, containing key performance indicator targets, as a mechanism for monitoring and managing the monthly performance of key operations. 

The audit committee receives reports from management and the auditor concerning the system of internal control and any control weaknesses. 

The board does not believe it is currently appropriate to establish a separate, independent internal audit function given the size of the group but keeps this position under review. 

Annual general meeting
The AGM takes place in June each year in London. All shareholders are invited to attend and vote at the meeting. The meeting notice and voting forms are sent to shareholders in advance.