Wolters Kluwer 2009 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.
Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services and publishing company focused on professionals, announced that the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM), held today in Amsterdam, has adopted the 2008 financial statements and has approved the dividend increase to €0.65 per ordinary share. Furthermore, Mr. P.N. Wakkie and Mr. L.P. Forman have been reappointed and Ms. B.M. Dalibard has been appointed as member of the Supervisory Board by the AGM.
The shareholders of Wolters Kluwer were represented in person, by proxy voting, or by voting instruction, representing a total of 49.77% of the total issued share capital entitled to vote.
Dividend approval
The AGM adopted the 2008 financial statements and approved the proposal to distribute a dividend of €0.65 per ordinary share for 2008, a 2% increase over 2007. The dividend of €0.65 corresponds with a dividend yield of 4.8% over the closing share price of December 31, 2008. In line with previous years and indicating a strong belief in the future of the company, shareholders can choose between a distribution in the form of cash or stock. For more information, visit Investors.
Appointments Supervisory Board
The shareholders of Wolters Kluwer reappointed Mr. P.N. Wakkie and Mr. L.P. Forman in relation to their retirement by rotation. Mr. Wakkie and Mr. Forman have been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2005. Their reappointment is for a second term of four years, until 2013. Furthermore, in connection with the retirement of Ms. A.J. Frost, the AGM appointed Ms. B.M. Dalibard as new member of the Supervisory Board. Ms. Dalibard (1958, French) is currently the Executive Vice President of Orange Business Services, part of France Telecom S.A., and a member of the Supervisory Board of Michelin S.A.
Presentations held
At the meeting, Nancy McKinstry, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, shared the company’s 2008 accomplishments and her view on the achievements of the company’s strategy and the ability to continue to drive long-term, profitable growth. Furthermore, Jack Lynch, member of the Executive Board, presented on Wolters Kluwer’s innovation strategy. All details of the meeting, including the presentations of Nancy McKinstry and Jack Lynch, as well as product demonstrations of IntelliConnect™, OvidSP, and Transport Plaza that were shown at the meeting, are available at the Investor section of our website.
