To ensure that the level of compensation provided by us to our directors is appropriate to attract and retain qualified directors with the requite independence, expertise and experience, the Corporate Governance Committee reviews our director compensation program with an external compensation consultant on an annual basis. In 2005, Hewitt Associates was retained in this regard by the Corporate Governance Committee to provide it with competitive compensation data and practices to benchmark the Board and Committee compensation practices.
The Human Resources Committee was appointed by the Board to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our executives and approving and evaluating the compensation plans, policies and programs of senior executives or that otherwise are of significance to Four Seasons. Among other things, the Human Resources Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Chief Executive Officer the long-term goals and objectives of Four Seasons that are relevant to his compensation, evaluating the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, determining and recommending to all the independent directors, together with our two other unrelated directors, for approval, the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation based on that evaluation and reporting to the Board on that process. In doing so, the Human Resources Committee considers Four Seasons’ performance, the value of similar incentive awards to Chief Executive Officers of comparable companies and awards given to the Chief Executive Officer in past years, all with a view to maintaining a compensation program for the Chief Executive Officer at a fair and competitive level, consistent with the best interests of the company. Additionally, the Human Resources Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of all members of Four Seasons’ Management Committee (including incentive compensation plans, retirement benefit plans, equity-based plans, the terms of any employment agreements, severance agreements and change-in-control arrangements or provisions and any special or supplemental benefits), also with a view to maintaining a compensation program for those individuals at a fair and competitive level, consistent with the best interests of the company.
Extending Four Seasons’ operating standards and service culture into new and different linguistic and cultural environments places a premium on the early recognition and development of an increasing number of multi-lingual, culturally adaptable managers with the operating and functional skills, communication and leadership ability to create and maintain a true Four Seasons experience for employees and guests in each new location. Accordingly, the Human Resources Committee and the Board regard the processes of management selection, training, compensation, career planning and development together with sound succession planning as being of the highest strategic significance.
The Human Resources Committee engages the services of external compensation consultants to assist in carrying out its functions. In 2005, Hewitt Associates was retained by the Human Resources Committee to assist with its review of executive compensation practices, executive compensation design, market trends and regulatory considerations. Hewitt Associates does not recommend compensation levels. Hewitt Associates also provided
consulting services to the Human Resources Committee in respect of retirement benefit plans, research material and resources and some benefit consulting assistance. Hewitt Associates also provided services to the Corporate Governance Committee, which are described above under “Compensation of Directors”. The Human Resources Committee also engaged Watson Wyatt to provide advice and assistance in connection with the transition to the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. In this role, Watson Wyatt explored available options for funding, developed technical communication materials, estimated the impact of the changes on financial reporting and calculated settlement amounts based on actuarial assumptions and methods and tax rates. The Human Resources Committee has the final authority to hire and terminate the consultants, evaluates the consultants annually and approves all invoices for executive compensation work performed by the consultants.
Compensation Philosophy
Our core strategic goal is to be recognized as the undisputed world leader in luxury lodging. A core strategy underlying that goal is to enhance our industry position through a focused, international portfolio expansion and refinement program that capitalizes on the strengths of our core management operations and the value of our brand name. The knowledge, skill, experience, stability and commitment of all employees, but particularly of senior management, are of critical importance to the short-term and long-term achievement of this strategy.
Four Seasons’ future growth, development and acquisition opportunities lie predominantly in areas such as Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia/India. The structure of total compensation for Four Seasons’ executives is, therefore, designed to, motivate and retain as well as to attract, executives who have the experience, ability, cross-cultural sensitivity and flexibility to direct and manage the growth of Four Seasons in this global context. The Human Resources Committee believes that the retention of the existing management team and the development of qualified successors through progressive internal development are important components of a process designed to ensure the continuity of Four Seasons’ operating standards, service culture and brand strength.
Given Four Seasons’ widely acknowledged leadership in its chosen segment and the relatively limited supply of qualified executives, the Human Resources Committee, with the assistance of experts in the field, monitors the compensation practices of other leading international hotel companies to ensure that its compensation programs are competitive from the perspective of those executives.
Structure of Compensation
Four Seasons’ compensation program has three principal components: basic salary, annual incentives and long-term incentives. The relative weightings of the components of this compensation structure are intended to encourage a focus on building long-term shareholder value, as well as on optimizing business performance through the effective management and enhancement of all aspects of business operations and key staff functions and through sound teamwork and co-ordination of all strategic activities.
The Human Resources Committee completed a review of the structure of the compensation program and, in particular, the use of stock options as the principal element of long-term incentives. As previously disclosed, in 2005, the Human Resources Committee recommended, and the Board approved, that the role of stock options in Four Seasons’ compensation program be reduced and that the historical stock option plan be replaced with a restricted stock program.
Total remuneration for executive officers is intended to approximate the median to 75th percentile of remuneration levels offered by a group of international hotel companies (including Fairmont, Hyatt, Hilton, Inter-Continental, Starwood, Mandarin, Host-Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton division of Marriott) and similarly sized Canadian and U.S. public companies identified by our third party consultant.
Basic Salary
Basic salaries are designed to reflect the position, scope, experience and performance of each individual. Each year, the Human Resources Committee reviews the individual salaries for the executive officers and if needed makes adjustments to reflect individual performance, responsibility and experience, as well as the contribution expected from each officer.
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Annual Incentive
Four Seasons operates a plan that offers an annual incentive to all senior officers. Awards under this plan are based on a combination of financial and non-financial measures of corporate and individual performance. The target incentive value is 30% of eligible basic earnings in the fiscal year, with the maximum incentive value being 45% of eligible basic earnings. Individual incentive values are derived from a formula based on financial performance of Four Seasons and the level of achievement of goals in specific key result areas. Incentive awards are typically paid in the first quarter of the year following the fiscal year to which they relate.
Long-Term Incentives
Long-term incentives have historically been provided to senior officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer), through stock options. A description of our stock option plan is provided below under “Long-Term Incentive Plans - Stock Option Plan”. In 2005, the Human Resources Committee recommended that Four Seasons reduce the role of stock options in its compensation program, and Four Seasons is in the process of implementing a restricted stock program that is described below under “Long-Term Incentive Plans - Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan”. This change will not affect stock options previously granted, which will remain in full force on the terms granted.
The Human Resources Committee believes that the new Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan is a more effective method of achieving the alignment of long-term interests of participants and shareholders.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
All components of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation are reviewed and recommended by the Human Resources Committee for approval by all the independent directors, together with our two other unrelated directors. The Human Resources Committee’s objective is to provide fair and competitive compensation for the Chief Executive Officer.
The components of the Chief Executive Officer’s total compensation are the same as those for other executive officers of Four Seasons (except that he does not participate in the stock option plan or the restricted stock long-term incentive plan1): base salary, benefits and an annual incentive payment of up to 45% of his base salary. Two benchmarks of equal weighting are used in awarding the annual incentive payment: annual corporate financial performance and individual performance against established goals and objectives (including corporate priorities such as strategy, organizational management and corporate reputation).
The Human Resources Committee reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s total compensation on an annual basis. That review includes an assessment of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance over the prior year against established goals and objectives and comparison of his total compensation package against a comparative group. In respect of 2005, the comparative group analysis was undertaken with the assistance of Hewitt Associates, an independent consulting firm, having regard to both general and industry-specific survey data. Organizations participating in these surveys included leading international hotel companies and similarly sized Canadian and U.S. public companies identified by Hewitt Associates.
On an annual basis, the Human Resources Committee also reviews expectations for the Chief Executive Officer for the ensuing year, based on annual goals and objectives encompassing Four Seasons’ worldwide business and hotel operations.
The Human Resources Committee evaluated the performance of the Chief Executive Officer for the past fiscal year and after considering, among other things, the advice of Hewitt Associates, determined that the structure of his total compensation was appropriate when assessed against his goals and objectives, the performance of Four Seasons’ business and the comparative group. The Human Resources Committee also determined with respect to individual
______________1Mr. Sharp is a party to an agreement pursuant to which a subsidiary of Four Seasons would make a payment to Mr. Sharp on an arm’s-length sale of control of Four Seasons. See “Additional Information – Sale of Control Agreement”.
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performance that the Chief Executive Officer met or exceeded substantially all of the established goals and objectives and therefore awarded the Chief Executive Officer that portion (being, one-half) of his annual incentive payment determined relative to individual performance. However, the Human Resources Committee also determined that, based on Four Seasons’ corporate financial performance for the past fiscal year, the Chief Executive Officer would not receive an award in respect of that portion (being, one-half) of his annual incentive payment determined relative to corporate financial performance.
Conclusion
The Human Resources Committee is of the view that executive compensation levels at Four Seasons (including the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer) are appropriate for Four Seasons, taking into account, among other things, our size, the nature of our business, our strategic objectives, the operating financial results we have achieved for our shareholders, and the market in which we compete for senior executives.
March 31, 2006
Report presented by:
Lionel Schipper (Chairman)
William Anderson
Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien
Brent Belzberg
Simon Turner
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Performance Graph
The following graph shows the cumulative return over the five-year period ending on December 31, 2005 for Limited Voting Shares compared to the S&P/TSX Composite Index, assuming an initial investment of $100 and the reinvestment of dividends.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
BETWEEN FOUR SEASONS HOTELS INC. AND THE S & P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEX
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FOUR SEASONS HOTELS INC.
S & P/TSX COMPOSITE
* $100 invested on 12/31/00 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
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Summary of Executive Compensation
The following table provides a summary of compensation earned during each of the last three fiscal years by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of Four Seasons and its subsidiaries (on the basis of total annual salary and bonus).
Compensation — Summary Table
| | | | | | Annual Compensation | | | Long-Term Compensation Awards | | | | | |
Name, Age and Principal Position | | | Year | | | Salary ($) | | | Bonus ($) | | | Other Annual Compensation ($) | | | Securities Under Options/SAR’s Granted (#) | | | All Other Compensation ($)(1) | | |
Isadore Sharp(2) (74) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | | | 2005 2004 2003 | | | 1,873,435 1,808,335 1,747,184 | | | 407,472 800,188 380,013 | | | 36,748 34,066 35,701 | | | | — — — | | | | 22,484 21,729 23,525 | | | |
Wolfgang Hengst (62) President Worldwide Hotel Operations | | | 2005 2004 2003 | | | 600,160 579,305 559,715 | | | 198,053 256,342 121,738 | | | 17,497 18,666 19,532 | | | | — — — | | | | 16,155 12,736 17,450 | | | |
Kathleen Taylor (48) President Worldwide Business Operations | | | 2005 2004 2003 | | | 600,160 579,305 559,715 | | | 198,053 256,342 121,738 | | | 15,858 16,767 17,699 | | | | — — — | | | | 256,703 16,719 17,493 | | | |
James FitzGibbon (55) Executive Vice President Operations | | | 2005 2004 2003 | | | 455,710 439,875 314,159 | | | 150,384 194,644 65,974 | | | 27,479 15,681 309,798 | (3) | | | — — 76,600 | | | | 191,421 9,882 20,018 | | | |
John Davison(4)(47) Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | | | 2005 2004 2003 | | | 325,987 267,806 258,750 | | | 115,523 115,491 54,338 | | | 1,775 26,075 1,075 | | | | 106,000 — — | (5) | | | 220,936 8,158 7,746 | (6) | | |
Douglas Ludwig(4) (52) Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | | | 2005 2004 2003 | | | 307,857 460,118 444,558 | | | 123,143 203,602 96,691 | | | 15,902 16,573 18,073 | | | | — — — | | | | 1,584,485 17,751 17,170 | (7) | | |
(1) | The table includes the amounts contributed to the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan in respect of 2005 on behalf of Ms. Taylor ($240,064) and Messrs. FitzGibbon ($182,284) and Davison ($93,582) (see “Retirement Benefit Plans”). The table does not include the contributions made to the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan in satisfaction of accrued benefits in connection with the transition from the International Retirement Benefit Plan to the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan for Ms. Taylor, Messrs. FitzGibbon and Davison or the payments made to Messrs. Hengst and Ludwig equal to their accrued benefits under the International Retirement Benefit Plan (see “Retirement Benefit Plans”). |
(2) | Mr. Sharp does not participate in the stock option plan or the restricted stock long-term incentive plan. Mr. Sharp is a party to an agreement pursuant to which a subsidiary of Four Seasons would make a payment to Mr. Sharp on an arm’s-length sale of control of Four Seasons (see “Additional Information - Sale of Control Agreement”). |
(3) | Includes $80,156 in respect of the cost of housing: $17,039 in respect of relocation costs and $200,659 in respect of reimbursement of income. |
(4) | On August 23, 2005, Mr. Ludwig ceased to be, and Mr. Davison was appointed as, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
(5) | In connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and in lieu of the stock options that otherwise would have been granted to him, Four Seasons agreed to compensate Mr. Davison pursuant to an arrangement that provides him an economic benefit equivalent to the increase in the value of 106,000 Limited Voting Shares above US$50.67, being the weighted average price of board lots of Limited Voting Shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in the five trading days preceding December 1, 2005. This arrangement has a term, vesting and other provisions similar to those of stock options granted under our stock option plan. |
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Name
| | | Securities, Under Options/SARs Granted (#) | | | Per cent of Total Options/SARs Granted to Employees in Financial Year | | | Exercise or Base Price (US$/Security) | | | Market Value of Securities Underlying Options/SARs on the Date of Grant (US$/Security) | | |
Expiration Date
| |
John Davison | | | 106,000 | | | 100% | | | 50.67 | | | 50.67 | | | December 1, 2015 | |
(6) | As a result of the new Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan not having been implemented, Mr. Davison received a cash payment of $118,803 in respect of 2005. |
(7) | Includes payments made and to be made to Mr. Ludwig in connection with his retirement. |
Stock Options Exercised
The following table provides a summary of the exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights by each of those executive officers during 2005, and the aggregate value of unexercised stock options as at December 31, 2005.
Aggregate Stock Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-end Option Values
| | | | | | | | | Unexercised Options/SARs at December 31, 2005 (#) | | | Value of Unexercised in-the-Money Options/SARs at December 31, 2005 ($)(1) | |
Name | | | Options exercised (#) | | | Aggregate Value Realized ($) | | | Exercisable | | | Unexerciseable | | | Exercisable | | | Unexerciseable | |
Isadore Sharp(2) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Wolfgang Hengst | | | — | | | — | | | 348,572 | | | 50,000 | | | 2,176,488 | | | — | |
Kathleen Taylor | | | — | | | — | | | 292,041 | | | 50,000 | | | 1,859,128 | | | — | |
James FitzGibbon | | | — | | | — | | | 120,926 | | | 45,960 | | | 1,290,589 | | | 546,005 | |
John Davison | | | — | | | — | | | 21,200 | | | 128,800(3) | | | 42,960 | | | 46,440 | |
Douglas Ludwig(4) | | | — | | | — | | | 312,443 | | | 50,000 | | | 2,080,950 | | | — | |
(1) | The closing price of Limited Voting Shares on the TSX on December 30, 2005 was $57.84. The closing price of Limited Voting Shares on the NYSE on December 30, 2005 was US$49.75. |
(2) | Mr. Sharp does not participate in the stock option plan or the restricted stock long-term incentive plan. Mr. Sharp is a party to an agreement pursuant to which a subsidiary of Four Seasons would make a payment to Mr. Sharp on an arm’s-length sale of control of Four Seasons (see “Additional Information - Sale of Control Agreement”). |
(3) | This amount includes the stock appreciation arrangement whereby Mr. Davison will receive an economic benefit equivalent to the increase in value of 106,000 Limited Voting Shares (see “Summary of Executive Compensation”). |
(4) | Mr. Ludwig ceased to be an executive officer on August 23, 2005. This table does not reflect any stock option exercises subsequent to that date. |
Retirement Benefit Plans
Executive senior officers and corporate vice-presidents of Four Seasons and its subsidiaries and general managers of properties managed by Four Seasons have traditionally been eligible to participate in our International Retirement Benefit Plan. The International Retirement Benefit Plan is a non-qualified, non-registered plan that provides benefits based on each participant’s credited service and average earnings over the three years immediately preceding retirement. Following between 25 and 30 years of credited service, and on reaching ages between 60 and 65, the participant is entitled to receive on retirement a benefit, payable over a 10-year period or, at the option of the participant, payable in a lump sum or as a life annuity, equal to between 40% and 55% of his or her average earnings in the three years immediately preceding retirement. For the purposes of calculating retirement benefits, earnings include only basic salary and exclude annual incentive payments and other perquisites. Amounts paid under the International Retirement Benefit Plan are not subject to any deduction for social security or any other offset amounts.
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The following table illustrates the total annual retirement benefit under the International Retirement Benefit Plan to an eligible officer at various levels of service and salary.
Retirement Plan Table
| | Years of Service |
2005 Basic Salary ($) | | 20 | | 25 or more |
$200,000 | | | $88,000 | | $110,000 |
$300,000 | | | $132,000 | | $165,000 |
$400,000 | | | $176,000 | | $220,000 |
$500,000 | | | $220,000 | | $275,000 |
$600,000 | | | $264,000 | | $330,000 |
$700,000 | | | $308,000 | | $385,000 |
$800,000 | | | $352,000 | | $440,000 |
$900,000 | | | $396,000 | | $495,000 |
$1,000,000 | | | $440,000 | | $550,000 |
$1,100,000 | | | $484,000 | | $605,000 |
$1,200,000 | | | $528,000 | | $660,000 |
$1,300,000 | | | $572,000 | | $715,000 |
$1,400,000 | | | $616,000 | | $770,000 |
$1,500,000 | | | $660,000 | | $825,000 |
$1,600,000 | | | $704,000 | | $880,000 |
$1,700,000 | | | $748,000 | | $935,000 |
$1,800,000 | | | $792,000 | | $990,000 |
The number of years of service credited for purposes of the Pension Plan Table for Mr. Isadore Sharp, who is continuing in the International Retirement Benefit Plan, is 45.0.
As previously disclosed in our management information circular related to our 2005 annual meeting, we determined that the International Retirement Benefit Plan no longer served the purposes for which it was intended as effectively for most participants as it did when introduced. During 2005, we transitioned the majority of senior executives and hotel and resort general managers to a fully-funded retirement plan based on a defined contribution format (the “Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan”). We made the change in the retirement plan to provide Four Seasons, the owners of properties managed by Four Seasons and the participants in the plan enhanced transparency and reduced uncertainty.
The Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan establishes separate accounts for each eligible participant into which contributions are made annually by the employer. Contributions are determined as a percentage of the participant’s compensation. The contributions are held on behalf of the participants by a third party trustee. Funds in each participant’s account are invested by the trustee in the available investment options pursuant to instructions received from each participant. In certain circumstances, a participant will be entitled to withdraw funds from his or her account (including one withdrawal per year for payment of applicable taxes and upon an occurrence of certain designated change-in-control events). Upon retirement of a participant, and in certain other limited circumstances, the participant is entitled to receive a distribution of the balance in his or her account. Upon a participant’s death, the amount in the participant’s account will be distributed to the participant’s beneficiary.
During 2005, in satisfaction of its obligations in respect of benefits accrued through 2004 under the International Retirement Benefit Plan, Four Seasons made payments to Messrs. Hengst of $5,625,589 and Ludwig of $2,789,233 and made contributions to the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (as it did in varying amounts in respect of other employees transitioning to the Plan) on behalf of Ms. Taylor of $2,420,461 and Messrs. FitzGibbon of $3,117,314 and Davison of $419,586. In addition, contributions of $240,064, $182,284 and $93,582 were made in accordance with the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan in respect of 2005 on behalf of Ms. Taylor and Messrs. FitzGibbon and Davison, respectively (as well as payments in respect of other participants in the Plan).
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Indebtedness ofDirectors and Executive Officers
Aggregate Indebtedness
The following table sets forth, as at April 4, 2006, the aggregate indebtedness of all current and former officers, directors and employees of Four Seasons or any of its subsidiaries (including certain general managers of properties managed by subsidiaries of Four Seasons) to Four Seasons or its subsidiaries or to another entity where that indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by Four Seasons or any of its subsidiaries, excluding routine indebtedness:
Purpose | | To Four Seasons or its Subsidiaries | | To Another Entity |
Share Purchases | | — | | — |
Other | | 9,604,190 | | 1,127,812(1) |
(1) Four Seasons Hotels Limited has assigned portions of these loans to a Canadian chartered bank and guarantees 10% of the total portfolio of loans so assigned. Four Seasons Hotels Limited pays interest to the bank in respect of these loans.
Four Seasons maintains a Housing Loan Plan for loans to senior management personnel and certain general managers to assist with the purchase of residences. These loans are generally repayable by the employees over twenty years, interest-free to the employees and secured against the particular property.
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers Under Securities Purchase and Other Programs
None of our directors (or individuals proposed for election as a director) or executive officers (or individuals who were executive officers at any time during 2005) or any of their associates is indebted to Four Seasons or any of its subsidiaries in respect of any securities purchase program. The following table provides information about all indebtedness (other than routine indebtedness) of these persons to Four Seasons or any of its subsidiaries (all of which is outstanding under the Housing Loan Plan described above):
Name and Principal Position(1) | Involvement of Four Seasons orSubsidiary | Largest Amount Outstanding During 2005 Fiscal Year | Amount Outstanding as at April 4, 2006 | Financially Assisted Securities Purchases During 2005 | Security for Indebtedness | Amount Forgiven During 2005 |
Kathleen Taylor President Worldwide Business Operations | Four Seasons Hotels Limited | $760,102(2) | $705,235(2) | N/A | Mortgage on property | Nil |
Randolph Weisz Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | Four Seasons Hotels Limited | $579,000(3) | $564,000(3) | N/A | Mortgage on property | Nil |
Douglas Ludwig Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer(4) | Four Seasons Hotels Limited | $186,717(2) $581,924(3) | $181,492(2) $567,251(3) | N/A | Mortgage on property | Nil |
(1) All the individuals named reside in Toronto.
(2) Figure provided represents the amount of the loan assigned to a Canadian chartered bank and in respect of which interest is paid by Four Seasons Hotels Limited.
(3) Figure provided represents the amount of the loan directly from Four Seasons or its subsidiaries.
(4) On August 23, 2005, Mr. Ludwig ceased to be an executive officer.
None of Four Seasons or its subsidiaries directly or indirectly extends or maintains credit, arranges for the extension of credit or, since the enactment of theSarbanes-Oxley Actof 2002, has renewed an extension of credit to or for any director or executive officer (as contemplated for the purposes ofSarbanes-Oxley) of Four Seasons, other than credit in place on July 30, 2002, no term of which has been modified materially, and none of which has been renewed, since that date.
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Employment Agreements
We have change-in-control arrangements that cover our Chief Financial Officer, the three other most highly compensated officers (not including the Chief Executive Officer) of Four Seasons and its subsidiaries (as well as certain other senior officers). These arrangements are intended to assist in the retention of an experienced group of senior managers who, in the event of a change-in-control, could bring stability during an important transitional period, as well as to continue to direct our growth and development.
These arrangements are triggered by the termination of employment of the officers to whom these arrangements apply within two years following the loss by Mr. Sharp and/or related parties of Mr. Sharp of voting control sufficient to elect a majority of the members of the Board or the approval by our shareholders of the sale of a significant portion of our assets, dissolution of a significant portion of our business or any similar event or series of events. In these circumstances, each of the officers to whom these arrangements apply would be paid a lump sum equal to three years of salary and bonus entitlement. Each of the officers also would be entitled to continuation of medical, disability and life insurance coverage for a period of up to three years, payment of an incremental benefit under the Long-Term Defined Contribution Retirement Plan equal to the amount of the last annual company contribution to the Plan multiplied by the greater of three or a number determined by subtracting the age of the officer from 60, financial counselling, the present value of the benefit of outstanding housing loans that must be repaid or payments to subsidize home mortgages that cease for a period of up to five years, and accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options.
Long-Term Incentive Plans
Stock Option Plan
In 1986, we adopted a stock option plan under which our directors, full-time operating officers and employees, and persons that are employed full-time in properties managed by us were eligible to participate in our stock option plan.2 As at April 4, 2006, stock options to purchase 4,388,763 Limited Voting Shares (representing approximately 13.3% of the total number of outstanding Limited Voting Shares and approximately 11.9% of the total number of outstanding Variable Multiple Voting Shares and Limited Voting Shares) have been granted and remain outstanding, and stock options to purchase 603,716 Limited Voting Shares remain available for grant.
The total number of Limited Voting Shares reserved for issuance to insiders under the plan or any other share compensation arrangement is restricted to not more than 10% of the total number of Variable Multiple Voting Shares and Limited Voting Shares outstanding on the date of grant. The total number of Limited Voting Shares that may be issued within a one-year period under stock options granted under the plan and any other share compensation arrangements to insiders is restricted to not more than 10%, and any one insider, together with his or her associates, is restricted to not more than 5% of the total number of Variable Multiple Voting Shares and Limited Voting Shares outstanding on the date of grant excluding, in each case, Limited Voting Shares issued pursuant to all share compensation arrangements over the preceding one year period.
All stock options are granted at an exercise price determined by reference to the weighted average price of board lots traded on the TSX in the five trading days preceding the date of grant. Stock options are not transferable, have a term of 10 years, and generally become exercisable in varying proportions on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant.
Generally, if a participant ceases to be a director or to be employed by us or any of our affiliates or employed full-time in properties managed by us for any reason, that participant may exercise his or her then unexercised vested stock options prior to the earlier of the expiry of the stock option, and the later of three months after the date the participant was terminated, and such other date (if any) determined by the administrators of the plan that is, in the
______________2The maximum number of Limited Voting Shares subject to the stock option plan is 9,138,603 (representing, as at April 4, 2006, approximately 27.7% of the total number of outstanding Limited Voting Shares and approximately 24.9% of the total number of outstanding Variable Multiple Voting Shares and Limited Voting Shares).
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case of our non-employee directors, no more than one year after the date the participant ceased to be a director and that is, in the case of all other participants, no more than three years after the date of termination of employment.
The plan contains a provision permitting its amendment subject to obtaining any required shareholder or other regulatory approval.
Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan
Upon implementation, certain of our directors and officers and certain officers and employees of subsidiaries and properties managed by us will be eligible to participate in our Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the plan, each year performance objectives and target awards (equal to a percentage of the participant’s compensation) will be determined. At the end of the year, the administrators of the plan will determine the extent to which those performance objectives were met. A cash amount equal to the applicable award will be deposited with a third party administrative agent who will make market purchases of Limited Voting Shares on behalf of the participant. Participants for whom Limited Voting Shares are purchased will not be able to dispose of, encumber or monetize those Limited Voting Shares until the third anniversary of the purchase by the administrative agent, except in certain circumstances (including death, permanent and total disability or termination of employment following certain designated events). Participants will be entitled to exercise the votes associated with the Limited Voting Shares held on their behalf and will receive dividends and other distributions in respect of such shares from the time they are purchased. Following the restricted period, participants may choose whether to continue to hold the Limited Voting Shares.
As a result of the decision to reduce the role of stock options in our compensation program and as a result of the new Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan not having yet been implemented, persons on whose behalf contributions would have been made to the Restricted Stock Long-Term Incentive Plan received cash payments in respect of 2005 in lieu of such contributions.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Set out below is information, as of December 31, 2005, about our stock option plan, being the only equity compensation plan under which we may issue equity securities:
Plan Category | Number of Limited Voting Shares to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options (a) | Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (b) | Number of Limited Voting Shares Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c) |
Stock option plan(1) | 4,485,463 | $59.25 | 621,166 |
(1) | As this plan was adopted prior to our initial public offering, it was not initially approved by shareholders. Subsequent amendments to the plan that required shareholder approval have been approved by shareholders. |
The material terms of the stock option plan are summarized under “Long-Term Incentive Plans – Stock Option Plan”.
Directors and Officers Insurance
Four Seasons and its principal subsidiaries have purchased insurance for the benefit of the directors and officers of Four Seasons and its subsidiaries against certain liabilities that may be incurred by them in their capacity as directors and officers, as specified in the policy and subject to the limitations contained in theBusiness Corporations Act (Ontario). The annual premium allocated to Four Seasons for this insurance is US$996,563. The policy provides coverage of US$85 million for each loss and in the aggregate for each policy year. Each claim is subject to a deductible in respect of each loss for the insured organization. The deductible for all indemnifiable claims is US$500,000, except for securities claims in respect of which the deductible is US$1,500,000. Our by-laws provide for the indemnification of directors and officers from and against any liability and costs in respect of any action or a suit against them as a result of the execution of their duties of office, again subject to the limitations contained in theBusiness Corporations Act (Ontario).
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Approach to Governance
Our corporate governance policies, procedures and practices are designed to ensure that:
| • | the business and affairs of Four Seasons are conducted with the highest standards of ethical conduct and in the best interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders, and |
| • | the Board can fulfill its statutory mandate to supervise the management of the business and affairs of Four Seasons. |
The Board and its Committees have refined our governance polices, procedures and practices in the context of the significant regulatory initiatives in North America that have been adopted to enhance governance practices of public companies generally. Those initiatives include the rules and policies that have been adopted by the Ontario Securities Commission and other Canadian Securities Administrators, the revised listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange and the various requirements that have come into force under theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002and related rules that have been made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board and its Committees also review our governance policies, procedures and practices on a regular basis to ensure that they are effective for Four Seasons.
We believe that our corporate governance policies, procedures and practices, which are described below, are in substantive compliance with the guidelines, rules and requirements that are applicable to Four Seasons and are appropriate for Four Seasons in the current circumstances.
We believe that there are no significant differences in our corporate governance practices from those required to be followed by U.S. domestic issuers (including the NYSE listing standards), other than the membership on each of our Corporate Governance Committee and Human Resources Committee of one director who may be deemed not to be independent for certain purposes and the approval of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level, upon the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, by the independent directors and those two other directors. As discussed below under “Committees of the Board of Directors”, we believe that the continued involvement of those directors on those Committees and their participation in the process of approving the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation is of significant benefit to the Committees, the Board and Four Seasons and does not compromise the independence of those Committees or the process for the approval of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation.
We recognize that our policies, procedures and practices cannot be static and have refined them over the past year. We also recognise that further refinements may be necessary as applicable legal and regulatory requirements and the circumstances of Four Seasons evolve. We intend to continue to ensure that our system and culture of corporate governance meet the legitimate expectations of our shareholders as well as applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We believe that director, management and employee honesty and integrity are important factors in ensuring good corporate governance, which in turn improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. To that end, we have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees of Four Seasons, its subsidiaries and affiliates, other persons in similar relationships with those entities, and all employees athotels and resorts managed by us. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available to all directors, officers and employees and can be viewed on our website atwww.fourseasons.comor atwww.sedar.com. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics addresses such matters as conflicts of interest, protection and proper use of our assets, confidential information, fair dealing, compliance with laws, rules and regulations and the reporting of illegal and unethical behaviour.
We encourage personnel who become aware of a conflict or potential conflict or departures from the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to bring it to the attention of a supervisor or department head. We also have
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established additional procedures for confidential and anonymous reporting of complaints concerning accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters. Our Board of Directors requires every director and executive officer to disclose any direct or indirect conflict of interest that he or she has, and formal confirmation of compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is obtained annually from each director and executive officer.
Any waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for directors or members of our Management Committee may only be granted by the Board. The Board has not granted any such waivers in 2005.
The Board of Directors
The Role of the Board
In fulfilling its statutory mandate and discharging its duty of stewardship of Four Seasons, the Board assumes responsibility for, among other things:
| • | reviewing and approving the strategic planning and business objectives that are submitted by management and monitoring the implementation by management of the strategic plan, |
| • | reviewing the principal business risks for Four Seasons and overseeing, with the assistance of the Audit Committee, the implementation and monitoring of appropriate risk management systems and monitoring of risks, |
| • | ensuring, with the assistance of the Corporate Governance Committee, the effective functioning of the Board and its Committees in compliance with applicable corporate governance requirements of applicable legislation, and that such compliance is reviewed periodically by the Corporate Governance Committee, |
| • | ensuring internal control and management information systems are in place, evaluated as part of the internal audit process and reviewed periodically on the initiative of the Audit Committee, |
| • | assessing the performance of executive officers, including monitoring the establishment of appropriate systems for succession planning (including the development of policies and principles for Chief Executive Officer selection and performance reviews and policies regarding succession in an emergency or upon retirement of the Chief Executive Officer) and periodically monitoring the compensation levels of such executive officers based on the determinations made by the Human Resources Committee, |
| • | ensuring that we have in place a policy for effective communication with shareholders, other stakeholders and the public generally, and |
| • | reviewing and, where appropriate approving, the recommendations made by the various Committees including the selection of nominees for election to the Board, appointment of directors to fill vacancies on the Board, appointment of members of the various Committees and establishing the form and amount of director compensation. |
This mandate and specific expectations of directors that are intended to promote the discharge by the directors of their responsibilities and the efficient conduct of the Board are outlined in the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines (which includes the Board Charter), which are attached as Schedule B and can be viewed at our website atwww.fourseasons.com.
Board Composition
Consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and prevailing best practices, the Board and its Committees give careful consideration to their size, composition and independence, which they believe are appropriate for Four Seasons.
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The Corporate Governance Committee, among other things, develops and recommends to the Board criteria for selecting new directors, assists the Board by identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board, and recommends to the Board nominees for election to the Board in annual meetings and directors to be appointed to each Committee and as the Chair of each Committee. In doing so, the Corporate Governance Committee applies a number of criteria in assessing individuals that may be qualified to become directors and members of Committees, including:
| • | their judgement, character, expertise, skills and knowledge that may be useful to the oversight of Four Seasons’ business, |
| • | their diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, experiences and other demographics, |
| • | their business and other relevant experience, and |
| • | the extent to which the interplay of their expertise, skills, knowledge and experience with that of other members of the Board will build a board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of Four Seasons. |
These criteria are applied in respect of each individual director, and in respect of the Board and each Committee as a whole.
To assist in determining the independence of directors for purposes that include compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and policies, the Board has adopted categorical standards, which are part of the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are attached to this circular and may be viewed on our website atwww.fourseasons.com. A director who qualifies as “independent” under these standards is:
| • | an “unrelated” director who has no direct or indirect material relationship with Four Seasons, being a relationship that could, in the view of the Board, reasonably interfere with his or her independent judgment, and |
| • | “independent” for the purposes of the NYSE listing standards and the corporate governance policies of the Canadian Securities Administrators. |
Members of the Audit Committee also must satisfy additional independence standards as contemplated by the rules made by certain of the Canadian Securities Administrators and the SEC (and adopted by the NYSE), which result in them being “independent” for those purposes as well.
Based upon information provided by each of the directors, the Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have affirmatively determined that the following 10of the 12 nominees for election to the Board at the annual meeting are “unrelated” and “outside” or “non-management” directors under these standards: William D. Anderson, Brent Belzberg, Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien, H. Roger Garland, Charles S. Henry, Heather Munroe-Blum, Ronald W. Osborne, J. Robert S. Prichard, Lionel H. Schipper, and Simon M. Turner. The Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have determined that eight of these directors also are “independent” under these standards: Messrs. Henry and Turner are deemed not to be independent under the listing standards of the NYSE as a result of each of them being a director of a company that owns a hotel that is managed by Four Seasons and that made payments in 2005 to Four Seasons and its subsidiaries of more than the greater of US$1 million or 2% of the company’s consolidated gross revenues. The Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have determined that Anthony Sharp should not be considered to be an “outside”, “unrelated” or “independent” director as a result of his familial relationship to Isadore Sharp, and that Isadore Sharp should not be considered to be “unrelated” or “independent” as a result of his being the Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons.
Board Process
In addition to having two-thirds of the Board comprised of independent directors, we have adopted a variety of structures to allow for the independence of the Board from management, including the consideration of transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has a material interest. Those structures include the appointment of a “lead director” (who is an “independent” director) with a formal mandate to assist the Board in
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