|
12.4.
|
The Company's officers Compensation Policy, if approved, will remain in effect for 3 years commencing on January 12, 2017 (the date of expiration of the previous Compensation Policy).
|
|
12.5.
|
Insofar as Proposal 1.1 to approve the Compensation Policy is approved, the provisions of the Compensation Policy regarding the bonus program and variable compensation (already paid by the Company) in accordance with the decision of the General Meeting of the Company dated 12 January 2014, to apply to the CEO, the provisions of the variable compensation in the Compensation Policy (see Section 12.3 above), shall continue to apply to the current CEO, Ari Bronshtein. The provisions of the variable compensation were also applied, as stated, to the other officers of the Company. Insofar as Proposal No. 1.2, to terminate the Company's engagement with DIC in the Services Agreement as of 31 March 2017 and to approve the terms of service and employment of the CEO, is approved, the CEO will become an employee of the Company (as other employees and officers), and the overall conditions of service and employment specified in part III of this report shall to the CEO.
|
|
12.6.
|
The Compensation Policy, including its various components, was discussed in several meetings of the Compensation Committee, and after the recommendations of the Compensation Committee were provided, at the Board of Directors as well. Representatives of the Company's management and external advisors appeared before the committee.
|
|
12.7.
|
On November 3, 2016, the Compensation Committee resolved to recommend to the Company's Board of Directors to approve the Compensation Policy, and on January 22, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors approved and recommended to the general meeting to approve the Compensation Policy.
|
1
Without derogating from the validity of resolutions approved in the past in the Company
|
12.8.
|
The members of the Compensation Committee who participated at the committee meeting in which the committee's recommendation for the Board of Directors regarding the Compensation Policy was approved, are: Ehud Rassabi (Chairman and External Director), Lee-Bath Nelson (External Director) and Yehuda Freidenberg (External Director).
|
|
12.9.
|
The members of the Board of Directors who participated in the meeting of the Board of Directors in which the Compensation Policy was approved are: Eduardo Elsztain (Chairman), Saul Zang (vice-Chairman), Amiram Erel, Yael Andorn (Independent Director), Ehud Rassabi (External Director) and Yehuda Freidenberg (External Director).
|
|
12.10.
|
Within the meetings as aforesaid, data and information as follows were reviewed and examined,
inter alia
:
|
|
12.10.1.
|
The considerations required with respect to the formulation of a Compensation Policy according to the Companies Law, including the criteria specified in the First Schedule A to the Companies Law, parts A (matters which it is mandatory to address in
the Compensation Policy) and B (provisions which are mandatory to be determined in Compensation Policy);
|
|
12.10.2.
|
Data and information regarding the terms of office and employment of the officers at the Company;
|
|
12.10.3.
|
Terms of office and employment in other relevant companies.
|
|
12.10.4.
|
The terms of employment of employees at the Company (including the data required to be addressed according to Amendment no. 20 of the Companies Law);
|
|
12.10.5.
|
The previous compensation policy.
|
|
12.11.
|
The Company is a public second-tier subsidiary.
|
|
12.12.
|
Manner of implementation of the previous compensation policy
– For 2015, the cost of terms of office and employment of the Company's CEO were approximately 82% of the cap for terms of office and employment determined in the policy, with the compensation set for the CEO at approximately 82% of the cap of the fixed compensation determined in the policy (which was paid by DIC according to the Services Agreement) and the annual bonus was approximately 82% of the cap for the annual bonus determined in the policy.
|
|
13.
|
Summary of the reasons of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors for the approval of the Compensation Policy
|
Alongside the reasons which were presented within the Compensation Policy, following is the summary of the reasons of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors for the approval of the Compensation Policy:
|
13.1.
|
The Compensation Policy, regulating the terms of office and employment of the officers at the Company, is designated to allow the recruitment and
retention of high quality managerial manpower in senior executive positions for the long term, which the Company needs for its continued business development and success.
|
|
13.2.
|
The considerations which guided the Company's Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors in determining the amended policy, are the promotion of the Company's objectives, work plan and policy; the creation of appropriate incentives for the officers of the Company, considering,
inter alia
, the Company's risk management policy; the Company's size (considering,
inter alia
, its equity, scope of assets and the average annual investment in companies); the nature of the Company as an operational holding company; the strengthening of the identity of interests between the Company's officers and its shareholders; and with respect to the terms of office and employment which include variable components – the contribution of the officer to the achievement of the Company's goals and the maximization of its profits over time, all according to the position of the officer.
|
|
13.3.
|
As to terms of office and employment which include variable components – the contribution of the officer to the achievement of the Company's goals and maximization of profits were also considered within the Compensation Policy, all from a long term perspective and according to the position of the officer.
|
|
13.4.
|
With respect to the fixed compensation
|
|
13.4.1.
|
The fixed compensation constitutes a significant component out of the total compensation.
|
|
13.4.2.
|
The Compensation Policy includes personal caps regarding the fixed compensation.
|
|
13.4.3.
|
The fixed compensation, including its various components, promotes the retaining of stability and continuity on the Company's management level and thus helps to maintain professional, high quality, efficient management.
|
|
13.4.4.
|
The authorities and responsibilities involved in the position, the education, qualifications, expertise, professional experience, achievements of the officer, previous agreements signed with the officer (if any) and agreements which were signed with the predecessor of the officer in the office and with other officers at the Company will be also taken into account in determining the fixed compensation for each of the officers.
|
|
13.5.
|
With respect to the annual bonus component
|
|
13.5.1.
|
The annual bonus will be based on several indicators, while creating a proper balance between indicators based on measurable criteria, indicators related to the Company's business as a whole, and personal indicators which are relevant to the assessment of the officer's performance.
|
|
13.5.2.
|
The Compensation Policy includes proportional bonus caps for the Company's officers.
|
|
13.5.3.
|
The annual bonus is based,
inter alia
, on a component of the return on the Company's share. The return on the Company's share component allows the compensation of the officers depending on the share's performance. When there is high correlation between the Company's performance and the share performance, this component of the bonus increases the identity of interests between the officers and the shareholders.
|
|
13.5.4.
|
In addition, the annual bonus will be based on several measurable goals. The Compensation Policy allows the setting of the goals every year for their adaptation to the Company's changing needs and its work plan. The Company's performance and the performance of the held companies will both be reflected within the goals, in view of the Company's clear character as an operational holding company, whose management is involved in the activity of most of the held companies.
|
|
13.5.5.
|
Another component of the annual bonus is the estimation of the performance of the officer by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. This component provides the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors a tool through which they can express their opinion regarding the performance of the officer during the bonus year.
|
|
13.5.6.
|
The Compensation Policy includes personal bonus caps for each of the officers of the Company.
|
|
13.5.7.
|
The ratio between the fixed component and the variable component in the terms of employment of the officers, as expressed in the caps set for the various compensation components, is proportionate and balanced.
|
|
13.5.8.
|
The Compensation Policy includes provisions for the return of variable compensation paid based on data which transpired to be incorrect and are restated in the financial statements.
|
|
13.6.
|
With respect to the equity compensation component
–
|
|
13.6.1.
|
The Compensation Policy includes the possibility to grant equity compensation for increasing the identity of interests between the officers and the shareholders, and for strengthening the establishment of the compensation on a long-term component.
|
|
13.6.2.
|
Equity compensation will be given to an officer only
in lieu
of the provisions of the Compensation Policy regarding the annual bonus component for the return on the share indicator, and provided that the officer waived the receipt of this component for the period for which the equity bonus had been granted to the officer, insofar as such waiver is required.
|
|
13.6.3.
|
A cap has been set for the equity compensation on date of grant, which is designated to retain the maximal ratio between the fixed component and the variable component, which was determined in the Compensation Policy.
|
|
13.6.4.
|
The total vesting period of the equity compensation will be spread over a period which will be no less than three years, and a maximum exercise period has also been determined.
|
|
13.7.
|
With respect to components of compensation for termination of employment
|
|
13.7.1.
|
The Compensation Policy sets caps for the payment components with respect to advance notice and the adjustment bonus. The setting of these components also considers the terms of office and employment of the officers and the period of their employment, position and responsibility.
|
|
13.7.2.
|
The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors did not find that there is room to subject such compensation to the performance of the Company, since the purposes underlying the grant thereof are different than the desire to compensate for the Company's results or the performance of the officer, and also due to the relatively narrow scope of the components of compensation for termination of employment included in the Compensation Policy. Moreover, proper expression of compensation depending on performance, is given within the provisions of the policy contemplating the components of the bonuses.
|
|
13.7.3.
|
However, the period of employment of the officer, his terms of employment during that period, special non-competition undertaking and the circumstances of the retirement, could be considered,
inter alia
, within the considerations for the grant of an adjustment bonus.
|
|
13.8.
|
The Compensation Policy includes provisions regarding insurance, indemnification and exemption, according to common practice in public companies.
|
|
13.9.
|
The process of preparation of the Compensation Policy included review and reference to the difference between the compensation paid to the officers at the Company and the compensation paid to employees, and the review and discussion on the matter were reflected in the Compensation Policy.
|
|
13.10.
|
The Compensation Policy includes a possibility to reduce the variable components according to the Board of Directors' discretion for special reasons.
|
|
13.11.
|
The proposed Compensation Policy is very similar to the previous policy of the Company which was approved in the Company's shareholders meeting. The proposed Compensation Policy includes an addition for granting equity compensation, and amends, supplements and complements the Company's previous compensation policy on issues and subjects in respect of which it transpired, with the passing of time since the adoption of the previous compensation policy, that they require adaptation as aforesaid, including due to updates to the provisions of the law or to what is customary and accepted in the market.
|
|
13.12.
|
The terms of the Compensation Policy are reasonable and standard in the circumstances of the matter and considering the responsibility imposed on the officers at the Company and the Company's scope of business.
|
|
13.13.
|
In view of all of the aforesaid and in view of the data before the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors, the Compensation Policy is appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances of the matter.
|
|
14.
|
Applicability to executives in corporations controlled by the Company
|
|
14.1.
|
The Compensation Policy shall apply directly to officers of the Company.
|
|
14.2.
|
Accordingly, the Company's Compensation Policy will not apply to the terms of office and employment of officers in companies controlled by the Company. As a general rule, the private subsidiaries of the Company are startups in which the Compensation Policy is relevant to companies of that type.
|
|
15.
|
Reference to the deviation between the Compensation Policy and the existing terms of office and employment
|
|
15.1.
|
As a general rule, on the date of determining the Compensation Policy by the Company's Board of Directors, the terms of office and employment of the officers of the Company with respect of which the Compensation Policy applies, are consistent with the Compensation Policy and there is no deviation between the terms of office and employment of the officers as aforesaid and the Compensation Policy.
|
|
16.
|
Identity of the controlling shareholder and the rights conferring control to him
|
|
16.1.
|
DIC is deemed as a controlling shareholder of the Company by virtue of DIC's holding as of the date of this Report of 50.32% of the Company's issued share capital and the voting rights in the Company. DIC is a public company whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
|
|
16.2.
|
The parent company of DIC is IDB Development Corporation Ltd. ("
IDB Development
"). To the best of the Company's knowledge, IDB Development is deemed as an indirect controlling shareholder of the Company by virtue of its control of DIC, which is deemed as the controlling shareholder of the Company as specified above. Therefore, IDB Development might be deemed, for the sake of caution, as having personal interest in the approval of the said resolution due to it having control of DIC and the Company.
|
|
16.3.
|
As the Company has been informed, the controlling shareholder in IDB Development as of the date hereof is Mr. Eduardo Elsztain who holds the Company's shares through the following companies controlled by him: Dolphin Netherlands B.V., Dolphin Fund Ltd. and Inversiones Financieras Del Sur S.A. ("
IFISSA
") (jointly hereinafter: the "
Dolphin Companies
"). The Dolphin Companies hold directly approximately 100% of the issued share capital and the voting rights in IDB Development according to the following specification: Dolphin Fund – 0.02%; Dolphin Netherlands – 68.28%; IFISSA – 31.72%.
|
|
17.
|
Names of the directors with personal interest and the nature of their personal interest
|
|
17.1.
|
All of the board members might have personal interest deriving from the Compensation Policy determining the provisions regarding the terms of office and employment of directors of the Company.
|
Part C – Further Details regarding Resolution 1.2 on the Agenda – Termination
of the Company's engagement with Discount Investment Corporation Ltd., a
controlling shareholder of the Company, in a Services Agreement and approval
of terms of office and employment to the Company's CEO
|
a.
|
Termination of the Company's engagement with Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. in a Services Agreement
|
|
18.
|
It is proposed to terminate the Company's engagement with DIC in the Services Agreement as specified below.
|
|
19.
|
In May 2009, the Company first engaged with DIC, a controlling shareholder of the Company in a Services Agreement, according to which the Company receives from DIC management and administration services which include services of a CEO, CFO, controller, general counsel, company secretary, junior employees and administrative workers (the "
Services Agreement
").
|
|
20.
|
The term of the Services Agreement was extended twice, in 2012 and in 2015, each time for three years, until May 1, 2018.
|
|
21.
|
According to the Services Agreement, all of the Company's employees are employed by DIC. The CEO of the Company and the CFO are proposed and appointed by the Company subject to the receipt of the approval of the Company's board and DIC. The controller, the general counsel and the Company's secretary are proposed and appointed by the Company subject to the receipt of DIC's approval. According to the Services Agreement, the Company may obligate DIC to terminate the activity in the Company's matters of any of DIC's employees employed regarding its business. The services do not include HQ services (such as offices, professional services of third parties etc.). According to the Services Agreement, DIC is obligated to provide the services through a sufficient number of people with appropriate experience and qualifications. In addition, DIC may designate staff members or other people to serve on the boards of companies in which the Company had invested, after receipt of the Company's CEO approval.
|
|
22.
|
In consideration for the said services, the Company pays DIC an amount of NIS6 million per year, which was linked to the consumer price index commencing on May 1, 2016 with the basic index being the higher of the index known on May 1, 2015 or the index known on May 1, 2016. This amount is currently at NIS 6.00 million. In accordance with the Services Agreement, bonuses were paid to the officers by the Company in accordance with the Company's compensation policy.
|
|
23.
|
For further details regarding the Services Agreement, see the report on convening a shareholders meeting as of April 1, 2015 (Reference 2015-01-072382).
|
|
24.
|
It is proposed to terminate the Company's engagement with DIC in the Services Agreement, effective commencing on March 31, 2017, such that after the termination, Elron shall employ all of its employees directly, including the CEO and the Vice-Presidents. As of this date, except for the Company's CEO, who also serves as a Vice-President of DIC, all of DIC's employees employed at Elron, work for Elron for their entire time (100%). Therefore, their transition from being DIC employees to Elron employees is not likely to change the nature of their activity.
|
|
25.
|
As of the date of the termination of the Services Agreement, the employees will end their employment at DIC and a "settlement of the accounts" will be done such that DIC will be responsible for their rights until the date of the end of their employment (on March 31, 2017) however Elron shall indemnify DIC for the actual current employer cost of the employees for the period from January 1, 2017 until March 31, 2017 (as at December 2016, the actual current monthly employer cost of the employees stood at approximately NIS0.8 million) including without limitation, the monthly social benefit contributions paid with respect to the employees during such period and employer cost of the employees during the employees' notice periods, but excluding any costs related to the termination of the employees' employment, all less the quarterly payment of Elron to DIC in accordance with the Services Agreement. On the date of termination of the Services Agreement, the employees will end their employment with DIC and will be hired as employees at Elron. On that date, DIC shall pay them all of their rights deriving from their employment until such date (including the leave pay, payment for advance notice, recuperation pay etc.). Commencing from that date, Elron will be exclusively responsible for all of their rights. The agreement terminating the Services Agreement includes a mutual indemnification arrangement between Elron and DIC with respect to the period preceding the termination of the agreement and the period thereafter with respect to the employees' rights.
|
|
26.
|
Within the arrangement for termination of the Services Agreement, Elron and DIC agreed that after the termination of the Services Agreement, the CEO will become an employee of Elron and will receive his compensation and other benefits therefrom. However, DIC shall indemnify Elron for the cost in an amount reflecting the cost of the monthly salary of the Company's CEO as of today until April 30, 2018, the original expiration date of the Services Agreement, in the amount NIS1.75 million plus VAT (linked to the Consumer Price Index)
2
. Furthermore, DIC will pay Elron an additional annual amount of NIS0.3 million plus VAT (indexed to the Consumer Price Index) in light of the additional costs created for the Company as a result of the early termination of the Services Agreement. The total payment is in respect of the CEO compensation and other costs and will be paid in quarterly payments on the last day of each quarter. DIC will pay Elron, in the aggregate an annual sum of NIS2.059 million plus VAT, and a total of NIS2.745 million plus VAT for the period commencing from January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018 (indexed to Consumer Price Index) ("
Base Index
") provided that there shall be no downward adjustment if the Consumer Price Index falls below the Base Index. As stated above, Elron shall indemnify DIC for the actual current employer cost of the employees for the period from January 1, 2017 until March 31, 2017 less the quarterly payment of Elron to DIC in accordance with the Services Agreement.
|
|
27.
|
In accordance with the agreement, the termination date of the Services Agreement may be postponed until April 30, 2017, to the extent that this is required in order to obtain the approval of the shareholders meeting. In such event, to the extent that the termination agreement is approved, Elron will bear the employment cost of the employees until such date
less the quarterly payment of Elron to DIC in accordance with the Services Agreement
.
|
|
28.
|
The total cost of services for the Company before termination of the engagement in the Services Agreement as proposed in this section, was approximately NIS 6.00 million per year. However, during 2016 and after the extension of the Services Agreement, a development occurred in the Company's business in view of its decision to invest also in cyber companies and the need to respond to the development of new reporting requirements, a decision which required the employment of additional manpower (professional and financial).The cost of employment of the Company's employees, which is paid by DIC and which the Company is expected to pay for employing the employees after the termination of the Services Agreement including the employment cost of the CEO, as of December 2016
3
is in an amount of approximately NIS 9.45 million per year.
|
2
Calculated in accordance with the relevant wage cost com
po
nents, as of December 2016
3
Not including a cost at a negligible amount of DIC's payroll controller handling of the issue of the salary slips preparation for the employees providing the services to Elron.
|
29.
|
Therefore, and in light of the payment which DIC undertook to pay Elron as detailed in Section 26 above, additional annual monetary cost of approximately NIS1.4 million is expected for Elron (and for the period until the timely expiration of the Services Agreement at its original term date at a total cost of approximately NIS1.8 million).
|
Details required according to the Securities Regulations (Transaction between a Company and the Controlling Shareholder thereof), 5761-2001 with respect to Resolution 1.2.1 on the Agenda
|
30.
|
Names of the controlling shareholders who have personal interest in the resolution and the nature of their personal interest
|
|
30.1.
|
To the best of the Company's knowledge, those who might be deemed as being controlling shareholders having a personal interest (in the meaning of such terms in the Companies Law) in the approval of the resolution stated in Section 1.2.1 above are:
|
|
30.1.1.
|
DIC is deemed as a controlling shareholder of the Company by virtue of DIC's holdings as of the date of this Report of 50.32% of the issued share capital of the Company and the voting rights in the Company. DIC is a public company whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and has personal interest in the termination of the Services Agreement being a direct party thereto.
|
|
30.1.2.
|
IDB is deemed as an indirect controlling shareholder of the Company by virtue of IDB's control of DIC. Therefore, IDB might be deemed as having a personal interest in the approval of the said resolution due to it being a controlling shareholder of DIC and the Company.
|
|
31.
|
Names of the directors who participated in the discussions at the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors
|
|
31.1.
|
Messrs. Ehud Rassabi (External Director and Chairman of the committee), Lee-Bath Nelson (External Director), Yehuda Freidenberg (external) and Yael Andorn (Independent Director) participated in the resolution of the Audit Committee to terminate the engagement in the Services Agreement dated January 19, 2017.
|
|
31.2.
|
Messrs. Yael Andorn (Independent Director), Ehud Rassabi (External Director) and Yehuda Freidenberg (External Director) participated in the resolution of the Board of Directors dated January 22, 2017.
|
|
32.
|
Names of the directors with personal interest and the nature of their personal interest
|
The directors specified below might be deemed, for the sake of caution, as having personal interest in the approval of the resolution on the issue in Section 1.2.1 above: Messrs. Eduardo Elsztain, Saul Zang and Amiram Erel as well as the alternate directors Sholem (Saul) Lapidot and Gerardo Tyszberowicz. The personal interest of Messrs. Eduardo Elsztain and Saul Zang and of the alternate directors Sholem (Saul) Lapidot and Gerardo Tyszberowicz in the approval of the said resolution derives from their service as directors and/or officers and/or their being interested parties in DIC and/or in the companies controlling thereof. Mr. Ami Erel declared a personal interest for the sake of caution due to the fact that he provides services to DIC.
|
33.
|
Approvals required for execution of the resolution
|
|
33.1.
|
The resolution to terminate the Services Agreement was approved by the Company's Audit Committee and the Company's Board of Directors on January 19, 2017 and January 22, 2017 respectively.
|
|
33.2.
|
The said resolution requires the approval of the Company's general meeting (including a requirement for a majority out of the shareholders who are not controlling or have no personal interest) which was convened as specified below in this Report.
|
|
33.3.
|
It is noted that the resolution to terminate the Services Agreement was approved by the Audit Committee of DIC, but still requires the approval of DIC's Board of Directors.
|
|
34.
|
Similar transactions in the preceding two years
|
As stated above, in May 2009 the Company first engaged with DIC in the Services Agreement. The term of the Services Agreement was extended twice, in 2012 and the last time, on April 19, 2015, each time for three years, until May 1, 2018.
|
35.
|
The reasons of the Audit Committee and Board of Directors for termination of the engagement in the Services Agreement
|
|
35.1.
|
At this time, the Services Agreement has no operational and managerial advantage for Elron, compared to the termination of the agreement and transition to an independent form of management, which will allow Elron flexibility, independence and full discretion regarding the size of Elron's headquarters, the identity of the staff of employees and office holders and will make it easier to hire employees for the Company as necessary, all subject to the budget determined by the Board of Directors.
|
|
35.2.
|
Upon the termination of the office of an active Chairman of the board at the Company commencing in 2015, the level of involvement and scope of activity of the Company's CEO at Elron increased at the expense of his activity and involvement in DIC (where he serves at the same time as a Vice-President). Thus, while on the date that the Services Agreement took effect, the Company's CEO served as a director in six companies of the DIC and IDB group (not including companies held by Elron), currently, the CEO only serves as a director in one company as aforesaid, not held by Elron.
|
|
35.3.
|
In addition, Elron's CEO who served since the beginning of his office also as a Vice-President of DIC and fulfilled tasks and duties for DIC (
inter alia
, as supervisor of risk management at DIC and served as a business development manager thereof) is expected to complete his service as a Vice-President at DIC close in time to the Services Agreement termination date. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors want him to invest all of his time in Elron and in the Elron group
4
companies.
|
|
35.4.
|
It seems proper and appropriate that Elron will have more freedom in its conduct, including in decisions on issues of budget, hiring manpower etc. Moreover, Elron's independent conduct in these issues, will significantly increase the identification of its employees with the organization and their commitment thereto. Furthermore, the employment of the employees directly by Elron, will strengthen the control of the Company over its employees and will facilitate the navigation of the Company's business through its employees.
|
|
35.5.
|
As of the date hereof, except for the CEO, all of DIC's employees who are employed at Elron work for Elron their entire time (100%) and therefore, the termination of their employment at DIC and commencement of employment in their capacity as Elron employees does not create a difference in the nature of their activity.
|
|
35.6.
|
Even though the termination of the Services Agreement and the transition of the employees to become Elron employees is expected to involve certain additional cost for the Company, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors are of the opinion that the advantages for the Company and its conduct, including the managerial flexibility are worthwhile for the Company.
|
|
35.7.
|
Further to the recent VAT audit, the VAT authorities raised an argument, with which Elron does not agree, that Elron cannot deduct VAT in respect of invoices presented by DIC to Elron in accordance with the Services Agreement even though in the past they allowed the refund of the VAT in full. Direct employment of the employees will avoid the cost of the excess VAT in question
|
|
35.8.
|
Following the date of extension of the Services Agreement, DIC was
requested to employ, for the benefit of Elron, additional personnel in the
field of cyber and other fields. The said cost was not known at the date of
extension of the Services Agreement, and thus was not taken into
consideration while determining the consideration thereof. Accordingly,
Elron's Audit Committee and Board of Directors are of the view that to
the extent that the Services Agreement is terminated, and in view of all the
considerations and the accounts settling described, it is fair that Elron will
bear the said additional cost from 2017, the meaning of the proposed
arrangement being that DIC bears the said cost until the end of 2016.
|
|
35.8.
35.9.
|
The termination of the engagement does not constitute a distribution in the meaning thereof in the Companies Law.
|
|
35.9.
35.10.
|
Considering all of the aforesaid, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors are of the opinion that the termination of the engagement in the Services Agreement with DIC serves the benefit of the Company and is appropriate and reasonable.
|
4
It shall be stated that at this stage, the CEO is expected to serve as a director in two companies held by DIC: Cellcom Israel Ltd. and Epsilon Investment House Ltd. (chairman).
|
b.
|
Approval of terms of office and employment for the CEO in office, Mr. Ari Bronshtein
|
|
36.
|
Mr. Ari Bronshtein, the Company's CEO (the "
CEO
") serves as an officer (Vice-President) of DIC which bears the entire payment of his fixed compensation as of this date, according to the Services Agreement.
The variable compensation (bonuses) is paid by the Company according to the Compensation Policy of the Company.
|
|
37.
|
As specified above, subject to the receipt of the approval of the Company's shareholders meeting for the termination of the Services Agreement, the CEO will be directly employed by the Company.
|
|
38.
|
In view of the aforesaid, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors resolved, upon the presentation of the Company's Compensation Policy for the approval of the shareholders meeting, to ask for the shareholders meeting's approval of the terms of office and employment of the CEO. The approval of the said resolution is consistent with the Company's Compensation Policy which is brought for the approval of the meeting in this Report.
|
|
39.
|
Details of the education and experience of the CEO
|
|
39.1.
|
The CEO holds a Bachelors' degree in Finance and Management and a Masters' degree in Finance and Accounting, both from Tel Aviv University.
|
|
39.2.
|
The CEO has been serving since January 2006 as a Vice-President of Discount Investment Corporation. During the period since January 2004 until December 2005, he served as a Vice-President and head of the Economics and Business Development division at Bezeq Israeli Communication Corporation Ltd. ("
Bezeq
"), a director at Bezeq International, Chairman of the investment committee at Stage 1 Venture Capital, a member of the investment committee at EuroFund Venture Capital. From 2000 until December 2003, he served as the manager of the financing and investments wing at Bezeq and before that, he served in senior positions in other hi-tech companies. The CEO serves as a director for the following companies: Cellcom Israel Ltd; RDC Rafael Development Company Ltd.; Coramaze Technologies GmbH; Nitinotes Ltd.; Pocared Diagnostics Ltd.
|
|
39.3.
|
See also Section 45.3 below for details regarding the qualifications, expertise and achievements of the CEO.
|
|
40.
|
The CEO is not a family member of an interested party at the Company.
|
|
41.
|
Description of the office and the issues handled therein
: The office is the office of a CEO and includes the fulfillment of all of the CEO's duties according to law and according to the board resolutions.
|
|
42.
|
The terms of office and employment offered to the CEO are as follows
:
|
|
42.1.
|
The CEO will be employed in a full-time position, and is expected to terminate his office as a Vice-President at DIC. It shall be stated according to DIC's request, the CEO is expected to serve as a director in two companies held by DIC: Cellcom Israel Ltd. and Epsilon Investment House Ltd.
|
|
42.2.
|
Gross monthly salary in the amount of NIS 95,744, linked to the consumer price index.
|
|
42.3.
|
Social and related benefits as customary, including a study fund and disability insurance.
|
|
42.4.
|
Annual leave of 23 days, while accumulation and redemption exceeding two annual quotas shall not be permitted; 13 recuperation days per year, which will be updated from time to time according to the law; cellular device (including maintenance expenses) and payment for landline telephone expenses, including connection to the internet, including engrossment of the value of the recording of the benefit for tax purposes; Company car (including maintenance expenses) at a monthly leasing cost which will not exceed NIS12,000, including engrossment of the value of the recording of the benefit for tax purposes; Subscription for a daily newspaper and reimbursement of expenses related to the fulfillment of his office, with no cap, against the presentation of lawful tax invoices.
|
|
42.5.
|
Severance pay – entitlement to severance pay according to law. Without derogating from the aforesaid, the CEO shall be entitled, in any event, to the release of the severance money in the managers' insurance or the pension fund (as applicable) in his name.
|
|
42.6.
|
According to the Company's Compensation Policy, the CEO will be entitled to an annual bonus in an amount which will not exceed 12 times the cost of his monthly compensation, while the annual bonus shall comprise the components specified in the Company's Compensation Policy and will be subject to the terms thereof.
|
|
42.7.
|
The terms of office and employment are for an unlimited period, and for as long as Mr. Bronshtein serves as the CEO of the Company. Each of the parties shall have the right to notify, at any time, of its will to terminate the employment of Mr. Bronshtein as a CEO, by a 3 months advance notice. The Company will be entitled to waive the services of the CEO during the advance notice period, in whole or in part, and in such case the CEO will be paid the monthly payment and the related benefits, during the advance notice period, to which he would have been entitled, had he continued to serve as the Company's CEO until the end of the advance notice period.
|
|
42.8.
|
The CEO will be employed in a full-time position (100%).
|
|
43.
|
See Section 7.5.3 of the Compensation Policy for details regarding the option of establishing a non-material part of the bonus according to non-measurable criteria.
|
|
44.
|
Specification of terms of office and employment
|
|
44.1.
|
Following is a summary of the maximum compensation expected for Mr. Bronshtein for 2017, subject to the approval of the terms of office and employment by the general meeting, and assuming that Mr. Bronshtein will serve for a full year (in terms of cost for the Company, NIS in thousands):
|
Details of the receiver of the compensation
|
Compensation for services
|
Total
|
Name
|
Position
|
Scope of office (1)(%)
|
Rate of holding in the corporation's capital (%)
|
Salary (2)
|
Bonus
|
Share based payment
|
Management fee
|
Consultation fee
|
Commission
|
Other
|
|
Ari Bronshtein
|
Company CEO
|
100%
|
-
|
*1,747
|
Approximately. 1,747 with the assumption of payment of the maximum bonus.
The amount of the actual annual bonus for 2016 will only transpire after the end of the year.
For details regarding the cap for the annual bonus for the CEO and the manner of calculation of the annual bonus for the CEO see Section 7 of the Compensation Policy.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,494
|
|
*
|
As stated above, DIC will indemnify Elron for the full monthly salary cost of the CEO until 30 April 2018.
|
|
(1)
|
The CEO is expected to serve as a director in two companies held by DIC: Cellcom Israel Ltd. and Epsilon Investment House Ltd. (Chairman).
|
|
(2)
|
The amount includes all of the following components: 12 monthly salaries linked to the consumer price index (as of December 2016 – approximately NIS 95,744, social and related benefits as customary, car (including engrossment), cellular device, landline telephone and insurance for loss of work capacity.
|
|
44.2.
|
For details regarding the ratio between the variable component and the fixed component of the compensation and regarding the ratio between the terms of office and employment of the CEO and the compensation of the Company's employees see Sections 12 and 16 of the Compensation Policy.
|
|
44.3.
|
For details regarding the compensation to the CEO for 2015 see the details in "Regulation 21 – the compensation given to the three senior executives with the highest compensation at the Company" in Chapter D – Additional Details on the Corporation in the Company's annual report for 2015 as published on March 13, 2016 (reference no.: 2016-01-004599).
|
|
44.4.
|
For details regarding the terms under which the CEO shall return to the Company amounts paid to him as part of the terms of office and employment in the event of an amendment to the Company's financial statements see Section 17 of the Compensation Policy.
|
|
45.
|
The approval process of terms of office and employment of the CEO and the reasons of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors for the approval
|
|
45.1.
|
On January 22, 2017, after the approval of the Compensation Committee dated November 3, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved the terms of office and employment of the CEO. For details regarding the members of the Compensation Committee who participated in the committee meeting, see Section 12.7 above. For details regarding the members of the Board of Directors who participated in the committee meeting, see Section 12.8 above.
|
|
45.2.
|
Within the framework of the meetings of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors, data and information as follows were examined,
inter alia
:
|
|
45.2.1.
|
The Company's Compensation Policy being presented for the approval of the shareholders meeting of the Company within this Report according to Section 267A of the Companies Law;
|
|
45.2.2.
|
The current terms of office and employment of the CEO, as an employee of DIC and CEO of Elron;
|
|
45.2.3.
|
The terms of employment of employees at the Company (including the data required to be addressed according to Amendment no. 20 of the Companies Law);
|
|
45.2.4.
|
A comparative survey for the terms of office and employment of the CEO.
|
|
45.3.
|
The Company's Compensation Committee and Board of Directors found that the approval of application of the provisions of the Compensation Policy to the CEO are for the benefit of the Company and are reasonable in the circumstances of the matter, and that they are consistent with the Company's Compensation Policy, for the following reasons:
|
|
45.3.1.
|
The CEO served as a director at the Company since 2006 until his appointment as the Company's CEO in May 2009, and since then to date he serves as the CEO of the Company and is thoroughly familiar with the business and organizational culture thereof.
|
|
45.3.2.
|
The CEO actively contributes to the Company's business within the fulfillment of his duties. Since the beginning of his office in 2009 to date, the CEO led the Company to accrued profitability of approximately $150 million and to a significant increase in the share price by hundreds of percentage points,
inter alia
, after the establishment of relations of trust with the Company's public shareholders. The CEO also helped with the stabilization of the Company's financial structure and led the implementation of business focus strategy mainly in the medical instruments companies, within which the Company carried out sale transactions at a total sum exceeding $1.5 billion (out of which the share of Elron and RDC Rafael Development Company Ltd.- a subsidiary of the Company- in the consideration is over $600 million). The CEO also led the Company to the development of business in cyber industry.
|
|
45.3.3.
|
The CEO has many years of proven, varied senior managerial, business and financial experience. The Company's Compensation Committee and Board of Directors believe that the CEO will continue to contribute a lot to the Company in the actions required for the fulfillment of the tasks and challenges faced thereby.
|
|
45.3.4.
|
The compensation offered to the CEO is consistent with the Company's Compensation Policy which is presented for the approval of the Company's shareholders meeting within this Report.
|
|
45.3.5.
|
In determining the amount of the compensation, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors considered,
inter alia
, the following parameters: the CEO's education, qualifications, expertise, professional experience and achievements; the CEO's contribution to investments carried out by the Company and the liquidation of investments carried out; the Company's business performance; the size of the Company and the nature of its business; the CEO's contribution to the Company's business, profits, strength and stability; the Company's need to retain a CEO with unique qualifications, knowledge, experience and expertise; the scope of responsibility imposed on the CEO; the satisfaction of the CEO's performance; the CEO´s contribution to proper corporate governance and control and ethics environment.
|
|
45.3.6.
|
Due to the scarcity of public companies with similar business to that of the Company, it is difficult to examine and learn from comparative information regarding the compensation customary in similar companies, however, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors found that the proposed bonuses are proportionate compared to what is customary in companies with a similar nature of business or a similar scope of business.
|
|
45.3.7.
|
The maximum ratio between the fixed component and the variable component in the CEO's employment terms, as reflected in the caps which were determined, is proportionate and balanced.
|
|
45.3.8.
|
The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors examined whether the transaction contemplated in this Section includes distribution, as defined in the Companies Law, and determined that the transaction does not include distribution.
|
|
45.3.9.
|
Therefore, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the terms of compensation offered to the CEO are reasonable and fair in the circumstances of the matter.
|
|
45.4.
|
The Company is a public second-tier subsidiary.
|
|
46.
|
Identity of the controlling shareholders at the Company
|
For details regarding the identity of the controlling shareholders of the Company see Section 16 above.
|
47.
|
Names of the directors who participated in the resolutions of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors
|
See Sections 12.8 and 12.9 above.
|
48.
|
The compensation component which was changed
|
As aforesaid, up to this date, the CEO was not directly employed by the Company. Subject to the termination of the Services Agreement, the CEO will be employed by the Company which will pay the cost of his terms of office and employment.
Part D – Additional Details regarding Resolution 1.3 on the agenda –
appointment of the accounting firm of Kesselman & Kesselman (PWC) as the
auditors of the Company jointly with the accounting firm of
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer
|
49.
|
As of the report date, the firm of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer serve as the auditors of the Company.
|
|
50.
|
Section 156 of the Companies Law, 5759-1999 prescribes that a company may appoint several auditors who will jointly carry out the audit.
|
|
51.
|
Accordingly, it is proposed to appoint also the accounting firm of Kesselman & Kesselman (PWC) as the auditors of the Company, such that the accounting firm of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer and the accounting firm of Kesselman & Kesselman (PWC) will jointly serve as the auditors of the Company, until the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company, and to appoint the Company's Audit Committee and the Board of Directors to set their fees as the auditors.
|
|
52.
|
The total fees of the auditors for audit work are not expected to change compared to 2015 following the said appointment.
|
Part E – Additional Details regarding Proposal No. 4 on the Agenda -
Approval of grant of indemnification letters to directors and officers from
among the controlling shareholders
|
53.
|
Principles of the resolution:
|
|
53.1.
|
On February 1, 2012, the Company's general meeting approved the grant of indemnification letters in an amended version to the directors and officers as serving at the Company at the time and as shall serve at the Company from time to time and to officers at the Company (including directors) serving and/or who will serve therein from time to time who them and/or their relatives are controlling shareholders of the Company and/or that the controlling shareholders in the Company might have personal interest in the grant thereof, for their actions in the capacity of their office in the Company and for their actions in the capacity of their office upon the Company's request as officers in another company, in which the Company holds shares, directly or indirectly, or in which the Company has any interest. The validity of the decision about controlling shareholders and / or their relatives and / or for which they have a personal interest was limited to three years from the date of the decision.
|
The language of the amended indemnification letter included, inter
alia,
a maximum indemnification amount for all of those entitled to indemnification, in an amount equal to 25% of the Company's equity according to its last financial statements released in proximity to the grant of the indemnification (the "
Current Indemnification Letter
"). The language of the Current Indemnification Letter is attached as
Annex C
hereto.
Currently, once directors who are controlling shareholders or from among the controlling shareholders have been appointed, it is proposed to approve the grant of indemnification letters to these directors.
|
53.2.
|
Therefore, it is proposed to approve the grant of indemnification letters to directors and officers at the Company, who are serving or who will serve therein from time to time, who them and/or their relatives are controlling shareholders at the Company and/or which the controlling shareholders in the Company might have personal interest in the grant thereof, due to their actions in the capacity of their office at the Company and for their actions in the capacity of their office upon the Company's request as officers in another company, in which the Company holds shares, directly or indirectly, or that the Company has any interest in. Under the same terms of the current indemnification letter of the Company. To the extent that this resolution is approved, the letters of indemnification that will be granted to directors and to officers who and/or whose relatives are controlling shareholders, shall remain in effect for three years commencing from the date of the shareholders meeting convened hereby. As of the date of this Report, the directors with respect of whom the resolution is relevant are Messrs. Eduardo Elsztain (Chairman), Saul Zang (Vice-Chairman), Sholem (Saul) Lapidot (alternate director) and Gerardo Tyszberowicz (alternate director).
|
|
54.
|
Names of the controlling shareholders who have personal interest in the resolution and the nature of their personal interest
|
To the best of the Company's knowledge, those who might be deemed as controlling shareholders who have personal interest (in the meaning of such terms in the Companies Law) in the approval of the resolution set forth in Section 1.4 above are:
|
54.1.
|
DIC is deemed as a controlling shareholder in the Company by virtue of DIC's holdings as of the date of this Report of 50.32% of the Company's issued share capital and the voting rights in the Company. DIC is a public company whose shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and has personal interest due to the fact that the indemnification letters will be given to directors in the Company who constitute controlling shareholders and/or officers at DIC.
|
|
54.2.
|
IDB is deemed as an indirect controlling shareholder in the Company by virtue of IDB's control of DIC. Therefore, IDB might be deemed as having a personal interest in the approval of the said resolution due to it being a controlling shareholder in DIC and in the Company and due to the fact that the indemnification letters will be given to directors in the Company who constitute controlling shareholders and/or officers of the Company and/or DIC.
|
|
54.3.
|
As the Company has been informed, the controlling shareholders in IDB Development as of the date of this Report are: Mr. Eduardo Elsztain who holds the Company's shares through the following companies controlled by him: Dolphin Netherlands B.V., Dolphin Fund Ltd. and Inversiones Financieras Del Sur S.A. ("
IFISSA
") (jointly hereinafter: the "
Dolphin Companies
"). The Dolphin Companies hold directly about 100% of the issued share capital and the voting rights in IDB Development according to the following specification: Dolphin Fund – 0.02%; Dolphin Netherlands –68.28%: IFISSA – 31.72%.
|
|
55.
|
The manner in which the consideration was determined
|
The provisions of the indemnification letter are adapted to the prevailing law and it is an indemnification letter which is identical to the current indemnification letter which was approved by the general meeting in 2012, with respect to all of the officers at the Company. The indemnification letter is consistent with the Company's Compensation Policy.
|
56.
|
The required approvals
|
The required approvals are the approval of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors which were given on 3 November, 2016 and 22 January 2017 the approval of the general meeting convened hereunder, by a special majority as specified above.
|
57.
|
Names of the directors who participated in the resolution at the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors
|
|
(A)
|
Ehud Rassabi (Chairman and External Director), Yehuda Freidenberg (External Director) and Lee-Bath Nelson (External Director) participated in the resolution of the Compensation Committee which approved the grant of the indemnification letter.
|
|
(B)
|
Yael Andorn (Independent Director), Ehud Rassabi (External Director), Yehuda Freidenberg (External Director) participated in the resolution of the Board of Directors which approved the grant of the indemnification letter.
|
|
58.
|
Names of the directors who have personal interest in the resolution and the nature of their personal interest:
|
The following directors might be deemed as having personal interest in the approval of the said resolution: Messrs. Eduardo Elsztain (Chairman), Saul Zang (Vice-Chairman), Sholem (Saul) Lapidot (alternate director) and Gerardo Tyszberowicz (alternate director). The personal interest of the said directors derives from the fact that the indemnification letters will be granted to them.
|
59.
|
Similar transactions in the last two years or which are still effective on the date of the board's approval
|
As aforesaid, the indemnification letter proposed to be granted is identical to the current indemnification letter which was granted according to past resolutions to the remaining directors and other officers serving at the Company.
|
60.
|
The reasons of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors for the resolution to grant the indemnification letters to the controlling shareholders
|
|
(A)
|
Considering the scope of the responsibility and duties imposed on the directors at the Company – including the controlling shareholders, their relatives and/or anyone that the controlling shareholders have personal interest in the granting indemnification letters to – and considering the exposure involved in their activities, it is appropriate that the Company shall grant them indemnification letters within a framework permitted by law.
|
|
(B)
|
The grant of an indemnification letter is common practice, consistent with the law and was intended to allow directors and officers to fulfill their duties with faith and while making business considerations for the benefit of the Company and promotion of its business.
|
|
(C)
|
The legislation amendments carried out in recent years extended the scope of responsibility and duties imposed on the officers at the Company and also the scope and severity of exposure and sanctions for violation of such duties. Considering the exposure involved in the activity of the directors and officers at the Company, it is appropriate that the Company shall grant them an indemnification letter suitable for the activity and exposure of the Company.
|
|
(D)
|
The language of the indemnification letter settles with the provisions of the applicable law including the limitations set forth therein.
|
|
(E)
|
The undertaking to indemnify for a monetary liability in favor of another person according to the indemnification letter, is with respect to events which in the opinion of the Board of Directors could have been expected in view of the Company's actual activity. Also, the terms of the indemnification letter and the maximum indemnification amount for such liability, as specified in the indemnification letter, are fair and reasonable in the circumstances of the matter, considering the size, type, scope, complexity and other characteristics of the Company's business sectors, and considering the extensive responsibility and the significant liabilities imposed on the officers and the directors.
|
|
(F)
|
This is an indemnification letter identical to the current indemnification letter which is granted to the other officers at the Company.
|
|
(G)
|
The indemnification letter is consistent with the Company's Compensation Policy.
|
|
(H)
|
The indemnification letter is in the best interests of the Company and does not constitute distribution in the meaning of such term in the Companies Law.
|
|
61.
|
The powers of the Israel Securities Authority
|
According to Regulation 10 of the Controlling Shareholders Regulations, the Securities Authority or an employee which it had authorized therefor, may within 21 days from the day of filing this Report, order the Company to provide, within a timeframe which it shall set, an explanation, details, information and documents regarding the engagement contemplated in this Report, and to order the Company to amend this Report in the manner and on the date that it will determine; in such case, the Authority may order the adjournment of the date of the general meeting to a date which will occur not before the lapse of three business days and no later than 35 days from the date of publication of the amendment to this Report.
Should the Company be required to amend this Report as aforesaid, the Company will file the amendment in the manner set forth in the Transaction with a Controlling Shareholder Regulations, send it to all of its shareholders to whom this Report had been sent and publish a notice on this matter in the manner set forth in the Transaction with a Controlling Shareholder Regulations, all unless the Authority had instructed otherwise. Should an instruction be given regarding the adjournment of the date of the general meeting, the Company will announce the instruction in an immediate report.
The following annexes are attached to this Report:
Annex A –
the Company's Compensation Policy
Annex B
– Proxy Card
Annex C
–Language of an indemnification letter
|
Sincerely,
Elron Electronic Industries Ltd.
|
Identity of the persons signing the Report in the name of the Company and their position:
Ari Bronshtein, CEO
Yaron Elad, CFO