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Corporate governance

Governance and policy

The Board and Corporate Executive Team

The Directors are listed under The Board.

The Board is responsible for the Group’s system of corporate governance and is ultimately accountable for the Group’s activities, strategy and financial performance.

The CEO is responsible for executive management of the Group and is assisted in this by the CET. The CET meets 11 times per year and otherwise as necessary. The members and their responsibilities are listed in the Corporate Executive Team section.

The Board comprises three Executive and ten Non-Executive Directors. The Board considers that Dr Burns, Mr Culp, Sir Crispin Davis, Sir Deryck Maughan, Dr Podolsky, Sir Ian Prosser, Dr Schmitz, Mr de Swaan and Sir Robert Wilson are each independent under the Combined Code. During the annual review of Board effectiveness, the Board concluded that Dr Schmitz remained independent, notwithstanding his length of service. In the opinion of the Board, he continues to demonstrate the characteristics of independence, whilst at the same time possessing an outstanding knowledge of the business. Sir Ian Prosser is the Senior Independent Director.

Throughout 2006 and up to the date of this publication, a majority of the Board members, excluding the Chairman, were independent Non-Executive Directors, in accordance with the recommendations of the Combined Code.

Board process

The Board meets at least six times a year. It has a formal schedule of matters reserved to it for decision but otherwise delegates specific responsibilities to Board committees, as described below. The Board works to an agreed business agenda in reviewing the key activities of the business, and receives papers and presentations to enable it to do so effectively. The Board considers and reviews the work undertaken by its Committees.

The Company Secretary is responsible to the Board and is available to individual Directors in respect of Board procedures. The Company Secretary is Mr Simon Bicknell, a barrister, who was appointed in May 2000 and joined GSK in 1984. He is secretary to all the Board Committees.

Board Committees

The Board has established a number of committees. Executive Directors are not members of the Audit, Remuneration, Nominations or Corporate Responsibility Committees, although they may be invited to attend meetings. Each Director is a member of the Corporate Administration & Transactions and Financial Results Committees. Membership of these Committees is shown in the table below.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee reviews the financial and internal reporting process, the system of internal control and management of risks and the external and internal audit process. The Committee also proposes to shareholders the appointment of the external auditors and is directly responsible for their remuneration and oversight of their work. The Committee consists entirely of independent Non-Executive Directors. It meets at least four times a year.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee determines the terms of service and remuneration of the Executive Directors and members of the CET and, with the assistance of external independent advisors, it evaluates and makes recommendations to the Board on overall executive remuneration policy. The Committee consists entirely of independent Non-Executive Directors, together with the Chairman, in accordance with the Combined Code. It meets at least four times a year and otherwise as necessary.

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee reviews the structure, size and composition of the Board and the appointment of members to the Board and the CET, and makes recommendations to the Board as appropriate. The Committee also monitors the planning of succession to the Board and Senior Management. The Committee consists entirely of Non-Executive Directors, of whom a majority are independent, and meets at least once a year and otherwise as necessary.

Corporate Responsibility Committee

The Corporate Responsibility Committee consists entirely of Non-Executive Directors and provides a Board-Level forum for the regular review of external issues that have the potential for serious impact upon the Group’s business and reputation and for the oversight of reputation and the views of external stakeholders. The Committee is also responsible for governance oversight of the Group’s worldwide donations and community support. The Committee meets formally three times a year and otherwise as necessary.

Financial Results Committee

The Financial Results Committee reviews and approves, on behalf of the Board, the Annual Report and Form 20-F, the Annual Review and the convening of the AGM, together with the preliminary and quarterly statements of trading results. Each Director is a member of the Committee and the quorum for a meeting is any three members. To be quorate, each meeting must include the Chairman or the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the CEO or the CFO. The Committee meets as necessary.

Corporate Administration & Transactions Committee

The Corporate Administration & Transactions Committee reviews and approves matters in connection with the administration of the Group’s business, and certain corporate transactions. The Committee consists of the Directors, CET members and the Company Secretary. The Committee meets as necessary.

Remuneration of Directors

Information on the remuneration of Directors is given in the Summary Remuneration Report.