Transcript
Page 1: Corporate governance CORPORATE statement OERNANEbpost.production.investis.com/~/.../year-in-review/... · of Directors in a transparent way in case conflicts occur. A director may

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Corporate governance statement

lastamendedbyaBoardofDirectors’decisionofNovember 8,2017,inviewofincorporatingrecentdevelopments(suchastheLawofDecember 7,2016ontheorganizationoftheprofessionandthepublicsupervisionofauditors,theISSBenchmarkPolicyRecommendationsandtheEuropeanDirective2014/95/EUoftheEuropeanParliamentandtheCouncilondisclosureofnon-financialanddiversityinformationbycertainlargeundertakingsandgroups,asimplementedbytheLawofSeptember 3,2017).

TheBoardofDirectorsreviewsbpost’sCorporateGovernanceCharteratregularintervalsandadoptsanychangesdeemednecessaryandappropriate.

TheCorporateGovernanceChartercontainsruleswithrespectto:

• thedutiesoftheBoardofDirectors,BoardCommittees,GroupExecutiveCommitteeandCEO;

• theresponsibilitiesoftheBoardofDirectors’ChairpersonandCorporateSecretary;

• therequirementsthatapplytotheBoardofDirectors’memberstoensurethattheyhaveadequateexperience,expertiseandcompetencestofulfilltheirdutiesandresponsibilities;

• adisclosuresystemonmandatesheldandrulesaimedatavoidingconflictsofinterestsandprovidingguidanceonhowtoinformtheBoardofDirectorsinatransparentwayincaseconflictsoccur.Adirectormaynotparticipateinthedeliberationsandvoteonanymatterinwhichhehasaconflictinginterest.

Reference CodebposthasdesignatedtheBelgianCodeonCorporateGovernanceofMarch 12,2009(the“Corporate Governance Code”)asitsreferencecode.TheCorporateGovernanceCodeisbasedona“complyorexplain”approach.BelgianlistedcompaniesarerequiredtofollowtheCorporateGovernanceCode,butmaydeviatefromitsprovisionsprovidedtheydisclosethejustificationforanysuchdeviation.

Deviations from the Corporate Governance CodebpostcomplieswiththeCorporateGovernanceCode,withtheexceptionofthefollowingthreedeviations,whichwereimposedunderthe1991Law(beforeitsamendmentbytheLawofDecember 16,2015(the“December 2015 Law”)thatenteredintoforceonJanuary 12,2016):

Reference Code and introductionInthisCorporateGovernanceStatement,bpostoutlinesthekeyaspectsofitscorporategovernanceframework.ThisframeworkisconsistentwiththerulesandprinciplessetoutintheLawofMarch 21,1991on the reform of certain economic public companies, asamendedfromtimetotime(the“1991 Law”),theArticlesofAssociationandtheCorporateGovernanceCharter.

Asalimitedliabilitycompanyunderpubliclaw,bpostisgovernedbytheBelgianCompaniesCodeandCorporateGovernanceCode,unlessotherwisestipulatedinthe1991LaworotherBelgianlawsorregulations.Inparticular,anychangestobpost’sArticlesofAssociation,whichhavetobeapprovedbytheShareholders’Meeting(generallyrequiringa75%majorityanda50%quoruminaccordancewithArticle 558oftheBelgianCompaniesCode),mustalsobeapprovedbyaRoyalDecreefollowingadebateintheCouncilofMinisters.

Thelatestversionofbpost’sArticlesofAssociationwasadoptedattheShareholders’MeetingofMay 11,2016andwasapprovedbytheRoyalDecreeofSeptember 1,20161.

Themaincharacteristicsofbpost’sgovernancemodelarethefollowing:

• the Board of Directorssetsbpost’sgeneralpolicyandstrategyandoverseesoperationalmanagement;

• theBoardofDirectorshassetupaStrategic Committee, an Audit CommitteeandaRemuneration and Nomination Committee toassistandmakerecommendationstotheBoardofDirectors;

• the Ad Hoc CommitteecomprisesallindependentdirectorsoftheBoardofDirectorsandinterveneswhentheprocedureprescribedbyArticle 524oftheBelgianCompaniesCode,asincorporatedinbpost’sCorporateGovernanceCharter,istriggered;

• theChiefExecutiveOfficer(“CEO”)isresponsiblefortheoperationalmanagement.TheBoardofDirectorshasdelegatedthepowersofday-to-daymanagementtotheCEO;

• the Group Executive CommitteeassiststheCEOwiththeoperationalmanagement;

• thereisacleardivisionofresponsibilitiesbetweentheBoardofDirectorsandtheCEO.

Corporate Governance CharterTheBoardofDirectorsadoptedtheCorporateGovernanceCharteronMay 27,2013.TheCharterhasbeeneffectivesinceJune 25,2013andwas

(1) ThisRoyalDecreewaspublishedintheBelgianStateGazetteonSeptember 19,2016andhasbeenineffectsinceSeptember 29,2016.

(2) TheCorporateGovernanceCodeisavailableonthewebsiteoftheCorporateGovernanceCommittee(www.corporategovernancecommittee.be).

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

• theCorporateGovernanceCode(provision4.2)statesthattheBoardofDirectorsproposesdirectorsforappointmentbytheShareholdersataShareholders’Meeting.However,somedirectorsappointedbeforeJanuary 12,2016weredirectlyappointedbytheBelgianStateinaccordancewiththeformerArticle 18,§2junctoArticle 148bis/3ofthe1991Law.AsfromJanuary 12,2016,all(new)directorsare(re)appointedbydecisionoftheShareholdersataShareholders’Meeting;

• theCorporateGovernanceCode(provision6.3)statesthattheBoardofDirectorsappointstheCEO.ThecurrentCEOwasappointedbytheBelgianStatebyRoyalDecreefollowingadebateintheCouncilofMinisters,inaccordancewiththeformerArticle 20,§2ofthe1991Law.FutureCEOswillbeappointedbytheBoardofDirectors;and

• theCorporateGovernanceCode(provision4.6)statesthatthetermofaBoardmandateshouldnotexceedfouryears.However,thedirectorsappointedbeforeMay 15,2014wereappointedforsixyearsinaccordancewiththeformerArticle 18,§3andArticle 20,§2(firstsentence)ofthe1991Law.(New)directors(re)appointedafterMay 15,2014 havebeen(re)appointedtoservea(new)termoffouryears.

Board of DirectorsComposition

General rules governing the composition of the Board of Directors

SincetheDecember 2015LawenteredintoforceonJanuary 12,2016,thecompositionoftheBoardofDirectorshasbeengovernedasdescribedbelow.

• TheBoardofDirectorsconsistsofamaximumof12directors,includingtheCEO,andshallonlycomprisenon-executivedirectors,exceptfortheCEO.

• Alldirectorsareappointed(andcanberevoked)bytheShareholdersataShareholders’Meeting,uponproposalbytheBoardofDirectorsandfromcandidatesnominatedbytheRemunerationandNominationCommittee.

• Directorsareappointedforarenewabletermoffouryears,totheextentthatthetotaltermoftheirmandate(asrenewed)doesnotexceed12 years.Inordertoensurecontinuityintheorganization,thetimelimitationof12 yearsdoesnotapplytotheCEO.

• Anyshareholderholdingatleast15%ofbpost’sshareshastherighttonominatedirectorsforappointmentprorataitsshareholding(“nominationright”).Directorsnominatedbyashareholdermaybeindependent,providedtheyfulfillthecriterialaiddowninArticle 526teroftheCompaniesCode,butdonothavetobeindependent.

• Alldirectors,otherthantheCEOandthoseappointedthroughtheaforementionednominationright,mustbeindependentdirectors.Inanycase,theBoardofDirectorsmustcompriseatalltimesatleastthreedirectorsfulfillingtheindependencecriterialaiddowninArticle 526teroftheBelgianCompaniesCode.ThebpostCorporateGovernanceCharterfurtherprovidesthatatleasthalfofthedirectorsmustmeetatalltimestheindependencecriteriaassetoutinArticle 3.2.4ofthebpostCorporateGovernanceCharter(basedonthecriteria

laiddowninArticle 526teroftheBelgianCompaniesCode).

• Alldirectors(includingthedirectorspreviouslyappointedbytheBelgianState)canberemovedbydecisionoftheShareholdersataShareholders’Meeting.TheDecember 2015Lawexplicitlyprovidedthatitsentryintoforcedidnotterminatethecurrentdirectors’mandates.Thesemandateswerethereforecontinuedandwillexpireasinitiallyprovided,notwithstandingthepossibilityfortheShareholderstoendthesemandatesattheShareholders’MeetinginaccordancewiththeBelgianCompaniesCode.

• Shouldanydirectormandatebecomesvacant,theremainingdirectorshavetheright,inaccordancewithArticle 519oftheBelgianCompaniesCode,totemporarilyfillsuchvacancyuntilafinalappointmenttakesplaceinaccordancewiththeabovementionedrules.

ThecompositionoftheBoardofDirectorsreflects:

• thegenderrepresentationrequirementssetforthin(i)Article 18,§2bisofthe1991Lawand(ii)Article 518bisoftheBelgianCompaniesCode.bpostcomplieswiththesegenderrepresentationrequirements.

• thelanguagerequirementssetforthinArticle 16and148bis/1ofthe1991Law.

Finally,inaccordancewiththeLawofSeptember 3,2017ondisclosureofnon-financialanddiversityinformationbycertainlargeundertakingsandgroups,bpostappliesadiversitypolicyinrelationtoitsadministrative,managementandsupervisorybodieswithregardtoaspectssuchas,e.g.,age,gender,educationaland/orprofessionalbackgrounds.Adescriptionofthispolicy,itsobjectives,howithasbeenimplementedandtheresultsinthereportingperiodisprovidedfurtherinthisAnnualReport.

TheBoardofDirectorswas,perDecember 31,2017,composedofthefollowing12 members:

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Name Position Director since

Mandateexpires

FrançoisCornelis1 ChairpersonoftheBoardofDirectors 2013 2019

KoenVanGerven2, 3 CEOandDirector 2014 2020

Jos Donvil2 Non-ExecutiveDirector 2017 2021

LucLallemand2 Non-ExecutiveDirector 2012 2018

BernadetteLambrechts2 Non-ExecutiveDirector 2014 2020

LaurentLevaux2 Non-ExecutiveDirector 2012 2018

CarolineVen2 Non-ExecutiveDirector 2012 2018

MichaelStone4 IndependentDirector 2014 2018

RayStewart4 IndependentDirector 2014 2018

ThomasHübner5 IndependentDirector 2017 2021

FilomenaTeixeira5 IndependentDirector 2017 2021

SaskiaVanUffelen5 IndependentDirector 2017 2021

(1) AppointedbytheGeneralMeetingofMay 27,2013(confirmedbydecisionofJune 25,2013)andappointedasChairpersonoftheBoardofDirectorsbyaBoardofDirectorsdecisionofMay 10,2017replacingMrs. FrançoiseMasaiasChairpersonoftheBoardofDirectors.

(2) AppointedbytheBelgianState.

(3) AppointedasCEObyRoyalDecreeofFebruary 26,2014followingadebateintheCouncilofMinisters.

(4) AppointedbytheGeneralMeetingofallShareholdersofbpostotherthanPublicInstitutionsheldonSeptember 22,2014.

(5) AppointedbytheannualGeneralMeetingofShareholdersofbpostheldonMay 10,2017.

Changes in the composition of the Board of Directors

FurthertotheresignationofSophieDutordoirasofFebruary 28,2017andtheresignationofFrançoiseMasai,ArthurGoethalsandBrunoHolthof,asofMay 10,2017,theShareholdersdecidedtoappoint,withimmediateeffect,JosDonvilasnon-executivedirectorandThomasHübner,FilomenaTeixeiraandSaskiaVanUffelenasindependentdirectorsattheannualShareholders’MeetingofMay 10,2017.

OnJanuary 16,2018,themandateofLucLallemand,LaurentLevauxandCarolineVenexpired.Intheinterestofbpost,inordertoensurethecontinuityofbpost’sBoardofDirectors,andinaccordancewithcompanylaw,theywillcontinuetocarryouttheirfunctionsuntiltheirreplacementattheShareholders’MeetingofMay 9,2018.

Inaddition,themandatesofRayStewartandMichaelStoneasindependentdirectorswillexpireattheShareholders’MeetingofMay 9,2018.

TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteehaslaunchedaselectionprocessforthenominationoftwoindependentdirectors,andthreeBoardmembersnominatedbythemajorityshareholder.TheBoardofDirectorsintendstorecommendcandidates,nominatedbytheRemunerationandNominationCommittee,forappointmentbytheShareholdersattheannualShareholders’MeetingofMay 9,2018toreplacethedirectorswhosemandatehasexpiredorwillexpire.

Aninductionprogramisprovidedtonewlyappointeddirectorsaimedatacquaintingthemwithbpost’sactivitiesandorganizationaswellaswiththerules

laiddownintheCorporateGovernanceCharter.Thisprogramisopentoeverydirectorwhowishestoparticipate.Itincludesvisitingoperationalandsortingcenters.

Powers and functioning

Powers and responsibilities of the Board of Directors

TheBoardofDirectorsisvestedwiththepowertoperformallactsthatarenecessaryorusefulfortherealizationofbpost’spurpose,exceptforthoseactionsthatarespecificallyreservedbylawortheArticlesofAssociationtotheShareholders’Meetingorothermanagementbodies.

Inparticular,theBoardofDirectorsisresponsiblefor:

• definingthegeneralpolicyofbpostanditssubsidiaries;

• decidingallmajorstrategic,financialandoperationalmattersofbpost;

• overseeingthemanagementbytheCEOandtheGroupExecutiveCommittee;and

• allothermattersreservedtotheBoardofDirectorsbytheBelgianCompaniesCodeorthe1991Law.

TheBoardofDirectorsisentitledtodelegatespecialandlimitedpowerstotheCEOandothermembersofseniormanagementandcanallowthesub-delegationofsaidpowers.OnJune 30,2017,theBoardofDirectorsdecidedtoapproveadelegationofauthorityformalizingthedelegationofspecificpowersbytheBoardofDirectorstotheCEOandothermembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee.Thispolicy,whichdoesnotaffectthepowersgrantedtotheBoardof

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Directorsbyorpursuanttothebpost’sArticlesofAssociation,hasbeenpublishedintheannexestotheBelgianOfficialGazetteonNovember 16,2017.

Acquisition and divestiture of own shares, profit-sharing certificates or associated certificates

FollowingthedecisionstakenattheShareholders’MeetingofMay 27,2013,theBoardofDirectorsmay,withoutanypriorauthorizationoftheShareholders,inaccordancewithArticles620etseq.oftheBelgianCompaniesCodeandwithinthelimitssetoutintheseprovisions,acquire,onoroutsidethestockmarket,itsownshares,profit-sharingcertificatesorassociatedcertificatesforapricethatwillrespectthelegalrequirements,butthatwillinanycasenotbemorethan10%belowthelowestclosingpriceinthelast30tradingdaysprecedingthetransactionandnotmorethan5%abovethehighestclosingpriceinthelast30tradingdaysprecedingthetransaction.ThisauthorizationisvalidforfiveyearsfromMay 27,2013.ThisauthorizationcoverstheacquisitiononoroutsidethestockmarketbyadirectsubsidiarywithinthemeaningandthelimitssetoutbyArticle 627,indent1oftheBelgianCompaniesCode.Iftheacquisitionismadebybpostoutsidethestockmarket,evenfromasubsidiary,bpostshallcomplywithArticle 620,§1,5°oftheBelgianCompaniesCode.

TheBoardofDirectorsisfurtherauthorizedtodivestitselfofpartoforallthebpostshares,profit-sharingcertificatesorassociatedcertificatesatapriceitdetermines,onoroutsidethestockmarketorintheframeworkofitsremunerationpolicytoemployees,directorsorconsultantsofbpostortopreventanyseriousandimminentharmtobpost.Thisauthorizationisvalidwithoutanytimerestriction.Theauthorizationcoversthedivestmentofthecompany’sshares,profit-sharingcertificatesorassociatedcertificatesbyadirectsubsidiarywithinthemeaningofArticle 627,indent1oftheBelgianCompaniesCode.

Functioning of the Board of Directors

TheBoardofDirectorsmeetswhenevertheinterestsofthecompanysorequiresorattherequestofatleasttwodirectors.Inprinciple,theBoardofDirectorsmeetsseventimesayearandinanyeventnotlessthanfivetimesayear.In2017,theBoardofDirectorsmet11 times.

Ingeneral,theBoardofDirectors‘andBoardCommittees’decisionsaremadebysimplemajorityofthedirectorspresentorrepresented,althoughforcertainBoardmattersatwothirdsmajorityisrequired(suchas,e.g.,decisionsontheapprovalofallrenewalsoramendmentstotheManagementContractandcertaindecisionsontheadministrativelawstatusofstatutoryemployees).Inthecaseofatie,theChairpersonhasacastingvote.

ThebpostCorporateGovernanceCharterreflectstheprinciplesbywhichtheBoardofDirectorsandtheBoardCommitteesoperate.

TheCorporateGovernanceCharterprovides,interalia,thattheBoardofDirectors’decisionsofstrategicimportance,includingtheadoptionofthebusinessplanandtheannualbudgetanddecisionsregardingstrategicacquisitions,alliancesanddivestituresmustbepreparedbyastandingoranadhocBoardCommittee.Foranysuchdecisions,theBoardofDirectorsshallstrivetoachievebroadsupportacross

itsvariousconstituencies,itbeingunderstoodthat,followingappropriatedialogueandconsultations,theBoardofDirectors’Chairpersonmaycallforadecisionandtheproposalshallcarryifadoptedbyamajorityof the votes cast.

Evaluation process of the Board of DirectorsUndertheChairperson’slead,theBoardofDirectorsconductsregularevaluationsofitsscope,composition,performanceandthatofitscommittees,aswellastheinteractionwiththeGroupExecutiveCommittee.Ifneeded,theChairpersonshallproposethenecessarymeasurestoremedyanyweaknessesoftheBoardofDirectorsorofanyofitscommittees.

In2015,theassessmentwasfacilitatedbyanexternalconsultant.TheassessmentfocusedontheroleandmissionsoftheBoardofDirectorsanditscommittees,itscomposition,itsfunctioning,theinformationflowswithintheBoardofDirectorsandwithmanagement,anditscompliancewithgovernancestandards.

Followingthe2015externalassessment,theBoardofDirectorsdecidedtomonitorandevaluateonaregularbasis the main focus areas that came out of the externalassessment.In2017,theBoardofDirectorscontinuedtofollow-uponthesefocusareas.

TheBoardofDirectorscontinuouslyevaluatesandimprovesitsfunctioninginordertosteerbposteverbetterandmoreefficiently.

Transactions between bpost, its Board members and executive managersAgeneralpolicyonconflictsofinterestapplieswithinbpostandprohibitsanyconflictofinterestssituationofafinancialnaturethatmayaffectadirector’spersonaljudgmentorprofessionaltaskstothedetrimentofbpost’sgroup.

InaccordancewithArticle 523oftheBelgianCompaniesCode,Mr. KoenVanGervendeclaredtohaveapersonalconflictofinterestofpatrimonialnatureinconnectionwithhisannualevaluationasCEO.HisannualevaluationwasanitemontheagendaoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee’smeetingofMarch 29,2017,andtheBoardofDirectors’meetingofthesameday.Heinformedbpost’sAuditorsofthisconflictofinterestanddecidednottoparticipateinthedeliberationorvotingonthisitem.BelowfollowstheextractoftheBoardofDirectors’minutesrelatingtotheannualevaluationoftheCEO:

“PriortodiscussingtheannualevaluationoftheCEO,theCEOdeclaredtohaveapersonalconflictofinterestofapatrimonialnatureaimedatbyArticle 523oftheBelgianCompaniesCodeinrespectoftheagendaitemwhichrelatestotheevaluationofhis annual performance.

TheCEOleftthemeetingroomanddidnotparticipateinthedeliberationorthedecisionregardinghisannualevaluation.TheCEOwillinstructtheauditorsofhisconflictofinterest,inaccordancewithArticle 523oftheBelgianCompaniesCode.

UponrecommendationoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee,theBoardofDirectorsunanimouslyapprovedtheevaluationoftheperformanceoftheCEOandtheproposedscore”.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Transactions between bpost and its majority shareholdersbpost’sCorporateGovernanceCharterprovidesthattheproceduresetforthinArticle 524oftheBelgianCompaniesCodeshallbeobservedforanydecisionsregardingtheManagementContractorotheragreementswiththeBelgianStateorotherPublicInstitutions(otherthanthosewithinthescopeofArticle 524,§1,lastsub-paragraphoftheBelgianCompaniesCode).Insummary,thesedecisionsaresubjecttoapriornon-bindingreasonedopinionofan AdHocCommittee,consistingofatleastthreeindependentdirectors.TheAdHocCommitteeisassistedbyanindependentexpert,selectedbytheAdHocCommittee,andbpost’sauditorsvalidatethefinancialdataused.TheprocedurethenrequirestheBoardofDirectorstosubstantiateitsdecisionandtheauditorstovalidatethefinancialdatausedbytheBoardofDirectors.

TheBoardofDirectorshasestablishedanAdHoc Committeecomposedofallindependentdirectors.

TheBoardofDirectorshasestablishedanAdHocCommittee,forthepurposeoftheUSOManagementContract,composedofallindependentdirectors.TheAdHocCommitteedidnotmeetin2017.

Committees of the Board of DirectorsApartfromtheaforementionedAdHocCommittee,theBoardofDirectorshasestablishedthreeBoardCommitteeswhichassisttheBoardofDirectorsandmakerecommendationsinspecificfields:the

StrategicCommittee,AuditCommittee(inaccordancewithArticle 526bisoftheBelgianCompaniesCode)andRemunerationandNominationCommittee(inaccordancewithArticle 526quateroftheBelgianCompaniesCode).ThetermsofreferenceoftheseBoardCommitteesaresetoutintheCorporateGovernanceCharter.

Strategic Committee

TheStrategicCommitteeadvisestheBoardofDirectorsonstrategicmattersandshall,inparticular:

• reviewindustrydevelopmentsonaregularbasis,reviewobjectivesandstrategiesofbpostanditssubsidiariesandrecommendcorrectiveactions;

• reviewthedraftbusinessplansubmittedeachyearbytheGroupExecutiveCommittee;

• reviewstrategictransactionsproposedbytheCEOorGroupExecutiveCommittee,includingstrategicacquisitionsanddivestitures,formationandterminationofstrategicalliancesorlonger-termcooperationagreements,launchingofnewproductsegmentsandentryintonewproductsorgeographicalmarketsorwithdrawalfromanysuchproductsegmentsorgeographicalmarkets;and

• monitortheimplementationofsuchstrategicprojectsandofthebusinessplan.

TheStrategicCommitteecomprisestheCEO,whochairsthecommittee,andfivedirectors,includingatleastoneindependentdirector.

TheStrategicCommitteewas,perDecember 31,2017,composedofthefollowingsixmembers:

Name Position Director since

Mandateexpires

Jos Donvil Non-ExecutiveDirector 2017 2021

LucLallemand Non-ExecutiveDirector 2002 2018

LaurentLevaux Non-ExecutiveDirector 2012 2018

ThomasHübner IndependentDirector 2017 2021

MichaelStone IndependentDirector 2014 2018

KoenVanGerven(Chairperson) CEOandDirector 2014 2020

TheStrategicCommitteemetsixtimesin2017.

Audit Committee

TheAuditCommitteeadvisestheBoardofDirectorsonaccounting,auditandinternalcontrolmatters,andshall,inparticularbeinchargeof:

• monitoringtheintegrityofbpost’sfinancialstatementsandbpost’saccountingandfinancialreportingprocessesandfinancialstatementsaudits;

• monitoringtheeffectivenessofbpost’sinternalcontrolandriskmanagement;

• monitoringtheinternalauditanditseffectiveness; • monitoringtheperformanceoftheJointAuditorsandthestatutoryauditoftheannualandconsolidatedaccounts,includinganyfollow-upon

anyquestionsandrecommendationsmadebytheJointAuditors;

• reviewingandmonitoringtheAuditors’independence,especiallyinviewoftheprovisionsoftheBelgianCompaniesCode;

• proposingcandidatestotheBoardofDirectorsforthetwoAuditorstobeappointedbytheShareholders’Meeting;and

• informingtheBoardofDirectorsontheresultsofthestatutoryauditandtheperformanceofitstasks.

TheAuditCommitteecomprisesfivenon-executivedirectors,includingatleastthreeindependentdirectors.TheAuditCommittee’sChairpersonisdesignatedbytheAuditCommittee’smembers.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

AuditCommitteeholdorhaveheldseveralboardorexecutivemandatesintoptiercompaniesororganizations.

TheAuditCommitteewas,perDecember 31,2017,composedofthefollowingfivemembers:

Collectively,theAuditCommittee’smembershavesufficientrelevantexpertiseinthefieldofaccountingandaudittofulfilltheirroleseffectively,notablyinfinancialmatters.RayStewartiscompetentinaccountingandauditing,asevidencedbyhisformerexecutivepositionsatNyrstarandProximus(previouslyBelgacom).Theothermembersofthe

Name Position Director since

Mandateexpires

RayStewart(Chairperson) IndependentDirector 2014 2018

MichaelStone IndependentDirector 2014 2018

SaskiaVanUffelen IndependentDirector 2017 2021

BernadetteLambrechts Non-ExecutiveDirector 2014 2020

CarolineVen Non-ExecutiveDirector 2012 2018

TheAuditCommitteemetfivetimesin2017.

Remuneration and Nomination Committee

TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteeadvisestheBoardofDirectorsprincipallyonmattersregardingtheappointmentandremunerationofdirectors,CEOandGroupExecutiveCommitteeandshallinparticular:

• identifyandnominateBoardcandidatestofillvacanciesastheyarise,therebyconsideringproposalsmadebyrelevantparties,includingshareholders;

• nominateforappointmentcandidatesnominatedbyshareholders(whetherornotinapplicationoftheirnominationrightsetforthinArticle 21,§2oftheArticlesofAssociation);

• advisetheBoardofDirectorsontheappointmentoftheBoardofDirectors’Chairperson;

• advisetheBoardofDirectorsontheappointmentoftheCEOandontheCEO’sproposalsfortheappointmentofothermembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee;

• advisetheBoardofDirectorsontheremunerationoftheCEOandothermembersoftheGroup

ExecutiveCommitteeandarrangementsonearlytermination;

• reviewanyshare-basedorotherincentiveschemeforthedirectors,membersoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteeandemployees;

• establishperformancetargetsandconductperformancereviewsfortheCEOandothermembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee;

• advisetheBoardofDirectorsontheremunerationofthedirectors;and

• submitaremunerationreporttotheBoardofDirectors.

TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteecomprisesfivenon-executivedirectors,includingthreeindependentdirectors.TheCEOparticipateswithanadvisoryvoteinthemeetingsoftheRemunerationandNominationCommitteewhentheremunerationoftheothermembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteeisbeingdiscussed.

TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteewas,perDecember 31,2017,composedofthefollowingfivemembers:

Name Position Director since

Mandateexpires

FrançoisCornelis ChairpersonoftheBoardofDirectors 2013 2019

ThomasHübner IndependentDirector 2017 2021

SaskiaVanUffelen IndependentDirector 2017 2021

FilomenaTeixeira IndependentDirector 2017 2021

LaurentLevaux Non-ExecutiveDirector 2012 2018

TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteemetsixtimesin2017.

In2017,theRemunerationandNominationCommitteereflected,interalia,onchangestotheremunerationpolicy(e.g.,long-termincentiveschemes)basedonanewbenchmarkexercisewithcompetitivecompanies.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Executive ManagementCEOThecurrentCEOwasappointedforatermofsixyearsbyRoyalDecreeofFebruary 26,2014followingadebateintheCouncilofMinisters,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthe1991LawbeforeitwasamendedbytheDecember 2015Law.ThenextCEOwillbeappointedbytheBoardofDirectors,followingnominationbytheRemunerationandNominationCommittee.

TheCEOisvestedwiththeday-to-daymanagementofbpostandreportstotheBoardofDirectors.HeisalsoentrustedwiththeexecutionoftheBoardofDirectors’decisionsandherepresentsbpostwithintheframeworkofitsday-to-daymanagement,includingexercisingthevotingrightsattachedtosharesandstakesheldbybpost.

TheCEOcanberemovedbytheBoardofDirectors.

Group Executive Committee1

bpost’soperationalmanagementisensuredbytheGroupExecutiveCommitteeandisledbytheCEO.TheGroupExecutiveCommitteeconsistsofmaximum

ninemembers,appointed(forthedurationtheBoardofDirectorsdetermines)andremovedbytheBoardofDirectors,followingarecommendationbytheCEOandadviceoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee.

TheGroupExecutiveCommitteeconvenesregularlyattheinvitationoftheCEO.TheGroupExecutiveCommitteeisassistedbytheCompanySecretary.

TheindividualmembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteeexercisethespecialpowersdelegatedtothembytheBoardofDirectorsortheCEO,asthecasemaybe.Withinthelimitsofthepowersassignedtothem,themembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteemaydelegatetooneormoremembersofbpost’sstaffspecialandlimitedpowers.TheGroupExecutiveCommittee’smembersmayallowsub-delegationofthesepowers.

TheGroupExecutiveCommitteeprepares,underdirectionoftheCEO,abusinessplanassessingbpost’smedium-termpurposesandstrategy.ThisbusinessplanissubmittedtotheBoardofDirectorsforapproval.

TheGroupExecutiveCommitteewas,perDecember 31,2017,composedofthefollowingmembers:

(1) TheGroupExecutiveManagementhasbeenrenamed“GroupExecutiveCommittee”byabpostBoardofDirectors’decisionofDecember 4,2017.

(2) KoenBeeckmanslefttheCompanyasChiefFinancialOfficer,ServiceOperations&ICTonJanuary15,2018.HenrideRomréewasappointedbytheCEO(empoweredbytheBoardofDirectors(decisionofDecember4,2017)uponrecommendationoftheNominationandRemunerationCommittee),asnewChiefFinancialOfficerasfromJanuary15,2018.

(3) DirkTirezandNicoCoolswereappointed,withimmediateeffect,bytheBoardofDirectors,uponrecommendationoftheNominationandRemunerationCommittee,onDecember4,2017.

Name Function

KoenVanGerven ChiefExecutiveOfficer

KoenBeeckmans2 ChiefFinancialOfficer,ServiceOperations&ICT

Philippe Dubois DirectorMailServiceOperations

MarcHuybrechts DirectorMail&RetailSolutions

MarkMichiels ChiefHumanResources&Organization

Kurt Pierloot DirectorParcels&Logistics

DirkTirez3 ChiefLegalOfficer&GroupCompanySecretary

NicoCools3 ChiefITOfficerandChiefDigitalOfficer

1991 Law CommitteeThe1991Lawcontainsseveralprovisionsdetailingthecomposition,appointmentandfunctioningofa“1991LawCommittee”(previously“ManagementCommittee”).SincetheentryintoforceoftheDecember 2015Law,thepowerstobeassignedtothe1991LawCommitteearelimitedtothenegotiationoftheManagementContractwiththeBelgianState(itbeingunderstoodthattheManagementContractrequiresthesubsequentapprovaloftheBoardofDirectors).Therefore,the1991LawCommitteeonlyremainsinforceforthelimitedpurposesandtasksassignedtoitbytheamended1991Law.The1991LawCommitteewas,perDecember 31,2017,composedoftheCEOandthemembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee.ByaBoardofDirectors’decisiondated

January 25,2018,the1991LawCommitteeisnowcomposedoftheCEO,whochairstheCommittee,MarcHuybrechtsandMarkMichiels.

Company SecretaryTheBoardofDirectorsandtheAdvisoryCommitteesareassistedbytheGroupCompanySecretary,DirkTirez,whoisalsobpost’sChiefLegalOfficer.HewasappointedinOctober 2007.FrançoisSoenenisthesecretaryoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee.

Joint AuditorsTheJointAuditorsauditbpost’sfinancialconditionaswellasconsolidatedandunconsolidatedfinancial

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

statements.Therearefourbpost’sJointAuditors:(i)twoAuditorsappointedbytheShareholders’Meetingand(ii)twootherAuditorsappointedbytheCourtofAudit,theBelgianinstitutionresponsiblefortheverificationofpublicaccounts(CourdesComptes/Rekenhof).TheJointAuditorsareappointedforrenewabletermsofthreeyears.TheShareholders’MeetingdeterminestheremunerationoftheJointAuditors.

Thebpost’sJointAuditorswere,atDecember 31,2017:

• Ernst&YoungBedrijfsrevisorenSCSCRL(“EY”),representedbyMr. EricGolenvaux(memberoftheInstitutdesRéviseursd’Entreprises/InstituutvandeBedrijfsrevisoren),DeKleetlaan2,1831Diegem,Belgium(untiltheannualShareholders’MeetingofMay 9,2018);

• PVMDBedrijfsrevisoren-Reviseursd’EntreprisesBVBVBA(“PVMD”),representedbyMrs. CarolineBaert(memberoftheInstitutdesRéviseursd’Entreprises/InstituutvandeBedrijfsrevisoren),Tweekerkenstraat44,1000Brussel,Belgium(untiltheannualShareholders’MeetingofMay 9,2018);

• Mr. PhilippeRoland,MemberoftheCourtofAudit(Rekenhof/CourdesComptes)andFirstPresidentoftheCourtofAudit,RuedelaRégence2,1000Brussels,Belgium(untilSeptember 30,2019);and

• Mr. JozefBeckers,MemberoftheCourtofAudit(Rekenhof/CourdesComptes),RuedelaRégence2,1000Brussels,Belgium(untilSeptember 30,2019).

EYandPVMDareresponsiblefortheauditofbpost’sconsolidatedfinancialstatements.FortheyearendedDecember 31,2017,EYandPVMDreceivedEUR1,283,199(excludingvalueaddedtax)infeesfortheauditoffinancialstatementsofbpostanditssubsidiariesandEUR292,696(excludingvalue-addedtax)infeesfornon-auditservices.ThetwootherAuditors(Mr.PhilippeRolandandMr.JozefBeckers)receivedEUR59,152 inremunerationfortheirservicesinconnectionwiththeauditofbpost’snon-consolidatedfinancialstatementsfortheyearendedDecember 31,2017.

Shareholding structure and shareholders rightsbpost’ssharesareregisteredordematerialized.AtDecember 31,2017,bpost’ssharecapitalwasrepresentedby200,000,944 shares,listedontheregulatedmarketofEuronextBrussels.

Withrespectively48,263,200and53,812,449bpostsharesintheirpossessiononDecember 31,2017,theBelgianStateandtheSFPI/FPIMtogetherhadaparticipationof51.04%(respectivelyof24.13%and26.91%)oftheshareswithvotingrightsemittedbybpost.TheremainingsharesareheldbyindividualshareholdersandEuropeanandinternationalinstitutionalshareholders.

Inthecourseof2017andinaccordancewiththeLawofMay 2,2007onthedisclosureofsignificantshareholdingsinlistedcompaniesandtheArticlesofAssociation,bpostdisclosedanumberoftransparencydeclarationsinformingthatanotificationthresholdwasreached(crossedupwardordownward).Thefulltextofthetransparencynotificationsareavailableonbpost’swebsiteathttp://corporate.bpost.be/investors/share-information/transparency-declarations.

Thesharesarefreelytransferable,providedthat,accordingtoArticle 147bisofthe1991LawandArticle 16oftheArticlesofAssociation,thedirectparticipationofPublicInstitutionsintheregisteredcapitalexceeds50%atanytime.However,followingtheentryintoforceoftheDecember 2015LawonJanuary 12,2016,theBelgianGovernmentmay,untilDecember 31,2018approve,byRoyalDecreefollowingadebateintheCouncilofMinisters,transaction(s)thatcausethedirectparticipationofPublicInstitutionstodropbelow50%plusoneshare(Article 54/7§1ofthe1991Law).

AtDecember 31,2017,bpostdidnotholdanyownshares.

Eachshareentitlesitsholdertoonevote.Apartfromtherestrictionsonvotingrightsimposedbylaw,theArticlesofAssociationprovidethat,ifsharesareheldbymorethanoneowner,arepledged,oriftherightsattachedtothesharesaresubjecttojointownership,usufructoranyotherkindofsplitofsuchrights,theBoardofDirectorsmaysuspendtheexerciseoftherightsattachedtosuchsharesuntilonepersonhasbeenappointedasthesolerepresentativeoftherelevantsharesvis-à-visbpost.

Remuneration reportTheremunerationpolicyprovidesguidelinesontheremunerationoftheBoardofDirectors’membersandbpost’smanagement.Thepolicyisbasedoncurrentlegislation,theCorporateGovernanceCode,marketpracticesandtrends.

bpostconsiderstransparencyandclearcommunicationontheprinciplesandimplementationoftheremunerationpolicyasessential.Therefore,bpostshares relevant information in this report.

General remuneration policy and remuneration principlesbposthasdevelopedadynamic,rewardingandresponsibleremunerationpolicy.Thispolicyisregularlyassessedandupdatedtoensurebpost’ssustainability.

Theremunerationpolicyhasmultipleobjectives,interalia:

• offeringthecompany’semployeesafairremuneration,inconsultationwiththeunions,whileremainingcompetitivecomparedtothereferencemarketoflargeBelgianenterprises.Theremunerationpackagethereforeconsistsoffinancialandnon-financialelements.TheseelementsareregularlybenchmarkedagainstthoseofthemediansegmentoftheBelgianreferencemarketforsimilarpositions;

• stimulatingperformanceatboththecollectiveandindividuallevelstocreatesustainableandprofitablelong-termgrowth,whilesafeguardingthewellbeingofourstaff.Withthisinmind,theremunerationplanintegratesaspectsrelatedto(i)theresultsofthecompany(e.g.,EBITresults,criteriarelatingtothewell-beingofthestaffandtocustomersatisfaction)and(ii)theindividualperformanceandskills;

• identifyingandpromotingthecorporatevaluesandculture;and

• attracting,retainingandmotivatingqualifiedandspecializedindividualsneededtoachievethecompany’sstrategicandoperationalgoals.

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Thisremunerationpolicyhasnotbeensubstantiallychangedcomparedtothepreviousfinancialyear.

TheRemunerationandNominationCommitteeregularlyexaminesthepolicy’sprinciplesandtheirconcreteapplication,andwillcontinuetodosointhecomingtwofinancialyears.Itwillinparticularexaminethepossibleintroductionofalimitedandresponsible“cafeteria”typeofremunerationplan.TheBoardofDirectorsandtheRemunerationandNominationCommitteewillalsoexaminethepossibilityandfeasibilityofintroducingalong-termincentiveplan.Thepurposeofthisplanisabetteralignmentoftheactionsandinitiativesofmanagementwiththelong-termperformanceofthecompany.

Thisreportdoesnotincludebpost’sBelgiansubsidiaries,whoseremunerationpolicyisinlinewiththenationalreferencemarket,orbpost’sforeignsubsidiaries.Withregardtobpost’sforeignsubsidiaries,aseparateremunerationpolicyhasbeenadopted,inlinewithlocalreferencemarketofrelevantcompanies,thegoalofwhichistoattractandretainqualifiedandexperienceddirectorsandmanagers.

Procedure for establishing the remuneration policy and setting the individual remuneration of the Board of Directors’ members and bpost’s managementAsalimitedliabilitycompanyunderpubliclawandincompliancewiththeapplicablecorporategovernancerequirements,bposthasdevelopedaspecificremunerationpolicyforthemembersofitsBoardofDirectorsandmanagement.ThispolicywasintroducedbytheBoardofDirectorsuponrecommendationbytheRemunerationandNominationCommitteeandisregularlyassessedandupdated.EverychangeinthispolicyhastobeapprovedbytheBoardofDirectorsuponrecommendationoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee.

Itisabalancedremunerationpolicybasedupontheoverallremunerationpolicyassetoutabove,withtheaimof(i)attractingandretainingqualifiedmanagersanddirectors,(ii)encouragingthemtogeneratesustainableandprofitablelong-termgrowth,inlinewiththegeneralstrategyofbpost,(iii)reflectingtheirindividualdutiesandskillsand(iv)aligningtheinterestsofmanagementandshareholders.Theremunerationpackageofthemanagement’smemberstherefore:

• providesforavariableremuneration(asdescribedhereinafter)basedonstrictlydefinedquantitativeandqualitativeperformancecriteriaanddrivenbybpost’sgrowth;

• offersremunerationincashalongwithothernon-financialbenefits;and

• isregularlyassessedinthelightofmarketpractices.

bpostdistinguishesthreedifferentgroups,forwhichtheremunerationprinciplesaresetoutbelowindetail:

• theBoardofDirectors’members; • theCEO;

• theGroupExecutiveCommitteemembers.

Theindividualremunerationofthemanagersanddirectorsdependsonthecategorytheybelongto.

Allamountsmentionedinthisreportaregrossamountsbeforetheemployer’ssocialcontribution.

Principles of remuneration of the Board of Directors’ members and bpost’s management

Remuneration of the Board of Directors’ members

TheremunerationoftheBoardofDirectors’members(withtheexceptionoftheCEO)wasapprovedattheGeneralShareholders’MeetingofApril 25,2000andwasstillapplicablein2017.Itconsistsoftwoelements:(i)anannualfixedremunerationand(ii)anattendancefeeforeachoftheAdvisoryCommitteemeetingsattended.

NootherbenefitsarepaidtotheBoardofDirectors’membersfortheirdirector’smandate,exceptforacompanycarallocatedtotheBoardofDirectors’Chairman.

Annual fixed remuneration

TheBoardofDirectors’members(withtheexceptionoftheCEO)areentitledtothefollowingannualfixedremuneration:

• EUR 40,977.30fortheBoardofDirectors’Chairman,whoalsochairsbpost’sJointIndustrialCommittee(ParitairComité/CommissionParitaire),asindexedonMarch 1,20171,andacompanycar;

• EUR 20,488.71fortheotherdirectors(withtheexceptionoftheCEO)asindexedonMarch 1,20171.

Attendance fees

TheBoardofDirectors’members(withtheexceptionoftheCEO)arealsoentitledtoanattendancefeeofEUR 1,707.39perattendedAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.

Theseamountsareindexed5annuallyand,withregardtotheannualfixedremuneration,aregrantedproratatemporisofthedurationofthedirector’smandateduringthatyear.

TheCEOisnotentitledtoanykindofremunerationforhisattendanceatanyoftheAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.

Overall remuneration

Forthefinancialyear2017,thetotalamountofremunerationgrantedtoalltheBoardofDirectors’members(withtheexceptionoftheCEO)amountstoEUR 350,614.14.

ThetablebelowshowsthetotalannualremunerationpaidonanindividualbasistoeachoftheBoardofDirectors’members(withtheexceptionoftheCEO)basedontheirparticipationattheAdvisoryCommitteemeetings2:

(1) Thebenchmarkindexusedfortheindexationisthehealthindex.

(2) Theseamountscoverallamountspaidinthefinancialyear2017.PleasenotethatattendancefeesarepaidinthemonthfollowingtheattendedAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Thismeansthattheamountspaidoutinfinancialyear2017relatetoattendancetomeetingsoftheBoardofDirectorsortheAdvisoryCommitteemeetingsheldfromDecember 2016untilNovember 2017.

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Member

BoardOfDirectors StrategicCommittee

Remuneration AndNominationCommittee

AuditCommitteeTotal Annual

Remuneration (Eur)

Amount (Eur)

Amount (EUR) Meetings Amount

(EUR) Meetings Amount (EUR) Meetings

ArthurGoethals (untilMay 10,2017) 8,454.87 1,707.39 1/1 NA NA 10,162.26

LucLallemand 20,406.60 8,536.95 5/6 NA NA 28,943.55

LaurentLevaux 20,406.60 6,829.56 4/6 6,788.52 5/61 NA 34,024.68

CarolineVen 20,406.60 NA NA 8,536.95 5/5 28,943.55

FrançoisCornelis (ChairmanoftheBoardfromMay 10,2017)

34,065.72 NA 10,203.20 6/6 3,414.78 2/2 47,683.70

SophieDutordoir (untilFebruary 28,2017)

3,332.70 NA 3,332.70 2/2 NA 6,665.40

FrançoiseMasai (untilMay 31,2017) 16,909.72 NA 6,788.52 4/4 NA 23,698.24

RayStewart 20,406.60 NA NA 8,536.95 5/5 28,943.55

MichaelStone 20,406.60 10,244.34 6/6 3,414.78 2/2 6,829.56 4/4 40,895.28

BernadetteLambrechts 20,406.60 NA NA 8,536.95 5/5 28,943.55

Jos Donvil (fromMay 10,2017) 13,659.12 6,829.56 4/4 NA NA 20,488.68

ThomasHübner (fromMay 10,2017) 13,659.12 6,829.56 4/4 1,707.39 11/2 NA 22,196.07

PhillyTeixeira (fromMay 10,2017) 13,659.12 NA 0.00 1/21 NA 13,659.12

SaskiaVanUffelen (fromMay 10,2017) 13,659.12 NA 0.00 1/21 1,707.39 1/3 15,366.51

239,839.09 46,099.53 32,235.11 32,440.41 350,614.14

Remuneration of the CEOTheCEO’sremunerationisapprovedbytheBoardofDirectorsuponrecommendationoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee.Itconsistsof:(i)abaseremuneration,(ii)ashort-termincentivevariableremuneration,(iii)apensioncontributionand(iv)variousotherbenefits.

Base remuneration

TheCEO’sbaseremunerationforthefinancialyear2017amountstoEUR 481,638.90(asindexedonJuly 1,2017).

Variable remuneration

TheCEO’sshort-termincentivevariableremunerationamountstoEUR 150,000.Thebaseamountofthevariableremunerationactuallyallocatedvariesdependingon(i)thecorporateobjectivesand(ii)individualtargets.Theperformanceisassessedannuallyinlightofthetargets.

• FortheCEO,thecorporate objectives relate tofinancialresults:70%ofthevariableremunerationallocatedbasedonthecorporateobjectivesdepends

Relative importance of the various elements of the CEO’s remuneration (2017)

BASE REMUNERATION

VARIABLE REMUNERATION

(OBJECTIVES 2016)

PENSION CONTRIBUTION

OTHER BENEFITS

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onEBITand30%onoperationalCashFlow.ThepaygridwasestablishedandvalidatedbytheBoardofDirectorsuponrecommendationoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee(thisgridissetoutbelowintheSectionontheRemunerationoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembers).Dependingontheresultsofthese-auditedandregularlypublished-criteria,thepay-outpercriterioncanvarytomaximum135%ofthebaseamountoftheshort-termvariableremunerationforthis criterion.

• The individual targetsareagreeduponbetweentheCEOandtheBoardofDirectorsatthebeginningofeachyear.Clearandmeasurabletargetsareset,whicharetobeachievedwithinanagreedtimeframe.TheCEO’sindividualperformanceismeasuredagainstthesetargetsandmayvaryfrom0%ofthebaseamountoftheshort-termvariableremunerationintheeventofunderperformanceto160%intheeventofover-performance.

TheCEO’sperformanceisassessedannuallyduringthefirstquarterfollowingtheendofthefinancialyear,aspartofaPerformanceManagementProcess(“PMP”),directedbytheBoardofDirectors.

Pension contribution

bpostofferstheCEOapensioncontributionofEUR 33,130.20.

Other benefits

TheCEOhasotherbenefits,e.g.,aninsurancecoveringdeath-in-serviceanddisability,medicalinsurance,representationfeesandacompanycar.

Global remuneration

TheglobalremunerationpaidtotheCEO,Mr. KoenVanGerven,in2017forhisperformanceduringtheyearthatendedonDecember 31,2017,amountstoEUR 585,977.10excludingthevariableremuneration(comparedtoEUR 570,648.12in2016excludingthevariableremuneration)andcanbebrokendownasfollowing:

• baseremuneration:EUR 481,638.90(gross): • pension:EUR 33,130.20; • otherbenefits:

• insurancecoveringdeath-in-service,disabilityandmedicalcoverage:EUR 48,057.48;

• representationfees:EUR 3,300.00; • leasingcostsforcompanycar:EUR 19,850.52.

Inaddition,theCEOreceivedavariableremunerationofEUR 262,866.00in2017becausethecorporateobjectivesandtheindividualtargetsfortheyearthatendedonDecember 31,2016weremet(giventhatthe2016assessmentwasonlycompletedin2017).Thisamountisbasedon(i)theperformanceofbpostin2016and(ii)thesurpassingoftheCEO’sindividualtargets,andthelong-termvaluethattheseachievementscreated.Thevariableremunerationfor2017willbedeterminedandpaidin2018,aftertheperformance assessment.

Noshares,stockoptionsorotherrightstoacquiresharesweregrantedtoorexercisedbytheCEO,orhaveexpiredin2017.Nooptionsunderpreviousstockoptionplanswerestilloutstandingforthefinancialyear2017.

NosubstantialchangesweremadetotheremunerationoftheCEOcomparedtothepreviousfinancialyear.

Remuneration of the Group Executive Committee membersTheremunerationoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembersisapprovedbytheBoardofDirectorsuponrecommendationoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee.ItisregularlyreviewedonthebasisofabenchmarkingexercisecoveringthelargeBelgiancompaniessoastoofferatotalremunerationinaccordancewiththemedianonthereferencemarket.

TheremunerationpackageoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembersconsistsof:(i)abaseremuneration, (ii) a variable remuneration, (iii) a pensioncontributionand(iv)variousotherbenefits.

Relative importance of the various elements of the global remuneration of the members of the Group Executive Committee (2017)

BASE REMUNERATION

VARIABLE REMUNERATION

(OBJECTIVES 2016)

PENSION CONTRIBUTION

OTHER BENEFITS

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Base remuneration

Thebaseremunerationreflectstheresponsibilitiesandcharacteristicsoftheposition,thelevelofexperienceandtheperformanceoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembersduringthepastyear.Itisgrantedindependentlyofbpost’sresults.ItispaideverymonthandisrevisedannuallybasedonabenchmarkstudythatcoverslargeBelgiancompanies.

Variable remuneration

Theshort-termvariableremunerationsystemisapercentageofthebaseremunerationandaimstoreinforcetheperformance-basedmanagerialculture.Thebaseamountofthevariableremunerationactuallyallocatedvariesdependingon(i)thecorporateobjectivesand(ii)individualtargets.Theperformanceisassessedannuallyinlightofthetargets.

• The corporate objectivesarerelatedtothefinancialresults(70%dependsontheEBIT)aswellastheloyaltyofbpost’scustomersmeasuredthroughquality&customersatisfactionindexes(30%).Percriterion,apaygridisdeterminedandvalidatedeachyearbytheBoardofDirectorsuponrecommendationoftheRemunerationandNominationCommittee(seethegridbelow).Dependingontheresultsofthese-auditedandregularlypublished-criteria,thepay-outpercriterioncanvarytomaximum135%ofthebaseamount of the variable remuneration for thiscriterion.

From2018,thecorporateobjectiveswillincludequality&customersatisfaction(for15%)andintroduceastaffwellbeingdimension,tobemeasuredbythelevelofshort-termabsenteeism(alsofor15%).

Table: Grid of the 2017 remuneration (percentage of base remuneration based on EBIT)

Results (EBIT2016)

Variableremuneration (%)

Quality&customersatisfaction(2016)

Variableremuneration (%)

85% 20% 74.0 0%

90% 30% 75.5 50%

95% 60% 77.5 75%

100% 100% 80.0 100%

105% 110% 81.0 120%

110% 120% 82.0 135%

115% 125%

120% 130%

125% 135%

• The individual targetsaremutuallyagreedupon,andapprovedbytheCEOatthebeginningofeachyear.Clearandmeasurabletargetsareset,whicharetobeachievedwithinanagreedterm.Theindividualperformanceismeasuredagainstthesetargetsandmayvaryfrom0%ofthebaseamountoftheshort-termvariableremunerationintheeventofunderperformanceto160%intheeventofover-performance.

TheperformanceofeachGroupExecutiveCommitteememberisassessedannuallyduringthefirstquarterfollowingtheendofthefinancialyear,aspartofaPMP,directedbytheCEO.

Pension contribution

bpostofferstheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembersapensioncontributionofEUR 160,160.64.

Other benefits

bpostoffersotherbenefitstotheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembers,e.g.,insurancecoveringdeath-in-serviceanddisability,medicalinsurance,representationfees,mealvouchersandacompanycar.

Thesebenefitsarebenchmarkedregularlyandadaptedaccordingtostandardpractices.

Global remuneration

Theglobalremuneration1paidin2017totheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembers(otherthantheCEO)duringtheyearthatendedonDecember 31,2017amountstoEUR 2,299,008.17excludingvariableremuneration(comparedtoEUR 1,982,514.55in2016excludingvariableremuneration)andcanbebrokendownasfollows:

• baseremuneration(includingtheend-of-yearbonusandholidaypay):EUR 1,977,207.47;

• pension:EUR 160,160.64; • otherbenefits: • insurancecoveringdeath-in-service,disabilityandmedicalcoverage:EUR 61,060.80;

• representationfeesandmealvouchers:EUR 21,229.86;

• leasingcostsforcompanycars:EUR 79,349.40.

Inaddition,theGroupExecutiveCommitteemembers(otherthantheCEO)receivedaglobalvariable

(1) Asexplainedbelow,theglobalremunerationdoesnotincludethechangedcompositionofGroupExecutiveCommitteeapprovedbybpost’sBoardofDirectorsofbpostonDecember 4,2017.

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remunerationofEUR 933,259.05in2017becausethecorporateobjectivesandtheindividualtargetsfortheyearthatendedonDecember 31,2016weremet(giventhatthe2016assessmentwasonlycompletedin2017).Theglobalvariableremunerationfor2017willbedeterminedandpaidin2018aftertheperformanceassessmentofeachmemberoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee.

Noshares,stockoptionsorotherrightstoacquiresharesweregrantedtoorexercisedbytheGroupExecutiveCommitteemembers,orhaveexpiredin2017.Nooptionsunderpreviousstockoptionplanswerestilloutstandingforthefinancialyear2017.

NosubstantialchangesweremadetotheremunerationoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteememberscomparedtothepreviousfinancialyear.

Clawback provisions

Thecurrentremunerationpolicydoesnotprovideforaspecificcontractualclawbackprovisioninfavorofbpost for the variable remuneration.

Changes to the composition of bpost’s Group Executive Committee

OnDecember 4,2017,theBoardofDirectorsdecidedtoappoint,withimmediateeffect,twonewmembersofthebpostGroupExecutiveCommittee:Mr. DirkTirezasChiefLegal&RegulatoryOfficerandCompanySecretaryandMr. NicoCoolsasCIO&ChiefDigitalOfficer.

FollowingthedepartureofMr. KoenBeeckmansasChiefFinancialOfficer,Mr. HenrideRomréehasbeenappointedasnewChiefFinancialOfficer,witheffectfromJanuary 15,2018.

Mr.HenrideRomréehasbeenremuneratedsinceJanuary15,2018,andMr. DirkTirezandMr. NicoCoolshavebeenremuneratedsinceFebruary1,2018asmembersofthebpostGroupExecutiveCommittee.Therefore,theirremunerationwillbedescribedintheremunerationreportrelatingtothefinancialyear2018,whichwillbesubmittedtotheGeneralMeetingofShareholdersin2019.

FollowinghisdeparturewitheffectfromJanuary 15,2018,Mr. KoenBeeckmansreceivedaseverancepayofsixmonthsaswellasanadditionalallowanceofsixmonths,sincebpostdidnotwaivetheapplicationofthenon-competeclause,amountingtoatotalofEUR 681,178.64.

Termination provisions and non-compete clauses

Termination provisions

NomembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteeareentitledtospecificcontractualterminationarrangements,exceptforthefollowingmembers:

• TheCEOisentitledtoaseverancepayofEUR 500,000intheeventofearlyterminationbybpostforanyotherreasonthanmaterialbreach.Additionally,theCEOisentitledtotheuseofacompanycarforsixmonthsafterhisdeparture,includingallexpensesrelatingtotheusethereof,exceptforthefuelcard;

• Mr. MarcHuybrechtsisentitledtoaminimumseverancepayofsixmonthsintheeventofdismissalwithoutcauseandanadditionalallowanceofsixmonthsintheeventofapplicationofthenon-competeclause;and

• Mr. HenrideRomréeisentitledto(i)aminimumnoticeoraseverancepayequaltosixmonths’remunerationintheeventofterminationwithoutcause,(ii)anadditionalcompensationofsixmonths’remunerationintheeventofapplicationofthenon-competeclause,and(iii)anadditionalsixmonthsremunerationifheisnotofferedanequivalentpositionintheGroupExecutiveCommitteefollowinganewmajormergeroracquisition.TheseverancepayoftheChiefFinancialOfficercannot,inanyevent,exceedaremunerationpaymentof18 monthspay.AstheagreementwithMr. HenrideRomréemayleadtoprovidingtohimanadditionalsixmonthsremunerationifheisnotofferedanequivalentpositionintheGroupExecutiveCommitteefollowinganewmajormergeroracquisitionwhichmayincludeachangeofcontrolof bpost, the approval of this remuneration reportwillalsoimplyanapprovalinaccordancewithArticle 556oftheBelgianCompaniesCode.

Non-compete clauses

Intheeventofautomaticterminationuponexpiryofthesix-yeartermandtheappointmentbybpostofanotherCEO,theCEOissubjecttoanon-competeclauseforaperiodofoneyearasfromthedateofterminationofhismandate.Hewillreceiveanon-competitionindemnityofEUR 500,000,unlessbpostwaivestheapplicationofsuchclause.

AllmembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee,exceptforMr. MarkMichiels,aresubjecttonon-competeclauses,prohibitingthemfromworkingforbpost’scompetitorsforaperiodof12 monthsfromthedateoftheirresignationorterminationoftheircontract.Allsuchmembersareentitledtoreceivecompensationforanamountequaltosixmonthsofremunerationifbpostdecidestoapplythesenon-compete clauses.

FormembersoftheGroupExecutiveCommitteewhocarryouttheirfunctionunderanemploymentagreementundertheLawof3 July 1978 maythemereapplicationofthemandatoryrulesontheterminationoftheiremploymentagreement,becauseoftheirsenioritywiththecompany,resultinanentitlementtoaterminationpaymentabove12or18 months’remuneration.

Internal control and risk managementbpost’sEntrepriseRiskManagement(“ERM”)frameworkassistsbpostinmanagingriskseffectivelyandinimplementingthenecessarycontrolstopursueitsobjectives.TheERMframeworkcovers:(i) riskmanagement,allowingbposttotakeinformeddecisionsonrisksitiswillingtotaketoachieveitsstrategicobjectives,therebytakingintoaccountexternalfactors;and(ii) internalcontrolactivities,whichincludeallinternalpolicies,proceduresandbusinesspracticestomitigaterisks.Bestpracticesinriskmanagementandinternalcontrolactivities(e.g.,internationalstandardISO31000)andtheCommissiononCorporateGovernance’sdirectionshavebeenusedasreferencestodefinetheERMframework.

Ingeneral,theobjectiveistoprovideareasonableassuranceregarding(i)compliancewithapplicablelawsandregulations,(ii)reliabilityoffinancialandnon-financialinformationand(iii)effectivenessofinternalprocesses.A“reasonableassurancelevel”isahigh,but

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

notanabsolutelevel,giventhatallinternalcontrolsystemshavelimitationslinkedto,e.g.,humanerror,wrongdecisionsorchoicesoncost/benefitofcontrol.

Thefollowingdescriptionofbpost’sinternalcontrolandriskmanagementactivitiesisfactualandaimsatdescribingtheactivities’maincharacteristics.

Control environmentThecontrolenvironmentpromotesemployeeawarenessandcompliance,definesclearrolesandresponsibilities,publishesqualityguidelinesanddemonstratesthecommitmentofbpost’sGroupExecutiveCommitteeandBoardofDirectors.

Commitment to integrity and ethical values

“Earningtrust”isoneofbpost’sfourkeyvalues.Fraud,briberyandcorruption,anddisrespectofhumanrightsarenon-acceptableriskswhich,whenoccur,putsbpost’sreputationatstake.TheBoardofDirectorsandGroupExecutiveCommitteehaveapprovedbpost’sCodeofConduct,whichwasfirstissuedin2007.TheCodedescribesthebasicprinciplesonhowbpostwantstoconductbusinessandtheconsequencesincaseofviolations.TheCodealsosetsoutguidelinestopreventmisuseofprivacy-sensitiveandotherprivilegedinformationandtosupportsustainablewaysofworkingonenvironmentandsocietyasawhole.TheCodeofConductisprovidedtoallnewemployeesaspartoftheonboardingprocess.Itisalsomadeavailableonbpost’sintranetandreferredtoduringtrainings.AnyviolationsoftheCodeofConductorfraudulentbehaviorcanbereportedtotheIntegritydepartment,triggeringaninvestigationandfurtherfollow-up.Formoreinformation,werefertotheCSRreview2017.

Furthermore,inordertocomplywithinsidertradingandmarketmanipulationregulations,bposthasadoptedaDealingandDisclosureCode.ThisCodeisamendedfromtimetotimetobeinlinewiththemostrecentmarketabuselawsandregulations.ThisCodeaimsatcreatingawarenessaroundpossibleimproperconductbyemployees,senioremployeesandpersonsdischargingmanagerialresponsibilities(beingmembersoftheBoardofDirectorsandoftheGroupExecutiveCommittee)andtheirassociatedpersons.TheCodecontainsstrictrulesonconfidentiality,non-useof“pricesensitive”informationanddealingrestrictions.TherulesofthisCodehavebeenwidelycommunicatedwithintheGroupandtheCodeisavailabletoallemployees,senioremployeesandpersonsdischargingmanagerialresponsibilities.InconformitywiththeMarketAbuseRegulationofApril 16,2014,personsdischargingmanagerialresponsibilitiesatbposthavebeeninformedoftheirobligationsinrelationtoinsidertradingundertheMarketAbuseRegulation.

Commitment to corporate governance fostering accountability

TheBoardofDirectorssupervisestheoperationalmanagement.TheAuditCommitteeadvisestheBoardofDirectorsonaccounting,auditandinternalcontrolmatters.WithoutprejudicetothemonitoringroleoftheBoardofDirectors,theGroupExecutiveCommitteeestablishesriskmanagementandinternalcontrolguidelinesandproceduresandmonitorstheireffectiveroll-out.A“threelinesofdefense”modelhasbeenimplemented:

• Theoperationalmanagementisresponsibleforthe

designandmaintenanceofriskmanagementandinternalcontrols(firstline);

• Thesecondlinefunctions,suchasLegal,Health&Safety,SecurityorIntegrity,provideexpertsupporttothefirstlineoperationalmanagement.Theoverallroll-outandcoordinationoftheriskmanagementandinternalcontrolactivitiesiscentralizedwithintheRisk&Controldepartment.AllsecondlinefunctionsreportatleastannuallytotheGroupExecutiveCommitteeontheriskevolutionsintheirrespectivedomains;

• Finally,CorporateAudit,responsiblefortheinternalauditsofbpostGroup,constitutesthethirdlineofdefense.TheCorporateAuditDirectorreportstotheAuditCommittee’sChairpersonandCEO.

Commitment to employee development and competence

Goodleadershipisinvaluableandgeneratesbetterresultsforbpost.InSeptember 2015,bpostrolled-outthe“Leading@bpost”programthatidentifiesaccountabilityandcontinuouslearningastwokeyvalues.Todevelopskills,bposthasestablisheditsowntrainingcenter.Technicalcoursesareheldinthe business units (e.g.,trainingontheInternationalFinancialReportingStandards(“IFRS”)usedtopreparebpost’sconsolidatedfinancialstatement)andadhoccoursesaredevelopedonaneed-to-havebasis.Personaldevelopmentisdrivenbyclearjobdescriptionsandastructuredbi-annualevaluation.Adhoccoachingsessionsarepromoted.

Risk assessmentThepurposeofriskmanagement,embeddedintheERMframework,istodeliveraconsistentcorporateapproachandestablishasoundriskmanagementculture.Threetypesofriskmanagementactivitiesareperformed.First,astrategicriskassessmenttakesplaceaspartoftheprocesstodefine/revisebpost’sstrategy.EachBusinessUnitfurtherassessesitsoperationalrisksonaquarterlybasis.Finally,thereisriskandinternalcontrolmanagementataprocess,productorprojectlevel.Thisincludesanevaluationoftheadequacyofthemostimportantinternalcontrolstomitigaterisksataprocess,productorprojectlevel.Thesamestructuredriskmanagementprocessisappliedtothefollowingthreetypesofriskactivities:

• Identificationoftherisksthatmayhaveanimpactonrealizingtheobjectives;

• Assessmentofrisksinordertoprioritizethem; • Decisiononriskresponsesandactionplanstoaddresskeyrisks;

• Monitoringactionplanimplementationandoverallriskevolutionsandidentificationofemergingrisks.

Thecoherenceofthethreedifferenttypesofriskactivitiesisensuredbyusingasingleframeworkofriskevaluationcriteriatoassesstherisks.Thisensurestherightrisksarecirculated,bothtop-downandbottom-up.

Moreinformationcanbefoundinthe“RiskManagement”sectionoftheannualreport(note 6.5).

Control activities

In general

AprocessmanagementframeworkisdefinedbasedontheBusinessProcessMethodology(“BPM”).Assuch,

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

policiesandproceduresareestablishedforthekeyprocesses(sales,procurement,investments,treasury,etc.).Theyaresubjecttoregularcontrols.Internalcontroldashboardsaremonitoredwhererelevant.

AllGroupcompaniesuseanEnterpriseResourcePlanning(“ERP”)systemoraccountingsoftwaretosupportefficientprocessingofbusinesstransactions,toperformaccountingandtodeliverdataforconsolidation.Thesesystemsprovidemanagementwithtransparentandreliableinformationinordertomonitor,controlanddirectbusinessoperations.AclosemonitoringofpotentialconflictsofseparationofdutiesintheERPsystemiscarriedoutonaregularbasis.bposthasestablishedmanagementprocessestoensure the implementation of appropriate measures onadailybasistosustaintheperformance,availabilityandintegrityofitsITsystems.TheadequacyandeffectivenessismonitoredthroughinternalservicelevelagreementsaswellasperiodicperformanceandincidentreportingtothedifferentBusinessUnitsinvolved.

Specifically related to the financial statements

Systematicandstructuredfinanceprocessesensureatimelyandqualitativereporting.Theseprocessesincludethefollowingmainactivitiesorcontrols:

• Carefulanddetailedplanningofallactivities,includingownersandtimings;

• CommunicationbytheGroupFinanceDepartmentpriortotheclosingofguidelines,includingonallIFRSaccountingprinciples,tobeappliedbyalllegalentitiesandoperatingunits;

• Separationofdutiesbetweentheaccountingteamsinthedifferentlegalentitiesactuallyperformingtheaccountingactivitiesandthedepartmentsresponsibletoreviewthefinancialinformation.Thereviewisperformedmorespecificallyby(i)businesscontrollersresponsible,interalia,forthereviewoffinancialinformationintheirareaofresponsibilityand(ii)theGroupFinanceDepartment,whichisresponsibleforthefinalreviewofthefinancialinformationofthedifferentlegalentitiesandoperatingunitsandforthepreparationoftheconsolidatedfinancialstatements;

• Systematicaccountjustificationandreviewaftertheclosingtriggeringfollow-upandfeedbackofthetimelines,qualityandlessonslearnedinordertostrive for continuous improvement.

Information and communicationInternally,theInternalCommunicationdepartmentusesawidevarietyoftools,suchasthecompany’sintranetandemployeenewsletters,tocirculatemessagesinastructuredandsystematicwaybothfromtopmanagementandoperationallevel.

FinancialandperformanceinformationissharedbetweenoperationalandfinancialmanagementandtheGroupExecutiveCommittee.BesidesthemonthlyreportinganalysispreparedbytheBusinessControllers,theGroupExecutiveCommitteeconductsathoroughquarterlyreviewofthedifferentBusinessUnitsperformance.

Properassignmentofresponsibilitiesandcoordinationbetweentherelevantdepartmentsensuresanefficientandtimelycommunicationprocessforperiodicfinancialinformation.TheGroupFinanceDepartmentcommunicatesonaregularbasisallIFRSaccounting

principles,guidelinesandinterpretations,tobeappliedbyalllegalentitiesandoperatingunits,totheaccountingteamsofthedifferentlegalentitiesandoperatingunits.

Externally,thePressRelationsandPublicAffairsdepartmentmanagesstakeholders,e.g.,pressandpublicauthorities.ThisdepartmentcentralizesandvalidatesexternalcommunicationswithapotentialimpactatGrouplevel.Thisincludes,butisnotrestrictedto,financialinformation.

Financialinformationismadeavailabletothemarketonaquarterly,half-yearlyandannualbasis.Priortoexternalpublication,financialinformationissubjectto(i) anextensiveinternalvalidationprocess,(ii) reviewbytheAuditCommitteeand(iii) approvalbybpost’sBoardofDirectors.

Monitoring

Corporate Audit (internal) and Joint Auditors (external)

bposthasaprofessionalinternalauditdepartmentthatworksinlinewiththeInstituteofInternalAuditors’standards.Thedepartmentissubjecttoanexternalqualityrevieweveryfiveyears.CorporateAuditconductsanannualriskassessmentwithasemi-annualrevisiontodeterminetheauditprogram.Viaitsauditassignments,CorporateAuditprovidesreasonableassuranceoninternalcontroleffectivenessinthedifferentprocessesorprojectsreviewed.

TheJointAuditorsprovideanindependentopiniononthefullyearstatutoryandconsolidatedfinancialstatements.Theyperformalimitedreviewonthehalf-yearinterimcondensedfinancialstatementsandthestatutoryBGAAPfiguresofbpostNV/SAperendofOctober,whichservesforthedistributionofaninterimdividend.Inaddition,theyreviewmaterialchangestotheIFRSaccountingprinciples.Inlightoftheiractivities,theyalsoevaluatethedifferentidentifiedkeycontrolsontheprocessesthatsupporttheset-upofthefinancialstatements.

Audit Committee and Board of Directors

TheAuditCommitteeadvisestheBoardofDirectorsonaccounting,auditandinternalcontrolmatters.

Todoso,theAuditCommitteereceivesandreviews:

• AllrelevantfinancialinformationtoenabletheAuditCommitteetoanalyzethefinancialstatements;

• Thequarterlytreasuryupdate; • AnysignificantchangeoftheIFRSaccountingprinciples;

• RelevantfindingsresultingfromtheactivitiesoftheCorporateAuditDepartmentand/ortheJointAuditors;

• TheCorporateAuditsemi-annualstatusreportonthefollow-upofauditrecommendationsandannualactivityreport;

• TheGroupExecutiveCommittee’sannualconclusionontheeffectiveexecutionofbpost’sriskmanagementandinternalcontrolactivitiesaswellasperiodicinformationonthemainbusinessandrelatedriskevolutions.

TheBoardofDirectorsultimatelyensurestheestablishmentofinternalcontrolsystemsandprocedures.TheBoardofDirectorsmonitorsthefunctioningandadequacyoftheinternalcontrolsystemsandprocedures,takingintoaccountthe

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

AuditCommittee’sreview,andtakesthenecessarymeasurestoensuretheintegrityofthefinancialstatements.Aprocedureisinplacetoconvenebpost’sappropriategoverningbodyonshortnoticeifandwhencircumstancessodictate.

MoredetailedinformationonthecompositionandfunctioningoftheAuditCommitteeandtheBoardofDirectorsisincludedinthesectionofthisCorporateGovernanceStatementontheBoardofDirectorsandtheAuditCommittee.

DiversityCreating a culture of Diversity and Inclusionbpostisahighlydiversecompanyintermsofitsworkforceandiscommittedtocreatingandsupportingacollaborativeworkplaceculture.Suchadiverseenvironmentallowsthegrouptooptimizeinteractionwithitscustomersandstakeholders,andrespondtochallengesindifferentandefficientways.

Inthatcontext,bposthasdesignedaDiversityPolicy(availableonbpost’swebsite)aimedatcreatingdiversityandinclusionawarenesswithinthegroup.ThepurposeofthisDiversityPolicyistosupportbpostemployeesandmanagementinbuildingaculturewherediversityandinclusionareadailypractice.

Theprogramfocusesonengagement,awarenessandinvolvement.TheBoardofDirectorssetsthetoneatthetopandisthetruesponsorofthediversityandintegrationworkshopsorganizedforteamsinvestingindiversityandinclusionawarenessand/ordealingwithspecifictopicswithinthediversityandinclusionframework.

Diversity within the Board of Directors and the Group Executive CommitteebpostadherestotheviewthatdiversityofcompetencesandviewsoftheBoardofDirectorsandGroupExecutiveCommitteefacilitatesagoodunderstandingofthebusinessorganizationandaffairs.Itenablesthememberstoconstructivelychallengestrategicdecisions,ensureriskmanagementawarenessandtobemoreopentoinnovativeideas.

bpostcomplieswiththeprovisionsofArticle 518bisoftheBelgianCompaniesCodeintermsofgenderdiversity,buttheDiversityPolicyforthemembersofitsmanagementgoesbeyondthisstrictlegalminimum.

InthecompositionoftheBoardofDirectorsandGroupExecutiveCommittee,specialattentionispaidtodiversityintermsofcriteriasuchasage,professionalbackground,genderandgeographicdiversity.Whenconsideringcandidatesforvacancies,theRemunerationandNominationCommitteetakesintoaccountbalancedscorecardsofsuchdiversitycriteria.

DiversityaspectsthataretakenintoaccountinrelationtothebpostBoardofDirectorsandGroupExecutiveCommitteemembersarethefollowing:

• Gender:genderdiversitypromotesabetterunderstandingofthemarketplace,increasescreativity,producesmoreeffectiveleadershipandpromoteseffectiveglobalrelationships.Inordertoachievegreatergenderdiversitywithinitsmanagement,bpostaimsto(i)identifypotentialfemaletalentsatanearlystage,(ii)provideopportunitiesthatallowwomentoreachtheirfullpotential,(iii)enrollwomenindevelopmentprogramsthatpreparethemformanagementroles.

• Age:agediversityintheworkplaceispartofthehumancapitalandprovidesalargerspectrumofknowledge,values,andpreferences.Suchage-diversemanagementwillprovideamoredynamicenvironmentwithcontinuousmovement.Inordertoachieveagediversity,bpostaimstoensurethatismanagementcounts(i)oldertalents,withbreadthanddepthofworkexperienceand(ii)highpotentialyoungertalentswhoareeagertolearn.

• Professional background:tostaycompetitiveinachangingenvironment,bpostmustattractandretaintalentwithdiverseprofessionalbackgrounds.Backgroundsdiversityprovidesbpostwitharangeofexpertiseandexperiencenecessarytorespondtothecomplexchallengesitfaces.Inordertoachieveprofessionalbackgrounddiversitywithinitsmanagement,bpostaimstoidentifypeoplewho(i)havedistinctprofessionalbackgroundsand(ii)comefromvarioussectorsatdifferentpointsintheircareer.

• Geographic diversity:geographicdiversityissignificantandpositivelycorrelatedwithfirmperformance,especiallyinincreasingbusiness&strategyinternationalization.Inordertostimulategeographicdiversity,bposttakesintoaccountforeignelementsintheprofileandthepathofitscandidates.

TheBoardofDirectorsassessesannuallywhetherdiversitywithinthebpostmanagementhasimproved.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Geographic Diversity

BELGIAN (100%)

BELGIAN (68%)SWISS

(8%)

AMERICAN (8%)

IRISH (8%)

PORTUGUESE/CANADIAN

(8%)

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Age

50 - 59 (50%)

60+ (25.0%)

40 - 49 (37.5%)

50 - 59 (37.5%)

60+ (50%)

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Gender

MALE (100%)

FEMALE (33.3%)

MALE (66.7%)

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Diversity aspects – Implementation & outcomeOnDecember 31,2017,theoutcomeofdiversityaspectsinrelationtothebpostBoardofDirectorsandGroupExecutiveCommitteemembersisthefollowing:

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Professional background

RETAIL (8%)

FINANCE & ACCOUNTING, RISK MANAGEMENT, AUDIT (21%)

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS, FULFILMENT, WAREHOUSING, E-COMMERCE (17%)

BANKING (8%)

POSTAL SERVICES (13%)

PARCELS SERVICES (17%)

DIGITAL, TECHNOLOGY, TELECOMMUNICATION, INNOVATION

(8%)

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (8%)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Professional background

RETAIL (9%)

FINANCE & ACCOUNTING, RISK MANAGEMENT, AUDIT (17%)

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS, FULFILMENT, WAREHOUSING, E-COMMERCE (17%)

BANKING (9%)

POSTAL SERVICES (17%)

PARCELS SERVICES (13%)

DIGITAL, TECHNOLOGY, TELECOMMUNICATION, INNOVATION

(9%)

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (9%)

GROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


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