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Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
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Definitive Proxy Statement | |
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Definitive Additional Materials | |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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No fee required. | |||
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
About Us
Signet Jewelers Limited is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry. As a Purpose-driven and sustainability-focused company, Signet is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Signet operates eCommerce sites and approximately 2,700 stores under the name brands KAY Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, James Allen, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H.Samuel, and Ernest Jones. Our sales derive from the retailing of jewelry, watches, and associated services. Signet’s shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (SIG).
America’s #1 jewelry destination for engagement rings and romantic gifts at great value to help you express your love in ways as personal as it feels. | Creating beautifully designed and crafted jewelry empowering style lovers to bring their wow to every moment for 100 years. | Leading full-service jeweler offering high-quality accessible luxury and customized designs to discerning guests. | ||
Empowers fashion lovers to creatively express themselves with affordable jewelry and more than 50 years of piercing expertise. | Direct diamond importer offering extraordinary value and selection in a luxurious, customer-centric experience. | Pioneering diamond retailer offering premium New York City craftsmanship in bridal and fashion, both online and in our interactive showcase stores. | ||
Innovative digitally-native diamond company on the leading edge of custom bridal design and diamond jewelry. | Making the joy of jewelry accessible and convenient through our circular shopping platforms. | Largest specialty jewelry brand in Canada catering to the Sentimental Gifter and mid-market bridal customer. | ||
Best jewelry values on UK High Street with style and design at heart for the fun-loving fashion follower. | A contemporary UK jeweler offering unrivaled diamond selection and Swiss timepieces. | Providing expert jewelry services such as care, repair, and bespoke custom design, as well as warranty and insurance products. |
CHAIR’S LETTER
May 16, 2024
Dear Fellow Shareholders
In our third year of Inspiring Brilliance, Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet” or the “Company”) again delivered strong shareholder returns as it continued to establish itself as a leading and differentiated retailer with scaled competitive advantages in the attractive and fragmented jewelry market.
Despite significant macroeconomic headwinds in Fiscal 2024, we delivered $7.2 billion in sales and continue to be the market share leader with an estimated 9.0% share of the U.S. jewelry market. Signet continues to be well-positioned for future growth.
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H. Todd Stitzer Chair of the Board, Signet Jewelers |
As the Board of Directors (the “Board”), we maintain a sharp focus on the creation of long-term shareholder value. We continued to return cash to shareholders during Fiscal 2024. We repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares under our share repurchase program at an average cost per share of $73.06, totaling $139 million. In March 2024, the Board approved a $200 million increase to the multi-year repurchase authorization, bringing the total remaining authorization to approximately $850 million at that time. That amount was net of approximately $7 million of shares repurchased in Fiscal 2025 through March 19, 2024.
The Company’s priorities for the year ahead are to leverage our core competencies in bridal to win the return to engagement, drive repeat purchases, build lifetime value and loyalty, and reduce costs through transformation initiatives that improve our cash position. Delivering on these priorities will allow us to continue to reinvest in the business and return value to shareholders.
A clear sense of shared Purpose at Signet—Inspiring Love—is underpinning all our results. Our Purpose has also guided us—with the leadership of the Board’s Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee—to review and refine a series of ambitious Corporate Sustainability Goals to ensure they are tightly aligned with our business strategy and operations and are achievable by 2030. In our forthcoming Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Report, we will articulate these goals in three areas: Love for All People, Love for Our Team, and Love for Our Planet and Products.
Signet’s transformation into a Purpose-inspired company is also evident in our culture. For the fourth consecutive year, Signet was designated as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company based on survey responses from our team members. In addition, recently, Signet was named to two lists by Newsweek magazine: America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024 and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024. Signet also received a score of 95 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
Pursuant to the Company’s Board tenure requirements, I will retire as Chair of the Signet Board of Directors, effective immediately following the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”). Subject to shareholder approval of her reappointment to the Board, Helen McCluskey will succeed me as the new Board Chair. I have complete confidence in Helen as she steps into the role of Chair and in the ever-growing strength and capability of our full Board, our CEO, Virginia C. “Gina” Drosos, the Signet Leadership Team, and the Signet organization.
The Board and I are proud of the results our Company has delivered and how we are delivering them. I look forward to watching this great team continue to win. We believe we are well-positioned to deliver long-term sustainable growth.
In addition to the accompanying Proxy Statement, we encourage you to review our Annual Report to Shareholders, including the accompanying Letters to Shareholders from Gina and me. We encourage you to review this year’s Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Report, which will be released in June, to understand how Signet is fulfilling its Purpose across several environmental, social, and governance topics.
Our Board also invites you to the Annual Meeting, which will be held June 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time. The Meeting will be held virtually via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SIG2024. You will not be able to attend this meeting in person. Please review the instructions for participating in the “Shareholder Q&A” section of the accompanying Proxy Statement.
Thank you for your support of our Company. We ask that you carefully consider the information in this Proxy Statement related to the various proposals. The Board is unwavering in its commitment to long-term success for our Company, and we value your input and feedback.
Sincerely,
H. Todd Stitzer
Chair
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Date & Time |
Place | |||||||
Friday, June 28, 2024, 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time |
Virtual meeting via live audio webcast at: www.virtualshareholder meeting.com/SIG2024 |
At the Meeting, the following items of business shall be considered: |
1. Election of twelve members of the Company’s Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or until their respective successors are elected in accordance with the Bye-laws of the Company. |
2. Appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditor”) of the Company, to hold office from the conclusion of this Meeting until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of shareholders and authorization of the Audit Committee to determine its compensation. |
3. Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement (the “Say-on-Pay” vote). |
4. Approval of an amendment to the Signet Jewelers Limited 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan to authorize additional shares for issuance thereunder. |
Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”) of Signet Jewelers Limited (the “Company” or “Signet”) to be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 11:30 am, Eastern Time. The Meeting will be held entirely online live via audio webcast.
If you are a Signet shareholder of record, you will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SIG2024.
Each of the proposals to be presented at the Meeting will be voted upon by a poll. In addition, the Company will consider the transaction of any other business properly brought at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board has fixed the close of business on Friday, May 3, 2024 as the record date for the Meeting. All of the Company’s shareholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of, and to participate and vote at, the Meeting and at any adjournment and continuation thereof.
Attendance at the Meeting will be limited to shareholders of record, beneficial owners with evidence of ownership, corporate representatives of shareholders, proxies and guests invited by management who have a 16-digit control number, which shall be on the notice, proxy card or instructions that accompanied the proxy materials.
The Meeting will be conducted pursuant to the Company’s Bye-laws and rules of order prescribed by the Chair of the Meeting.
By Order of the Board.
Matt Shady
Corporate Secretary
May 16, 2024
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 28, 2024. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and the Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.proxydocs.com/SIG.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR VOTE BY APPOINTING A PROXY ELECTRONICALLY BY INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD, OR, ALTERNATIVELY, MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE PROXY CARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS THEREON AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED. YOU MAY ELECTRONICALLY VOTE LIVE IF YOU ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. YOUR PROXY IS REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME BY SENDING WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION OR BY SUBMISSION OF A PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE TO BROADRIDGE BY THE DEADLINE OF 12:01 AM, EASTERN TIME (5:01 AM, BRITISH SUMMER TIME) ON JUNE 28, 2024 OR BY VOTING ELECTRONICALLY AT THE VIRTUAL MEETING.
Table of Contents
Proxy Statement Summary
2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Highlights of certain information in this Proxy Statement are provided below. As it is only a summary, please refer to the complete Proxy Statement and 2024 Annual Report to Shareholders before you vote.
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Date & Time 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time
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Virtual meeting to be held via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SIG2024 | |||
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Record Date Date proxy materials are first made |
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Electronic voting prior to the Annual Meeting www.proxyvote.com |
Voting Matters and Board Recommendations
Proposals | Board’s Recommendation |
Page | ||||||
1. | Election of twelve members of the Company’s Board of Directors. | FOR All Director Nominees | 8 | |||||
2. | Appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered accounting firm of the Company, to hold office from the conclusion of this Meeting until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of shareholders, and authorization of the Audit Committee to determine its compensation. | FOR | 35 | |||||
3. | Approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (the “Say-on-Pay” vote). | FOR | 41 | |||||
4. | Approval of an Amendment to the Signet Jewelers Limited 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan to authorize additional shares for issuance thereunder. | FOR | 78 |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (See page 8)
Chair (Current) H. Todd Stitzer Chair-Elect Helen McCluskey
Director Terms 1 Year
Board Meetings in Fiscal 2024: 6
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of the meetings and those committees on which the Director served
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Standing Board Committee Meetings in Fiscal 2024
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6 | Audit Committee |
6 | Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee |
4 | Governance & Technology Committee |
4 | Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee |
7 | Finance Committee | |||||||||
SIGNET JEWELERS |
1 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Committees |
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Nominees |
AC |
HCMC |
GT |
CCS |
FC |
Director Since |
Independent |
Recommended Vote | ||||||||
Helen McCluskey* |
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2013 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Virginia C. Drosos |
2012 |
NO |
FOR | |||||||||||||
André V. Branch |
◆ |
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2021 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Sandra B. Cochran |
◆ |
2024 |
YES |
FOR | ||||||||||||
R. Mark Graf |
◆ |
C |
2017 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Zackery A. Hicks |
◆ |
C |
2018 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Sharon L. McCollam |
C |
◆ |
2018 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Nancy A. Reardon |
C |
◆ |
2018 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Jonathan Seiffer |
◆ |
◆ |
2019 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Brian Tilzer |
C |
◆ |
2017 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Eugenia Ulasewicz |
◆ |
◆ |
2013 |
YES |
FOR | |||||||||||
Dontá L. Wilson |
◆ |
◆ |
2021 |
YES |
FOR |
AC |
HCMC |
GT |
CCS |
FC | ||||
Audit Committee |
Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee |
Governance & Technology Committee |
Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee |
Finance Committee |
C = Chair
* | Subject to her re-election to the Board at the Annual Meeting, Ms. McCluskey will become Chair of the Board and will no longer serve on the Governance & Technology or the Finance Committees. |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (See page 17)
Our corporate governance reflects best practices.
BOARD ACCOUNTABILITY | ||
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◆ All Directors are elected annually ◆ The Company has majority voting for Director elections | |
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND SUCCESSION PLANNING | ||
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◆ The roles of the Chair and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) are separate to provide clear division of responsibilities between leadership of the Board and the principal executive responsible for the Company’s operations ◆ The Board regularly participates in CEO and Chair succession planning ◆ Formal emergency succession plan for the Chair and CEO have been adopted | |
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE | ||
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◆ The Chair of the Board is independent and approves Board meeting agendas and oversees effective Board operation ◆ All members of the five standing Board Committees, including Audit, Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability, Human Capital Management & Compensation, Finance, and Governance & Technology are independent Directors ◆ All Directors are independent with the exception of the CEO | |
BOARD DIVERSITY | ||
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◆ The Board maintains a Diversity Policy and publishes a Director skills matrix ◆ Half of the Board nominees are women, the Chair-elect is a woman and two of the standing Board Committees are chaired by women ◆ Two Board nominees are persons of color ◆ The Board nominees range in ages from 47 to 71 years ◆ Two Board nominees identify with the LGBTQ+ community | |
BOARD REFRESHMENT | ||
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◆ A Director Tenure Policy is in place, with average tenure of Board nominees at approximately 6.4 years ◆ Nine of our current Directors have been added since the beginning of 2017, including one new Director in 2024 |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
2 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
BOARD EVALUATION AND EFFECTIVENESS | ||
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◆ Annual Board, Committee and Director evaluations are conducted, including periodic external Board evaluations ◆ A Director skills matrix is reviewed and approved by the Board each year | |
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND ALIGNMENT | ||
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◆ Company policy prohibits pledging and hedging of Company shares by Directors and employees ◆ Executive officer and Director Share Ownership Policies have been adopted ◆ No material related party transactions exist involving any Directors or the CEO other than the Preferred Share Certificate of Designation amendment and conversions involving Leonard Green ◆ There are no material restrictions to call special meetings or bring forth proposals at a general meeting of shareholders ◆ The Board cannot materially modify the Company’s capital structure without shareholder approval | |
DIRECTOR ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT | ||
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◆ Executive sessions of independent Directors are held at each regularly scheduled Board meeting ◆ All Directors continuing in office at the time are required to attend the annual meeting of shareholders ◆ Shareholders have the ability to engage with Directors through the procedures set forth on page 27 of this Proxy Statement ◆ No Directors are considered over-boarded | |
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP | ||
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◆ The Board oversees corporate citizenship, environmental, social and governance matters, and sustainability through its standalone Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee ◆ The Company publishes a Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Report that seeks to align with SASB reporting standards | |
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | ||
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◆ The Board oversees human capital management, including culture, diversity and inclusion, benefits and wellbeing strategy, talent management, performance management, and succession planning through its Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee | |
RISK OVERSIGHT | ||
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◆ The Board oversees enterprise risk management, including oversight of climate change risks and cybersecurity risks ◆ The Board, its Committees and individual Board members have full access to management to discuss any risks impacting the Company or internal controls ◆ Board has responsibility for risk oversight with specific risk areas delegated to its Committees, whose deliberations are reported to the full Board as set forth on page 21 of this Proxy Statement |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (See page 42)
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, reward and retain talent and align the interests of executives with shareholders by paying for performance
Our compensation philosophy is to provide an attractive, competitive, and market-based total compensation program tied to performance and aligned with our objectives for long-term value creation. Our executive compensation practices reinforce our goals and aim to reward for meaningful progress against the Inspiring Brilliance strategic plan and priorities during Fiscal 2024, despite headwinds, volatility and challenges in the macroeconomic environment.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
3 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Key components of our Fiscal 2024 executive compensation program
The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee reviews program components, targets and payouts on an annual basis to assess the strength of pay-for-performance alignment. Performance is evaluated against short-term goals that support our long-term business strategy and long-term goals that are drivers of long-term shareholder value creation. The Committee has established an executive compensation program that contains the following key components:
Component | Objective | Performance Linkage | ||
Base salary |
Provide a fixed level of pay that is not at risk and reflects individual experience and ongoing contribution and performance. | Amounts and performance adjustments are tied to individual performance, while factoring in competitive market benchmarks. | ||
Annual bonus under the Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”) |
Motivate and reward achievement of annual financial results against established annual goals of the Company. | Cash awards depend on the degree of achievement against challenging annual performance targets that align with our strategic plan and are focused on profitable growth. | ||
Long-term incentives under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) ◆ Performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) ◆ Time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) |
Align management with long-term shareholder interests; retain executive officers; motivate and reward achievement of sustainable earnings growth and returns over time. | PSUs (60% of LTIP awards granted in Fiscal 2024) require achievement of challenging financial goals over a three-year performance measurement period and vest following such performance period, and RSUs (40% of LTIP awards granted in Fiscal 2024) vest over a three-year period for retention. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
4 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Executive compensation programs incorporate strong governance features
In designing and administering the Company’s compensation program, the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee periodically reviews benchmarks and has sought to align the program with best practices and principles, such as:
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WHAT WE DO |
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◆ Align pay to Company strategy and performance results |
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◆ Set rigorous, objective performance goals and tie vesting of performance-based equity awards to service over multiple years |
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◆ Ensure oversight of compensation and benefit programs by independent Board of Directors |
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◆ Impose and monitor meaningful stock ownership requirements |
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◆ Maintain a Clawback Policy compliant with applicable listing standards for executive officers and allows for recoupment in all incentive plans |
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◆ Retain independent compensation consultant |
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◆ Set maximum payout limits on all variable compensation |
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◆ Mitigate undue risk in compensation programs |
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◆ Require double-trigger vesting for severance and other benefits and LTIP awards upon change-in-control
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WHAT WE DO NOT DO |
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◆ No excise tax gross-ups in connection with a change in control |
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◆ No dividend equivalents paid on performance share units |
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◆ No hedging transactions, short sales or pledging of Company stock |
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◆ No resetting of performance targets |
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◆ No excessive severance benefits |
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The Company received strong shareholder support for the executive compensation program in place during the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 (“Fiscal 2023”), with 97.9% of votes cast approving the advisory Say-on-Pay resolution in June 2023. As in prior years, the Committee considered this input from shareholders as well as input from other stakeholders as part of its annual review of the executive compensation program. Based on the Committee’s assessment of the program, the Committee continued to apply the same principles in determining the amounts and types of executive compensation for Fiscal 2024.
Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CDA”) section of this Proxy Statement for a detailed description of executive compensation.
SUSTAINABILITY AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT (See page 31)
In Fiscal 2024, Signet lived its corporate Purpose — Inspiring Love — which guides everything we do. Signet has strengthened its Sustainability programs internally and strengthened our external data reporting capabilities. Our Human Capital Management strategy supports our Sustainability efforts.
We seek to provide our team members with a compelling benefits package and nurture talent through professional development opportunities that allow our team members to shine. Our team members fully embrace and embody our Purpose, enabling them to drive our mission, which is to Celebrate Life and Express Love® with our customers.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
5 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
We continued to enhance and refine our Sustainability program and related initiatives in the last year. Significant milestones and accomplishments include:
Continued support of Paradigm for Parity® to advance leadership equality by increasing the number of women of all races, cultures and backgrounds in leadership positions.
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The Signet Love Inspires Foundation donated nearly $1 million in line with our commitment to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and nonprofit organizations impacting where our team members live and work.
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For our Fiscal 2024 fundraising campaign benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, Signet raised $8.75 million. This record-breaking contribution was the highest amount Signet has ever raised in one year for St. Jude. Signet has raised more than $100 million throughout its 25-year partnership and, in late 2023, committed to raising another $100 million for St. Jude.
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Signet was named to two lists by Newsweek magazine, America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024 and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024.
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Named a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company for the fourth year. Our commitment to creating an exceptional team member experience is reflected in our team’s strong feedback on the Great Place to Work® Trust Index© Survey.
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Since 2021 Signet has been a participant in the United Nations Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative. The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact take into account the fundamental responsibilities of businesses in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
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In Fiscal 2024, Signet’s Sustainability program was guided by our 2030 Corporate Sustainability Goals (CSGs). Each CSG has a Signet Leadership Team sponsor to effectively integrate sustainability into Signet’s business operations. | Signet executives and leaders advanced their involvement and oversight of climate risk and opportunities through our Climate Action and Sustainability Committee (CASC). The cross-functional CASC also guides the controls environment for climate-related disclosures. | Ernest Jones’ Origin collection named winner of the “Ethical Jewellery” category by Professional Jeweller magazine. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
6 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Signet Jewelers Limited | May 16, 2024 | |
Clarendon House 2 Church Street |
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Hamilton HM11, Bermuda |
Solicitation of Proxies
The proxy or proxies accompanying this proxy statement and relating to shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.18 per share (the “Common Shares”), and the Series A Convertible Preference Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), are solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Signet Jewelers Limited, a Bermuda corporation, for exercise at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time (the “Annual Meeting” or “Meeting”). Due to the reasons set forth in the “Shareholder Q&A” section of this Proxy Statement, the Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SIG2024. You will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. If you plan to attend the Meeting virtually, please review the instructions for attendance included in the “Shareholder Q&A” section below.
This proxy statement and related form of proxy are being made first available to shareholders on or about May 16, 2024.
Unless otherwise specifically stated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this proxy statement to the “Company,” “Signet,” “we,” “our,” “us” and similar terms refer to Signet Jewelers Limited and its subsidiaries.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
7 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
Our Directors are elected at each Annual Meeting and our Board currently consists of 13 Directors. H. Todd Stitzer, our current Chair of the Board, will conclude his tenure on the Board at the Annual Meeting pursuant to our director tenure policy and the Board has appointed Helen McCluskey to serve as our new Chair, subject to her re-election to the Board at the Annual Meeting. We thank and commend Mr. Stitzer for his twelve years of dedicated service to the Company. Effective as of the Annual Meeting, the size of the Board will be reduced to twelve Directors.
Therefore, we are asking shareholders to consider twelve nominees for election to the Board to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected. Each Director standing for election has the endorsement of the Board and the Governance & Technology Committee. The Director nominees bring a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences that contribute to a well-rounded and diverse Board to effectively guide our ongoing Inspiring Brilliance strategy, oversee our operations in an evolving retail environment and goals to gain market share in the jewelry industry and drive long-term shareholder value. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
8 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Director Qualifications and Experience
Our Governance & Technology Committee performs an annual assessment of the skills and the experience needed to maintain a well-rounded, diverse and effective Board and summarizes such assessment in a tabular matrix. In Fiscal 2022, the Committee revised the list of qualifications and experience to better align with the current needs of the Company, which remained current for Fiscal 2024. The Committee uses the matrix to assess the composition of the Board and to identify desired qualifications and experience for potential candidates, including the identification, selection and recent appointment of Sandra Cochran in February 2024. The following matrix provides a summary of the criteria used for each qualification and experience trait measured, as well as the total number of Director nominees that demonstrate the specific skills, knowledge and experience traits. Individuals may possess other valuable skills, knowledge and experience even though they are not included in the matrix below:
SIGNET JEWELERS |
9 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Diversity, Independence and Tenure
The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and NYSE listing standards require that independent Directors constitute a majority of the Board. All Directors, other than Ms. Drosos, our CEO, have been affirmatively determined by the Board to be independent in accordance with all applicable standards.
In addition to the skills and qualifications listed above under “Director Qualifications and Experience”, diversity is one of the key attributes the Governance & Technology Committee considers in identifying potential candidates for the Board, including diversity in terms of business experience, functional skills, age, gender, ethnicity and other qualities. Considering diversity for the candidates on our Board is consistent with the goal of creating a Board that best serves the needs of our Company and the interests of our shareholders and customers. Consistent with these considerations, in the past year, the Board appointed Sandra Cochran as a new member of the Board effective on February 27, 2024.
We believe that diversity with respect to tenure is also important to match the evolving needs of the business, and balance deep experience and knowledge of the Company with new perspectives. Therefore, we aim to maintain an appropriate balance of tenure across our Board. In furtherance of the Board’s active role in Board succession planning and refreshment, seven of the Director nominees have been appointed to the Board since the beginning of 2018.
The following charts summarize the independence, tenure, age and self-identified gender and ethnic diversity of our Director nominees
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* None of our Directors identified as non-binary upon inquiry. | |
12
BOARD NOMINEES
47-71 Years AGE RANGE
6.4 Years AVERAGE TENURE
40% of Standing Board Committees
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SIGNET JEWELERS |
10 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR NOMINEES
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Principal Occupation and Experience Helen McCluskey (she/her/hers) has been appointed to serve as the Company’s Chair of the Board effective immediately following the Annual Meeting, subject to her re-election to the Board by shareholders. She previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of The Warnaco Group, Inc. from 2012 until its 2013 acquisition by PVH Corporation, when she retired and became an independent director of PVH until 2014. She joined Warnaco as Group President, Intimate Apparel in 2004, and her responsibilities continued to increase, becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2010 before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Warnaco, Ms. McCluskey held various positions of increasing responsibility with Liz Claiborne Inc. from 2001 to 2004, Playtex Apparel, Inc from 1983 to 2001 (which was acquired by Sara Lee Corporation in 1991) and Firestone Tire & Rubber Company from 1977 to 1983. Ms. McCluskey currently serves on the board of directors of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a publicly traded clothing retailer, since February 2019. She previously served on the board of directors of Dean Foods Company, a publicly traded food and beverage company, from November 2015 to May 2020, and Avon Products Inc., a publicly traded international social selling beauty company, from July 2014 to January 2020.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes With Ms. McCluskey’s broad background in strategy, business planning, operations, branding, merchandising and marketing, she brings valuable skills and insight to the Company. Her leadership experience at a publicly traded company, deep knowledge in retail and understanding of consumers provides valuable corporate leadership and management insight to our Board and to her anticipated role as Chair.
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HELEN CHAIR-ELECT AND INDEPENDENT
Age: 69
Director Since:
Gender Identification:
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Public Directorship Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
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Former Directorships Avon Products, Inc. Dean Foods Company
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Principal Occupation and Experience Virginia “Gina” C. Drosos (she/her/hers) was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company on August 1, 2017. Prior to joining Signet, Ms. Drosos served as President and CEO and a director of Assurex Health from 2013 to 2017, an innovative personalized medicine company which she and her team grew multi-fold, executed the strategic sale of the company to Myriad Genetics, Inc., and were awarded Ohio’s most successful Exit of the Year. Previously, she served in roles of increasing responsibility during her 25-year career at the Procter & Gamble Company until September 2012, including serving as Group President, where she had global responsibility of the company’s fast growing Beauty business unit and directed its strategy, operations, financials, brand portfolio, and long-term business development. Since February 2022, Ms. Drosos has served on the board of directors of Foot Locker, Inc., a publicly traded global retailer of footwear and apparel. She previously served on the board of directors of American Financial Group Inc., a publicly traded insurance holding company, from 2013 to December 2021. Ms. Drosos serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the United States Golf Association, a nonprofit organization designed to help the game of golf thrive from generation to generation, since February 2024 and as a director of Akron Children’s Hospital, a pediatric acute care hospital in Northeast Ohio, since April 2019. Ms. Drosos holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes With her broad background in strategic, business, and financial planning and operations, Ms. Drosos brings valuable skills and insights to the Company including proven expertise in strategy, branding, marketing, digital commerce, and global operations. Ms. Drosos brings more than 30 years’ executive leadership experience in the retail, consumer goods, and healthcare industries, including extensive business expansions into new product lines, retail channels, and geographies. Ms. Drosos is a visionary and transformative leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and proven track record of growing and scaling global businesses through bold strategies, product and experience innovation, and heightened employee engagement.
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VIRGINIA C. CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Age: 61
Director Since:
Gender Identification:
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Public Directorship Foot Locker, Inc.
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Former Directorships American Financial Group, Inc. Assurex Health |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
11 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Principal Occupation and Experience André Branch (he/him/his) has served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of MAC Cosmetics North America at Estée Lauder Companies, a publicly traded multinational cosmetics company, since March 2020. In his current role, he oversees the entire operations of MAC Cosmetics across all channels including free standing stores, department stores, specialty-multi, pure play, and eCommerce. His responsibilities include, but are not limited to strategy development and execution, supply chain management, marketing, innovation, commercial management, customer experience design, data analytics and management, consumer research, and talent pipeline development. Prior to joining Estée Lauder, he served in various roles at L’Oréal USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of L’Oréal S.A., a publicly traded multinational cosmetics company. He was Senior Vice President, E-Commerce and Digital Operations from 2018 to 2020, where he ran digital and eCommerce operations for L’Oréal’s USA operations, and National Account Sales Vice President at Macy’s for Lancôme from 2014 to 2015. Between his stints at L’Oréal, he served as President, E-Commerce Division at The Nature’s Bounty Company, a privately held vitamins and nutritional supplements manufacturer, from 2016 to 2017 and CMO, Consumer Packaged Goods Division at The Nature’s Bounty Company from 2015 to 2016. He is a seasoned General Manager and brand builder having worked at various Consumer Packaged Goods companies, including Diageo and Kraft Foods. Mr. Branch holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland and is NACD Directorship Certified.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes As a general management and marketing executive with over 25 years of experience at some of the world’s leading consumer packaged goods companies, Mr. Branch brings to our Board contemporary omnichannel experience, a strong marketing core and passion for building and reinventing luxury brands.
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ANDRÉ V. BRANCH INDEPENDENT
Age: 52
Director Since:
Gender Identification:
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Committees Audit Finance
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Principal Occupation and Experience Sandra Cochran (she/her/hers), served as Executive Chair of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a publicly traded restaurant and retail concept, from November 2023 through February 22, 2024. Prior to her role as Executive Chair, she served in positions of increasing responsibility at Cracker Barrel, including service as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director from September 2011 to October 2023, President and Chief Operating Officer from November 2010 to September 2011, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from April 2009 until November 2010. Prior to joining Cracker Barrel, she served in multiple executive leadership roles at Books-A-Million, Inc., a publicly traded book retailer, including as Chief Executive Officer from February 2004 to April 2009, President from August 1999 to February 2004, and Chief Financial Officer from September 1993 to August 1999. Ms. Cochran currently serves on the Board of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., a publicly traded leading home improvement retailer, since 2016. She previously served on the Board of Cracker Barrel from September 2011 to February 22, 2024, and Dollar General Corporation, a publicly traded variety store company, from 2012 to May 2020. Ms. Cochran holds an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University, and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt University. She also served as a Captain in the Ninth Infantry Division of the United States Army.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Ms. Cochran has over 30 years of retail experience, and significant experience in finance, marketing, operations, strategic planning and oversight, and risk management at major public companies and retailers. Her extensive executive C-Suite experience and service on multiple publicly-traded boards bring valuable experience and insight to the Board.
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SANDRA B. COCHRAN INDEPENDENT
Age: 65
Director Since:
Gender Identification: | ||||||||
Committees Human Capital Management & Compensation
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Public Directorship Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
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Former Directorship Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Dollar General Corporation
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SIGNET JEWELERS |
12 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Principal Occupation and Experience Mark Graf (he/him/his) served as Chief Financial Officer of Discover Financial Services, a publicly traded financial services company, from April 2011 to September 2019, including service as the company’s Chief Accounting Officer from April 2011 to December 2012. Prior to joining Discover, he served as an Investment Advisor at Aquiline Capital Partners from 2008 to 2010 and a Partner at Barrett Ellman Stoddard Capital Partners from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Graf also served in various roles at Fifth Third Bancorp from 2001 to 2006 and AmSouth Bancorporation from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Graf currently serves on the board of directors of Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded commercial-stage pharmaceutical company, since November 2020. He also serves on the board of directors of Castle Creek Biosciences, Inc., a privately held clinical-stage cell and gene therapy company, since 2021. He previously served on the board of directors of BNC Bancorp, formerly a publicly traded bank holding company, from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Graf holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Wharton School.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Mr. Graf has nearly 20 years of experience in C-Suite leadership roles in major public financial firms, as well as experience as an investor. His extensive capital analysis, consumer credit and financial management expertise, as well as his risk management and real estate skills bring valuable experience and insight to the Board.
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R. MARK GRAF INDEPENDENT
Age: 59
Director Since: July 2017
Gender Identification:
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Committees Finance (Chair) Audit
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Public Directorship Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. |
Private Directorship Castle Creek Biosciences, Inc.
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Former Directorship BNC Bancorp |
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Principal Occupation and Experience Zackery Hicks (he/him/his) has served as Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a multinational personal care corporation, since July 2022. At Kimberly-Clark, he is responsible for digital and business transformation, providing innovative next-generation technology solutions to deliver growth, build brands and create competitive advantage for the company. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of Toyota Motors North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, a multinational automotive manufacturer, from April 2018 to July 2022, and held roles of increasing responsibility with Toyota since 1996. While at Toyota Motor Corporation, Mr. Hicks led Toyota’s Digital Transformation and Mobility efforts which included the strategy, development and operations of all systems and technology for the company’s North American operations and its connected car ecosystem. He also served as the CEO and President of Toyota Connected North America through July 2022, responsible for driving the transformation of Toyota from an automobile company to a mobility company through the use of connected intelligence services. Mr. Hicks earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Pepperdine University and an MBA from the University of California at Irvine.
Mr. Hicks has successfully delivered large-scale innovation and efficiency across business operations through advanced technology and data science. He also brings diversity of industry experience and a start-up mindset to complement Signet’s Board.
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ZACKERY A. INDEPENDENT
Age: 60
Director Since:
Gender Identification:
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Committees Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability (Chair) Governance & Technology
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SIGNET JEWELERS |
13 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Principal Occupation and Experience Sharon McCollam (she/her/hers) serves as President and Chief Financial Officer of Albertsons Companies, Inc., a food and drug retailer, since September 2021. Prior to Albertsons, she served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Best Buy Co., Inc., a multinational consumer electronics retailer, from December 2012 until June 2016 and remained a senior advisor through January 2017. Prior to Best Buy, Ms. McCollam served in roles of increasing responsibility at Williams-Sonoma Inc. from 2000 to 2012, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer. She is currently a member of the board of directors for Stitch Fix, Inc., a publicly traded online personal styling service and retailer, since November 2016. She previously served on the board of directors for Advance Auto Parts, Inc., an automotive parts provider, from February 2019 to August 2021, Chewy, Inc., an online retailer of pet products, from June 2019 to September 2021, and Whole Foods Market, a publicly traded grocery company, from May 2017 until its acquisition by Amazon in August 2017. She also serves on the board of privately held GetYourGuide AG, an online travel agency and marketplace, since October 2019. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Ms. McCollam has significant experience with major public companies in C-suite positions and has been recognized as the co-pilot of a foremost OmniChannel turnaround in the retail sector while at Best Buy. She brings significant expertise in retail, finance, supply chain management, technology, customer care, real estate, enterprise shared services and store development to our Board.
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SHARON L. INDEPENDENT
Age: 61
Director Since:
Gender Identification: | ||||||||
Committees Audit (Chair) Governance & Technology
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Public Directorship Stitch Fix, Inc. |
Private Directorship GetYourGuide AG |
Former Directorships Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Chewy, Inc. Whole Foods Market |
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Principal Occupation and Experience Nancy Reardon (she/her/hers) served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer of Campbell Soup Company from 2004 until her retirement in April 2012. Previously, she was Executive Vice President, Human Resources of Comcast Corporation from 2002 to 2004. Her prior human resources leadership positions also include Borden Capital Management Partners, Duracell, Inc., American Express Company, Avon Products, Inc., and General Electric. Ms. Reardon currently serves on the board of directors of Big Lots, Inc., a publicly traded discount retailer, since 2015. She previously served on the board of directors of The Warnaco Group, Inc., formerly a publicly-traded apparel company, from 2004 to 2013. In 2009, Ms. Reardon was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Union College and an M.S. in Social Psychology from Syracuse University.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Ms. Reardon is widely recognized as a leading human resources and communications executive, has significant public company experience, and has played key roles shaping strategic and operating plans, as well as helping transform corporate culture.
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NANCY A. INDEPENDENT
Age: 71
Director Since:
Gender Identification: | ||||||||
Committees Human Capital Management & Compensation (Chair) Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability
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Public Directorship Big Lots, Inc. |
Former Directorship The Warnaco Group, Inc. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
14 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Principal Occupation and Experience Jonathan Seiffer (he/him/his) currently serves as a Senior Partner with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (“Leonard Green”), a private equity firm which holds all of the Preferred Shares through its affiliates, which he joined in 1994. Before joining Leonard Green, he worked in corporate finance at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, a US investment bank. Mr. Seiffer currently serves on the board of directors of AerSale Corporation, a publicly traded aftermarket provider of aviation products and services, since January 2010, and Mister Car Wash, Inc., a publicly traded national car wash operator, since August 2014. Previously, he served on the board of directors of BJ’s Wholesale Club, a publicly traded warehouse club operator, from 2011 to June 2020, and Whole Foods Market, Inc., a then-publicly traded grocery company, from December 2008 until August 2017. He also serves on the board of directors of Authentic Brands Group, a privately-held brand development, marketing and entertainment company, since 2010. Mr. Seiffer earned a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Systems Engineering and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Seiffer was nominated for service as a Director by Leonard Green (as described under “Director Qualifications and Experience” below).
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Mr. Seiffer brings knowledge and experience in finance, and broad-based experience in the leadership of retail businesses and companies undergoing transformations. He also offers the Board a valuable investor perspective and insight from the world of private equity, by virtue of his service as a Senior Partner of Leonard Green. | |||||||
JONATHAN INDEPENDENT
Age: 52
Director Since:
Gender Identification:
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Committees Audit Human Capital Management & Compensation
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Public Directorship AerSale Corporation Mister Car Wash, Inc. |
Private Directorship Authentic Brands Group |
Former Directorships BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. Whole Foods Market, Inc. |
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Principal Occupation and Experience Brian Tilzer (he/him/his) has served as Chief Digital, Analytics and Technology Officer at Best Buy Co., Inc., a multinational consumer electronics retailer, since May 2018. In his current role, he leads a complex operational division focused on the strategically leveraging of data, technology and artificial intelligence to engage customers, elevate experiences, increase operational efficiency and building new platforms for growth, while also holistically leading technology and analytics for Best Buy, including experience design, product management, engineering, data science/AML and platform teams. He also oversees Best Buy’s office in Bangalore, India. Previously, he was Chief Digital Officer at CVS Health Corporation, a publicly traded healthcare and retail pharmacy company, from 2013 until 2018, where he scaled an enterprise-wide digital program to over 50 million active users. Prior to CVS Health, Mr. Tilzer was the Senior Vice President of Global eCommerce at Staples, where he developed and led several multi-channel digital innovation strategies. He has also held leadership roles at Accenture, where he provided technology and transformation services to retail and consumer business. Mr. Tilzer holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and an MBA from the Wharton School.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Mr. Tilzer has more than 30 years of experience at leading retail, eCommerce and consumer businesses in information technology, strategic business development, digital transformation, planning and analysis and operations with a deep concentration in corporate, OmniChannel and eCommerce strategy. In addition to his qualifications and skills noted above, Mr. Tilzer brings a wealth of human-centered design, enterprise agility and talent building passion and experience to our Board.
Committees Governance & Corporate Citizenship & | |||||||
BRIAN TILZER INDEPENDENT
Age: 53
Director Since:
Gender Identification: |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
15 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Principal Occupation and Experience Eugenia Ulasewicz (she/her/hers) has a plural board career serving on numerous international retail sector public company boards and is a global retail industry expert, most recently as the President of Burberry Group plc’s Americas division, responsible for the US, Canada, Latin America, Central and South America, until her retirement in March 2013. Ms. Ulasewicz joined Burberry in 1998 and became a member of its executive committee in 2006. Prior to joining Burberry, she held positions of increasing responsibility with Saks, Inc. from 1993 to 1998, Galeries Lafayette from 1991 to 1993 and Bloomingdales, a division of Macy’s, Inc. (formerly Federated Department Stores, Inc.) from 1975 to 1991. She currently serves on the board of directors of two additional publicly traded companies, including Vince Holding Corp., a global luxury apparel and accessories company, since April 2014, and Avolta AG (formerly, Dufry Group), a leading global travel experience player, since May 2021. Previously, she served as a director of ASOS pic, a global online fashion retailer, from April 2020 to January 2023, Bunzl plc, an international distribution company, from April 2011 to April 2020, and Hudson Group, a travel retailer, from Feb 2018 through December 2020 when it merged with its majority shareholder Dufry Group. She is a Board Leadership Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Ms. Ulasewicz holds a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts and a Doctor of Laws from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes Ms. Ulasewicz’ s extensive experience serving on the boards of global public companies and her expertise in retail, branding, marketing, OmniChannel, global operations and general management provides valuable skills and insights to the Company.
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EUGENIA INDEPENDENT
Age: 70
Director Since:
Gender Identification: | ||||||||
Committees Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Human Capital Management & Compensation
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Public Directorships Vince Holding Corp. Avolta AG (FKA Dufry Group) |
Former Directorships ASOS plc Bunzl plc Hudson Ltd. |
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Principal Occupation and Experience Dontá Wilson (he/him/his) has served as Chief Consumer and Small Business Banking Officer at Truist Financial Corporation, a publicly traded financial services company, since November 2023. He previously served as Chief Retail and Small Business Banking Officer from March 2022 to November 2023, Chief Digital and Client Experience Officer from 2018 to 2022 and was named Chief Client Experience Officer in 2016 when he was first appointed to Truist’s executive leadership team. In his current role, he leads more than 20,000 teammates in the retail, small business and premier segments at Truist, multiple virtual service centers, more than 1,900 community banking branches, and oversees core deposit and loan products, including mortgage, auto, credit card and national consumer lending businesses, as well as consumer capital markets, and consumer credit underwriting and approval. He also oversees enterprise marketing, client analytics, client experience strategy and digital banking, transformation and innovation, and serves on Truist’s Operating Council. He joined Truist’s predecessor in 1995 and has held various positions of increasing responsibilities. Prior to becoming Chief Client Experience Officer, he served as the Group/State President for Georgia from 2014 to 2016 and President for Alabama from 2009 to 2014. Mr. Wilson received an MBA from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s in management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also a graduate of Tuck Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and the Truist Banking School at Wake Forest University.
Director Qualifications and Key Skills and Attributes With his proven track record of positively impacting growth, leading sales teams at scale, digital transformation, brand equity and culture across organizations, financial, marketing and data analytics expertise, and focus on delivering a distinctive client experience as a tech-savvy and strategic thinking executive, Mr. Wilson brings a unique and valuable perspective to the Board and Company.
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DONTÁ L. WILSON INDEPENDENT
Age: 47
Director Since:
Gender Identification: | ||||||||
Committees Finance Human Capital Management & Compensation
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The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote “FOR” Each of the Nominees Named Above. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
16 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Board of Directors and
Corporate Governance
ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board’s prime objective is the sustainable enhancement of business performance and shareholder value. It is responsible for determining all major policies, ensuring that effective strategies and management are in place, assessing Signet’s performance and that of its senior management, reviewing the systems of internal control and risk management and providing oversight of policies relating to good corporate governance, ethics, sustainability and other matters.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION
Separate and Independent Chair
The Company has a Chair of the Board who is separate from its CEO and considered independent under NYSE Listing Standards. The Board considers having a clear division of responsibilities between the Director responsible for leadership of the Board and the principal executive responsible for the Company’s day-to-day operations to be important to the Board’s effectiveness and efficiency. The Board therefore continues to believe that separating the roles of Chair and CEO is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders at the present time and has established the following division of responsibilities between the Chair and the CEO:
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THE CHAIR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR: | THE CEO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR: | ||||
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◆ Effectively running the Board, including an ongoing evaluation of its performance and that of individual Directors and the Board’s compliance with corporate governance requirements and best practices; ◆ Consulting with and advising executive management about planned presentations to the Board, involving but not limited to, topics of longer-term strategy, medium-term plans, annual budgeting or, at the Chair’s discretion, any other significant matters; ◆ Consulting with and advising the CEO on contemplated executive management personnel selections, organizational alignment and responsibilities, and compensation recommendations; ◆ Keeping the other independent Directors appropriately informed of developments within the business and shareholders’ attitudes toward the Company; and ◆ Safeguarding Signet’s reputation and representing it both internally and externally. |
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◆ Providing the executive leadership of the business; ◆ Developing and presenting to the Board the Company’s strategy, medium-term plans and annual budgets, and within this framework, the performance of the business; ◆ Complying with legal and corporate governance requirements, together with the social, ethical and environmental principles of Signet; and ◆ Making recommendations on the appointment and compensation of executive officers, management development and succession planning. |
Our current Chair is H, Todd Stitzer, who has served in this role since June 2012. However, as previously announced, Mr. Stitzer will be completing his twelve-year term as Chair and as a member of the Board effective immediately following the Annual Meeting. The Board appointed Helen McCluskey, a current member of the Board, to succeed as Chair, effective immediately following the 2024 Annual Meeting, subject to her re-election at such meeting.
Independent Directors Constitute a Majority of the Board
The Board currently includes one executive Director and twelve independent Directors, including the Chair. After the 2024 Annual Meeting, the number of independent Directors will be reduced to eleven due to Mr. Stitzer’s tenure on the Board coming to an end. The Board has affirmatively determined that each of the following Directors currently serving on the Board is “independent” under all applicable NYSE standards: H. Todd Stitzer, Helen McCluskey, André V. Branch, Sandra B. Cochran, R. Mark Graf, Zackery A. Hicks, Sharon L. McCollam, Nancy A. Reardon, Jonathan Seiffer, Brian Tilzer, Eugenia Ulasewicz and Dontá L. Wilson. In determining “independence” the Board considers any commercial, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or any other business or non-business relationships that a Director or his or her immediate family may have with the Company. No such relationship exists for any of the independent Directors.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
17 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Membership Selection
The identification, screening, and selection of qualified directors with diverse skills and viewpoints is a key element of the success and effectiveness of our Board. The Governance & Technology Committee considers the composition of our Board, evaluates prospective nominees and recommends candidates for full Board approval. The Board’s evaluation is focused on the business and strategic needs of the Company and the desired composition of the Board. Nine of our current Directors have been added to the Board since 2017, eight of whom were appointed through the process noted below and one of whom was originally appointed through Leonard Green’s Board Nomination Rights described below.
Board Nomination Right of Leonard Green
Since August 24, 2016, pursuant to a shareholder agreement by and between the Company and affiliates of Leonard Green, who own all of the Company’s issued and outstanding Preferred Shares, Leonard Green has had a right to designate one individual to be nominated by the Board for election as a Director and has had the right to appoint one non-voting observer to attend all Board meetings. In the past, Leonard Green has designated Mr. Seiffer as a Director nominee for election and Mr. Suer as a non-voting observer. Based on the conversion of the Preferred Shares to date, as discussed below in the “Transactions with Related Parties” section of this Proxy Statement, Leonard Green no longer has these nomination/appointment rights. However, the Board has determined to nominate Mr. Seiffer and has determined to appoint Mr. Suer as the non-voting observer.
Board Diversity Policy
The Board Diversity Policy provides that in reviewing and assessing Board composition, the Governance & Technology Committee will consider diversity of business and industry experience, functional skills, gender, ethnicity, age and other qualities in order to maintain an appropriate range and balance of skills, experience, age and background on the Board. The Board and Governance & Technology Committee are committed to including qualified, diverse candidates in prospective director candidate pools. The Board Diversity Policy is available on
SIGNET JEWELERS |
18 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
request from the Corporate Secretary and at www.signetjewelers.com/investors/corporate-governance/ documents-and-charters/. Consistent with the Company’s diversity and inclusion efforts and the Board Diversity Policy, upon the recommendation of the Governance & Technology Committee, the Board appointed Sandra Cochran to our Board in February 2024 and two ethnically diverse individuals, André V. Branch and Dontá L. Wilson, to our Board in February 2021.
Director Tenure Policy
The Board maintains a Director Tenure Policy, pursuant to which each independent Director must not stand for re-election to the Board at the next annual meeting of shareholders following his or her 12th anniversary of service on the Board, unless the Board in its absolute discretion determines that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to nominate the Director for election to serve for an additional period of time. In addition to considering director tenure, the Governance & Technology Committee must (1) regularly review the structure, size and composition of the Board and make recommendations with regard to any changes, and (2) evaluate each incumbent director’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes, skills, performance, independence, diversity and experience required in light of the Company’s business and structure before recommending the nomination of that director for an additional term. Pursuant to the Director Tenure Policy, H. Todd Stitzer is not running for re-election to our Board at the Annual Meeting. The Director Tenure Policy is available on request from the Corporate Secretary and at www.signetjewelers.com/investors/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters/.
BOARD PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
All Directors are required to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board schedules a Board meeting on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders to facilitate attendance at the annual meeting of shareholders by Directors. All Directors who were serving at the time attended the annual meeting of shareholders held in June 2023.
Meetings and Attendance During Fiscal 2024
In Fiscal 2024, the Board met six times (including meetings by video conference). On average, the incumbent Directors attended over 95% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and those Board Committees on which they served during Fiscal 2024, and no single incumbent Director attended less than 78% of the total number of meetings of the Board and each Board Committee on which they served during Fiscal 2024.
Executive Sessions of Independent Directors
Independent Directors meet regularly in executive sessions without management participation. The Chair presides at those meetings.
Board and Committee Self-Evaluation
The Board conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board, its Committees, and individual Directors on an annual basis.
This process is designed to solicit feedback from each Director regarding:
◆ | Matters that the Directors believe should receive more attention during Board and Committee meetings; |
◆ | How the Board’s and each Committee’s composition, leadership, meeting and information processes and interactions as a Board and with management influence its effectiveness; |
◆ | The Directors’ roles and responsibilities; and |
◆ | Future development needs of the Board and the Directors. |
Feedback from this evaluation is utilized to facilitate and inform Board refreshment, refine the functionality and processes of Board and Committee operations, and gain Board member perspectives on whether the Directors’ skills are matched to the Company’s strategies, business needs, and risk profile.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
19 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Governance & Technology Committee Chair oversees the self-evaluation process, which includes the development and approval of the evaluation design by the Governance & Technology Committee, its administration through interviews by management or a third party, analysis and summarization of the results and a report to the full Board on an anonymous basis. In Fiscal 2024, the Board engaged outside counsel to facilitate its annual Board evaluation process, which is more fully illustrated below:
BOARD SELF-EVALUATION PROCESS |
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DISCUSSION OUTLINE |
The self-evaluation is facilitated through a discussion outline developed by the Governance & Technology Committee and outside counsel. The discussion outline includes a series of topics and questions designed to solicit constructive feedback to be used in improving Board, Committee, and individual Director effectiveness. | |
CONFIDENTIAL INTERVIEWS |
Members of our Board participate in the evaluation discussion individually through an interview by outside counsel, responding to questions based on the discussion outline, with follow-up questions depending upon the responses provided. | |
ANALYSIS OF FEEDBACK |
Director feedback solicited from the interviews is analyzed for any trends, including areas of strength or opportunities for improvement. Outside counsel presents key findings on an anonymous basis to the Governance & Technology Committee, the full Board and management. | |
RESPOND TO INPUT |
The Board and the Committees discuss the results of the evaluation and, in response to the feedback, determine whether to implement any of the recommendations or suggestions as appropriate to improve processes and procedures to further improve the effectiveness of the Board and Committees. The Board and Committees work with management to take any appropriate actions to implement these changes. |
Board Continuing Education
All Directors are encouraged to attend educational programs related to the fulfillment of their duties as members of our Board and Board Committees, including programs sponsored by universities, governance associations, our independent auditors, or other organizations. The Company reimburses Directors for any reasonable expenses in connection with such programs. On a quarterly basis, Directors are provided with a list of educational opportunities and events covering issues and trends that are relevant to their service on the Board or Board Committees. From time to time, the Board also engages outside speakers to present to the Board on topics such as governance trends, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and ESG issues.
In addition, Directors receive regular communications regarding press coverage, current events relating to our business and inspiring stories related to our customers or team members, and investor relations updates regarding analyst and rating agency reports and updates, as well as feedback from our shareholders.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
20 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD OVERSIGHT OF RISK
One of the Board’s most important roles involves risk oversight. While senior management has primary responsibility for managing day to day risks, the Board has responsibility for risk oversight with specific risk areas delegated to its Committees, whose deliberations are reported to the full Board. Our risk oversight process, including key risk focus areas for the Board and each of its Committees, is summarized below.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
21 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Enterprise Risk Management
The General Counsel coordinates the collection of risk management information and is responsible for assessing the Company’s day-to-day risk management processes and, in coordination with the Company’s Chief Audit Executive, internal controls and seeks to ensure such processes satisfy the applicable standards at both business function and corporate levels. The General Counsel chairs Signet’s Risk Committee, which operates under a Board approved written charter, consists of key functional and banner leaders throughout the Company, and meets quarterly to review Signet’s risk management processes, emerging issues, new regulations, and principal risks. These findings are reported periodically to the Board and Audit Committee.
In addition, the Board, its Committees and individual Board members have full access to management to further discuss any risks impacting the Company or internal controls.
Compensation Policies and Risk Taking
The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee has evaluated the Company’s policies and practices of compensating team members and has determined that they are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee has reached this conclusion based in part on a review conducted by its independent compensation consultant that analyzed the Company’s compensation policies and practices for all team members, including executive officers. The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee noted several aspects of the compensation programs that reduce the likelihood of excessive risk-taking:
◆ | Compensation for the executive officers is a mix of fixed and variable awards, with share-based compensation that vests in accordance with both time- and performance-based criteria; |
◆ | The executive officer annual short-term and multi-year long-term incentive programs are both based in part on performance targets the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee believes are closely tied to the creation of long-term shareholder value. These performance targets for executive officers are reviewed and approved by the Committee and set in advance, with above-target payouts reviewed to ensure a reasonable sharing of value created between management and shareholders. Performance achievement under the incentive plans is determined based on the Company’s financial results, which are audited by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm before annual short-term incentive plan payments are made. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CDA”) of this Proxy Statement for more information on the performance metrics used for the Fiscal 2024 short-term and long-term incentive programs; |
◆ | Equity compensation is provided through annual grants under the long-term incentive plan that is a combination of annually granted time-based restricted stock units that generally vest ratably over three years and performance-based restricted stock units that vest over three-year overlapping vesting periods. This approach addresses longer “tail” risks as participants remain subject to performance achievement risks associated with their ongoing and overlapping vesting cycles. In Fiscal 2021, given the difficulty of setting appropriate performance targets in light of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee approved a two-year performance measurement period with a three-year service vesting requirement for the performance-based restricted stock units. In Fiscal 2024, the Committee returned to a three-year performance measurement period for the performance-based restricted stock unit awards; |
◆ | Long-term incentives are awarded in the form of whole share awards (instead of options), driving long-term share value creation, rather than potentially rewarding share price volatility; |
◆ | The Company seeks to maintain conservative equity utilization, considering factors such as the unusual market conditions driven by the pandemic, under share-based incentive plans; |
◆ | The CEO and other executive officers, including all NEOs, are subject to share ownership requirements; |
◆ | The Company prohibits hedging, pledging or speculation of Company shares by team members and Directors; |
◆ | The Company has a Clawback Policy that applies to all executive officers and any other recipient of an incentive award as determined by the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee in the event of an overpayment. Certain repayment obligations may be triggered if there is a material restatement of the financial statements. Similarly, in the interest of fairness, should a restatement result in an underpayment of incentive compensation, the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee may determine whether the Company will make up any such difference. A participant’s incentive compensation may also be recouped for material violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics for Senior Officers or for other conduct deemed detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company; and |
◆ | The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent Directors and has engaged an independent consultant to review the risks associated with its compensation programs. It reviews the payouts under the short- and long-term incentive programs, and it regularly benchmarks executive compensation against a carefully constructed and regularly reviewed peer group. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
22 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES AND CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
The Company strives to:
| ||||||||||||||||||
1
● Act in accordance with the laws and customs of each country in which it operates;
|
2
● Adopt proper standards of business practice and procedure; |
3
● Operate with integrity; and |
4
● Observe and respect the culture of each country in which it operates. |
To that end, the Company has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that address a number of corporate governance matters in accordance with NYSE listing rules and a statement of social, ethical and environmental principles and supporting policies applicable to all officers and other team members. In addition, the Company has a policy on business integrity, as well as more detailed guidance and regulations as part of its staff orientation, training and operational procedures. These policies include the Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all Directors, officers and other team members as required by NYSE listing rules, and the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers, which applies to the Chair, independent Directors, CEO and other senior officers. Copies of the Corporate Governance Guidelines and these codes are available on request from the Corporate Secretary and at www.signetjewelers.com/investors/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters/.
The Company intends to satisfy any disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver of, a provision of the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers for the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions by posting such information on its website. There have been no such waivers granted since the beginning of Fiscal 2024.
BOARD COMMITTEES
Certain matters are delegated to Board Committees. The principal committees are the Audit Committee, Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee, Governance & Technology Committee, Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee and Finance Committee.
Each Board Committee acts in accordance with a written charter detailing its purpose, procedures, responsibilities and powers, as adopted by the Board, which is reviewed annually. Copies of the charters are available on request from the Corporate Secretary and at www.signetjewelers.com/investors/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters/.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
23 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The composition as of May 16, 2024, key roles and responsibilities, and number of meetings held in Fiscal 2024 of each principal Board Committee are detailed below. All members of our Board Committees are independent under all applicable NYSE Listing Standards.
Committees | ||||||||||
Nominees |
AC(1) |
HCMC |
GT |
CCS |
FC | |||||
Helen McCluskey(2) |
◆ |
◆ | ||||||||
André V. Branch |
◆ |
◆ | ||||||||
Sandra B. Cochran |
◆ |
|||||||||
R. Mark Graf |
◆ |
C | ||||||||
Zackery A. Hicks |
◆ |
C |
||||||||
Sharon L. McCollam |
C |
◆ |
||||||||
Nancy A. Reardon |
C |
◆ |
||||||||
Jonathan Seiffer |
◆ |
◆ |
||||||||
Brian Tilzer |
C |
◆ |
||||||||
Eugenia Ulasewicz |
◆ |
◆ |
||||||||
Dontá L. Wilson |
◆ |
◆ | ||||||||
Number of Meetings Held in Fiscal 2024 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
(1) | Members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and audit committee financial experts within the meaning of applicable SEC regulations. |
(2) | Subject to her re-election to the Board, Ms. McCluskey will become Chair of the Board and no longer serve on the Governance & Technology or the Finance Committees. |
AC |
HCMC |
GT |
CCS |
FC | ||||
Audit Committee |
Human Capital Management |
Governance & Technology Committee |
Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee |
Finance Committee |
C = Chair
Audit Committee |
|
Roles and Responsibilities
Primary function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Company’s financial reporting and audit, processes for risk management and the Company’s systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.
Responsibilities include the oversight, review and/or approval, as appropriate, of the:
◆ Company’s consolidated financial statements, earnings releases and related audit findings and accounting principles and policies;
◆ Recommendation of the appointment or termination of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent auditor”), and approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditor;
◆ Internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and risk management, including with respect to any climate risk disclosures that may be required by the SEC;
◆ Effectiveness of the Company’s internal auditors, Disclosure Control Committee, and Cybersecurity Incident Materiality Committee;
◆ Procedures for complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing or other matters;
◆ Enterprise risks; and
◆ Related person transactions.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee:
◆ Receives regular updates on internal audit activity and reviews reports submitted to the Company by the Company’s independent auditor, as well as annual management assurance updates submitted by the Risk Committee;
◆ Maintains direct communication with representatives of the Company’s independent auditor, who ordinarily attend meetings by invitation (except in relation to the firm’s and its representatives’ own appointment and assessment of independence);
◆ Invites the Chair, CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Audit Executive, Chief Accounting Officer, General Counsel and others to attend its meetings; and
◆ Meets at least once a year with both the Company’s independent auditor and internal auditors without executive management present.
|
SIGNET JEWELERS |
24 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee |
|
Roles and Responsibilities
Primary function is to provide oversight of overall management of human capital, which includes culture, diversity, equity and inclusion; executive compensation programs; benefits and well-being strategy; talent management (attraction, development, and retention); performance management; and, in collaboration with the Governance & Technology Committee, succession planning. In collaboration with the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee, oversees diversity, equity and inclusion; team member engagement; and team member experience practices, including Signet’s Love for Our Team Corporate Sustainability Goals.
Responsibilities include the oversight, review and/or approval, as appropriate, of the:
◆ Company’s compensation philosophy, policies, and actions for members of management to ensure they are fairly and appropriately rewarded, taking into account the long-term interests of shareholders and the Company, and that the Company’s compensation policies remain competitive;
◆ Evaluation of the performance of the CEO and the Company’s executive officers and other direct reports to the CEO against corporate goals and objectives;
◆ Compensation, and any employment, termination protection, severance or similar agreements between the Company and the CEO or any executive direct report to the CEO;
◆ Design, structure and performance metrics of any annual cash bonus and long-term equity-based compensation plans and recommendation to the Board for approval;
◆ Appointment, compensation, and assessment of the work of the Company’s independent compensation consultant; and
◆ Overall management of human capital, including culture, diversity and inclusion, benefits and well-being strategy, talent management (attraction, development, and retention), performance management, and succession planning.
For additional information regarding the operation of the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee, including the role of consultants and management in the process of determining the amount and form of executive compensation, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement below. |
Governance & Technology Committee |
|
Roles and Responsibilities
Primary function is to nominate Directors and provide oversight with respect to Board composition, implementation of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and overall corporate governance, the Company’s cybersecurity and data privacy risk oversight and management protocols, and technology matters relating to the Company as an omnichannel enterprise.
Responsibilities include the oversight, review and/or approval, as appropriate, of the:
◆ Selection, orientation and recommendations regarding the nomination of Directors;
◆ Annual evaluation of the Board and its Committees, including the composition and balance of the Board and its Committees;
◆ Succession planning of the CEO, Chair and Board, as well as oversight of succession planning for other executive officers;
◆ Form and amount of Director and Chair compensation in consultation with the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee;
◆ Company’s cybersecurity and data privacy risk oversight and management protocols, including reviewing any matters reported to it by the Cybersecurity Incident Materiality Committee;
◆ Company’s eCommerce, information technology, digital and data analytics activities, strategies and initiatives, including reviewing budgets, investments, financial and non-financial benefits, insurance, training and staffing related to such activities; and
◆ Corporate governance guidelines and other matters of corporate governance.
For additional information regarding the Governance & Technology Committee’s process for identifying Director candidates, see “Board Membership Selection” above, and regarding the Board and Committee evaluation process, see “Board and Committee Self-Evaluation” above. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
25 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee |
|
Roles and Responsibilities
Primary function is to oversee strategies and actions related to corporate citizenship and sustainability matters, including those relating to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”), to enhance long-term sustainability and value creation.
Responsibilities include the oversight, review and/or provision of advice, as appropriate, of the:
◆ Company’s corporate sustainability, compliance with voluntary responsible sourcing protocols and other ESG strategies, including how these strategies align with the Company’s overall business strategy and objectives of protecting and enhancing the reputation, brand image and external representation of the culture of the Company;
◆ Establishment of, and any modifications to, the Company’s Corporate Sustainability Goals (“CSGs”) and broader ESG objectives, and monitoring the progress towards their achievement;
◆ External developments relating to opportunities and risks that may significantly impact the Company’s reputation and/or its CSGs and ESG objectives and related initiatives;
◆ Implementation and effectiveness of appropriate policies, initiatives, systems and supporting measures and communications in furtherance of the corporate sustainability and ESG strategies;
◆ Implementation and effectiveness of the Company’s social impact programs and guidelines, including with respect to the Signet Love Inspires Foundation; and
◆ In collaboration with the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee, the oversight of diversity, equity and inclusion, and team member engagement and experience practices.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee reviews metrics relating to Signet’s “Three Loves”, which represent the pillars of its sustainability framework: Love for All People; Love for Our Team; and Love for Our Planet and Products. For additional information regarding the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee’s oversight role and the Company’s sustainability initiatives, see “Sustainability at Signet” below. |
Finance Committee |
|
Roles and Responsibilities
Primary function is to review and guide strategic direction and oversee and offer advice to the Board and management pertaining to risks, opportunities, policies, processes and progress regarding corporate financing or refinancing transactions, budget planning activities, the Company’s credit and finance program and portfolio, treasury and capital allocation strategies and programs, and mergers and acquisitions.
Responsibilities include the oversight, review and/or provision of strategic direction regarding:
◆ The Company’s strategy and plan for its credit program, including risk exposures and the steps and processes management has implemented to monitor and control such exposures;
◆ Potential structures and related transactions and financing arrangements for the extension of credit or other financing options to the Company’s customers;
◆ Corporate financing or refinancing transactions and arrangements;
◆ Treasury and capital allocation strategies, programs and activities, including making recommendations regarding dividend and share repurchase activities to the full Board for approval, as appropriate;
◆ The Company’s annual budget planning activities and making related recommendations to the full Board for approval; and
◆ Merger and acquisition opportunities and activities and making recommendations to the full Board regarding the same, as appropriate. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
26 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMMUNICATION WITH DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
The Board welcomes feedback from shareholders and other interested parties. Any shareholder or member of the public who wishes to send communications to the Board, the Chair or any other individual Director may do so in writing, addressed to the Corporate Secretary, c/o Signet Jewelers, 375 Ghent Road, Akron, Ohio, 44333 U.S.A. All such communications will be reviewed promptly by the Corporate Secretary and, where considered appropriate, sent to the Director(s) or one or more Committee Chair(s) with a copy to the Chair.
A shareholder who wishes to recommend an individual to the Governance & Technology Committee for its consideration as a nominee for election to the Board may do so in writing also to the Corporate Secretary, c/o Signet Jewelers, 375 Ghent Road, Akron, Ohio, 44333 U.S.A. The Governance & Technology Committee will evaluate all properly submitted shareholder recommendations for candidates to the Board in the same manner as candidates suggested by other Directors or search firms.
As more fully described in the Company’s Bye-laws and under “Shareholder Q&A”, a shareholder desiring to nominate a person for election as a Director at an annual meeting must provide notice by the deadlines established in the Bye-Laws and include in such written notice all of the information required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors, or as otherwise required pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. This includes, without limitation, the person’s written consent to being named in the Proxy Statement as a nominee and serving as a Director if elected, the name and address of the proposing shareholder and the number of shares of the Company beneficially owned by such shareholder. In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, any notice of director nomination submitted to the Company shareholders other than the Company’s nominees must provide timely notice to the Company that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The Board has adopted a Related Party Transaction Policy setting forth the Company’s policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of transactions in which the Company participates and in which any Director, executive officer, Director nominee, five percent beneficial owner of the Company’s voting securities, or immediate family member of such officer, Director, Director nominee or security holder (each, a “Related Person”), has a direct or indirect material interest. The Company’s Corporate Secretary and legal department review any identified transactions. If it is determined, based on the facts and circumstances, that the Director or executive officer has a direct or indirect material interest in a transaction, the Corporate Secretary brings the matter to the attention of the Audit Committee for further review. In determining whether to approve or ratify any such transaction, the Audit Committee will consider all relevant factors, including the benefits to the Company, the impact (if applicable) to the independence of any Director, the availability of alternative options, the terms of the transaction, and whether such a transaction would be in the best interests of the Company. In addition, situations that potentially create or give the appearance of a conflict of interest are to be avoided pursuant to the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers and the Code of Conduct. Directors and executive officers annually complete, sign and submit a Directors’ and Officers’ Questionnaire that is designed to identify Related Person transactions and both actual and potential conflicts of interest. The Company also makes appropriate inquiries as to the nature and extent of business it conducts with other companies for whom any of these Related Persons also serve as a director or executive officer.
Since the beginning of Fiscal 2024, the Company has not participated in any transaction, and there is no currently proposed transaction, in which a Related Person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than as described below.
Transaction with D&L Trading Limited
The Company acquired R2Net Inc., the parent company of online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, James Allen, in September 2017. Roy Brinker, the brother-in-law of Oded Edelman, Chief Digital Innovation Officer and President, Digital Banners, owns D&L Trading Limited, which provided services to Segoma Ltd., a subsidiary of R2Net Inc., including photography services related to rough and polished diamonds, jewelry and gemstones, as well as sorting and distribution services of lab grown and rough diamonds to the Company’s polishing factories. In Fiscal 2024, the Company paid approximately $1,204,000 to D&L Trading Limited.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
27 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Family Relationships
Roie Edelman, the brother of Oded Edelman, serves as the Chief Diamond Officer of R2Net Israel Ltd., a subsidiary of R2Net Inc. In Fiscal 2024, Roie Edelman’s total compensation was $402,973, which includes the grant date value of time-based restricted stock units granted to him during Fiscal 2024.
Amendment to the Certificate of Designation applicable to the Company’s Preferred Shares and Transaction with Leonard Green
As previously stated in this Proxy Statement, Leonard Green is one of the Company’s significant shareholders as the holder of the Company’s Preferred Shares, and Jonathan Seiffer, a Senior Partner at Leonard Green, serves on the Company’s Board of Directors. On March 30, 2024, the Board approved certain amendments that took effect on April 1, 2024 to the Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preference Shares (the “Certificate of Designation”), which governs the terms of the Preferred Shares, that: 1) provide for net share settlement on conversion of the Preferred Shares; 2) add certain restrictions such that, a) prior to May 1, 2024, the Preferred Holders, each an affiliate of Leonard Green, may not convert more than 50% of the Preferred Shares in the aggregate and b) after May 1, 2024, the Preferred Holders may not convert more than $110 million of stated value of its Preferred Shares (in aggregate) in any 30-day period prior to November 15, 2024. The amended Certificate of Designation was attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2024. Under the terms of the net share settlement, in the event of a mandatory conversion by the Company or a conversion at the option of a Preferred Holder, in exchange for each Preferred Share the Company will deliver cash for the stated value of the Preferred Share (currently, $1,050.94 per Preferred Share), and may elect to deliver any net settlement amount in excess of stated value in cash, shares or a combination of cash and shares.
On April 1, 2024, following the effectiveness of the amended Certificate of Designation, the Preferred Holders delivered notice to the Company of a conversion of 312,500 Preferred Shares (in the aggregate, reflecting 50% of the Preferred Shares held by the Preferred Holders). In accordance with the terms of the amended Certificate of Designation, the conversion was settled in cash by the Company for $414,096,608 on April 15, 2024, including accrued but unpaid dividends.
On May 6, 2024, the Preferred Holders delivered notice to the Company of a conversion of an additional 100,000 Preferred Shares, which the Company has elected to settled in cash. The Preferred Holders will receive approximately $128,956,000 on or about May 20, 2024.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
28 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Director Compensation
Our Director compensation program is outlined in the following chart and includes the compensation paid to independent non-employee Directors. Compensation is paid to independent non-employee Directors only.
Independent Director Compensation Policy | Amount(1) | |
Annual Board Retainer (Chair)(2) | $500,000 | |
Annual Board Retainer (other than Chair)(3) | $265,000 | |
Additional Annual Retainer to Committee Chairs |
| |
Audit Committee |
$ 30,000 | |
Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee |
$ 25,000 | |
Governance & Technology Committee |
$ 20,000 | |
Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee |
$ 20,000 | |
Finance Committee |
$ 20,000 |
(1) | We pay annual cash retainers in quarterly installments. |
(2) | Split into a cash amount of $260,000 and $240,000 paid in Common Shares on the day of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. |
(3) | Split into a cash amount of $105,000 and $160,000 paid in Common Shares on the day of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. |
The following table summarizes the total compensation of each of our independent Directors who served on the Board during Fiscal 2024.
Independent Director | Fees earned or paid in cash |
Stock awards(1) |
Total | |||
H. Todd Stitzer | $260,000 | $240,620 | $500,620 | |||
André V. Branch | $105,000 | $160,433 | $265,433 | |||
R. Mark Graf | $125,000 | $160,433 | $285,433 | |||
Zackery Hicks(2) | $115,824 | $160,433 | $276,257 | |||
Helen McCluskey(3) | $114,176 | $160,433 | $274,609 | |||
Sharon L. McCollam | $135,000 | $160,433 | $295,433 | |||
Nancy A. Reardon | $130,000 | $160,433 | $290,433 | |||
Jonathan Seiffer(4) | $105,000 | $160,433 | $265,433 | |||
Brian Tilzer(3) | $115,824 | $160,433 | $276,257 | |||
Eugenia Ulasewicz(2) | $114,176 | $160,433 | $274,609 | |||
Dontá L. Wilson | $105,000 | $160,433 | $265,433 |
(1) | In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, the amounts calculated are based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the shares. The annual equity award was made in RSUs with one-year cliff vesting from the date of grant and were granted to all independent Directors who were appointed to the Board at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders on the day of such meeting. |
(2) | Fees earned or paid in cash reflects a pro-rated amount of Chair fees associated with the transition of the Chair role of the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee from Ms. Ulasewicz to Mr. Hicks, effective June 16, 2023. |
(3) | Fees earned or paid in cash reflects a pro-rated amount of Chair fees associated with the transition of the Chair role of the Governance & Technology Committee from Ms. McCluskey to Mr. Tilzer, effective June 16, 2023. |
(4) | Mr. Seiffer’s cash fees were payable to Leonard Green. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
29 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
DETERMINATION OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The compensation of the independent Directors is determined by the full Board based on recommendations made by the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee after consultation with the Governance & Technology Committee and the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant. Such recommendations are made after consideration of, among other factors, external comparisons, time commitments and the responsibilities of the independent Directors. There were no changes to the retainer fees applicable to the Chair, independent directors or Committee chairs during Fiscal 2024.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
Our Director Share Ownership Policy is designed to better align our Directors’ interests with those of shareholders over the long term. The Chair and the independent Directors are expected to achieve a minimum share ownership of three times the value of their annual share award within five years of election to the Board. Once these share ownership holdings are achieved at any given share price, the requirement is considered to have been met notwithstanding any subsequent change in share price. The minimum holding is to be maintained while such individual remains a Director of the Company. As of May 3, 2024, each of our independent Directors had achieved their share ownership requirements, except for Sandra B. Cochran, who just recently joined our Board in February 2024 and is on pace to meet her ownership requirements.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with the independent Directors of the Company, agreeing to indemnify them against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement of, or incurred in connection with, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Director was or is, or is threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service as a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, provided that the Director acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided he or she had reasonable cause to believe such actions were lawful. Each indemnification agreement also provides for the advance of expenses incurred by the Director in defending any proceeding.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
30 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Sustainability at Signet
Signet’s sustainability strategy involves connecting stakeholder values with the economic, social and environmental impacts of our business model to make sound decisions. It reflects how we prioritize and organize our Inspiring Brilliance actions and live out our Purpose, to Inspire Love. In this way, we create shared value for team members, customers, investors, suppliers and other stakeholders.
As a leading retailer in the jewelry sector, we recognize the scale and transparency of our business influences our entire value chain. Over the past year, we reassessed our priority sustainability goals to focus on areas that are both important to stakeholders and business success. During this process, we referenced business practice guideposts such as those established by the United Nations Global Compact, as well as non-financial reporting standards and frameworks such as the SASB standards, which are now part of the IFRS Foundation. Upon publishing our refreshed goals in our next Sustainability Report, we will regularly track and disclose our performance at least annually. The Signet Leadership Team actively seeks progress toward achieving our Sustainability goals in everyday business operations, as well as long-term planning. Our Board also guides and monitors our development through regular reviews.
RECENT MILESTONES
Signet is committed to communicating transparently about meaningful sustainability-related activities and results to stakeholders. We made significant progress in Fiscal 2024 and continue working to further enhance our corporate sustainability strategy and related disclosures in the years ahead. In addition to the actions taken in furtherance of our human capital management initiatives described more fully below under “Signet’s Approach to Human Capital Management,” the following illustrates some recent milestones since the beginning of Fiscal 2024:
FISCAL 2024 AND
FISCAL 2025 TO DATE
|
◆ Published our third Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Report, goals based on Signet’s Three Loves: Love for All People; Love for our Team; Love for our Planet and Products. (June 2023)
◆ Earned designation as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company for the fourth year in a row. (July 2023)
◆ Expanded our contribution to circular economy ideals by increasing the volume of jewelry products available for re-use through jewelry repair, through Signet’s acquisition of SJR National Repair, a jewelry and watch repair company. (July 2023)
◆ Ernest Jones launched its new traceable diamond collection, Origin by Ernest Jones. The collection includes pieces made with 75% repurposed materials and fully traceable, responsibly sourced natural diamonds. Each diamond is assigned a unique identification number and certificate so customers can follow the diamond’s journey from its origin to their finger. (August 2023)
◆ Zackery A. Hicks succeeded Eugenia Ulasewicz as Chair of the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee. (June 2023)
◆ Announced remodel of 300 stores with greenhouse gas reduction strategies that include new HVAC systems and low emitting diode lighting. (March 2024)
|
SIGNET JEWELERS |
31 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
SUSTAINABILITY AT SIGNET
BOARD OVERSIGHT OF SUSTAINABILITY
Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee
◆ Oversight responsibility regarding our corporate citizenship initiatives is embedded in the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee. The Committee reports to the entire Board on the Company’s ongoing environmental, social and governance activities. The Committee provides oversight and strategic direction for our sustainability program including oversight of Signet’s 2030 Corporate Sustainability Goals (CSGs) and related reporting and disclosures. As part of this oversight, the Committee considers how the Company’s environmental, social and governance strategies align with the Company’s overall business strategy and objectives of protecting and enhancing the reputation, brand image and external representation of the culture of the Company, and monitors external risks and developments, including climate change and developments in reporting frameworks and regulatory changes.
Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee
◆ The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee provides oversight of overall management of human capital, which includes team member experience, culture, diversity, equity and inclusion; compensation program review and oversight including equity compensation; benefits and well-being strategy; talent management (attraction, development, and retention); performance management; and, in collaboration with the Governance & Technology Committee, succession planning. In collaboration with the Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Committee, the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee oversees Signet’s Love for our Team Corporate Sustainability Goals.
Audit Committee
◆ The Audit Committee provides oversight of the Company’s SEC disclosures, including with respect to any environmental, social and governance data or risk disclosures that may be required by federal or state regulators.
|
The Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Report will be accessible at www.proxydocs.com/SIG.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
32 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Signet’s Approach to
Human Capital Management
Our approach to human capital management starts with our “People First” mindset and seeks to create an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative company culture. Our success depends on our ability to attract, develop, and retain highly engaged and motivated team members who are deeply connected to our Purpose of Inspiring Love. The execution of our Inspiring Brilliance business strategy is supported by our confidence in the Signet team and our commitment to their overall success and personal growth. As a result of our strategy to grow impassioned leaders dedicated to our Purpose, we have been able to recruit and retain talent. In Fiscal 2024, we enhanced our team member experience with tangible success.
Our team members are key to our success. Consistent with our Purpose, each Signet team member is:
© | Invited to be their best self; |
© | Introduced to ideas that grow their passion—not just their job; and |
© | Encouraged to inspire love in the world. |
In Fiscal 2024, Signet was designated as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company for the fourth consecutive year, which reflects the pride, engagement, and enthusiasm of our team members throughout our organization. We attribute this accolade to our focus on our Purpose, our efforts to cultivate a collaborative, innovative and high-engagement workplace culture, and our overall human capital management strategy. Signet was named to two lists by Newsweek magazine, America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024 and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024. In addition, Signet received a score of 95 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL 2024 AND FISCAL 2025 TO DATE
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
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We are committed to cultivating and advancing diversity in all forms, as well as building a strong inclusive culture. In Fiscal 2024:
◆ We continued to improve representation in our robust talent pipeline, aligned with 2030 Corporate Sustainability Goals (CSGs).
◆ We held two leadership development programs for all store managers focused on motivating all team members, innovating using digital capabilities, and focusing on customer value.
◆ Signet signed the Human Rights Campaign Count Us In LGBTQ+ Ally Business Pledge. Doing so reaffirmed our commitment to equal treatment in our workplaces and beyond.
◆ In addition to “Foundations of DEI” training for all team members, we offered a two-part training on Understanding and Mitigating Unconscious Bias for all team members and Traits of Inclusive Leadership training for all managers and above.
Diversity on Our Team—As of February 3, 2024:
Signet Leadership Team
59% Women
18% People of Color
Vice Presidents and Above in our Support Centers (North America)
40% Women
15% People of Color
Assistant Managers and Above in our Retail Stores (North America)
74% Women
37% People of Color
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SIGNET JEWELERS |
33 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
SIGNET’S APPROACH TO HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
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TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT |
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Our people and culture represent essential ingredients of realizing long-term success. In Fiscal 2024, Signet continued our efforts to connect our team members with resources that support their individual development and enable them to create an inclusive environment for all. Our Enterprise Mentoring Program supports personal and career growth and includes consistent Executive Team engagement. More than 285 team member mentorship pairs were formed through the program during Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2025 year to date.
Signet’s leadership development and training strategy has three components:
◆ Leadership and Culture;
◆ Functional skills; and
◆ Industry and Jewelry Expertise.
In Fiscal 2024, Signet continued its innovative retail team member training program, Week One Experience, a 40-hour training for all full-time team members across our Kay, Jared, Peoples and Zales banners. This program immerses new team members in Signet’s expectations, culture, and leadership style as well as foundational knowledge of the jewelry industry. Team members continue to develop expertise in jewelry for the duration of their career at Signet.
In Fiscal 2024, Signet continued to invest in its learning platform, Brilliant University, to support team member training, leadership development, and education. Investments in our people, such as training, allows us to recruit exceptional candidates and efficiently provide them with new skills and experiences regarding Signet values, leadership traits, and jewelry knowledge.
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SIGNET’S SEVEN LEADERSHIP TRAITS |
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Our learning experience is guided by Signet’s seven leadership traits, which are foundational to the success of each leader at Signet, regardless of job title. We believe that leadership skills can and should be practiced at every level, and Brilliant University provides education and training for team members to learn more about what each trait looks like at different levels in the organization.
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1 | Vision and Purpose | 2 | Critical Thinking |
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Craft an Inspired Vision for the Clear Path Forward |
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See the Challenges, Consider All Possibilities |
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3 |
Customer Obsession |
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4 |
Employee Experience |
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5 |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
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It Starts and Ends with Our Customer Period |
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Create a Vibrant Culture of Collaboration and Engagement |
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Embrace Our Differences, Celebrate Our Uniqueness |
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6 |
Innovative Action |
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7 |
Performance Excellence |
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Iterative Ideas Drive Progress, Acting Out Our Ideas Drives Success |
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Motivated, Accountable and Professional, the MAP for Greatness |
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SIGNET JEWELERS |
34 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal 2: Appointment of Independent Auditor and Authorization of the Audit Committee to Determine its Compensation
Proposal 2 is to appoint KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditor”) to the Company until the end of the next annual meeting of shareholders and authorize the Audit Committee of the Board to determine its compensation.
The Audit Committee is responsible for the recommendation, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent auditor and has recommended KPMG, the US member firm of KPMG International, as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company until the end of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2025. While shareholders are required to appoint the independent auditor pursuant to Bermuda law, the Audit Committee is responsible for recommending which independent auditor should be appointed.
In recommending KPMG, the Audit Committee has considered, among other things, whether the non-audit services provided by KPMG were compatible with maintaining KPMG’s independence from the Company and has determined that such services do not impair KPMG’s independence. The Audit Committee considered whether there should be a rotation of the independent auditor, and the members of the Audit Committee currently believe that the continued retention of KPMG to serve as the Company’s independent auditor is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
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FEES AND SERVICES OF KPMG
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy requiring its advance approval of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s fees and services. In Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2024, all KPMG services and fees shown in the table below were disclosed to and/or reviewed and pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or Chair of the Audit Committee between Audit Committee meetings for non-audit work up to $250,000) pursuant to this policy. This policy also prohibits the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm from performing certain non-audit services for the Company including: (1) bookkeeping, (2) systems design and implementation, (3) appraisals or valuations, (4) actuarial services, (5) internal audit, (6) management or human resources services, (7) investment advice or investment banking, (8) legal services and (9) expert services unrelated to the audit.
The following table presents fees for professional audit services provided by KPMG for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 for their respective audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023, reviews of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and other services rendered by KPMG during Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023.
Fiscal 2024 (millions) |
Fiscal 2023 (millions) | |||||||||
Audit fees |
$ | 5.4 | $ | 4.3 | ||||||
Audit-related fees(1) |
$ | 0.1 | $ | — | ||||||
Tax fees(2) |
$ | 0.3 | $ | 0.3 | ||||||
All other fees |
$ | — | $ | — | ||||||
Total fees |
$ | 5.8 | $ | 4.6 |
(1) | Audit-related fees consisted principally of services rendered for due diligence assistance related to the Company’s acquisition activity. |
(2) | Tax fees consisted principally of services rendered for tax compliance and advisory services. |
A representative of KPMG will attend the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions raised by shareholders and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement at the Meeting if he or she desires to do so.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote “FOR” this Proposal. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
35 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Report of the Audit Committee
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K includes the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its subsidiaries as of February 3, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”) and January 28, 2023 (“Fiscal 2023”), the related audited consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for Fiscal 2024, Fiscal 2023, and the fiscal year ended January 29, 2022 and the related notes (collectively, the “Audited Financial Statements”). These Audited Financial Statements are the subject of the report by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG. The Audited Financial Statements are available at www.signetjewelers.com/investors/financial-reports.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Audited Financial Statements with management and otherwise fulfilled the responsibilities set forth in its charter. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was discussed by the Audit Committee with management and KPMG.
The Audit Committee also discussed applicable matters under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) standards with KPMG. The required written disclosures and letter regarding KPMG communications with the Audit Committee and independence were received by the Audit Committee, and independence was discussed with KPMG.
Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Company’s Board that the Audited Financial Statements be included in the Company’s Fiscal 2024 Form 10-K.
The Audit Committee annually reviews the independence and performance of KPMG, including its lead audit partner and engagement team, in connection with the Audit Committee’s responsibility for the appointment and oversight of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and determines whether to re-engage KPMG or consider other audit firms. In doing so, the Audit Committee considers, among other things, such factors as:
◆ | The quality and efficiency of KPMG’s historical and recent performance on the Company’s audit; |
◆ | KPMG’s capability and expertise; |
◆ | The quality and candor of communications and discussions with KPMG; |
◆ | The ability of KPMG to remain independent; |
◆ | External data relating to audit quality and performance (including recent PCAOB reports on KPMG and its peer firms); |
◆ | The appropriateness of fees charged; and |
◆ | KPMG’s tenure as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and familiarity with its operations, businesses, accounting policies and practices, and internal control over financial reporting. |
In accordance with the SEC’s rules and KPMG’s policies, audit partners are subject to rotation requirements to limit the number of consecutive years an individual partner may provide services to a company. For lead partners, the maximum number of consecutive years of service in that capacity is five years. The process for selection of the Company’s lead partner involves meetings between the members of the Audit Committee and the candidate for the role, as well as a discussion by the full Audit Committee and with management.
Based on the foregoing considerations, the Audit Committee believes that the continued retention of KPMG to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Sharon L. McCollam (Chair)
André Branch
R. Mark Graf
Jonathan Seiffer
SIGNET JEWELERS |
36 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Ownership of the Company
SHAREHOLDERS WHO BENEFICIALLY OWN AT LEAST FIVE PERCENT OF COMMON SHARES
The table below shows all persons who were known to the Company to be beneficial owners (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of more than five percent of Common Shares as of May 9, 2024. The table is based upon reports filed with the SEC. Copies of these reports are publicly available from the SEC on its website, www.sec.gov.
Name and address of beneficial owner |
Amount and nature of beneficial ownership |
Percent of class(1) | ||
Select Equity Group, L.P. 380 Lafayette Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10003, USA |
7,444,324(2) | 16.67% | ||
BlackRock Inc. 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055, USA |
7,017,767(3) | 15.72% | ||
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, PA 19355, USA |
4,869,178(4) | 10.90% | ||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 |
2,324,013(5) | 5.20% |
None of the Company’s Common Shares entitle the holder to any preferential voting rights.
(1) | Reflects the shareholdings as reported in the Beneficial Owners’ SEC filings as a percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of May 9, 2024. |
(2) | Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2024, Select Equity Group, L.P. (“Select LP”), SEG Partners II, L.P. (“SEG Partners II”), SEG Partners Offshore Master Fund, Ltd. (“SEG Offshore”) and George S. Loening (“Loening”) (collectively, “Select Equity”) jointly reported beneficial ownership of 7,444,324 Common Shares as follows: shared voting and shared dispositive power over 7,444,324 Common Shares by Select LP; shared voting and shared dispositive power over 2,741,150 Common Shares by SEG Partners II; shared voting and shared dispositive power over 1,655,481 Common Shares by SEG Offshore; and shared voting and shared dispositive power over 7,444,324 Common Shares by Loening. |
(3) | Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 22, 2024, BlackRock Inc. reported beneficial ownership of 7,017,767 Common Shares as follows: sole voting power over 6,909,246 Common Shares and sole dispositive power over 7,017,767 Common Shares. |
(4) | Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 13, 2024, The Vanguard Group, Inc. reported beneficial ownership of 4,869,178 Common Shares as follows: shared voting power over 29,738 Common Shares, sole dispositive power over 4,792,747 Common Shares and shared dispositive power over 76,431 Common Shares. |
(5) | Based upon a Schedule 13G filed on February 9, 2024, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reported beneficial ownership of 2,324,013 Common Shares as follows: sole voting power over 2,270,986 Common Shares and sole dispositive power over 2,324,013 Common Shares. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
37 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY
OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below shows the number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) as of May 9, 2024 by each current Director, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and all of the Company’s current executive officers and Directors as a group.
Name |
Common Shares(1) | Shares that may be 60 days(2) |
Total(3) | Percent of class(3) | ||||||||||||||||
H. Todd Stitzer(4) |
37,978 | 3,700 | 41,678 | * | ||||||||||||||||
André V. Branch(4) |
8,107 | 2,467 | 10,574 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Sandra B. Cochran(4) |
— | — | — | * | ||||||||||||||||
Virginia C. Drosos(4)(5) |
655,606 | — | 655,606 | 1.47 | % | |||||||||||||||
R. Mark Graf(4) |
25,471 | 2,467 | 27,938 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Zackery A. Hicks(4) |
12,294 | 2,467 | 14,761 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Helen McCluskey(4) |
24,671 | 2,467 | 27,138 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Sharon L. McCollam(4) |
24,567 | 2,467 | 27,034 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Nancy A. Reardon(4) |
24,448 | 2,467 | 26,915 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Jonathan Seiffer(4)(6) |
20,579 | 2,467 | 23,046 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Brian Tilzer(4) |
13,448 | 2,467 | 15,915 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Eugenia Ulasewicz(4) |
28,644 | 2,467 | 31,111 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Dontá L. Wilson(4) |
5,407 | 2,467 | 7,874 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Joan M. Hilson(7) |
166,111 | — | 166,111 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Jamie L. Singleton(7) |
150,192 | — | 150,192 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Rebecca S. Wooters(7) |
79,765 | — | 79,765 | * | ||||||||||||||||
Oded Edelman(7) |
75,962 | — | 75,962 | * | ||||||||||||||||
All Current Executive Officers and Directors as a group (19 persons) |
1,422,078 | 28,370 | 1,458,448 | 3.26 | % |
(1) | No Common Shares are pledged as security. All Common Shares are owned directly with the exception of Oded Edelman, who holds 55,398 Common Shares through a wholly-owned entity. |
(2) | Includes Common Shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of stock options or upon vesting of time-based restricted stock units. |
(3) | All holdings represent less than 1% of the Common Shares issued and outstanding, with the exception of Virginia C. Drosos, as indicated. No Preferred Shares are held by our Directors or executive officers. Percentage reported reflects the shareholdings of the Directors and Executive Officers as a percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of May 9, 2024. |
(4) | Director |
(5) | CEO |
(6) | Certain affiliates of Leonard Green, including Green Equity Investors VI, L.P. (“GEI VI”), Green Equity Investors Side VI, L.P. (“GEI Side VI”), LGP Associates VI-A LLC (“Associates VI-A”), and LGP Associates VI-B LLC (“Associates VI-B”), are the direct owners of 212,500 Preferred Shares that, as of May 9, 2024, are convertible into up to 494,120 Common Shares if, upon a conversion, the Company elects to settle the entire net share settlement portion of the conversion consideration in Common Shares. Mr. Seiffer directly (whether through ownership or position) or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, may be deemed to be an indirect beneficial owner of the shares owned by GEI VI, GEI Side VI, Associates VI-A and Associates VI-B. Mr. Seiffer disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. |
(7) | Executive officer |
See CDA and “Director Compensation” below for a discussion of the Company’s Share Ownership Policies applicable to executive officers and Directors, respectively.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, require our Directors and executive officers and any persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock (collectively “Reporting Persons”) to file reports of their ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of common stock with the SEC. Based solely on our review of forms filed electronically with the SEC and written representations from Reporting Persons, we believe that all filings required to be made under Section 16(a) by the Reporting Persons during Fiscal 2024 were timely filed with the exception of one late Form 4 for Stash Ptak due to an administrative error pertaining to untimely notice from Mr. Ptak’s broker regarding the confirmation of a reportable gift of Common Shares.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
38 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Officers of the Company
The names, ages of and positions held by the current executive officers of the Company are presented below.
Executive Officer | Age | Position | ||
Virginia C. Drosos | 61 | Chief Executive Officer | ||
Joan M. Hilson | 64 | Chief Financial, Strategy and Services Officer | ||
Oded Edelman | 57 | Chief Digital Innovation Officer and President, Digital Banners | ||
Mary Elizabeth Finn | 63 | Chief People Officer | ||
Stash Ptak | 45 | General Counsel and Senior Vice President Legal Compliance and Risk | ||
Jamie L. Singleton | 62 | Group President and Chief Consumer Officer | ||
Rebecca S. Wooters | 53 | Chief Digital Officer |
Virginia C. Drosos — see biographical information in section “Proposal 1: Election of Directors—Virginia C. Drosos.”
Joan M. Hilson joined Signet in March 2019 and became Chief Financial Officer in April 2019, Chief Strategy Officer in March 2021 and Chief Services Officer in November 2022. Ms. Hilson brings over 30 years of leadership experience in retail corporate finance, with extensive experience in business planning, merchandise planning, inventory management, and cost optimization. Before Signet, Ms. Hilson was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of David’s Bridal, Inc., a wedding gown and formal wear retailer, for five years. Prior to that she was the Chief Financial Officer of American Eagle Outfitters, a publicly traded clothing retailer, and held several roles within Limited Brands, a publicly traded clothing and specialty retailer, including Chief Financial Officer of the Victoria’s Secret stores division.
Oded Edelman has served as Chief Digital Innovation Officer since September 2017 and President of Signet’s Digital Banners since August 2022, overseeing online diamond and jewelry retailers James Allen and Blue Nile. In addition, Mr. Edelman is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of R2Net Inc., the parent company of James Allen, established in 2007. He previously served as President of James Allen from 2007 to August 2022. Mr. Edelman has extensive experience in the diamond and high-tech industries, with expertise in international trade, wholesale, supply chain management, online marketing and the development of cutting-edge technologies.
Mary Elizabeth Finn became Chief People Officer in May 2018. She has over 30 years of experience empowering team members through business transformations, developing leaders, expanding training and development opportunities, and building
diverse, inclusive, and successful cultures. Prior to Signet, Ms. Finn served as Chair of Finn Advisory Services, LLC, a consulting firm which she founded. Previously, Ms. Finn was Chief Human Resources Officer of Nielsen, a global information services company, for five years and provided human resources leadership during two major successful transitions: the company’s initial public offering and chief executive officer succession. Prior to Nielsen, she spent 26 years at General Electric.
Stash Ptak became General Counsel and Senior Vice President Legal, Compliance and Risk in June 2019 and oversees Signet’s legal, governance, compliance, enterprise risk management and asset protection functions. Mr. Ptak’s experience spans both business operations and law. He joined the Signet legal team in 2012, initially focused on commercial and real estate matters. Mr. Ptak joined Signet in 2005, and prior to transitioning to the legal team, he served in a number of strategic and analytical roles related to the Company’s optimization of merchandise sales and margins.
Jamie L. Singleton became Signet’s Group President and Chief Consumer Officer in November 2022. She has over 30 years of experience in transformative retail leadership, including merchandising, design, product development, sourcing, marketing, data analytics and customer experience. As Group President and Chief Consumer Officer, she is responsible for KAY Jewelers, Peoples, Zales, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, marketing and merchandise sourcing for Signet. Previously, she served as President of Kay, Zales and Peoples from March 2019 to November 2022, Chief Marketing Officer from May 2021 to November 2022, Executive Vice President of Zales and Peoples Jewelers from June 2017 to March 2019, and Senior Vice President, General Manager of Piercing Pagoda for Zale Corp., and later Signet, from April 2012 to June 2017. Prior to joining
SIGNET JEWELERS |
39 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Zale Corp., she was a Senior Vice President at CPI Corp., a photography studio company, and David’s Bridal Group, a wedding gown and formal wear retailer, responsible for retail and wholesale businesses, and held various senior merchandising, planning and product development positions at other retail companies.
Rebecca S. Wooters became Signet’s Chief Digital Officer in April 2020. She has over 30 years of experience across digital strategy and transformation, customer experience, data analytics, operations,
marketing, technology and product development. Prior to joining Signet, she spent over twelve years with Citi from 2007 to April 2020, the consumer division of publicly traded Citigroup, a financial services company, most recently as Chief Customer Experience Officer for the North America Consumer business from April 2018 and Head of Digital Experience for Citi’s Card division from November 2013. Prior to Citi, Ms. Wooters served in innovation, strategic and marketing roles of increasing responsibility at Experian Decision Analytics and MBNA.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
40 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal 3: Approval, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers
The Board recognizes the interest shareholders have in the compensation of executives. In recognition of that interest and as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”), we are asking shareholders to cast a vote, on a non-binding advisory basis, on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (“NEOs”) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act (also referred to as “Say-on-Pay”).
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As described in the CDA, Signet’s compensation philosophy is to provide an attractive, competitive, and market-based total compensation program tied to performance and aligned with our objectives for long-term value creation. The objective of our executive compensation program is to recruit, retain, incentivize, and reward the quality of executive officers necessary to deliver sustained high performance to our shareholders and customers through competitive base salaries and both annual and long-term incentives. Total compensation is targeted at approximately the median of a custom group of comparator companies more fully described in the CDA, with some variation for certain executives based on experience, performance, criticality of the role and expansion of responsibilities.
The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s executive compensation programs, executive officer pay levels and individual pay actions approved for executive officers, including our NEOs, directly align with the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, fully support the Company’s goals and provide an appropriate balance between risk and incentives. A recent risk assessment performed by our independent third-party compensation consultant indicated that the executive compensation programs and policies are not reasonably likely to cause excessive risk-taking or increase enterprise risks in a manner that could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Shareholders are urged to read the CDA section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses in greater detail how compensation policies and procedures align with our executive compensation philosophy, as well as the compensation tables and narrative discussion.
Shareholders are asked to indicate their support for the Company’s NEO compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of NEOs and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, shareholders are asked to vote FOR the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Signet’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
Shareholders should note that the vote is advisory and not binding on the Company and its Board or Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee. The Board and Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee value the opinion of shareholders, and to the extent there is any significant vote against the NEO compensation as disclosed in the Proxy Statement, shareholder concerns will be considered, and the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote “FOR” this Proposal. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
41 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Our Commitment to Pay for Performance
How Executive Compensation is Determined
Competitive Benchmarking Analysis
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Option Exercises and Shares Vested
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Termination Protection Agreements
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VIRGINIA C. DROSOS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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JOAN M. HILSON CHIEF FINANCIAL, STRATEGY AND | ||||||||||||
JAMIE L. SINGLETON GROUP PRESIDENT AND CHIEF | ||||||||||||
REBECCA S. WOOTERS CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER | ||||||||||||
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ODED EDELMAN CHIEF DIGITAL INNOVATION OFFICER |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
42 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
INTRODUCTION
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section (“CDA”) describes:
◆ | the Company’s executive compensation objectives; |
◆ | the role of the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee and the philosophy it has established to meet these objectives; |
◆ | the Company’s executive compensation policies; and |
◆ | the material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our named executive officers (each, an “NEO”, and collectively, the “NEOs”). |
NEO | Position | |
Virginia C. Drosos | Chief Executive Officer | |
Joan M. Hilson | Chief Financial, Strategy and Services Officer | |
Jamie L. Singleton | Group President and Chief Consumer Officer | |
Rebecca Wooters | Chief Digital Officer | |
Oded Edelman | Chief Digital Innovation Officer and President, Digital Banners |
Signet’s fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”) marked the completion of the third year of our “Inspiring Brilliance” strategy. The goal of Inspiring Brilliance is to build on the success of the Path to Brilliance strategy implemented in Fiscal 2019–2021 and established Signet as the growth and innovation leader of the jewelry industry. This initiative was driven by Signet’s vision of enabling ALL PEOPLE to celebrate life and express love with jewelry.
We believe Signet is uniquely positioned to deliver consistent market share growth and value creation given our significant leadership position in the jewelry industry. In addition, the Company’s financial strength and flexible operating model are enabling continued strategic investments that we believe are widening our competitive advantage.
The foundations of Inspiring Brilliance were focused on a transformed company with a long runway for growth including four growth drivers including: Win in Big Businesses, Expand Accessible Luxury, Accelerate Services and Lead Digital Commerce. The Company continues to execute these growth strategies with capability levers that include:
◆ | Winning in Digital: Driving sales online and in-store through our powerful customer data platform and new connected commerce initiatives; |
◆ | Connected Commerce: Uniquely equipping us to scale customer relationship through intentional outreach; |
◆ | Flexible Operating Model: Giving us flexibility to drive out costs, utilize scale to capture sourcing benefits, leverage acquisition integration opportunities, personalization and digital, and return cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends; |
◆ | Sourcing: We are leveraging scale in sourcing to drive margin gains: and |
◆ | Culture: We are a people-first company that provides best-in-class training and development and have been nationally recognized as a Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM company for the fourth consecutive year. In Fiscal 2024, Signet was named to two prominent Newsweek lists: America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. Signet also received a 95 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index. |
At Signet, our approach to human capital management starts with our core value of “People First” and aims at creating a truly inclusive, innovative, and collaborative company culture. As a retail company, sales and customer relationships are at the core of our business model. Our success depends on our ability to attract, develop, and retain highly engaged and motivated team members who are deeply connected to our Purpose of Inspiring Love. All team members are immersed in the Signet employee experience where team members are invited to be their
SIGNET JEWELERS |
43 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
best selves, are introduced to new ideas that grow their passion, not just their jobs, and are inspired to inspire more love in the world. The execution of our Inspiring Brilliance business strategy was supported by our confidence in the Signet team and our commitment to their overall success and personal growth.
We believe that thriving and engaged team members are integral to Signet’s success. We were overwhelmed by our team members’ response to Inspiring Brilliance. In response to the Fiscal 2024 Great Place to Work© Trust IndexTM survey, 83% of Signet team members responded, “When I look at what we accomplish, I feel a sense of pride.” Thanks to our passionate dedication to customers and focus on our Inspiring Brilliance strategy, we continue to build momentum and drive growth.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The connection between pay, performance and shareholder interests is critical in the design of all our executive compensation plans. The Company’s strong commitment to pay-for-performance is demonstrated in the range of payouts from threshold to target and from target to maximum based on aggressive performance goals in both our short-term and long-term plans. This alignment with shareholder interests is evidenced by the endorsement from our shareholders for our Say-on-Pay proposals. Over the past few years, shareholders have expressed a high level of support with the following percentage of votes cast in favor of our plans:
✓ | 97.9% in 2023 |
✓ | 98.2% in 2022 |
✓ | 98.4% in 2021 |
As reported in our Fiscal 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other public disclosures, we made meaningful progress on achieving the goals of the Inspiring Brilliance strategic plan during Fiscal 2024. Results were impacted by heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending and the decline in the bridal category, driven by lower engagements. Key results during Fiscal 2024 include:
◆ | Sales of $7.2 billion, down 8.6% compared to last year; |
◆ | Non-GAAP operating income of $643 million and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $10.37( 1 ); and |
◆ | Delivered on our goals to return excess cash to shareholders through $139 million of share repurchases and $40 million of common share dividends, with an additional expansion of our share repurchase authorization to approximately $850 million in March 2024. |
We are proud of our team’s dedication, agility, and excellent execution to deliver solid results in a year that experienced a deep COVID-induced engagement trough and the continued impact of heightened inflationary pressure on consumers’ discretionary spending. However, given the significant external challenges that emerged during the year, these results did not clear the challenging thresholds under our Fiscal 2024 short-term annual incentive plan (“STIP”) for a corporate payout based on Comparable Sales, Market Share or for Adjusted Operating Income. As a result, the corporate STIP for Fiscal 2024 did not result in a payout.
While our performance fell short of threshold levels for our Fiscal 2024 STIP, the cumulative results for the performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) granted under the Fiscal 2023-2025 long-term incentive program (“LTIP”) for the two-year performance period ended February 3, 2024 achieved a combined payout of 50.29% of target. While the total Revenue growth did not clear the threshold, we achieved 100.57% of the performance target for Free Cash Flow. These PSUs had a two-year performance period (to reflect uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic) and the awards vest over a three-year period, so there is an additional year of service required for the award to be earned prior to vesting following the completion of Fiscal 2025.
(1) | See Item 7 of the Company’s Fiscal 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
44 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Compensation Philosophy
Our executive compensation philosophy is to provide an attractive, competitive, and market-based total compensation program tied to performance and aligned with our objectives for long-term value creation. Our objective is to recruit, retain, incentivize, and reward the quality of executive officers necessary to deliver sustained high performance to our shareholders and customers.
Principle |
Design | |
Attract and retain high caliber executives |
The Company’s intention is for NEO target total compensation to be market- competitive with similarly sized, comparator companies, including the Company’s 15-member peer group described elsewhere in this CDA. NEOs have base salaries and benefits that are market competitive. A portion of NEO long-term incentives are delivered in time-based equity that vests over three years and promotes retention. | |
Deliver a majority of NEO compensation in at-risk, performance-based vehicles measuring annual and multi-year performance |
STIP and LTIP awards are variable, at-risk, and tied to performance of the Company. The percentage of at-risk compensation increases in line with the responsibility, experience, and direct influence over the Company’s performance.
STIP and LTIP metrics are aligned with key drivers of long-term growth in shareholder value, such as top- and bottom-line growth and Free Cash Flow. Incentive programs measure the performance against rigorous annual (STIP) and multi-year (LTIP) performance goals. | |
Align interests of senior management with shareholders and require all NEOs to build a substantial interest in the Company’s shares |
A significant portion of NEO total compensation is delivered in equity and based on an annual peer group benchmarking study.
All NEOs are subject to share ownership guidelines. |
Compensation Overview, Objectives and Key Features
The Company’s executive compensation program contains the following key components:
Component |
Objective | Key Features and Alignment | ||
Base salary |
Provide a fixed level of pay that is not at risk and reflects individual experience and ongoing contribution and performance. | Designed to be competitive and retain key executive officers and allow us to attract high caliber executive officers to lead our strategic growth plan. | ||
Annual bonus (STIP) |
Motivate and reward achievement of annual financial results against established annual goals of the Company. | Cash awards depend on the degree of achievement against challenging annual performance targets that align with our strategic plan and focused on profitable growth. | ||
Long-term incentives (LTIP)
◆ Time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”)
◆ Performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) |
Align management with long-term shareholder interests; retain executive officers; motivate and reward achievement of sustainable earnings growth and returns over time. | RSUs vest upon the continuance of service; PSUs require achievement of challenging Company financial goals over a two or three-year performance period and vest over a three-year period. |
In addition, executives receive a benefits package, which includes our Deferred Compensation Plan, 401(k) Plan, health and life insurance, and reimbursement of relocation, financial planning services and physical examination expenses. The objective of the benefits package is to attract and retain talented executive officers.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
45 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Total Direct Compensation
The Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) strives to establish an appropriate mix between the various elements of our compensation program to meet our compensation objectives. A significant portion of executive compensation is variable and tied to the Company’s financial performance.
The following charts illustrate the total direct compensation mix for the Company’s CEO and other NEOs during Fiscal 2024:
◆ | Approximately 89% of the CEO’s total target compensation is variable pay, comprised of 61% at-risk (variable) and 28% time-vested (variable), with the remaining 11% base salary (fixed). |
◆ | The other NEOs’ average target compensation is approximately 75% variable pay, comprised of 55% at-risk (variable) and 20% time-vested (variable), with the remaining 25% base salary (fixed). |
◆ | This mix of variable and fixed pay aligns with shareholder interests over the short-term and long-term. |
Summary of Target Compensation for our Chief Executive Officer in Fiscal 2024
There have been no changes to Ms. Drosos’s base salary since she was hired in Fiscal 2018. In Fiscal 2024, for the first time since she was hired, the Committee increased the STIP target award opportunity for Ms. Drosos as a percentage of her salary, resulting in an increase to the potential STIP target award by $300,000. In addition, the Committee increased Ms. Drosos’s LTIP target award opportunity as a percentage of her salary, resulting in an increase to the potential LTIP target award by $250,000. These changes were made based on her strong performance, demonstrated leadership, and position relative to the peer group median. As a result, her target total compensation increased by 4.4% for Fiscal 2024. This adjustment was intended to position Ms. Drosos within a competitive range of peer median target total compensation.
Additionally, as described in more detail in the “Elements of NEO Compensation—Long-Term Incentive Plan” section of this CDA, the equity mix of Ms. Drosos’s LTIP remains split as 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs. The table below sets forth a comparison between Fiscal 2023 and Fiscal 2024 total CEO target compensation:
TARGET COMPENSATION
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Base Salary |
$1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | 0.0% |
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Annual STIP Bonus |
$2,250,000 | $2,550,000 | 13.3% |
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Total Annual Cash |
$3,750,000 | $4,050,000 | 8.0% |
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Total Long-Term Equity |
$8,750,000 | $9,000,000 | 2.9% |
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Total Compensation |
$12,500,000 | $13,050,000 | 4.4% |
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SIGNET JEWELERS |
46 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Commitment to Sound Compensation Practices and Governance
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◆ Align pay to Company strategy and performance results |
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◆ Set rigorous, objective performance goals and tie vesting of performance-based equity awards to service over multiple years |
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◆ Ensure oversight of compensation and benefit programs by independent Board of Directors |
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◆ Impose and monitor meaningful stock ownership requirements |
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◆ Maintain a Clawback Policy compliant with applicable listing standards for executive officers and allows for recoupment in all incentive plans |
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◆ Retain independent compensation consultant |
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◆ Set maximum payout limits on all variable compensation |
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◆ Mitigate undue risk in compensation programs |
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◆ Require double-trigger vesting for severance and change-in-control benefits and LTIP awards |
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◆ No excise tax gross-ups in connection with a change in control |
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◆ No dividend equivalents paid on performance share units |
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◆ No hedging transactions, short sales or pledging of Company stock |
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◆ No resetting of performance targets |
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◆ No excessive severance benefits |
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Consideration of “Say-on-Pay” Vote
In June 2023, our Say-on-Pay proposal passed with an overwhelming majority (97.9%) of the shareholder advisory votes cast in favor of the Company’s executive compensation program. The Committee will continue to consider Say-on-Pay results in the design of the Company’s future compensation programs and was pleased with the level of support for our designs.
OUR COMMITMENT TO PAY FOR PERFORMANCE
Our strong commitment to pay-for-performance is demonstrated by the link between actual performance and incentive payouts, both short- and long-term. The Committee sets short- and long-term performance goals at challenging levels to incentivize outstanding achievement by our executive officers.
◆ | Variable pay makes up 89% of the CEO’s compensation, with 61% at-risk and 28% time vested |
◆ | Variable pay for the other NEOs averages 75% with 55% at-risk and 20% time vested |
The STIP aligns short-term cash incentives with the level of individual performance and contributions to the Company’s overall performance. For NEOs at the corporate level (all NEOs other than Ms. Singleton and Mr. Edelman), 100% of the STIP award opportunity is based on the achievement of corporate-wide performance goals.
For Fiscal 2024, the STIP performance metrics included:
◆ | 50% Adjusted Operating Income; |
◆ | 30% Market Share; and |
◆ | 20% Comparable Sales |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
47 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For Ms. Singleton and Mr. Edelman, who have banner leadership roles, the STIP award opportunity was split evenly between corporate-wide performance goals and banner performance goals.
Fiscal 2024 Annual Incentive (STIP) | |||||||||||||||
Name | Corporate | Banners | Payout % Range | ||||||||||||
Virginia C. Drosos |
100 | % | 0 | % | 0%–200% | ||||||||||
Joan M. Hilson |
100 | % | 0 | % | 0%–200% | ||||||||||
Jamie L. Singleton |
50 | % | 50 | % | 0%–200% | ||||||||||
Rebecca Wooters |
100 | % | 0 | % | 0%–200% | ||||||||||
Oded Edelman |
50 | % | 50 | % | 0%–200% |
The LTIP aligns interests of senior management with shareholders and long-term performance.
◆ | PSUs granted under the LTIP align long-term incentives with corporate-wide performance over a two or three-year period for all participants. |
◆ | Payout of PSUs under the LTIP is based on the achievement of performance metrics established at the grant date measured over a two- or three-fiscal year performance measurement cycle (and full vesting requires three-years of service following the performance measurement cycle beginning date or the grant date). |
◆ | The Fiscal 2024 PSU grant utilized metrics of 50% Free Cash Flow and 50% Revenue, each measured over three years (Fiscal 2024 through Fiscal 2026) for vesting of these awards. The Fiscal 2023 through Fiscal 2025 grant had a two-year performance period and required an additional year of service for vesting. |
◆ | PSU payouts typically range from 0% to 200% of target, based on the level of performance achievement during the applicable performance period, with a payout of 25% (for Fiscal 2023 and earlier grants) to 50% (for grants made in Fiscal 2024) of target at threshold performance and a payout of 200% of target at maximum performance. |
More information with respect to the selection of these performance metrics, actual performance and resulting payouts under the STIP and LTIP, along with other elements of our executive compensation program, is provided below.
HOW EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED
Role of the Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee
The Committee sets the compensation for the Company’s NEOs and direct reports to the CEO to help retain and motivate them to achieve our business objectives and ensure that they are appropriately rewarded for their individual and team contributions to our performance and for their leadership. In doing so, the Committee considers the interests of shareholders, the financial and commercial health of the business, compensation parameters for all levels of the organization, and other conditions throughout Signet. The Committee also ensures that our executive compensation program remains competitive.
The Committee’s objective is to deliver and maintain competitive executive compensation in accordance with our compensation principles. In doing so, the Committee:
◆ | Annually reviews and approves executive officer incentive plans, goals and objectives to align with our Company’s performance targets and business strategies; |
◆ | Annually assesses risk in incentive compensation programs; |
◆ | Evaluates each executive officer’s responsibilities and actual performance in light of our Company’s performance goals and business strategies; |
◆ | Evaluates the competitiveness of each executive officer’s compensation package against our peer group, along with other factors such as an executive officer’s performance, retention and the availability of replacement talent; |
◆ | Reviews all elements of compensation (tally sheets), including broad-based benefits, executive benefits and potential payments upon termination or change of control, to understand how each element of compensation relates to other elements and to the compensation package as a whole; and |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
48 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
◆ | Approves and, in the case of the CEO, recommends to the full Board any changes to the total compensation package of each executive officer, including but not limited to, base salary, annual and long-term incentive award opportunities, payouts and retention plans. |
The Committee’s charter, which more fully sets out its duties and responsibilities, as well as other matters, can be found on our website at www.signetjewelers.com/investors/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters. In addition, please see the description of the Committee included under “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Board Committees—Human Capital Management & Compensation Committee” above.
Role of Compensation Consultants
Our independent compensation consultant, Semler Brossy, is retained by the Committee to provide the following services for the benefit of the Committee:
◆ | Competitive market pay analysis for the CEO, other executive officers and non-employee Directors; |
◆ | Market trends in CEO, other executive officer and non-employee Director compensation; |
◆ | Pay-for-performance analysis and review of risk in the Company’s pay programs; |
◆ | Advice with regard to the latest regulatory, governance, technical and financial considerations impacting executive compensation and benefit programs; |
◆ | Assistance with the design of executive compensation and benefit plans, as needed; |
◆ | Annual review of the compensation benchmarking peer group; and |
◆ | Other items as determined appropriate by the Chair of the Committee. |
Semler Brossy’s services to the Company are limited to the non-employee Director and executive compensation areas noted above. Semler Brossy has done no other work for the Company. The Committee reviews and evaluates the independence of its consultant each year and has the final authority to hire and terminate the consultant. In considering Semler Brossy’s independence, numerous factors were reviewed relating to Semler Brossy and the individuals employed by Semler Brossy who provided services to the Company, including those factors required to be considered pursuant to SEC and NYSE rules. Based on a review of these factors, the Committee determined that Semler Brossy is independent, and that the engagement does not raise any conflict of interest.
Role of Executives
The CEO reviews with the Committee a performance assessment for each of the Company’s executive officers, including the other NEOs, and other direct reports to the CEO, at the beginning of each fiscal year and recommends their target compensation levels, including salaries, and target STIP and LTIP incentive levels. The Committee factors in these assessments and recommendations, along with other information, to determine final compensation. The Chief Financial, Strategy & Services Officer, Chief People Officer and General Counsel regularly attend Committee meetings upon request but are not present for the executive sessions or for any discussion of their own compensation.
The Committee has delegated authority to the CEO to grant share-based awards under the Omnibus Plan to non-executive officers subject to certain parameters with a total not to exceed $2.5 million, on an annual basis. Any grants made are reviewed at subsequent Committee meetings.
COMPETITIVE BENCHMARKING ANALYSIS
When analyzing the market data provided by our compensation consultant, the Committee focuses on a peer group of companies for benchmarking purposes where possible. The Committee annually reviews the composition of the peer group to assess its continued relevance. The Fiscal 2024 peer group companies had the following characteristics:
◆ | U.S.-based, publicly traded companies; |
◆ | Vertically integrated apparel/accessories retailers, department stores and specialty retailers and apparel/accessories companies that distribute through wholesale channels; and |
◆ | Revenue approximating Signet’s, generally ranging from 0.5–2.5x the Company’s revenue. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
49 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For Fiscal 2024, the Committee approved the group consisting of the following 15 companies:
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Abercrombie & Fitch Co. | Foot Locker, Inc. | Ulta Beauty Inc. |
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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. | Nordstrom Inc. | Urban Outfitters Inc. |
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Bath & Body Works, Inc. | PVH Corp. | V.F. Corporation |
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Capri Holdings Limited | Ralph Lauren Corporation | Victoria’s Secret & Co. |
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Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. | Tapestry Inc. | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. |
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The table below shows a statistical comparison of trailing four quarter revenues and fiscal year end market capitalization between the Company and its peer group.
Measure |
Signet | Peer Minimum | Peer Maximum | Peer Median | Peer Average | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue (in billions) |
$ | 7.2 | $ | 3.7 | $ | 15.5 | $ | 7.7 | $ | 8.1 | |||||||||||||||
Market Capitalization (in billions) |
$ | 4.7 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 25.7 | $ | 6.3 | $ | 8.4 |
The peer group was the primary source of market data for the purposes of executive compensation benchmarking for Mss. Drosos, Hilson, and Singleton. Survey data published by Equilar, covering a broader group of retail companies with similar revenues was the primary source of market data for Ms. Wooters and Mr. Edelman.
The Committee generally targets median pay positioning for our executives and may vary positioning due to experience, performance, and criticality of the role. Individually, and in the aggregate, target total compensation for the NEOs in Fiscal 2024 was within a competitive range of the market median following the base salary and long-term incentive increases described below.
ELEMENTS OF NEO COMPENSATION
Base Salary
Each NEO receives a fixed level of base salary as compensation for services rendered during the fiscal year. Base salaries are monitored to support the executive compensation program’s objectives of attracting and retaining management.
The annualized base salaries of the NEOs for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 are listed in the table below. In March 2023:
◆ | Ms. Drosos’s salary was not adjusted, based on market positioning. Her strong performance was recognized in variable pay increases (short-term and long-term incentives). |
◆ | Ms. Hilson received a $15,000 (1.7%) salary increase to recognize her expanded role and strong performance and to improve competitive positioning relative to similarly-experienced executives in similar roles within the peer group. |
◆ | Ms. Singleton received a $25,000 (2.9%) salary increase to recognize her expanded role and her experienced banner leadership and to improve her competitive positioning relative to market median pay. |
◆ | Ms. Wooters’ salary was not adjusted, based on market positioning. Her strong performance and the high demand for digital leadership talent were recognized in a variable pay increase (long-term incentive). |
◆ | Mr. Edelman received a $15,000 (2.5%) salary increase to recognize his strong performance and improved competitive positioning relative to median market pay (this is converted to shekels via Israeli payroll system). |
NEO |
Fiscal 2024 Salary* | Fiscal 2023 Salary | Salary Increase % | |||
Virginia C. Drosos |
$1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | 0.0% | |||
Joan M. Hilson |
$890,000 | $875,000 | 1.7% | |||
Jamie L. Singleton |
$885,000 | $860,000 | 2.9% | |||
Rebecca Wooters |
$670,000 | $670,000 | 0.0% | |||
Oded Edelman |
$615,000 | $600,000 | 2.5% |
* | Amounts shown are annualized. Salary increases were effective March 12, 2023, and actual salary earned by each NEO during Fiscal 2024 is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table below. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
50 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Annual Bonus under the Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP)
Annual bonus performance targets and actual bonuses paid under the STIP are reviewed and approved by the Committee each year. The annual STIP bonus focuses on achieving challenging annual performance objectives and is based on a pre-determined formula based on corporate-wide performance for our corporate-level NEOs and both corporate-wide and banner-specific performance for our NEOs in banner leadership roles, such as Ms. Singleton and Mr. Edelman. In determining the performance target at the start of each year, the Committee considers the Company’s current business plans, budget and relevant market data, including the relative positioning of the Company’s performance in its sector. The Committee sets threshold (25%), target (100%) and maximum (200%) bonus payout opportunities each year. Historically, there have been no payments made for performance that falls below threshold performance.
Fiscal 2024 STIP
For the Fiscal 2024 STIP:
◆ | We continued with a full fiscal year performance cycle and maintained the two key performance metrics from Fiscal 2023, Comparable Sales (20% weighting for Fiscal 2024) and Adjusted Operating Income (50% weighting for Fiscal 2024). We believe these metrics are understood by team members and focus on driving profitable growth. |
◆ | Market share growth was added as a metric in Fiscal 2023 since this was a key strategic priority of Inspiring Brilliance and expected to help drive achievement of our mid-term goal of $9 to $10 billion in revenue. The weighting for market share growth was 30% for Fiscal 2024. Signet’s plan to outgrow the market includes: |
◆ | Leading player in the industry, leveraging scale to ensure Signet grows market share in all environments; |
◆ | Competition cannot match investments in advertising, omnichannel, planning & forecasting; and |
◆ | Continuous opportunities for expansion. |
◆ | The Committee reviewed the possible adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals for the Signet variable incentive compensation plans. The Committee concluded that goals and progress for ESG and DEI matters are being tracked and are receiving the necessary strategic priority with appropriate accountability, as we believe they help drive our growth in Market Share and Revenue. Further information on ESG/DEI can be seen within the “Sustainability at Signet” and “Signet’s Approach to Human Capital Management” sections of this Proxy Statement. |
◆ | The Committee maintained the 25% threshold and 200% maximum payouts that were in place in Fiscal 2023. |
For all NEOs, other than Ms. Singleton and Mr. Edelman, the Fiscal 2024 STIP award opportunities were based 100% on the achievement of corporate-wide performance targets. As the Group President and Chief Consumer Officer, Ms. Singleton’s Fiscal 2024 STIP award opportunity was based 50% on the corporate-wide performance targets noted above and 50% on Kay, Zales/Peoples and Banter by Piercing Pagoda (“KZPB”) banner-specific performance targets. As Chief Digital Innovation Officer and President, Digital Banners, Mr. Edelman’s Fiscal 2024 STIP award opportunity was based 50% on corporate-wide performance targets noted above and 50% on James Allen banner-specific performance targets. The Committee incorporated the banner-specific metrics into Ms. Singleton’s and Mr. Edelman’s Fiscal 2024 STIP award opportunity to incentivize sales growth and profitability at the banner levels and harmonize each such banner’s financial goals with those of Signet as a whole.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
51 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Fiscal 2024 STIP Target
Fiscal 2024 target and potential maximum STIP bonuses as a percentage of salary were as set out below. These bonus targets remained the same as Fiscal 2023 for Ms. Wooters and Mr. Edelman. In March 2023, the Committee increased targets for Mss. Drosos, Hilson, and Singleton based on their strong performance, leadership, and contributions to the Company.
NEO | Target STIP Bonus as a Percentage of Base Salary |
Maximum STIP Bonus as a Percentage of Base Salary | ||
Virginia C. Drosos |
170% | 340% | ||
Joan M. Hilson |
125% | 250% | ||
Jamie L. Singleton |
125% | 250% | ||
Rebecca Wooters |
75% | 150% | ||
Oded Edelman |
75% | 150% |
Performance must exceed threshold goals to earn a STIP bonus payout. At threshold, a 25% payout is earned and below threshold performance levels, no bonus is paid to executives. Performance in excess of the threshold up to the target is paid on a linear basis from 25% to 100% of the target bonus for Fiscal 2024. Performance in excess of the target up to the maximum results in a bonus paid on a linear basis from 100% to 200% of the target bonus for Fiscal 2024. The weighting, threshold, target, maximum and actual payouts for the corporate-wide performance metrics for Fiscal 2024 STIP were as follows:
Corporate-Wide Performance Metrics |
Weighting | Threshold | Target | Max | Actual Achievement |
Payout as % of Target | ||||||
Fiscal 2024—Comparable Sales %* |
20% | (5.8)% | (1.5)% | 2.2% | (11.6)% | 0% | ||||||
Fiscal 2024—Market Share %** |
30% | 9.75% | 10.04% | 10.25% | 9.00% | 0% | ||||||
Fiscal 2024—Adjusted Operating Income |
50% | $757 | $825 | $893 | $643 | 0% |
* | Comparable sales include physical store and eCommerce sales. |
** | Signet’s share of the US jewelry and watch market, which was estimated based on industry and transaction data from MasterCard SpendingPulse and Circana. |
*** | Adjusted Operating Income is a non-GAAP measure, calculated as consolidated operating income, adjusted to exclude net non-GAAP charges of $21.3 million primarily including non-recurring expenses relating to the integration of Blue Nile, restructuring charges, asset impairment charges and the gain on the sale of the UK prestige watch business. See Item 7 of the Company’s Fiscal 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on the Company’s non-GAAP measures. |
SIGNET JEWELERS |
52 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Signet’s corporate-wide performance during Fiscal 2024 was below the threshold performance level for the three metrics resulting in a 0% payout. Performance for Kay, Zales, Banter by Piercing Pagoda and James Allen were also below threshold. The Peoples banner achievement was slightly above threshold; however, based on the disappointing results of the other KZPB banners, Ms. Singleton agreed to waive this payment. As part of the Fiscal 2024 year-end process, the Committee reviewed the actual performance achieved and approved the 0% annual bonus payout for Mss. Drosos, Hilson, Singleton, Wooters and Mr. Edelman.
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The Committee believes that long-term, share-based incentives are important vehicles to retain key executive officers and talent, ensure appropriate focus on long-term results, and align their interests with those of shareholders.
Long-term incentive grants are generally made at the same time as the annual compensation reviews. The value delivered through long-term incentives is determined holistically in the context of total compensation levels. This process, as described above, considers benchmarking data, retention needs, level of responsibility and individual performance.
Fiscal 2024 LTIP Grants
Fiscal 2024 LTIP grants were issued under the Omnibus Plan in March 2023 in a mix of 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs which was the same as Fiscal 2022.
◆ | Ms. Drosos’s target LTIP award value was increased by $250,000 to $9,000,000 (an increase from 583% to 600% of her base salary) to reward her outstanding Company leadership and strong performance, and to bring her pay within a competitive range of the market median. |
◆ | Ms. Hilson’s target LTIP award was maintained at 250% that the Committee approved in August of 2022 based on expanded responsibilities. |
◆ | Ms. Singleton’s target LTIP award was maintained at 250% that the Committee approved in August of 2022 based on expanded responsibilities. |
◆ | Ms. Wooters’s target LTIP award was increased from 135% to 150% of her base salary to reward her outstanding progress in our digital transformation and her strong performance. |
◆ | Mr. Edelman’s target LTIP award was increased from 135% to 150% of his base salary to reward his outstanding leadership in diamond sourcing and to maintain his competitive market pay positioning. |
NEO LTIP targets expressed as a percentage of salary are shown in the table below:
NEO | Target LTIP Award | |
Virginia C. Drosos |
600% of Base Salary | |
Joan M. Hilson |
250% of Base Salary | |
Jamie L. Singleton |
250% of Base Salary | |
Rebecca Wooters |
150% of Base Salary | |
Oded Edelman |
150% of Base Salary |
The number of PSUs and RSUs granted to NEOs in March 2023 for the Fiscal 2024 annual grant was based upon an award methodology using the average closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the NYSE for the 20 trading days leading up to and including the grant date. The PSUs and RSUs were granted on March 17, 2023, based on a stock price of $72.53.
Fiscal 2024–2026 RSUs
One third of the RSUs granted under the Fiscal 2024–2026 LTIP vest on each of the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant date subject to continued service with the Company.
SIGNET JEWELERS |
53 | 2024 PROXY STATEMENT |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Fiscal 2024–2026 PSUs
The PSUs granted under the Fiscal 2024-2026 LTIP returned to a 3-year cumulative performance measurement period versus the two-year performance measurement period and one-year of additional service structure used in grants made in Fiscal 2021, 2022 and 2023. The performance metrics for the Fiscal 2024-2026 PSUs were weighted 50% on Free Cash Flow and 50% on Revenue, similar to the Fiscal 2023-2025 PSUs, and these metrics were chosen to ensure focus on top- and bottom-line growth and working capital efficiency. Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as the net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant, and equipment. Management considers this measure to be helpful in understanding how the business is generating cash from its operating and investing activities that can be used to meet the financing needs of the business.
LTIP Performance Targets
The Fiscal 2024-2026 PSUs will be earned based on the level of achievement for three-year cumulative Free Cash Flow and Revenue. The payout at threshold was increased to 50% (from 25%) for the Fiscal 2024-2026 PSUs, consistent with market practice within the peer group. The levels of payout are 50% (minimum) payout upon achievement at threshold levels of target performance, 100% upon achievement at target levels of performance and 200% upon achievement of the maximum levels of target performance (or on a linear basis between threshold and target or target and maximum levels) following completion of a three-year service period.
Fiscal 2024–2026 PSU Achievement Schedule
Performance Measure | Weighting | Threshold (Pays 50% of Target Award) |