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Ascott Residence Trust
Annual Report 2015
Corporate Governance
(D) SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Shareholder Rights
Principle 14:
Companies should treat all shareholders fairly and equitably, and should recognise, protect and facilitate
the exercise of shareholders’ rights, and continually review and update such governance arrangements.
The Manager is committed to treating all Unitholders fairly and equitably. All Unitholders enjoy specific rights
under the Trust Deed and the relevant laws and regulations. These rights include, among other things, the right
to participate in profit distributions. They are also entitled to attend general meetings and are accorded the
opportunity to participate effectively and vote at general meetings.
Communication with Shareholders
Principle 15:
Companies should actively engage their shareholders and put in place an investor relations policy to
promote regular, effective and fair communication with shareholders.
The Manager is committed to keeping all its Unitholders and other stakeholders and analysts informed of the
performance and changes in Ascott Reit or its business which would be likely to materially affect the price or
value of the Units, on a timely and consistent basis, so as to assist Unitholders and investors in their investment
decisions.
The Manager has in place an Investor Relations & Communications department which facilitates effective
communication with Unitholders, analysts, fund managers and the media.
The Manager actively engages with Unitholders and has put in place an Investor Relations Policy (Policy) to
promote regular, effective and fair communications with Unitholders. The Policy is uploaded on Ascott Reit’s
website at
.
The Board has established the CDC which is guided by its terms of reference, in particular, the CDC:
(a) reviews the promptness and comprehensiveness of corporate disclosures and announcements made to the
SGX-ST;
(b) ensures the adoption of good corporate governance and best practices in terms of transparency to Unitholders
and investing community; and
(c) ensures the Manager complies with all applicable legal and regulatory disclosure requirements in relation to
Ascott Reit.
The views and approvals of the CDC were sought throughout the year via emails on various announcements
and news releases issued.
More information on the Manager’s investor relations with Unitholders can be found in the Investor Relations
section on pages 51 to 53 of this Annual Report and the Policy which is available on Ascott Reit’s website.
Ascott Reit’s distribution policy is to distribute at least 90.0% of its taxable income (other than gains on the sale
of real properties or shares by Ascott Reit which are determined to be trading gains), with the actual level of
distribution to be determined at the Manager’s discretion.