Date [ }:
Dear [ ],
Sub: Appointment as Independent Director
I am pleased to inform you that upon the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration
Committee, the Board of Directors (‘the Board’) of Infosys Limited (‘the Company’) have approved your
appointment as an independent director of the Company (’Independent Director’). This letter sets out
the terms of your appointment.
1. Appointment
In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and other applicable laws (hereinafter referred to as “Relevant Laws”),
you will serve as an Independent Director of the Board for a period of [ ] years with effect from [ ] up to [ ].
Your appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders.
2. Board committees
2.1. As advised by the Board, during the tenure of office, you may be required to serve on one or more
of the committees of the Board established by the Company. Upon your appointment to any one
or more Committees, you will be provided with the appropriate Committee charter which sets out
the functions of that Committee.
2.2. Currently, the Board has six committees: Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration
Committee (NRC), Stakeholders Relationship Committee (SRC), Risk Management Committee
(RMC), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee and Environment Social and Corporate
Governance (ESG) Committee. The Board is responsible for constituting, assigning, co-opting
and fixing terms of service for committee members. The chairperson of the Board, in consultation
with the company secretary and the committee chairperson, determines the frequency and duration
of the committee meetings. Normally, the committees meet four times a year. The meetings of the
audit, nomination and remuneration, risk management, stakeholders relationship committee and
ESG Committee taken together last for the better part of a working day. Recommendations of the
committees are submitted to the full Board for approval. The quorum for meetings is either two
members of the committee or one-third of the members of the committee, whichever is higher.
3. Training of the Board
Every new independent director of the Board attends an orientation program. Presentations are made by
whole-time directors / senior managerial personnel. The presentations cover an overview of our strategy
and operations to familiarize the new inductees about the strategy, operations and functions of our
Company. The orientation program will cover the following topics-
• Company’s strategy
• Operations
• Service offerings
• Product offerings
• Markets
• Software delivery
• Organization structure
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Technology
• Quality
• Facilities
• Risk management
The Company has a program to help our directors to improve their expertise in governance by providing
a training fee of US $5,000 per annum for them to attend courses on board governance held by well-known
business schools and associations in any part of the world.
4. Professional Conduct
As an Independent director, you shall:
(a) uphold ethical standards of integrity and probity;
(b) act objectively and constructively while exercising your duties;
(c) exercise your responsibilities in a bona fide manner in the interest of the Company;
(d) devote sufficient time and attention to your professional obligations for informed and balanced
decision-making;
(e) not allow any extraneous considerations that may vitiate your exercise of objective independent
judgement in the paramount interest of the Company as a whole, while concurring in or dissenting
from the collective judgement of the Board in its decision-making
(f) not abuse your position to the detriment of the Company or its shareholders or for the purpose of
gaining direct or indirect personal advantage or advantage for any associated person.
(g) refrain from any action that could lead to a loss of your independence;
(h) ensure that if circumstances arise under which you may lose your independence, you will
immediately inform the Board accordingly, and
(i) assist the Company in implementing the best corporate governance practices.
5. Functions, Responsibilities and Duties of Directors
5.1. Functions
(a) To review the Company’s strategy, the annual financial plan and monitor the Company’s
performance:
The primary role of the members of the Board is to exercise their business judgment to act in what
they believe to be the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. It is the duty of the Board
to ensure that the Management performs with competence and values to achieve the objectives of
the Company. Generally, the Board meets once a quarter. The quarterly meeting of the Board
includes updates on the business, financial and business-enabler functions and discussions on
such updates. The Audit Committee of the Board reviews the Company’s financials and
recommends the same to the Board for its acceptance. The Board monitors the Company’s
performance against its annual financial plan at its quarterly meetings as well as at the end of the
financial year.
(b) To review management performance and compensation:
The Nominations and Remuneration Committee of the Board evaluates the performance of the
executive officers of the Company and recommends their compensation for the ensuing year to the
Board. Such compensation may include stocks, options and variable pay.
(c) To review and decide on succession planning of executive officers of the Company:
The Nominations and Remuneration Committee of the Board works with the Board to develop an
orderly plan for the succession of leadership of the Board and the executive officers of Company.
The committee develops contingency plans for succession in the case of exigencies.
(d) To advice and counsel the Management:
The Board should be composed of individuals whose knowledge, background, experience and
judgment are valuable to the Company. They should also be capable of providing advice to the
executive officers of the Company. Members of the Board have full access to the Management
(executive officers) and other employees as well as to the Company’s records and documents. The
Board may also seek legal or other expert advice from a source independent of the Management.
(e) To monitor and manage potential conflicts of interests of the Management:
The Audit Committee of the Board reviews and approves related party transactions, as required
under the applicable laws and / or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or any of the Indian
stock exchanges or any government agencies applicable to the Company.
(f) To oversee and ensure the integrity of financial information and legal compliance:
The Audit Committee of the Board oversees the Company’s accounting and financial reporting
processes and the audit of the Company’s financial statements and assists the Board in the
overseeing of (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (2) the Company’s
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditor’s qualifications,
independence and performance, and (4) the Company’s internal accounting and financial controls.
5.2. Responsibilities
Independent directors have the same general legal responsibilities to the Company as that of any other
director. The Board, as a whole, is collectively responsible for ensuring the success of the Company by
directing and supervising the Company’s affairs.
The Board:
(a) provides entrepreneurial leadership of the Company within a framework of prudent and effective
controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed;
(b) sets the Company’s strategic aims, ensures that the necessary financial and human resource
requirements are in place for the Company to meet its objectives, and reviews management
performance;
(c) sets the Company’s values and standards, ensures that its obligations to its shareholders and others
are understood and met by the Company.
In addition to the criteria mentioned in the previous sections for the induction of directors, the role of
independent directors also includes tracking, reviewing and providing feedback on:
(a) Strategy: Independent directors to constructively contribute to the development of the Company
strategy;
(b) Performance: Independent directors to oversee the performance of the Management in meeting
agreed goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance;
(c) Risk: Independent directors to evaluate and ensure that financial information is accurate, and that
financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible;
(d) People: Independent directors responsible for determining the appropriate levels of remuneration of
Whole-time directors and the process of succession planning. They also have a prime role in
appointing, and, where necessary, removing senior management.
(e) Stakeholders: Independent directors to balance the conflicting interest of the stakeholders, including
minority shareholders. In the event of any conflict, they shall moderate and arbitrate in the interest of
the Company as a whole.
(f) ESG: Independent directors to contribute to the ESG strategy
5.3. Duties
As an Independent Director, you shall:
(a) undertake the appropriate induction into the Board and regularly update and refresh your skills,
knowledge and familiarity with the Company;
(b) Enroll yourself into an online data bank and pass an online self-assessment proficiency test conducted
by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, within stipulated timelines, as may be applicable
(c) seek appropriate clarification and, where necessary, seek and follow appropriate professional advice
from external experts at the expense of the Company;
(d) strive to attend every meeting of the Board and of the Board committees of which you are a member;
(e) actively and constructively participate in the Board committees of the Board in which you may be a
member or the Chairperson;
(f) strive to attend the general meetings of the Company;
(g) ensure that any concerns that you may have about the running of the Company are addressed by the
Board and seek inclusion of these concerns in the Board minutes to the extent these concerns are not
resolved;
(h) keep yourself well informed about the Company and the external environment in which it operates;
(i) not unfairly obstruct the functioning of an otherwise proper Board or committee;
(j) ensure that related party transactions are considered carefully before they are approved and are in the
interest of the Company;
(k) ensure that the whistleblower function of the Company is functioning adequately;
(l) report concerns about unethical behavior, actual or suspected fraud or violation of the Company’s
Code of Conduct and Ethics;
(m) within your authority, assist in protecting the legitimate interests of the Company, shareholders and its
employees, and
(n) not disclose any confidential information unless such disclosure is expressly approved by the Board
or required by law.
6. Fees
6.1. The compensation of the non-executive/independent directors is approved at a meeting of the full
Board. The total compensation payable to the entire group of non-executive/independent directors
is limited to a fixed amount per year determined by the Board. This amount shall not exceed 1% of
the net profit of the Company for the year calculated as per the provisions of the Companies Act,
2013.
6.2. The criteria for payment of annual compensation to non-executive/independent directors are as
follows:
Criteria for payment of remuneration as determined by the Board
Particulars Amount in USD
Fixed Pay 150,000
Board/Committee attendance fees(1) 25,000
Non-Executive Chairman 300,000
Chairperson of Audit Committee 50,000
Chairpersons of other committees 30,000
Members of Audit committee 30,000
Members of other committees 20,000
Travel fee (per meeting) 10,000
Incidental fees (per meeting) 1,000
Lead Independent Director 30,000
Notes:
(1) The Company normally has five regular Board meetings in a year. Independent directors are expected to attend at least four
quarterly Board meetings and the AGM.
(2) For directors based overseas, the travel fee shown is per Board meeting. This is based on the fact that additional travel time
of two days will have to be accommodated for independent directors to attend Board meetings in India.
(3) For directors based overseas, incidental fees shown is per Board meeting. This fee is paid to non-executive directors for
expenses incurred during their travel to attend Board meetings in India.
`The payment is subject to deduction of tax at source (TDS) as required by applicable tax laws. In case if any tax is deducted at source
as per applicable tax laws, a certificate as prescribed by law will be issued for the amount of tax withheld. The company shall seek
necessary and relevant tax documents as per applicable law in seeking waiver or reducing any applicable withholding taxes.
6.3. In addition to the above, non-executive/independent directors would be entitled to the
reimbursement of only the following items of expenditure that may be incurred in traveling to the
place of the Board meetings and other committee meetings of the Company and back to their
normal place of residence:
(a) First class (for international travel) and business class (for domestic travel) airfare from the
normal place of residence to the place of the Board or committee meetings and back to their
normal place of residence.
(b) Accommodation at our campus or any hotel as determined by the Company for the duration of
Board and committee meetings, and during the day prior to and after such meetings.
7. D & O Insurance
The Company maintains a Directors and Officers insurance policy (D & O policy) amounting to US $200
million (with an excess insurance of US $100 million) to pay for the personal liability of directors and officers
for claims made against them while serving on the Board and / or as an officer of the Company.
8. Term
Independent directors are eligible to serve for a period of two terms of up to 5 years each or until he/she
has attained the maximum age of retirement as prescribed under the relevant laws, whichever is
earlier. Provided that the term of the persons holding these positions may be extended beyond the
maximum age in the manner specified under the relevant laws.
9. Memberships of other boards
It is expected that you will not serve on the boards of competing companies. Apart from the
applicable law and good corporate governance practices, there are no other additional limitations.
10. Information on meetings
10.1. Scheduling and selection of agenda items for Board meetings
Dates for the Board meeting for the ensuing year are decided in advance and published in the
Annual Report. Generally, the Board meetings are held at the Company’s Registered Office at
Electronics City, Bengaluru, India. The Chairman of the Board, CEO and the Company Secretary,
in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and General Counsel, draft the agenda for
each meeting, along with explanatory notes, and distribute it in advance to the Board members.
Every Board member is free to suggest the inclusion of items on the agenda. Normally, the Board
meets once a quarter to review the quarterly results and other items on the agenda. The Board
also meets during the annual shareholders’ meeting. Additional meetings are held based on need.
The Board, being represented by non-executive/independent directors from various parts of the
globe, it may not be possible for each one of them to be physically present at all the Board
meetings. The Company provides video / teleconference facilities to facilitate participation.
10.2. Availability of information to the Board
The Board has full and unfettered access to any information of the Company, and to any employee
of the Company. At Board meetings, the Board invites managers of the Company when additional
details into the items being discussed are required.
10.3. Independent directors’ discussion
The Board’s policy is to have regular “independent directors only” meetings so that they can have
a full and frank discussion on the performance of the Company, risks faced by the Company, and
the performance of executive members of the Board including the chairperson. The Lead
Independent Director presides over such meetings and may invite the chairman, any whole-time
director and any senior management personnel to make presentations on relevant issues.
10.4. Annual Strategy Retreat
The Annual Strategy Retreat with the Board is a key event in the Company’s annual strategy
planning process. The objective of this retreat is to deliberate on the Company’s strategy, priorities
and to accept the annual financial and operational plans for the ensuing year. This retreat has
participation from the company’s senior management and directors including business heads,
business enabler function heads and strategic initiative team members. The retreat is usually held
in January/February.
The preparations for Annual Strategy Retreat start during the first week of October every year. The
series of events between October and February are as below:
Initiation of the discussion by CEO and start of annual
October
financial and operational plans
Finalization of agenda December/January
Annual Strategy Retreat with the Board January/February
In summary, through this process, members of the Board get a comprehensive and balanced
perspective on the strategic issues facing the Company, the competitive differentiation being
pursued by the Company and an overview of the execution plan. In addition, this event allows the
members of the Board to interact closely with the senior leadership of the Company.
11. Mechanism for evaluating Board members
The Chairperson of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee conducts an annual Board evaluation
and a peer evaluation survey to assess the performance of the Board as a whole and that of individual
Board members. Performance is assessed based on clearly defined objective criteria. This is in line with
the Company’s policy of being data-oriented in every transaction and decision.
11.1. Independent Board Members
The evaluation is done on a three-point scale. Independent directors have three key roles —
Governance, Control and Guidance. Some of the performance indicators based on which the
independent directors are evaluated are:
(a) Ability to contribute to and monitor our corporate governance practices;
(b) Ability to contribute by introducing international best practices to address top-management
issues;
(c) Active participation in long-term strategic planning;
(d) Commitment to the fulfilment of a director’s obligations; and
(e) Fiduciary responsibilities.
11.2. Executive Board Members
The performance appraisal system for Whole-time directors provides for the alignment of the
directors’ targets with those of the Company through a set of key performance indicators (KPIs)
that are objective, rigorous and structured.
12. Retirement policy
The Company shall appoint or continue the employment of a person as Managing Director / Whole-time
Director and non-executive Director who has not attained the maximum age of retirement as prescribed
under relevant laws.
13. Dealing in shares and Code of Conduct
Directors are prohibited from dealing in the Company’s shares during the period when the trading window
is closed. Further, directors, being designated officers of the Company for the purpose of insider trading
guidelines, are to pre-clear all trades (buy/sell/gift) from the CEO of the Company and the Compliance
Officer. You are required to comply with the applicable insider trading laws and regulations. You are also
required to comply with the Company's Code of Conduct and Ethics, enclosed with this letter of
appointment.
14. Corporate calendar
The corporate calendar and the Board meeting dates shall be intimated in advance from time to time.
15. Trading window closure
The Company shall specify a trading period, to be called “trading window”, for trading in the Company’s
securities. When the trading window is closed the directors shall not trade in the Company’s securities in
such period.
The trading window shall be closed during the following time periods when the information is unpublished:
i. Declaration of financial results (quarterly, half-yearly and annually)
ii. Declaration of dividends (interim and final)
iii. Issue of securities by way of public/rights/bonus etc.
iv. Any major expansion plans or execution of new projects
v. Amalgamations, mergers, takeovers and buy-back
vi. Disposal of whole or substantially whole of the undertaking
vii. Any material changes in policies, plans or operations of the Company
The time for commencement of closing of trading window shall be decided by the Company. The trading
window shall be opened 48 hours after the information referred to above is made public.
It is a pleasure to have you on board. I am confident that your association, expertise and advice will
immensely benefit the Company and the Board.
Best Regards,
Yours sincerely,
Nandan M. Nilekani
Chairman of the Board
Encl: Code of Conduct and Ethics.