Page 77 - RFHL ANNUAL REPORT 2025 ONLINE_NEW

• 75

iv have a demonstrated ability to think and act strategically has within the Group that may be likely to interfere with the
and independently as well as be able to work constructively exercise of independent, unbiased judgment.
in a collegial environment.
This balance between Independent Non-Executive Directors
In identifying nominees for the position of Director, the and Executive Directors throughout the Group ensures that
Governance and Nomination Committee assesses whether an the Board as well as other subsidiary boards are able to
individual meets the characteristics above, any gaps identified exercise independent judgment with sufficient management
in a skills matrix and also considers the current composition of information to enable proper and objective assessment of
the Board in light of the diverse communities and geographies issues facing the Group.
served by the Group. It is also critical that the Directors must
have sufficient time available to devote to the performance of The following presents the current composition of the Board
their Board duties. of Republic Financial Holdings Limited and reflects its ratio of
independent Directors.
In composing the Board, the aim is to include highly qualified
and experienced individuals from diverse backgrounds, Independent/Non-Independent Directors (%)
including but not limited to elements of diverse geographic
backgrounds, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-
economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs.
92 NON-INDEPENDENT

The Board of Directors meets quarterly, with Special Board
Meetings being convened as the need arises. 8 INDEPENDENT

We recognise Mark Loquan
This year we were deeply sorrowed by the passing of fellow
director Mark Loquan. Mark joined us in 2023, with over 40 Our 12 Board members represented within this ratio are as
years’ experience in the petrochemical industry. He had follows:
served as President of two Yara International operations – in
Trinidad and Angola/Sub-Saharan Africa, and as the Chief Director Independent Non-Independent
Executive Officer of Yara Pilbara in Australia. He served in many
other leadership roles for organisations involved in energy, Vincent A. Pereira
education, and culture. A passionate pannist, Mark was also Nigel M. Baptiste
an honorary founding director of the non-governmental Ian L. Benjamin
organisation, Music Literacy Trust, and served as Musical Dawn V. Callender
Director of Perth Pandemix, the first resident steelband in Shameer R. Mohammed
Perth, Western Australia. We continue to wish Mark’s family Jason K. Mootoo
strength and comfort and he continues to be missed. Michael A. Noel
Robert B. Riley
Colin A. Soo Ping Chow
Director Independence Waltnel X. Sosa
The majority of the Directors are independent. The Board Kristine G. Thompson
reviews the criteria to be considered in determining whether a Robert R. Wickham
Director is independent, both in character and judgment, and
in line with principles of governing legislation and corporate The Board considers that the quality, skills and experience of its
governance. In addition, the Board considers independence Directors enhance the Board’s effectiveness, and the core set
within its Conflict-of-Interest policy, and in this regard, may of skills and experience identified effectively provide the Group
consider any direct or indirect relationship that a Director with the appropriate leadership and guidance necessary to
tackle the risks and opportunities facing the Group.