Evaluating the highest governance body’s performance

The Supervisory Board advises and oversees the Executive Board in the management of the company. It is involved in strategy and planning as well as all other decisions of fundamental significance to the company. The chairman of the Supervisory Board coordinates the work in the Supervisory Board, chairs its meetings and externally represents the concerns of the body.

As in the past, the Supervisory Board formed a total of four committees to fulfill its responsibilities more efficiently. These committees draft the Supervisory Board’s resolutions and prepare the agenda items to be addressed in the full meetings.

Bernd Hirsch, who joined the Supervisory Board on May 16, 2018, is the first member to have previously been a member of the Executive Board. There was a period of two years, four months and 15 calendar days between the end of Mr. Hirsch’s activity on the Executive Board and his election to the Supervisory Board. This satisfied the conditions of Section 100 (2) number 4 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) (the “cooling-off” period). A neutral and independent consulting and monitoring of the Executive Board continues to be ensured without restriction. At least one independent member has expertise in accounting or auditing.