CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
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GDS Global Limited Annual Report 2015
The primary purpose of the internal audit function is to assist the Board and management to meet the
strategic and operational objectives of the Group, by providing an independent and objective evaluation
of the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management, controls and governance processes. The internal
audit approach focuses on key financial, operational, compliance and information technology risks. The
annual internal audit plan is established in consultation with, but independent of, management. The
internal audit plan is reviewed and approved by the AC. All internal audit findings, recommendations and
status of remediation, are circulated to the AC, the CEO, the external auditors and relevant management.
The AC ensures that management provides good support to the internal auditors and provides them with
access to documents, records, properties and personnel when requested in order for the internal auditors
to carry out their function accordingly. The AC meets with the internal auditors once a year, without the
presence of management.
SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Principle 14: Shareholders’ Rights
The Group recognises the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability to its shareholders.
The Board ensures that all the Company’s shareholders are treated equitably and the rights of all
investors, including non-controlling shareholders are protected.
The Group is committed to providing shareholders with adequate, timely and sufficient information
pertaining to changes in the Group’s business which could have a material impact on the Company’s
share price.
The Group strongly encourages shareholder participation during the AGM which will be held in
Singapore. Shareholders are able to proactively engage the Board and management on the Group’s
business activities, financial performance and other business related matters.
Principle 15: Communication with Shareholders
Disclosure of information on a timely basis
The Group is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate disclosure and transparency. The
Group values dialogue sessions with its shareholders. The Group believes in regular, effective and fair
communication with shareholders and is committed to hearing shareholders’ views and addressing their
concerns.
Material information is disclosed in a comprehensive, accurate and timely manner via SGXNET, press
release and corporate website. To ensure a level playing field and provide confidence to shareholders,
unpublished price sensitive information is not selectively disclosed. In the event that unpublished material
information is inadvertently disclosed to any selected group in the course of the Group’s interactions with
the investing community, a media release or announcement will be released to the public via SGXNET.
The Group’s corporate website is the key resource of information for shareholders. In addition to the
half-yearly financial results materials, it contains a wealth of investor related information on the Group,
including annual reports, shares and dividend information and factsheets.
Interaction with shareholders
The Company has an internal investor relations function which focuses on facilitating communications with
shareholders and analysts on a regular basis, attending to their queries or concerns and keeping them
apprised of the Group’s corporate developments and finance performance.
