Latest news with #PricewaterhouseCoopers
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rubicon Organics Announces the Results of the Annual General and Special Meeting, Appoints Chair & Grants DSUs
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubicon Organics Inc. (TSXV: ROMJ) (OTCQX: ROMJF) ('Rubicon Organics' or the 'Company'), a licensed producer focused on cultivating and selling organic certified and premium cannabis, reports the voting results from its Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders (the 'Meeting') held earlier today. A total of 31,130,021 shares were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting, constituting approximately 46.3% shares represented of the Company's total issued and outstanding Common shares as of the record date, and voted in favour of all matters brought before the Meeting. Results of Annual General and Special Meeting The following matters put forward before shareholders for consideration and approval as set out in Rubicon Organics' management information circular dated June 27th, 2025 (the 'Circular') were approved by the shareholders: Setting the number of directors of the Company at eight; Electing Doris Bitz, Len Boggio, Margaret Brodie, Michael Detlefsen, Ian Gordon, Jesse McConnell, John Pigott, and Karen Proud as directors of the Company (together the 'Board') for the ensuing year until the next annual meeting of the Company; Appointing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's auditors for the ensuing year with the Company's directors authorized to fix their remuneration; and Approval of the amendment to the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan Question Yes No Abstain Number of Directors at Eight (8) 94.6% 5.4% – Elect as Director, Doris Bitz 95.8% – 4.2% Elect as Director, Margaret Brodie 95.8% – 4.2% Elect as Director, Len Boggio 94.8% – 5.2% Elect as Director, Michael Detlefsen 95.8% – 4.2% Elect as Director, Ian Gordon 95.8% – 4.2% Elect as Director, Jesse McConnell 93.0% – 7.0% Elect as Director, John Pigott 85.7% – 14.3% Elect as Director, Karen Proud 95.8% – 4.2% Appointment of Auditor 99.9% – 0.1% Approval of Incentive Plan 74.7% 25.3% – A corporate presentation presented at the Meeting is available for viewing on Rubicon Organics' website at Change to Board Chair The Company also today announced that Len Boggio will step down as Chair of the Board, effective immediately. He will transition to the role of Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee. The Board has unanimously appointed Doris Bitz, currently serving as independent director since 2023, as the incoming Chair. She brings over 30 years of experience successfully building, scaling and growing manufacturing and CPG businesses in North America. In 2022 she retired from her role as President, Retail of Dessert Holdings, a leading manufacturer of high-quality dessert products, and now serves on multiple boards. Doris has also held executive marketing positions at top-tier CPG companies including PepsiCo Canada and General Mills. Doris holds an HBA and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University. 'On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Len Boggio for his leadership as Board Chair over the last 2 years in particular his exemplary leadership and commitment to strong corporate governance, and I'm pleased that he will continue to share his extensive governance experience in his role as Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee,' said Margaret Brodie, Chief Executive Officer. 'I want to welcome Doris Bitz as our new Board Chair. Doris has unique experience in building and scaling businesses and thus is very well-positioned to help elevate our team as we transform and scale in our next phase of growth.' 'I'm honored to step into the role of Chair,' said Doris Bitz. 'I look forward to working closely with the leadership team and Board to scale Rubicon Organics to achieve our vision to be the most trusted, premium global leader in cannabis, building long-term value for shareholders.' Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan The Board of Directors (the 'Board') approved the amendment to the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan on June 27th, 2025, subject to receipt of shareholder approval at the Meeting. The amended Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan will be administered by the Company's Board, and will permit the grant or issue of Restricted Share Units ('RSU's'), Performance Share Units ('PSU's'), Deferred Share Units ('DSU's'), and options ('Options') to eligible participants. The amended Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan is a fixed plan which provides that the aggregate maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued upon the exercise or settlement of awards granted under the amended Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan is 8,960,180 Common Shares. As set out in the Circular, the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan replaced the Company's legacy equity incentive plan and legacy DSU plan, and as such, no further grants of stock awards or DSUs will be made under the legacy equity incentive plan or legacy DSU plan. DSU Grant The Company has granted an aggregate of 1,024,576 DSUs pursuant to the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to certain independent directors of the Company as compensation for their services in advance for the following 12 months. The DSUs will vest twelve months from the date of grant, and may only be redeemed upon a holder ceasing to be a director of the Company, or as allowed for under the terms of the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. ABOUT RUBICON ORGANICS INC. Rubicon Organics is the Canadian leader in certified organic and premium cannabis. With a vertically integrated model and strong national distribution, the company is scaling a house of trusted, high-performing brands including Simply Bare™ Organics, 1964 Supply Co.™, Wildflower™, and Homestead Cannabis Supply™. The Company's production base is anchored by its Delta, BC Facility, and is now complemented by the acquisition of our Hope, BC Facility, which will expand production capacity by over 40% and support future growth in both domestic and export markets. With proprietary genetics, award-winning products, and certifications enabling international distribution, Rubicon is positioned at the forefront of the premium cannabis segment. As the Canadian market continues to rationalize and global demand for high-quality cannabis increases, Rubicon's disciplined execution, brand equity, and consumer loyalty set it apart. The Company's focus on premium quality, innovation, and operational execution has driven consistent revenue growth and positive Adjusted EBITDA. Rubicon Organics represents a rare combination of category leadership, operational strength, and long-term growth potential. CONTACT INFORMATION Margaret BrodieChief Executive OfficerPhone: +1 (437) 929-1964Email: ir@ The TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, statements regarding Rubicon Organics' goal of achieving industry leading profitability are 'forward-looking statements'. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as 'will' or variations of such word or statements that certain actions, events or results 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. The forward-looking information in this press release is based on certain assumptions that management considers reasonable under the circumstances, the Company's ability to execute its business strategy, demand for its products in international markets, and other factors beyond the Company's control. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Company's business and the industry in which it operates. Risks and uncertainties associated with the forward-looking information in this press release include, among others, risks related to regulatory approvals, changes in market conditions, competition, supply chain disruptions, the Company's ability to maintain certification standards, and the successful implementation of its business strategy. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although Rubicon Organics has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Rubicon Organics assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although Rubicon Organics has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Rubicon Organics assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
From Courtroom To Boardroom: Why Legal Advisors Must Understand Online Risk
Chad Angle, Head of ReputationDefender at Gen Digital. Expert in Executive Privacy, Digital Risk Strategy, and Online Reputation Management. In my role, I often join privacy audits and digital exposure reviews with senior legal teams. These meetings usually follow a familiar rhythm: data maps, access controls and third-party risk. But recently, in a session with a Fortune 100 client, the general counsel paused, smiled and said, 'You know what's wild? Our board spent more time last quarter debating the TikTok ban than tax compliance.' Everyone laughed, but the point was made. The definition of risk is changing—and fast. From deepfake videos and doxxing campaigns to manipulated search results and AI-generated misinformation, reputational threats no longer wait for a courtroom. They unfold in real time, online, and are increasingly showing up on the agendas of governance meetings. Legal advisors are being pulled into these conversations whether they are ready or not. And in 2025, fluency in digital visibility, online privacy and reputational risk is no longer optional. It's not enough to focus on contracts, compliance and litigation. Legal professionals, especially those who serve as board members or advise executives, need fluency in how digital visibility, online privacy and public narratives affect enterprise risk. According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey cited in the National Association of Corporate Directors' Directorship magazine, "72 percent of directors reported that going through a recent reputational crisis reflected negatively on the board members themselves." And 80% of directors under 60 expected this to impact their personal brand. As reputational threats become more personal, legal advisors and board leaders alike are facing a new kind of exposure—one that traditional risk frameworks were not designed to handle. Lawyers are already central to governance. Now they're being asked to bridge the gap between legal and digital risk, often with little precedent or playbooks. Here are five ways that legal professionals can lean into this expanded role and bring real value to the organizations they serve. 1. Start with a digital exposure review, not just a legal audit. Most boards already run background checks and conflict-of-interest reviews during onboarding for new hires. But few conduct a comprehensive scan of what the internet is saying about them. That's a mistake. Before an incident occurs, advisors should encourage a digital audit of directors, executives and key stakeholders. This includes reviewing what appears in search results, identifying vulnerable data on people search sites and flagging old content that could be taken out of context. Legal teams don't need to do this work themselves, but they do need to make sure that someone does it. 2. Treat online incidents like a crisis, not a sideshow. When misinformation or a viral tweet surfaces, legal counsel is often looped in late, after the fire has started. Instead, lawyers should be at the table when digital crisis plans are created. Whether the issue is a rogue employee's comment or a coordinated smear campaign, reputation incidents deserve the same rigor as product recalls or regulatory violations. Escalation paths should be clear. Roles should be defined. Response protocols should be rehearsed. The best time to plan is before the first headline hits. 3. Know where legal tools fall short. Many people assume defamation claims or cease-and-desist letters are enough to address online attacks. In reality, they are not always effective. Content platforms are protected. Anonymous speech is hard to unmask. Even when removal is possible, the timeline is often months, not days. Understanding the limits of legal remedies is critical. In many cases, strategic suppression, proactive digital hygiene or partnerships with cybersecurity and PR teams can deliver faster, more reliable outcomes. The point isn't to replace legal action. It's to expand your toolkit. 4. Integrate online risk into governance training. Directors are trained to oversee financials, ethics and enterprise risk. But few are prepared to navigate their own digital footprint. Legal advisors should advocate for briefings that include topics like data broker exposure, personal privacy settings, impersonation risks and the impact of search visibility on stakeholder trust. When directors understand these dynamics, they will be better equipped to identify vulnerabilities and support smarter policies. It's not about turning them into digital experts. It's about helping them ask the right questions. 5. Work across departments to strengthen resilience. Online risk doesn't fall neatly under one department. That's why legal teams must collaborate with IT, communications, HR and outside vendors to manage it. Lawyers are often the connective tissue between strategy and execution. They're uniquely positioned to align stakeholders, document decision-making and ensure that any response plan is legally sound. The more integrated the approach, the faster the response and the lower the risk. Final Thoughts Lawyers have always been stewards of trust. In 2025, that role is expanding. The ability to interpret contracts or defend clients in court remains vital, but it's no longer enough. Boards are asking for guidance on reputational threats that emerge from pixels—digital footprints and online discourse—not just paperwork. Those who understand this shift will become more than legal advisors. They'll serve as indispensable partners in protecting brand, leadership and long-term value. Because in today's world, the courtroom may still be the final line of defense, but reputational battles often begin long before that: with a Google search. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Driving Malaysia's high income trajectory: ESG-linked investments and green financing
Global finance landscape is gearing towards sustainability. From green bonds to ESG-linked loans, investors are aligning with environmental and social goals. Global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) reported that institutional investment in ESG-linked assets is expected to soar to US$33.9 trillion by 2026. Malaysia is also advancing towards sustainable financing. Khazanah Nasional issued RM6bil Sukuk Kelestarian to advance Green goals under the 12th Malaysian Plan. CIMB launched a sustainability linked fund by committing RM3bil through to 2030 for Malaysian SMEs whilst Malayan Banking Bhd announced commitment to mobilise RM20.69bil for sustainable finance. As Malaysia deepens its participation in the global value chain, ESG compliance has become more critical. Sustainability becomes essential. Players in both supply and demand chains prefer to invest and trade with establishments that subscribe to protecting the environment, are equitable in the welfare of its workforce, and are transparent and consistent with its governance. While there may be initial investment in setting up the eco-system for an ESG-compliant environment, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost. Reduce, reuse and recycle enable better utilisation of resources. Upskilling staff, better work environment including harmonious relationships among workforce upscale productivity. Transparency and consistency in workflows and policies enhance certainty thereby minimising redundancies. Since its transformation from a commodity-based economy to manufacturing based economy in the 90's, Malaysia has graduated from a lower-middle income to an upper middle-income nation as defined by the World Bank. The country however has since been mired in the middle-income trap. Post pandemic restructuring and upgrading efforts have intensified to accelerate income growth. With political stability and growth-enhancing policies in place, the country's long standing high income nation aspiration will likely be achieved before 2030. ESG and green finance is a key enabler in moving up sustainable value chains that make up a high-income economic regime. This is vital to sustain a higher income economy. Financing the future, green bonds and sustainability-linked instruments collectively are a catalyst for Malaysia to graduate to a high income nation and thereafter, sustain the convergence with the developed nations. It is heartening to observe the growing commitment and flow of resources towards ESG. Challenges remain. The general perception of ESG is that it is meant or only relevant for larger corporations. While compliance costs are high, the structural issue of measuring effectiveness of ESG compliance and accessibility of green and sustainability linked funds to small and medium enterprises are some of the challenges. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) including micro enterprises account for 97% of companies in Malaysia. Collectively they contributed some 39% of gross domestic products in 2023. Alliance Bank's ESG report 2025 shows remarkable increase in ESG awareness and adoption among Malaysian SMEs. ESG awareness among SMEs grew from 14% to 80% from 2023 to 2025 while ESG adoption more than doubled from 28% to 60% during the same period. Recognising the importance of SMEs ESG adoption, the government introduced the ESG framework in 2024 to facilitate and guide SMEs with a road map towards sustainable energy adoption and cost-effective practices. The government through the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) also supports SMEs with matching grants through the Domestics Investment Accelerator Fund for ESG adoption. Success in the evolving ESG landscape requires inclusiveness. Mobilising and harnessing both larger firms and SMEs, converting ESG awareness to ESG adoption, making accessibility and availability of sustainability-linked funds cost effective to both is critical. Another avenue to cascade ESG and green financing is public-private partnerships that leverage on complementarities and alignment of private and public goals, culminating in successful fundraising and sustainability outcomes. Ng Boon Chan. An entrepreneur committed to life-long learning, he recently graduated with a Master in Public Policy at Sunway University and will embark on an academic pursuit of a PhD in Sustainable Development.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US SEC names George Botic as PCAOB acting chair
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has appointed George Botic as acting chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The decision follows the recent resignation of the former chair, Erica Williams. SEC chairman Paul Atkins said: 'I thank Erica Williams for her dedicated service on the Board, and I look forward to working with George Botic as Acting Chair.' Botic, a certified public accountant, has been a member of the PCAOB board since October 2023. His experience within the body includes his role as the director of the PCAOB's division of registration and inspections and supervised accounting firms that audit public companies trading in the US, as well as audits of broker-dealers. His previous assignments within the PCAOB include serving as the director of the office of international affairs, advising former chairperson James Doty and contributed as the deputy director of the registration and inspections division. Botic's pre-PCAOB experience included a tenure as a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Botic stated: 'I am honoured to work with the SEC and the staff of the PCAOB as acting chair to ensure that we meet the mission established by Congress.' The former chair, Erica Williams, who took office in January 2022 and received reappointment in October 2024, was known for her work in updating auditing standards and refining the board's inspection and enforcement strategies, as well as its operational efficiency. The PCAOB is tasked with the oversight of audits pertaining to public entities, including brokers and dealers, through its comprehensive programs. The SEC is vested with the authority to appoint the PCAOB's board members and its chairperson. "US SEC names George Botic as PCAOB acting chair " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Local Spain
18-07-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Self-employed in Spain: What's a contribution base and which should I choose?
What does it mean to 'cotizar' in Spain? If you're self-employed (autónomo) in Spain you've probably come across the word cotizar, which in this context means to contribute or pay contributions to something. Basically it means contributing to the Spanish welfare state by paying taxes. You contribute a portion of your salary to the social security system in order to receive benefits, such as access to the healthcare system or perhaps a pension when the time comes, and the more you contribute, the more you receive. This so-called contribution 'base' will partly determine the retirement package you receive. In basic terms, your contribution base is the amount used to calculate social security contributions. What is the contribution base? The contribution base (base de cotización in Spanish) is basically the amount of money used to work out how much you pay into your social security contributions. In Spain, contributions can go up or down and these variations are calculated on the basis of the contribution base. Both self-employed workers and employees have their own contribution base, and everyone pays a monthly percentage to contribute and receive social benefits. Self-employed workers contribute through the self-employed contribution, while employees do so through their companies. The contribution base for self-employed workers in Spain While for salaried workers the contribution base is linked to their gross salary (a percentage of their salary goes directly towards paying social security) self-employed workers have some flexibility on this due to recent reforms and the unpredictability of being freelance or owning your own business. According to experts in Spain the self-employed 'can more or less choose the contribution base they want.' While employees only pay around 6 percent of their salary for social security (the rest is paid by the company) the self-employed have to pay the full percentage. This means that self-employed workers pay around 31 percent of their chosen contribution base to Social Security every month. How is the contribution base for the self-employed in Spain calculated? This is where things get a little complicated. Until 2023, self-employed workers in Spain could choose how much they wanted to contribute regardless of their income. However, from January 2023, this changed, and each self-employed worker is now given a contribution base corresponding to their net income. The Social Security system has created contribution brackets in which, for each bracket of net monthly income, a minimum and maximum contribution base is assigned. This way, self-employed workers can choose which base they want to contribute, but always within their income bracket. What are Spain's contribution bases? According to PricewaterhouseCoopers:"The minimum contribution for the lower bracket is set at €653.59, while the maximum contribution in the upper bracket is set at €4,909.50. Social security benefits would depend on the contributions paid by the self-employed, the general rate being 31.4 percent which is applied on a monthly social security contribution base chosen by the self-employed." The following table with data from Spain's Social Security Department shows the minimum contribution base in 2025 for each monthly earnings bracket and what it equates to in monthly social security fees. In other words, the smallest amount you can pay in social security taxes each month depending on your estimated earnings bracket. The table does not include the maximum contribution bases for each category, so it is aimed at self-employed workers who want to pay less. Estimated net monthly earning brackets Minimum contribution base in 2025 Monthly fee in 2025 Up to €670 €653.59 200 € Between €670 and €900 €718.95 220 € Between €900 and €1,125.90 €849.67 260 € Between €1,125.90 and €1,300 €950.98 280 € Between €1,300 and €1,500 €960.78 294 € Between €1,500 and €1,700 €960.78 294 € Between €1,700 and €1,850 €1,143.79 350 € Between €1,850 and €2,030 €1,209.15 370 € Between €2,030 and €2,760 €1,274.51 390 € Between €2,330 and €2,760 €1,356.21 415 € Between €2,760 and €3,190 €1,437.91 465 € Between €3,190 and €3,620 €1,519.61 490 € Between €3,620 and €4,050 €1,601.31 515 € Between €4,050 and €6,000 €1,732.03 530 € €6,000 or more €1,928.10 590 € Choosing your contribution base Due to the reforms made in 2023, as a self-employed worker you are required to report your net monthly income to Social Security and your contributions are based on this amount. Within your income bracket, you can choose whether you prefer to pay the minimum or maximum contribution. According to Tax Scouts, over 80 percent of self-employed workers in Spain choose the minimum contribution base. To choose your base, all you have to do is estimate your income first, and once you have your income bracket, inform Social Security of your chosen contribution base. This can be done through the Importass portal on the Social Security site, but many foreigners in Spain hire a gestor or accountant to handle it for them. You will need your certificado electrónico or Clave to access the Social Security portal. You can head directly to the section on contribution bases and see the contributions you have made up to now here. Which base should I choose? When choosing your contribution base, it is important to bear in mind that if you choose the minimum contribution base for your income bracket, you will pay less each month. However, when you receive benefits (such as sick leave or a pension) the amount you get will be lower. On the other hand, if you choose the maximum, you will pay more each month but you will receive better benefits when you need them. If you are able to generate a lot of money, you may be able to choose a higher contribution base, because that means you will have better benefits in the long run. Another factor to consider is that if your business or sector is unpredictable and income varies greatly from month to month, if you choose a high contribution base, there may be months when you cannot afford to pay your Social Security contributions. Can I change my base? Yes, you can. It's up to you to inform Social Security of your predicted earnings, so they know how much to charge you. You can change this contribution base up to six times per year as your earnings increase and decrease, meaning that you may not always be paying the same amount each month. Self-employed workers in Spain pay some of the highest social security contributions in Europe, however, they also receive some of the greatest benefits. Health care, sick pay, maternity and paternity benefits and pensions are all available to self-employed workers here. This is not the case in many other European countries, who may have to pay extra for health insurance or do not get any maternity or paternity benefits if they're self-employed.
