The company is required by law to hold a general meeting of its shareholders each year (the Annual General Meeting - "AGM"). If an important matter requiring shareholder approval cannot wait until the next AGM, the company will call an Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM").
As an ordinary shareholder you are entitled to attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the company.
As an ADR holder you are entitled to vote by proxy which is then exercised on your behalf by the depositary bank, The Bank of New York.
If you attend a general meeting, you can vote in person on each resolution. If you cannot attend, you may appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf and your proxy can vote on a poll.
Click here for further information on Diageo’s AGMs and the Diageo 2007 AGM
Click here for further information on EGM’s