DEF 14A 1 d324862ddef14a.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

 

  Preliminary Proxy Statement
  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  Definitive Proxy Statement
  Definitive Additional Materials
  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

          

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

  No fee required.
  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1)  

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

  (2)  

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

  (3)  

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

  (4)  

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

     

  (5)   Total fee paid:
   

 

     

  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
  (1)  

Amount Previously Paid:

 

     

  (2)  

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

     

  (3)  

Filing Party:

 

     

  (4)  

Date Filed:

 

     

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

Notice of 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

to be held at the offices of the Company

545 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

May 17, 2017, 8:00 AM, local time

March 31, 2017

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Verisk Analytics, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. local time, at 545 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, to:

 

   

elect four (4) members of the Board of Directors;

 

   

approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers on an advisory, non-binding basis (“say-on-pay”);

 

   

vote on an advisory, non-binding proposal as to whether “say-on-pay” votes should be held every one, two or three years (“say-on-pay frequency”);

 

   

ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2017; and

 

   

transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of directors, the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers on an advisory, non-binding basis and the ratification of the appointment of the auditor. With respect to the advisory, non-binding vote as to whether “say-on-pay” votes should be held every one, two or three years, our Board of Directors recommends that you vote for the “ONE YEAR” frequency option.

With respect to certain of our shareholders, we are pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rule allowing companies to furnish proxy materials to their shareholders via the Internet. We believe this e-proxy process expedites shareholders’ receipt of proxy materials and lowers the costs of our annual meeting of shareholders. Accordingly, we have mailed to certain of our beneficial owners the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the attached Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K via the Internet and how to vote online. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also contains instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. We are mailing paper copies of our annual meeting materials to our shareholders of record, and to eligible participants in the ISO 401(k) Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is being mailed to certain of our shareholders beginning on or about March 31, 2017. The Proxy Statement is being made available to our shareholders and eligible ESOP participants beginning on or about March 31, 2017.

Very truly yours,

 

 

LOGO

Kenneth E. Thompson

Executive Vice President, General

Counsel and Corporate Secretary

*****

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on May 17, 2017. Our Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 are available at www.proxyvote.com. Upon written request to our Corporate Secretary, we will provide a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K without charge. Please mail any written request to Kenneth E. Thompson, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310-1686.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Proxy Statement

     1  

Annual Meeting Information

     1  

Voting Information

     2  

Item 1 — Election of Directors

     3  

Corporate Governance

     7  

Directors’ Compensation and Benefits

     12  

Executive Officers of Verisk

     14  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     15  

Principal Shareholders

     17  

Executive Compensation

     17  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     17  

Compensation Committee Report

     25  

Summary Compensation Table

     27  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

     29  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

     30  

Option Exercise and Stock Vested Table

     31  

Pension Benefits Table

     31  

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

     32  

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

     32  

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     33  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     35  

Item 2 —  Approval of the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers on an Advisory, Non-Binding Basis

     36  

Item 3 —  Advisory, Non-Binding Vote on the Frequency of Advisory Votes on the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

     37  

Item 4 — Ratification of the Appointment of the Company’s Independent Auditor

     38  

Audit Committee Report

     38  

Other Matters

     41  


Table of Contents

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

545 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

March 31, 2017

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

We are making this Proxy Statement available in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We are mailing the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or about March 31, 2017. This Proxy Statement is being made available to our shareholders on or about March 31, 2017. In this Proxy Statement, we refer to Verisk Analytics, Inc. as the “Company,” “Verisk,” “we,” “our” or “us” and the Board of Directors as the “Board.”

ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

Date and Location.    We will hold the annual meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 8:00 AM, local time, at the offices of the Company, 545 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310.

Admission.    Only record or beneficial owners of our common stock as of the Record Date, as defined below, or their proxies, and eligible participants of the ISO 401(k) Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP, may attend the annual meeting in person. When you arrive at the annual meeting, you must present photo identification, such as a driver’s license. Beneficial owners must also provide evidence of stock holdings, such as a recent brokerage account or bank statement.

Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials.    Pursuant to the rules adopted by the SEC, we are making this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K available to many of our shareholders electronically via the Internet. Accordingly, in compliance with this e-proxy process, on or about March 31, 2017, we are mailing to our beneficial owners (other than ESOP participants) the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice) containing instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K via the Internet and how to vote online. As a result, these beneficial owners will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail unless they request a copy. The Notice is not a proxy card and cannot be used to vote your shares. If you would like to receive a printed or electronic copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice. Your participation in the e-proxy process enables us to save money on the cost of printing and mailing the documents to you. Beneficial owners may request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials by mail or electronically, in either case, free of charge.

Printed copies of the proxy materials are being sent to record holders of our stock and to eligible ESOP participants. All shareholders and eligible ESOP participants will be able to access the proxy materials at www.proxyvote.com.

Record and Beneficial Owners.    If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, you are considered, with respect to those shares, to be a stockholder of record, and our annual meeting materials are being sent to you directly by us. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy or to attend the meeting and vote in person. If your shares are held in a brokerage account, including an Individual Retirement Account, or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered a beneficial owner of those shares held in “street name” and your broker or nominee is considered, with respect to those shares, to be the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or nominee on how to vote your shares.

 

1


Table of Contents

VOTING INFORMATION

Record Date.    The Record Date for the annual meeting is March 20, 2017. Record and beneficial owners may vote all shares of Verisk’s common stock they owned as of the close of business on that date. ESOP participants may direct the Plan Trustee, GreatBanc Trust Company, to vote all shares of Verisk’s common stock allocated to their ESOP accounts as of the close of business on that date. Each share of Common Stock entitles you to one vote on the election of each of the Directors nominated for election and one vote on each other matter voted on at the annual meeting. On the Record Date 166,375,962 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. We need a quorum consisting of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date present, in person or by proxy, to hold the annual meeting.

Submitting Voting Instructions for Shares Held Through a Broker.    If you hold shares through a broker, follow the voting instructions you receive from your broker. If you want to vote in person at the annual meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker and present it at the annual meeting. If you do not submit voting instructions to your broker, your broker may still be permitted to vote your shares. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) member brokers may vote your shares as described below:

 

   

Discretionary Items.    The ratification of the appointment of Verisk’s independent auditor is a “discretionary” item. NYSE member brokers that do not receive instructions from beneficial owners may vote on this proposal in their discretion, subject to any voting policies adopted by the broker holding your shares.

 

   

Nondiscretionary Items.    The election of directors, the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers on an advisory, non-binding basis, and the advisory, non-binding vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes are considered “non-discretionary” items. NYSE members that do not receive instructions from beneficial owners may not vote on these proposals on their behalf.

If you do not submit voting instructions and your broker does not have discretion to vote your shares on a matter, your broker will return the proxy card without voting on that matter (referred to as broker non-votes). Your shares will not be counted in determining the outcome of the vote on that matter. Therefore, if you hold your shares through a broker, it is critically important that you submit your voting instructions if you want your shares to count in the election of directors, the approval of the compensation of named executive officers on an advisory, non-binding basis and the advisory, non-binding vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes.

Submitting Voting Instructions for Shares Held in Your Name.    If you hold shares as a record holder, you may vote by submitting a proxy for your shares by mail, telephone or Internet as described on the proxy card. If you submit your proxy via the Internet, you may incur costs such as cable, telephone and Internet access charges. The deadline for submitting your proxy via the Internet or by telephone is 11:59 p.m., EDT, on May 16, 2017. Submitting your proxy will not limit your right to vote in person at the annual meeting. A properly completed and submitted proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions, unless you subsequently revoke your instructions. If you submit a signed proxy card without indicating your vote, the person voting the proxy will vote your shares according to the Board’s recommendations.

Submitting Voting Instructions for Shares held in the ESOP.    Participants who hold shares indirectly through the ISO 401(k) Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan may instruct the Plan Trustee, GreatBanc Trust Company, how to vote all shares of Verisk Common Stock allocated to their accounts. The Plan Trustee will vote the ESOP shares for which it has not received instruction in its discretion, in the best interests of ESOP participants. All votes will be kept confidential and individual votes will not be disclosed to management unless required by law.

Revoking Your Proxy.    You can revoke your proxy at any time before your shares are voted by (1) delivering a written revocation notice prior to the annual meeting to the Corporate Secretary, Kenneth E. Thompson, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310; (2) submitting a later proxy that we receive no later than the conclusion of voting at the annual meeting; or (3) voting in person at the annual meeting. Attending the annual meeting does not revoke your proxy unless you vote in person at the meeting.

Votes Required to Elect Directors.    In uncontested elections, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director. A “majority of the votes cast” means that each vote is specifically counted “for” or “against” the director’s election, and in order to be elected, the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of shares voted “against” that director. The Company has adopted a director

 

2


Table of Contents

resignation policy providing that an incumbent director whose re-election was not approved by a majority of votes cast in an uncontested election must promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Nominating Committee will consider any such resignation and make a recommendation to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. If the Board does not accept the resignation, under Delaware law, the director will continue to serve on the Board until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier resignation or removal. If the Board accepts the resignation, the Nominating Committee may recommend to the Board, and the Board will thereafter decide, whether to fill the resulting vacancy or to reduce the size of the Board. The Board, excluding the director in question, will act on the Nominating Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale supporting it within 90 days following the date of the certification of the election results.

Votes Required to Approve the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers on an Advisory, Non-Binding Basis.    The approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers on an advisory, non-binding basis requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

Votes Required to Adopt the Advisory, Non-Binding Proposal on Frequency of Say-On-Pay Votes.    Shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board with respect to this proposal. The advisory, non-binding vote as to the frequency (every one, two or three years) of future say-on-pay votes will require you to select between a frequency of every one, two or three years or abstain from voting. The frequency option (every one, two or three years) receiving the majority of votes from the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote thereon will be considered the frequency recommended by shareholders. It is possible that none of the frequency options will receive an affirmative majority from the shareholders, in which case the Board will take into account the frequency option that receives the highest number of votes when determining the frequency of future say-on-pay votes.

Votes Required to Ratify Auditor.    The ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

“Abstaining” and “Broker Non-Votes.”    You may vote “abstain” for all or any of the director nominees, and you may vote “abstain” for any other proposal. Shares voting “abstain”, and broker non-votes with respect to any nominee for director will be excluded entirely from such vote and will have no effect on the election of directors. Shares voting “abstain” on the other proposals will be counted as present at the annual meeting for purposes of that proposal and your abstention will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted in determining the results of the vote on the say-on-pay proposal or the frequency of say-on-pay proposal but will be counted as present at the annual meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

ITEM 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes each serving staggered terms. The number of directors is fixed by our Board of Directors, subject to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Our Board of Directors currently consists of fourteen directors and each director who is elected will be elected for a three-year term by the holders of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director in uncontested elections. A “majority of the votes cast” means that each vote is specifically counted “for” or “against” the director’s election, and in order to be elected, the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of shares voted “against” that director. The Company has adopted a director resignation policy providing that an incumbent director whose re-election was not approved by a majority of votes cast in an uncontested election must promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Nominating Committee will consider any such resignation and make a recommendation to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. If the Board does not accept the resignation, under Delaware law, the director will continue to serve on the Board until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier resignation or removal. If the Board accepts the resignation, the Nominating Committee may recommend to

 

3


Table of Contents

the Board, and the Board will thereafter decide, whether to fill the resulting vacancy or to reduce the size of the Board. The Board, excluding the director in question, will act on the Nominating Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale supporting it within 90 days following the date of the certification of the election results.

The nominees for election at the 2017 Annual Meeting are set forth below and will serve terms continuing until 2020. Thomas F. Motamed, a director currently serving a term expiring at the 2017 Annual Meeting, will retire from the Board effective as of the 2017 Annual Meeting and therefore will not stand for re-election. Accordingly, if each director nominee for election at the 2017 Annual Meeting is elected, our Board of Directors will consist of a total of thirteen directors. All of the director nominees are current directors of Verisk as of March 31, 2017, and each nominee has indicated that he or she will serve if elected. We do not anticipate that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to stand for election, but if that happens, your proxy may be voted for another person nominated by the Board or the Board may reduce its size.

We believe that each of the nominees listed below possesses key attributes that we seek in a director, including strong and effective decision-making, communication and leadership skills. We also believe that the Board as a whole possesses the right diversity of experience, qualifications and skills to oversee and address the key issues facing the Company.

Nominees for Election at the 2017 Annual Meeting

Nominees for terms continuing until 2020

Frank J. Coyne (68) has served as one of our directors since 2002 and has served as our independent Lead Director since April 1, 2016. Previously, Mr. Coyne served as the Chairman of our Board from 2002 until April 1, 2016 and served as our Chief Executive Officer from 2002 until his retirement in April 2013. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Coyne served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and he served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Coyne joined the Company from Kemper Insurance Cos., where he was Executive Vice President, Specialty and Risk Management Groups. Previously, he served in a variety of positions with General Accident Insurance and was elected its President and Chief Operating Officer in 1991. He has also held executive positions with Lynn Insurance Group, Reliance Insurance Co. and PMA Insurance Co. Mr. Coyne also serves on the Board of Directors of Strategic CAT Holdings LLC, a privately-held independent adjusting company, and the Board of Trustees of Underwriters Laboratories. In assessing Mr. Coyne’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered the in-depth operations and management experience and knowledge gained by Mr. Coyne as Chief Executive Officer of Verisk from 2002 until his retirement in 2013.

Christopher M. Foskett (59) has served as one of our directors since 1999. Mr. Foskett currently serves as a member of the Management Committee of First Data Corporation and also oversees Corporate and Business Development at First Data Corporation. From 2011 to April 2014 Mr. Foskett served as the Managing Director — Co-Head of North American Banking and Global Head of Sales for Treasury Services at JPMorgan Chase Bank. He was Managing Director — Global Head of Financial Institutions of National Australia Bank from 2008 to 2011 and a Managing Director and Global Head of the Financial Institutions Group in Citigroup’s Corporate Bank from 2007 to 2008. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Foskett was Head of Sales and Relationship Management for Citigroup Global Transaction Services. He also served as Global Industry Head for the Insurance and Investment Industries in Citigroup’s Global Corporate Bank from 1999 to 2003. Previously, he held various roles in Citigroup’s mergers and acquisitions group. In assessing Mr. Foskett’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his more than 30 years in the banking and financial services industries, and experience gained as a senior executive with global financial institutions.

David B. Wright (67) has served as one of our directors since 1999. Since August 2014, Mr. Wright has served as Managing Partner of Innovative Capital Ventures, Inc. From July 2012 to May 2014, Mr. Wright served as the Chief Executive Officer of ClearEdge Power, a privately held company. From February 2010 to July 2011, Mr. Wright served as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GridIron Systems. Mr. Wright served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Verari Systems, Inc., from June 2006 to December 2009. He was Executive Vice President, Office of the CEO, Strategic Alliances and Global Accounts

 

4


Table of Contents

of EMC Corporation from July 2004 until August 2006. From October 2000 to July 2004, Mr. Wright served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Legato Systems. Prior to joining Legato Systems, Mr. Wright had a 13-year career with Amdahl Corporation, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Wright also previously served on the Board of Directors of ClearEdge Power, GridIron Systems, ActivIdentity Corp., Aspect Communications Corp., Boole and Babbage Inc. and GeekNet, Inc. In assessing Mr. Wright’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered the operations and management experience he gained in leadership positions in diverse businesses.

Annell R. Bay (61) has served as one of our directors since August 2016. Ms. Bay has more than 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industries. Ms. Bay most recently served as vice president of global exploration for Marathon Oil Corporation, from June 2008 until her retirement in April 2014. Ms. Bay was previously Vice President of Americas exploration for Shell Exploration and Production Company and Vice President of worldwide exploration at Kerr McGee Oil and Gas Corporation. Earlier in her career, Ms. Bay held positions in operations and applied research at Chevron, Sohio, and Oryx Energy. Ms. Bay serves on the advisory boards for the Jackson School of Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, the American Association of Petroleum Geology, and the Houston Education Center for the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Ms. Bay has served on the Board of Directors of the Apache Corporation, a publicly traded company, since 2014, and Hunting PLC, a UK-listed energy company, since 2015. In assessing Ms. Bay’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered her deep knowledge of the oil and gas industries and her extensive experience in the exploration of conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs and in portfolio risk management.

Our Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of all four (4) nominees. Proxies solicited by our Board will be voted “FOR” these nominees unless otherwise instructed.

Continuing Directors

Directors with terms continuing until 2018

J. Hyatt Brown (79) has served as one of our directors since 2003. Mr. Brown has been Chairman of Brown & Brown, Inc. since 1993 and served as Brown & Brown’s Chief Executive Officer from 1993 until July 1, 2009. Mr. Brown is a Trustee of Stetson University in Florida, a past member of the Florida Board of Regents and a member of the Florida Council of 100. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1972 and was elected Speaker in 1978. Mr. Brown retired as Speaker in 1980. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Speedway Corporation. He served on the boards of directors of Next Era Energy, Inc. until May 2012, Rock-Tenn Company until January 2010, Sun Trust Banks, Inc. until 2008 and Bell South Corporation until 2006. In assessing Mr. Brown’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his extensive experience in expanding and managing Brown & Brown, Inc., and his deep knowledge of the insurance industry. Our Board also believes it benefits from Mr. Brown’s experience gained by his current and past service on other public company boards.

Samuel G. Liss (60) has served as one of our directors since 2005. Mr. Liss is the principal of WhiteGate Partners LLC, a financial services advisory firm, and an Adjunct Professor of finance at the New York University Stern School of Business. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Liss served as Executive Vice President at The Travelers Companies and continues to serve as an advisor. Before the merger of The St. Paul and Travelers Companies, Mr. Liss served as Executive Vice President at The St. Paul Companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Liss was a Managing Director in the Investment Banking and the Equities divisions at Credit Suisse working with financial and business services companies. Mr. Liss began his career at Salomon Brothers. Mr. Liss has also served on the Board of Directors of DST Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company, since May 2012. In assessing Mr. Liss’ skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his management and operational experience gained as a senior executive of a global insurance business, his expertise in investment banking and the capital markets and his Board governance experience.

Therese M. Vaughan (60) has served as one of our directors since February 2013. Ms. Vaughan has served as the Dean of Drake College of Business since September 2014 and prior to that served as interim Dean from June 2014 to September 2014. Ms. Vaughan served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners from February 2009 to November 2012. From January 2005 to January 2009,

 

5


Table of Contents

Ms. Vaughan was the Robb B. Kelley Distinguished Professor of Insurance and Actuarial Science at Drake University. From August 1994 to December 2004, she was Commissioner of the Iowa Insurance Division, directing all insurance business transacted in the State of Iowa. Ms. Vaughan has served on the Board of Directors of Validus Holdings, Ltd., an insurance company, since May 2013, and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield since May 2013. Ms. Vaughan has previously served on the Board of Directors of Principal Financial Group, Inc. from November 2005 to January 2009 and Endurance Specialty Holding Ltd. from August 2005 to January 2009. In assessing Ms. Vaughan’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered her deep knowledge of the insurance industry and regulatory environment gained from her experience with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and as Commissioner of the Iowa Insurance Division.

Bruce Hansen (57) has served as one of our directors since May 2015. From 2002 to 2012, Mr. Hansen served as Chairman and CEO of ID Analytics, a company he co-founded in 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Hansen served as President of HNC Software, Inc., a publicly traded company. Mr. Hansen has also held executive roles at CASA Inc., CitiGroup, ADP and JPMorgan Chase. Mr. Hansen currently serves on the Board of Directors of two publicly traded companies, Performant Financial Corporation and MITEK Systems Inc., as well as one privately held company, Zyme Solutions. Mr. Hansen is also an active member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. In assessing Mr. Hansen’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his management and operations experience gained as a senior executive of multiple data analytics businesses, as well as his experience gained by his current and past service on other public company boards.

Kathleen A. Hogenson (56) has served as one of our directors since August 2016. Ms. Hogenson is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of energy experience. Ms. Hogenson has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Zone Oil & Gas, LLC, a company providing advisory and valuation services in energy, since 2007. Ms. Hogenson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Zone Energy, LLC, a company she founded in 2009 and sold in 2015. Previously, Ms. Hogenson was President of Santos USA Corporation and Vice President of exploration and production technology for Unocal Corporation. Ms. Hogenson has previously served on the Board of Directors of Petrofac Limited and Parallel Petroleum LLC. Ms. Hogenson has also served on the advisory Board of Samsung Oil & Gas USA Corporation. In assessing Ms. Hogenson’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered her proven entrepreneurial track record and extensive commercial and strategic knowledge of the oil and gas industry.

Directors with terms continuing until 2019

John F. Lehman, Jr. (74) has served as one of our directors since 1992. Mr. Lehman is Chairman of J. F. Lehman & Co., an investment firm that he founded in 1991. Prior to founding J. F. Lehman & Co., he was Managing Director of Paine Webber, Inc. from 1988 to 1991. In 1981, Mr. Lehman was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Reagan and served in that capacity until 1987. Mr. Lehman was a member of the bipartisan September 11 Commission and currently serves on the Board of Directors of EnerSys, Inc. In assessing Mr. Lehman’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his financial expertise and operations skills gained through involvement with numerous diverse businesses and through his experience in government and public service. Our Board also believes it benefits from Mr. Lehman’s experience gained by prior service on other public company boards.

Andrew G. Mills (64) has served as one of our directors since 2002. Mr. Mills has served as Executive Chairman and President of Archegos Capital Management since June 2014 and serves as the Co-Chairman of the Grace & Mercy Foundation. Mr. Mills has also served as the interim President of The King’s College in New York, New York from October 2012 to July 2013 and from May 2007 to December 2008 and also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2014. He is the former Chairman of Intego Solutions LLC, which he founded in 2000. Mr. Mills previously served as Chief Executive Officer of The Thomson Corporation’s Financial and Professional Publishing unit and as a member of Thomson’s Board of Directors. In 1984, he led the start-up operations of Business Research Corporation and was responsible for overseeing its sale and integration into The Thompson Corporation. He began his career with Courtaulds Ltd. and joined The Boston Consulting Group in 1979. Mr. Mills is on the Board of Directors of Camp of the Woods, is a member of the Massachusetts State Board of the Salvation Army and is co-chairman of the Theology of Work Project. In assessing Mr. Mills’ skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his management expertise

 

6


Table of Contents

gained through senior executive positions with diverse businesses and his expertise in acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.

Constantine P. Iordanou (67) has served as one of our directors since 2001. Mr. Iordanou has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital Group Limited, or ACGL, since August 2003 and as director of ACGL since January 2002. From January 2002 through July 2003, he was Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital (U.S.) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ACGL. Prior to joining ACGL in 2002, Mr. Iordanou served in various capacities for Zurich Financial Services and its affiliates, including as Senior Executive Vice President of Group Operations and Business Development of Zurich Financial Services, President of Zurich-American Specialties Division, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Zurich American and Chief Executive Officer of Zurich North America. Prior to joining Zurich in March of 1992, he served as President of the Commercial Casualty division of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and served as Senior Vice President with the American Home Insurance Company, a member of the American International Group. In assessing Mr. Iordanou’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered his experience as director and Chief Executive Officer of another public company, ACGL, as well as his extensive experience as a senior executive of various global insurance businesses.

Scott G. Stephenson (59) has been our Chief Executive Officer since April 2013 and has been our President since March 2011. Mr. Stephenson has also served on our Board of Directors since April 2013 and effective April 1, 2016, Mr. Stephenson was appointed to serve as the Chairman of our Board. Mr. Stephenson also previously served as our Chief Operating Officer and prior to that led our Decision Analytics segment. From 2002 to 2008, Mr. Stephenson served as our Executive Vice President, and he served as President of our Intego Solutions business from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Stephenson joined the Company from Silver Lake Partners, a technology-oriented private equity firm, where he was an advisor from 2000 to 2001. From 1989 to 1999 Mr. Stephenson was a partner with The Boston Consulting Group, eventually rising to senior partner and member of the firm’s North American operating committee. In assessing Mr. Stephenson’s skills and qualifications to serve on our Board, our directors considered the in-depth operations and management experience and knowledge gained by Mr. Stephenson from his various senior management and executive positions held by him within Verisk since 2001, including serving as our Chief Executive Officer since April 2013.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Documents.    Verisk maintains a corporate governance website at the “Corporate Overview — Governance Documents” link under the “Investors” link at www.verisk.com.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines (including our director independence standards); Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charters are available on our website at the “Corporate Overview — Governance Documents” link under the “Investors” link at www.verisk.com and are available to any shareholder who requests them by writing to Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attention: Kenneth E. Thompson, Corporate Secretary.

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to our directors, executive officers and employees. If we make any substantive amendment to, or grant a waiver from, a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions, we will satisfy the applicable SEC disclosure requirement by disclosing within four business days the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website at the “Governance Documents” link under the “Investors” link at www.verisk.com.

Leadership Structure, Chairman and Lead Director.    On April 1, 2016, we combined the roles of Chairman and CEO and we created the new role of independent Lead Director. From 2002 until his retirement on April 1, 2013, Frank J. Coyne served as both our Chairman and CEO. Upon Mr. Coyne’s retirement, Scott G. Stephenson became our CEO and Mr. Coyne continued to serve as Non-Executive Chairman. We believed that having Mr. Coyne serve as Non-Executive Chairman for a period of time prior to him being deemed independent under NASDAQ listing rules was useful to, among other things, assist in and facilitate the transition of

 

7


Table of Contents

Mr. Stephenson to his new role of CEO. We believe that giving Mr. Stephenson the additional role of Chairman, effective upon his third anniversary as CEO, promoted efficiency. In addition, we have established the role of independent Lead Director and appointed Mr. Coyne to serve in that role. We believe having a Lead Director will promote a more robust corporate governance program and align the Company with an increasing number of leading public companies.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Lead Director shall:

 

   

preside at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors;

 

   

serve as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors;

 

   

approve information sent to the Board;

 

   

approve meeting agendas for the Board;

 

   

approve meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;

 

   

have the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;

 

   

if requested by major shareholders, ensure that he is available for consultation and direct communication;

 

   

provide leadership to the Board if circumstances arise in which the role of the Chairman may be, or may be perceived to be, in conflict, and responding to any reported conflicts of interest, or potential conflicts of interest, arising for any director;

 

   

lead the independent directors in the annual evaluation of the performance of the CEO and communicate that evaluation to the CEO;

 

   

be available to advise the chairs of the committees of the Board in fulfilling their designated roles and responsibilities to the Board and attend meetings of the committees of the Board; and

 

   

engage with the Chairman between Board meetings and assist with informing or engaging with non-employee directors, as appropriate.

Director Independence.    Under our bylaws, our Board of Directors may consist of not less than seven nor more than fifteen directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Currently, our Board of Directors has fourteen directors. Upon Mr. Motamed’s retirement effective as of the 2017 Annual Meeting and if each director nominee for election at the 2017 Annual Meeting is successfully elected, our Board of Directors will consist of a total of thirteen directors. Thirteen of our current fourteen directors are “independent” as defined under NASDAQ listing rules. Currently, the following individuals serve on our Board of Directors as independent directors: Annell R. Bay, J. Hyatt Brown, Frank J. Coyne, Christopher M. Foskett, Bruce Hansen, Kathleen A. Hogenson, Constantine P. Iordanou, John F. Lehman, Jr., Samuel G. Liss, Thomas F. Motamed, Andrew G. Mills, David B. Wright, and Therese M. Vaughan. Scott G. Stephenson, our current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is not considered independent. As of April 1, 2016, Frank J. Coyne has been considered independent under NASDAQ listing rules as three years have passed since Mr. Coyne retired as our Chief Executive Officer.

Board Meetings and Committees.    Our bylaws provide that the Board of Directors may designate one or more committees. We currently have the following committees: Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Finance and Investment Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board met nine times in 2016. In 2016, all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which the directors served that were held while such directors were members, except for Mr. Motamed. Mr. Motamed will retire from the Board of Directors effective as of the 2017 Annual Meeting and therefore is not standing for re-election.

The Executive Committee currently consists of Scott G. Stephenson (Chair), Frank J. Coyne (Lead Director), Christopher M. Foskett, Constantine P. Iordanou, and John F. Lehman, Jr. The Executive Committee

 

8


Table of Contents

exercises all the power and authority of the Board of Directors (except those powers and authorities that are reserved to the full Board of Directors under Delaware law) between regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings. The Executive Committee also makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors on various matters. The Executive Committee meets as necessary upon the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee met once in 2016.

The Audit Committee currently consists of Christopher M. Foskett (Chair), Bruce Hansen, Samuel G. Liss, Andrew G. Mills, Thomas F. Motamed, Therese M. Vaughan and David B. Wright, all of whom are “independent” as defined under NASDAQ listing rules. The Audit Committee is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Each member of our Audit Committee is financially literate, as such term is interpreted by our Board of Directors. In addition, each of Christopher M. Foskett, Bruce Hansen, Samuel G. Liss, Andrew G. Mills, Therese M. Vaughan and David B Wright meets the qualifications of an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules, as determined by our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee reviews the internal accounting and financial controls for the Company and the accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be employed in preparation and review of the financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee also provides assistance to our Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. In addition, the Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the engagement of the independent accounting firm and the scope of the audit to be undertaken by such auditors. The Audit Committee met six times in 2016.

The Compensation Committee currently consists of John F. Lehman, Jr. (Chair), Annell R. Bay, Christopher M. Foskett, Constantine P. Iordanou and David B. Wright, all of whom are “independent” as defined under NASDAQ listing rules. The Compensation Committee reviews and, as it deems appropriate, recommends to the Board of Directors policies, practices and procedures relating to the compensation of the CEO and of each of the Company’s other executive officers and directors and the establishment and administration of employee benefit plans. The Compensation Committee also exercises all authority under the Company’s employee equity incentive plans and advises and consults with the officers of the Company as may be requested regarding managerial personnel policies. The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to subcommittees or the Chair of the Compensation Committee when it deems it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company. The Compensation Committee met twice in 2016.

The Finance and Investment Committee currently consists of Samuel G. Liss (Chair), J. Hyatt Brown, Christopher M. Foskett, Kathleen A. Hogenson, Andrew G. Mills and Thomas F. Motamed. The Finance and Investment Committee meets as necessary to establish, monitor and evaluate the Company’s investment policies, practices and advisors and to advise management and the Board of Directors on the financial aspects of strategic and operational directions, including financial plans, capital planning, financing alternatives, stock repurchases and acquisition opportunities. The Finance and Investment Committee met twice in 2016.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Constantine P. Iordanou (Chair), Annell R. Bay, J. Hyatt Brown, Kathleen A. Hogenson, John F. Lehman, Jr., and Therese M. Vaughan, all of whom are “independent” as defined under NASDAQ listing rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and, as it deems appropriate, recommends to the Board of Directors policies and procedures relating to director and committee nominations, including consideration of shareholder nominees, and corporate governance policies. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met twice in 2016.

Our Board has adopted a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee setting forth the roles and responsibilities of each committee. The charters are available on our website at the “Corporate Overview — Governance Documents” link under the “Investors” link at www.verisk.com.

The reports of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee appear herein.

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings.    The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines state that directors are expected to attend annual meetings of shareholders. All of our directors attended the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

9


Table of Contents

Executive Sessions.    The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that non-employee directors may meet in executive sessions and the Lead Director will preside over these executive sessions. If any non-employee directors are not independent, then the independent directors will meet in executive sessions and the Lead Director will preside over these executive sessions. In 2016, after every Board and committee meeting an executive session consisting of independent directors was convened.

Communications with Directors.    Shareholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board by mail. To communicate with the Board, the Lead Director, any individual director or any group or committee of directors (including the independent directors as a group), correspondence should be addressed to the Board or any such individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to Kenneth E. Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310. Items that are unrelated to a director’s duties and responsibilities as a Board member, such as junk mail, may be excluded by the Corporate Secretary. Any communication to report potential issues regarding accounting, internal controls and other auditing matters should be marked “Personal and Confidential” and sent to Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310, Attention: Chair of the Audit Committee of Verisk Analytics, Inc., in care of Kenneth E. Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Our Policy for Reporting Concerns Related to Accounting and Ethical Violations (Whistleblower Policy) is available on our website at the “Corporate Overview — Governance Documents” link under the “Investors” link at www.verisk.com.

Mandatory Retirement.    J. Hyatt Brown is currently serving as a director for a three-year term ending in 2018. Mr. Brown currently exceeds the Company’s mandatory retirement age under our Corporate Governance Guidelines for directors of 75. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe that the Company will benefit from Mr. Brown’s continued service. Accordingly, the applicability of the mandatory retirement age under our Corporate Governance Guidelines was waived in this circumstance in order to permit Mr. Brown to continue to serve as a director for a three-year term continuing until 2018. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, this waiver will be reviewed annually.

Compensation Governance.    The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least three members, and shall be composed solely of independent directors meeting the independence requirements of the NASDAQ listing rules. The Compensation Committee currently consists of four members, each of whom is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Compensation Committee has the responsibility and authority to approve performance-based compensation for the Company’s executive officers. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends nominees for appointment to the Compensation Committee from time-to-time and as vacancies or newly-created positions occur. Compensation Committee members are appointed by the Board and may be removed by the Board at any time.

The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. As noted above, the Compensation Committee is responsible for determining, or recommending to the Board for determination, annually all compensation awarded to the Company’s executive officers, including the CEO and the other executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table” herein (“named executive officers” or “NEOs”). In addition, the Compensation Committee administers the Company’s equity incentive plans, including reviewing and approving equity grants to executive officers. Information on the Compensation Committee’s processes, procedures and analysis of NEO compensation for fiscal 2016 is addressed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section herein.

The Compensation Committee actively engages in its duties and follows procedures intended to ensure excellence in compensation governance, including those described below:

 

   

Identifying corporate goals and objectives relevant to executive officer compensation.

 

   

Evaluating each executive officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and setting each executive officer’s compensation based on such evaluation and such other factors as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and in the best interests of the Company (including the cost to the Company of such compensation).

 

10


Table of Contents
   

Determining any long-term incentive component of each executive officer’s compensation.

 

   

Identifying corporate goals and objectives relevant to director compensation.

 

   

Evaluating each director’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and setting each director’s compensation, including any long-term incentive component, based on such evaluation and such other factors as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and in the best interests of the Company (including the cost to the Company of such compensation).

Additional information about our executive compensation plans and arrangements and their administration is described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section herein and the accompanying executive compensation tables. The Compensation Committee may delegate the administration of these plans as appropriate, including to one or more officers of the Company, to subcommittees of the Board or to the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee when it deems it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any advisor, including any compensation consultant assisting the Compensation Committee in the evaluation of CEO or other executive officer compensation, including authority to approve all such fees and other retention terms. As further described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section herein, during 2016, the Compensation Committee retained a compensation consultant. In developing its views on compensation matters and determining the compensation awarded to our NEOs, the Compensation Committee also obtains input from the Company’s Human Resources department, which collects information and prepares materials for the Compensation Committee’s use in compensation decisions.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.    No member of the Compensation Committee is a current or former officer of the Company or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, there are no compensation committee interlocks with the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any other company. Constantine P. Iordanou, one of the members of the Compensation Committee, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital Group Limited, from which the Company received fees in the amount of $1,140,969 in 2016 for participation and license fees and to which the Company paid fees in the amount of $954,325 in 2016 related to insurance policy premiums.

Board Diversity.    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board include diversity of viewpoints, background, experience and other demographics among the criteria they consider in connection with selecting candidates for the Board. While neither the Board nor the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a formal diversity policy, two of many factors the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee carefully considers in the selection of new directors are the importance to the Company of ethnic and gender diversity in board composition. In conducting its search for new directors in 2016, the Board utilized a process that required the final pool of candidates to include potential directors who would increase the Board’s ethnic and/or gender diversity. We anticipate utilizing a similar process in future searches for Board candidates. In addition, when considering director candidates, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board seek individuals with backgrounds and qualities that, when combined with those of our incumbent directors, enhance the Board’s effectiveness and result in the Board having a broad range of skills, expertise, industry knowledge, diversity of opinion and contacts relevant to the Company’s business.

Board Role in Risk Oversight.    The Board of Directors oversees the Company’s enterprise-wide approach to the major risks facing the Company and, with the assistance of the Audit Committee, oversees the Company’s policies for assessing and managing its exposure to risk. The Board also considers risk in evaluating the Company’s strategy. The Audit Committee reviews with management and the auditors the Company’s enterprise risk assessment process and risk categories. As part of its process to identify and prioritize risks, the Company’s Internal Audit department uses the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and segregates risks based on their nature and/or potential significance —strategic risk, financial risk, operational risk and compliance risk. The Chief Internal Auditor reports both to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and to the General Counsel. Management reviews with the Audit Committee the risk assessment process, the various enterprise risks, the prioritization of the identified risks and its mitigation plans. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with the Chief Internal Auditor and Risk

 

11


Table of Contents

Manager the Company’s internal system of audit and financial controls, enterprise risk information, internal audit plans, and the periodic report of audit activities. Finally, on a quarterly basis, management reviews its progress on the testing and mitigation of any identified risks with the Audit Committee. The Board’s role in risk oversight has not had any effect on the Board’s leadership structure.

DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual Retainer.    Under the Director Compensation Plan approved by the Compensation Committee, for 2016 each non-employee director received an annual base retainer fee of $90,000 for membership on the Board of Directors. The chairpersons of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee each received an additional $20,000 annual retainer fee, while each non-employee director who chairs any other committee received an additional $15,000 retainer fee. In 2016, Frank J. Coyne, who served as Independent Lead Director, received an additional $150,000 annual retainer fee.

Each non-employee director may elect to receive the annual retainer in the form of (i) cash, (ii) deferred cash, (iii) shares of common stock, (iv) deferred shares of common stock, (v) options to purchase common stock or (vi) a combination of the foregoing. Any options taken as a portion of the annual retainer are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant (subject to earlier termination if the individual ceases to be a director of the Company), vest immediately, and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.

Equity Grants.    Each non-employee director received an annual equity award having a value of $145,000 pursuant to the Director Compensation Plan. One-half of the value of the annual equity award was awarded in the form of options to purchase common stock based on the Black-Scholes value on the date of grant and one-half of the value of the annual equity award was awarded in the form of vested deferred stock units based on the value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. The options are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant (subject to earlier termination if the individual ceases to be a director of the Company), vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Shares of common stock in respect of deferred stock units will be distributed to the directors upon retirement or other separation from the Board of Directors. Such awards shall vest in equal monthly installments over a period of 12 months.

Any retainer amount payable or equity award granted to a director newly appointed or elected to the Board on a date other than July 1 (the annual scheduled payment and grant date for all directors) will be pro-rated to reflect the remaining portion of the compensation year in which such new director is appointed or elected.

Scott G. Stephenson, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, does not receive additional compensation for his service on the Board of Directors.

 

12


Table of Contents

The table below shows compensation paid to or earned by the directors during 2016. As noted above, directors may elect to receive compensation in various forms other than cash.

2016 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
     Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
     Option
Awards
($)(1)(3)
     Total
($)
 

Annell R. Bay

     78,411        63,200        63,133        204,744  

J. Hyatt Brown

     90,000        72,513        72,494        235,007  

Frank J. Coyne

     240,000        72,513        72,494        385,007  

Christopher M. Foskett

            182,497        72,494        254,991  

Bruce Hansen

            162,507        72,494        235,001  

Kathleen A. Hogenson

     78,411        63,200        63,133        204,744  

Constantine P. Iordanou

            72,513        177,487        250,000  

John F. Lehman, Jr.

            72,513        182,500        255,013  

Samuel G. Liss

            72,513        177,487        250,000  

Andrew G. Mills

            72,513        162,494        235,007  

Thomas F. Motamed

            162,507        72,494        235,001  

Therese M. Vaughan

     90,000        72,513        72,494        235,007  

David B. Wright

     90,000        72,513        72,494        235,007  

 

(1) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock and stock option awards granted in 2016 computed in accordance with ASC Subtopic 718-10,Compensation-Stock Compensation ” (ASC Topic 718), excluding forfeiture estimates. For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the amounts shown in the option awards and stock awards columns, see note 16 of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

(2) At December 31, 2016, directors had outstanding stock awards as follows: (a) Annell R. Bay — 773; (b) J. Hyatt Brown — 63,086; (c) Frank J. Coyne — 172,612; (d) Christopher M. Foskett — 9,130; (e) Bruce Hansen — 4,047; (f) Kathleen A. Hogenson — 773; (g) Constantine P. Iordanou — 165,253; (h) John F. Lehman, Jr. — 298,328; (i) Samuel G. Liss — 48,540; (j) Andrew G. Mills — 113,666; (k) Thomas F. Motamed — 12,469; (l) Therese M. Vaughan — 4,598; (m) David B. Wright — 58,735.

 

(3) At December 31, 2016, directors had outstanding option awards as follows: (a) Annell R. Bay — 4,047; (b) J. Hyatt Brown — 70,750; (c) Frank J. Coyne — 19,985; (d) Christopher M. Foskett — 100,867; (e) Bruce Hansen — 9,387; (f) Kathleen A. Hogenson — 4,047; (g) Constantine P. Iordanou — 227,932; (h) John F. Lehman, Jr. — 219,313; (i) Samuel G. Liss — 107,441; (j) Andrew G. Mills — 97,153; (k) Thomas F. Motamed — 105,092; (l) Therese M. Vaughan — 19,985; (m) David B. Wright — 131,824.

Where no information is given as to a particular type of award with respect to any individual, such individual did not hold or receive such an award during or as of the end of the last fiscal year, as the case may be.

Stock Ownership Requirements for Directors

Directors are subject to minimum equity holding requirements. Each director is required to hold stock with a value equal to six times their respective annual base retainer (i.e., excluding additional retainer amounts for committee chairs). The “in-the-money” value of vested and unvested options held by directors is not included in determining compliance with this requirement. Directors elected to the Board prior to December 20, 2011 (which was the date of the adoption of the director stock ownership requirement) were required to comply with this requirement by July 1, 2015. Directors elected to the Board after December 20, 2011 will be required to comply with this requirement no later than the sixth anniversary of their election to the Board.

J. Hyatt Brown, Frank J. Coyne, Christopher M. Foskett, Constantine P. Iordanou, John F. Lehman, Jr., Samuel G. Liss, Andrew G. Mills, Thomas F. Motamed and David B. Wright, each a director elected to the

 

13


Table of Contents

Board prior to December 20, 2011, currently holds stock with a value in excess of six times their respective annual base retainer. Annell R. Bay, Bruce Hansen, Kathleen A. Hogenson and Therese M. Vaughan, each a director elected to the Board after December 20, 2011, have until the sixth anniversary of their respective election to the Board to comply with the director stock ownership requirement. Scott G. Stephenson, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, does not receive an annual retainer for his service on the Board and is subject to and is in compliance with the stock ownership requirement for executive officers set forth on page 24.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF VERISK

Information regarding the ages and past five years’ business experience of our executive officers is as follows:

Scott G. Stephenson (59) has been our Chief Executive Officer since April 2013 and has been our President since March 2011. Mr. Stephenson has also served on our Board of Directors since April 2013 and as of April 1, 2016 has served as our Chairman of the Board. Mr. Stephenson also previously served as our Chief Operating Officer and, prior to that, led our Decision Analytics segment. From 2002 to 2008, Mr. Stephenson served as our Executive Vice President, and he served as President of our Intego Solutions business from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Stephenson joined the Company from Silver Lake Partners, a technology-oriented private equity firm, where he was an advisor from 2000 to 2001. From 1989 to 1999, Mr. Stephenson was a partner with The Boston Consulting Group, eventually rising to senior partner and member of the firm’s North American operating committee.

Mark V. Anquillare (51) served as our Chief Financial Officer until June 2016 at which time he was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Anquillare also continues to serve as our Executive Vice President, a position he has held since March 2011. Mr. Anquillare joined the Company as Director of Financial Systems in 1992 and since joining the Company, Mr. Anquillare has held various management positions, including Assistant Vice President, Vice President and Controller, and Senior Vice President and Controller. Prior to 1992, Mr. Anquillare was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Mr. Anquillare is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute.

Kenneth E. Thompson (57) has been our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since March 2011, and was our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from 2006 to March 2011. Prior to joining the Company in 2006, Mr. Thompson was a partner of McCarter & English, LLP from 1997 to 2006. Mr. Thompson served on the Board of Directors of Measurement Specialties, Inc. from November 2006 until October 2014.

Vincent de P. McCarthy (52) has been our Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy since October 2009. He is responsible for identifying and evaluating new strategic and M&A opportunities that align with Verisk’s business operations and growth initiatives. Mr. McCarthy joined Verisk from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he was a Managing Director in the Investment Banking group in New York, advising companies in the financial technology, payments and processing, and analytics sectors. Mr. McCarthy joined Merrill Lynch in 1994, and across his career with that firm served in investment banking roles both in the United States and Europe.

Nana Banerjee (47) has been our Group President since June 2016, overseeing our Argus, Geomni and Verisk Retail businesses. Dr. Banerjee also has oversight responsibility for Verisk’s joint data development environment and Verisk’s centralized advanced research and analytics group. Dr. Banerjee previously served as Group Executive and Chief Analytics Officer since June 2013. Dr. Banerjee rejoined Argus as its Chief Operating Officer in April 2009, coming from Citigroup, where he headed its UK credit card business. Before joining Citigroup, he served as Vice President of Marketing for GE Capital, where he led pricing and portfolio management for its retail consumer finance business. Earlier in his career, Dr. Banerjee spent seven years in various roles at Argus.

Eva F. Huston (46) was appointed our Chief Financial Officer in June 2016 and also serves as our Senior Vice President. Ms. Huston joined the Company in 2009 as the Head of Investor Relations. Ms. Huston was appointed Treasurer in 2011 and assumed additional operational responsibilities in 2012 and 2013. During her tenure with the Company Ms. Huston has stewarded the Company’s capital structure, investor relations, and financial planning and analysis functions. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Huston held the position of Managing Director in telecom, media, and technology investment banking at J.P. Morgan, where she was responsible for the marketing and information services practice.

 

14


Table of Contents

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers.    We encourage our directors, officers and employees to own our common stock, as owning our common stock aligns their interests with your interests as shareholders. The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by each of our named executive officers and directors, and by all our directors and executive officers as a group, as of March 20, 2017. Percentage of class amounts are based on 166,375,962 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 20, 2017.

In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, beneficial ownership includes voting or investment power with respect to securities and includes the shares issuable pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017. Shares issuable pursuant to stock options are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such options but are not outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed shareholder is: c/o Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310. To our knowledge, except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock.

 

     Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
 
     Number of
      Shares      
     Percentage of
Class
 

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     

Scott G. Stephenson(1)

     1,787,044        1.07

Mark V. Anquillare(2)

     839,500        *  

Eva F. Huston(3)

     22,477        *  

Kenneth E. Thompson(4)

     807,656        *  

Nana Banerjee(5)

     70,773        *  

Vincent de P. McCarthy(6)

     232,458        *  

DIRECTORS

     

Frank J. Coyne(7)

     137,873        *  

Annell R. Bay(8)

     773        *  

J. Hyatt Brown(9)

     129,165        *  

Christopher M. Foskett(10)

     94,826        *  

Bruce Hansen(11)

     8,763        *  

Kathleen A. Hogenson(12)

     773        *  

Constantine P. Iordanou(13)

     381,114        *  

John F. Lehman, Jr.(14)

     512,970        *  

Samuel G. Liss(15)

     151,310        *  

Andrew G. Mills(16)

     206,148        *  

Thomas F. Motamed(17)

     112,890        *  

Therese M. Vaughan(18)

     19,912        *  

David B. Wright(19)

     162,938        *  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A GROUP (19 PERSONS)

     5,679,363        3.41

 

(1) Includes (a) 1,239,944 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 78,360 shares of restricted stock which vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of the shares’ respective grant dates. Mr. Stephenson also serves as the Chairman of our Board.

 

(2) Includes (a) 785,410 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 26,671 shares of restricted stock which vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of the shares’ respective grant dates.

 

(3) Includes (a) 14,044 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 5,758 shares of restricted stock which vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of the shares’ respective grant dates.

 

15


Table of Contents
(4) Includes (a) 767,009 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 20,236 shares of restricted stock which vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of the shares’ respective grant dates.

 

(5) Includes (a) 54,570 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 11,356 shares of restricted stock which vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of the shares’ respective grant dates.

 

(6) Includes (a) 194,640 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 16,147 shares of restricted stock which vest in four equal installments on each anniversary of the shares’ respective grant dates.

 

(7) Includes (a) 15,314 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 26,850 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Coyne to 26,850 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(8) Includes 773 deferred stock units that entitle Ms. Bay to 773 shares of Common Stock at the end of her service to the Board.

 

(9) Includes (a) 66,079 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Brown to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(10) Includes (a) 85,696 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Foskett to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board, and (c) 3,050 deferred stock awards that entitle Mr. Foskett to 3,050 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(11) Includes (a) 4,716 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 2,916 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Hansen to 2,916 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(12) Includes 773 deferred stock units that entitle Ms. Hogenson to 773 shares of Common Stock at the end of her service to the Board.

 

(13) Includes (a) 186,011 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Iordanou to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(14) Includes (a) 214,642 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Lehman to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board, and (c) 5,571 deferred stock awards that entitle Mr. Lehman to 5,571 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the board. Also, includes shares owned by the Lehman Business Trust, of which John F. Lehman, Jr. is the trustee. Mr. Lehman disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares beneficially owned by the trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

 

(15) Includes (a) 102,770 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Liss to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(16) Includes (a) 92,482 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Mills to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(17) Includes (a) 100,421 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Motamed to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

(18) Includes (a) 15,314 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, and (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Ms. Vaughan to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of her service to the Board.

 

(19) Includes (a) 119,203 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2017, (b) 3,921 deferred stock units that entitle Mr. Wright to 3,921 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board and (c) 3,104 deferred stock awards that entitle Mr. Wright to 3,104 shares of Common Stock at the end of his service to the Board.

 

* Indicates less than 1% ownership.

 

16


Table of Contents

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table contains information regarding each person we know of that beneficially owns more than 5% of our Common Stock. The information set forth in the table below and in the related footnotes was furnished by the identified persons to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

     Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
 

Name and address

   Number of
      Shares      
    Percentage of
      Class      
 

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

     14,249,351 (1)      8.5

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

     9,346,539 (2)      5.6

GreatBanc Trust Company, as Trustee of the

ISO Employee Stock Ownership Trust

801 Warrenville Road

Suite 500

Lisle, IL 60532

     8,747,138 (3)      5.2

 

(1) As of December 31, 2016, based on a Schedule 13G/A Information Statement filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017 by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”). The Schedule 13G/A reported that Vanguard has sole voting power as to 247,835 shares of our Common Stock and sole dispositive power as to 13,973,495 shares of our Common Stock.

 

(2) As of December 31, 2016, based on a Schedule 13G/A Information Statement filed with the SEC on January 27, 2017 by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). The Schedule 13G/A reported that BlackRock has sole voting power as to 8,082,627 shares of our Common Stock and sole dispositive power as to 9,337,305 shares of our Common Stock.

 

(3) As of December 31, 2016, based on a Schedule 13G/A Information Statement filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017, filed jointly by the ISO Employee Stock Ownership Trust and GreatBanc Trust Company. The Schedule 13G/A reported that GreatBanc Trust Company is the Trustee of the ISO Employee Stock Ownership Trust and has sole voting power with respect to 0 shares and shared voting power with respect to 8,747,138 shares of our Common Stock. Under the terms of the Trust, the Trustee votes all of the shares allocated to the accounts of participants as directed by the participants to whose accounts shares have been allocated. With respect to unallocated shares or allocated shares with respect to which no instructions have been received, the Trustee votes such shares in the Trustee’s discretion.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Our business requires a highly skilled work force. While the capital intensity of our business is low, our human capital requirements are great. Our business depends on our senior leadership team, who possess business and technical capabilities that would be difficult, and costly, to replace. We have designed our compensation program to address these needs.

This section discusses the principles underlying our policies and decisions relating to the compensation of our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers for 2016 (our “named executive officers” or “NEOs”). The information in this section

describes the manner and context in which compensation is earned by and awarded to our NEOs, and provides perspective on the tables and narrative that follow.

 

17


Table of Contents

Summary of 2016 Corporate Performance

The Company had another strong performance year in 2016. Total revenue from continuing operations was up $234.5 million or 13.3% from 2015. The Company’s EBITDA from continuing operations also grew from $913.9 million in 2015 to $1,004.7 million in 2016 reflecting continued strong EBITDA margins from continuing operations of 50.4%. With record revenue and strong profitability the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) during 2016 was positive 5.6% and the three and five year annualized TSR through December 31, 2016 was 7.8% and 20.5%, respectively, reflecting strong long-term shareholder returns. See “Item 6 — Selected Financial Data” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Compensation Program Objectives

The compensation program for our NEOs must attract, reward, motivate and retain the highly qualified individuals we need to plan and execute our business strategy. We believe our compensation program motivates managers by directly linking a portion of compensation both to the Company’s performance and the individual’s performance. To foster this direct link, we have designed our compensation program so that a significant percentage of an NEO’s compensation is variable rather than fixed. This percentage increases with seniority, because the decisions of more senior managers have a greater impact on our performance.

Executives will earn variable compensation (cash awards and equity-based awards) only if warranted by Company and individual performance. Variable compensation for our NEOs consists of an annual cash payment pursuant to our Short Term Incentive, or STI, program and a long-term equity incentive award (typically in the form of stock options and restricted stock) pursuant to our Long Term Incentive, or LTI, program. We believe the design of our compensation program effectively encourages our senior managers, including our NEOs, to act in a manner that benefits the Company by creating long-term value for our stockholders. In evaluating NEO compensation awards, the Compensation Committee generally seeks to achieve compensation outcomes at market median levels, with differentiation by executive based on individual factors such as proficiency in role, tenure, criticality to the Company and scope of responsibility.

Elements of the Company’s Compensation Program

We currently provide the following elements of compensation to our NEOs:

 

   

base salary;

 

   

annual cash incentive awards;

 

   

long-term equity incentive awards; and

 

   

health, welfare and retirement plans.

Each compensation element fulfills one or more of our compensation program objectives.

Retention of Compensation Consultant

To ensure that our compensation program design and policies/practices remain reasonable and competitive, the Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co. (“FW Cook”) to provide consulting services in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, FW Cook advised the Compensation Committee on various executive compensation matters including the compensation levels for senior management with respect to 2016. FW Cook’s advice is one of several inputs into the Committee’s decision-making process.

In connection with its retention, FW Cook has provided the Compensation Committee with information necessary for an evaluation of its independence and to determine whether a potential conflict of interest might arise in connection with advising the Compensation Committee. After reviewing the information, the Compensation Committee concluded that FW Cook’s advice is objective and no conflict exists.

Sources and Uses of Market Compensation Data

The Compensation Committee annually uses a benchmarking peer group, as one of many factors, to inform pay decisions for its most senior executives. The peer group below is reviewed annually by the Compensation

 

18


Table of Contents

Committee with the assistance of FW Cook and was initially developed by screening for companies in comparable industries and within an appropriate size range. For industry-related screens, FW Cook generally focused on information software and services companies. For size-related screens, the focus was on ensuring that the peer group was appropriate from both revenue and market capitalization perspectives because these two metrics are most strongly correlated to compensation levels — revenue for cash compensation and market capitalization for long-term incentive, equity-based compensation. Because the majority of our Company’s incentive compensation is provided in the form of equity awards and due to the Company’s historically high market capitalization to revenue ratio, the Compensation Committee focused heavily on the market capitalization comparison to peer group companies so that the resulting compensation data would accurately reflect the size and scope of operations of the Company.

In the beginning of 2016, the Compensation Committee used the twelve-company peer group noted in the table below to inform its decision regarding senior executive base salary changes for 2016. In the beginning of 2017, the Compensation Committee used the same peer group to inform the STI and LTI awards that were paid and granted in 2017 in respect of 2016 performance with the exception of the elimination of Solera Holdings, which was acquired during 2016 and therefore removed from the peer group. The table below presents the revenue and market capitalizations of the peer companies as of December 2015 and December 2016, including and excluding Solera Holdings, respectively. Given that the Company’s size is more conservatively positioned to the peers following the removal of Solera Holdings, the Compensation Committee focused on the midpoint between the 25th percentile and the median of the peer group when making its compensation decisions as that midpoint approximates a size-adjusted median.

 

Peer Company

   Revenue ($mil) as
of December 2015
     Market Cap
($mil) as of
December 2015
     Revenue ($mil)
as of December
2016
     Market Cap
($mil) as of
December 2016
 

Alliance Data Systems

   $ 6,177      $ 17,537      $ 7,059      $ 13,198  

Equifax

     2,622        13,210        3,010        14,159  

FactSet Research Systems

     1,007        7,027        1,145        6,488  

Fidelity National Information Services

     6,410        17,965        8,669        24,827  

Fiserv

     5,202        21,995        5,442        23,069  

Gartner

     2,103        7,731        2,385        8,349  

IHS Markit

     2,308        8,407        2,417        14,731  

S&P Global

     5,228        26,076        5,637        27,864  

Moody’s

     3,496        20,387        3,528        18,024  

MSCI

     1,053        7,200        1,131        7,415  

Nielsen Holdings

     6,181        16,994        6,277        14,994  

Solera Holdings

     1,174        3,614                

Peer Median

   $ 3,059      $ 15,102      $ 3,528      $ 14,731  

Verisk Analytics

   $ 1,972      $ 12,699      $ 2,274      $ 13,592  

When conducting its annual market competitive compensation review, FW Cook supplemented the peer group proxy information with national, proprietary technology industry survey data. The survey data are intended to be representative of each executive’s revenue responsibility, inclusive of adjustments to reflect our Company’s high operating margins relative to comparable companies, and functional role within the Company.

Base Salary

We pay base salaries to attract, reward and retain managers, and so that in recruiting and retaining senior executives we are not disadvantaged by being seen as offering a lower level of fixed compensation for a given position level. We adjust salaries annually to maintain competitive market levels, which are based on the experience and scope of responsibilities of each NEO. We perform our own internal analysis of prevailing market levels of salary for comparable positions. This analysis utilizes our general knowledge of the industry, information

 

19


Table of Contents

gained by our human resources professionals in the hiring and termination process and, when available, commercially prepared market surveys obtained by our human resources professionals. In addition, we periodically retain outside compensation consultants to assess the competitiveness of compensation for certain members of senior management, as was the case in 2016.

The base salary of our Chief Executive Officer is determined by the Compensation Committee. The base salary of each of our other NEOs is recommended by the Chief Executive Officer, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee. Base salary as a percentage of total compensation differs based on an executive’s position and function. Generally, executives with the highest position and level of responsibility, and thus the greatest ability to influence our performance through their decision-making, have the smallest percentage of their total compensation fixed as base salary. Annual adjustments to base salary are determined by the Compensation Committee (in the case of Mr. Stephenson), and by Mr. Stephenson with the approval of the Compensation Committee (in the case of other NEOs), based on the assessment of prevailing market compensation practices as described above, and based on the evaluation of individual performance factors as discussed below in “Analysis of 2016 Variable Compensation.” We have historically placed greater emphasis on the potential of variable compensation to incent employees to create long-term value for our stockholders.

Annual Cash Incentive Awards

Annual cash incentive awards are paid to all eligible employees, including NEOs, pursuant to our STI program. At or around the beginning of each year, the Compensation Committee establishes financial performance goals for the coming year under our STI program. The primary financial performance goals for 2016 related to revenue growth and EBITDA margin (as defined below), and are derived from our strategic and business growth plan. We selected revenue growth and EBITDA margin as the primary criteria for STI because we believe our business’s ability to generate recurring revenue and positive cash flow is the key indicator of the successful execution of our business strategy. In addition, the Compensation Committee evaluates the accomplishment during the year of other financial and non-financial performance measures that we believe position the Company to achieve long-term future growth. These include earnings per share results, enhancements to productivity, achievement of new sales, accomplishment of strategic and operational initiatives, completion of acquisitions, development of strategic relationships and return on invested capital. At the conclusion of the performance year, funding of the aggregate STI pool for all eligible employees is determined by the Compensation Committee, taking into account the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to awards for employees other than himself, based on the degree to which goals are achieved during the year. Cash STI awards are paid in March, in respect of performance for the prior year. Annual cash incentive awards made to our NEOs for 2016 were further subject to the achievement of performance goals set forth under our 2016 Performance Bonus Program, which is set up under our shareholder-approved Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan (the “Annual Incentive Plan”), as discussed below under “Analysis of 2016 Variable Compensation.”

Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards

Long-term equity incentive awards are made annually to eligible employees, including NEOs, pursuant to our LTI program under our shareholder-approved Verisk Analytics, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Equity Incentive Plan”).

Since 2011 we have awarded long-term equity incentive awards in the form of stock option grants and awards of restricted stock, and for 2016 the value of the long-term equity incentive awards were 50% in the form of stock option grants and 50% in the form of restricted stock. In general, option and/or restricted stock awards under our LTI program are made in April, in respect of prior year performance. Option awards have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant. At the conclusion of a plan year, the Compensation Committee determines the aggregate value of the options and shares of restricted stock issuable to all eligible participants under the LTI program by evaluating the same performance goals used to determine the aggregate funding amount under the STI program. Long term incentive awards granted to our NEOs with respect to the 2016 performance year were further subject to the achievement of performance goals set forth under our 2016 Performance Bonus Program, as discussed below under “Analysis of 2016 Variable Compensation.”

 

20


Table of Contents

2016 Variable Compensation Performance Goals

The Compensation Committee established the following revenue growth and EBITDA margin goals as the primary factors for determination of aggregate award pools available to all eligible employees, including our NEOs, under both the STI and LTI programs for 2016:

 

      Revenue Growth     EBITDA Margin     Aggregate Pool
Funding Factor
 

Tier IV

     15     47     150% of Target  

Tier III

     12     45     125% of Target  

Tier II

     10     43     100% of Target  

Tier I

     4     40     75% of Target  

Below Threshold

     <4     <40     No Funding  

During 2016, we achieved organic revenue growth of 13.3%, which is between the Tier III and Tier IV performance goals, and EBITDA margin of 50.4%, which exceeds the Tier IV performance goal. The Compensation Committee primarily considered the degree to which these goals were achieved, together with financial and non-financial performance measures including — enhancements to productivity, achievement of new sales, accomplishment of strategic and operational initiatives, completion of acquisitions and development of strategic relationships — in determining the aggregate STI and LTI pools. After combining the tier-based formula with these other performance elements, the Compensation Committee established an aggregate pool funding factor of 105% of target resulting in a STI pool of up to $63.6 million for distribution to approximately 3,960 eligible employees, including all NEOs, and an aggregate LTI pool of equity awards with an aggregate value of up to $43 million for distribution to approximately 660 eligible employees, including all NEOs. The funding factor of 105% is less than would be indicated solely by the primary factors of revenue growth and EBITDA margin, and reflects downwards discretion applied by the Compensation Committee in light of other factors considered by the Compensation Committee.

EBITDA margin is computed as EBITDA divided by revenues, and is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Item 6 — Selected Financial Data” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

See “Analysis of 2016 Variable Compensation” for a discussion of how we determined 2016 STI and LTI awards for NEOs.

Analysis of 2016 Variable Compensation

Process for Determining Awards.    For fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee established the 2016 Performance Bonus Program for Executive Officers (the “2016 Performance Bonus Program”) in order for each award made pursuant to the Annual Incentive Plan and the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to be eligible for the “qualified performance-based compensation” exception under Section 162(m) of the Code. Under the 2016 Performance Bonus Program for fiscal year 2016, our Chief Executive Officer is eligible to receive an incentive award in an amount not to exceed 2.5% of EBITDA and our executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer are eligible to receive an incentive award in an amount not to exceed 0.7% of EBITDA. In addition, a maximum aggregate cap of $10,000,000 applies to cash awards for any executive officer, including our Chief Executive Officer. As the formula used to calculate the maximum incentive award that each executive officer is eligible for under the 2016 Performance Bonus Program is intended to be a cap and not a target, the Compensation Committee is expected to apply negative discretion based on the performance goals used in determining the aggregate STI and LTI award pools and the Compensation Committee’s determination of the Company’s and the executive officer’s individual performance when setting actual STI and LTI amounts. “EBITDA” means the EBITDA as reported in the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K with respect to the year ended December 31, 2016, except that, to the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, EBITDA will be adjusted to eliminate the effects of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, other unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effect of tax or accounting changes, each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and identified in the Company’s financial statements,

 

21


Table of Contents

notes to the financial statements or management’s discussion and analysis with respect to the year ended December 31, 2016.

Subject to the determination of the maximum incentive payment each executive officer is eligible to receive pursuant to the performance criteria and formula set forth under the 2016 Performance Bonus Program for individual NEOs, cash awards under the STI program and awards of options and restricted stock under the LTI program are highly variable, and are not based on fixed target amounts other than the performance goals that relate to funding the overall STI program and LTI program award pools for all eligible employees as discussed above. Individual awards are determined based on the judgment of the Compensation Committee (in the case of Mr. Stephenson) and of Mr. Stephenson (with the concurrence of the Compensation Committee) in the case of other NEOs. There is no fixed relationship between an individual NEO’s STI and LTI awards other than the value of the awards together must be below the maximum established under the 2016 Performance Bonus Program. In reaching their determinations about aggregate compensation, the Compensation Committee and Mr. Stephenson seek to allocate a meaningful portion of total compensation in the form of LTI awards in order to incent employees to create long-term value for our stockholders. The specific amount of any increase or decrease from year to year in any component of an NEO’s 2016 compensation reflects a determination that the amount of the increase or decrease is appropriate based on matters considered as set forth below together with the Company’s financial performance.

CEO’s Variable Compensation.    The 2016 STI and LTI award to Mr. Stephenson was determined based upon the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of Company performance as described above and evaluation of several non-financial factors including Mr. Stephenson’s strong leadership, strong corporate performance and positioning the Company for success into the future. In making its determination the Compensation Committee recognized Mr. Stephenson’s strong execution of strategy, growth in EBITDA and operating cash flows achieved by the Company and strong revenue performance.

Other NEOs’ Variable Compensation.    For individual NEOs, other than Mr. Stephenson, the STI and LTI awards were approved by the Compensation Committee based on Mr. Stephenson’s evaluation of their individual performance and on the analysis of prevailing market compensation levels described above. Factors considered include the successful operation of an NEO’s business unit or functional department including, where applicable, enhancements to productivity and profitability, achievement of new sales, revenue generated from new products, accomplishment of strategic and operational initiatives, completion of acquisitions and development of strategic relationships. The additional factors described below regarding the contribution of each individual to our overall performance were also considered, although they were not given any specific weight.

Mr. Anquillare: continued strong execution of line responsibilities including an expanded role relative to our insurance solutions; and strong performance in his new role as Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Thompson: continued overview of the Company’s expanding Risk and Compliance Department; strong execution in connection with our acquisition and financing programs with expanded challenges associated with an expanding global footprint; and oversight of our public company reporting and governance requirements.

Mr. Banerjee: strong leadership of the Company’s Argus, Geomni and Verisk Retail businesses and continued development of the Company’s joint data development environment and centralized advanced research and analytics group.

Mr. McCarthy: strengthening of the Business Development team and enhancing the Company’s acquisition pipeline; and development of strategy to position the Company for future success.

Ms. Huston: additional responsibilities in her new role as Chief Financial Officer; and oversight of the Company’s capital structure, investor relations, and financial planning and analysis functions.

CEO’s Total Compensation

Upon Mr. Stephenson’s promotion to Chief Executive Officer in 2013, his base salary was set at $850,000. For 2014, Mr. Stephenson received a base salary increase of $10,000, a 1.2% increase, and no increase in 2015. For 2016, in light of the fact that Mr. Stephenson was beginning his fourth year as Chief Executive Officer and in connection with favorable assessments of his performance, the Compensation Committee increased his base salary to $1,000,000, a 16.3% increase, to bring him into closer alignment with the market median while ensuring

 

22


Table of Contents

that his base salary remains fully tax deductible to the Company. It is currently anticipated that Mr. Stephenson will not receive further base salary increases so as to ensure full tax deductibility of his base salary.

The sum of Mr. Stephenson’s 2016 base salary, STI award (paid in 2017 in respect of 2016 performance) and LTI award (granted in 2017 in respect of 2016 performance) of $7,075,000 is below the midpoint of the 25th percentile ($6.2M) and median ($8.3M) for CEOs within the most recent benchmarking peer group analysis conducted by FW Cook. The Compensation Committee focused on the midpoint of the 25th percentile and median to align with the Company’s relative revenue and market capitalization following the removal of Solera Holdings from the most recent benchmarking peer group analysis conducted by FW Cook. Additionally, the midpoint of the peer group 25th percentile and median approximated the median of the survey data, which was used as a secondary market reference point.

Health, Welfare and Retirement Plans

We offer health and welfare benefit programs including medical, dental, life, accident and disability insurance. The Company contributes a percentage of the cost of these benefits. These benefits are available to substantially all employees, and the percentage of the Company’s contribution is the same for all.

Our tax-qualified retirement plans during 2016 included:

 

   

a combined 401(k) Savings Plan and ESOP,

 

   

a defined benefit pension plan with (i) a traditional final pay formula applicable to employees who were 49 years old with 15 years of service as of January 1, 2002, and (ii) a cash balance formula applicable to other employees hired prior to March 1, 2005 (effective February 29, 2012, the Company implemented a “hard freeze” of such benefits under the pension plan), and

 

   

a profit sharing plan (as a component of the 401(k) Savings Plan), which is available to employees hired on or after March 1, 2005, and to which the Company did not make a contribution to during 2016.

Our nonqualified retirement plans include a supplemental pension and a supplemental savings plan for highly compensated employees, including our NEOs. The combined 401(k) Savings Plan and ESOP and the pension/profit sharing plans are broad-based plans available to substantially all of our employees, including our NEOs. The supplemental retirement plans are offered to our highly paid employees, including our NEOs, to restore to them amounts to which they would be entitled under our tax-qualified plans but which they are precluded from receiving under those plans by IRS limits. The supplemental retirement plans are unsecured obligations of the Company. Effective February 29, 2012, the Company implemented a “hard freeze” of the benefits under the supplemental pension plan.

We established our ESOP at the time we converted from not-for-profit to for-profit status, in order to foster an ownership culture in the Company and to strengthen the link between compensation and value created for stockholders. This plan has enabled our employees to hold an ownership interest in the Company as well as provide a stock vehicle for Company matching contributions to our 401(k) and profit sharing plans, which has allowed employees to monitor directly, and profit from, the increasing value of our stock.

Change of Control Severance Agreements; Employment Agreements

In October 2009, in connection with our initial public offering or IPO, we entered into Change of Control Severance Agreements with Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Anquillare, Mr. Thompson and Mr. McCarthy. We believe that these agreements are desirable to retain the services of these individuals in whom the Company has a significant investment. For information about the provisions of the NEOs’ change of control severance agreements, please see “— Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” We currently do not have employment agreements with any of our NEOs, except for Dr. Banerjee, who we entered into an employment agreement with as an inducement for him to join the Company in August 2012 in connection with our acquisition of the Argus business.

Impact of Prior Equity Awards on Current Compensation

In general, we do not take into account prior equity grants, ESOP balances, amounts realized on the exercise or vesting of prior option grants or amounts realized on the sale or vesting of prior awards of restricted stock in

 

23


Table of Contents

determining the number of options or shares of restricted stock to be granted, because we believe we should pay an annualized market value for an executive’s position, sized according to the performance level of the individual in the position. The Compensation Committee does consider prior equity grants (and related wealth accumulations) of executives in assessing the recruitment/retention risk for executives.

2016 Say-on-Pay Results

In connection with our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, the proposal to approve on an advisory basis the compensation of the Company’s NEOs for 2015 received 142,203,716 votes, or 94.79% of votes cast. Although this vote was advisory and therefore non-binding on the Company, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee carefully reviewed these results. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee considered these results, in determining the size of STI cash awards and LTI equity awards granted to NEOs in 2017 in respect of 2016 performance.

Stock Ownership Requirements for Executives

Senior executives are subject to minimum equity holding requirements. The Chief Executive Officer is required to hold stock with a value equal to six times his annual base salary. The other NEOs are required to hold stock with a value equal to three times their respective annual base salary. If they have not met this level, they are required to retain 50% of the after-tax value of stock acquired upon the vesting of restricted stock awards or a stock option exercise. The “in-the-money” value of vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock held by NEOs are not included in determining compliance with the stock ownership requirement. The value of vested Company stock held by NEOs in their respective 401(k) accounts or ESOP accounts are included in determining compliance with the stock ownership requirement.

Mr. Stephenson, our Chief Executive Officer, currently holds stock with a value in excess of the six times base salary requirement. Mr. Anquillare, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. McCarthy each currently hold stock with a value in excess of the three times base salary requirement for other NEOs. Ms. Huston, as recently appointed Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Banerjee, as a recently appointed executive officer, each currently do not yet hold stock with a value in excess of the three times base salary requirement but each has satisfied the requirement to retain 50% of the after tax value of stock acquired upon the vesting of restricted stock awards or stock option exercises since the respective date they were appointed an executive officer.

Policy on Recovery of Bonus in Event of Financial Restatement

The Company maintains a “clawback” policy that permits the Board of Directors to recover bonus or incentive compensation from executive officers whose fraud or misconduct resulted in a significant restatement of financial results. The policy allows for the recovery or cancellation of any bonus or incentive payments (including profits realized from the sale of Company securities) made to an executive officer on the basis of having met or exceeded performance targets during a period of fraudulent activity or a material misstatement of financial results if the Board of Directors determines that such a recovery or cancellation is appropriate due to intentional misconduct by the executive officer that resulted in performance targets being achieved that would not have been achieved absent such misconduct. The Board of Directors intends to review this policy when the proposed regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission implementing the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act relating to clawbacks are finalized.

Anti-Hedging/Pledging Policies

The Company prohibits its directors and employees, including its NEOs, from pledging Company securities, selling short or trading options or futures in Company securities, or purchasing Company securities on margin or holding Company securities in a margin account.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to each of the chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the chief

 

24


Table of Contents

financial officer) of a publicly held corporation to $1 million per fiscal year, with an exception for “qualified performance-based compensation.” In order to preserve the flexibility to award annual cash incentive awards and equity awards that are eligible for the qualified performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board of Directors submitted to the Company’s shareholders for their approval at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the Company’s shareholders approved, the Annual Incentive Plan and the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. We will generally seek to maximize the tax deductibility of compensation payments to our NEOs by awarding annual cash incentive awards and equity awards pursuant to the requirements of the Annual Incentive Plan and the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. We may, however, authorize payments to executive officers that may not be fully tax-deductible, and we reserve the flexibility to do so.

We also structure compensation in a manner intended to avoid the incurrence of any additional tax, interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. We make no representation or warranty, however, that recipients of any payments, compensation or other benefits will not incur additional tax, interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the requirements of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718.

Risk Assessment Regarding Compensation Policies and Practices

When reviewing our compensation programs and approving awards under them, the Compensation Committee considers the potential risks associated with these policies and practices. We selected revenue growth and EBITDA margin as the primary criteria for the funding of both aggregate STI and LTI award pools because we believe our business’s ability to generate recurring revenue and positive cash flow is the key indicator of the successful execution of our business strategy. In determining awards for senior executives, the Compensation Committee also considers non-financial metrics, such as earnings per share results, enhancements to productivity, achievement of new sales, accomplishment of strategic and operational initiatives, completion of acquisitions, development of strategic relationships and return on invested capital. We believe the combination of these financial and non-financial metrics best aligns the interests of management with those of our shareholders, while providing an appropriate balance of risk and reward that does not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking behavior. As a result, we do not believe that risks relating to our compensation policies and practices for our employees are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

In reaching this determination we also considered the following attributes of our programs:

 

   

balance between annual and longer-term performance opportunities;

 

   

alignment of annual and long-term incentives to ensure that the awards encourage consistent behaviors and achievable performance results;

 

   

use of a combination of 10-year stock options and restricted stock awards, all of which vest over time;

 

   

generally providing senior executives with long-term equity-based compensation on an annual basis, as we believe that accumulating equity over a period of time encourages executives to take actions that promote the long-term sustainability of our business;

 

   

stock ownership guidelines that are reasonable and align the interests of the executive officers with those of our shareholders, which discourages executive officers from focusing on short-term results without regard for longer-term consequences; and

 

   

a “clawback” policy that permits the Board of Directors to recover bonus or incentive compensation from executive officers whose fraud or misconduct resulted in a significant restatement of financial results, as more fully described above.

Compensation Committee Report

We, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Verisk Analytics, Inc., have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above. Based on our review and dis-

 

25


Table of Contents

cussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Respectfully submitted,

John F. Lehman, Jr. (Chair)

Annell R. Bay

Christopher M. Foskett

Constantine P. Iordanou

David B. Wright

 

26


Table of Contents

Executive Compensation and Benefits

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to and earned by the Company’s NEOs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

2016 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Stock
Awards

($)(1)
    Option
Awards
($)(2)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
    Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

Scott G. Stephenson

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

    2016       1,000,000       2,149,974       2,150,024       1,575,000       39,490       12,714 (4)      6,927,202  
    2015       860,000       2,149,977       2,150,025       1,400,000       18,580       16,610 (5)      6,595,192  
    2014       860,000       1,999,976       2,000,022       1,375,000       41,358       14,400 (6)      6,290,756  

Mark V. Anquillare(7)

Executive Vice President

and Chief Operating

Officer

    2016       530,200       799,975       800,027       600,000       69,182       5,181 (8)      2,804,565  
    2015       525,200       760,006       759,987       710,000       20,158       15,893 (9)      2,791,244  
    2014       520,000       725,005       725,001       700,000       82,828       15,248 (10)      2,768,082  
               

Eva F. Huston(11)

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2016       404,000       199,994       200,003       160,000             3,635 (12)      967,632  

Kenneth E. Thompson

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

   

2016

2015

2014

 

 

 

   

451,800

446,800

442,400

 

 

 

   

599,982

575,030

558,987

 

 

 

   

600,024

574,971

559,013

 

 

 

   

428,000

416,000

412,000

 

 

 

   

6,035

1,134

6,058

 

 

 

   

5,419

13,969

15,147

(13) 

(14) 

(15) 

   

2,091,260

2,027,904

1,993,605

 

 

 

Nana Banerjee

Group President

    2016       515,000       399,988       400,021       600,000             3,825 (16)      1,918,834  
    2015       510,000       299,997       299,998       580,000             11,925 (17)      1,701,920  

Vincent de P. McCarthy

Senior Vice President,

Corporate Development

and Strategy

    2016       430,400       499,985       500,023       475,000       54       4,239 (18)      1,909,701  
    2015       425,400       449,995       450,010       450,000             12,960 (19)      1,788,365  
    2014       421,200       424,990       425,007       309,000             12,724 (20)      1,592,921  
               

 

  (1) This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted in the relevant year, valued at the closing price of the Company’s common stock, computed in accordance with ASC Subtopic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates. For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the amounts shown in this column see note 16 of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

  (2) This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards granted in the relevant year, computed in accordance with ASC Subtopic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates. For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the amounts shown in the option awards columns, see note 16 of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

  (3) The amounts in this column are cash incentive awards under the STI program in respect of performance for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, as applicable.

 

  (4) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $6,450.

 

  (5) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,925.

 

  (6) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,700.

 

  (7) Mr. Anquillare served as our Chief Financial Officer until June 6, 2016 at which time he was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer.

 

  (8) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $3,939.

 

  (9) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,925.

 

  (10) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,700.

 

  (11) Ms. Huston was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer on June 6, 2016.

 

27


Table of Contents
  (12) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $3,000.

 

  (13) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $3,351.

 

  (14) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,925.

 

  (15) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $13,125.

 

  (16) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $3,825.

 

  (17) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,925.

 

  (18) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $3,191.

 

  (19) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,925.

 

  (20) Amount includes a 401(k) Savings Plan matching contribution of $11,700.

 

28


Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning grants of plan-based awards made to the NEOs during the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. As described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we generally grant equity plan-based awards in April based on performance for the prior year. Due to SEC regulations, the stock options and restricted stock shown in this table were granted on April 1, 2016 but generally relate to 2015 performance, and we consider them to be part of the NEOs’ 2015 compensation.

2016 GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS

 

Name

  Grant Date   Approval Date  

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

    All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock  or
Units
    All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
    Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(1)
 
      Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
         

Scott G. Stephenson

  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                             140,158       80.19       2,150,024  
  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                       26,811                   2,149,974  
  February 16, 2016   February 16, 2016                  (2)                   (2)                   (2)                         

Mark V. Anquillare

  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                             52,153       80.19       800,027  
  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                       9,976                   799,975  
  February 16, 2016   February 16, 2016              (2)                   (2)                   (2)                         

Eva F. Huston

  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                             13,038       80.19       200,003  
  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                       2,494                   199,994  
  February 16, 2016   February 16, 2016                  (2)                   (2)                   (2)                         

Kenneth E. Thompson

  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                             39,115       80.19       600,024  
  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                       7,482                   599,982  
  February 16, 2016   February 16, 2016                  (2)                   (2)                   (2)                         

Nana Banerjee

  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                             26,077       80.19       400,021  
  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                       4,988                   399,988  
  February 16, 2016   February 16, 2016                  (2)                   (2)                   (2)                         

Vincent de P. McCarthy

  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                             32,596       80.19       500,023  
  April 1, 2016   February 16, 2016                       6,235                   499,985  
  February 16, 2016   February 16, 2016                  (2)                   (2)                   (2)                         

 

 

(1) This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards and stock option awards granted in the relevant year, valued at the closing price of the Company’s common stock in accordance with ASC Subtopic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates. For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the amounts shown in this column see note 16 of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

(2) As described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” subject to the determination of the maximum bonus payment each executive officer is eligible to receive pursuant to the performance criteria and formula set forth under the 2016 Performance Bonus Program (a maximum bonus payment in an amount equal to 2.5% of EBITDA to our Chief Executive Officer and 0.7% of EBITDA to our other executive officers) which is further subject to a maximum limit of $10,000,000, our NEOs are eligible for an annual incentive compensation cash award under our STI program, which does not include per individual threshold, target or maximum performance goals. Rather, the Compensation Committee establishes an STI award pool for all eligible employees after considering achievement of the performance year, as further described in our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” For additional details regarding the STI program, including the relevant performance factors for 2016, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — 2016 Variable Compensation Performance Goals” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis —Analysis of 2016 Variable Compensation.” For the actual amounts of cash incentive awards paid to each of our NEOs under our STI program in respect of performance for 2016, see the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of our 2016 Summary Compensation Table.

 

29


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth information concerning unexercised options and unvested restricted stock held by our NEOs as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended 2016 based on a market value of $81.17 per share (our closing market price on December 30, 2016).

2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

 

    Date of
Award
Grant
     Option Awards(1)     Stock Awards(2)  
        Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That

Have Not
Vested

(#)
    Market
Value of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That

Have Not
Vested

($)
 

Name

              

Scott G. Stephenson

    4/1/2009        287,500             16.10       4/1/2019              
    10/6/2009        225,000             22.00       10/6/2019              
    4/1/2010        135,000             28.20       4/1/2020              
    4/1/2011        103,769             33.30       4/1/2021              
    4/1/2012        54,744             46.97       4/1/2022              
    4/1/2013        141,776       47,259       61.14       4/1/2023       12,267       995,712  
    4/1/2014        84,176       84,176       59.74       4/1/2024       16,739       1,358,705  
    4/1/2015        41,796       125,391       71.53       4/1/2025       22,543       1,829,815  
    4/1/2016              140,158       80.19       4/1/2026       26,811       2,176,249  

Mark V. Anquillare

    4/1/2009        225,000             16.10       4/1/2019              
    10/6/2009        200,000             22.00       10/6/2019              
    4/1/2010        105,000             28.20       4/1/2020              
    4/1/2011        82,299             33.30       4/1/2021              
    4/1/2012        43,796             46.97       4/1/2022              
    4/1/2013        30,719       10,240       61.14       4/1/2023       2,658       215,750  
    4/1/2014        30,513       30,514       59.74       4/1/2024       6,068       492,540  
    4/1/2015        14,774       44,323       71.53       4/1/2025       7,969       646,844  
    4/1/2016              52,153       80.19       4/1/2016       9,976       809,752  

Eva F. Huston

    4/1/2013              1,575       61.14       4/1/2023       409       33,199  
    4/1/2014              5,786       59.74       4/1/2024       1,151       93,427  
    4/1/2015        3,158       9,477       71.53       4/1/2025       1,704       138,314  
    4/1/2016              13,038       80.19       4/1/2026       2,494       202,438  

Kenneth E. Thompson

    3/1/2008        150,000             17.24       3/1/2018              
    4/1/2009        165,000             16.10       4/1/2019              
    10/6/2009        175,000             22.00       10/6/2019              
    4/1/2010        79,000             28.20       4/1/2020              
    4/1/2011        64,408             33.30       4/1/2021              
    4/1/2012        34,671             46.97       4/1/2022              
    4/1/2013        23,629       7,877       61.14       4/1/2023       2,045       165,993  
    4/1/2014        23,527       23,528       59.74       4/1/2024       4,679       379,794  
    4/1/2015        11,177       33,533       71.53       4/1/2025       6,030       489,455  
    4/1/2016              39,115       80.19       4/1/2026       7,482       607,314  

Nana Banerjee

    12/14/2012        4,847             48.84       12/14/2022              
    4/1/2013        10,633       3,545       61.14       4/1/2023       920       74,676  
    4/1/2014        11,575       11,575       59.74       4/1/2024       2,302       186,853  
    4/1/2015        5,832       17,496       71.53       4/1/2025       3,146       255,360  
    4/1/2016              26,077       80.19       4/1/2026       4,988       404,876  

Vincent de P. McCarthy

    4/1/2010        35,000             28.20       4/1/2020              
    4/1/2011        53,673             33.30       4/1/2021              
    4/1/2012        28,285             46.97       4/1/2022              
    4/1/2013        18,904       6,302       61.14       4/1/2023       1,636       132,794  
    4/1/2014        17,887       17,888       59.74       4/1/2024       3,557       288,722  
    4/1/2015        8,748       26,245       71.53       4/1/2025       4,719       383,041  
    4/1/2016              32,596       80.19       4/1/2026       6,235       506,095  

 

30


Table of Contents

 

 

(1) The right to exercise stock options vests ratably on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant.

 

(2) The stock awards shown in this column are restricted stock awards that vest ratably on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information concerning each exercise of stock options and vesting of shares of restricted stock for the NEOs during 2016. Restricted stock awards are typically granted to our NEOs on April 1 of each year and vest in four equal installments on the first, second, third and four anniversaries of their grant date.

2016 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
     Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
     Value Realized
on Vesting ($)
 

Scott G. Stephenson

                   32,143        2,577,547  

Mark V. Anquillare

     120,000        7,604,150        11,542        925,553  

Eva F. Huston

     14,891        309,368        1,979        158,696  

Kenneth E. Thompson

     100,000        6,498,853        8,921        715,375  

Nana Banerjee

                   3,119        250,113  

Vincent de P. McCarthy

     79,800        4,469,936        7,049        565,259  

Pension Plans

The following table sets forth information with respect to each plan that provides for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement.

Eligible employees hired prior to March 1, 2005 participate in the Pension Plan for Insurance Organizations, or PPIO, a multiple-employer pension plan in which we participate. The PPIO provides a traditional final pay formula pension benefit, payable as an annuity, to employees who were 49 years old with 15 years of service as of January 1, 2002. Effective January 1, 2002, this formula benefit was frozen for all eligible employees. Effective January 1, 2002, a cash balance pension benefit, also payable as an annuity, was established under the PPIO. Employees hired prior to January 1, 2002 receive their frozen traditional benefit as well as their cash balance benefit. Employees hired from January 1, 2002 to March 1, 2005 receive only the cash balance benefit. Effective February 29, 2012, the Company implemented a “hard freeze” of benefits under the PPIO. Accordingly, after February 29, 2012 benefits under the PPIO will no longer increase as the result of new compensation earned or continued service. The Supplemental Cash Balance Plan, or the Supplemental Plan, provides a benefit to which the participant would be entitled under the PPIO but which is subject to caps imposed by IRS regulations. Employees hired on or after March 1, 2005 were not eligible to participate in the PPIO or the Supplemental Plan. Effective February 29, 2012, the Company implemented a “hard freeze” of benefits under the Supplemental Plan.

2016 PENSION BENEFITS

 

Name

   Plan Name    Number of Years
Credited Service
(#)
     Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(1)
     Payments During
Last Fiscal

Year
($)
 

Scott G. Stephenson

   PPIO      13        193,627        0  
   Supplemental Plan      13        701,283        0  

Mark V. Anquillare

   PPIO      21        400,998        0  
   Supplemental Plan      21        430,982        0  

Eva F. Huston

   NA      NA        NA        NA  

Kenneth E. Thompson

   NA      NA        NA        NA  

Nana Banerjee

   NA      NA        NA        NA  

Vincent de P. McCarthy

   NA      NA        NA        NA  

 

31


Table of Contents

 

 

(1) For a discussion of the assumptions used to calculate the amounts shown in this column see note 17 of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included as part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

Certain highly compensated employees, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan (the “Top Hat Plan”). The Top Hat Plan allows participants to elect to defer compensation on a non-tax qualified basis and provides a vehicle for the Company to provide, on a non-tax qualified basis, matching contributions that could not be made on the participants’ behalf to the tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan due to limits imposed by IRS regulations. The deferred amounts are notionally invested in the same investment options selected by the participant under the 401(k) Savings Plan. Participants elect to receive payment at termination of employment or some other future date.

The following table sets forth information with respect to the Top Hat Plan.

2016 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

Name

   Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(1)
     Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY
($)
     Aggregate
Earnings/
(Losses) in
Last FY
($)
     Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
     Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE
($)
 

Scott G. Stephenson

     39,900               16,282               436,577  

Mark V. Anquillare

     13,737               37,896               492,377  

Eva F. Huston

                                  

Kenneth E. Thompson

     7,907               6,035               98,736  

Nana Banerjee

                                  

Vincent de P. McCarthy

     7,749               54               41,256  

 

(1) All amounts shown are also included in the 2016 Summary Compensation table in the “Salary” and/or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Below is a description of the arrangements in place applicable to the NEOs relating to payments upon termination or change in control, other than severance payments upon termination (other than for cause) available to all salaried employees.

In October 2009, in connection with our IPO, the Company entered into Change in Control Severance Agreements with Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Anquillare, Mr. Thompson and Mr. McCarthy. In August 2012, in connection with Dr. Banerjee’s joining the Company upon our acquisition of the Argus business, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Banerjee. These agreements incorporate provisions for payments to be made to the NEOs upon termination of their employment. Payments will be due under these agreements in the event the NEO’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company without “cause,” or is voluntarily terminated by the NEO for “good reason,” which are defined in the agreements, within a two-year period following a “change in control,” which is defined in the agreements.

These agreements provide that, upon a qualifying termination event, an NEO will be entitled to:

(i) a pro rata STI award for the year of termination;

(ii) a severance payment equal to two times the sum of the NEO’s base salary and target bonus amount (or six months base salary in the case of Dr. Banerjee);

 

32


Table of Contents

(iii) continuation of health benefits (at the NEO’s expense) for 18 months (or six months at the Company’s expense in the case of Dr. Banerjee); and

(iv) immediate vesting of any remaining unvested equity awards.

The severance and pro rata bonus amounts will be payable in cash, in a lump sum to NEOs (expect for Dr. Banerjee who will receive payments of his base salary for six months in the same amounts and at the same intervals as if he was otherwise employed). Receipt of these benefits is conditioned upon the NEO executing a general release of claims against the Company, and complying with perpetual confidentiality obligations and noncompete and nonsolicitation obligations for a period of 24 months (or six months in the case of Dr. Banerjee). If these agreements had been in place at December 31, 2016, in the event of a qualifying termination Mr. Stephenson would be entitled to cash payments totaling $6,500,000, Mr. Anquillare would be entitled to cash payments totaling $2,651,000, Mr. Thompson would be entitled to cash payments totaling $2,259,000, Dr. Banerjee would be entitled to cash payments totaling $643,750, and Mr. McCarthy would be entitled to cash payments totaling $1,829,200.

None of our NEOs will be entitled to excise tax gross-ups as their respective agreements do not provide for such payments.

The 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and its predecessor plan, the Verisk Analytics, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2009 Equity Incentive Plan,” together with the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, the “Incentive Plans”), both provide that the Compensation Committee will determine and set forth in each award agreement whether any awards granted in such award agreement will continue to be exercisable, continue to vest or be earned and the terms of such exercise, vesting or earning, on and after the date that a participant ceases to be employed by or to provide services to us (including as a director), whether by reason of death, disability, voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or services, or otherwise. The award agreements with respect to currently outstanding options and restricted stock held by the NEOs under the Incentive Plans provide that in the event of the NEO’s death, “disability” (as defined under the Incentive Plans), “retirement” (as defined under the Incentive Plans), or termination of employment for “good reason” or without “cause” (each as defined under the Incentive Plans) within two years following a “change in control” (as defined under the Incentive Plans), the options will become immediately exercisable with respect to the number of unexercised shares covered by the option and the unvested shares of restricted stock will become fully vested. Based on the closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2016, the number of options that would become vested for our NEOs, minus the exercise price of those options, and the number of unvested restricted stock shares that would become vested for our NEOs, in the event of a qualifying termination on December 31, 2016, the acceleration of option and restricted stock vesting would have a value of $10,457,095 for Mr. Stephenson, $3,502,291 for Mr. Anquillare, $2,666,128 for Mr. Thompson, $1,435,042 for Dr. Banerjee, $2,105,167 for Mr. McCarthy, and $727,054 for Ms. Huston.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2016, concerning the Company’s equity compensation plans.

 

Plan Category

   Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

(a)
    Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(b)
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

     4,196,484     $ 70.37        8,691,044  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     4,574,433 (2)(3)    $ 24.92        (4) 
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1)

Reflects the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. See “Verisk Analytics, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan” included in Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated April 1, 2013 and Note 16 to

 

33


Table of Contents
  our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a discussion of the material features of our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(2) Includes shares subject to outstanding options granted under the Insurance Service Office, Inc. 1996 Incentive Plan (the “Option Plan”) in the amount of 615,750. The material features of the Option Plan are summarized below. See also Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

(3) Includes shares subject to outstanding options granted under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan in the amount of 3,958,683. See “Verisk Analytics, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan” included in our Registration Statement on the Form S-1/A filed on September 21, 2009 and Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a discussion of the material features of our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(4) On October 6, 2009, the date of our initial public offering, the Option Plan was terminated and no new equity awards can be granted under this plan. On May 15, 2013, the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan was terminated and no new equity awards can be granted under this plan.

The Option Plan

During 1996, the Company adopted the Option Plan. The Option Plan provided for the granting of options to key employees and non-employee directors of the Company (each, a “participant”). On October 6, 2009, the date of our initial public offering, the Option Plan was terminated and no new equity awards can be granted under this plan. The material features of the Option Plan are summarized below. The following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the plan document, which has been included as an exhibit to our Annual Reports on the Form 10-K.

Forms of Awards.    The committee, having authority delegated by the Board to administer the Option Plan, could from time to time make awards under the Option Plan (including, without limitation, an award or grant of an option or grant of restricted stock, or any combination thereof) and/or offers to purchase common stock under the Option Plan in such form and having such terms, conditions and limitations as the committee may determine consistent with the terms of the Option Plan. Currently, there are only option awards outstanding under the Option Plan.

Termination of Employment/Change in Control.    If a participant’s employment terminated due to death, disability of retirement (for service-vesting options only) or if within two years following a change in control (as defined in the applicable award agreement), the participant’s employment terminated without cause or for good reason, all unexercisable options would have become immediately exercisable and would have remained exercisable for 12 months following the date of such termination. If a participant’s employment terminated for any other reason, all unexercisable options would have been terminated and all exercisable options would have remained exercisable for 90 days. Upon termination of a participant’s employment for any reason, including death, disability or retirement, restricted shares that remained subject to restrictions would have been forfeited.

Stock Adjustments.    In the event of any merger, consolidation, stock or other non-cash dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, reorganization or recapitalization or change in capitalization, or any other similar corporate event, the committee could make such adjustments in (i) the aggregate number of shares under the Option Plan and the number of shares that may be made subject to awards to any individual participant, (ii) the number and kind of shares that are subject to any option and the exercise price per share without any change in the aggregate exercise price to be paid upon exercise of the option, and (iii) the number and kind of shares of outstanding restricted stock, as the committee would deem appropriate in the circumstances.

 

34


Table of Contents

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Customer Relationships

In 2016, we received fees from Arch Capital Group Limited of $1,140,969 for participation and license fees and Validus Holdings of $1,907,000 for license fees. Constantine P. Iordanou, one of our directors, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital Group Limited. Therese M. Vaughan, one of our directors, is a director of Validus Holdings.

In 2016, in connection with our purchase of insurance coverage we also paid fees to CNA Financial Corporation of $363,845 related to insurance policy premiums, Arch Capital Group Limited of $954,325 related to insurance policy premiums, and Brown & Brown, Inc. of $1,625,364 related to insurance brokerage and risk management services. Thomas F. Motamed, one of our directors, was the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation until his retirement from that role in November 2016. Constantine P. Iordanou, one of our directors, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital Group Limited. J. Hyatt Brown, one of our directors, is the Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer of Brown & Brown, Inc.

ESOP

We established an ESOP funded with intercompany debt that includes 401(k), ESOP and profit sharing components to provide employees with equity participation. The trustee of the ESOP is GreatBanc Trust Company. The ESOP owns greater than five percent of our Common Stock. We make quarterly cash contributions to the ESOP equal to the debt service requirements. As the debt is repaid, shares are released to the ESOP to fund 401(k) matching and profit sharing contributions and the remainder is allocated annually to ESOP accounts of active employees in proportion to their eligible compensation in relation to total participant eligible compensation. On October 6, 2009 we made an accelerated cash contribution to permit the ESOP to prepay a portion of the indebtedness, resulting in an accelerated allocation of shares to active eligible employees. The amount of our ESOP costs recognized for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $14.5 million.

Voting rights with respect to shares of our Common Stock owned by the ESOP are exercised by the trustee of the ESOP. The trustee is required to vote shares allocated to an ESOP participant’s account as directed by the ESOP participant for all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. Shares of stock not allocated to a participant’s account may be voted in accordance with the discretion of the Trustee in the best interest of ESOP participants.

Statement of Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written statement of policy regarding transactions with related persons. Our related person policy requires that a “related person” (as defined as in paragraph (a) of Item 404 of Regulation S-K) must promptly disclose to the corporate secretary any “related person transaction” (defined as any transaction that is reportable by us under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest) and all material facts with respect thereto. The corporate secretary will then promptly communicate that information to the Board of Directors or the designated Board committee. No related person transaction will be consummated without the approval or ratification of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors consisting exclusively of disinterested directors. The Board of Directors has designated the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to approve any related person transaction. It is our policy that directors interested in a related person transaction will recuse themselves from any vote of a related person transaction in which they have an interest. In reviewing the transaction in question, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including without limitation, the commercial reasonableness of the terms, the benefit and perceived benefit, or lack thereof, to the Company, opportunity costs of alternate transactions, the materiality and character of the related person’s direct or indirect interest and the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related person. No related person transaction will be approved or ratified unless, upon consideration of all relevant information, the transaction is in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

35


Table of Contents
ITEM 2 — APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ON AN ADVISORY, NON-BINDING BASIS

At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we conducted an advisory, non-binding vote regarding the frequency with which we would seek approval of the compensation of our named executive officers. At such meeting, shareholders expressed their preference for an annual vote on executive compensation on an advisory, non-binding basis and, consistent with this preference, the Board of Directors determined that we will conduct such a vote on an annual basis. Accordingly, and pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to approve the compensation of our named executive officers for 2016 as disclosed in this Proxy Statement on an advisory, non-binding basis (“say-on-pay”) through the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board of Directors and will not overrule any decision by the Board of Directors or require the Board of Directors to take any action. However, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the say-on-pay vote when considering future executive compensation decisions for named executive officers.

The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s compensation programs and policies and the compensation decisions for 2016 described in this Proxy Statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, appropriately reward our named executive officers for their and the Company’s performance and will assist the Company in retaining our senior leadership team. You are strongly encouraged to read the full details of our executive compensation programs and policies under the section titled “Executive Compensation” above.

Our Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “FOR” this resolution unless otherwise instructed. Broker non-votes will not be counted in determining the results of the vote.

 

36


Table of Contents
ITEM 3 — ADVISORY, NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Pursuant to the requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, the Board of Directors is required to submit an advisory, non-binding resolution to shareholders at least once every six years to determine whether advisory votes on executive compensation should be held every one, two or three years. In satisfaction of this requirement, we are asking shareholders to vote on whether future say-on-pay votes of the nature reflected in Proposal Item 2 above should occur every one, two or three years. If you have no preference, you may abstain.

The optimal frequency of the vote necessarily turns on a judgment about the relative benefits and burdens of each of the options. There have been diverging views expressed on this question and the Board believes there is a reasonable basis for each of the options.

Some have argued for a longer period between say-on-pay votes. They point out that a less frequent vote would allow shareholders to focus on overall design issues rather than details of individual decisions, would align with the goal of the Company’s compensation programs which are designed to reward performance that promotes long-term shareholder value, and would avoid the burden that annual votes would impose on shareholders required to evaluate the compensation programs of a large number of companies each year.

Others believe that an annual vote is needed to give shareholders the opportunity to react promptly to emerging trends in compensation, provide feedback before those trends become pronounced over time, and give the Board and the Compensation Committee the opportunity to evaluate individual compensation decisions each year in light of the ongoing feedback from shareholders.

After careful consideration, the Board has determined that holding an advisory vote on executive compensation every year is the most appropriate policy for the Company at this time, and recommends that shareholders vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to occur every year.

This advisory vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay votes is non-binding on the Board. Shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the say-on-pay frequency vote when considering how often to hold the say-on-pay vote.

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote for the “ONE YEAR” frequency option which indicates your preference to have say-on-pay votes held once every year. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for the “ONE YEAR” frequency option unless otherwise instructed. Broker non-votes will not be counted in determining the results of the vote.

 

37


Table of Contents

ITEM 4 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF VERISK’S INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

The Audit Committee appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte & Touche) as independent auditors for 2017 and presents this selection to the shareholders for ratification. Deloitte & Touche will audit our consolidated financial statements for 2017 and perform other permissible, preapproved services.

A Deloitte & Touche representative will attend the annual meeting to respond to your questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider it, but at all times the Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment of our independent auditor.

Our Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of Deloitte & Touche’s appointment as our independent auditor. Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “FOR” this ratification unless otherwise instructed.

Independent Auditor’s Fees. The following table summarizes the aggregate fees (including related expenses; in thousands) billed in 2016 and 2015 for professional services provided by Deloitte & Touche.

 

     2016      2015  

Audit fees (1)

   $ 2,293      $ 2,171  

Audit-related fees (2)

     520        1,819  

Tax fees (3)

     509        1,870  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,322      $ 5,860  

 

(1) Audit fees consisted of fees billed for audits of our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, reviews of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other regulatory audits.

 

(2) Audit-related fees consisted of fees incurred in conjunction with due diligence, accounting consultations and audits related to acquisitions and divestitures.

 

(3) Includes tax compliance and other tax services not related to the audit.

Preapproval Policy of the Audit Committee of Services Performed by Independent Auditor

The Audit Committee has implemented preapproval policies and procedures related to the provision of audit and nonaudit services by the independent auditor to ensure that the services do not impair the auditor’s independence. Under these procedures, the Audit Committee preapproves both the type of services to be provided by the independent auditor and the estimated fees related to those services. During the preapproval process, the Audit Committee considers the impact of the types of services and the related fees on the independence of the auditor. Even if a service has received general preapproval, if it involves a fee in excess of $350,000 or relates to tax planning and advice, it requires a separate preapproval, which may be delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee so long as the entire Audit Committee is informed at its next meeting. The services and fees must be deemed compatible with the maintenance of the auditor’s independence, including compliance with SEC and NASDAQ rules and regulations. In accordance with this preapproval policy, all audit and nonaudit services were preapproved by the Audit Committee in 2016.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. The charter is available on our website at the “Corporate Overview — Governance Documents” link under the “Investors” link at www.verisk.com. The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of the integrity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting, the Company’s risk management, the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditor), the performance of the Company’s internal auditor and independent auditor and

 

38


Table of Contents

the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee has the sole authority and responsibility to appoint, compensate, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Company’s independent auditor. In making such determinations, the Audit Committee considers, among other things, the recommendations of management of the Company. The Board has determined that all of the Audit Committee’s members are independent under the applicable independence standards of the NASDAQ listing rules and the Exchange Act.

The Audit Committee serves in an oversight capacity and is not part of the Company’s managerial or operational decision-making process. Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, and the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company’s independent auditor, Deloitte & Touche, is responsible for auditing those financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to oversee the financial reporting process and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to us and on the representations made by management, the internal auditor and the independent auditor.

The Audit Committee held six meetings during 2016, and has met in 2017 to discuss the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. With respect to the year ended December 31, 2016, the Audit Committee, among other things:

 

   

reviewed and discussed the Company’s quarterly earnings releases;

 

   

reviewed and discussed (i) the quarterly unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes and (ii) the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2016 with management and Deloitte & Touche;

 

   

reviewed and discussed the annual plan and scope of work of the independent auditor;

 

   

reviewed and discussed the annual plan and scope of work of the internal auditor and summaries of significant reports to management by the internal auditor;

 

   

met with Deloitte & Touche, the internal auditor, the General Counsel and Company management in executive sessions;

 

   

reviewed and discussed certain critical accounting policies; and

 

   

reviewed business and financial market conditions, including an assessment of risks posed to the Company’s operations and financial condition.

The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche matters that independent registered public accounting firms must discuss with audit committees under generally accepted auditing standards and standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, including, among other things, matters related to the conduct of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board AU 380 (Communications with Audit Committees). These reviews included discussions with management and the independent auditor of the quality (not merely the acceptability) of the Company’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates and judgments, and the disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures relating to critical accounting policies.

Deloitte & Touche also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, regarding its communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and represented that it is independent from the Company. The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche their independence from the Company and considered if services they provided to the Company beyond those rendered in connection with their audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and reviews of the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, compromise independence.

 

39


Table of Contents

During 2016, the Audit Committee received regular updates on the amount of fees and scope of audit and audit-related services provided. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed and approved audit and non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche pursuant to the preapproval policies and procedures related to the provision of audit and non-audit services by the independent auditor as described above under “Preapproval Policy of the Audit Committee of Services Performed by Independent Auditor.”

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and these meetings, discussions and reports discussed above, and subject to the limitations on our role and responsibilities referred to above and in the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Audit Committee also appointed Deloitte & Touche as the Company’s independent auditor for 2017 and are presenting the appointment to the shareholders for ratification.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher M. Foskett (Chair)

Bruce Hansen

Samuel G. Liss

Andrew G. Mills

Thomas Motamed

Therese M. Vaughan

David B. Wright

 

40


Table of Contents

Other Matters

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.    Based solely upon our review of forms filed by our directors and executive officers during the most recent fiscal year, we believe that all required reports have been timely filed under the SEC’s rules for reporting transactions by executive officers and directors in our common stock.

Other Business.    We do not know of any other matters that may be presented for action at the meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote on such matter in their discretion.

Shareholder Nominations for Director Candidates.    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees searches for and identifies qualified individuals for membership on our Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s written charter requires the Committee to review candidates’ qualifications for membership on the Board or a committee of the Board, including making a specific determination as to the independence of each candidate, based on the criteria approved by the Board (and taking into account the enhanced independence, financial literacy and financial expertise standards that may be required under law or NASDAQ rules for Audit Committee membership purposes). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also required to review the composition of the Board and its committees in light of the current challenges and needs of the Board, the Company and each committee, and determine whether it may be appropriate to add or remove individuals after considering issues of judgment, diversity, age, skills, background and experience.

Shareholders of record complying with the notice procedures set forth below may make director recommendations for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider any director candidates recommended by shareholders who submit a written request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company. The candidates should meet the director qualification criteria noted above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates all director candidates and nominees in the same manner regardless of the source. Shareholders may make recommendations at any time, but nominations for the annual meeting of shareholders must be received not less than 60 days before nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting. Therefore, to submit a candidate for nomination at the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders of record must submit the nomination, in writing, no earlier than February 16, 2018, and no later than March 18, 2018. As required by our bylaws, the written notice must demonstrate that it is being submitted by a shareholder of record of Verisk and include information about each proposed director candidate, including name, age, business address, principal occupation, principal qualifications and other relevant biographical information. In addition, the shareholder must confirm his or her candidate’s consent to serve as a director. Shareholders must send recommendations to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Kenneth E. Thompson, Corporate Secretary, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1686.

Shareholder Proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting.    Shareholders intending to present a proposal at the 2018 annual meeting and have it included in our proxy statement for that meeting must submit the proposal in writing to Kenneth E. Thompson, Corporate Secretary, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1686. We must receive the proposal no later than December 1, 2017.

Shareholders of record wishing to present a proposal or nomination at the 2018 annual meeting, but not requiring the proposal be included in our proxy statement must comply with the requirements set forth in our bylaws. The bylaws require, among other things, that our Secretary receive written notice from the record shareholder of intent to present such proposal or nomination no more than 90 days and no less than 60 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Therefore, the Company must receive notice of such a proposal or nomination for the 2018 annual meeting no earlier than February 16, 2018, and no later than March 18, 2018. The notice must contain the information required by the Bylaws, a copy of which is available upon request to our Secretary.

Cost of Soliciting Your Proxy.    We will pay the expenses for the preparation and mailing of the proxy materials and the solicitation by the Board of your proxy. Our directors, officers and employees, who will receive

 

41


Table of Contents

no additional compensation for soliciting, may solicit your proxy, in person or by telephone, mail, facsimile or other means of communication.

Shareholders Sharing an Address.    Consistent with notices sent to record shareholders sharing a single address, we are sending only one Notice, Annual Report and Proxy Statement to that address unless we received contrary instructions from any shareholder at that address. This “householding” practice reduces our printing and postage costs. Shareholders may request or discontinue householding, or may request a separate copy of the Notice, Annual Report or Proxy Statement as follows:

 

   

Record shareholders wishing to discontinue or begin householding, should contact our Corporate Secretary, Kenneth E. Thompson, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1686.

 

   

Shareholders owning their shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record who wish to either discontinue or begin householding should contact their record holder.

 

   

Any householded shareholder may request prompt delivery of a copy of the Annual Report or Proxy Statement by contacting us at (201) 469-2142 or may write to us at Investor Relations, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1686. Instructions for requesting such materials are also included in the Notice.

Consent to Electronic Delivery of Annual Meeting Materials.    Shareholders and ESOP participants can access this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions outlined on the secure web site. For future annual meetings of shareholders, shareholders can consent to accessing their proxy materials, including the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, the proxy statement and the annual report, electronically in lieu of receiving them by mail. To receive materials electronically you will need access to a computer and an e-mail account. To sign up for electronic delivery, when voting using the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

Registered shareholders that wish to revoke their request for electronic delivery at any time without charge should contact our Corporate Secretary, Kenneth E. Thompson, Verisk Analytics, Inc., 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1686 or contact us at (201) 469-2142.

If you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee and you have not already done so, you can choose this electronic delivery option by contacting your nominee. You may update your electronic address by contacting your nominee.

Disclaimer.    Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement or any other report filed with the SEC.

 

42


Table of Contents

LOGO

VERISK ANALYTICS, INC

545 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07310

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

1. Election of Directors

Nominees For Against Abstain

01 Frank J. Coyne

02 Christopher M. Foskett

03 David B. Wright

04 Annell R. Bay

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: For Against Abstain

2. To approve executive compensation on an advisory, non-binding basis.

The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 YEAR on the following proposal: 1 year 2 years 3 years Abstain

3. To recommend the frequency of executive compensation votes on an advisory, non-binding basis.

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: For Against Abstain

4. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte and Touche LLP as our independent auditor for the 2017 fiscal year.

NOTE: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. THE PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 4 AND FOR 1 YEAR FOR ITEM 3.

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

0000321090_1 R1.0.1.15


Table of Contents

LOGO

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

You can vote in one of three ways:

1. Call toll-free 1-800-690-6903 on a Touch-Tone telephone and follow the instructions on the reverse side. There is NO CHARGE to you for this call.

or

2. Vote by Internet at our Internet Address: www.proxyvote.com

or

3. Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.

PLEASE VOTE

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement, Annual Report is/are available at www.proxyvote.com

VERISK ANALYTICS, INC.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 17, 2017

The undersigned hereby appoints Scott G. Stephenson and Kenneth E. Thompson, and each of them, as Proxies, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of Common Stock of Verisk Analytics, Inc. held of record by the undersigned as of March 20, 2017, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time at the Company’s Headquarters, 545 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310 on May 17, 2017 or any adjournment thereof.

This instruction and proxy card is also solicited by the Board of Directors of Verisk Analytics, Inc. (the “Company”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 17, 2017 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time from persons who participate in the ISO 401(k) Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”).

By signing this instruction and proxy card, the undersigned ESOP Participant hereby instructs GreatBanc Trust Company, Trustee for the ESOP, to exercise the voting rights relating to any shares of Common Stock of Verisk Analytics, Inc. allocable to his or her account(s) as of March 20, 2017. For the ESOP, the Trustee will vote shares that are not allocated to ESOP participant’s accounts, or for which no instruction has been received, in its discretion, in the best interest of ESOP participants.

For shares voted by mail, this instruction and proxy card is to be returned to the tabulation agent (Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717) by May 16, 2017. For shares voted by phone or Internet, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 16, 2017.

(Continued on reverse side)

0000321090_2 R1.0.1.15