Company: LIN
Filing Date: 2025-04-30
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000950170-25-060925
Chunk: 8

Company: LINDE PLC
Filing Date: 2025-04-30
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 8
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 committees and Linde’s Constitution, the Board has adopted the following policies and practices, among others:

Director Independence

The Board has adopted independence standards for service on Linde’s Board of Directors which are posted at Linde’s public website referenced above. The Board has applied these standards to all the directors and has determined that each qualifies as independent except for Mr. Angel, the Company’s Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Lamba, the Company’s current

Chief Executive Officer. The Board is not otherwise aware of any relationship with the Company or its management that could potentially impair the independent judgment of these directors. See also related information in this Proxy Statement under the caption “Certain Relationships and Transactions.”

Board Leadership

In General

Linde’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide the Board with flexibility to determine the appropriate Board leadership structure from time to time. The Nomination and Governance Committee (consisting entirely of independent directors) regularly reviews the leadership structure, and considers many factors, including the specific needs of Linde and its businesses, corporate governance best practices, shareholder feedback and succession planning, as different structures may be appropriate in different circumstances. The Corporate Governance Guidelines also provide that the Board: (a) shall select a Chairman of the Board and determine his/her duties and responsibilities; and (b) if the Chairman of the Board has not been determined to be independent in accordance with the Board’s independence standards and those of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and applicable law, then the Board may appoint a Lead Independent Director who has been determined to be independent under such standards and determine his/her responsibilities.

The Board believes that the best leadership model for Linde at this time is that the position of the Chairman of the Board should continue to be separate from that of the Chief Executive Officer. In addition to assure effective independence in the Board’s oversight, advice and counsel of management, the Board believes that maintaining a Lead Independent Director is appropriate.

The Board elected Mr. Angel as the Chairman of the Board, and the Board appointed Robert L. Wood as the Lead Independent Director, each effective March 1, 2022. The Board believes this leadership structure is effective and appropriate and in the best interests of Linde and its shareholders. With Mr. Angel as Chairman of the Board, Linde continues to leverage his significant industry expertise, prior CEO experience and effective working relationship with the Board to lead the Board and focus its attention on strategic matters and facilitate effective communication between the Board and management. As the Lead Independent Director with clearly defined responsibilities, Mr. Wood ensures