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Meeting calendar
SW · Annual meeting · Friday, May 1, 2026

Smurfit Westrock PLC

12 nominees · 6 ballot items.

Elect 12 directors; approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, named executive officer compensation; ratify KPMG and authorize its remuneration; and approve three Irish-law proposals renewing authority to issue shares, opt out of pre-emption rights, and set the treasury re-issue price range.

Market cap
$23.2B
1Y TSR
-0.2%
Board grade
C
Record date
Mar 3, 2026
Filing
DEF 14A
Meeting concluded · May 1, 2026

Follow how the vote landed and what changed on Smurfit Westrock PLC’s board — director track records, governance grades, and ongoing monitoring — on the Boardroom Alpha platform.

Proposals

On the ballot6

  1. 1

    Election of Directors

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    By separate resolutions, elect the 12 director nominees named in the Proxy Statement for one-year terms until the next annual general meeting.

  2. 2

    Non-Binding, Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation (Say-on-Pay

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    A non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.

    More detail

    This proposal asks shareholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote to approve the Company’s disclosed named executive officer compensation (the “say-on-pay” vote). Management seeks shareholder approval as a governance and accountability measure: the vote provides shareholder feedback on pay-for-performance alignment and on the Compensation Committee’s decisions for base salary, annual incentive (AIP) metrics and payouts, and long‑term incentive (LTIP) design (PSUs weighted to rTSR, adjusted cumulative EPS and ROCE, plus RSUs). The Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains that a substantial majority of NEO pay is at‑risk, that 2025 outcomes reflected above‑target AIP results driven by Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, and synergies, and that LTIP performance metrics are aligned with long‑term shareholder value creation. Management emphasizes strong shareholder engagement and notes prior strong say‑on‑pay support (>95% in 2025) as evidence of endorsement for the program. The vote is advisory and therefore not binding, but the Board and Compensation Committee will consider the results when making future compensation decisions. Approving the proposal preserves the current structure and metrics of the Company’s compensation program; a failure to approve would signal shareholder dissatisfaction and could prompt the Compensation Committee to modify program design or target setting. The Board recommends FOR because it believes the program aligns executive incentives with the Company’s medium‑term plan and long‑term shareholder value and that disclosed outcomes appropriately reflect Company performance and governance safeguards (clawbacks, stock ownership guidelines, independent consultant oversight). Given the Company’s recent Combination and emphasis on integration synergies, management views continuity in pay design as important to retaining leadership and executing the medium‑term plan while remaining responsive to shareholder feedback.

  3. 3

    Ratification of the Appointment of KPMG for 2026 and Authorization to Determine KPMG’s Remuneration

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    By separate resolutions, (a) ratify, in a non-binding vote, the appointment of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and statutory auditor under Irish law for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and (b) authorize, in a binding vote, the Audit Committee to determine KPMG’s remuneration as the Company’s statutory auditor under Irish law.

  4. 4

    Renewal of the Board of Directors’ Existing Authority to Issue Shares under Irish Law

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Renew the Board’s authority to allot and issue authorized but unissued shares (or grant rights to acquire such shares) up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to approximately 20% of issued share capital for a period expiring at the next AGM or 18 months.

    More detail

    This management proposal seeks shareholder authorization under Irish law to renew the directors’ general authority to allot and issue shares or grant rights to acquire shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equivalent to approximately 20% of the Company’s issued share capital, expiring at the next AGM or 18 months. Irish law requires shareholder authorization for allotments from authorized but unissued capital; management views this as customary corporate housekeeping that preserves flexibility to raise capital or issue shares in connection with strategic transactions, acquisitions, or compensation plans without seeking ad hoc shareholder approvals. The 20% cap and 18‑month limit are conventional market terms intended to balance issuer flexibility with shareholder protection. The resolution expressly allows the directors to enter into binding offers before expiry (so allotments after expiry pursuant to such agreements remain permitted). Management also points out that, as a NYSE‑listed company, Smurfit Westrock remains subject to US listing rules and securities laws that provide additional shareholder protections. Board support is framed around maintaining optionality to execute financing, strategic or transactional opportunities promptly and efficiently. Shareholders should evaluate the proposal in the context of the Company’s capital needs, existing dilution, recent share issuances and governance safeguards; approval is routine and generally uncontroversial for public companies incorporated in Ireland. The Board recommends FOR given the need to preserve administrative flexibility and align with Irish market practice while limiting the authority by percentage and time period.

  5. 5

    Renewal of the Board of Directors’ Existing Authority to Opt-Out of Statutory Pre-Emption Rights under Irish Law

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Renew the Board’s authority to disapply statutory pre-emption rights for rights issues and for other issuances of equity for cash up to an aggregate nominal value equivalent to approximately 20% of issued share capital for 18 months, conditional on the passing of Proposal 4.

    More detail

    This special‑resolution seeks shareholder approval to permit the directors to allot equity securities for cash without first offering them pro‑rata to existing shareholders (i.e., to disapply statutory pre‑emption rights) in two limited circumstances: (a) rights issues on a prorata basis; and (b) other cash issuances up to a ~20% Section 1023 Amount. Under Irish law such disapplication requires a special resolution and is customarily requested to give management the agility to pursue capital raisings or transactions without procedural delay. Management frames this as customary market practice that balances issuer flexibility with shareholder protection via the 20% cap, expiry after 18 months, and conditioning on the ordinary‑resolution in Proposal 4 (as required by statute). The Board recommends FOR because it believes that the narrowly‑tailored disapplication preserves the Company’s ability to respond quickly to financing and strategic opportunities while limiting dilution and maintaining customary safeguards. Shareholders should consider the cap, the limited duration, and the Company’s recent capital actions and financing needs when assessing the proposal; a refusal could constrain the Company’s ability to execute timely transactions in dynamic market conditions.

  6. 6

    Determine the Price Range at which the Company can Re-Issue Shares that it Holds as Treasury Shares under Irish Law

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Authorize the price range for re‑issue of treasury shares to be 95%–120% of the market price (or nominal value where required for employee share schemes) with the market price measured as the average closing price on NYSE and LSE for the five trading days prior to re‑issue; authority to expire at the next AGM or 18 months.

    More detail

    This special resolution requests shareholder authorization of the price parameters within which the Company may re-issue treasury shares it holds, a requirement under Irish law. The proposal sets a customary floor and ceiling—95% and 120% of a defined market price (with the nominal value permitted where shares are re‑issued to satisfy employee scheme obligations)—and defines market price as the average closing price on the NYSE and LSE over the five trading days prior to the re‑issue, with the mechanics for selecting higher/lower averages specified. Management seeks this authority to retain flexibility to re‑issue treasury shares for corporate purposes including fulfilling obligations under equity compensation plans, making strategic issuances, or otherwise utilizing treasury stock efficiently. The authority is time‑limited (expires at the next AGM or 18 months) and provides that directors will exercise discretion in setting prices they believe are in the Company’s best interests. From a governance perspective, shareholders should weigh the customary nature of the range, the limited duration, and the protections around measurement of market price; if approved, the Company will be able to re‑issue treasury shares without additional shareholder votes within those parameters. The Board recommends FOR because it considers the proposed range and procedures to be market standard and appropriate to preserve operational and compensation program flexibility while providing clear parameters that constrain dilution and pricing decisions.

Director elections

Nominees on the ballot12

Independent
Tenure on this board
2.0 yrs
Also a director at
Fortune Brands Innovations Inc (FBIN)
Not independent
Tenure on this board
2.1 yrs
Independent
Tenure on this board
2.0 yrs
Also a director at
International Seaways Inc (INSW)
Independent
Tenure on this board
2.0 yrs
Also a director at
Archer-daniels-midland Co (ADM)Ashland Inc (ASH)
Independent
Tenure on this board
2.0 yrs
Also a director at
Price T Rowe Group Inc (TROW)
Ownership

Top institutional holders10

Latest 13F quarter
1Capital Research Global Investors7.4%38,971,751$1.6B
2VANGUARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC6.5%33,960,747$1.4B
3STATE STREET CORP4.8%25,258,844$1.0B
4VANGUARD PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT LLC4.6%24,315,691$969M
5BlackRock, Inc.4.2%22,215,382$885M
6CAUSEWAY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC3.0%15,566,028$620M
7Nuveen, LLC2.7%14,254,541$568M
8Orbis Allan Gray Ltd2.6%13,775,054$549M
9GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC2.4%12,587,152$500M
10Capital World Investors2.4%12,472,417$497M
Filings

Recent key filings

Periodic reports
Definitive proxies
Reference

Frequently asked questions

When is the Smurfit Westrock PLC 2026 annual meeting?
Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW) holds its 2026 annual shareholder meeting on Friday, May 1, 2026.
What is the record date for the Smurfit Westrock PLC 2026 meeting?
The record date for the Smurfit Westrock PLC 2026 meeting is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Shareholders of record on or before that date are eligible to vote.
Who are the director nominees for Smurfit Westrock PLC's 2026 meeting?
The board is presenting 12 director nominees at the Smurfit Westrock PLC 2026 meeting, listed with their independence status and background.
What proposals will shareholders vote on at the Smurfit Westrock PLC 2026 meeting?
Shareholders will vote on 6 proposals at the Smurfit Westrock PLC 2026 meeting, each tagged with who proposed it and the board's recommendation.
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