These non-executive directors as a body convene regularly with the chairman. At least once a year, non-executive directors meet under the senior independent director to appraise the chairman’s performance. Non-executive directors are either independent or not. To qualify as an independent non-executive director, besides the necessary independence of character and judgment, the individual must not have been an employee of the company or the group within the last five years, not have had a material business relationship with the company or the group within the last three years, not have served on the company’s board within the last nine years, not be a representative of any major shareholder, not have family ties with any of the advisers, directors or senior employees, not have cross-directorship or other links with other directors.