Governance  Report of the Supervisory Board 94 1  Where a Supervisory Board member retired from the SB or stepped down from a Committee or was appointed during the year, only meetings that were held during  his / her tenure are taken into account. The Board meetings were preceded or followed by Executive  Sessions, meetings of the Supervisory Board absent of members  of the Executive or Management Boards. In accordance with  Aegon’s Supervisory Board Rules, regular Board meetings were  preceded by preparatory conference call meetings. These were  attended by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Supervisory  Board, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, the Chairman  of the Risk Committee, and the CEO and CFO who sit on the  company’s Executive Board. Meetings of the Committees of the Supervisory Board were  usually held before the meetings of the full Supervisory Board.  No Supervisory Board members were frequently absent from  Committee meetings. Members of Aegon’s Executive and  Management Boards attended the Supervisory Board meetings  held in 2013. At the request of the Supervisory Board, other  company executives also attended the meetings to provide  updates. Representatives from Aegon’s external auditors EY  attended the discussions on the Company’s 2013 results. In 2013, discussions by Aegon’s Supervisory Board included the  following issues: In 2013, the Board focused on the continued execution of the  strategic objectives, most notably the shift from spread to  fee income, and the growth of the at-retirement business in  the company’s established markets, and the protection and  savings business in its developing markets. The Board discussed  with management the company’s progress toward customer  centricity, supported by investments in digital capabilities and  the extension of its distribution reach through partnerships with  several trusted financial and non-financial brands. Another key  topic was the refinement of the financial strategy presented to  investors and analysts in June 2013, which supports a balanced  capital deployment strategy and a sustainable dividend. The Board supported the appointment of Mrs. Brenda Clancy as  Global Chief Technology Officer, further strengthening Aegon’s  long-term strategic commitment to a culture of innovation  and the use of technology to improve customer relationships  and pursue operational excellence. She is also entrusted  with ensuring the suitability and quality of the Aegon’s IT  infrastructure and cyber security. In the quarterly meetings, the Board discussed the business  units’ business initiatives, use of technology, mergers and  acquisitions activity, and regulatory issues, and studied relevant  developments at competitors in a peer group review. The Board  also expressed its support for launching an Aegon Corporate  Venture Fund, which was presented by management. The Aegon  Corporate Venture Fund is designed to accelerate Aegon’s  A key development in 2013 was the cancellation of the preferred  shares owned by Vereniging Aegon, which was announced  on February 15, 2013, and approved by shareholders at the  annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 15, 2013.  This transaction resulted in a simplified capital structure, while  enabling the Company to maintain a high-quality capital base  under expected upcoming European solvency requirements.  In 2012 and early 2013 the Board discussed the merits of the  transaction extensively, taking into account the interests of both  Aegon and its shareholders.  Highlights Activities ■ Strategy, including Aegon’s sustainability program, and  business reviews;  ■ Acquisitions, divestments and restructuring of businesses;  ■ Preferred Share Amendment Plan;  ■ Executive Board and senior management succession planning;  ■ Executive remuneration;  ■ Governance and composition of the Supervisory Board;  ■ New product development;  ■ Customer centricity; ■ Human resources, including talent development and results  of the employee survey;  ■ Annual and quarterly results, dividend and Group Plan 2014- 2016, including the 2014 budget, and the capital plan;  ■ Capital position and Solvency II;  ■ Enterprise risk management;  ■ Investor relations;  ■ Legal, regulatory and compliance issues; ■ Accounting changes.  Annual Report 2013 Name Regular SB  meeting SB conference  call Audit  Committee Risk  Committee Nominating  Committee Compensation  Committee Rob Routs 7/7 6/6 - 6/6 6/6 Irv Bailey 7/7 6/6 - 6/6 - 6/6 Antony Burgmans 6/7 5/6 6/7 - - Shemaya Levy 7/7 6/6 7/7 - 6/6 Karla Peijs 1) 5/5 5/5 - - 4/4 4/4 Kees Storm 6/7 6/6 - 5/6 5/6 Ben van der Veer 6/7 6/6 7/7 6/6 - Dick Verbeek 7/7 6/6 7/7 6/6 - - Leo van Wijk 7/7 5/6 - - 6/6 6/6 Dona Young 1) 4/4 3/3 4/4 4/4 -