3 questions lodged at 2025 Starpharma hybrid AGM
November 14, 2025
Below is the text of the 3 written questions submitted at the 110 minute Starpharma (SPL) 2pm hybrid AGM in Melbourne and via the Computershare platform on November 14, 2025. See notice of meeting. Market cap $173m after recently quadrupling. The proxies were not disclosed early in the formal addresses but there were no protest votes. See 17 questions asked at previous 3 AGMs. They censored a few questions at the 2022 AGM.
Q1. PwC has been our external auditor more more than 20 years. Are we any closer to changing auditor as it is not good practice to have the same audit firm for such a long uninterrupted period? Could the audit committee chair comment on the future plans for conducting a competitive tender for the external audit function.
Answer: The chair Rob Thomas handed straight over to audit committee chair David McIntyre who delivered a cracking answer spelling out the reasons why they weren't going to tender at this time. Watch video of exchange via Twitter, plus this last part of his answer.
Q2. How large is Jeff's shareholding in CBE and are we likely to see these related party transactions continuing at a similar level to the relatively modest amount of $27,944 for 2024-25 disclosed in the notice of meeting. It would be better if you simply called Jeff a non-independent director because he is a service provider, but he's got great relevant skills so whatever you do, don't lose him from the board.
Answer: Dr Jeff Davies provided a very comprehensive response explaining that he owns 10% of CBE, a consulting business, but he doesn't do the CBE consulting work for Starpharma and has no involvement in the arrangements. Watch video of exchange via Twitter, plus these additional comments.
Q3. Rob Thomas has been chair of the company for 11 years, with the past 12 months being the best of times for the company. How old is Rob and is he planning to nominate for another 3 year term when his current expires at the 2026 AGM? Does he believe the next chair is currently on the board and is the board currently progressing its chair succession plans?
Answer: The chair threw to Linda who basically announced that Rob Thomas wasn't going to run again, which was a little strange because there was no farewell from the chair which probably means he intends to chair next year's meeting before bowing out. The word "ageist" was also bandied about. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.
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