Corporate Governance

Board Composition and Independence

Election of Directors. Shareholders elect directors annually. The Board believes that meaningful shareholder participation is critical to the election of directors. Our directors are elected by a majority of votes cast. If an incumbent director is not re-elected, the director must promptly offer his or her resignation to the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation, and the Board will disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days from the certification of the election results. When there are more director nominees than the number of directors to be elected, the directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

Board Size. The Board periodically reviews the number of director positions with the intent of keeping the Board small enough to promote substantive discussions in which each director can actively participate, and large enough to offer a diversity of background and expertise. Our bylaws currently provide that the Board shall have no fewer than seven directors and no more than 15 directors.

Board Composition. The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending candidates for election to our Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance Committee considers the Board's overall composition when it selects candidates. Overall Board composition guidelines require expertise in fields relevant to the business of the Company; a breadth of experience from a variety of industries and professional disciplines; a diversity of gender, ethnicity, age and geographic location; and a range of tenures on the Board to ensure both continuity and fresh perspective. Final approval of director candidates is determined by the full Board, based on the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee.

Director Selection Criteria. Well-defined selection criteria for individual directors require independence, integrity, experience and sound judgment in areas relevant to our businesses, a proven record of accomplishment, willingness to speak one's mind and commit sufficient time to the Board, appreciation for the long-term interests of shareholders and the ability to challenge and stimulate management and to work well with fellow directors. The Corporate Governance Committee reviews whether a potential candidate meets Board and/or committee membership requirements imposed by law, regulation or stock exchange rules, determines whether a potential candidate is independent according to standards for evaluating director independence and evaluates the potential for any conflict of interest between the director and General Mills.

Other Board Service. Board members are expected to devote sufficient time and attention to carrying out their director duties and responsibilities and ensure that their other responsibilities, including service on other boards, do not materially interfere with their responsibilities as directors of the Company. The Board will take into account the nature and extent of a director's other commitments when determining whether it is appropriate to nominate that individual for re-election. In no event shall a director serve on more than four total public company boards (including the General Mills Board). A director who is an active public company CEO or executive officer shall not serve on more than two total public company boards (including their own board and the General Mills Board). Subject to a determination by the Board that additional service will not impair the ability of a director to serve effectively on the Company's Audit Committee, a member of the Audit Committee may not serve on more than three total audit committees for public companies. A director must inform the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee in advance of becoming a director and/or member of the audit committee of any other public company.

Director Independence Criteria. The Board believes that a substantial majority of its members should be independent, non-employee directors. The Board has established the following guidelines that are consistent with the current listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange for determining director independence:

• A director will not be considered independent if,
  • The director was an employee of, or an immediate family member of the director was an executive officer of, General Mills within the last three years;
  • The director or an immediate family member of the director has received during any 12-month period within the last three years more than $120,000 in direct compensation from General Mills (other than director and committee fees and pension or other deferred compensation for prior service to General Mills);
  • The director is a current partner or employee of a firm that is General Mills' internal or external auditor; the director has an immediate family member who is a current partner of such a firm; the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and personally works on General Mills' audit; or the director or an immediate family member was within the last three years a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on General Mills' audit within that time.
  • A current executive officer of General Mills is or was on the compensation committee of a company which, at the same time, employed the director or an immediate family member of the director as an executive officer, within the last three years; or
  • The director is a current employee of, or an immediate family member of the director is a current executive officer of, another company that has made payments to, or received payments from, General Mills for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of (i) $1,000,000 or (ii) two percent, whichever is greater, of such other company's consolidated gross revenues.
• The following commercial or charitable relationships are immaterial and will not, by themselves, impair a director's independence:
  • A director or an immediate family member of the director is an executive officer of another company which is indebted to General Mills, or to which General Mills is indebted, and the total amount of either company's indebtedness to the other is less than two percent of the total consolidated assets of the company he or she serves as an executive officer;
  • A director or an immediate family member of the director serves as an officer, director or trustee of a tax exempt organization and General Mills' contributions to such organization are less than the greater of (i) $120,000 or (ii) two percent of the organization's consolidated gross revenues;
  • A director or an immediate family member of the director is an executive officer or director of another company that does business with General Mills and the annual payments derived from that business by either company accounts for less than (i) $1,000,000 or (ii) two percent, whichever is greater, of the consolidated gross revenues of such company and the individual is not directly responsible for or involved in the relationship; or
  • A director or an immediate family member holds a less than 10% interest in any entity that has a relationship with General Mills.
• For relationships not covered by these guidelines, the determination of whether the relationship is material or not, and therefore whether the director would be independent or not, shall be made by the directors who satisfy the independence guidelines set forth above. We will explain in our proxy statement the basis for any determination by the Board that a relationship is not material if the relationship does not satisfy one of the specific categories of immaterial relationships identified above.
• Audit Committee members may not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from us (other than director fees and pension or other deferred compensation for prior service to us).
• For Compensation Committee members, the Board considers fees and other factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the Company which is material to that director's ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a Compensation Committee member.

Affiliations with the Company. Director affiliations and transactions are regularly reviewed to ensure there are no conflicts or relationships that might impair a director's independence from the Company, senior management and our independent registered public accounting firm.

Director Retirement. To ensure an appropriate balance between new perspectives and experienced directors:

• A director will not be nominated or stand for election to the Board after the date of his or her 72nd birthday, provided, for any director who is a member of the Board as of June 21, 2016, and is within 10 years of his or her 72nd birthday, the applicable date shall be the date after his or her 74th birthday. In the event that two or more committee chairs are scheduled to retire in the same year, their retirements may be staggered so that only one committee chair retires at a time. The committee chair with the longest tenure would retire first. In instances where committee chairs have the same Board tenure, the director with the earliest birth date would retire first.
• Non-employee directors are expected to offer their resignation whenever they experience a material change in their principal employment or primary occupation after joining the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee then recommends to the Board whether the director should continue to serve.
• Company officers who are directors are expected to resign from the Board when they cease to be employed by us or when there has been a reduction in their employment level, position or responsibilities. At the request of the non-employee directors, any director who is also the Chief Executive Officer may continue to serve on the Board for up to three years after his or her retirement.

The Corporate Governance Committee uses a variety of sources to identify director candidates. From time to time, the Committee retains a recruitment firm to assist in identifying, evaluating and recruiting director candidates, based on specified criteria, and pays the firm a fee for these services. Suggestions also are received from Board members and shareholders. Director candidates recommended to the Corporate Governance Committee are subject to full Board approval and election by shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders.

Shareholders who wish to suggest an individual for consideration for election to our Board of Directors may submit a written nomination to the Corporate Secretary, General Mills, Inc., P.O. Box 1113, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440, along with the shareholder's name, address and the number of General Mills shares beneficially owned; the name of the individual being recommended and number of General Mills shares beneficially owned by the candidate; the candidate's biographical information describing experience and qualifications; a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings between the shareholder, any beneficial holder of the stock and the individual being recommended, including all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years; and the candidate's consent to serve as a director, if elected. To assist in the evaluation of shareholder-recommended candidates, the Committee may request that the shareholder provide certain additional information required to be disclosed in our proxy statement under Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Committee will consider and evaluate shareholder-recommended candidates by applying the same criteria used to evaluate director-recommended candidates. If the Committee decides the candidate is suitable for Board membership, the Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for its approval to include the candidate in the slate of directors nominated for election by shareholders in the proxy statement.

Under our bylaws, shareholders may also nominate a candidate for election at an annual meeting of shareholders. Our annual meeting is typically held on the fourth Tuesday in September. Shareholders who intend to present a nomination at our annual meeting are required to notify the Corporate Secretary in writing and provide the information described above 90 to 120 days preceding the anniversary of the preceding year's annual shareholders' meeting. Director nominees submitted through this process will be eligible for election at the shareholder meeting, but will not be included in proxy materials sent to shareholders prior to the meeting.

Under our bylaws, a shareholder, or group of up to 20 shareholders, that has continuously owned for three years at least three percent of our outstanding common stock generally may nominate and include in our proxy materials up to the greater of two directors or 20 percent of the number of directors in office as of the deadline for proxy access nominations. For eligible shareholders to include in our proxy materials nominees at an annual meeting, they must satisfy the requirements specified in our bylaws, including the notice provisions.

Attendance at Meetings. Directors are expected to attend all Board and committee meetings, as well as the annual shareholders' meeting, absent exigent circumstances.

Meeting Agendas and Materials. Agendas for upcoming Board and committee meetings are regularly reviewed and updated for planning purposes. The agenda and topics for Board and committee meetings are developed through discussions between management and Board members. Information and data that are important to the issues to be considered are distributed to Board and committee members in advance of each meeting.

Overseeing Business Strategy and Performance. Each year, the Board formally reviews and discusses our annual and long-term strategic business plans. The Board holds an annual extended off-site meeting focused on long-term strategic planning, which includes reviewing and discussing external business dynamics, emerging trends and risks and potential strategic alternatives. The Board also reviews our annual and longer-term business plans, financial targets and plans to achieve those targets. Focused discussions of key business issues, segment and business unit operations and strategic developments are held at each Board meeting.

CEO Succession Planning. The Board annually reviews and discusses management development and succession plans for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Executive Officer’s direct reports. The review includes an assessment of senior executives and their potential as successor to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board has also adopted procedures to elect a Chief Executive Officer in the event of the Chief Executive Officer's sudden departure.

The Board’s Role in Risk Management. The full Board is actively engaged in overseeing the Company’s enterprise risk management (ERM) program, which is designed to identify risks that may have a significant impact on our business. The oversight process includes reviewing mitigation actions for these risks and receiving appropriate assurances that the risks are being effectively managed by the organization. Effective risk management is an integral part of Board and committee deliberations throughout the year. To ensure that the Board fulfills its risk oversight role in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, the responsibility for overseeing specific aspects and areas of our risk management program are purposefully assigned to the full Board and committees. The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for reviewing and monitoring the Company’s ERM program. The Audit Committee annually reviews the Company’s ERM process and the comprehensive assessment of key strategic, financial, operational and regulatory risks identified by management, as well as mitigating practices. The Audit Committee then discusses the ERM process and results with the full Board. Each committee is responsible for overseeing risks consistent with the duties set forth in their charters, some of which are highlighted under Committee Performance and Operations. In addition, the Board discusses risks related to the Company’s annual financial plan at the beginning of each fiscal year, and risks related to business strategy at the annual strategic planning meeting. It continues to address these risks in follow-up discussions as the year progresses. Through these processes, the Board oversees a system to identify, assess and address on a timely basis material risks to the Company. The Board also encourages management to promote a corporate culture that incorporates risk management into the Company’s corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations in a way that is consistent with the Company’s targeted risk profile.

Access to Independent Advisors and Management. The Board and its committees may engage independent outside financial, legal and other advisors as they deem necessary to provide advice and counsel on various topics or issues. Directors also have full access to officers and employees.

Board Leadership. The Chairman of the Board is appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee. The Chairman leads the Board and oversees Board meetings and the delivery of information necessary for the Board's informed decision-making. The Chairman also serves as the principal liaison between the Board and our management. The Board determines whether the role of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined based on their judgment as to the structure that best serves the interests of the Company. Currently, the Board believes that the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be held by the same person as this combination has served and is serving the Company well by providing unified leadership and direction.

At any time when the Board determines that the same individual should hold the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or at any time when the Chairman is not independent, the independent directors elect an Independent Lead Director. The Board recognizes the importance of appointing an Independent Lead Director to maintain a strong independent board leadership structure that functions collaboratively with management, while maintaining independent oversight. Therefore, the position of Independent Lead Director comes with a clear mandate and significant authority and responsibilities. The primary responsibilities of the Independent Lead Director are set forth below:

• Reviews and approves Board agendas with the Chairman;
• Presides at all Board meetings at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors (held at each Board meeting), and informs the Chairman of issues considered and decisions reached during those sessions;
• Facilitates effective and candid Board discussions and communications to optimize Board performance;
• Meets regularly with the Chairman, serves as a liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors, and helps facilitate communications between the Board and senior management;
• Leads the Board in setting forth and enforcing its expectations of ethical standards at the Board and senior leadership levels;
• Oversees Board evaluations, and leads the Board’s process for selecting his or her successor;
• Advises the Chairman of the Board’s informational needs and reviews and approves the types of information sent to the Board;
• Calls meetings of the independent directors, as needed, and sets agendas for executive sessions;
• Monitors and coordinates with the Chairman and Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee on governance issues; and
• Serves as a Board representative for consultation and direct communication with major shareholders.

Our Independent Lead Director is elected to serve for a three-year term, with the appointment ratified annually.

Executive Sessions. Non-employee directors meet in executive session without management directors present at each Board meeting.

CEO Performance Evaluation. At least annually, the Chair of the Compensation Committee leads an executive session of the Board where non-employee directors meet formally without management directors present to evaluate the Chief Executive Officer's performance. This executive session includes a review of the Chief Executive Officer's annual accomplishments, compensation and performance objectives for the next fiscal year. In advance of the meeting, a formal Chief Executive Officer evaluation is conducted that includes input from all non-employee directors. Following the executive session, the Chair of the Compensation Committee communicates the results of the evaluation to the Chief Executive Officer.

Corporate Governance Procedures. The Corporate Governance Committee has responsibility for corporate governance and Board organization and procedures. The Corporate Governance Committee actively monitors and discusses evolving corporate governance trends. It reviews our corporate governance practices in light of those trends and implements those practices that it determines are in the best interests of the Company and consistent with our long-standing commitment to good corporate governance practices.

Board Evaluations. The Board recognizes that a robust and constructive evaluation process is an essential part of good corporate governance. Our annual evaluation processes, including written Board and committee evaluations and individual director interviews, are designed to assess Board and committee effectiveness as well as individual director performance and contributions. The Corporate Governance Committee considers the results of our annual Board evaluations in connection with its review of director nominees to ensure the Board continues to operate effectively. Each committee also reviews its annual evaluation, and the committee chairs present the results to the Board for its consideration and discussion.

Director Orientation and Education. New directors participate in an orientation program that includes discussions with senior management, background materials on our strategic plan, organization and financial statements and visits to our facilities. Management and outside experts regularly make presentations to the Board on issues relevant to our industry and business, corporate governance trends and other topics of interest to the directors. We encourage each director to participate in continuing educational programs that are important to maintaining a director's level of expertise to perform his or her responsibilities as a Board member, and we reimburse directors for the cost of attending these programs.

Director Code of Conduct. The Board expects all directors, officers and employees to act with the highest standards of integrity and adhere to our policies and applicable code of conduct. Directors also are required to follow our Director Code of Conduct. The Corporate Governance Committee of the Board annually reviews and oversees compliance with the Director Code of Conduct.

Shareholder Representation. Each director is expected to represent the interests of all shareholders, and not those of any particular shareholder or any special interest group.

Director Compensation. A substantial portion of director compensation is linked to our stock performance, and directors can elect to receive their entire Board remuneration in stock and stock-related compensation. Directors are expected to keep all of the net shares they receive as compensation until they own shares equal in market value to at least five times their annual retainer. The Compensation Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing Board compensation and recommending changes.

Performance-Based Compensation. The Board supports and oversees employee compensation programs that are closely linked to business performance and emphasize equity ownership, including stock ownership targets and a stock award retention requirement, for key management employees.

Shareholder Engagement. Senior management meets regularly with major institutional investors and shareholders, and reports to the Board on analyst and shareholder views of General Mills. We annually engage with these investors' policy and proxy voting teams in order to address concerns on issues such as emerging governance and executive compensation practices. Directors are available to meet directly with shareholders as appropriate. In most circumstances, our independent lead director serves as the Board's representative.

Advisory Vote on Compensation. In order to augment the existing year-round program of investor communication and interaction, the Board will sponsor an advisory vote on the Company's executive compensation at every annual meeting of the shareholders.

Committee Assignment and Rotation. All Board committees are composed entirely of independent, non-employee directors.

• Committee and committee chair assignments are reviewed annually by the Corporate Governance Committee, which recommends committee rosters to the full Board after considering factors such as the directors' business and corporate governance experience, their preferences, the Chairman's recommendations, criteria for specific committee service, the directors' other responsibilities and scheduling flexibility.
• Assignments are periodically reviewed to ensure that each committee has an appropriate mix of tenure and experience in order to introduce fresh perspectives while preserving continuity. The Corporate Governance Committee may adopt guidelines for committee and committee chair tenure, but there is no mandatory rotation schedule.
• Committee responsibilities are detailed in their charters, and the committees annually review their charters and prepare master agendas to ensure sufficient time and opportunity to address all responsibilities. Reports of committee meetings are given to the full Board, which acts on their recommendations, as appropriate.

Audit

Our Audit Committee is made up of independent, non-employee directors. Each member is an independent director under our guidelines and as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards for Audit Committee membership. Each member also meets the independence standards for audit committee membership under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee:

• Oversees integrity, adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, audits, and financial reporting processes;
• Assesses and ensures the independence, qualifications and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm, selects the independent registered public accounting firm for the annual audit and approves the independent registered public accounting firm's services and fees;
• Meets with the independent registered public accounting firm, without management present, to consult with it and review the scope of its audit;
• Oversees our ethics and compliance program to ensure compliance with applicable laws, corporate policies and our Employee Code of Conduct;
• Reviews and discusses with management our annual risk assessment and the enterprise risk management processes, policies and guidelines for identifying, assessing and managing key financial and operational risks;
• Reviews and approves our annual audited financial statements before issuance, subject to the Board of Directors' approval; and
• Reviews the performance of the internal audit function.

Click here to view the Audit Committee Charter

Audit

Our Compensation and Talent Committees is made up of independent, non-employee directors under our guidelines and as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee:

• Reviews compensation policies for executive officers and employees to ensure they provide appropriate motivation for corporate performance and increased shareholder value;
• Conducts performance reviews of the Chief Executive Officer;
• Recommends compensation and equity awards for the Chief Executive Officer and approves them for other senior executives;
• Recommends the compensation and equity awards for the non-employee directors;
• Reviews and discusses with management an annual risk assessment of the compensation policies for executive officers and employees; and
• Reviews and discusses with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and recommends its inclusion in the proxy statement.

Click here to view the Compensation and Talent Committee Charter

Our Corporate Governance Committee is made up of independent, non-employee directors under our guidelines and as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee:

• Monitors and recommends changes in the organization and procedures of the Board, including committee appointments and corporate governance policies;
• Develops policy on composition, participation and size of the Board as well as tenure and retirement of directors;
• Recommends candidates for election to the Board and evaluates continuing service of incumbent directors;
• Oversees the Board self-evaluation process; and
• Reviews and approves transactions between General Mills and related persons.

Click here to view Corporate Governance Committee Charter

Our Finance Committee is made up of independent, non-employee directors under our guidelines and as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee:

• Reviews financial policies and performance objectives, including dividend policy;

• Reviews changes in our capital structure, including debt issuances, common stock sales, share repurchases and stock splits;
• Reviews significant capital investments, acquisitions and divestitures;
• Reviews the annual business plan and related financing implications; and

• Reviews financial risk management strategies, including the use of derivatives.

Click here to view the Finance Committee Charter

The Public Responsibility Committee is made up of independent, non-employee directors under our guidelines and as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee:

• Reviews policies and procedures related to food and human safety;
• Oversees public policy issues affecting General Mills, including nutrition, marketing and advertising;
• Monitors our corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategies, plans, and objectives;
• Evaluates our relationships with external constituencies and stakeholders, and oversees the reputation and standing of our corporate brand;
• Reviews our policies governing political contributions and our record of contributions; and
• Monitors our charitable giving and volunteer work.

Click here to view the Public Responsibility Committee Charter

Interested parties may directly contact the Board, any of our directors, or any committee of the Board, by writing to them at General Mills, Inc., P.O. Box 1113, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440 or via e-mail at boardofdirectors@genmills.com. The Board of Directors has instructed the Corporate Secretary to distribute communications to the director or directors, after ascertaining whether the communications are appropriate to duties and responsibilities of the Board. The Board has requested that the Corporate Secretary not forward the following types of communications: general surveys and mailings to solicit business or advertise products; job applications or resumes; product inquiries or complaints; new product suggestions; or any material that is threatening, illegal or does not relate to the responsibilities of the Board.

Click here to view the Bylaws

Click here to view the Certificate of Incorporation