FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Set out below are some FAQs and other useful information. Please click on the links to all the documents. If you are a shareholder and cannot find the answer to your query, please contact our Registrar, Equiniti Limited.

1. What are shares?

When you buy shares in a company, you become a part owner of that company. The more shares you own, the larger the part of the company that you own. A company can have different classes of shares, and each class will have different rights. Generally, holding "ordinary shares" entitles you to certain rights under company law which include but are not limited to, the right to receive an annual report each year, the right to attend, speak and vote at the annual general meeting and the right to inspect certain documents.

2. What is a Registrar?

Your shareholding in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is recorded on a register of shareholders (known as the register of members). The register is a list of the names and addresses of all Rolls-Royce ordinary shareholders and the number of shares each owns. The register is maintained on behalf of the company by Equiniti Limited (the Registrar). The Registrar updates the register when your personal circumstances or shareholding change, and also sends out shareholder payments, share certificates and the Company’s annual report and accounts. By law, the register is a public document which the Registrar must make available for inspection but they will not provide details of any individual shareholder to third parties unless legally obliged.

3. What should I do with my share certificate?

The Registrar will issue you with a share certificate stating the number of shares you own. Share certificates are evidence of your ownership and should be kept in a safe place. You will need them if you want to sell all or some of your shares in the future. Share certificates are posted to shareholders at their own risk.

4. What if I don't have a share certificate and I hold my shares electronically in an online account?

If you are holding your shares electronically in an online account (sometimes referred to as a nominee account) then please bear in mind that your account is subject to the terms and conditions of your account provider. When Rolls-Royce announces a payment to shareholders, you should receive some form of notification from your account provider setting out the options available to you and the closing date to submit any instruction. If you have a question about your account you should contact your account provider.

5. Where can I find my shareholder reference number (SRN)?

Your SRN is an 11 digit number, which can be found on most of the correspondence sent to you by the Registrar including emails. Alternatively, this will be on any share certificates you may hold. You should quote this number in all communications with the Registrar.

6. How can I find out the current share price?

You can obtain the current market price of the Company’s shares by going to the Share price page or on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.

7. I have lost my share certificate – what do I need to do?

If you have lost your share certificate you should report this to the Registrar immediately by calling +44 (0)371 384 2637. The Registrar will update the shareholder register and arrange for a ‘stop’ to be placed on the missing share certificate. Please check carefully before reporting your share certificate missing as there may be a charge to issue a replacement share certificate and once a share certificate has been reported as lost it cannot be reinstated if it is subsequently found.

8. How do I transfer my shares?

You may, at some point, wish to transfer your shares to someone else (for example, your spouse or partner or in an 'off market' sale). As these transactions usually do not involve a stockbroker, you can use a stock transfer form which can be obtained from EQ. Please complete and return to EQ along with your share certificate via registered post.

Where stamp duty is payable, the completed transfer form must be sent to a UK Inland Revenue Stamp Office and the duty paid before it can be forwarded to the EQ.

Where stamp duty is not payable, you will need to complete the form fully, remembering to complete the stamp duty declaration on the reverse. The transfer form and share certificate (totalling at least the number of shares on the transfer) should be forwarded to EQ. Do not worry if the share certificates represent more shares than the transfer. If this is the case, EQ will send you a share certificate representing the balance.

For further information including any applicable fees, please visit the ‘Transfer certificated shares’ page under Manage My Shares on www.shareview.co.uk.

9. How can I check my shareholding details?

You can see your share balance online via your Shareview Portfolio which gives up to date information on balances, transactions and dividends paid.

See ‘How do I register for a Shareview Portfolio’ in these FAQs for more information on registering.

Please note that you will need your Shareholder Reference to access this service. This will be included on any personalised documentation EQ have sent you, including dividend confirmations and share certificates. The Shareholder Reference from EQ will be made up of 11 digits. You should quote this Shareholder Reference whenever you contact EQ to speed up the location of your account.

10. Can I hold my shares electronically?

Rolls Royce has made arrangements for Equiniti Financial Services Limited (EFSL) to provide a nominee service to its shareholders, known as a Corporate Sponsored Nominee (CSN). The CSN is is a convenient way to hold your shares electronically. Transferring shares into the CSN is free.

Through the CSN, you can:

  • Eliminate the risk of losing your share certificate and having to pay a replacement fee.
  • Trade your shares through Equiniti Financial Services Limited, settlement on the sale of shares held electronically is quicker and cheaper than certificated share dealing.
  • Receive four statements a year where assets are held on your behalf which will be made available online via your Shareview Portfolio at shareview.co.uk.
  • Receive less unwanted mail. Your individual details will not appear on the share register which means other organisations will not be able to send you advertising material.

You will still receive dividends and financial information is generally made available to you from the company, and you are normally given the opportunity to instruct the provider of the CSN how you wish to vote. Alternatively you may be able to request to attend and vote at any Annual General Meeting or other General Meetings the Company may have from time to time.

11. How do I transfer shares into the Corporate Sponsored Nominee (CSN)?

If you have shares in the Company and you are a resident in an eligible country you can transfer your shares into the CSN.

Download the relevant transfer form, as well as a copy of the latest CSN Terms and Conditions, from www.shareview.co.uk/info/csn, and follow the instructions on the transfer form.

There is no fee for transferring shares into the CSN. If you do not have all your share certificate(s) to cover the number of shares you are transferring into the CSN, please contact EQ to obtain a Letter of Indemnity for any missing share certificates BEFORE completing the Transfer Form. A charge may apply and details will be provided by EQ as part of the request. Once you receive the Letter of Indemnity form, complete and send this along with your completed Transfer Form, valid share certificate(s) and relevant Letter of Indemnity fee to EQ.

For further information including any applicable fees, please visit the ‘Report a lost share certificate’ page under Manage My Shares on www.shareview.co.uk.

If you do not already hold shares in the CSN, a new holding will be created for you and an opening statement issued to you within 10 working days of the shares being received into the CSN. This will contain your new Shareholder Reference which you will need when trading your shares or contacting Equiniti Financial Services Limited.

On a quarterly basis a statement will be made available to you electronically via your Shareview Portfolio. Further details on registering for a Shareview Portfolio will be available on your Opening Statement or by visiting our FAQs page.

Please note that if you have any specific instructions registered on your certificated shareholding such as bank details for your dividend, election for the Reinvestment Plan (CRIP), or having elected to receive hard copy shareholder documentation, these instructions will not transfer over to your CSN account. You will need to provide new instructions for your shares held in the CSN.

12. How can I transfer shares to someone else?

You do not always need to use a bank or stockbroker to buy and sell shares. If the buyer and seller agree between themselves, they can transfer shares ‘off market’ by using a stock transfer form. This must be sent to the Registrar, together with the share certificates. This method is frequently used in cases where no stamp duty is payable. Such as gifts of shares (perhaps to relatives or charities) or on the distribution of an estate.