Guidelines

The constitutional terms should set out the obligations of confidentiality assumed by the vehicle and its investors.

The manager will be aware of information relating to the vehicle, some of which may become publicly available, and some of which may be disclosed in order to be transparent. Information which is commercially sensitive to the vehicle, however, is expected to be treated as confidential and not to be disclosed widely. The constitutional terms may contain confidentiality undertakings, so that the vehicle passes on to its investors the duty to keep certain information confidential, and to refrain from acting on it.

The need to maintain confidentiality has to be balanced by the need to ensure transparency; if there is a conflict, the need for transparency should prevail. The constitutional terms should set out the rights of non-investors, such as potential investors and their advisors, to receive information without entering into a confidentiality agreement. Confidentiality provisions should not effectively prohibit investors exercising their rights under the constitutional documents, such as when engaging third party advisors. See section 7 of the Corporate Governance Assessment tool.

Non-executive officers and investor representatives should comply with confidentiality provisions in the constitutional documents.

Non-executive officers or investor representatives may be aware of confidential information relating to the vehicle, which is neither publicly available nor known to investors. If non-executive officers or investor representatives have received information relating to the vehicle which is commercially sensitive, they should observe the confidentiality provisions contained in its constitutional terms. If appropriate, non-executive officers should assist the manager in the disclosure of the information to investors.

Investors should comply with the confidentiality provisions, particularly when seeking to dispose of their investment, and should not use confidential information for their own benefit.

Investors may be in possession of information which is not publicly available, and which has been communicated to them by the vehicle or the manager and which may be commercially sensitive. Investors intending to disclose potentially confidential information to third parties who are potential investors are expected to seek confidentiality undertakings satisfactory to and in favour of the vehicle from the relevant third parties. Investors may also involve the manager in discussions with these parties, and request that the manager delivers to potential purchasers such information as may reasonably be required.