COWIfonden (the COWIfoundation)

COWIfonden is a commercial, independent foundation holding a majority of the shares in COWI Holding A/S.

The object of the Foundation is to create a stable basis for COWI Holding A/S and to support research and development relating to Danish engineering. COWIfonden supports the COWI Group in accomplishing its vision, securing competitiveness and good financial results.

According to the foundation instrument, the COWIfonden is to retain its controlling interest and to ensure that COWI keeps its financial independence through self-financing, employee-financing or by injection of external capital.

In connection with capital increases in COWI Holding A/S or mergers with other companies the Foundation may give up its position as holder of the majority of shares in the company, if necessary in order to retain and develop the commercial activities as a competitive business at an international level.

COWIfonden holds approximately 83 per cent of the share capital of COWI Holding A/S, including all A shares.

Other shareholders of COWI Holding A/S

Approximately 17 per cent of the share capital of COWI Holding A/S is held by present and former employees of the COWI Group.

COWI wishes to offer shares to the Group’s employees every year in order to achieve a broadly based co-ownership among employees. At the moment the shares are being offered in eight countries.

The formation of COWI Holding A/S in 2010 made it possible for COWI A/S shareholders to convert their shares to new shares in COWI Holding A/S. Retired shareholders could only convert to C shares, which will be repurchased by 2015 at the latest. Present employees could convert to both B and C shares.