The instrument appointing a proxy and the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed, or a notarially certified copy of that power or authority shall be deposited at the head office of the Company not less than two clear working days before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote, or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting, not less than one clear working day before the time appointed for the taking of the poll, and in default the instrument appointing a proxy shall not be treated as valid.

No person claiming to vote pursuant to regulation 23 or 24 shall be entitled to do so unless such evidence of his authority as the directors may from time to time require has been deposited at the head office of the Company not less than two clear working days before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which that person proposes to vote, or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting, not less than one clear working day before the time appointed for the taking of the poll.

For the purposes of this regulation 27, “working day” means any day on which the head office of the Company is open for business.