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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.           )

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Pentair plc

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LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

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John L. Stauch
Pentair President and
Chief Executive Officer

  Looking back at 2018, we are proud of the progress we made as we began our journey as the "new Pentair." On April 30, 2018, we transferred our electrical business to nVent Electric plc and spun off nVent as a public company to shareholders, retaining our water business as a residential and commercial water treatment company. As a pure play water company, we offer a comprehensive range of smart, sustainable water solutions to homes, businesses and industries around the world. Our industry leading and proven portfolio of solutions enables our customers to access clean, safe water. Whether it's moving, improving, or enjoying water, we help manage the world's most precious resource.

2018: A Successful First Year

As the "new Pentair," we developed a detailed and executable residential and commercial water treatment strategy. Consumers today are increasingly concerned about water quality. Homeowners want to be empowered to improve the health of their water inside their homes and commercial customers want quality, consistency and efficiency. Our solutions offer not only great tasting water, but peace of mind for those concerned about the health and taste of their water.

Delivering smart, sustainable solutions is articulated in our new purpose, mission and vision, brought to life through our approximately 10,000 employees and showcased on our website. The new website is part of our digital transformation in creating the online experience our customers are expecting as we transition from a business-to-business industrial company to an omni-channel water treatment organization.

Delivering on Our Commitments

In our first year, we delivered on our financial 2018 commitments despite the impact of tariffs and inflation. In addition to solid financial performance, we returned nearly $700 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. Our cash generation remained strong and our balance sheet continued to be in great shape.

Our Aquatic Systems business, with a broad product offering and leading technology for both residential and commercial customers, exceeded $1 billion in sales in 2018. Our 2018 sales were up 9 percent, driven by our technology leadership, dealer intimacy and our aftermarket support. Advancing growth in our pool business continues to be a cornerstone of our strategy.

Filtration Solutions, which has strong, respected brands and leading technology, delivered approximately $1 billion in sales in 2018. The segment's sales were up 1 percent driven by strong distribution capabilities and technical support. We offer complete product solutions for under-sink and over-sink filtration, as well as whole house water treatment systems.

Flow Technologies, with 2018 sales up 3 percent, provides complete pump solutions through broad product offerings, with deep product application expertise in both residential and commercial as well as in the agriculture industry.

Imagining Water's Future: Pentair is Well Positioned for 2019 and Beyond

We've established technology innovation centers, where we are not only looking at new technologies, but also new applications to apply those technologies. We see tremendous opportunity to build IoT-enabled whole home and point-of-use solutions. For example, our residential pool business recently launched the Pentair IntelliCenter Control Center for pool and spa which allows pool owners to conveniently and easily monitor and control their pool's functions via a user-friendly app from anywhere in the world — or right at home.

From a strategic perspective, this is important when you look at the footprint of all our products within the residential space. Nearly everything that has to do with water in your home, we touch. Whether it is water treatment for the whole home, water filtration under your sink, the enjoyment of water in your pool, water supply and disposal, leak detection or flood control for your basement, Pentair has solutions. We have an exciting road map for developing products with smart, connected technology to create differentiated innovation aligned with our strategy.

Also, we recently completed two acquisitions, Pelican Water Systems and Aquion, which further advances our strategy by adding new and complementary products to the Pentair portfolio, and expanding our scope to better meet consumer residential water needs. Aquion brings a national affiliated dealer network under its RainSoft brand, and Pelican brings a direct-to-consumer model through a proprietary e-commerce platform, as well as a number of innovative water treatment systems and services.

Going forward we will continue to invest in our prioritized strategies, focusing on smart, sustainable solutions that empower our customers to make the most of life's essential resource. We are energized about the future and our ability to deliver for you, our shareholder.

Thank you for your support,

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John L. Stauch
Pentair President and CEO

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held May 7, 2019

Our Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held at Claridge's, Brook Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 4HR, United Kingdom, on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. local time, to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

1.   By separate resolutions, to re-elect the following director nominees:

 

 

(i)

 

Glynis A. Bryan

 

(v)

 

David A. Jones

 

 

(ii)

 

Jacques Esculier

 

(vi)

 

Michael T. Speetzen

 

 

(iii)

 

T. Michael Glenn

 

(vii)

 

John L. Stauch

 

 

(iv)

 

Theodore L. Harris

 

(viii)

 

Billie I. Williamson

2.

 

To approve, by nonbinding, advisory vote, the compensation of the named executive officers.

3.

 

To ratify, by nonbinding, advisory vote, the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor of Pentair plc and to authorize, by binding vote, the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors to set the auditor's remuneration.

4.

 

To authorize the Board of Directors to allot new shares under Irish law.

5.

 

To authorize the Board of Directors to opt-out of statutory preemption rights under Irish law.

6.

 

To authorize the price range at which Pentair plc can re-allot shares it holds as treasury shares under Irish law.

 

 

To consider and act on such other business as may properly come before the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment.

Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4 are ordinary resolutions, requiring the approval of a simple majority of the votes cast at the meeting. Proposals 5 and 6 are special resolutions, requiring the approval of not less than 75% of the votes cast.

Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 4, 2019 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual General Meeting.

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If you are a shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting, you are entitled to appoint a proxy or proxies to attend, speak and vote on your behalf. A proxy need not be a shareholder. If you wish to appoint as proxy any person other than the individuals specified on the proxy card, please contact our Corporate Secretary at our registered office.

At the Annual General Meeting, management will review Pentair plc's affairs and will also present Pentair plc's Irish statutory financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and the report of the statutory auditors thereon.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Karla C. Robertson, Secretary

March 22, 2019

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on May 7, 2019. The Annual Report, Notice of Annual General Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Irish Financial Statements and Related Reports are available by Internet at www.proxyvote.com.

Shareholders in Ireland may participate in the Annual General Meeting by audio link at the offices of Arthur Cox, Ten Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland, at 8:00 a.m. local time. See "Questions and Answers About the Annual General Meeting and Voting" for further information on participating in the Annual General Meeting in Ireland.

4     2019 Proxy Statement


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PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF PENTAIR PLC TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019

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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.

VOTING MATTERS


Proposal



Board Vote
Recommendation




Vote Required



Page Reference
1.   Re-Elect Director Nominees   FOR each nominee   Majority of votes cast   11
2.   Approve, by Nonbinding, Advisory Vote, the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers   FOR   Majority of votes cast   26
3.   Ratify, by Nonbinding, Advisory Vote, the Appointment of the Independent Auditor and Authorize, by Binding Vote, the Audit and Finance Committee to Set the Auditor's Remuneration   FOR   Majority of votes cast   64
4.   Authorize the Board of Directors to Allot New Shares   FOR   Majority of votes cast   67
5.   Authorize the Board of Directors to Opt-Out of Statutory Preemption Rights   FOR   75% of votes cast   68
6.   Authorize the Price Range at which Pentair Can Re-allot Treasury Shares   FOR   75% of votes cast   70

COMPANY OVERVIEW*

At Pentair, we believe the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean, safe water. Our mission is to deliver smart, sustainable solutions that empower our customers to make the most of life's essential resource. Our vision is to be the leading residential and commercial water treatment company built through empowered employees delivering for customers and creating value for shareholders.

2018 represented a historic year for Pentair. On April 30, 2018, we transferred our electrical business to nVent Electric plc ("nVent") and spun off nVent as a public company to our shareholders (the "Separation") and retained our water business as a "pure play" residential and commercial water treatment company. Upon the Separation, a new leadership team was put in place for Pentair, with John L. Stauch becoming our new President and Chief Executive Officer. Also in connection with the Separation, we made changes to our Board of Directors (the "Board") and concluded 2018 with a mix of directors that we believe positions us well with a mix of longer-tenured directors who provide institutional knowledge regarding our company and shorter-tenured directors who provide fresh perspectives.

The Separation created a unique opportunity for us to focus on our people, processes, and Win Right Values in order to be in the best position to deliver on our vision and strategy. Also, after the Separation, we became a smaller company, which we believe is well-positioned for focused and strategic growth as we look to the future. At the end of 2018, and after the Separation, we had approximately 10,000 employees and 2018 net sales from continuing operations of $2.97 billion, as compared to the end of 2017 and before the Separation, when we had approximately 18,000 employees and reported 2017 net sales of $4.94 billion.

With a new, more focused Pentair and with our new mission and vision, we ended 2018 delivering on our commitments to shareholders and exceeding our 2017 performance on critical measures. In 2018 as compared to 2017, we increased our earnings per share from continuing operations ("EPS") by 191.9%, we increased our adjusted EPS by 21.1%, and we increased our segment income by 8.1%. Our net sales grew 4.2% during 2018 compared to 2017, and free cash flow was $410 million for 2018, representing a conversion of 98.5% of our adjusted net income to free cash flow.

*
Please see Appendix A for reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures included in this section.

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PROXY SUMMARY

BOARD AND GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Director Nominees

        Committee Memberships
  Name Age Director
Since

Independent Audit and
Finance

Compensation Governance
  Glynis A. Bryan 60 2003 GRAPHIC    
  Jacques Esculier 59 2014 ·    
  T. Michael Glenn 63 2007   GRAPHIC ·
  Theodore L. Harris 54 2018 ·    
  David A. Jones(Chairman) 69 2003   · ·
  Michael T. Speetzen 49 2018 ·    
  John L. Stauch 54 2018        
  Billie I. Williamson 66 2014   · GRAPHIC

·

 

committee member

GRAPHIC

 

committee chair

Board Overview

Directors are chosen with a view to bringing to the Board a variety of rich backgrounds and financial and management expertise, and establishing a core of strategic and business advisers.

The composition of the Board changed significantly in 2018 in connection with the Separation. Jerry W. Burris, Carol Anthony (John) Davidson, Edward P. Garden, David H. Y. Ho, Randall J. Hogan, Ronald L. Merriman, and William T. Monahan resigned as directors effective April 30, 2018, and the Board elected Theodore L. Harris, Matthew H. Peltz, Michael T. Speetzen, and John L. Stauch as new directors effective April 30, 2018. At the 2018 Annual General Meeting, our shareholders re-elected the Board, consisting of Glynis A. Bryan, Jacques Esculier, T. Michael Glenn, Mr. Harris, David A. Jones, Mr. Peltz, Mr. Speetzen, Mr. Stauch, and Billie I. Williamson, and approved the reduction of the minimum number of directors to seven and the maximum number of directors to eleven. Mr. Peltz of Trian Fund Management, L.P. later resigned as a director effective September 10, 2018. We believe the composition of our current Board provides a good mix of tenure and diversity. Also, all of our Directors are independent except Mr. Stauch, our President and Chief Executive Officer.

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PROXY SUMMARY

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

These executive compensation highlights should be read in connection with the "Executive Compensation" below, including "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" (see page 29).

Our Compensation Philosophy

The Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation program aligns executive initiatives with shareholders' economic interests. The Compensation Committee seeks to accomplish this objective by rewarding the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals that create lasting shareholder value. The Compensation Committee's specific objectives include:

to motivate and reward executives for achieving financial and strategic objectives;
to align management and shareholder interests by encouraging employee stock ownership;
to provide rewards commensurate with individual and company performance;
to encourage growth and innovation; and
to attract and retain top-quality executives and key employees.

To balance these objectives, our executive compensation program uses the following direct compensation elements:

base salary, to provide fixed compensation competitive in the marketplace;
annual incentive compensation, to reward short-term performance against specific financial targets; and
long-term incentive compensation, to link management incentives to long-term value creation and shareholder return.

The Compensation Committee reviews total compensation for executive officers and the relative levels of each form of compensation against the Compensation Committee's goals. As such, our executive compensation program is predominantly performance-based, which encourages our executive officers to focus on our company's long-term success and aligns with the long-term interests of our shareholders.

The charts below illustrate the targeted mix of fixed, annual, and long-term incentive compensation we provided in 2018 to our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table below (the "Named Executive Officers") (but excluding our previous Chief Executive Officer). These charts also illustrate the amount of target direct compensation that was tied to achievement of performance goals.

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PROXY SUMMARY

Summary of Separation-Related Compensation Actions

In connection with the Separation, the Compensation Committee took a number of actions to align our executive compensation program for the new Pentair as a pure play residential and commercial water treatment company. First, the Compensation Committee worked with its external compensation consultant to develop an updated peer group and comparative framework that better reflected our post-Separation business focus and smaller company size. The Compensation Committee took that

comparative framework into consideration when setting compensation for Pentair's new leadership team, composed of both internal promotions as well as external new hires. The Compensation Committee set annual and long-term incentive compensation metrics and targets appropriate for Pentair's new strategic priorities and financial goals. Additional actions taken related to the Separation are further discussed below in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."

Shareholder Outreach and Say on Pay

The Compensation Committee believes it is important to maintain an open dialogue with our shareholders to gain input on their perspectives regarding our executive compensation program and to provide clarifying information enabling them to make informed decisions in our annual nonbinding, advisory shareholder vote (our "say on pay vote") on the compensation of our executive officers named in our Proxy Statement. In 2018, we maintained our shareholder outreach to gain additional insight, better understand shareholder perspectives, and evaluate any concerns regarding our executive compensation program. Additionally, we took the opportunity to discuss the impact of the Separation on our executive compensation program and treatment of outstanding long-term incentive awards.

Our 2018 shareholder outreach included 35 of our largest shareholders representing 68% of our outstanding shares. The majority of shareholders we spoke with supported our executive compensation program and the changes adopted over the last several years. This support was also reflected in the results of the say on pay vote at the 2018 Annual General Meeting, with approximately 93% of votes cast in favor of our proposal.

We consider shareholder engagement to be a very important process in how we approach our executive compensation program, and we intend to continue shareholder outreach.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS


3   LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
4   NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
5   PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF PENTAIR PLC TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019
6   PROXY SUMMARY
11   PROPOSAL 1 RE-ELECT DIRECTOR NOMINEES
11   Vote Requirement
12   Directors Standing for Re-Election
16   Director Independence
16   Director Qualifications; Diversity and Tenure
17   Shareholder Recommendations, Nominations and Proxy Access
18   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
18   The Board's Role and Responsibilities
19   Board Structure and Processes
21   Committees of the Board
22   Attendance at Meetings
22   Director Compensation
26   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
26   PROPOSAL 2 APPROVE, BY NONBINDING, ADVISORY VOTE, THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
27   Vote Requirement
28   COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
29   COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
29   Overview of Compensation Program and Objectives
30   2018 Highlights and Business Results
32   Compensation Committee Actions
33   Shareholder Outreach and Say on Pay
34   Comparative Framework
35   2018 Compensation Program Elements
35   Base Salaries
36   Annual Incentive Compensation
38   2018 Long-Term Incentive Compensation
39   Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
40   Treatment of Outstanding Awards at Separation
40   Business Results and Total Shareholder Return
41   Stock Ownership Guidelines
42   Equity Holding Policy
42   Clawback Policy
42   Policy Prohibiting Hedging and Pledging
43   Retirement and Other Benefits
44   Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits
45   Impact of Tax Considerations
45   Compensation Consultant
46   Evaluating the Chief Executive Officer's Performance
46   Equity Award Practices

47   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
47   Summary Compensation Table
49   Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2018
50   Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2018
53   2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
53   2018 Pension Benefits
56   Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table
57   Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
62   Pay Ratio
62   Risk Considerations in Compensation Decisions
64   PROPOSAL 3 RATIFY, BY NONBINDING, ADVISORY VOTE, THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR OF PENTAIR PLC AND TO AUTHORIZE, BY BINDING VOTE, THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SET THE AUDITOR'S REMUNERATION
64   Vote Requirement
65   Audit and Finance Committee Pre-Approval Policy
65   Fees Paid to the Independent Auditors
66   AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
67   PROPOSAL 4 AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ALLOT NEW SHARES UNDER IRISH LAW
67   Vote Requirement
68   PROPOSAL 5 AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO OPT-OUT OF STATUTORY PREEMPTION RIGHTS UNDER IRISH LAW
69   Vote Requirement
70   PROPOSAL 6 AUTHORIZE THE PRICE RANGE AT WHICH PENTAIR PLC CAN RE-ALLOT SHARES IT HOLDS AS TREASURY SHARES UNDER IRISH LAW
70   Vote Requirement
71   SECURITY OWNERSHIP
72   SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
73   QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND VOTING
76   SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
77   IRISH DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDER INTERESTS
77   2018 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
77   REDUCE DUPLICATE MAILINGS
78   APPENDIX A — RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

10     2019 Proxy Statement


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Our Board currently has eight members. On the recommendation of the Governance Committee, our Board has nominated all of our current directors for re-election for a one-year term expiring on completion of the 2020 Annual General Meeting. If any of the nominees should become unable to accept election, your proxy or proxies may vote for other persons selected by the Board. Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named below will be unable to serve his or her full term if elected.

Biographies of the director nominees follow. These biographies include for each director his or her age (as of the date of the filing of this Proxy Statement); his or her business experience; his or her directorships in public companies and other organizations within the past five years; and a discussion of the specific

experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion that each should serve as a director.

The resolutions in respect of this Proposal 1 are ordinary resolutions.

The text of the resolutions in respect of Proposal 1 is as follows:

"IT IS RESOLVED, by separate resolutions to re-elect the following eight director nominees for a term expiring on completion of the 2020 Annual General Meeting:

(i)   Glynis A. Bryan   (v)   David A. Jones
(ii)   Jacques Esculier   (vi)   Michael T. Speetzen
(iii)   T. Michael Glenn   (vii)   John L. Stauch
(iv)   Theodore L. Harris   (viii)   Billie I. Williamson."

VOTE REQUIREMENT

Under our Articles of Association, the re-election of each director requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual General Meeting. A nominee who does not receive a

majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election will not be elected to our Board. Your proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this Proxy Statement.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" RE-ELECTION OF EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE.

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PROPOSAL 1

DIRECTORS STANDING FOR RE-ELECTION

Glynis A. Bryan

Age:  60

Director Since:  2003

Committee Served:

    Audit and Finance (Chair)

Biography

Since 2007, Ms. Bryan has been the Chief Financial Officer of Insight Enterprises, Inc., a leading provider of information technology products and solutions to clients in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Between 2005 and 2007, Ms. Bryan was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Swift Transportation Co., a holding company that operates the largest fleet of truckload carrier equipment in the United States. Between 2001 and 2005, Ms. Bryan was the Chief Financial Officer of APL Logistics, the supply-chain management arm of Singapore-based NOL Group, a logistics and global transportation business. Prior to joining APL, Ms. Bryan spent 16 years with Ryder System, Inc., a truck leasing company where Ms. Bryan served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ryder Transportation Services from 1999 to 2000.

Skills & Qualifications

Ms. Bryan has extensive global financial and accounting experience in a variety of business operations along with significant leadership experience. Ms. Bryan's institutional knowledge of Pentair, her global perspective, and her logistics expertise allow her to make significant contributions to the Board.

Jacques Esculier

Age:  59

Director Since:  2014

Committee Served:

    Audit and Finance

Biography

Since 2007, Mr. Esculier has served as the Chief Executive Officer, a Director and, since 2009, Chairman of WABCO Holdings, Inc., a leading global supplier of technologies and control systems for the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicles. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Esculier served as Vice President of American Standard Companies Inc. and President of its Vehicle Control Systems business. Prior to holding that position, Mr. Esculier served as Business Leader for American Standard's Trane Commercial Systems for Europe, Middle East, Africa, India and Asia Region and in leadership positions at Allied Signal/Honeywell, including as Vice President and General Manager of Environmental Control and Power Systems Enterprise and as Vice President of Aftermarket Services-Asia Pacific.

Skills & Qualifications

Mr. Esculier has significant leadership experience demonstrating a wealth of operational management, strategic, organizational, and business transformation acumen. His deep knowledge of business in general and our business in particular, as well as his financial expertise and experience as a director in a global public company, allow him to make significant contributions to the Board.

Other Public Board Service:

WABCO Holdings, Inc. (2007–present)

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PROPOSAL 1

T. Michael Glenn

Age:  63

Director Since:  2007

Committees Served:

    Compensation (Chair)
    Governance

Biography

Mr. Glenn serves as the Chair of our Compensation Committee. Since 2017, Mr. Glenn has served as a Senior Advisor to Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm. From 1998 until his retirement in 2016, Mr. Glenn served as the Executive Vice President-Market Development and Corporate Communications of FedEx Corporation, a global provider of supply chain, transportation, business and related information services. From 2000 to 2016, Mr. Glenn also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Corporate Services, responsible for all marketing, sales, customer service and retail operations functions for all FedEx Corporation operating companies, including FedEx Office.

Skills & Qualifications

Mr. Glenn brings extensive strategic, marketing and communications experience to our Board from his service as one of the top leaders at FedEx Corporation. He has been an active participant in the development of our strategic plans and a strong proponent for strengthening our branding and marketing initiatives.

Other Public Board Service:

CenturyLink, Inc. (2017–present); Level 3 Communications, Inc. (2012–2017); Renasant Corporation (2008–2012); Deluxe Corporation (2004–2007)

Theodore L. Harris

Age:  54

Director Since:  2018

Committee Served:

    Audit and Finance

Biography

Since 2015, Mr. Harris has been the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Balchem Corporation, a provider of specialty performance ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, feed, pharmaceutical, medical sterilization and industrial industries. Since 2017, Mr. Harris has served as Chairman of Balchem Corporation's board of directors. Prior to joining Balchem, Mr. Harris spent 11 years at Ashland, Inc., a global specialty chemical provider in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, adhesives, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical. Mr. Harris served in a variety of senior management positions at Ashland, Inc., serving most recently as Senior Vice President and President, Performance Materials, from 2014 to 2015. Prior to this position, from 2011 to 2014, Mr. Harris served as Senior Vice President and President, Performance Materials & Ashland Supply Chain, and prior to that, Vice President and President, Performance Materials & Ashland Supply Chain. Between 1993 and 2004, Mr. Harris served in a variety of senior level roles for FMC Corporation, a global provider of crop-protection products, where he last served as General Manager of the Food Ingredients Business.

Skills & Qualifications

Mr. Harris brings to our Board broad managerial, international, operational, financial and sales experience, as well as his track record of developing worldwide marketing strategies and his strong connectivity to consumer end markets.

Other Public Board Service:

Balchem Corporation (2015–present)

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PROPOSAL 1

David A. Jones

Age:  69

Director Since:  2003

Committees Served:

    Compensation
    Governance

Biography

Mr. Jones serves as the Chairman of the Board. Since 2008, Mr. Jones has been Senior Advisor to Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm. In 2017, Mr. Jones was appointed to the board of directors of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., a leading national restaurant chain; in 2016, Mr. Jones was appointed to the board of directors of Imagine! Print Solutions, a provider of in-store marketing solutions; and in 2012, Mr. Jones was appointed to the board of directors of Earth Fare, Inc., one of the largest natural food retailers in the U.S., all of which are privately owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners. Between 1996 and 2007, Mr. Jones was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Brands, Inc. (formerly Rayovac Corporation), a global consumer products company with major businesses in batteries, lighting, shaving/grooming, personal care, lawn and garden, household insecticide, and pet supply product categories. Mr. Jones also served in leadership roles with Rayovac, Spectrum Brands, Thermoscan and The Regina Company.

Skills & Qualifications

Mr. Jones' extensive management experience with both public and private companies and private equity, coupled with his global operational, financial, and mergers and acquisitions expertise, have given the Board invaluable insight into a wide range of business situations. Mr. Jones has served on each of our Board Committees, which allows him to bring to the Board insight into a wide range of business and governance situations.

Other Public Board Service:

Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (2010–2016); The Hillman Group (2010–2014); Simmons Bedding Company (2000–2010); Spectrum Brands, Inc. (1996–2007); Tyson Foods, Inc. (1995–2005)

Michael T. Speetzen

Age:  49

Director Since:  2018

Committee Served:

    Audit and Finance

Biography

Since 2015, Mr. Speetzen has served as the Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Polaris Industries Inc., a global powersports leader with a product line-up that includes side-by-side and all-terrain off-road vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and snowmobiles. From 2011 to 2015, Mr. Speetzen was Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology equipment and service provider. Prior to joining Xylem, Mr. Speetzen served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ITT Fluid and Motion Control from 2009 to 2011, Chief Financial Officer for the StandardAero division of the private equity firm Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd. from 2007 to 2009, and various positions of increasing responsibility in the finance functions at Honeywell International, Inc. and General Electric Company.

Skills & Qualifications

Mr. Speetzen brings to our Board extensive financial experience and knowledge of global markets and transacting international business.

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PROPOSAL 1

John L. Stauch

Age:  54

Director Since:  2018

Biography

Mr. Stauch is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair plc having previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Pentair from 2007 to 2018. Prior to joining Pentair, Mr. Stauch served as Chief Financial Officer of the Automation and Control Systems unit of Honeywell International Inc. from 2005 to 2007. Previously, Mr. Stauch served as Chief Financial Officer and Information Technology Director of PerkinElmer Optoelectronics and various executive, investor relations and managerial finance positions within Honeywell International Inc. and its predecessor AlliedSignal Inc. from 1994 to 2005. Mr. Stauch serves as a Director of Deluxe Corporation, where he is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.

Skills & Qualifications

Mr. Stauch brings to our Board extensive knowledge of Pentair as our President and Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Financial Officer and extensive experience as a financial executive with many aspects of public company strategy and operations.

Other Public Board Service:

Deluxe Corporation (2016–present)

Billie I. Williamson

Age:  66

Director Since:  2014

Committees Served:

    Governance (Chair)
    Compensation

Biography

Ms. Williamson serves as Chair of our Governance Committee. Ms. Williamson has over three decades of experience auditing public companies as an employee and partner of Ernst & Young LLP. From 1998 to 2011, Ms. Williamson served Ernst & Young as a Senior Assurance Partner. Ms. Williamson was also Ernst & Young's Americas Inclusiveness Officer, a member of its Americas Executive Board, which functions as the Board of Directors for Ernst & Young dealing with strategic and operational matters, and a member of the Ernst & Young U.S. Executive Board responsible for partnership matters for the firm.

Skills & Qualifications

Ms. Williamson brings to our Board extensive financial and accounting knowledge and experience, including her service as a principal financial officer and an independent auditor to numerous Fortune 250 companies and her professional training and standing as a Certified Public Accountant, as well as her broad experience with SEC reporting and governance matters.

Other Public Board Service:

Cushman & Wakefield plc (2018–present); Kraton Corporation (2018–present); XL Group Ltd. (2018); CSRA Inc. (2015–2018); Janus Capital Group Inc. (2015–2017); Exelis Inc. (2012–2015); Annie's Inc. (2012–2014)

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PROPOSAL 1

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Board, based on the recommendation of the Governance Committee, determines the independence of each director based upon the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listing standards and the categorical standards of independence included in our Corporate Governance Principles. Based on these standards, the Board has affirmatively determined that all of our non-employee director nominees (i.e., Mses. Bryan and Williamson and Messrs. Esculier, Glenn, Harris, Jones, and Speetzen) are independent and have no material relationship with us (including our directors and officers) that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment. The Board has affirmatively determined that our President and Chief Executive Officer, John L. Stauch, is not independent.

In determining independence, our Board and Governance Committee consider circumstances where a director serves as an employee of another company that is a customer or supplier. The Board and Committee have reviewed each of these relationships,

which are set forth below. In every case, the relationship involves sales to or purchases from the other company that, for each of 2016, 2017, and 2018, were (a) less than the greater of $1 million or 2% of that organization's consolidated gross revenues during each of 2016, 2017, and 2018; and (b) not of an amount or nature that impeded the director's exercise of independent judgment.

Director

Relationship(s) Considered
Ms. Bryan   Chief Financial Officer, Insight Enterprises, Inc.
Mr. Esculier   Chief Executive Officer, WABCO Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Glenn   Senior Advisor, Oak Hill Capital Partners; Former Executive Vice President – Market Development and Corporate Communications, FedEx Corporation; Former President and Chief Executive Officer – FedEx Corporate Services
Mr. Jones   Senior Advisor, Oak Hill Capital Partners

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS; DIVERSITY AND TENURE

 

The Governance Committee and the Board recognize that the Board's contributions and effectiveness depend on the character and abilities of each director individually as well as on their collective strengths. Accordingly, the Governance Committee and the Board evaluate candidates based on several criteria. Directors are chosen with a view to bringing to the Board a variety of experiences and backgrounds and establishing a core of strategic and business advisers with financial and management expertise. The Governance Committee and the Board also consider candidates with substantial experience outside the business community, such as in the public, academic or scientific communities. In addition, the Governance Committee and the Board consider the tenure of incumbent directors, with the goal of having a mix of shorter-tenured directors who provide fresh perspectives and longer-tenured directors who provide institutional knowledge regarding our company and our business.

When considering candidates for election as directors, the Governance Committee and the Board are guided

by the following principles, found in our Corporate Governance Principles:

at least a majority of the Board must consist of independent directors;
each director should be chosen without regard to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or national origin;
each director should be an individual of the highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, vision and the ability to work well with others;
each director should be free of any conflict of interest that would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper performance of his or her responsibilities as a director;
each director should possess substantial and significant experience that could be important to us in the performance of his or her duties;
each director should have sufficient time available to devote to our affairs; and

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each director should have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholders as a whole and not primarily the interests of a special interest group or constituency and be committed to enhancing long-term shareholder value.

Our policies on director qualifications emphasize our commitment to diversity at the Board level — diversity not only of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or national origin but also diversity of experience,

expertise and training. The Governance Committee in the first instance is charged with observing these policies, and strives in reviewing each candidate to assess the fit of his or her qualifications with the needs of the Board and our company at that time, given the then current mix of directors' attributes. Board composition, effectiveness and processes are all subject areas of our annual Board self-assessment, which is described in more detail below under "Board and Committee Self-Assessments."

SHAREHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS, NOMINATIONS AND PROXY ACCESS

 

Our Corporate Governance Principles provide that the Governance Committee will consider persons properly recommended by shareholders to become nominees for election as directors in accordance with the criteria described above under "Directors Qualifications; Diversity and Tenure." Recommendations for consideration by the Governance Committee, together with appropriate biographical information concerning each proposed nominee, should be sent in writing to c/o Corporate Secretary, Pentair plc, Regal House, 70 London Road, Twickenham, London, TW1 3QS, United Kingdom.

Our Articles of Association set forth procedures to be followed by shareholders who wish to nominate candidates for election as directors in connection with an Annual General Meeting. All such nominations must be accompanied by certain background and other information specified in the Articles of Association and

submitted within the timing requirements set forth in the Articles of Association. See "Shareholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2020 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders" below for more information.

In addition, eligible shareholders may under certain circumstances be able to nominate and include in our proxy materials a specified number of candidates for election as directors under the proxy access provisions in our Articles of Association. All such nominations must be accompanied by certain background and other information specified in our Articles of Association and submitted within the timing requirements set forth in our Articles of Association. See "Shareholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2020 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders" below for more information.

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THE BOARD'S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Risk Oversight

The Board is responsible for general oversight of our risk management. The Board focuses on the most significant and material risks facing us and helps to ensure that management develops and implements controls and appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

At the direction of the Board, we have instituted an enterprise-wide risk management system that identifies potential exposure to risks that arise in the course of our business, including strategic, operational, financial, cybersecurity, information technology, and legal and regulatory compliance risks. Our senior management is responsible for the administration of the enterprise-wide risk management system. To that end, senior management assesses and monitors potential risks and develops mitigation strategies to address those potential risks.

The Board has determined that the Board as a whole, and not a separate committee, will oversee our enterprise risk management process. Each of our Board Committees has historically focused and continues to focus on specific risks within its respective area of responsibility and regularly reports to the full Board. The Audit and Finance Committee focuses on accounting and financial controls, financial

statement integrity, financial risk exposures, and tax policy and compliance. The Compensation Committee reviews risks related to our compensation programs and policies as discussed further below under "Risk Considerations in Compensation Decisions." The Governance Committee considers risks related to our corporate governance structure and processes, including director qualifications and independence, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other corporate-related compliance matters.

The Board uses our enterprise-wide risk management system as a key tool for understanding the risks facing us as well as assessing whether management's processes, procedures and practices for mitigating those risks are effective. Our General Counsel is the primary person responsible to the Board in the planning, assessment and reporting of our risk profile and this risk management system. The Board reviews and discusses an assessment of and a report on our risk profile on a regular basis, including reports on strategic, operational, financial, cybersecurity, information technology, and legal and regulatory compliance risks.

Oversight in Company Strategy

 

At least once per year, the Board and senior management engage in an in-depth strategic review of our company's outlook and strategy, which is designed to create long-term shareholder value and serves as

the foundation upon which goals are established. Throughout the year, the Board reviews our strategy and monitors management's progress against such goals.

Oversight in Succession Planning

 

The Board views its role in succession planning and talent development as a key responsibility. At least once per year, usually as part of the annual talent review process, the Board discusses and reviews the succession plans for the Chief Executive Officer position and other executive officers and key contributors. The Board becomes familiar with potential

successors for key management positions through various means, including annual talent reviews, presentations to the Board, and communications outside of meetings. Our succession planning process is an organization-wide practice designed to proactively identify, develop and retain the leadership talent that is critical for our future business success.

Communicating with Shareholders and Other Stakeholders

 

We believe that maintaining an active dialogue with our shareholders is important to our long-term success. We value the opinions of our shareholders and other stakeholders and welcome their views throughout the year on key issues. During 2018, we

continued our shareholder outreach on executive compensation and corporate governance matters. Our 2018 shareholder outreach included 35 of our largest shareholders, representing 68% of our outstanding shares.

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If you wish to communicate with the Board, non-employee directors as a group, or any individual director, including the Chairman, you may send a letter addressed to the relevant party, c/o Corporate

Secretary, Pentair plc, Regal House, 70 London Road, Twickenham, London, TW1 3QS, United Kingdom. Any such communications will be forwarded directly to the relevant addressee(s).

Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Person Transactions

 

Our Board has adopted written policies and procedures regarding related person transactions. For purposes of these policies and procedures:

a "related person" means any of our directors, executive officers, or 5% shareholders or any of their immediate family members; and
a "related person transaction" generally is a transaction (including any indebtedness or a guarantee of indebtedness) in which we were or are a participant and the amount involved exceeds $50,000, and in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Potential related person transactions must be disclosed in the manner required in our Articles of Association and be brought to the attention of the Governance Committee directly or to the General Counsel for transmission to the Committee. Disclosure to the Governance Committee should occur before, if possible, or as soon as practicable after the related person transaction is effected, but in any event as soon as practicable after the executive officer or director becomes aware of the related person transaction. The Governance Committee's decision whether to approve or ratify a related person

transaction is to be made in light of a number of factors, including the following:

whether the terms of the related person transaction are fair to us and on terms at least as favorable as would apply if the other party had no affiliation with any of our directors, executive officers or 5% shareholders;
whether there are demonstrable business reasons for us to enter into the related person transaction;
whether the related person transaction could impair the independence of a director under our Corporate Governance Principles' standards for director independence; and
whether the related person transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any of our directors or executive officers, taking into account the size of the transaction, the overall financial position of the director or executive officer, the direct or indirect nature of the interest of the director or executive officer in the transaction, the ongoing nature of the relationship, and any other factors the Governance Committee deems relevant.

We had no related person transactions during 2018. To our knowledge, no related person transactions are currently proposed.

BOARD STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES

 

We and our Board are committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics. As part of this commitment, the Board has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Principles that sets forth our policies on:

selection and composition of the Board;
Board leadership;
Board composition and performance;
responsibilities of the Board;
the Board's relationship to senior management;
meeting procedures;
Committee matters; and
succession planning and leadership development.

The Board regularly reviews and, if appropriate, revises the Corporate Governance Principles and other governance instruments, including the charters of its Audit and Finance, Compensation, and Governance Committees, in accordance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the NYSE. The Board has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and has designated it as the code of ethics for our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers.

Copies of these documents are available, free of charge, on our website at https://www.pentair.com/en/about/corporate-governance.html.

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Board Leadership Structure

 

We do not have a policy requiring the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer to be held by different persons. Rather, the Board has the discretion to determine whether the positions should be combined or separated. Since 2018, and in connection with the Separation, the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board have been separated.

Mr. Stauch is our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Jones, an independent member of the Board, serves as Chairman of the Board. The role of the Chairman is to provide independent leadership to the Board, act as liaison between and among the non-employee directors and our company, and seek to ensure that the Board operates independently of management. The Chairman's principal responsibilities include:

leading meetings of the Board;
residing over all executive sessions of the Board;
in conjunction with the Chair of the Compensation Committee, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer on the Board's annual review of his performance;
approving the agenda for Board meetings, including scheduling to assure sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;
in conjunction with the Committee Chairs, ensuring an appropriate flow of information to the Board;
holding one-on-one discussions with individual directors where requested by directors or the Board; and
carrying out other duties as requested by the Board.

Board and Committee Self-Assessments

 

The Board annually conducts a self-assessment of the Board and each Committee. In 2018, the assessment process consisted of a written evaluation comprising both quantitative scoring and narrative comments on a range of topics, including the composition and structure of the Board, the type and frequency of communications and information provided to the Board and the Committees, the Board's effectiveness in carrying out its functions and responsibilities, the effectiveness of the Committee structure, directors'

preparation and participation in the meetings, and the values and culture displayed by the directors. The evaluation responses were compiled by a third party and shared with the Chairman of the Board and Governance Committee Chair who led a discussion of the assessment results at the following Board meeting.

In addition, a verbal assessment is conducted in independent executive session at the end of every Board and Committee meeting.

Board Education

 

Board education is an ongoing, year-round process, which begins when a director joins our Board. Upon joining our Board, new directors are provided with a comprehensive orientation to our company, including our business, strategy and governance. For example, new directors typically participate in one-on-one introductory meetings with our senior business and functional leaders. On an ongoing basis, directors

receive presentations on a variety of topics related to their work on the Board and within the industry, both from senior management and from experts outside of our company, including attending a company culture session in 2018. Directors may also enroll in continuing education programs sponsored by third parties at our expense.

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COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The Board has three standing committees comprised solely of independent directors: the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance Committee. The committee members also meet in executive session without management present at each meeting.

GRAPHIC

  Audit and Finance Committee    
  Role:   The Audit and Finance Committee is responsible, among other things, for assisting the Board with oversight of our accounting and financial reporting processes, oversight of our financing strategy, investment policies, and financial condition, and audits of our financial statements. These responsibilities include the integrity of the financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independence and qualifications of our external auditor, and the performance of our internal audit function and of the external auditor. The Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, evaluation, terms of engagement (including retention and termination), and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee holds meetings regularly with our independent and internal auditors, the Board, and management to review and monitor the adequacy and effectiveness of reporting, internal controls, risk assessment, and compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other policies.    
     
  Members:   Glynis A. Bryan (Chair), Jacques Esculier, Theodore L. Harris, and Michael T. Speetzen. All members have been determined to be independent under SEC and NYSE rules.    
     
  Report:   You can find the Audit and Finance Committee Report under "Audit and Finance Committee Report" of this Proxy Statement.    
     
  Financial Experts:   The Board has determined that all members of the Committee are financially literate under NYSE rules and qualify as "audit committee financial experts" under SEC standards.    

 

  Compensation Committee    
  Role:   The Compensation Committee sets and administers the policies that govern executive compensation. This includes establishing and reviewing executive base salaries and administering cash bonus and equity-based compensation under the Pentair plc 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan. The Committee also sets the Chief Executive Officer's compensation based on the Board's annual evaluation of his performance. The Committee has engaged Aon Hewitt, a human resources consulting firm, to aid the Committee in its annual review of our executive compensation program for continuing appropriateness and reasonableness and to make recommendations regarding executive officer compensation levels and structures. In reviewing our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee also considers other sources to evaluate external market, industry and peer-company practices. Information regarding the independence of Aon Hewitt is included under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Consultant." A more complete description of the Compensation Committee's practices can be found under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" under the headings "Comparative Framework" and "Compensation Consultant."    
     
  Members:   T. Michael Glenn (Chair), David A. Jones, and Billie I. Williamson. All members have been determined to be independent under SEC and NYSE rules.    
     
  Report:   You can find the Compensation Committee Report under "Compensation Committee Report" of this Proxy Statement.    

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  Governance Committee    
  Role:   The Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, identifying individuals qualified to become directors and recommending nominees to the Board for election at Annual General Meetings. In addition, the Committee monitors developments in director compensation and, as appropriate, recommends changes in director compensation to the Board. The Committee is also responsible for reviewing annually and recommending to the Board changes to our Corporate Governance Principles and administering the annual Board and Board Committee self-assessment. Finally, the Governance Committee oversees public policy matters and compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.    
     
  Members:   Billie I. Williamson (Chair), T. Michael Glenn, and David A. Jones. All members have been determined to be independent under NYSE rules.    

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

The Board held six meetings in 2018. Members of the Board are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of the Board and the Committees on which they serve and all Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings. All directors attended 100% of the meetings of the Board and all meetings of the Committees on which they served during the period for which such persons

served as directors in 2018. In each regularly scheduled meeting, the independent directors also met in executive session, without the Chief Executive Officer or other members of management present. All of the directors then-serving attended the 2018 Annual General Meeting in person, except for Mr. Esculier, who attended by telephone.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Director compensation is determined by the Governance Committee of the Board. We use a combination of cash and equity-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified directors. Compensation of our directors reflects our belief that a

significant portion of directors' compensation should be tied to long-term growth in shareholder value.

Mr. Stauch, our only employee-director, is not, and will not be, separately compensated for service as a member of the Board.

Director Retainers

The annual retainers for non-employee directors' service on the Board and Board Committees prior to the Separation in 2018 were as follows:

 

Board Retainer

  $120,000    

 

Lead Director Supplemental Retainer

  $30,000    

 

Audit and Finance Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $25,000    

 

Compensation Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $20,000    

 

Governance Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $15,000    

 

Audit and Finance Committee Retainer

  $12,500    

 

Compensation Committee Retainer

  $6,250    

 

Governance Committee Retainer

  $6,250    

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Aon Hewitt reviewed our director compensation with the Governance Committee during 2017, in light of the anticipated changes to our peer group for benchmarking executive compensation following the Separation. As a result of such review, the annual retainers for non-employee directors' service on the Board and Board Committees were reduced after the Separation in 2018 to the following levels:

 

Board Retainer

  $80,000    

 

Non-Employee Director Chair

  $140,000    

 

Audit and Finance Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $20,000    

 

Compensation Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $15,000    

 

Governance Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $12,000    

 

Audit and Finance Committee Retainer

  $12,500    

 

Compensation Committee Retainer

  $7,500    

 

Governance Committee Retainer

  $7,500    

In December 2018, Aon Hewitt again reviewed our director compensation with the Governance Committee based on the director compensation practices of such peer group. As a result of such review, certain annual retainers for non-employee directors' service on the Board and Board Committees were increased. The compensation for the Board of Directors in 2019 is as follows:

 

Board Retainer

  $90,000    

 

Non-Employee Director Chair

  $140,000    

 

Audit and Finance Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $22,750    

 

Compensation Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $15,000    

 

Governance Committee Chair Supplemental Retainer

  $15,000    

 

Audit and Finance Committee Retainer

  $13,500    

 

Compensation Committee Retainer

  $7,500    

 

Governance Committee Retainer

  $7,500    

In addition, based on such review by Aon Hewitt, we adopted in December 2018 a policy to provide, beginning in 2019, a tax equalization payment to non-employee directors on any United Kingdom taxes that may be paid on account of our company's payment of, or reimbursement for, travel, lodging and meal expenses incidental to Board and Board Committee meetings and reimbursement of fees and expenses in connection with assistance in the preparation of United Kingdom tax returns and any United Kingdom taxes on such payment or reimbursement.

Equity Awards

Non-employee directors receive an annual equity grant under the Pentair plc 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan ("Pentair plc 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan") as a part of their compensation. Beginning in 2018, non-employee directors received the full value of their annual equity grant in the form of restricted stock units and ceased receiving annual grants in the form of stock options. Restricted stock units vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one ordinary share upon vesting and includes one dividend equivalent

unit, which entitles the holder to all cash dividends declared on one ordinary share from and after the date of grant.

In connection with the Separation, non-employee directors received their annual grant for 2018 on May 2, 2018 valued at $130,000. Based on the review of director compensation by Aon Hewitt, the annual grant for 2019 was valued at $140,000 and was granted on January 2, 2019.

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Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors

Our Corporate Governance Principles establish that non-employee directors should acquire and hold our company shares or share equivalents at a level of five times the annual board retainer.

STOCK OWNERSHIP FOR DIRECTORS SERVING AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

 

 

Share
Ownership(1)





12/31/18
Market Value
($)(2)






Ownership
Guideline
($)





Meets
Guideline


 

 

Glynis A. Bryan

    26,005     982,479     450,000     Yes    

 

Jacques Esculier

    8,905     336,431     450,000     No (3)  

 

T. Michael Glenn

    22,784     860,773     450,000     Yes    

 

Theodore L. Harris

    2,862     108,126     450,000     No (3)  

 

David A. Jones

    44,212     1,670,336     450,000     Yes    

 

Michael T. Speetzen

    2,862     108,126     450,000     No (3)  

 

Billie I. Williamson

    9,462     357,474     450,000     No (3)  
(1)
The amounts in this column include ordinary shares owned by the director, both directly and indirectly, and unvested restricted stock units.

(2)
Based on the closing market price for our ordinary shares on December 31, 2018 of $37.78.

(3)
Under the established practice prior to the Separation, non-employee directors have five years after their election as a director to meet the stock ownership guidelines. Mr. Esculier and Ms. Williamson were first elected as directors in 2014, and Messrs. Harris and Speetzen were first elected as directors in 2018. All directors have met or are on track to meet the guidelines.

Director Compensation Table

The table below summarizes the compensation that we paid to non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 (a)



(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)  
             

 Name(1)






Fees
Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)







Stock
Awards
($)(2)






Option
Awards
($)(3)







Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)










Change in
Pension Value
and Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)









All Other
Compensation
($)(4)




Total
($)
 

 Glynis A. Bryan

    127,500     129,992                     257,492  

 Jerry W. Burris

    44,167                         44,167  

 Carol Anthony (John) Davidson

    40,000                         40,000  

 Jacques Esculier

    105,833     129,992                     235,825  

 Edward P. Garden(5)

    44,167                         44,167  

 T. Michael Glenn

    122,500     129,992                     252,492  

 Theodore L. Harris

    61,667     129,992                     191,659  

 David H. Y. Ho

    44,167                         44,167  

 David A. Jones

    207,500     129,992                     337,492  

 Ronald L. Merriman

    44,167                         44,167  

 William T. Monahan

    54,167                         54,167  

 Matthew H. Peltz(5)

    34,420     129,992                     164,412  

 Michael T. Speetzen

    61,667     129,992                     191,659  

 Billie I. Williamson

    115,500     129,992                     245,492  
(1)
Messrs. Burris, Davidson, Garden, Ho, Merriman, and Monahan resigned as directors in connection with the Separation effective April 30, 2018. Mr. Peltz resigned as a director effective September 10, 2018.

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(2)
The amounts in column (c) represent the aggregate grant date fair value, computed in accordance with ASC 718, of restricted stock units granted during 2018. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 13 to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, each then-serving director had the unvested restricted stock units and deferred share units shown in the table below.
 Name


Unvested Restricted
Stock Units



Deferred
Share Units
 
 Glynis A. Bryan     2,862     5,161  
 Jacques Esculier     2,862      
 T. Michael Glenn     2,862     1,053  
 Theodore L. Harris     2,862      
 David A. Jones     2,862     29,873  
 Michael T. Speetzen     2,862      
 Billie I. Williamson     2,862      
(3)
No stock options were granted to our non-employee directors during 2018. As of December 31, 2018, each then-serving director had the outstanding stock options shown in the table below.
 Name

Outstanding Stock
Options
 
 Glynis A. Bryan     38,665  
 Jacques Esculier      
 T. Michael Glenn     38,665  
 Theodore L. Harris      
 David A. Jones     38,665  
 Michael T. Speetzen      
 Billie I. Williamson      
(4)
Directors occasionally receive personal use of event tickets when such tickets are not being used for business purposes for which we have no aggregate incremental cost.

(5)
Messrs. Garden and Peltz have advised us that, pursuant to their arrangements with Trian Fund Management, L.P., they transferred to Trian Fund Management, L.P., or held for the benefit of Trian Fund Management, L.P., all director compensation paid to them.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

GRAPHIC



In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Board is asking the shareholders to approve, by nonbinding, advisory vote, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers disclosed in the sections below titled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and "Executive Compensation Tables." We currently hold these votes annually.

Executive compensation is an important matter to the Board and the Compensation Committee and to our shareholders. We have designed our executive compensation program to align executive and shareholder interests by rewarding the achievement of specific annual, long-term, and strategic goals that create long-term shareholder value. We believe that our executive compensation program provides competitive compensation that motivates and rewards executives for achieving financial and strategic objectives, provides rewards commensurate with performance to incentivize the Named Executive Officers to perform at their highest levels, encourages growth and innovation, attracts and retains the Named Executive Officers and other key executives, and aligns our executive compensation with shareholders' interests through the use of equity-based incentive awards.

The Compensation Committee has overseen the development and implementation of our executive compensation program in line with these compensation objectives. The Compensation Committee continuously reviews, evaluates and updates our executive compensation program to ensure that we provide competitive compensation that motivates the Named Executive Officers to perform at their highest levels while increasing long-term value to our shareholders.

With these compensation objectives in mind, the Compensation Committee has taken a number of compensation actions to align with our shareholders' interests, including the following:

No automatic single trigger change in control vesting and excise tax gross-ups in agreements with our executive officers.
Annual cash incentives for the Named Executive Officers are based on performance goals that correlate strongly with two primary corporate objectives: improving the financial return from our business and strengthening our balance sheet through cash flow improvement and debt reduction.
A significant portion of total compensation is "at risk" if certain performance goals are not satisfied or is otherwise subject to our future performance.
Executive officers must comply with robust stock ownership guidelines.
Elimination of our cash perquisite allowance, as described below under the heading "Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits."

As described in detail under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Shareholder Outreach and Say on Pay," we continued shareholder outreach in 2018.

These and other actions demonstrate our continued commitment to align executive compensation with shareholders' interests while providing competitive compensation to attract, motivate and retain the Named Executive Officers and other key executives. We will continue to review and adjust our executive compensation program with these goals in mind to ensure the long-term success of our company and generate increased long-term value to our shareholders.

This nonbinding, advisory vote gives you an opportunity to express your views about our executive compensation program. As we further align our executive compensation program with the interests of our shareholders while continuing to retain key talented executives who drive our company's success, we ask that you approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers.

The resolution in respect of this Proposal 2 is an ordinary resolution. The text of the resolution in respect of Proposal 2 is as follows:

"IT IS RESOLVED, that, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation of Pentair plc's Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related disclosures contained in Pentair plc's Proxy Statement is hereby approved."

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PROPOSAL 2

VOTE REQUIREMENT

Approval, by nonbinding, advisory vote, of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual General Meeting.

EACH OF THE BOARD AND THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

T. Michael Glenn, Chair
David A. Jones
Billie I. Williamson

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OVERVIEW OF COMPENSATION PROGRAM AND OBJECTIVES

The Compensation Committee sets and administers the policies that govern our executive compensation, including:

establishing and reviewing executive base salaries;
overseeing our annual incentive compensation plans;
overseeing our long-term equity-based compensation plan;
approving all awards under those plans;
annually evaluating risk considerations associated with our executive compensation program; and
annually approving all compensation decisions for executive officers, including those for the Named Executive Officers, who are named in the Summary Compensation Table below.

The Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation program aligns executive initiatives with shareholders' economic interests. The Committee seeks to accomplish this objective by rewarding the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals that create lasting shareholder value.

The Compensation Committee's specific objectives include:

motivating and rewarding executives for achieving financial and strategic objectives;
aligning management and shareholder interests by encouraging employee stock ownership;
providing rewards commensurate with company performance;
encouraging growth and innovation; and
attracting and retaining top-quality executives and key employees.

To balance the objectives described above, our executive compensation program uses the following direct compensation elements:

base salary, to provide fixed compensation competitive in the marketplace;
annual incentive compensation, to reward short-term performance against specific financial targets; and
long-term incentive compensation, to link management incentives to long-term value creation and shareholder return.

We also provide standard retirement and health and welfare benefits to attract and retain executives over the longer term.

The Compensation Committee reviews total compensation for executive officers and the relative levels of each of these forms of compensation against the Committee's goals. The mix of total direct compensation for 2018 for our Chief Executive Officer and the average of the other Named Executive Officers is shown in the charts below.

GRAPHIC

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2018 HIGHLIGHTS AND BUSINESS RESULTS*

2018 represented a historic year for Pentair. On April 30, 2018, we transferred our electrical business to nVent Electric plc ("nVent") and spun off nVent as a public company to our shareholders (the "Separation") and retained our water business as a "pure play" residential and commercial water treatment company (the "new Pentair"). Also in connection with the Separation, we reported the historical financial results of the electrical business as discontinued operations. See our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2019 for more information.

At the Separation, a new leadership team was put in place for Pentair, with Mr. Stauch becoming our new President and Chief Executive Officer upon the completion of the Separation. Our Named Executive Officers in 2018 were Mr. Stauch as well Mark C. Borin, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Karl R. Frykman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Karla C. Robertson, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; Philip M. Rolchigo, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; and Randall J. Hogan, our previous Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who led our company for 18 years and retired at the time of the Separation.

The Separation created a unique opportunity for us to focus on our people, processes, and Win Right Values in order to be in the best position to deliver on our vision and strategy. Also, after the Separation, we became a smaller company, which we believe is well-positioned for focused and strategic growth as we look to the future. At the end of 2018, and after the Separation, we had approximately 10,000 employees and 2018 net sales from continuing operations of $2.97 billion, as compared to the end of 2017 and before the Separation, when we had approximately 18,000 employees and reported 2017 net sales of $4.94 billion.

With a new, more focused Pentair and with our new mission and vision, we ended 2018 delivering on our commitments to shareholders and exceeding our 2017 performance on critical measures. In 2018 as compared to 2017, we increased our earnings per share from continuing operations ("EPS") by 191.9%, we increased our adjusted EPS by 21.1%, and we increased our segment income by 8.1%. Our net sales grew 4.2% during 2018 compared to 2017, and free cash flow was $410 million for 2018, representing a conversion of 98.5% of our adjusted net income to free cash flow.

*    Please see Appendix A for reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures included in this section.

GRAPHIC   In 2018, we fulfilled our long-standing commitment of delivering performance for our shareholders with year-over-year increases in key financial measures, based on a comparison of results from continuing operations that exclude the historical results of nVent's electrical business. EPS were $1.81 in 2018 compared to $0.62 in 2017. Adjusted EPS increased 21.1% to $2.35 in 2018 compared to $1.94 in 2017. Adjusted EPS is a key metric in our performance share unit awards, detailed beginning on page 38.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

GRAPHIC   Operating income in 2018 was $437 million compared to $378 million in 2017. Our segment income increased 8.1% over the prior year to $537 million in 2018 from $497 million in 2017. Segment income as a percent of sales grew to 18.1% in 2018 from 17.5% in 2017. Segment income is a key metric in our Management Incentive Plan, detailed beginning on page 36.

 

GRAPHIC   Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $458 million in 2018 compared to $279 million in 2017. Free cash flow from continuing operations of $410 million represented approximately 98.5% conversion of adjusted net income. Adjusted for the Separation, we increased the cash dividend paid to our shareholders for the 42nd consecutive year in 2018, returning $187 million to our shareholders. Free cash flow is a key metric in our Management Incentive Plan, detailed beginning on page 36.

 

GRAPHIC   Our net sales during 2018 were $2,965 million, up 4.2% compared to $2,846 million in 2017. Revenue is a key metric in our Management Incentive Plan, detailed beginning on page 36.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ACTIONS

The Compensation Committee took a number of steps prior to and in preparation for the Separation, including the following actions:

Selected New Executive Compensation Comparator Groups – The Compensation Committee worked with its independent compensation consultant to develop updated comparator groups for the new Pentair.
Established New Pay Ranges for Executive Officers – The Compensation Committee worked with its independent compensation consultant to establish 2018 pay ranges for executive officers that reflect the industry focus and smaller size of the new Pentair. The resulting pay ranges guided compensation decisions for the executive officers for 2018, which aligned their pay with peers, industry norms, and company size.
Replaced Legacy Key Executive Employment and Separation Agreements ("KEESAs") – All outstanding legacy KEESAs were replaced at the time of the Separation with the new form of KEESA adopted by Pentair for any new hires since 2015. These KEESAs replaced single-trigger vesting of cash and equity awards upon a change in control with double-trigger vesting and also eliminated excise tax gross-ups.
Eliminated Flexible Perquisite Allowance – Beginning on January 1, 2018, we eliminated the flexible perquisite cash allowance for all executive officers who would continue in service after the Separation.
Separated 2018 Incentive Plans – We established separate annual and long-term incentive compensation plans for the new Pentair at the beginning of the 2018 fiscal year to ensure that the new Pentair management team was focused on its business goals for the entire year.
Approved Treatment of Pre-Separation Performance Share Units – The Compensation Committee approved the conversion of outstanding performance share units to restricted stock units, effective at the Separation. The conversion was necessary because the originally established performance goals were no longer relevant following the Separation. The Compensation Committee determined the extent to which the performance goals established for the performance share units were considered satisfied at the time of the Separation based on the trend of the achievement of the performance goals and the number of performance share units that had been earned based on the level of achievement of such goals, and exercised its discretion to provide for a conversion rate at 125% of target for the 2016-2018 performance period and 100% of target for the 2017-2019 performance period. The resulting restricted stock units retained the respective time-based vesting schedules of each performance period, and would be distributed at the end of the original performance periods.
Approved Treatment of Pre-Separation Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units – Outstanding stock options and restricted stock units (including converted performance share units) granted prior to May 9, 2017 (the date of the announcement of the intention to implement the Separation) were converted into adjusted awards relating to ordinary shares of both Pentair and nVent, and awards granted on or after May 9, 2017 were converted into an adjusted award of the company, whether nVent or Pentair, that employed the award holder immediately after the Separation. The awards were adjusted so that the value of the awards immediately before and immediately after the Separation was substantially the same. The vesting schedule for all outstanding awards was not impacted by the Separation, and continued employment with, or service to, Pentair or nVent following the Separation, as applicable, is treated as continued employment with or service to both Pentair and nVent.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

SHAREHOLDER OUTREACH AND SAY ON PAY

The Compensation Committee believes it is important to maintain an open dialogue with our shareholders to gain input on their perspectives regarding our executive compensation program and to provide clarifying information enabling them to make informed decisions in our annual advisory shareholder vote (our "say on pay vote") on the compensation of our executive officers named in our Proxy Statement.

In 2018, we maintained our shareholder outreach to gain additional insight, better understand shareholder perspectives, and evaluate any concerns regarding our executive compensation program. Additionally, we took the opportunity to discuss the impact of the Separation on our compensation program and treatment of outstanding long term incentive awards.

The majority of shareholders we spoke with supported our executive compensation program and the changes adopted over the last several years. This support was reflected in the results of the say on pay vote at the 2018 Annual General Meeting, with approximately 93% of votes cast in favor of our proposal.

Our 2018 shareholder outreach included 35 of our largest shareholders representing 68% of our outstanding shares. Our former Lead Director and former and current Compensation Committee Chairs, along with members of our management team, participated in the majority of the calls with our shareholders. Shareholder feedback and suggestions on our executive compensation program were shared and discussed with the Compensation Committee and the entire Board. Consistent with the strong vote of shareholder approval, and feedback from our shareholders, we did not make any material changes to our compensation program in response to the outcome of the vote.

Shareholder feedback is an important factor in how we approach and evaluate our executive compensation program. While shareholders have different points of view, the results of our 2018 shareholder discussions were consistent in themes and reinforced the following actions that we had implemented in prior years or updated to better align Pentair's performance metrics and targets as a pure play residential and commercial water treatment company:

Pay-for-Performance

Themes

Our executive compensation program demonstrates a true pay-for-performance linkage and shareholder alignment.
The compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executive Officers should be appropriately risk-based, balancing annual and long-term performance.
Goal setting should support the achievement of strategic business goals and creation of shareholder value.

Approach

The Compensation Committee carefully assessed the 2018 annual and long-term incentive opportunities, taking into account not only competitive market data based on the post-Separation peer group, but also factors such as company, business unit and individual performance, scope of responsibility, critical needs and skill sets, experience, leadership potential, and succession planning.
The Compensation Committee evaluated the pay mix of our Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executive Officers for 2018 as it does every year, to ensure annual and long-term incentives are properly balanced.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Annual Incentive Design

Themes

Annual incentive plan measures of income, revenue, and free cash flow are well aligned with shareholder interests.
Free cash flow measure is particularly valued because it reflects the quality of our earnings stream.
Reward profitable growth, not growth at any cost.

Approach

Maintained design of annual incentive of the executive officers for 2018 to be based solely on financial and operating results.
Increased weighting of income for the new Pentair, reflecting continued emphasis of profitability as a stand-alone, pure play water company.

Long Term Incentive Design

Themes

The current program consisting of heavier weighting of performance-vested equity of long-term compensation is aligned with shareholder interests.
Adjusted EPS is viewed as a measure closely tied to creation of shareholder value; return measure and/or relative performance measure are also considered important to shareholders.

Approach

For 2018, maintained weighting performance share units as 50% of the executive officers' long-term incentive mix, with remaining 50% equally split between restricted stock units and stock options.
Retained adjusted EPS growth and return on equity ("ROE") weighted 75% and 25%, respectively, for 2018 awards.
Performance goals disclosed to shareholders in the year of grant in our Proxy Statement.
Replaced ROE measure with return on invested capital ("ROIC") for 2019 awards.

COMPARATIVE FRAMEWORK

In setting compensation for our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee uses competitive compensation data from an annual total compensation study of selected peer companies and other relevant survey sources to inform its decisions about overall compensation opportunities and specific compensation elements. The Compensation Committee uses multiple reference points when establishing targeted compensation levels. The Compensation Committee applies judgment and discretion in establishing targeted pay levels, taking into account not only competitive market data, but also factors such as company, business unit and individual performance, scope of responsibility, critical needs and skill sets,

experience, leadership potential, and succession planning. During 2017, in anticipation of the Separation in 2018, the Committee worked with Aon Hewitt to develop an updated group of peer companies that includes companies that would reflect our post-Separation business focus and size. All companies in the peer group were:

publicly-traded on a major exchange;
similar in business scope and/or operations to our business units and global in nature; and
ranged from 1/2 to 2x our revenue size and in the same competitive sectors.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Based on Aon Hewitt's recommendations, the Compensation Committee approved an updated group of companies for benchmarking purposes (the "Comparator Group") for use in setting target compensation for 2018 for our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers. Our Comparator Group for 2018 included the following 16 peer companies, which had revenues ranging from approximately $1.33 billion to $3.99 billion, with median revenues of approximately $2.68 billion:

  Acuity Brands, Inc.   A.O. Smith Corporation   Colfax Corporation
  Crane Co.   Donaldson Company, Inc.   Flowserve Corporation
  Graco Inc.   IDEX Corporation   Lennox International Inc.
  Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.   SPX FLOW, Inc.   Snap-on Incorporated
  The Timken Company   Valmont Industries, Inc.   Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
  Xylem Inc.        

2018 COMPENSATION PROGRAM ELEMENTS

For 2018, the principal components of compensation for our Named Executive Officers were:

base salary;
annual incentive compensation;
long-term incentive compensation, consisting of stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units; and
retirement and health and welfare benefits.

The Compensation Committee reviews total compensation for executive officers and the relative levels of each of these forms of compensation against the Compensation Committee's goals to attract, retain and incentivize talented executives and to align the interests of these executives with those of our long-term shareholders.

BASE SALARIES

We provide each Named Executive Officer with a fixed base salary. In setting base salaries, the Compensation Committee generally references comparable positions at peer companies based on available market data, which include published survey data and proxy statement data for our Comparator Group. The Compensation Committee considers compensation at comparable companies but does not set base salaries based on a particular peer group benchmark or any single factor. Differences in base salaries among the Named Executive Officers are determined by the Compensation Committee based on numerous factors such as competitive conditions for the Named Executive Officer's position within the Comparator Group and in the broader employment market, as well as the Named Executive Officer's level of responsibility, experience, and individual performance.

In December 2017, the Compensation Committee undertook its annual review of base salaries for executive officers and other management personnel, in accordance with its normal procedures. Following a review by Aon Hewitt, the Compensation Committee

approved annual increases of 2.0% to 4.5% to salaries for Messrs. Stauch, Borin, and Frykman relative to their then-current positions as of January 1, 2018. The base salaries for Ms. Robertson and Messrs. Hogan and Rolchigo were not adjusted for 2018.

Additionally, in connection with the Separation, in December 2017, the Compensation Committee reviewed and approved base salaries for new Named Executive Officer appointments and other management personnel, effective April 30, 2018. The new appointments included the promotions of Mr. Stauch to President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Borin to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Frykman to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In conjunction with a market review by Aon Hewitt based on the size and industry focus of the new Pentair, the Compensation Committee set the base salaries for Mr. Stauch at $918,000 (representing an increase of 28%), Mr. Borin at $514,000 (representing an increase of 14%), and Mr. Frykman at $646,000 (representing an increase of 28%) for the purposes of aligning their base salaries to their respective new positions effective as of the Separation.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

In connection with Ms. Robertson's commencement of employment on December 1, 2017, the Committee set her base salary at $500,000 based on a wide range of factors, including a market review, prior compensation level and arm's length negotiations with Ms. Robertson. Due to her employment with Pentair

starting on December 1, 2017, Ms. Robertson's base salary was not changed in 2018. Mr. Rolchigo's appointment as Chief Technology Officer was effective on June 4, 2018, and his base salary remained at $390,000 for 2018.

ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

To provide competitive compensation to attract and retain top talent while linking pay to annual performance, we pay a portion of our executives' cash compensation as incentive compensation tied to annual business performance as measured against annual goals established by the Compensation Committee. In 2018, we provided cash annual incentive compensation to our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, under our Management Incentive Plan ("MIP") pursuant to the Pentair plc 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee had no discretion to increase formula-derived incentive compensation under the MIP.

The Compensation Committee determines a percentage of each executive officer's base salary as a targeted level of incentive compensation opportunity under the MIP, based on the Compensation Committee's review of Aon Hewitt's recommendations, relevant survey data and, in the case of executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee generally sets each executive officer's target incentive compensation opportunity taking into consideration the Comparator Group's target payouts but does not set target incentive compensation opportunities based on a particular peer group benchmark or any single factor.

The actual target incentive compensation opportunity set by the Compensation Committee for each executive officer varies depending on a wide range of factors, including competitive conditions for the executive officer's position within the Comparator

Group and in the broader employment market, as well as the executive officer's performance, level of responsibility, and experience. An executive officer's base salary multiplied by the incentive compensation opportunity percentage establishes the target incentive compensation for which the executive officer is eligible.

In connection with the Separation, and following a market review by Aon Hewitt based on the size and industry focus of the new Pentair as a stand-alone, pure play water company, the Compensation Committee reviewed and approved incentive compensation targets for new officer appointments and other management personnel, effective at the time of the Separation. The Compensation Committee did not change the target annual incentive compensation for Messrs. Hogan or Rolchigo or Ms. Robertson. For Messrs. Stauch, Borin, and Frykman, the Committee increased their target annual incentive compensation from 100% to 120%, 70% to 80%, and 80% to 90% of base salary, respectively, to reflect their increased level of responsibility and competitive conditions in the Comparator Group for their new roles effective as of the Separation. The effective target annual incentive compensation for 2018 and the actual annual incentive compensation paid for 2018 to each of Messrs. Stauch, Borin, and Frykman, reflect a pro rata calculation of the pre- and post-Separation target annual incentive compensation applicable to each of them.

The Named Executive Officers' incentive compensation targets as a percentage of salary and a dollar amount, based on base salary on December 1, 2018, were as follows:

  Pre-
Separation
Target as a
% of Salary




Post-
Separation
Target as a
% of Salary




Pro Rata
Target as a
% of Salary



Target  

John L. Stauch

  100%   120%   114%     $1,041,807  

Mark C. Borin

  70%   80%   77%     $419,786  

Karl R. Frykman

  80%   90%   87%     $560,362  

Karla C. Robertson

  75%   75%   75%     $375,000  

Philip M. Rolchigo

  50%   50%   50%     $195,000  

Randall J. Hogan

  160%   N/A   160%     $680,424  

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS