Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

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.          )

 

---

Table of Contents

Dear Shareholders,

I am pleased to report that West continues to build on our important role in the healthcare industry. Our market-led strategy to offer integrated containment and delivery solutions for injectable therapies, tailored to the unique needs of our customers, while offering the best technical and scientific support that these products and services require, has once again translated into a year of sustained growth and profitability, as well as healthy shareholder returns.

West manufactures more than 41 billion components each year, across 27 manufacturing sites. Two years ago, we began a process to globalize our operations to ensure we maximize our returns on invested capital and take full advantage of this global footprint to drive improved profitability and better service to customers. Through lean manufacturing, a streamlined supply chain and improved vendor management, we are already seeing significant improvements from these efforts, with more to come. This is all-the-more impressive when you consider our team has achieved these results while maintaining best-in-class quality levels and improving our recordable injury rate across the Company—boasting the lowest injury levels in West's history.

We are grateful to our Board of Directors for their support and guidance. Under the leadership of our chairman, Patrick Zenner, they have partnered with our Management team as we continue to refine our strategy, and they have challenged us along the way to ensure we are addressing internal and external risks while managing towards our long-term success. We are fortunate to have a Board rich with diverse experience across a number of industries, with deep insight into the delivery of healthcare.

In 2018, we were proud to be recognized for our commitment to the communities in which we live and work. As will be further detailed in our 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report, to be published later this year, we have made significant improvements in our environmental sustainability efforts, which were recognized by the CPHI with their 2018 Excellence in Pharma: Corporate Social Responsibility Award. Our efforts to support the community through our philanthropic activities also received recognition with the CEO Connection's Mid-Market Social Impact Award.

The team at West is committed to achieving our vision to serve as the world leader in the integrated containment and delivery of injectable medicines. We have worked to ensure the performance of our team is reflected in their compensation and awards framework and is aligned with the results we have delivered. The detailed pay-for-performance plans of our executives, which have received more than 96 percent support from you, our shareholders, are detailed in this Proxy Statement for your review.

With the support of our Board, and the continued investment of our shareholders, we feel we are well-positioned to fulfill our vision, and our everyday commitment to the customers and patients we work to serve.

Thank you for your continued support of West.

Regards,

Eric M. Green
President and CEO

---

Table of Contents

530 Herman O. West Drive
Exton, Pennsylvania 19341

March 22, 2019

The 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will be held at our corporate headquarters on:

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
9:30 AM, local time
530 Herman O. West Drive
Exton, Pennsylvania 19341

The items of business are:

1.

Election of nominees named in the Proxy Statement as directors, each for a term of one year or until their successor is appointed or elected.



2.

Consideration of an advisory vote to approve Named Executive Officer compensation.



3.

Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019.



4.

Transaction of other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Shareholders of record of West common stock at the close of business on March 12, 2019 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof.

This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement ("Notice") and the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K ("2018 Annual Report") are available on our website at:

investor.westpharma.com/financial-information/annual-reports-and-proxy

Please vote as promptly as possible electronically via the Internet or by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card.

---

Table of Contents

---

Table of Contents

---

Table of Contents

​

PROXY SUMMARY    

Below is a summary of important information you will find in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.

Our Board of Directors is soliciting your vote on matters that will be presented at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Proxy Statement contains information to assist you in voting your shares.

The Notice, the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card and our 2018 Annual Report, including our annual report wrap, are being mailed starting on or about March 22, 2019.

Our market-led strategy focusing on the containment and delivery of injectable medicines and success in globalizing our operations is evident in our 2018 performance and is driving our outlook for 2019 and beyond. The trends in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry also support our long-term growth strategy:

•

More prescription medications are being developed as injectable drugs



•

Our customer base continues to grow around the world, with faster growth in Asia Pacific and South America



•

The bar for quality and reliability continues to be raised by both our customers and global regulators



•

Our customers continue to request technical and regulatory services to support the packaging and delivery of their products



•

Pharmaceutical companies are looking to couple their drugs with differentiated delivery devices to improve patient adoption and adherence

Each year, we have seen growing interest and demand for our high-value product offerings, delivery device platforms and our contract-manufacturing services. This demand has translated into positive results for the business. In 2018, we reported:

•

Full-year 2018 reported net sales of $1.717 billion, which reflects 7.4% growth over the prior year. At constant foreign currency exchange rates, organic sales growth was 5.6%.



•

Full-year 2018 reported-diluted Earnings-Per-Share ("EPS") was $2.74, compared to $1.99 last year. Full-year 2018 adjusted-diluted EPS was $2.81, compared to $2.78 in the prior year.



•

Full-year 2018 gross profit margin was 31.8%, a 30-basis point decline from the prior year. While the Proprietary Products segment gross profit margin expanded by 80 basis points, Contract-Manufactured Products segment gross profit margin declined by 280 basis points due to unabsorbed overhead from plant consolidation activities, start-up costs associated with the launch of new programs and unfavorable sales mix.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   1

---

Table of Contents

​

     PROXY SUMMARY

​

•

Full-year 2018 operating cash flow ("OCF") was $288.6 million, representing a 9.6% increase over 2017 OCF of $263.3 million.



•

Capital expenditures in 2018 were $104.7 million, a 20% reduction compared to 2017 capital expenditures of $130.8 million.

As we look to 2019, we expect to grow sales and expand profit margins in line with our long-term financial construct, with full-year 2019 constant-currency organic sales growth in a range between 6% and 8% and full-year 2019 operating profit margin expansion of approximately 100 basis points. Please refer to our Earnings Release filed on February 14, 2019 on Form 8-K for a full reconciliation of our reported results to the adjusted (non-GAAP) financial measures referred to above.

If we examine our results over the past five years, West has consistently delivered against its objectives, posting long-term sales growth and steady EPS improvements. The Company has also outperformed both our peers and the market overall in Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") during this same period.

(1)

Please refer to Note 3: Revenue in our 2018 Form 10-K, which addresses new accounting guidance on revenue recognition.

(2)

Please refer to our Forms 8-K dated February 14, 2019 and January 9, 2019 for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial matters.

(3)

Source: NASDAQ IR Insight.

Looking to the future, we expect West's organic sales growth and margin expansion to be further supported by strong underlying market drivers. West's reputation as a scientific and technical leader in the industry, combined with the breadth and depth of our product and service portfolio as well as our unsurpassed global footprint, allows us to serve as a global partner to customers across the injectable drug and medical device landscape. Our officers, employees and directors are focused on maintaining and growing the important role we play as a leader in the healthcare industry.

Certain forward-looking statements are included in this Proxy Statement. They use such words as "will," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "looking to the future," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect Management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. These statements are based on Management's beliefs and assumptions, current expectations, estimates, and forecasts. There are many factors that can influence the Company's future results that are beyond the ability of the company to control or predict. Because of these known or unknown risks or uncertainties, actual results could differ materially from past results and those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. For a description of factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and as revised or supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or Form 8-K. Except as required by law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

​

2   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

PROXY SUMMARY    

You are being asked to vote on the directors nominated below. John Weiland, who retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of C. R. Bard, Inc. following its acquisition by Becton, Dickinson and Company in 2017, and who has been a director since 2007 has decided to retire from our Board after 12 years of outstanding service. Mr. Weiland's leadership, first as Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and later as Chairman of the Finance Committee, has been instrumental to our success. Because Mr. Weiland is not standing for reelection, our Board will also be reduced from 11 to 10 members as of his retirement. All directors are elected annually by a majority of votes cast, except in the case of a contested election where the number of nominees exceeds the number of open positions, in which case plurality voting is used. The charts below summarize some key characteristics of the members of our Board of Directors. All data is as of March 22, 2019. Detailed information about each director's background and areas of expertise can be found beginning on page 9.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   3

---

Table of Contents

​

     PROXY SUMMARY

​

4   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

PROXY SUMMARY    

​

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   5

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Candidates for nomination to our Board are recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee ("NCGC") in accordance with the Committee's charter, our Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws and our Corporate Governance Principles. All persons recommended for nomination to our Board, regardless of the source of the recommendation, are evaluated by this Committee with the Board determining the final slate of nominees.

The Board and the NCGC consider, at a minimum, the following factors in recommending potential new Board members or the continued service of existing members:

•

A director is nominated based on his or her professional experience. A director's traits, expertise and experience add to the skill-set of the Board as a whole and provide value in areas needed for the Board to operate effectively.



•

A director must have high standards of integrity and commitment, and exhibit independence of judgment, a willingness to ask hard questions of Management and the ability to work well with others.



•

A director should be willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company and be free of any disabling conflict.



•

All the non-employee directors should be "independent" as outlined in our independence determination standards ("Independence Standards").



•

A director should exhibit confidence and a willingness to express ideas and engage in constructive discussion with other Board members, Management and relevant persons.



•

A director should actively participate in the decision-making process, be willing to make difficult decisions, and demonstrate diligence and faithfulness in attending Board and Committee meetings.



•

The Board generally seeks active or former senior executives of public companies, particularly those with international operations, leaders in healthcare or public health fields, with science or technology backgrounds, and individuals with financial expertise.

When reviewing nominees, the NCGC considers whether the candidate possesses the qualifications, experience and skills it considers appropriate in the context of the Board's overall composition and needs. The NCGC also values diversity on the Board in the director nominee identification and nomination process.

To assist it with its evaluation of the director nominees for election at the 2019 Annual Meeting, the NCGC considered the factors listed above and used a skills matrix highlighting the experience of our directors in areas such as industry experience, international experience (including assignments overseas), global operations or supply chain leadership, financial literacy, and independence. In the past two years, we have also added skills such as, marketing (including e-commerce), mergers and acquisitions, regulatory and cyber/digital experience, to our skills matrix.

The NCGC also reviews annually with the Board the size and composition of the Board and its committees to determine the qualifications and areas of expertise needed to further enhance the composition of the Board. In determining whether to add new directors, we review our skills matrix annually to determine the targeted skills that we believe will most significantly enhance the diversity of experience and expertise on our Board. We balance the current skill sets versus the desired optimal mix of skill sets given their relative importance to the Company.

Board members are expected to support Management to drive success in our current strategic plans, which includes:

•

Transforming the business to a market-led organization with enhanced commercial effectiveness



•

Expanding into emerging markets



•

Optimizing operations and supply chain networks



•

Leveraging global innovation and technology to accelerate product development



•

Accelerating digitization to drive performance



•

Building global leadership bench depth, diversity and inclusion

​

6   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS    

​

Under the heading "Director Nominee Biographies," we provide an overview of each nominee's principal occupation, business experience and other directorships of publicly-traded companies, together with the qualifications, experience, key attributes and skills the Committee and the Board believe will best serve the interests of the Board, the Company and our shareholders.

Shareholders who wish to recommend or nominate director candidates must provide information about themselves and their candidates and comply with procedures and timelines contained in our Bylaws. These procedures are described under "2020 Shareholder Proposals or Nominations" in this Proxy Statement.

Board diversity and inclusion is critical to the success of West. The Board is committed to ensuring its membership has sufficient diversity of experience, skills and personal characteristics to support the long-term success of the Company. As presently constituted, the Board represents a deliberate mix of members who have a deep understanding of our business as well as members who have different skill sets and points of view. As noted above, our nomination process and our Board's approach to assessment and evaluation of our nominees support this diversity and inclusion commitment.

Our Corporate Governance Principles include a statement regarding the importance of Board diversity and inclusion to ensure that the director nomination process considers a diverse mix of background, age, gender, sexual orientation, as well as cultural and ethnic composition. Additionally, the NCGC's evaluation of director nominees includes consideration of their ability to contribute to the diversity of personal and professional experiences, opinions, perspectives and backgrounds on the Board.

While we are pleased with the current complement of diverse backgrounds of our directors, we continually assess the size and diversity of the Board. We review our Board skills matrix annually and develop a list of skills and characteristics that we feel would supplement our current diverse mix of experiences and backgrounds the identified skills include: financial expertise, industry, direct international oversight, mergers and acquisitions, cyber or digital experience and a diverse gender, ethnic or racial background.

We are particularly proud of our leadership in female representation on the Board. One-third of our independent directors standing for reelection (30% of all directors) are women. Several of our Board members participate in diversity in leadership programs and others are high-profile speakers on issues of diversity and inclusion.

Our Board has overseen efforts by the Company to increase diversity and inclusion among its employee base. Mr. Green's annual objectives include diversity and inclusion as a key metric, and we have also added new positions responsible for diversity. The Board believes this approach enables us to attract and retain diverse high-quality talent. This has culminated in a diversity mission statement, which can be found in our CR Report at www.westpharma.com/about-west/corporate-responsibility. As part of our diversity mission, we have trained employees at all levels on the importance of diversity and inclusion, introduced affinity groups, accelerated efforts in minority recruiting and modified our culture to increase flexibility and mentoring, which we believe facilitates diversity and inclusion.

We review our Board refreshment policies and retirement age annually and continue to monitor broad governance trends in this area. The Board has considered but does not have term limits on the service of our directors, because we believe that term limits may lead to the loss of valuable director insight into our business and operations that is enhanced with continuity.

The Board believes that a diverse mix of long-tenured and new Board members provides a good and appropriate balance of experience to enhance shareholder value. The Board believes that directors provide meaningful, independent oversight and advice at any age. Our Corporate Governance Principles include a mandatory retirement age of 75. This means that a non-employee director must retire on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders immediately following his or her 75th birthday.

An employee director must submit his or her resignation upon the date he or she ceases to be an executive officer of the Company.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   7

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

​

Each year the Board and each of its committees review their performance during executive sessions. This review centers around questions directors are asked to contemplate regarding their individual performance and the performance of the Board/Committee. These questions include topics such as the relationship between members, quality of the materials provided, the relationship with Management, contributions to key functions/responsibilities of the Board, and topics that they would like to see added or deleted to meeting agendas.

Additionally, the NCGC assesses the evaluation process annually and makes suggested changes when necessary. The NCGC reviews several matters, including the issues to focus on in the evaluation and the form and manner of assessment. The NCGC periodically re-assesses its position on self-evaluation.

During the past two years, the chair of the NCGC reached out to each director individually to discuss any concerns and relayed them to the Board using an interview template approved by the NCGC. In 2018, we revised this process to include all members of the NCGC reaching out to members of the full Board to obtain different perspectives, to encourage collecting as much candid information as possible and to ensure the proper level of engagement.

We believe this evaluation system, coupled with our strong Chairman of the Board and open-door policy, which encourages sharing of ideas among all directors, makes for a robust process that ensures the Board's effectiveness.

​

8   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES    

Our shareholders are asked to consider ten nominees for election to our Board to serve for a one-year term until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and until their successors, if any, are elected or appointed, or their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. As noted above, Mr. Weiland has decided to retire and not stand for reelection, and, therefore, our Board will be reduced from 11 to 10 members. The names of the nominees for director, their current positions and offices, tenure as a Company director, their qualifications and other characteristics are set forth in the biographies below. The table below also lists each nominee's current Board committees, which changed effective February 19, 2019. Their previous committee assignments, including all of 2018 through February 19, 2019, can be found in our 2018 Proxy Statement.

All the nominees are current Company directors and all non-employee directors have been determined by our Board to be independent. Our NCGC reviewed the qualifications of each of the nominees, finding each nominee to possess the required attributes and possesses the appropriate balance of diversity of knowledge, age, skills, expertise, gender and race, and recommended to our Board that each nominee be submitted to a vote of our shareholders at the Annual Meeting. The Board approved the Committee's recommendation at its meeting on February 19, 2019.

Each of the nominees has agreed to be named and to serve, and we expect each nominee to be able to serve if elected. If any nominee is unable to serve, the NCGC will recommend to our Board a replacement nominee. The Board may then designate the replacement nominee to stand for election. If you voted for the unavailable nominee, your vote will be cast for his or her replacement.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   9

---

Table of Contents

​

     DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES

​

 

​

10   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES    

​

 

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   11

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES

​

 

​

12   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES    

​

 

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   13

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES

​ ​

14   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES    

Our Board structure reflects our Corporate Governance Principles and commitment to good governance. We believe the governance structure we have created between the Board, its Committees, the Board Chair, the CEO and Management, is supporting the sustainable growth of the Company.

During 2018, our Board met five times. All of our Board members attended all Board meetings and more than 94% of the combined total of all Board and Committee meetings in 2018. Our Board is committed to ensuring that directors attend meetings and that the Board and its Committees devote sufficient time necessary for the effective oversight of the Company and its Management. Additionally, annually during the review process, the Board assesses the time commitments for our Board against the time commitments of a member's outside positions to ensure there is sufficient time to devote to their duties as a West director.

Our Board also holds regular executive sessions of only independent directors to review, among other things, the Company's strategy and Management's operating plans, the criteria by which our CEO and other senior executives are measured, Management's performance against those criteria and other related issues and to conduct a self-assessment of its performance. Last year, our independent directors held five executive sessions.

All of our directors attended the 2018 Annual Meeting and all directors that are standing for reelection are expected to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting.

The current governance structure of the Board follows:

•

The offices of Chairman and CEO are separate



•

The Board has established and follows robust Corporate Governance Principles



•

All the members of the Board, other than Mr. Green, are independent



•

All Board Committees are composed solely of independent directors



•

Our independent directors meet regularly in executive session both at the Board and Board committee levels



•

Our directors as a group possess a broad range of skills and experience sufficient to provide the leadership and strategic direction the Company requires as it seeks to enhance long-term value for shareholders

While the offices of Chairman and CEO are currently separate, the Board takes a flexible approach to the issue of whether the offices of Chairman and CEO should be separate or combined. This approach allows the Board to regularly evaluate whether it is in the best interests of the Company for the CEO or another director to hold the position of Chairman.

The Board does not currently have a lead independent director, although the Board believes it may be useful and appropriate to designate a lead independent director if the offices of Chairman and CEO are combined in the future.

We believe the current Board leadership structure is appropriate now because it allows the Chairman to focus on corporate governance and management of the Board's priorities and allows the CEO to focus directly on managing our operations and growing the Company.

The responsibilities of the Chairman include:

•

Chairing Board meetings, including executive sessions of the independent directors



•

Approving agendas and schedules for each Board meeting in consultation with the CEO



•

Serving as principal liaison between the CEO and the independent directors

Each independent director may add items to the agenda.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   15

---

Table of Contents

​

     BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES

​

Our current Chairman, Mr. Zenner, has been serving on the Board since 2002, and as our Chairman since 2015. Each year the Board considers the role of the Chairman and who is sitting in that role. We believe Mr. Zenner's experience as a top executive plus independence and history with the Company makes him a valuable asset for the Company, and he provides significant leadership and perspective to our Board.

The Board has five standing committees:

•

Audit Committee



•

Compensation Committee



•

Finance Committee



•

Innovation & Technology Committee



•

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

From time to time, the Board may form ad hoc committees to address specific situations as they arise. Each committee consists solely of independent directors. All directors may attend any committee meeting, even if he or she is not a member. Our Board Chair and our CEO attend all Board meetings and attend virtually all Committee meetings, unless there is a scheduling conflict. Each standing committee has a written charter, which is posted in the "Investors—Corporate Governance" section of our website at www.westpharma.com. You may also request a copy of each committee's charter from our Corporate Secretary. Below we set forth the current members of each Committee (as of the date of this Proxy Statement) and its core functions.

​

16   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES    

​

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   17

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES

​

The Board and its Committees play an active role in overseeing Management's day-to-day responsibility for assessing and managing our risk exposure.

The Board regularly reviews and monitors the risks associated with our enterprise strategy, financial condition and operations and specifically reviews the enterprise risks associated with our five-year plan. In particular, the Board reviews our risk portfolio, confirms that Management has established risk-management processes that are functioning effectively and efficiently and are consistent with our corporate strategy, reviews the most significant risks and determines whether Management is responding appropriately.

The Board performs its risk oversight role by using several different levels of review. Each Board meeting begins with a strategic overview by the CEO that describes the most significant issues, including risks, affecting the Company as well as business updates from each reportable segment. In addition, the Board reviews in detail the business and operations of each reportable business segment quarterly, including the primary risks associated with that segment.

Our Enterprise Risk Management ("ERM") program helps us manage the risks inherent in our business, by gaining a greater understanding and awareness of risks facing the business, ensure risk-appropriate mitigation efforts are in place and regularly monitors and ensures the Company meets or exceeds the expectation of all stakeholders, including investors and regulators.

The ERM program includes a Risk Identification and Management ("RIM") process, crisis management, business continuity and disaster recovery elements, set forth in additional detail in the chart below:

The Board focuses on the overall risks affecting the Company. Each Board Committee has been delegated the responsibility for the oversight of specific risks that fall within its areas of responsibility, as cataloged through the RIM process, including:

•

The Audit Committee oversees management of financial reporting, compliance, litigation and cybersecurity risks as well as the steps Management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. This Committee also oversees the processes used in our ERM program



•

The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation policies, plans and arrangements and the extent to which those policies or practices increase or decrease risk for the Company



•

The Finance Committee assesses the risks associated with allocation of our capital, potential acquisitions, divestitures and major business partnerships



•

The Innovation and Technology Committee reviews risks associated with intellectual property, innovation efforts and our technology strategy



•

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board, potential conflicts of interest and the effectiveness of the Board

Although each Committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of those risks, the full Board is regularly informed about those risks through regular Committee reports.

Cybersecurity.    The full Board and the Audit Committee both participate in the vital work necessary to understand our cybersecurity risk and oversee the related risk mitigation activities. This has become more critical as we launched a new e-commerce website during 2018 and due to the expansion of privacy regulations in Europe. The Audit Committee reviews cybersecurity risk at every live meeting, holds private sessions with our Chief Digital and Transformation Officer and reviews our

​

18   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES    

​

Cybersecurity dashboard at all in-person meetings. Additionally, our Senior Director, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, Senior Director, Internal Audit, and Chief Compliance Officer separately meet with the Committee to provide additional insight into our cybersecurity and privacy strategy and tactics.

Our approach to mitigating cybersecurity risks includes review by third party experts, training for directors (both internally and externally), holding within the Company a global cybersecurity awareness week, and the adoption of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (the "NIST Framework"). The NIST Framework provides a comprehensive framework to develop a flexible, repeatable, performance-based and cost-effective approach to identifying and managing cybersecurity risks. We measure ourselves against this framework to assess our own maturity on cybersecurity.

Our cybersecurity defenses utilize technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and encryption to ensure the privacy and security of our customers' data, with a dedicated security information and event management team monitoring our applications constantly.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Board is to ensure that West has the appropriate management to execute our long-term strategy. Our Corporate Governance Principles state the Board must plan for succession with respect to the CEO and monitor Management's succession planning for other key executives. In fulfilling this duty, the Board, together with the CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer ("CHRO") reviews at least annually, the development and retention plans of senior management talent as well as succession plans for the CEO and other senior management positions.

During these reviews, the Board discusses:

•

Management performance



•

Strengths and developmental opportunities needed to prepare senior leaders for greater responsibilities



•

Potential internal development job changes



•

Succession plans including leadership pipeline, development plans and timelines



•

Diversity of leadership and pipeline candidates



•

Detailed assessment of the members of the executive leadership team who potentially could succeed the CEO. This review includes a discussion about development plans to help prepare each individual for future succession.

In addition, our CEO has as an annual goal for the development of senior leaders and the creation of a global succession plan for key positions within the Company. Therefore, he prepares detailed succession plans and contingency plans in the event that he is unable to serve as CEO for any reason including death or disability. These plans are reviewed annually by the NCGC and discussed with the Board. Finally, throughout the year, Board members are exposed to leadership and pipeline candidates through Management presentations, roundtable discussions, and other informal meetings to assess the depth of our leadership pipeline.

In assessing the performance of our CEO, the independent directors engage in a robust assessment process that is managed throughout the year and culminates in a formal annual performance review. The assessment includes the following:

•

Independent directors approve the CEO annual business objectives consisting of both qualitative and quantitative progress against Customer Experience, Operational Effectiveness, Products & Services Expansion, Enterprise Capabilities, People and Culture and Financial Goals



•

A comprehensive analysis is undertaken by our Compensation Committee's independent consultant on the robustness of West's financial targets and compare these against our Business Segment Group's performance



•

Each quarter, the independent directors review the progress made against each objective



•

The CEO undertakes a self-assessment of performance against the approved annual objectives



•

Annual anonymous evaluation of the CEO's individual performance by the independent directors on numerous factors, including: leadership, strategic planning, financial performance, employee development and engagement, external and internal relations and interactions with the Board

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   19

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES

​

•

An analysis of West's total performance over a multi-year period, a competitive benchmark analysis, and other relevant information is submitted to the independent directors

Working with the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant, the Chair of the Compensation Committee considers all of this information in developing its recommendations for compensation, as discussed below in our "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."

As a leader in our industry, we recognize our responsibility to conduct business in a sustainable manner and strive to be a good corporate citizen. Our CR efforts include six key areas of focus: Compliance and Ethics, Philanthropy, Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Safety, Environmental Sustainability and Quality. During 2018, we engaged our shareholders on this important topic, as well as more than 30 key customers. Detailed below is a brief overview of our progress. We will report more fully on our CR accomplishments in our 2018 CR report, which is expected to be published in June.

Compliance & Ethics.    Our Compliance and Ethics standards include holding ourselves to the highest standards of quality, integrity and respect as outlined in our Code of Business Conduct ("COBC"), which is supported by our training program led by our Chief Compliance Officer, and our annual Compliance Week efforts.

Philanthropy.    West has long-placed importance in supporting charities, particularly as it relates to children, people with disabilities, healthcare and Science Technology Engineering and Math ("STEM") education in the communities where we live and work. In 2018, charitable giving by the Company, our employees and the Herman O. West Foundation totaled approximately $2.5 million. Our philanthropic efforts, and particularly our President and CEO's leadership in this area, were recognized by CEO Connection, a global organization focused on supporting mid-market CEOs and their shareholders, with their 2018 Social Impact Award.

Diversity and Inclusion.    As discussed above, we strive to create and maintain a workplace rich with diverse people, talent and ideas, and to create an inclusive environment for all employees to succeed. We have increased awareness, adopted affirmative action programs, and strengthened programs and policies, which includes the adoption of our first global anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy in 2018.

Health and Safety.    A healthy and safe environment is a fundamental right for all people. We have developed new safety protocols and procedures to create a culture of safety, which incorporates behavior-based training and observations. We consistently aim to have a zero-injury workplace and monitor our progress to that goal, which has resulted in a reduction of injuries over the past three years by more than 60%. These goals are set using globally-recognized benchmarks included in our CEO's annual performance objectives.

Environmental Sustainability.    We strive to be stewards of a sustainable future by factoring environmental considerations into our decision making for raw materials, production processes and distribution methods. Our emissions, energy and water intensity goals established in 2013 for 2020 have already been exceeded and will be reset in 2019. West has also continuously improved our rating under the Carbon Disclosure Project about 5% annually since 2013, culminating in our highest rating ever in 2018. We have also received multiple awards for our Corporate Responsibility efforts, which are set forth in more detail on our website at www.westpharma.com/about-west/corporate-responsibility. The information on that website is updated periodically, and believed to be true at the time it is posted, but it is not filed with and does not constitute part of this Proxy Statement.

Quality.    At West, we are committed to safeguarding the health and safety of patients who use our products and services. We provide high-quality products that are safe and effective for their intended use. Quality product and system controls are designed to ensure compliance with our high standards and applicable cGMPs, ISO standards and regulatory requirements. West utilizes customer feedback and in-process manufacturing data to improve processes and product performance. The Company continues to deliver industry-leading quality levels year-over-year.

Our Board considers its relationship with our shareholders to be important to effective corporate governance. To ensure that the Board considers shareholder views on compensation, corporate governance, corporate responsibility and other significant matters, we maintain an active shareholder engagement program. Throughout the year, Management meets with our actively-managed, institutional shareholders, which own a majority of our shares. At every Board meeting, Management discusses topics raised by our shareholders and solicits Board input.

​

20   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

BOARD AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION AND POLICIES    

​

One area of focus for us and our shareholders is the alignment of pay and performance in a manner that enhances shareholder value. Our shareholders have historically expressed support for our performance goals and metrics.

Additionally, Management heard our shareholders express support for our corporate governance framework, Board membership and Board policies, including our tenure policies. Shareholder interest in environmental, social and governance matters has led to additional disclosures and progress in those areas with the Board's oversight.

You may communicate with the Chairman of the Board or the independent directors as a group by sending a letter addressed to the Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., 530 Herman O. West Drive, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341. Communications to a particular director should be addressed to that director at the same address. Our Corporate Secretary maintains a log of all communications received through this process. Communications to specific directors are forwarded to those directors. All other communications are given directly to the Chairman of the Board who decides whether they should be forwarded to a Board committee or to Management for further handling.

The Board believes shareholders are best served by Board members who are well versed in corporate governance principles and other subject matters relevant to board service. The Board arranges for a series of annual educational presentations on its calendar. Also, to encourage continuing director education, all directors may attend any director education programs they consider appropriate to stay informed about developments in corporate governance and the markets we serve. The Company reimburses directors for the reasonable costs of attending director education programs.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   21

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES

Our principal governance documents are our Corporate Governance Principles, Board Committee Charters, director qualification standards, including our Independence Standards, and COBC. Aspects of our governance documents are summarized below. We encourage our shareholders to read our governance documents, as they present a comprehensive picture of how the Board addresses its governance responsibilities to ensure our vitality and success. The documents are available in the "Investors—Corporate Governance" section of our website at www.westpharma.com and copies of these documents may be requested by writing to our Corporate Secretary, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., 530 Herman O. West Drive, Exton, PA 19341.

Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Principles to provide guidance to our Board and its committees on their respective roles, director qualifications and duties, Board and committee composition, organization and leadership. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed and significantly updated our Corporate Governance Principles to meet best practices in corporate governance during 2017. In 2018, the Committee confirmed that the Corporate Governance Principles address our current and long-term business needs. Our Corporate Governance Principles address, among other things:

•

Statements of the Board's commitment to high ethical standards, principles of fair dealing and high ethical standards



•

The requirement to hold separate executive sessions of the independent directors



•

The importance of robust executive succession planning and the role of directors in succession planning



•

The Board's policy on setting director compensation and director share-ownership guidelines



•

Guidelines on Board organization and leadership, including the number and structure of committees and qualifications of committee members



•

Guidelines on outside board memberships



•

Policies on making charitable contributions and prohibition of political contributions



•

Policies on access to Management



•

Requirements fostering leadership development by senior executives



•

Statements of our executive compensation philosophy and our independent auditor standards



•

Director orientation and education



•

Assessments of Board and Committee performance to determine their effectiveness

All our employees, officers and directors are required to comply with our COBC as a condition of employment. The COBC covers fundamental ethical and compliance-related principles and practices such as accurate accounting records and financial reporting, avoiding conflicts of interest, protection and proper use of our property and information and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Board has adopted a comprehensive Compliance and Ethics Program, which was substantially updated in 2016, and was reviewed and reaffirmed in 2017 and 2018 as meeting the needs of our Company, its shareholders and other stakeholders. Susan A. Morris is our Chief Compliance Officer and reports directly to the Audit Committee of the Board on all compliance matters. Ms. Morris trains the Board on compliance matters and delivers regular reports on program developments and initiatives to the Audit Committee and no less than annually to the full Board.

Our Board has adopted a formal set of categorical Independence Standards. The Independence Standards meet or exceed the independence requirements of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. Under the Standards, a director must have no material relationship with us other than as a director. The Independence Standards specify the criteria for determining director independence, including strict guidelines for directors and their immediate families regarding employment or affiliation with us, members of our senior Management or their affiliates. The full text of the Independence Standards may be found under the "Investors—Corporate Governance" section on our website at www.westpharma.com.

​

22   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES    

​

The NCGC undertook its annual review of director independence in February 2019. As a result of this review, the NCGC recommended and the full Board concurred that no revision of the Independence Standards was required. Subsequently, the Board considered whether any relationships described under the Independence Standards between the Company and each individual director existed. The Board affirmatively determined that each of its non-employee directors is independent of the Company and Management as defined under the Independence Standards.

The Board has adopted written policies and procedures relating to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's review and approval of transactions with related persons that are required to be disclosed in proxy statements under SEC regulations. A "related person" includes our directors, officers, 5% shareholders and immediate family members of these persons.

Under the policy, the NCGC reviews the material facts of all related-person transactions, determines whether the related person has a material interest in the transaction and may approve, ratify, rescind or take other action with respect to the transaction.

In approving a transaction, the Committee will consider, among other factors, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person's interest in the transaction.

The Committee reviews and pre-approves certain types of related person transactions, including certain transactions with companies at which the related person is an employee only, and charitable contributions that would not disqualify a director's independent status. The policy and procedures can be found in the "Investors—Corporate Governance" section of our website, www.westpharma.com.

We have no related person transactions required to be reported under applicable SEC rules.

While we encourage directors, officers and employees to become involved in the political process in their individual capacity, including personal contributions to political campaigns, no West employee or director may conduct personal political activity on Company time or use Company funds, property or equipment for political activities. We comply with the laws related to contributing to, directly or indirectly, political organizations and government officials. Under our Corporate Governance Principles, the Board is responsible for overseeing the process used by the Company to ensure the Company's policy prohibiting political contributions is effectively implemented.

The Company made no political contributions in 2018, but does hold membership in recognized and reputable industry groups that may conduct lobbying activities.

We prohibit directors, officers and employees from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts, which would allow them to continue to own our common stock, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. We also prohibit directors, executive officers and other senior employees from engaging in pledging or hypothecating our securities as collateral for a loan without demonstrating to the General Counsel that a director or officer has the financial capacity to repay the loan. It is expected that this exception would be permitted only in exceedingly rare circumstances. No pledging is permitted to cover margin debt. Additionally, no West securities may be held in a margin account by directors or officers because there is a risk of the shares being sold without consent. Directors and officers are prohibited from engaging in short sales or other short-position transactions in West securities as well.

Directors.    To encourage significant share ownership by our directors and further align their interests with the interests of our shareholders, directors are expected to acquire within three years of appointment, and to retain during their Board tenure, shares of our common stock equal in value to at least five times their annual retainer. All directors meet this requirement, including directors who are still within the three-year period to obtain the shares.

Officers.    Share ownership goals further align an officer's interests with those of our shareholders and encourage a long-term focus. Within five years of attaining their position, all executive officers must acquire shares of common stock with a value equal to designated multiples of their base salary. The Compensation Committee established a goal of six times base salary for the CEO and two times base salary for all other executive officers. A full description of the officer share ownership requirements can be found in our "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   23

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     STOCK OWNERSHIP

The table below shows the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned as of March 5, 2019, by each of our directors, each NEO and all current directors and executive officers as a group. For executive officers, in addition to shares owned directly, the number of shares includes: (a) vested shares held in employee participant accounts under our 401(k) plan, Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Designated Employees ("Employee Deferred Compensation Plan") and Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and, (b) time-vested restricted stock and Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") held in various incentive plan accounts, unless receipt of those shares has been deferred. For non-employee directors, in addition to shares owned directly, the common stock column includes vested deferred stock and stock-settled stock units awarded under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors ("Director Deferred Compensation Plan").

​

24   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

STOCK OWNERSHIP    

​

Based on a review of filings with the SEC, we have determined that the persons listed below hold more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of March 5, 2019. Unless otherwise stated, each holder has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares listed.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   25

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Board of Director compensation structure is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors in consultation with Pay Governance LLC ("Pay Governance"), our independent compensation consultant. After this review, it was determined that no changes were necessary to the compensation structure with respect to 2018. The structure that was in effect for all of 2018 is set forth below.

*

Payable in 50% cash and 50% restricted stock, which vests 100% after one year, as elected annually by the Chairman.

The following table shows the total 2018 compensation of our non-employee directors.

2018 Non-Employee Director Compensation

The amounts in the "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" column are retainers earned for serving on our Board, its committees and as committee chairs and Chairman, as applicable. All annual retainers are paid quarterly. For Mr. Zenner this amount includes his cash fees for serving as Chairman of the Board. The amounts are not reduced to reflect elections to defer fees under the Director Deferred Compensation Plan. During 2018, Mr. Buthman, Ms. Keller and Mr. Michels deferred 100% of their fees.

The amounts in the "Stock Awards" column reflect the grant date fair value of stock-settled RSU awards made in 2018 and the grant date fair value is determined under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("FASB ASC") Topic 718. In 2018, each continuing non-employee director was awarded 1,824 RSUs, with a grant date fair market value of $87.76 per share based on the closing price of our common stock on the award date, May 1, 2018. These awards had a grant date fair value of approximately $160,000. For a discussion on RSU grant date fair value, refer to Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements in our 2018 Annual Report.

RSUs are granted on the date of our Annual Meeting and fully vest on the date of the next Annual Meeting so long as a director remains on the Board as of that date. Generally, all unvested grants of equity forfeit upon termination. However, if a director

​

26   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION    

​

retires during the calendar year that he or she reaches our mandatory retirement age, the award will vest on a monthly basis through retirement.

Stock-settled RSUs are distributed upon vesting, unless a director elects to defer the award under the Director Deferred Compensation Plan. In 2018, all directors elected to defer their RSU awards, except for Mr. Weiland who did not defer. All awards are distributed as shares of common stock, as described below. When dividends are paid on common stock, additional shares are credited to each director's deferred stock account as if those dividends were used to purchase additional shares.

For Mr. Zenner, this column also includes the 584 shares of restricted stock received out of his $100,000 Chairman's annual retainer, which he elected to receive 50% in stock. The restricted stock, which had a grant date fair value of $85.62 per share, vests 25% per quarter and was equivalent to approximately 50% of his Chairman's retainer, or $50,000. These restricted shares are issued and outstanding, and, therefore, earn dividends. They are not eligible to be deferred or credited to the Director Deferred Compensation Plan. The remainder of this retainer was paid in cash.

The table below shows the number of outstanding stock awards held by each director at year-end. No directors have any outstanding options.

Outstanding Director Stock Awards at Year-End 2018

The amounts in the "All Other Compensation" column are Dividend Equivalent Units ("DEUs") credited to accounts under the Director Deferred Compensation Plan and a $3,000 charitable donation made by Paula Johnson, which was matched by the Company's foundation.

All non-employee directors may participate in the Director Deferred Compensation Plan, which permits participants to defer all or a part of their annual cash compensation until their Board service terminates. Deferred fees may be credited to a "stock-unit" account that is deemed invested in our common stock or to an account that earns interest at the prime rate of our principal commercial bank. Stock-unit accounts are credited with DEUs based on the number of stock units credited on the dividend record date.

The value of a director's account balance is distributed on termination of Board service. The value of a director's stock-unit account is determined by multiplying the number of units credited to the account by the fair market value of our common stock on the termination date.

RSUs that a director elects to defer (and all shares of deferred stock) are distributed in shares of stock. Pre-2014 stock units may be distributed in cash in lieu of stock, if a director made an election in 2013. All post-2013 stock units are only distributable in stock. Partial shares are distributed in cash.

Directors may receive their distribution as a lump sum or in up to ten annual installments. Separate elections apply to amounts earned and vested before January 1, 2005 and amounts earned and vested after December 31, 2004, which solely applies to Mr. Zenner. If a director elects the installment option, the cash balance during the distribution period will earn interest at the prime rate of our principal commercial bank and deferred stock and stock-settled units will be credited with DEUs until paid.

The following table summarizes the amounts credited to each Director Deferred Compensation Plan account as of December 31, 2018: All values on the following table are determined by multiplying the number of stock units or shares of deferred stock, as

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   27

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

​

applicable, by $98.03, the fair market value of a share of stock on December 31, 2018. A portion of the stock units reported below may relate to deferred compensation that has previously been reported in the "Fees Earned or Paid in Cash" column for the year the underlying compensation was earned by the director.

Director Deferred Compensation Plan at Year-End 2018

​

28   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT    

Set forth below is the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which outlines West's executive compensation programs and policies and how such policies are used to align executive compensation with business performance and shareholder return. This section describes our executive compensation programs for 2018, the compensation decisions made under those programs and the factors considered by the Committee in making those decisions.

In performing its governance function, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with Management the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." Based on its review and discussion with Management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, the inclusion of the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" in this Proxy Statement and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   29

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The 2018 Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes and provides disclosure about the objectives and policies underlying our executive compensation program. It details the compensation for each of our Named Executive Officers ("NEOs") and the factors considered by the Committee when making compensation decisions. The NEOs for 2018 are as follows:

•

Eric M. Green, President and Chief Executive Officer;



•

Bernard J. Birkett, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;⁽¹⁾



•

David A. Montecalvo, Senior Vice President, Global Operations and Supply Chain;



•

Karen A. Flynn, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer;



•

Silji Abraham, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital and Transformation Officer⁽²⁾; and



•

William J. Federici, Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.⁽³⁾

---

(1)

Mr. Birkett was hired on June 21, 2018.

(2)

Mr. Abraham was hired on February 26, 2018.

(3)

Mr. Federici stepped down as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective June 21, 2018, but remained Senior Vice President, Finance through December 31, 2018.

West's long-term business strategy includes growing and expanding our products and services to meet the unique needs of our customer groups, operating with excellence to drive efficient utilization of our global manufacturing footprint and building the capabilities of our team to address current and future business needs. This strategy will drive our long-term financial construct to grow revenue by six to eight percent annually, and achieve improved profitability year-over-year, in turn creating a sustainable business that will meet the needs of our customers, patients, shareholders, and employees. Our five-year Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") was 207%.

Highlights of our 2018 performance include the following:

•

Full-year reported net sales of $1.717 billion, which reflects 7.4% growth over the prior year. At constant currency, organic sales growth was 5.6%.



•

Full-year 2018 gross profit margin was 31.8%, a 30-basis point decline from the prior year. While the Proprietary Products segment gross profit margin expanded by 80 basis points, Contract-Manufactured Products segment gross profit margin declined by 280 basis points due to unabsorbed overhead from plant consolidation activities, start-up costs associated with the launch of new programs and unfavorable sales mix.



•

Full-year 2018 reported-diluted EPS was $2.74, compared to $1.99 last year. Full-year 2018 adjusted-diluted EPS was $2.81, compared to $2.78 in the prior year. Tax benefits from stock-based compensation contributed $0.19 to full-year 2018 reported and adjusted-diluted EPS, compared to $0.44 to full-year 2017 adjusted-diluted EPS.



•

Full-year operating cash flow was $288.6 million, representing a 9.6% increase over 2017 operating cash flow of $263.3 million.



•

Capital expenditures in 2018 were $104.7 million, a 20% reduction compared to 2017 capital expenditures of $130.8 million.

In 2018, we continued to make strategic investments to drive the future growth for our business:

•

$40.3 million investment in research and development, continuing our focus in device development, elastomeric packaging component enhancements and new formulation development



•

Capital investments in Waterford, Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; and Puerto Rico



•

Launch of an online Knowledge Center and E-Commerce site, to provide scientific insight and detailed technical information and a consumer-grade shopping experience for customers



•

Hiring in key geographies with significant growth opportunities, such as China, India, and Ireland.

The foregoing discussion is qualified by the information contained in the performance graph in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the "Financial Measures and Adjustments" section beginning on page 41 of this Proxy Statement.

​

30   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

​

Note:    Please refer to page 2 of this Proxy Statement for important information regarding the above graphics.

2018 Committee Actions and Rationale

Executive Compensation Philosophy

Our compensation philosophy is to provide competitive executive pay opportunities tied to our short-term and long-term success. This overriding pay-for-performance approach enables us to attract, motivate and retain the type of executive leadership that will help us achieve our strategic objectives and realize increased shareholder value. To achieve these goals, we have adopted the following program objectives:

•

Reward achievement of both operating performance and strategic objectives



•

Align the interests of West's leaders to those of our investors by varying compensation based on both short-term and long-term business results and delivering a large portion of the total pay opportunity in West stock



•

Differentiate rewards based on performance against business objectives to drive a pay-for-performance culture, with a major portion of executive pay based on achievement of financial performance goals



•

Promote a balanced incentive focus that does not encourage unnecessary or unreasonable risk-taking



•

Be market-competitive to attract and retain highly qualified senior leaders needed to drive a global enterprise

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   31

​

---

Table of Contents

Best Practices that Support Our Executive Compensation Philosophy

The Compensation Committee oversees the governance, design and administration of our executive compensation programs and evaluates these programs against competitive practices, legal and regulatory developments and corporate governance trends.

We continue to incorporate leading design and governance practices into our compensation programs.

Each year, we hold a shareholder "Say-on-Pay" advisory vote to assess the support for the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in our Proxy Statement. In 2018, our Say-on-Pay proposal received more than 96% support, consistent with each of the previous three years.

​

32   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

The specific elements of West's executive compensation programs are:

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   33

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

Pay Mix

The chart below illustrates the percentage weighting of each compensation vehicle that comprises the 2018 target TDC for the CEO and the average for the other NEOs.

​

34   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee (or the "Committee" in this section of the Proxy Statement) reviews and approves the compensation elements and the compensation targets for each of our executive officers. The Compensation Committee also makes determinations with respect to the AIP as it relates to our executive officers, including the approval of annual performance goals and subsequent full-year achievement against those goals. It administers all elements of the Company's LTI plan, and approves the benefits offered to executive officers. Compensation decisions for the CEO are reviewed and approved by the full Board of Directors.

The Committee uses its judgment in making decisions about individual compensation elements and total compensation for our NEOs. This judgment is informed by competitive market data but primarily is focused on each NEO's performance against his or her individual performance objectives, as well as the Company's overall financial performance and the financial performance of the function or areas of operational responsibility for each NEO.

In making its decisions, and with guidance from our independent compensation consultant, Pay Governance, the Committee uses several resources and tools, including competitive market information, compensation trends within our comparator groups, where available, and realizable pay versus performance analysis.

The Committee also reviews "tally sheets" for each of our executive officers as one of the tools to help assess the alignment of NEO pay with our performance and compensation philosophy. The tally sheets include salary, equity and non-equity incentive compensation and the value of compensation that would be paid in various termination scenarios. The tally sheets help the Committee to understand the magnitude and interplay of the various components of our compensation programs.

Finally, the Compensation Committee evaluates the Company's compensation programs on an annual basis to ensure that our plans do not induce or encourage excessive risk-taking by participants.

Management

Our CEO and CHRO annually review with the Compensation Committee the performance of each executive officer and recommend to the Committee annual merit salary adjustments and any changes in annual or long-term incentive opportunities or payouts for these officers, except for the CEO. The Committee considers Management's recommendations along with data and recommendations presented by Pay Governance.

The CHRO serves as the liaison between the Compensation Committee and Pay Governance, providing internal data on an as needed basis so that Pay Governance can produce comparative analyses for the Compensation Committee. In addition, the Company's Human Resources, Finance and Legal Departments support the work of the Compensation Committee by providing information, answering questions and responding to various requests of Committee members as required.

Independent Compensation Consultant

The Committee has engaged Pay Governance as its independent consultant to assist the Committee in evaluating the executive compensation program. The consultant provides no services to us other than advice to the Committee on executive compensation matters (including CIC matters) and to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on director compensation. In 2018, the Compensation Committee reaffirmed Pay Governance to be independent from the Company under the applicable NYSE and SEC regulations.

During 2018, Pay Governance performed the following tasks for the Committee:

✓

Provided competitive market data for the compensation of the executive officer group and provided input to the Committee regarding officer pay recommendations (including the CEO)



✓

Prepared analysis of existing compensation and recommendations related to the compensation to be paid to executive officers hired in 2018



✓

Assessed incentive plan performance difficulty and provided related context regarding performance metric selection



✓

Updated the Committee on executive compensation trends and regulatory developments



✓

Prepared a realizable pay analysis for the CEO



✓

Assisted with the Company's review of our comparator groups



✓

Provided input on compensation program design and philosophy



✓

Monitored trends and analysis in executive and equity compensation

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   35

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

External Benchmarking

In support of our compensation philosophy, we reference the median compensation values of two compensation comparator groups, which we refer to as the "Business Segment Group" and the "Broad Talent Market Group." Data from both the Business Segment Group (which generally is applicable to the CEO and CFO) and Broad Talent Market Group are used to determine competitive pay practices for our CEO and executive officers in a wholistic manner.

The Business Segment Group is composed of public companies with operational and customer characteristics similar to our own business operations. These companies initially are identified by Pay Governance and then approved by the Committee with input from Management based on the following criteria: (1) size (approximately one-half to two times our annual revenues); (2) industry (healthcare equipment/supplies, industrial manufacturing and life sciences tools/services); and (3) operating structure such as:

•

Global footprint with multi-plant manufacturing capabilities



•

Similar raw materials and products (elastomers, plastics, metals), and similar intellectual property profile



•

Similar customer characteristics (complex sales cycle, quality requirements, regulatory requirements)

The Broad Talent Market Group is a larger and broader sampling of size-appropriate companies that participate in the Willis Towers Watson annual executive compensation database. Unlike the Business Segment Group, the Compensation Committee does not select individual members of the Broad Talent Market Group. Companies within the Broad Talent Market Group have annual revenues between 500 million and four billion U.S. Dollars and operate in industries that are similar, but not identical to our own industry. Industries included are: Chemicals and Gases; Electrical and Scientific Equipment and Components; Medical Supplies and Equipment; and, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology.

Given our size and business portfolio, it is challenging to identify a robust sample of appropriate market compensation peers that fit conventional criteria. Therefore, we believe that using a balance of business and talent market references that reflect companies with which we compete for business and capital, and more broadly, those with which we compete for talent, provides the Committee with decision-quality data and context, and reasonably represents our labor market for executive talent.

Below is a chart that lists each company included in the 2018 Business Segment Group and some key data the Committee considered in making the selection for inclusion. The data below are generally from 2017 public annual reports with respect to each company, with market capitalization data as of December 31, 2018. All amounts are in millions of U.S. Dollars.

Business Segment Group

​

36   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

​

Executive Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines

Within five years of appointment, Officers are expected to acquire shares of West common stock with a value equal to the following:

In 2018, the Compensation Committee reviewed and updated the ownership guidelines to further clarify and align to market practice. The Committee reviewed peer group guidelines and consulted with Pay Governance to identify market practice. The following illustrates the type of equity holdings that count towards stock ownership requirements:

Until individual share ownership goals are met, executives will receive 25% of their annual bonus in West stock. If after five years the required share ownership has still not been met, the officer must hold 100% of net shares resulting from any equity award vesting or stock option exercise and will have 50% of their annual bonus paid in stock.

As of December 31, 2018, other than Ms. Flynn and the now-retired Mr. Federici, neither the CEO nor the other NEOs had yet met the holding requirements; however, all are within the five-year attainment period. Mr. Green is targeted to meet the guideline in 2019. Mr. Montecalvo has until 2021 to meet the guidelines, and Mr. Birkett and Mr. Abraham have until 2023.

We have designed our compensation programs to align the pay of our senior executives with both short-term and long-term financial results and the performance of our stock. As such, the majority of pay for our CEO and other NEOs is performance-based and is impacted by our financial results and stock price performance. During 2018, 17% of Mr. Green's TDC was variable based on short-term business performance and 66% was based on long-term goals. For our other executives, approximately 23% of their TDC was variable based on short-term business performance and 42% was based on long-term goals

As a result of below target financial performance in 2018, we paid out less than 100% on both our short- and long-term incentive plans.

Our AIP paid out at 93.1% of target for the Corporate plan, and at 93.8% and 87.3% for the Commercial and Global Operations plans, respectively, as our results were slightly behind target for all performance metrics. Specifically, our constant-currency sales growth of 5.6% was lower than our annual growth expectation of between 6% to 8%. Also, the mix of products sold favored our Contract-Manufactured Products segment, which generates a lower profit margin than our Proprietary Products Segment, and ultimately resulted in below target consolidated gross profit and earnings per share.

Our LTI plan is equally based on achieving CAGR on sales and ROIC targets. The payout for the 2016-18 performance period was 49.39% as our CAGR for this period was 6.55% (versus a target of 9.80%) and did not meet the minimum threshold for payout on 50% of the target award. Our ROIC for this performance period was 12.21% versus a target of 12.30%.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   37

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

As in previous years, the Compensation Committee evaluates and decides upon the appropriate financial measures using the following principles:

•

Alignment with our growth strategy, supporting profitable growth while generating significant cash from operations; and driving long-term value creation for our customers, employees, investors and shareholders



•

Provide a clear line of sight to the stated goals of the Company, so that the targets are clearly understood and can be affected by the performance of our executives and employees



•

Attainable targets, but with a sufficient degree of "stretch" to support growth



•

Consistent with market practice



•

Currency neutral on revenue in order to measure the underlying results of the business and help to ensure business leaders are making decisions that drive long-term sustainable growth rather than addressing short-term currency fluctuations or items impacting comparability



•

We make limited adjustments to metrics. At times, adjustments may need to be made when calculating results for awards such as for changes in financial accounting reporting regulations and costs and other financial implications associated with corporate transactions.

We continually test the robustness of our incentive targets and performance payout curves. The setting of our performance payout curves considers the following:

•

Performance levels necessary to achieve our long-term goals and deliver superior shareholder returns



•

The likelihood of achieving various levels of performance based on historical and anticipated future results



•

Metrics, program designs and results at companies in our Business Segment Group



•

Performance relative to our Business Segment Group and anticipated industry trends

The Compensation Committee annually reviews the target setting process to ensure adherence to our principles. This analysis is aided by a retrospective review of our performance compared to that of our competitors and is performed annually by the Board's independent compensation consultant, Pay Governance.

For 2018, we measured the following key financial metrics:

​

38   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

​

At the beginning of each year, the Compensation Committee and the Board review and approve West's annual business objectives and set the metrics and weightings for the annual incentive program to reflect current business priorities. These objectives translate to targets for West and for each business unit for purposes of determining the target funding of the AIP. Performance against business objectives determines the actual total funding pool for the year, which can vary from 0% to 150% of total target incentives for all executives.

Our reported results may be adjusted when comparing to AIP targets for unusual events outside the control of management including changes in accounting standards, tax regulations and currency devaluations. We may also exclude certain transactions such as material acquisition or disposition costs including restructuring charges particularly if these items were not included in the performance target. All adjustments are reviewed with and approved by the Compensation Committee. For 2018, the adjustments made were:

•

Revenue is reflected at budgeted foreign currency exchange rates



•

EPS excludes $0.08 for restructuring and related charges, $0.02 for the Argentina currency devaluation charge, and a ($0.03) net tax benefit due to the impact of tax law changes



•

EPS also excludes an unbudgeted tax benefit of $0.19 on stock compensation and $0.12 for the unbudgeted favorable impact of tax rate reduction associated with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 signed into law on December 22, 2017 (the "2017 Tax Act")

The target annual incentive awards for our NEOs are set as a percentage of base salary. Target awards are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with our compensation philosophy to target each compensation element and TDC at the market median. Variances from this goal are based on an evaluation of competitive market data, internal equity considerations and individual performance. Our payout curve is structured to reflect our philosophy that Management should be rewarded for meeting or exceeding goals and payouts diminish or are withheld when targets are missed.

The formula to determine each NEO's AIP total potential payment is as follows:

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   39

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

The payout factor is a pre-established multiplier that corresponds, on a sliding scale, to the achievement percentage of the AIP target objective so that if actual performance is less than target, the multiplier decreases on a sliding scale based on the achievement percentage and is based on the following chart:

Achievement that falls between any two achievement percentages is straight-line interpolated. The Compensation Committee has discretion to positively or negatively adjust payout to account for exceptional circumstances.

The Compensation Committee reviews the AIP scoring and adjustments made and approves the AIP funding level.

2018 earned incentives for each of our NEOs is shown below:

​

40   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

EPS growth for AIP purposes differs from the EPS reported in our Earnings Release under U.S. GAAP and is best explained by reconciling the results used for calculating AIP payments to U.S. GAAP and the Earnings Release. A reconciliation of the financial measures used for the AIP to our Earnings Release financials allows for a meaningful comparison. The following table contains unaudited reconciliations of 2018 U.S. GAAP Consolidated Revenues, OCF and Reported Diluted EPS to Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted OCF, and Adjusted Diluted EPS for AIP purposes relating to the 2018 AIP Performance Metrics and Achievement Table above. There were no other adjustments.

The targets for West's PSUs are set at the beginning of each three-year performance period, taking into account West's financial model shared with investors and the annual budget as approved by the Board. At the end of the three-year period, the score is calculated based on results against the predetermined targets equally weighted. We use CAGR and ROIC as our performance measures for determining PSU payouts. Each metric is weighted equally because we believe CAGR and ROIC are equally important in creating shareholder value over the long-term.

The metrics, goals and weightings for the performance period 2018—2020 are:

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   41

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

LTI compensation opportunities for our executives, including the NEOs, are entirely equity-based. Each NEO's annual target award is split into two equal amounts, which are then used to determine the number of stock options and PSUs awarded to the executive. The value of each stock option is determined under the Black-Scholes valuation method. The value of each PSU is determined by our stock price at the grant date. The actual or realized value of these awards in future years will vary from this target amount based on share price, ROIC and CAGR performance over time. Please refer to Note 13 of our annual report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion of our stock-based compensation.

The use of stock options is intended to align our executives' longer-term interests with those of our shareholders because options deliver value to the executive only when and to the extent that share price exceeds the exercise price of the option. Therefore, options provide a strong performance-based link between shareholder value and executive pay.

PSUs entitle the recipient to receive common shares based on achievement of three-year CAGR and ROIC targets.

The value of each NEO's long-term grant is determined by the Committee based on its review of peer-group market data, the executive's role and responsibilities, his or her impact on our results, advancement potential, retention considerations and, in principle, is targeted to the market median.

The number of shares earned under the PSUs is based on achievement of CAGR and ROIC targets. Each PSU award agreement contains a target payout for the recipient. The number of shares an executive earns at the end of a performance period is calculated by multiplying the target number of PSUs awarded at the beginning of the period times the applicable "payout factor" for each performance metric by the weighting for that performance metric.

The Compensation Committee approves the determination of actual achievement relative to pre-established targets and the number of PSUs is adjusted up or down from 0% to 200% based on the approved actual achievement. The Committee reserves the right to negatively or positively adjust payouts under exceptional circumstances.

Under the Committee's equity-based awards policy and procedures, equity awards to NEOs normally are made once per year. The Company's policy on equity grants contains rules on determining (1) the grant date of equity awards (at least two business days following the release of our annual results for the preceding fiscal year) and (2) the exercise price of stock options granted by the Committee (which must be at least equal to the closing price of our stock on the grant date).

​

42   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

In the first quarter of each year, the Compensation Committee meets to determine CEO and Executive Officers' pay decisions for base salary, AIP and LTI award grants reflecting both prior year performance and appropriate positioning versus the representative peer group(s).

Our compensation strategy supports West's business imperatives. It is designed to ensure:

•

That executives balance short-term objectives against long-term priorities



•

Alignment with stockholder interests



•

The Company is able to attract and retain the leadership needed to deliver strong results

Pay decisions were made in the context of our financial performance relative to our goals while also taking into account (1) the organizational transformation made in 2016 from a regional, product-led management approach to a market-led globally integrated enterprise, and (2) the steps taken to strengthen West's position for the future.

The Chair of the Compensation Committee works directly with the Committee's Compensation Consultant to provide a decision-making framework for use by the Committee in determining incentive plan payouts and setting target compensation opportunities for the CEO. This framework considers, among other things:

•

Assessment of the CEO's performance against objectives in the prior year, both qualitative and quantitative



•

Progress against strategic objectives



•

West's total performance over a multi-year period



•

Competitive benchmark analysis, and other relevant information

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   43

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

The Compensation Committee also approved the compensation recommendations put forward by the CEO for the following NEOs, noting overall performance against business objectives in the year, both qualitative and quantitative. The compensation level of each NEO was reviewed based on the representative peer group and the external survey data. Based on the Committee's targeted pay positioning, the evaluation of each NEO's performance, and the external market data on competitive pay levels provided by Pay Governance, the Committee made the following decisions.

​

44   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

​

 

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   45

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

​

46   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS    

Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements

During 2018, NEOs hired on or before January 1, 2017 (Mr. Green, Ms. Flynn, Mr. Montecalvo and Mr. Federici) participated in our defined benefit retirement plan and all NEOs were eligible to participate in our defined contribution retirement plan for all employees. In addition to the standard benefits available to all eligible employees, we maintain nonqualified retirement plans in which these executives participate in the same capacity as eligible salaried employees.

All tax-qualified defined benefit plans have a maximum compensation limit and a maximum annual benefit, which limits the benefit to participants whose compensation exceeds these limits. The nonqualified retirement plans offered by the Company provide benefits to key salaried employees, including each NEO, using the same benefit formulas as the tax-qualified plans but without regard to the compensation limits and maximum benefit accruals for tax-qualified plans.

We also provide our NEOs with benefits upon termination in various circumstances, as described under "Estimated Payments Following Termination" and "Payments on Termination in Connection with a Change-in-Control" sections below.

We believe that our existing arrangements help executives remain focused on our business in the event of a threat or occurrence of a CIC and encourage them to act in the best interests of the shareholders in assessing and implementing a transaction. With regard to Mr. Green's severance arrangement, we believe severance pay is necessary to attract and retain a quality CEO candidate and that the benefits of securing a release of claims, cooperation and non-disparagement provision from Mr. Green upon an involuntary termination are significant.

Beginning with agreements entered into after 2010, the Company eliminated excise tax gross-ups and single-triggers under these types of agreements. With Mr. Federici's retirement, no remaining current agreement includes an excise tax gross-up or permits payment in the event of voluntary termination without good reason. All current agreements include a cutback in payments and benefits if the NEO would be in a more favorable after-tax position and no benefits upon a voluntary resignation that is not due to "good reason."

Mr. Green has a separate employment agreement that contains many similar provisions to the CIC, but also includes other terms and conditions that resulted from negotiations relating to compensation and termination.

The terms and conditions of all these agreements are described in more detail in the Compensation Tables section of this Proxy Statement.

Personal Benefits

The benefits provided to our NEOs are generally the same as or consistent with those provided to our other salaried employees.

Retention Cash

Occasionally, the Committee pays signing and retention bonuses in cash. These bonuses may have repayment obligations. The primary purpose of these payments is to replace equity or cash payments a new officer will forfeit from his/her former employer upon joining West.

Realizable Pay Analysis

The Committee works with Pay Governance to review pay granted and realizable by the CEO in the context of West's performance. Realizable pay is calculated using actual bonuses earned, end of period stock values and in-the-money value of stock options granted during the year. It takes a retrospective look at pay versus performance. The analysis showed that there was a high correlation between the realizable pay earned by our CEO and the Company's performance as measured by TSR, CAGR, ROIC and similar financial metrics compared to other members in our Business Segment Group. The Committee determined this analysis is consistent with its pay-for-performance philosophy and that our incentive plans are operating as intended.

Risk Considerations in Our Compensation Programs

The Committee has reviewed our compensation policies and practices for our officers and employees and concluded that any risks arising from these policies and programs are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Committee believes that the mix and design of the elements of our compensation program are appropriate and encourage executive officers and key employees to strive to achieve goals that benefit the Company and our shareholders over the long term.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   47

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

​

Our compensation policies and procedures are applied uniformly to all eligible participants. By targeting both company-wide and business-unit performance goals in our annual bonus plans and long-term compensation, we believe we have allocated our compensation between base salary and short- and long-term target opportunities in a way that does not encourage excessive risk-taking by our employees.

Policy on Hedging and Pledging

We prohibit directors, officers and employees from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts, which would allow them to continue to own our common stock, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. We also prohibit directors, NEOs and other senior employees from engaging in pledging, short sales or other short-position transactions in our common stock.

Impact of Tax and Accounting Treatment

The Compensation Committee selects compensation vehicles that will, in its view, create the best link between pay and performance. Generally, the accounting and tax treatments of executive compensation has not been a significant factor in the Compensation Committee's decisions regarding the amounts or types of compensation paid. Our programs have been designed, where appropriate and consistent with our compensatory goals to maximize deductibility under applicable tax law. The Committee also considers the impact of changes to accounting regulations and tax law, such as the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, when reviewing elements of compensation, including equity and other performance-based awards.

​

48   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

The following tables, narrative and footnotes discuss the compensation of the NEOs during 2018.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   49

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

Stock Awards Grant Date Fair Value (Target) 2016-18

PSU and Incentive Share terms and conditions are described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this Proxy Statement. Each share is valued as of the grant date. The table below shows the maximum payout for PSU awards made in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Stock Awards PSU Grant Date Maximum Value 2016-18

​

50   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

The amounts in the "Option Awards" column reflect the grant date fair value in each year, computed according to FASB ASC Topic 718. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate grant date fair value based on the following assumptions for the named recipients:

Option Awards FASB ASC Topic 718

For a more detailed discussion of the assumptions used to calculate grant date fair value for our options, refer to Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2018 Annual Report.

The amounts in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column are AIP awards made with respect to 2018 performance. AIP awards are paid in cash, except participants may elect to have up to 100% paid in Company common stock on a pre-tax or after-tax basis.

Mr. Green, Ms. Flynn and Mr. Federici each had their awards paid in cash.

Mr. Birkett, Mr. Montecalvo and Mr. Abraham all elected to receive 25% of their after-tax bonus award in stock. The table below details the shares granted as of March 1, 2019 based on a per-share grant price of $106.14.

The values of these shares are not included in this column, but will be included in our 2020 Proxy Statement in the "Stock Awards" column, and, if deferred, will also be reflected in next year's "Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table."

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   51

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

The amounts in the "All Other Compensation" column consist of: (1) for all NEOs, the total of the Company matching contributions made in 2018 on cash deferrals to the Employee Deferred Compensation Plan and 401(k) plan; (2) Company-paid life insurance premiums; (3) DEUs credited in 2018 on unearned PSUs (assuming a 100% performance level) and unvested time-vesting restricted stock or RSUs, whether or not those awards have been deferred; (4) tax gross-up related to the value of a retirement gift and relocation expenses; (5) the value of the retirement gift; and (6) reimbursement of relocation expenses.

The table below shows a breakdown of the total amount shown in the "All Other Compensation" column of the 2018 Summary Compensation Table.

Components of All Other Compensation—2018

​

52   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

The following table provides information on stock options and PSUs granted to our NEOs in 2018.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   53

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

The following table contains information on the current holdings of stock options, unearned PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock held by our NEOs on December 31, 2018.

​

54   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

​ ​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   55

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

The following table provides information about the value realized by our NEOs on the exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards and units during 2018. Mr. Birkett, Mr. Montecalvo and Mr. Abraham did not exercise any options or have any stock vest in 2018.

2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

2015-17 PSU and 2018 RSU Vesting

​

56   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

Until December 31, 2006, we maintained a final average pay defined benefit pension plan, which calculated retirement benefits for all salaried participants as a percentage of average annual earnings. Effective January 1, 2007, each participant's accrued benefit under the Retirement Plan's pension formula was frozen, and the pension benefits related to service on or after January 1, 2007 for all existing and new participants are expressed as a "cash balance" type formula. Under the cash balance approach, an allocation is made at the end of each calendar year (or on employment termination, if earlier) to a participant's hypothetical cash balance account. The allocation is determined by the age of the participant and the percentage of annual compensation for that age band pursuant to the basic cash balance formula.

For participants who have attained minimum age and service requirements, an additional annual allocation is made to their accounts to replace all or part of the benefit for participants who were participating in the Retirement Plan on December 31, 2006 ("transition benefit"). The transition benefit percentage ceased on December 31, 2018. The transition benefit was applicable only to employees who were actively employed on December 31, 2006 and the allocation percentage was based on the age of the participant on that date. The transition benefit for Mr. Federici was 8.0%. All other continuing NEOs were not eligible to receive the transition benefit because they were not employed on December 31, 2006.

Each year, the balance in the hypothetical account will be credited with interest at a rate equal to the average 30-Year Treasury Bond Rate for November of the year prior to the year the interest is credited or 3.3%, if greater.

In general, the compensation used for determining a participant's benefits under the retirement plan consists of base salary, overtime, annual incentive awards (paid in cash or stock) and other cash remuneration, plus a participant's contributions to our 401(k) plan.

We froze pay and transition credits to the Retirement Plan as of December 31, 2018. Only interest credits will continue to accrue on previously accrued benefits for eligible participants on January 1, 2019 and beyond. No employees hired on or after January 1, 2017 are eligible for the Retirement Plan. In lieu of the Retirement Plan benefits, we have made enhancements to our 401(k) plan, including a non-elective contribution, which is currently 3% of a participant's compensation, subject to applicable Code limits.

Normal retirement age under the Retirement Plan is 65. Participants with ten years of service may retire and commence payment of their frozen benefits upon reaching age 55, with reduced benefits based on their age at the retirement date. A participant may begin distribution of his or her cash balance benefits on employment termination, without regard to age or years of service, but will forego future interest credits.

The benefit that each participant will receive at retirement will be the sum of the accrued benefit under the old pension formula as of December 31, 2006, plus the amount allocated to the participant's cash-balance account. A participant vests in his or her combined benefit upon completing three years of service.

2018 IRS requirements limit the compensation that can be used to calculate a participant's benefit under a qualified retirement plan to $275,000 and the annual benefit is limited to $220,000. The SERP benefits are substantially equal to the difference between the total benefit accrued under the Retirement Plan and the amount of benefit the Retirement Plan is permitted to provide under the statutory limits on benefits and earnings. The benefits are unfunded and paid out of our general assets. SERP benefits (other than interest credit accruals) froze in a similar manner to the freeze to the Retirement Plan in January 2019.

The SERP provides for benefits accrued on or after January 1, 2005 to be payable in a lump sum on the date that is six months following termination of employment. Benefits accrued before that date are payable at the same time and in the same form as under the Retirement Plan. SERP benefits may be reduced to reflect early commencement of benefits before age 65. The SERP was closed to new entrants effective January 1, 2017.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   57

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

​

2018 Pension Benefits Table

The following table shows the present value of accumulated pension benefits that each U.S.-based NEO is eligible to receive under our Retirement Plan and the SERP. Mr. Birkett and Mr. Abraham are not eligible for and did not accrue benefits under the Retirement Plan or SERP.

​

58   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

The Employee Deferred Compensation Plan allows highly compensated employees to defer up to 100% of salary and cash bonus. Deferred cash contributions may be invested in a selection of investment options that mirror the funds available under our 401(k) plan.

With respect to employee contributions made before 2019, we matched them at the rate of 100% of the first 3% of salary deferrals, plus 50% of the next 2%, and employer matching contributions are 100% vested. Matching contributions ceased effective January 1, 2019. A non-elective contribution is also made on behalf of participants who exceed the applicable Code limits. Before 2019, participants were eligible to defer payout of annual bonus shares. We contributed one restricted incentive share for each four bonus shares deferred. PSUs remain eligible for deferral.

Incentive shares will vest on the fourth anniversary of the date of contribution or will vest pro rata on retirement, death or disability, if earlier. During the time these awards are deferred, they are deemed invested in our common stock and receive additional credits for DEUs. All deferred stock awards are distributed in shares of common stock.

Amounts deferred in any year, except for matching contributions on cash contributions, will be distributed automatically in a lump sum five years after the year of deferral. A participant may choose to defer these amounts to another date or until termination. Matching contributions are only distributed on termination. Participants may elect to receive distributions on termination in a cash or stock lump sum or up to ten annual installments.

Information regarding NEO's account balances in the Employee Deferred Compensation Plan is below. Mr. Birkett, Mr. Montecalvo and Mr. Abraham did not participate in this plan in 2018.

2018 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

Each current NEO has long-term disability coverage, which is available to all eligible U.S. employees. The coverage provides full salary continuation for six months and thereafter up to 60% of pay with a $25,000 monthly limit. Eligible U.S. employees will earn cash balance pay credits until 2019. Employees who are vested in our Retirement Plan also receive continued medical coverage while on disability. Deferred compensation is payable according to the executive's election. Outstanding unvested stock options granted annually under our LTIP would be forfeited and outstanding vested stock options would be exercisable for the term of the option. Outstanding PSUs and unvested incentive shares would be forfeited when an employee becomes disabled. Lastly, the special retention stock, RSUs and options granted upon hire to Mr. Green, Mr. Birkett, Mr. Abraham and Mr. Montecalvo will vest upon disability.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   59

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

​

Each current U.S.-based NEO has group life insurance benefits that are available to all eligible U.S. employees. The benefit is equal to one times pay with a maximum limit of $500,000, plus any supplemental life insurance elected and paid for by the NEO. Deferred compensation is payable according to the executive's election on file. Outstanding unvested stock options granted annually under our LTIP, PSUs and incentive shares would be forfeited and outstanding vested stock options would become exercisable for the term of the option.

The special retention stock, RSUs and / or options granted to Mr. Green, Mr. Montecalvo, Mr. Birkett and Mr. Abraham upon hire will also vest upon death.

We have an agreement with Mr. Green that entitles him to severance benefits on certain types of employment terminations not related to a CIC. All other NEOs are not covered by an employment agreement or a general severance plan and any severance benefits payable to them under similar circumstances would be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Mr. Green has an employment agreement that entitles him to continuation of his salary and welfare benefits at active employee rates for a period of 12 months, if he is terminated involuntarily other than for "Cause" or the Company gives notice to Mr. Green that it will not renew the term of his employment under the agreement. Mr. Green's employment agreement does not entitle him to severance payments or continued benefits if his employment is terminated for Cause or because of his death or disability (except as described above).

The restricted stock and stock options that Mr. Green received as an enticement award (but not any other restricted stock or stock options granted) will vest: (1) in the event of his termination other than for Cause, or (2) due to Good Reason.

"Cause" means any willful failure by Mr. Green to perform his duties or responsibilities or comply with any valid and legal directives of the Board; act of fraud; embezzlement; theft or misappropriation of the funds of the Company by Mr. Green; or Mr. Green's admission to or conviction of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, theft or misrepresentation; Mr. Green's engagement in dishonesty, illegal conduct or misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company; Mr. Green's breach of any material obligation of any written agreement with the Company; or a material violation of a rule, policy, regulation or guideline imposed by the Company or a regulatory body.

"Good Reason" means a material diminution in Mr. Green's base salary; a material reduction in Mr. Green's duties, authority or responsibilities; or the relocation of Mr. Green's principal place of employment in a manner that lengthens his one-way commuting distance by fifty (50) or more miles.

The obligation to pay severance pay is contingent on execution of a release and other customary provisions, including compliance with non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations contained in the agreement.

The RSUs that Mr. Montecalvo, Mr. Birkett and Mr. Abraham received as retention awards will vest: (1) in the event of termination other than for Cause or (2) due to Good Reason. The definitions of "Cause" and "Good Reason" are substantially the same as those that apply to Mr. Green.

​

60   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

​

The table below reflects amounts that eligible executives would receive on termination of employment for certain reasons, other than following a CIC. No NEO will receive any enhanced benefit because of a termination for cause. The amounts do not include amounts payable through a plan or arrangement that is generally applicable to all salaried employees, including equity acceleration values to the extent they apply to all LTIP participants.

We have entered into agreements with each of our U.S.-based NEOs, as well as certain other of our officers, which provide the benefits described below on qualifying terminations of employment in connection with or within two years following a CIC.

All currently employed NEOs except Mr. Green have CIC Agreements that are substantially similar and include the following:

•

Cash severance pay equal to two times the sum of the executive's highest annual base salary in effect during the year of termination and their target bonus immediately preceding the CIC.



•

Immediate vesting of any unvested benefits and matching contributions under our 401(k) plan and the Employee Deferred Compensation Plan as of the termination of the executive's employment.



•

Payment of short-term incentive compensation with respect to the period during which the termination occurs at target levels, prorated for number of days worked in the year.



•

Immediate vesting of all unvested stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), shares of stock, stock units and other equity-based awards at target levels.



•

Continued medical, dental, life and other benefits for 24 months after termination of the executive's employment, or until his or her retirement or eligibility for similar benefits with a new employer.



•

Payments will be reduced below the applicable threshold in the Code if the NEO would be in a better after-tax position than if the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code applied. Based on assumptions described below, Mr. Green, and Ms. Flynn would have their payouts exceed the golden parachute threshold under the Code. However, only Ms. Flynn would have her payments cutback in that scenario because she would be in a better after-tax position than receiving the full amount.



•

Outplacement assistance up to $50,000.

The severance payments are payable in monthly installments and if the executive is a key employee at the time of his termination, payments will be delayed six months to the extent required by applicable tax law.

Employment terminations that entitle these executives to receive the severance benefits under a CIC consist of: (1) resignation following a constructive termination of his employment; or (2) employment termination other than due to death, disability, continuous willful misconduct or normal retirement. These terminations must occur within two years after a CIC.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   61

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     COMPENSATION TABLES

To receive the severance benefits under the agreement, an executive must agree not to be employed by any of our competitors or compete with us in any part of the United States for up to two years following employment termination for any reason and execute a release of claims in favor of the Company.

Mr. Green has a separate employment agreement, with change-in-control provisions that are substantially similar to the provisions contained in the other NEO agreements except for the following:

•

His payment is two times the sum of his annual base salary plus average of his bonus over the prior three years.



•

36-months of benefit continuation instead of 24 months.



•

Mr. Green's benefits may be reduced in the event he retires.



•

His agreement does not contain specific language regarding the satisfaction of performance goals for incentive compensation, or a payout of the short-term incentive compensation for the year of termination.



•

The definition of a CIC set forth below requires a change in two-thirds of our Board members rather than three-fourths.



•

The definition of "Cause" and "Constructive Termination," which is called "Good Reason," are slightly different and set forth in his employment agreement, which is described under Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements on page 47.

The definitions below apply to all agreements, except as specifically noted above for Mr. Green above.

Definition of "Change-in-Control." For each agreement, a CIC includes any of the following:

•

Any person or entity other than us, any of our current directors or officers or a trustee or fiduciary holding our securities, becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities;



•

An acquisition, sale, merger or other transaction that results in a change in ownership of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our stock;



•

A change in the majority of our Board of Directors over a two-year period that is not approved by at least ²/3 of the directors then in office who were directors at the beginning of the period;



•

Any event requiring a reporting of a CIC pursuant to the regulations under SEC Form 8-K; or,



•

Execution of an agreement with us, which if consummated, would result in any of the above events.

Definition of "Cause." Cause generally includes:

•

Acts of dishonesty;



•

Repeated failure to perform duties which are demonstrably and deliberate and not remedied after receipt of notice;



•

Conviction of a felony; or,



•

Intentional breach of our COBC, which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

Definition of "Constructive Termination." A "Constructive Termination" generally includes any of the following actions taken by the Company without the executive's written consent following a CIC:

•

Significantly reducing or diminishing the nature or scope of the executive's authority or duties including reporting to someone whose scope of authority is diminished;



•

Materially reducing the executive's annual salary or incentive compensation opportunities;



•

Failure of a successor to assume the agreement;



•

Changing the executive's principal office location by more than 50 miles;



•

Failing to provide substantially similar fringe benefits, or substitute benefits that were substantially similar to the benefits provided as of the date of the agreement; or



•

Failing to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to us to assume and agree to perform the obligations under the agreement.

​

62   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

COMPENSATION TABLES    

The following table shows potential payments to our NEOs if their employment terminates following a CIC under existing contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements. The amounts assume a December 31, 2018 termination date and use the closing price of our common stock as of that date, $98.03. Based on current assumptions, Mr. Montecalvo's benefit amount would be reduced $475,222 to put him in a better after-tax position than he would have been in had he received the full payout and paid the applicable golden parachute excise tax. All the values in the table are in U.S. Dollars. As Mr. Federici has terminated employment with the Company, and no payments could be made under his CIC agreement, he is not included in the table below.

Applicable SEC rules require the disclosure of our median employee's pay and the ratio of that pay to our CEO's pay. Mr. Green's 2018 pay, as indicated in our 2018 Summary Compensation Table was $5,378,813 and our median employee's pay calculated in the same manner was $39,392. The ratio of Mr. Green's pay to our median worker's pay as determined under applicable SEC rules, therefore, is 137:1.

In determining our median employee, we used "base pay" as our compensation definition, which we then calculated as annual base pay based on a reasonable estimate of hours worked during 2018 for hourly workers, and upon salary levels for the remaining employees. We did not utilize cost-of-living adjustments. We annualized pay for those who commenced work during 2018. We used a valid statistical sampling methodology to identify the base pay for the median worker. In addition, in selecting the median worker, we used our global employment roster as of November 30, 2018, but excluded all employees in the following countries (with the number of employees excluded in parentheses): Australia (4), Argentina (6), Colombia (6), Italy (8), Spain (6), India (79), Israel (120), and Puerto Rico (178). As of November 30, 2018, total number of employees was 7,881, with U.S. employees totaling 3,421 and foreign employees totaling 4,460.

Our CEO pay ratio and the underlying compensation and employee count data are reasonable estimates calculated consistent with applicable SEC guidance governing use of estimates, adjustments, and statistical sampling permitted by the SEC.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   63

---

Table of Contents

​

     PROPOSAL 2

At our 2018 Annual Meeting, our advisory vote on executive pay was approved by 96.6% of the votes cast. The Board of Directors and its Compensation Committee believed this to be a confirmation that our executive pay accurately and appropriately rewards performance. Previously, a majority of our shareholders approved holding an advisory vote on executive compensation annually. Therefore, we are seeking an advisory vote approving executive compensation this year.

As described more fully in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section, our executive compensation program is designed to provide competitive executive pay opportunities tied to our short-term and long-term success and attract, motivate and retain the type of executive leadership that will help us achieve our strategic goals. The Compensation Committee continually reviews the compensation programs for our NEOs to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our shareholders' interests and current market practices.

This vote is advisory and not binding on the Company, the Board and the Compensation Committee. However, the Board and the Compensation Committee are interested in the opinions expressed by our shareholders on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for the NEOs. We encourage shareholders to review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, for details regarding our executive compensation program.

Accordingly, the following resolution will be submitted for a shareholder vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting:

"RESOLVED, That the shareholders of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (the 'Company') approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative disclosures."

​

64   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND FEES    

The following table presents fees for audit and other services provided by PwC for 2018 and 2017. All the services described in the following fee table were approved in conformity with the Audit Committee's pre-approval process, and the de minimis exception discussed below.

Our Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, subject to de minimis exceptions for non-audit services set forth in the applicable rules of the SEC. Prior to engagement for the next year's audit, Management will submit to the Audit Committee a list of services and related fees expected to be rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm during that year for pre-approval by the Committee. Those services must fall within one of the four following categories:

Audit Fees include fees for audit work performed on the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, and work that generally only the independent registered public accounting firm can reasonably be expected to provide, including statutory audits or financial audits for our subsidiaries or affiliates; services associated with SEC registration statements; periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters, consents); and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters.

Audit-Related Fees are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, including due diligence related to potential business acquisitions/divestitures, financial statement audits of employee benefit plans and special procedures required to meet certain regulatory requirements.

Tax Fees include fees for all services, except those specifically related to the audit of the financial statements, which are performed by the independent registered public accounting firm's tax personnel and may include tax advice, tax analysis and compliance, and review of income and other tax returns.

All Other Fees are fees for those services not captured in any of the above three categories. The percentage of fees in this category that were approved by the Audit Committee under the de minimis exception was less than 1% of the total fees for 2018.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   65

---

Table of Contents

​

     AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee reviewed the Company's financial-reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. PwC, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for 2019, is responsible for expressing its opinion on the conformity of the Company's audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with Management and PwC the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, Management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting and PwC's evaluation of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC the matters that are required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication With Audit Committees), as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. I AU §380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. PwC has provided to the Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PwC's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and the Committee has discussed with PwC that firm's independence from the Company.

The Audit Committee also considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm's provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the auditor's independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from the Company and its Management. Based on the considerations and discussions referred to above, the current members of the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 be included in the Company's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

​

66   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

PROPOSAL 3    

The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, evaluation and oversight of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. This Committee annually evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications, performance and independence and assesses whether to continue to retain the firm or select a different firm.

As part of this review, the Audit Committee reviews PwC's capabilities and costs. Based on this review, the Audit Committee has determined that PwC has performed well, in a cost-effective manner, has a long-standing institutional memory, acts independently of Management, and provides critical input to the Audit Committee. Therefore, the Audit Committee has appointed PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019. Although shareholder approval for this appointment is not required, the Audit Committee and our Board are submitting the selection of PwC for ratification to obtain the views of shareholders and as a matter of good corporate governance. If the appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain PwC. Representatives of PwC will be present at the 2019 Annual Meeting to answer questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   67

---

Table of Contents

​

     VOTING AND OTHER INFORMATION

All shareholders of record of our common stock, par value $.25 per share, at the close of business on March 12, 2019, are entitled to receive the Notice and to vote their shares at the meeting. As of that date, 73,737,479 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought to the meeting.

If you are a registered shareholder, you may vote at the Annual Meeting by delivering a proxy card in person or you may cast your vote in any of the following ways:

•

Logging on to www.ProxyVote.com



•

Mailing your signed proxy card or voting instruction card to the address provided



•

Calling toll-free from the United States, U.S. territories and Canada to 1-800-690-6903

If you hold shares of the Company in "Street name," please follow the voting instructions of the financial institution at which you have an account holding shares of the Company.

Deadline for Voting.    Mailed proxy and voting instruction cards must be received before the meeting. If you are a registered shareholder and attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in person. "Street name" shareholders who wish to vote at the meeting will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds their shares. The deadline for voting by telephone or www.proxyvote.com is 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 6, 2019.

In each case, for registered shareholders, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you return a signed proxy card, but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted FOR each of the proposals. You may revoke or change your vote any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with our Corporate Secretary a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of shares held in "Street name." Please refer to "Broker Voting and Votes Required" below to determine how these shares will be counted for each proposal.

Plan Participants.    Any shares you may hold in the West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. 401(k) Plan or the West Contract Manufacturing Savings and Retirement Plan have been added to your other holdings on your proxy card.

Your completed proxy card serves as voting instructions to the trustee of those plans. You may direct the trustee how to vote your plan shares by submitting your proxy vote for those shares, along with the rest of your shares, by Internet, phone or mail, all as described on the enclosed proxy card.

If you do not instruct the trustee how to vote, your plan shares will be voted by the trustee in the same proportion that it votes shares in other plan accounts for which it received timely voting instructions.

For holders in "Street Name," the Notice would have been made available to you by your broker, bank or other holder of record who is considered the shareholder of record of those shares. As the beneficial owner, you may direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by using the proxy card included in the materials made available to you or by following their instructions for voting on the Internet. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee that holds shares for another does not vote on a particular item because the nominee does not have discretionary voting authority for that item and has not received instructions from the owner of the shares. Although there is no controlling precedent under Pennsylvania law

​

68   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

---

Table of Contents

​

VOTING AND OTHER INFORMATION    

​

regarding the treatment of broker non-votes in certain circumstances, we intend to apply the principles outlined in the table below:

Proxy Solicitation.    We have not retained a proxy solicitation company with respect to the proxy being solicited by this Proxy Statement.

We must have a quorum to conduct business at the 2019 Annual Meeting. A quorum consists of the presence at the meeting either in person or represented by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote. For the purpose of establishing a quorum, abstentions, including brokers holding customers' shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the meeting, and broker non-votes are considered shareholders who are present and entitled to vote, and count toward the quorum.

We are pleased to be distributing our proxy materials to certain shareholders via the Internet under the "notice and access" approach permitted by the rules of the SEC. This method conserves natural resources and reduces our costs of printing and mailing while providing a convenient way for shareholders to review our materials and vote their shares.

On March 22, 2019, we mailed a "Notice of Internet Availability" to participating shareholders, which contains instructions on how to access the proxy materials on the Internet.

If you would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, we will send you one free of charge. Instructions for requesting such materials are included in the Notice.

This Proxy Statement and our 2018 Annual Report are available at:
http://investor.westpharma.com/financial-information/annual-reports-and-proxy

We have adopted a procedure called "householding" for making the Proxy Statement and the 2018 Annual Report available. Householding means that shareholders who share the same last name and address will receive only one copy of the materials, unless we are notified that one or more of these shareholders wishes to continue receiving additional copies.

We will continue to make a proxy card available to each shareholder of record. If you prefer to receive multiple copies of the proxy materials at the same address, please contact us in writing or by telephone: Corporate Secretary, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., 530 Herman O. West Drive, Exton, PA 19341, (610) 594-3319.

​

2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement   |   69

​

---

Table of Contents

​

     VOTING AND OTHER INFORMATION

​

During the last fiscal year, due to administrative processing and delays by the Company, directors Douglas Michels, Deborah Keller and Mark Buthman each filed a single late Form 4 in December 2018. No officers filed any late Forms 4 in 2018.

Our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 are included in our 2018 Annual Report, which we will make available to shareholders at the same time as this Proxy Statement. Our 2018 Annual Report and this Proxy Statement are posted on our website at http://investor.westpharma.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=118197&p=irol-reportsannual and are available from the SEC at its website at www.sec.gov. If you do not have access to the Internet or have not received a copy of our 2018 Annual Report, you may request a copy of it or any exhibits thereto without charge by writing to our Corporate Secretary at West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., 530 Herman O. West Drive, Exton, PA 19341.

Under SEC rules, if a shareholder wants us to include a proposal in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy for presentation at the 2020 Annual Meeting, the proposal must be received by us at our principal executive offices by November 26, 2019 and comply with the procedures of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The proposal should be sent to the attention of the Corporate Secretary in writing: West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., 530 Herman O. West Drive, Exton, PA 19341; or by telephone: (610) 594-3319.

Our Bylaws set forth procedures that a shareholder must follow to nominate persons for election as directors or to introduce an item of business at an annual meeting of shareholders. Nominations for director nominees or an item of business to be conducted must be submitted in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at our executive offices and should be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested. We must receive the notice of your intention to introduce a nomination or to propose an item of business at our 2020 Annual Meeting not less than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of this year's Annual Meeting. If, however, we fail to disclose the date of next year's meeting at least 21 days in advance, we must receive your notice within seven days following the announcement of the meeting (but in no event, later than four days before the meeting date).

The nomination must contain information about the nominees as specified in our Bylaws. The notice must include information specified in our Bylaws, including information concerning the nominee or proposal, as the case may be, and information about the shareholder's ownership of and agreements related to our shares.

Except as otherwise required by law, the Chairman of the meeting may refuse to allow the transaction of any business, or to acknowledge the nomination of any person, not made in compliance with our Bylaws. You may obtain a copy of our Bylaws by contacting our Corporate Secretary at West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., 530 Herman O. West Drive, Exton, PA 19341.

Management is not aware of any other matters that will be presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting, and our Bylaws do not allow proposals to be presented at the meeting unless they were properly presented to us before February 8, 2019. However, if any other matter that requires a vote is properly presented at the meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

​

70   |   2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement

​

---

---