Beverley Ltd is a private company in the specialty eatery industry. It has four directors Maggie, George, Virginia and Lily, who also hold shares in the company. George, Virginia and Lily are full-time executive directors and Maggie has the smallest shareholding. George and Virginia are qualified auditors, but despite this they do not play an active role in the management of the company. Maggie is worried the business is not managed to its full potential and also claims that most of the affairs of the company are left to Lily who lacks business experience. Nevertheless, Maggie generally takes a passive role within the company, as she believes that, even if she challenged her co-directors, no-one would listen to her.

Last year, due to the global pandemic, the company suffered serious financial difficulties. However, George, Virginia and Lily decided to increase their remuneration by 5% . In addition, all directors decided that no dividend would be paid to the shareholders that year. Finally, they started negotiations for a contract with another company that specialises in savoury snacks, but at the general meeting they used their majority votes to pass a resolution to the effect that their company had no interest in the contract. They subsequently obtained this contract for themselves.

Advice Beverley Ltd as to whether any of its directors are in breach of their duties

Could lily have been a subordinate as she is not a qualified auditor (so lily is an exec director like george and virginia but virginia and george are also qualified auditors, could lily be chosen as a subordinate?)

also is maggie a subordinate? and how could that be justified