Director of a company is a person elected by the shareholders for managing the affairs of the company as per the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the company. Since a company is an artificial judicial person created by law, it can only act through the agency of natural persons. Thus, only living persons can be Directors of a company and the management of a company is entrusted to the Board of Directors. Appointment of Directors can be required for a company from time to time based on the requirements of the shareholders of the business.
To appoint a director, the person proposing to become a Director must obtain a digital signature certificate (DSC) and director identification number (DIN). DIN can be obtained for any person who is above the age of 18. The nationality or residency status of the DIN applicant does not matter. Hence, Indian Nationals, Non-Resident Indians and Foreign Nationals can obtain DIN and be appointed as Director of a company in India.
Companies Act, 2013 defines the term “Director” as someone appointment to the Board of a company. The Board of Directors means a group of those individuals elected by the shareholders of a company to manage the affairs of the company. Since a company is an artificial legal person created by law, it is necessary to act only through the agency of natural persons. It can only act through human beings, and it is the Directors through whom mainly the company acts. Therefore, the management of a company is entrusted to a body of persons called “Board of Directors”.
Another definition of a Director is someone who administers, controls or directs something, especially a member of a commercial company; one who supervises, controls or manages; a person elected by the shareholders of a company to direct company’s policies; person appointed or elected according to law, authorised to manage and direct the affairs of a company.
For a person to become a Director in Private Limited Company, he/she requires a Director Identification Number (DIN Number). DIN Number can be obtained for any person over the age of 18 by applying to the DIN Cell.
The following are the types of Director in Company:
A “Managing Director” means a Director who, by virtue of Articles of Association of a Company or an agreement with the company or a resolution passed in its general meeting, or by its Board of Directors, is entrusted with substantial powers of management of affairs of the company.
An Executive Director or whole-time Director is someone in full-time employment of the company.
An “Ordinary Director” means a simple Director who attends the Board meetings of a company and participate in the matters put before the Board of Directors. These Directors are neither whole-time Directors nor Managing Directors.
An Additional Director is someone appointed by the Board of Directors between two annual general meetings subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association of a Company. Additional Directors shall hold office only up to the date of the next annual general meeting of the Company. Number of Directors and additional Directors of a company together shall not exceed the maximum strength fixed for the Board of Directors by the Articles of Association.
Alternate Director is someone appointed by the Board of Directors in a general meeting to act for a Director called the “original director” during his absence for a period of not less than three months from India. Generally, alternate Directors are appointed for a person who is Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or for foreign collaborators of a company.
Any Director possessing professional qualifications and do not have any pecuniary interest in the company are called Professional Directors. In large companies, Professionals are sometimes appointment to the Board to utilize their expertise in the management of the Company.
Banks and Private Equity investors who grant debt or equity assistance to a company generally impose a condition as to appointment of their representative on the Board of the concerned Company. These nominated persons are called as nominee Director.
In a One Person Company (OPC), a nominee Director is someone nominated by the sole Director of the One Person Company to take over affairs of the OPC in case of death or incapacitation of sole Director.
Only an Individual (living person) can be appointed as a Director in a Company. A body corporate or business entity cannot be appointed as a Director in a Company. A company can have a maximum of fifteen Directors – it can be increased further by passing a special resolution.
Minimum Number of Director in Company are as follows:
There is nothing in the Companies Act, 2013 that prohibits the appointment of any person who is a foreigner or NRI as a Director of a Company. However, Section 149(3) provides that every company shall have at least one Director who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than one hundred and eighty-two days in the previous calendar year.
Listed companies and limited companies having a paid-up share capital of Rs.100 crore rupees or more or turnover of Rs.300 crores or more are required to appoint at least one woman Director. There is no women Director requirement for a private limited company.
