THG 2019 Proxy Statement

THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP 2019 PROXY STATEMENT 18 ITEM II ADVISORY APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Each year since our annual meeting in 2011, we have provided our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote regarding the compensation of our named executive officers. At each meeting, our shareholders overwhelmingly approved the proposal, with more than 95% of the votes cast voting in favor of each proposal. As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are again seeking advisory shareholder approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Executive Compensation.” Shareholders are being asked to vote on the following advisory vote: Voted: To approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and any related material). A substantial percentage of our named executive officers’ compensation is directly tied to stock performance and the attainment of financial and other performance measures that the Board believes promote long-term shareholder value and position us for long-term success. As described more fully in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the mix of fixed and performance- based compensation, the terms of our short- and long-term incentive compensation programs, and the weighting of variable compensation more heavily toward equity awards, are all designed to enable us to attract and retain top talent and align the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders, while balancing risk and reward. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the design of the programs, and the compensation awarded to the named executive officers under the current programs, fulfills these objectives. Shareholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section beginning on page 21, which discusses in detail how our compensation programs support our compensation philosophy. Although the vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the voting results in connection with their ongoing evaluation of the Company’s compensation programs. We currently intend to hold advisory votes on executive compensation annually. Accordingly, we anticipate that the next such vote will be held at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast (in person or by proxy) is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, because they are not votes cast, are not counted for this proposal and will have no effect on the outcome. The Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of this proposal.