STOCK TITAN

Hayward Holdings (NYSE: HAYW) details 2026 virtual meeting, pay and board structure

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
DEF 14A

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Hayward Holdings, Inc. is soliciting proxies for its 2026 virtual annual meeting, where stockholders will elect three Class II directors for terms expiring in 2029, cast an advisory vote on executive compensation, and ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditor for 2026.

The meeting will be held online on May 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Hayward reports 2025 net sales of $1.12 billion, up 6.7% year over year, driven by residential and commercial pool equipment across North America and international markets, with a large aftermarket component supporting durable cash flow.

The nine-member Board includes eight independent directors and uses a classified structure with three staggered classes. Executive pay is heavily performance-based, with approximately 84% of the CEO’s target annual compensation and 69% for other named executives considered at-risk through cash incentives and equity awards tied to net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, margin and return metrics.

Hayward highlights corporate stewardship under four pillars—Products, Planet, People and Principles—noting that more than 60% of eligible North American products by net sales meet ENERGY STAR criteria, global employee engagement survey participation exceeded 85%, and 2025 Say-on-Pay support reached 92%, reinforcing strong stockholder backing for its compensation framework.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
2025 Net Sales $1.12B Net sales for 2025, up 6.7% year over year
Net Sales Growth +6.7% Year-over-year increase in 2025 net sales
CEO At-Risk Compensation 84% of target pay Share of CEO 2025 target compensation tied to incentives and equity
Other NEOs At-Risk Compensation 69% of target pay Share of 2025 target compensation for other named executives that is performance-based
ENERGY STAR Eligible Products More than 60% Share of eligible North American products by net sales meeting ENERGY STAR criteria
Employee Engagement Participation 85%+ Participation rate in the third annual global employee engagement survey
Say-on-Pay Support 92% Stockholder approval level for the 2025 advisory vote on executive compensation
Independent Directors 8 of 9 (89%) Board independence as determined under NYSE standards
Say-on-Pay financial
"This proposal, commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity"
A say-on-pay is a shareholder vote that gives investors a chance to approve or disapprove a company’s executive compensation packages, typically held at annual meetings. It matters because the vote signals investor satisfaction with how leaders are paid—like customers rating how well managers are rewarded—and can push boards to change pay plans, reducing governance risk and affecting investor confidence and stock value even though the vote is usually advisory rather than legally binding.
performance stock units financial
"For Fiscal Year 2025, equity awards consisted of performance stock units (“PSUs”) and time-based RSUs"
Performance stock units are a type of company award that grants employees shares of stock only if certain performance goals are met. They motivate employees to work toward specific company achievements, aligning their interests with those of shareholders. For investors, they can influence a company's future stock supply and reflect management’s confidence in reaching key targets.
classified Board regulatory
"Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for a Board comprised of three classes of directors"
A classified board is a company board structure where directors are split into groups that stand for election in different years, so only a portion of directors can be replaced at any one annual meeting. This is like changing only a few players on a sports team each season rather than swapping the whole roster at once; for investors it matters because it slows down large-scale board changes, affecting how quickly shareholders can push for new leadership or respond to takeover offers and thereby influencing governance risk and valuation.
Audit Committee Financial Expert regulatory
"the Board also determined that Mr. Brown, Ms. Dayhoff, Mr. Soucy and Ms. Walker qualify as "audit committee financial experts”"
A person on a company’s board who has deep knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and auditing, able to understand and question the books, controls and audit work like a trained mechanic inspecting an engine. Investors care because that expertise helps spot errors, weaknesses or misleading statements early, improving the likelihood that financial reports are accurate and reducing the risk of surprises that can hurt a company’s value.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin financial
"2025 - 2027 PSUs 20% Return on Gross Invested Capital 30% Adjusted EBITDA Margin 50% Net Sales Annual Growth Rate"
Adjusted EBITDA margin shows how much profit a company makes from its core operations, expressed as a percentage of its total revenue, after removing certain one-time or unusual expenses and income. It helps investors understand the company's true earning ability from regular business activities, making it easier to compare performance over time or with other companies. Think of it as measuring the efficiency of a business in turning sales into profits, excluding irregular adjustments.
non-GAAP financial
"Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Appendix A for reconciliations"
Non-GAAP refers to financial measures that companies use to show their earnings or performance without including certain expenses or income that are often added back to give a different picture. It matters because it can make a company's results look better or more favorable, but it may also hide important costs, so investors need to look at both GAAP (official rules) and non-GAAP numbers to get a full understanding.
Name Title Total Compensation
Kevin Holleran
Eifion Jones
John Collins
Susan Canning
Eric Sejourne
Say-on-Pay Result approved 92% support
Key Proposals
  • Election of three Class II directors to terms expiring in 2029
  • Advisory vote to approve compensation of named executive officers
  • Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for 2026
DEF 14AFALSE0001834622iso4217:USD00018346222025-01-012025-12-3100018346222024-01-012024-12-3100018346222023-01-012023-12-3100018346222022-01-012022-12-310001834622ecd:EqtyAwrdsInSummryCompstnTblForAplblYrMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:EqtyAwrdsInSummryCompstnTblForAplblYrMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:YrEndFrValOfEqtyAwrdsGrntdInCvrdYrOutsdngAndUnvstdMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:YrEndFrValOfEqtyAwrdsGrntdInCvrdYrOutsdngAndUnvstdMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:ChngInFrValOfOutsdngAndUnvstdEqtyAwrdsGrntdInPrrYrsMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:ChngInFrValOfOutsdngAndUnvstdEqtyAwrdsGrntdInPrrYrsMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:VstngDtFrValOfEqtyAwrdsGrntdAndVstdInCvrdYrMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:VstngDtFrValOfEqtyAwrdsGrntdAndVstdInCvrdYrMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:ChngInFrValAsOfVstngDtOfPrrYrEqtyAwrdsVstdInCvrdYrMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:ChngInFrValAsOfVstngDtOfPrrYrEqtyAwrdsVstdInCvrdYrMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:FrValAsOfPrrYrEndOfEqtyAwrdsGrntdInPrrYrsFldVstngCondsDrngCvrdYrMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:FrValAsOfPrrYrEndOfEqtyAwrdsGrntdInPrrYrsFldVstngCondsDrngCvrdYrMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:EqtyAwrdsAdjsMemberecd:PeoMember2025-01-012025-12-310001834622ecd:EqtyAwrdsAdjsMemberecd:NonPeoNeoMember2025-01-012025-12-31000183462212025-01-012025-12-31000183462222025-01-012025-12-31000183462232025-01-012025-12-31
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. __)
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x
Definitive Proxy Statement
o
Definitive Additional Materials
o
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
Hayward Holdings, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
x
No fee required.
o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-(6)(i)(1) and 0-11.
hayward_fc.jpg
hayward_ifc.jpg
Artboard 9.jpg
April 2, 2026
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF HAYWARD HOLDINGS, INC.:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Hayward Holdings,
Inc. (the “Company” or "Hayward"), to be held virtually via live webcast on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
You may attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically, and submit your questions during
the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HAYW2026.
Our decision to hold the Annual Meeting virtually is driven by our commitment to increasing accessibility and enabling
attendance for all stockholders. This format also helps reduce costs and lessens the environmental impact traditionally
associated with physical meetings.
During the Annual Meeting you will be asked to (i) elect as directors the three nominees identified in the accompanying proxy
statement (this "Proxy Statement") to serve terms lasting until our 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and their successors
are duly elected and qualified; (ii) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; (iii) ratify
the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for our
fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and (iv) transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
or any postponements, adjournments, or continuations thereof.
Your vote is important to us. Whether or not you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be
represented and voted. For your convenience, you may submit your proxy and vote your shares via the internet, by telephone,
or by completing and returning a proxy card by mail. Instructions on how to vote are found in the section titled "Frequently
Asked Questions—How do I Vote” of this Proxy Statement.
On behalf of the Company and the Board of Directors (the "Board"), we thank you for your continued support and investment
in Hayward Holdings, Inc. We look forward to your participation in the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
Image_3.jpg
Kevin P. Holleran
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Artboard 9.jpg
NOTICE OF ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Date.jpg
DATE & TIME
May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m. ET
Location.jpg
LOCATION
Virtual meeting at:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HAYW2026
Record.jpg
RECORD DATE
March 25, 2026
MEETING AGENDA
Proposals
Recommendation
Page Reference
1
To elect three nominees identified in the accompanying Proxy Statement as
Class II directors to serve terms lasting until our 2029 annual meeting of
stockholders and their successors are duly elected and qualified
FOR
each nominee
See Page  6 >>
2
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named
executive officers
FOR
See Page 30 >>
3
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending
December 31, 2026
FOR
See Page 65 >>
4
To transact such other business as may properly come before the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders of Hayward Holdings, Inc.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the
virtual Annual Meeting, please vote your shares promptly using the
instructions provided in these proxy materials.
The Annual Meeting will be held only at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HAYW2026. You will need the 16-
digit control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of
Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) or proxy card to access the Annual Meeting.
Please refer to the section titled "Frequently Asked Questions," beginning
on page 70 of this Proxy Statement, for additional information regarding
participating in the virtual meeting.
The Notice containing instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement
and our 2025 Annual Report is first being mailed on or about April 2, 2026
to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
We cordially invite you to attend the meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Image_12 (2) (1).jpg
Susan M. Canning
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
and Corporate Secretary
Charlotte, NC
April 2, 2026
WAYS TO VOTE
IN ADVANCE OF THE ANNUAL
MEETING:
Internet.jpg
INTERNET
By internet at www.proxyvote.com
Telephone.jpg
TELEPHONE
By toll-free telephone at 1-800-690-6903
Mail.jpg
MAIL
By completing and mailing your proxy
card (if you received printed proxy
materials) to Vote Processing, c/o
Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way,
Edgewood, New York 11717
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CEO Letter to Stockholders
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Company Overview
1
Proxy Voting Roadmap
3
Board and Governance Matters
6
Proposal 1 — Election of Directors
6
Director Nominees
7
Corporate Governance
19
Director Compensation
27
Executive Compensation
30
Proposal 2 — Advisory Vote To
Approve Executive Compensation
("Say-on-Pay")
30
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
31
Executive Compensation Tables
51
Audit Matters
65
Proposal 3 — Ratification of the
Appointment of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
65
Audit Committee Report
67
Security Ownership And Related Information
68
Frequently Asked Questions
70
Other Matters
74
Stockholder Proposals for the 2027
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
74
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
75
Appendix A Supplemental Information
About Financial Measures
A-1
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
A-1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 (the “PSLRA”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Forward-looking statements include,
without limitation, statements regarding our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, outlook, expenditures, guidance, targets,
and assumptions, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current
beliefs, assumptions, expectations, and information available at the time the statements are made. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
"continue," "could," “estimate,” “expect,” "forecast," "intend," "may," "outlook," “plan,” "potential," “predict,” “project,” “seek,” "should," "target,"
"will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain
these words. These statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA. However, forward-looking statements
are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update, revise, or correct any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable federal securities laws. For additional information on other potential risks and
uncertainties, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and subsequent quarterly reports and
other filings with the SEC from time to time. All information provided in this Proxy Statement is as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  1
Artboard 9.jpg
COMPANY OVERVIEW
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
HAYWARD AT A GLANCE
Highlights reflecting our business profile and long-term value creation.
$1.12B
NET SALES
(+6.7% Y/Y)
Check_Blue.gif
Leading global provider of residential and commercial pool equipment, supported by
strong brand recognition and large installed base, and is well positioned to benefit from
long-term replacement demand and favorable outdoor living trends.
Check_Blue.gif
Meaningful Net Sales derived from aftermarket repair, replacement, and upgrade demand
tied to essential pool functionality, supporting durable cash flow generation.
Check_Blue.gif
Consistent free cash flow supports reinvestment in innovation, strategic deleveraging and
other value-enhancing capital allocation priorities.
Check_Blue.gif
Expanding portfolio of energy-efficient, connected products and smart automation
systems that enhance customer experience and drive long-term growth.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
The Company operates through two reportable segments: North America and Europe & Rest of World, serving residential and
commercial pool markets and select industrial end markets through a broad portfolio of pool equipment and related products.
North America represents the majority of Net Sales and benefits from a large installed base and recurring aftermarket demand.
The Board regularly reviews segment and end-market performance to oversee strategic priorities and support disciplined
capital allocation.
NET SALES BY KEY DIMENSIONS
Diversified Net Sales mix across geographic regions, end markets, and product groups as of December 31, 2025.
4%
Flow Control
6%
Rest of World
5%
Other
10445360463992
10445360464011
10445360464013
6%
Commercial
9%
Cleaners
21%
Pumps
7%
Canada
4%
White
Goods
8%
Europe
9%
Lighting
& Water
Features
End
Market
Segment
Product
14%
Filters
19%
Automation
& Sanitization
79%
U.S.
90%
Residential
19%
Heaters
2  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP
We believe that responsible corporate stewardship supports long-term stockholder value through thoughtful oversight of our
business operations and culture. Hayward is distinctly positioned to contribute to the broader health and well-being space.
By aligning our products, services and innovation efforts with public health objectives, we seek to address growing demand
for well-being solutions. For over a century, Hayward has served communities by providing pool-related solutions, including
connected technologies for smart pool management, non-chemical water sanitization solutions and energy-efficient products.
We believe that water plays an important role in supporting public health, building resilient communities, and strengthening
the economy.
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Our stewardship framework provides the foundation for a principle-based approach to integrating sustainability considerations
across our business. Our strategy is guided by four pillars: Products, Planet, People and Principles. Consistent with these
pillars, we focus on delivering innovative products, maintaining responsible and efficient manufacturing operations, fostering
a safe and inclusive workplace, and upholding strong governance and compliance practices.
Water.gif
Planet.gif
People.gif
Principles.gif
PRODUCTS
PLANET
PEOPLE
PRINCIPLES
-Sustainable
Products
-Product Safety
-Environmental
Management
-Responsible Supply
Chain & Materials
-Employee Health,
Well-being &
Engagement
-Community
Engagement
-Business Ethics
-Board Skills &
Independence
More than 60% of eligible
North American products, by
Net Sales, met ENERGY
STAR® criteria
Continued expansion of
Hayward Hubs, which
provide training and
support resources for
dealers and trade
professionals
Initiated an assessment on
climate-related risks and
opportunities, including
potential innovation and
operational efficiencies to
inform future reporting and
support long-term
stockholder value
Continued focus on
reducing energy and water
consumption in our
manufacturing facilities
through targeted
sustainability projects
All employees must certify
compliance with the
Business Ethics and Code
of Conduct Policy and
Whistleblower Policy
Conducted ongoing
compliance training,
adhering to a company-
wide training curriculum on
compliance, safety, human
resources and information
technology
Conducted our third
annual global employee
engagement survey,
achieving more than 85%
participation from our
global workforce
Launched the Hayward
Cares Workplace Giving
program, enabling North
America employees to
support causes they care
about with Company
matching gifts
]
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  3
Artboard 9.jpg
PROXY VOTING
ROADMAP
This proxy voting roadmap highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, which is first being sent or
made available to stockholders on or about April 2, 2026. This summary does not contain all of the information you should
consider, so please read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.
PROPOSAL
1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each director nominee
See Page 6 »
Recommendation.jpg
DIRECTOR NOMINEES
We are managed under the direction of our Board, which is currently composed of nine members. The authorized number of directors
comprising our Board may not be less than three or more than 15, with the actual number to be fixed from time to time by resolution of our
Board, subject to the terms of our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and Amended and Restated
Bylaws (the "Bylaws"). The general expectation is that the Board will consist of approximately nine directors, although the Board will
periodically review the appropriate size and mix of directors serving on the Board.
LEGEND
All Ages shown are
as of April 2, 2026
Card_Independent.jpg
Independent
Director
Card_Audit.jpg
Audit Committee
Chair
Card_Compensation.jpg
Compensation
Committee Chair
Card_Nominating.jpg
Nominating &
Corporate
Governance
Chair
Card_Chair.jpg
Board of
Directors Chair
NOMINEES FOR CLASS II DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRING IN 2029)
Brown.jpg
Kevin Brown
Age: 51
Director Since: June 2017
Committee Memberships:
Audit, Compensation
Soucy.jpg
Arthur Soucy
Age: 63
Director Since: December 2017
Committee Memberships:
Audit, Nominating & Corporate
Governance
Walker.jpg
Lori Walker
Age: 69
Director Since: March 2021
Committee Memberships:
Audit
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Dayhoff.jpg
Diane Dayhoff
Age: 70
Director Since: March 2021
Committee Memberships:
Audit
Felice.jpg
Stephen Felice
Age: 69
Director Since: May 2018
Committee Memberships:
Compensation, Nominating &
Corporate Governance
Image_35.jpg
Kevin Holleran
Age: 58
Director Since: August 2019
President and CEO
Keating.jpg
Ronald Keating
Age: 58
Director Since: March 2025
Committee Memberships:
Compensation
Silber.jpg
Lawrence Silber
Age: 70
Director Since: November 2019
Committee Memberships:
Compensation
Ward.jpg
Edward Ward
Age: 61
Director Since: April 2022
Committee Memberships:
Nominating & Corporate Governance
4  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
BOARD SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Our continuing directors and nominees collectively bring skills and experience that are important to informed oversight of the
Company's business and long-term strategy. For additional information regarding our director nominees’ experience, see the
section titled “Board and Governance Matters—Director Nominees—Director Nominee Biographies" in this Proxy Statement.
Governance.jpg
Board Governance
Strategic.jpg
Strategic Leadership & Management
Compensation.jpg
Compensation & Human Resources
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability Matters
Risk.jpg
Risk Management
Industry.jpg
Water Industry Knowledge
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial Literacy
Finance.jpg
Finance & Accounting
Internantional.jpg
International Markets
Sales.jpg
Sales, Marketing & E-commerce
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience & Cybersecurity
Leadership.jpg
Leadership Experience
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain & Operations
BOARD COMPOSITION
Our Board composition reflects a balance of independence, tenure and experience that supports effective oversight of the
Company's business strategy and corporate governance practices.
Independence
Age
Tenure
10445360466151
10445360466152
10445360466153
22%
70s
11%
<3 Years
1
Not Independent
45%
60s
11%
3-5 Years
89%
INDEPENDENT
63.2 Yrs
AVG. AGE(1)
5.9 Yrs
AVG. TENURE
33%
50s
78%
>5 Years
8
Independent
(1) Average age as of April 2, 2026.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  5
Artboard 9.jpg
PROPOSAL
2
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE COMPENSATION OF NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal.
See Page 30 »
Recommendation.jpg
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE ALIGNMENT
Pay-for-performance is an integral component of our compensation philosophy, with a significant portion of executive
compensation tied to “at-risk” incentive opportunities. During Fiscal Year 2025, the annual pay mix for our Chief Executive
Officer ("CEO") and other named executive officers ("NEOs") consisted of base salary, annual cash incentives, and long-term
performance-based and time-based equity awards. The percentages shown below reflect total target annual compensation,
based on target award values rather than the grant-date fair values reported in the Summary Compensation Table, and
exclude “All Other Compensation.”
65%
Equity Incentive
10995116283964
Base Salary
Annual Incentive
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Performance-based Stock Units (PSUs)
10995116283966
10995116277827
84%
At-Risk Compensation
48%
Equity Incentive
10995116283968
Base Salary
Annual Incentive
RSUs
PSUs
10995116283970
10995116277904
69%
At-Risk Compensation
PROPOSAL
3
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal.
See Page 65 »
Recommendation.jpg
6  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
BOARD AND
GOVERNANCE MATTERS
PROPOSAL
1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the
election of each of Kevin Brown, Arthur Soucy and Lori Walker as Class II directors to
serve terms lasting until our 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and their successors are
duly elected and qualified.
Recommendation.jpg
Our Board of Directors is currently composed of nine members and is divided into three classes of directors in accordance
with our Certificate of Incorporation. At the Annual Meeting, three Class II directors will be elected to serve three-year terms
expiring at the Company's 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified
or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal.
NOMINEES
Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (the "Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee"), the Board has nominated Kevin Brown, Arthur Soucy and Lori Walker for election as
Class II directors at the Annual Meeting. Each nominee currently serves on the Board and has agreed to continue serving if
elected. For additional information regarding the nominees, see the section titled ‘‘Board of Directors—Nominees for Director’’
in this Proxy Statement.
If you are a stockholder of record and sign and return your proxy card, or vote by telephone or internet, but do not provide
voting instructions, your shares will be voted “FOR” the election of each nominee. If any nominee becomes unable or unwilling
to serve, the proxies will be voted for any substitute nominee designated by the Board. If you hold your shares in street name
and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other nominee, your broker, bank, or other nominee will not vote
your shares on this matter.
VOTE REQUIRED: RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws state that directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Accordingly, the
nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast “FOR” will be elected. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have no
effect on this proposal.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines further state that, in an uncontested election of directors, such as this election, if the
votes “WITHHELD” from a director nominee exceed the votes cast “FOR” such nominee, the nominee shall be required to
submit his or her resignation to the Board for its consideration. The Board will have the opportunity to determine whether to
accept or reject the resignation in accordance with the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" EACH NOMINEE
FOR DIRECTOR.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  7
Artboard 9.jpg
Director Nominees
NOMINATION PROCESS
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers director candidates from a wide range of sources, including
recommendations from Board members, management, and stockholders who submit recommendations in writing to our
Corporate Secretary. Stockholder-recommended candidates are evaluated using the same criteria applied to all other
candidates. In accordance with the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee identifies and evaluates candidates based on how they would contribute to the Board's collective mix of skills,
qualifications, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds, among other attributes. The Board has determined that, among
other things, it is important to have directors with the following skills and experiences, including but not limited to:
Leadership Experience: Enabling strong oversight, sound judgment, and the ability to identify and develop
leadership talent;
Industry Knowledge: Supporting a deeper understanding of the Company’s business model, markets, and strategic
priorities;
Operational Expertise: Providing practical insight into developing, executing, and assessing the Company's
operating plans;
Risk Management Experience: Essential for overseeing the diverse risks that impact the Company’s business;
Financial and Accounting Expertise: Particular knowledge of financial reporting, capital structure, and internal
controls; and
Strategic Planning Experience: Relevant to evaluating the Company’s long-term strategy and monitoring progress
against key objectives.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is committed to recommending individuals who collectively bring these
attributes to the Board and to applying our policy of non-discrimination throughout the director selection process.
INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES
The following table sets forth the names, ages, and certain other information for each nominee for election as a director at the
Annual Meeting and for each of the continuing members of our Board. For full biographical information of the nominees and
continuing directors see "Director Nominee Biographies."
Name
Age *
Current Position
Audit
Compensation
Nominating and
Corporate Governance
Term
Expires
Nominees:
Kevin Brown (FE)
51
Director
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
2029
Arthur Soucy (FE)
63
Director
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
2029
Lori Walker (FE)
69
Director
BlueCircle.gif
2029
Continuing Directors:
Diane Dayhoff (FE)
70
Director
GrayCircle.gif
2027
Stephen Felice (C)
69
Director
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
2027
Kevin Holleran
58
President, CEO & Director
2027
Ronald Keating
58
Director
GrayCircle.gif
2028
Lawrence Silber
70
Director
BlueCircle.gif
2028
Edward Ward
61
Director
GrayCircle.gif
2028
(C) Chairperson of the Board  |  (FE) Audit Committee Financial Expert  |  Committee Chairperson  |  Committee Member 
BlueCircle.jpg
GrayCircle.jpg
*Ages shown are as of April 2, 2026.
8  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
DIRECTOR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
A summary of each continuing director’s and nominee’s relevant skills and experience follows:
Brown
Dayhoff
Felice
Holleran
Keating
Silber
Soucy
Walker
Ward
Total
Governance.jpg
Board Governance
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
9
Compensation.jpg
Compensation & Human Resources
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
9
Risk.jpg
Risk Management
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
9
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial Literacy
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
9
Internantional.jpg
International Markets
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
9
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience & Cybersecurity
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
8
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain & Operations
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
6
Strategic.jpg
Strategic Leadership & Management
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
9
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability Matters
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
8
Industry.jpg
Water Industry Knowledge
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
6
Finance.jpg
Finance & Accounting
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
9
Sales.jpg
Sales, Marketing & E-commerce
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
7
Leadership.jpg
Leadership Experience
BlueCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
9
Technical Experience  |  Managerial Experience
BlueCircle.jpg
GrayCircle.jpg
DIRECTOR COMPOSITION
Our continuing directors and nominees collectively bring independence, tenure and experience that supports effective
oversight of our business strategy and corporate governance practices.
Independence
Age
Tenure
1
Not Independent
22%
70s
11%
<3 Years
10445360466358
10445360477467
10445360466362
11%
3-5 Years
45%
60s
5.9 Yrs
AVG. TENURE
89%
INDEPENDENT
63.2 Yrs
AVG. AGE(1)
8
Independent
33%
50s
78%
>5 Years
(1)Average age as of April 2, 2026.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  9
Artboard 9.jpg
DIRECTOR NOMINEE BIOGRAPHIES
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
Below are the nominees to serve as Class II Directors for terms expiring in 2029:
Brown.gif
Biography
Mr. Brown was Co-Head of the Private Capital Group of MSD Partners, L.P. before its merger
with BDT Partners, and he is currently a Partner and member of the Investment Committee of
BDT & MSD Partners (“BDT & MSD”). Mr. Brown joined BDT & MSD in 2016 and currently
serves as a director on the boards of Endries International, Woolpert, West Monroe Partners,
East West Manufacturing and Ring Container Technologies. Prior to joining BDT & MSD, Mr.
Brown was a Partner with Court Square Capital (“Court Square”) where he worked primarily in
the Industrial sector for 10 years. Prior to Court Square, Mr. Brown was a Vice President with
Apax Partners focusing on investments in the Media, Late-Stage Software, and Tech-Enabled
Business Services sectors. He has served as a director on numerous boards, including those of
ERICO Global, MacDermid, Pike Corporation, and Wyle.
KEVIN D.
BROWN
Independent Director
Director Since:
June 2017
Committee
Memberships: Audit,
Compensation
Other Public Company
Boards: None
Qualifications
Mr. Brown brings deep expertise in finance, capital allocation, and long-term value creation,
directly supporting Hayward's focus on disciplined investment, operational improvement, and
sustained long-term growth. His experience leading private capital investments across global
industrial businesses provides sharp insight into evaluating strategic opportunities and
supporting strong financial rigor.
He also brings an investor-minded perspective that strengthens the Board's oversight of
Hayward's capital deployment, financial performance, governance, and risk management.
This perspective is especially valuable as the Company advances its long-term strategic
priorities and continues to drive durable value creation.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Industry.jpg
Water Industry
Knowledge
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
10  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
Saucy.gif
Biography
Mr. Soucy is a retired executive with broad international experience running complex operations
and large profit and loss ("P&L") statements in both the oil & gas and aviation industries.
Mr. Soucy has over 30 years of business leadership experience in multi-national environments
holding executive positions with P&L responsibilities spanning some 80 countries. Mr. Soucy
retired as President, Products & Technology for Baker Hughes, an oil & gas services company,
in July 2017. In that role he was responsible for the company’s multi-billion-dollar chemical
business as well as enterprise new product & technology development. He also was
responsible for the company’s global marketing and supply chain functions. Prior to that,
Mr. Soucy was headquartered in London, UK for nearly four years where he served as
President of Europe, Africa, Russia, Caspian, and had P&L responsibilities for the region.
Prior to joining Baker Hughes, Mr. Soucy spent 29 years at Pratt & Whitney, where he held
a variety of executive level P&L, technology, and supply chain positions.
ARTHUR L.
SOUCY
Independent Director
Director Since:
December 2017
Committee
Memberships: Audit,
Nominating and
Corporate Governance
Other Public Company
Boards: None
Qualifications
Mr. Soucy brings extensive experience leading large, complex multinational operations, which
directly supports Hayward's focus on operational excellence, supply chain resilience, and global
execution. His background managing broad P&L responsibilities, overseeing technology and
product development, and leading operations across more than 80 countries gives the Board
practical insight into improving efficiency, strengthening commercial strategy, and navigating
diverse global markets.
His deep expertise in supply chain management, operational performance, and global go-to-
market execution enhances the Board's ability to oversee Hayward's manufacturing footprint,
margin-improvement initiatives, and international growth priorities.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain &
Operations
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  11
Artboard 9.jpg
Walker.gif
Biography
Ms. Walker served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of The Valspar
Corporation (“Valspar”), a global coatings manufacturer, from 2008 to 2013, where she led the
Finance, IT and Communications teams. Before this position, Ms. Walker served as Valspar’s
Vice President, Controller, and Treasurer from 2004 to 2008 and as Vice President and
Controller from 2001 to 2004. Prior to joining Valspar, Ms. Walker worked at Honeywell, Inc.,
a global conglomerate of commercial and consumer products, for 20 years in progressively
increasing roles of responsibility, including as Director of Global Financial Risk Management.
Ms. Walker currently serves on the Board of Directors of Southwire Company, LLC, a private
industrial manufacturer of wire and cable, Constellium SE, a publicly traded aluminum fabricator
for the automotive, aerospace and packaging industries and Compass Minerals International,
Inc., a publicly traded producer of salt for highway deicing, commercial and industrial markets.
LORI A.
WALKER
Independent Director
Director Since:
March 2021
Committee
Memberships: Audit
Other Public Company
Boards: Constellium
SE and Compass
Minerals International,
Inc.
Qualifications
Ms. Walker brings extensive financial leadership and risk management expertise, which is
critical to Hayward as the Company prioritizes disciplined financial execution, strong internal
controls, and long-term value creation. Her experience overseeing financial reporting, internal
controls, and capital allocation at large global industrial companies provides the Board with
strong oversight capabilities across accounting integrity, enterprise risk, and financial
performance.
Her background leading finance, IT, and enterprise-wide functions equips her to advise on
Hayward's digital, systems, and process-improvement initiatives, while her public company
board experience strengthens the Board's governance and audit oversight as Hayward
advances its strategic and operational objectives.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Industry.jpg
Water Industry
Knowledge
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
12  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Below are the Class III continuing directors with terms expiring in 2027:
Dayhoff.gif
Biography
Ms. Dayhoff served as Vice President Investor Relations at The Home Depot, Inc. (“Home
Depot”), from May 2003 to April 2018. Prior to joining Home Depot, Ms. Dayhoff worked at
Continental Airlines for 14 years in progressively increasing roles of responsibility, including as
Staff Vice President of Finance. Further, as the Chief Financial Officer of a large privately held
company, she generated that company’s first audited financial statements.
Qualifications
Ms. Dayhoff brings deep expertise in financial reporting, internal controls, and audit processes,
which is essential to Hayward’s commitment to strong financial discipline and transparent public
company reporting. Her experience working closely with auditors and preparing audited
financial statements enables her to provide rigorous oversight of Hayward’s accounting
practices, disclosure quality, and enterprise‑wide financial controls.
In addition, her background in investor relations and financial planning strengthens the
Board’s ability to communicate effectively with stockholders and evaluate the Company’s
financial performance and strategic priorities. Ms. Dayhoff’s expertise enhances the Board’s
governance, audit oversight, and financial stewardship as Hayward advances
its long‑term strategy.
DIANE S.
DAYHOFF
Independent Director
Director Since:
March 2021
Committee
Memberships: Audit
Other Public Company
Boards: None
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  13
Artboard 9.jpg
Felice.gif
Biography
Mr. Felice has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Felice Partners, LLC (an advisory
and private investment company) since January 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Felice was President
and Chief Executive Officer of Filtration Group Corporation (“FGC”), a global industrial
manufacturer, from January 2014 through January 2017. Prior to joining FGC, Mr. Felice was
President and Chief Commercial Officer of Dell, Inc (“Dell”) from December 2011 through
December 2013 after previously serving in a variety of executive roles at Dell from February
1999 through November 2011. Prior to joining Dell, Mr. Felice was President and Chief
Executive Officer of DecisionOne Corporation (“DOC”), a provider of computer technology
services, from 1997 through 1999 after previously serving as President of DOC from 1995
through 1997. Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Felice worked at Bell Atlantic Corp in various roles from
1984 through 1995 and Shell Oil Corp from 1979 through 1984. Mr. Felice has served on the
Board of Directors of Southwire Corporation since 2015 (currently Chairman of Human
Resources Committee), Weber Blackstone since 2025 and the Mark Felice Foundation since
2003. Mr. Felice was also Vice Chairman at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy from 2010 to 2014
and served on the Board of Trustees for The Franklin Institute from 2013 to 2015 and the
Singapore Economic Development Board from 2010 to 2012.
STEPHEN J.
FELICE
Chairman of the Board
Independent Director
Director Since:
May 2018
Committee
Memberships:
Compensation,
Nominating and
Corporate Governance
Other Public Company
Boards: None
Qualifications
Mr. Felice brings extensive experience leading large, global industrial and technology‑enabled
businesses, which directly supports Hayward’s focus on operational excellence, product
innovation, and scalable commercial execution. His background overseeing strategic planning,
manufacturing operations, and global sales organizations enables him to provide practical
guidance on improving efficiency, accelerating growth initiatives, and strengthening Hayward’s
competitive positioning.
His leadership across complex IT‑driven and industrial enterprises also enhances the Board’s
oversight of technology‑enabled business models, digital capabilities, and global go‑to‑market
strategies - key areas for Hayward as the Company continues to modernize operations, expand
internationally, and drive long‑term profitable growth.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain &
Operations
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Industry.jpg
Water Industry
Knowledge
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
14  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
Holleran.gif
Biography
Mr. Holleran has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of
Hayward since August 2019 and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Armstrong
World Industries, Inc, a leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative and interior
architectural applications, including ceilings, specialty walls, and exterior metal solutions,
beginning October 2025. Prior to joining Hayward, beginning in 2017, Mr. Holleran served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Segment within Textron, Inc. (“Textron”).
Textron’s Industrial Segment is composed of Textron Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (“Textron
Specialized Vehicles”), a leading global manufacturer of purpose-built vehicles and equipment
for a variety of commercial and recreational applications across a number of brands, and
Kautex, a tier one automotive supplier of fuel systems, selective catalytic reduction systems,
and cleaning solutions. Prior to 2017, Mr. Holleran served for 10 years as the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Textron Specialized Vehicles, during which time he grew revenue and
profitability substantially through both organic growth and acquisitions. Prior to his time at
Textron, Mr. Holleran held several management positions at Ingersoll-Rand plc and Terex
Corporation across the sales, marketing and product management functions.
KEVIN P.
HOLLERAN
President and CEO
Director Since:
August 2019
Other Public Company
Boards: Armstrong
World Industries, Inc.
Qualifications
As Hayward’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Holleran brings deep institutional
knowledge of the Company’s operations, strategy, workforce, and competitive landscape, which
is essential to the Board’s oversight of execution and long‑term performance. His experience
leading complex industrial businesses, driving growth through both organic initiatives and
strategic acquisitions, equips him to provide the Board with practical insight into operational
efficiency, commercial strategy, and global execution.
His leadership across global operations, sales, and product management strengthens the
Board’s ability to evaluate Hayward’s strategic priorities, assess performance, and guide the
Company’s long‑term opportunities in domestic and international markets.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain &
Operations
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Industry.jpg
Water Industry
Knowledge
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  15
Artboard 9.jpg
Below are the Class I continuing directors with terms expiring in 2028:
Keating.gif
Biography
Ronald C. Keating has served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member at
Excelitas Technologies Corp., since October 2023. Prior to joining Excelitas, Mr. Keating was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Evoqua Water Technologies Corporation, a global
provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions, since December 2014. Mr. Keating
served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of
Contech Engineered Solutions ("Contech"), an infrastructure site solutions provider, from 2007
to 2014. Prior to joining Contech, Mr. Keating served as President of the Metalworking
Solutions and Services Group of Kennametal Inc. ("Kennametal"), a supplier of tooling and
industrial materials. He also held previous roles at Kennametal as the Vice President and
General Manager of the Energy, Mining and Construction Group and for the Electronics
Products Group from 2001 to 2007. Mr. Keating started his career at Ingersoll-Rand plc in
1992, where he held various roles of increasing responsibility. Mr. Keating currently serves on
the board of trustees of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation and the
Board of Directors of the Allegheny Conference.
RONALD C.
KEATING
Independent Director
Director Since:
March 2025
Committee
Memberships:
Compensation
Other Public Company
Boards: Enpro Inc.
Qualifications
Mr. Keating brings extensive global operational and financial leadership experience, along with
deep expertise in the water and infrastructure sectors, which directly aligns with Hayward’s core
markets and long‑term strategic priorities. His background leading complex, technology-
enabled industrial businesses provides the Board with strong insight into operational
excellence, global execution, and disciplined strategic growth.
His experience overseeing large‑scale industrial operations and driving transformation across
water‑focused businesses enhances the Board’s ability to evaluate Hayward’s operational
performance, navigate industry dynamics, and guide the Company’s long‑term value‑creation
strategy.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain &
Operations
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Industry.jpg
Water Industry
Knowledge
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
16  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
Silber.gif
Biography
Mr. Silber has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Herc Holdings Inc. (“Herc
Rentals”), a public company, since May 2015. Prior to joining Herc Rentals, Mr. Silber served
as an executive advisor at Court Square Capital Partners, LLP, a private equity firm primarily
investing in the business services, healthcare, general industrial and technology and
telecommunications sectors, from April 2014 to May 2015. Mr. Silber also served as Chief
Operating Officer for Hayward Industries, Inc. from 2008 to 2012, during which time he oversaw
a successful transition through the recession and return to solid profitability. From 1978 to 2008,
Mr. Silber worked for Ingersoll-Rand plc, a publicly traded manufacturer of industrial products
and components, in a number of roles of increasing responsibility. Mr. Silber previously served
on the Board of Directors of SMTC Corporation from 2012 to 2015.
LAWRENCE
H. SILBER
Independent Director
Director Since:
November 2019
Committee
Memberships:
Compensation
Other Public Company
Boards: Herc Holdings
Inc.
Qualifications
Mr. Silber brings substantial executive management, operational leadership, and strategic
execution experience, informed by his prior service as Chief Operating Officer of Hayward
Industries, Inc. and his current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Herc Rentals.
His extensive knowledge of manufacturing, sales, marketing, and commercial operations,
combined with deep familiarity with Hayward’s own business, provides the Board with
practical insight into performance improvement, operational efficiency, and growth initiatives.
His experience as a senior executive and public company director further enhances the Board’s
capabilities in governance, risk oversight, and financial stewardship, supporting Hayward’s
long‑term operational and strategic objectives.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain &
Operations
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Industry.jpg
Water Industry
Knowledge
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  17
Artboard 9.jpg
Ward.gif
Biography
Mr. Ward most recently served as the President, Client Product Group of Dell Technologies Inc.
(“Dell Technologies”). Mr. Ward has over 38 years of experience working in the technology
industry. Mr. Ward worked at Dell Technologies for 24 years in progressively increasing roles
of responsibility, including Senior Vice President, Client Product Group, Senior Vice President
of Engineering, Client Product Group and Vice President of Engineering, Servers. In addition,
Mr. Ward has worked at NCR Corporation as Vice President of Engineering, Shared
Components & Technical Services. Mr. Ward has also served in board roles at the University
of Colorado, Boulder, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley and Austin’s Habitat for Humanity.
EDWARD D.
WARD
Independent Director
Director Since:
April 2022
Committee
Memberships:
Nominating and
Corporate Governance
Other Public Company
Boards: None
Qualifications
Mr. Ward brings significant leadership experience in strategic planning, technology
innovation, and large‑scale engineering management, which directly supports Hayward’s
focus on product innovation and operational excellence. His background overseeing product
development, advanced engineering, and technology‑driven organizations equips him to
provide the Board with valuable insight into strengthening Hayward’s technology roadmap,
enhancing product reliability, and supporting long‑term innovation.
His experience guiding complex, technology‑enabled businesses through growth and
transformation further enhances the Board’s ability to evaluate Hayward’s strategic initiatives,
operational execution, and long‑term competitiveness.
Skills
Governance.jpg
Board
Governance
Compensation.jpg
Compensation
& Human
Resources
Risk.jpg
Risk
Management
FinancialLiteracy.jpg
Financial
Literacy
Internantional.jpg
International
Markets
Cybersecurity.jpg
IT Experience
& Cybersecurity
Supply.jpg
Supply Chain &
Operations
Strategic.jpg
Strategic
Leadership &
Management
Sustainability.jpg
Sustainability
Matters
Finance.jpg
Finance &
Accounting
Sales.jpg
Sales,
Marketing & E-
commerce
Leadership.jpg
Leadership
Experience
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Each of the Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee"), Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") and
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board is composed entirely of independent directors within the
meaning of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) corporate governance standards.
Based on information provided by each director regarding his or her background, employment and affiliations, our Board has
affirmatively determined that each director who served during Fiscal Year 2025, each director nominee and each continuing
director, other than Mr. Holleran, is independent in accordance with NYSE rules and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. In
making these determinations, the Board considered that certain directors serve as directors of other companies with which we
engage from time to time in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with our independence standards, we determined
that none of these relationships were material or impaired the independence of any of such directors. There are no family
relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
18  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
In addition, our Board has determined that Mr. Brown, Ms. Dayhoff, Mr. Soucy and Ms. Walker each satisfy the additional
independence requirements for audit committee members under NYSE listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Board also determined that Mr. Brown, Ms. Dayhoff, Mr. Soucy
and Ms. Walker qualify as "audit committee financial experts” as defined under SEC rules and that all Audit Committee
members are financially literate. The Board has further determined that each of the members of our Compensation Committee
satisfies the additional independence criteria for membership on a compensation committee under NYSE rules.
CLASSIFIED BOARD STRUCTURE
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for a Board comprised of three classes of directors, with each class serving a three-
year term beginning and ending in different years than those of the other two classes. Generally, only one class of directors
is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective
three-year terms. Our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that the number of directors serving in the three classes is to
be as nearly equal as possible. Our three director classes of the Board are comprised as follows:
Our Class II directors, Kevin Brown, Arthur Soucy and Lori Walker, are standing for re-election to our Board at the
Annual Meeting.
Our Class III directors are Diane Dayhoff, Stephen Felice and Kevin Holleran, and their terms expire at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2027.
Our Class I directors are Ronald Keating, Lawrence Silber and Edward Ward, and their terms expire at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2028.
Our classified Board provides stability and continuity and allows us to pursue our long-term goals and objectives that we
believe are in the best interests of our stockholders. For example, we continue to pursue attractive product and geographic
market opportunities to grow our presence in new markets or markets in which we have less penetration, and we believe, over
the long term, that our business can effectively address these opportunities through new product development and scalable
sales, marketing and administration. Our Board regularly reviews its governance practices and continues to believe that the
current classified Board structure serves the best interests of all stockholders by supporting sustained focus on long-term
value creation. Our classified Board structure allows us to maintain this long-term focus, compared to a declassified board,
which may place greater emphasis on short-term considerations and annual election dynamics rather than the sustained
execution of long-term strategy.
In addition, our classified board structure supports continuity by maintaining a Board comprised of experienced directors
who are familiar with our business, strategic goals and objectives, history, culture, markets and industry. Our classified
board structure also strengthens our ability to recruit high-quality directors, who are more willing to make the significant time
commitment to learn our operations, markets, industry and long-term growth strategy, with the assurance provided by a three-
year term.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  19
Artboard 9.jpg
Corporate Governance
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW
Hayward recognizes the importance of strong corporate governance in addressing the interests of our stockholders,
employees, customers and other stakeholders, and for achieving our mission and long-term stockholder value. The following
highlights certain of our corporate governance practices:
CircleCheck.gif
Independent Board Chair and CEO roles
CircleCheck.gif
Majority independent Board (8 of 9 directors)
CircleCheck.gif
Independent Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees
CircleCheck.gif
Board oversight of management succession planning
CircleCheck.gif
Board and Committee oversight of risk management
CircleCheck.gif
Maintain rigorous stock ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers
CircleCheck.gif
Advisory vote on executive compensation held annually
CircleCheck.gif
Annual vote to ratify appointment of independent registered public accounting firm
CircleCheck.gif
Each share of Company common stock is entitled to one vote on matters put to a stockholder vote
BOARD AND COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
BOARD LEADERSHIP
Our Board has not adopted a formal policy with respect to the separation of the offices of CEO and Chairperson of the Board.
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board believes that, rather than having a rigid policy, it should determine,
as and when appropriate upon consideration of all relevant factors and circumstances, whether the two offices should be
separated. Currently, our leadership structure separates the offices of CEO and Chairperson of the Board, with Mr. Holleran
serving as our CEO and Mr. Felice serving as non-executive Chairperson of the Board. The Board believes this is the most
effective and appropriate leadership structure for the Board and the Company at this time.
BOARD COMMITTEES
To support effective governance, our Board delegates certain of its responsibilities to committees. We have three standing
committees: the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each
of which has the composition and responsibilities described below. The committee charter for each of the three standing
committees is available on our Investor Relations website, investor.hayward.com. In addition, from time to time, our Board may
establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business or to address particular matters as they arise.
20  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
Members serve on committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board. Committee membership is
presented as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
Committee Composition
Name
Audit
Compensation
Nominating &
Corporate Governance
Kevin Brown (FE)
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
Arthur Soucy (FE)
GrayCircle.gif
GrayCircle.gif
Lori Walker (FE)
BlueCircle.gif
Diane Dayhoff (FE)
GrayCircle.gif
Stephen Felice (C)
GrayCircle.gif
BlueCircle.gif
Kevin Holleran
Ronald Keating
GrayCircle.gif
Lawrence Silber
BlueCircle.gif
Edward Ward
GrayCircle.gif
Number of Meetings in 2025:
9
5
4
(C)  Chairperson of the Board  |  (FE) Audit Committee Financial Expert  |  Committee Chairperson  |  Committee Member
BlueCircle.jpg
GrayCircle.jpg
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Meetings in 2025: 9
MEMBERS:
Image_32.jpg
Lori Walker
(Chair)
Kevin Brown
Diane Dayhoff
Arthur Soucy
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Overseeing the quality and integrity of the Company's financial statements, financial reporting
process and earnings releases;
Appointing, compensating and overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm,
including meeting separately with the auditors to discuss the scope and results of their work;
Overseeing the annual audit process, including reviewing and discussing with management and
the auditors significant accounting and reporting matters, audit results and audit opinions;
Reviewing and discussing the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements with
management and the auditors;
Providing oversight of the Company's capital structure, liquidity and key financial ratios;
Overseeing the Company's internal control environment, including advising management,
internal audit and the external auditors on internal control matters and reviewing internal audit
reports and the effectiveness of the internal audit function;
Reviewing and discussing significant changes to the Company's accounting policies with
management and the external auditors;
Reviewing guidelines and policies governing the Company's risk assessment and risk
management process;
Overseeing the effectiveness of the Company's systems for monitoring compliance with laws
and regulations;
Reviewing and overseeing related-party transactions required to be disclosed in public filings
in accordance with the Company’s related-party transactions policy; and
Overseeing the integrity and security of the Company’s information technology systems,
processes, including periodically reviewing information security, cybersecurity and
contingency plans.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  21
Artboard 9.jpg
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Meetings in 2025: 5
MEMBERS:
Image_28.jpg
Lawrence Silber
(Chair)
Kevin Brown
Stephen Felice
Ronald Keating
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reviewing and establishing the Company’s overall compensation strategy for its management
and employees;
Annually reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEO’s
compensation, evaluating the CEO’s performance, and approving, or recommending to the
Board for approval, the CEO’s compensation;
Reviewing and determining, or recommending to the Board for determination, the compensation
of the Company's other executive officers;
Reviewing, assessing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation
of directors;
Reviewing, approving and overseeing the Company's compensation and benefits plans,
including approving equity grants and awards;
Reviewing and approving employment, compensation, severance and change-in-control
arrangements for executive officers;
Reviewing the Company’s compensation policies and practices to assess whether they
encourage excessive risk-taking;
Reviewing and discussing the relationship between compensation and the Company's risk
management policies and practices and evaluating compensation features designed to mitigate
risk; and
Reviewing and approving other policies and practices relating to the compensation of directors,
officers and employees.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2025, our Compensation Committee was composed of Mr. Silber, Mr. Brown, Mr. Felice, and Mr. Keating. Other than
Mr. Silber, who served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2012, none of the Compensation Committee
members has served as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or has had, or currently has, a
relationship with the Company required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of our executive officers has
served as a member of the board of directors, or as a member of the compensation committee or similar committee, of any
entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our Board or Compensation Committee during 2025.
NOMINATING & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Meetings in 2025: 4
MEMBERS:
Image_34.jpg
Stephen Felice
(Chair)
Arthur Soucy
Edward Ward
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Identifying, selecting and recommending to the Board individuals for election to the Board and
recommending the classes on which such nominees should serve;
Reviewing the Board’s committee structure and making recommendations regarding director
committee assignments;
Reviewing the Company's corporate governance guidelines and director-related policies and
making recommendations to the Board;
Overseeing the Company’s sustainability initiatives and reviewing policies relating to significant
issues of corporate public responsibility;
Reviewing director practices and policies, including retirement policies, Board size, non-
employee director service and Board meeting structure, and making recommendations
to the Board;
Recommending and overseeing annual evaluation processes for the Board, the CEO and
appropriate Board committees, including annually certifying that the performance of the CEO
and other members of executive management is being appropriately evaluated;
Considering and reporting to the Board any questions of potential conflicts of interest
involving directors;
Providing for new director orientation and continuing education;
Overseeing management’s succession planning for senior management positions; and
Reviewing and assessing the adequacy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee charter and recommending changes to the Board.
22  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
DIRECTOR ENGAGEMENT
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND STANDING COMMITTEES
Our Board and the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees meet at least four times
each year. During Fiscal Year 2025, our Board held five meetings, the Audit Committee held nine meetings, the Compensation
Committee held five meetings, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings. Each director
serving on the Board in Fiscal Year 2025 attended more than 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and the
meetings of all committees of the Board on which such director served during Fiscal Year 2025. Our non-employee directors
met periodically during Fiscal Year 2025 without management present. Mr. Felice, the non-executive Chairperson of the Board,
presided at all meetings of the non-management directors. Although we have no policy regarding director attendance at annual
meetings of stockholders, directors are encouraged to attend. All directors serving on the Board during Fiscal Year 2025
attended the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, except for Ronald Keating, whose appointment to the Board was approved
at the annual meeting.
BOARD’S ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT
Under the leadership of our CEO, senior management develops and executes our business strategy, manages our operations,
and works to drive the success of our business by modeling our culture, establishing accountability, managing risk, and
aligning the Company's organizational structure, operations, personnel, policies, and compliance efforts with our mission and
strategy. The Board has primary responsibility for overseeing the development and execution of our business strategy. In
fulfilling this responsibility, the Board engages directly with our CEO and senior management and regularly reviews the
Company's strategic and operational priorities, competitive environment, market challenges, economic trends and regulatory
developments.
CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP OVERSIGHT
The Board and its committees oversee the Company's corporate stewardship priorities as part of their broader oversight
responsibilities, with each committee responsible for matters within its respective areas of oversight. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee oversees matters involving sustainability and social considerations, corporate governance
policies and practices, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the consideration of director candidates based
on skills, qualifications and experience. The Audit Committee oversees matters involving ethics, compliance, and data privacy
and cybersecurity risks. The Compensation Committee oversees matters involving employee and executive compensation
programs and the Company's overall compensation strategy.
RISK OVERSIGHT
The Board, together with its committees, oversees the Company's risk profile through ongoing review and discussion as part
of its regular activities throughout the year. In delegating authority to management, approving strategies, making decisions,
and reviewing management reports, the Board considers, among other things, the risks facing the Company. While each
committee oversees risks within its areas of responsibility, the full Board remains regularly informed through committee
reports and other communications. The Board believes that this approach to risk oversight enables it to maintain flexibility
in leadership structure while continuing to provide effective oversight of risk.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  23
Artboard 9.jpg
The Board also oversees risk in specific areas through its committee structure, as described below:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Reviews and discusses with senior management significant risks affecting the Company, including matters escalated by its committees
from within their respective areas of oversight.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
NOMINATING & CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Oversees the Company's major financial and
information technology risk exposures,
including cybersecurity matters, and reviews
management's process for identifying,
monitoring, and managing such risks, as well
as the Company's related risk management
policies and contingency plans.
Oversees risks related to the Company's
compensation plans and arrangements,
including consideration of whether
rewards and incentives encourage undue
risk-taking by personnel.
Oversees management of risks
associated with director independence,
conflicts of interest, Board composition
and organization, director succession
planning, and corporate governance and
sustainability.
Financial Reporting & Audit
Compensation Strategy
Board Composition
Internal Controls
Executive Compensation
Governance Framework
Compliance & Ethics
Equity & Incentives
Leadership Succession
Technology & Cybersecurity
Risk Alignment
Board Effectiveness
MANAGEMENT
Identifies and manages risks associated with significant business activities, integrates risk considerations into strategic decision-making,
and reports on material risk matters to the Board and its committees.
COMPENSATION RISK ASSESSMENT
As part of our annual compensation-related risk assessment, management, together with the Compensation Committee,
evaluates whether risks arising from the Company's compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have
a material adverse effect on the Company. This assessment includes a review of both cash and equity incentive plans
across executive and non-executive employee populations, as well as other compensation-related policies.
The assessment considers (i) material enterprise risks that could be exacerbated by compensation policies and practices and
(ii) potential risks arising from the design of compensation programs, including performance metrics, payout structures, pay
mix and processes for verifying performance results.
The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the Company’s compensation policies and practices to assess whether they
appropriately balance risk and reward, and support the Company's business strategy without encouraging excessive risk-
taking. At least annually, the Compensation Committee reviews and discusses the relationship between compensation
and the Company's risk management policies and practices. Based on these reviews, the Compensation Committee has
concluded that the Company’s compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
CEO & MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION PLANNING
Our Board, or a committee thereof as determined by our Board, is responsible for periodically reviewing succession planning
for our executive officers, including our CEO. The goal of our Board is to maintain a long-term and ongoing program for
effective senior leadership development and succession. On an annual basis, the Board reviews a succession assessment
for our executive officers, including our NEOs. The assessment profiles potential successors and includes an evaluation
of strengths, development opportunities and overall readiness. We have a contingency plan in place for emergencies,
such as the death, disability, or unexpected or sudden departure of an executive officer.
24  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
BOARD EFFECTIVENESS
ANNUAL BOARD AND COMMITTEE ASSESSMENT
Our Board recognizes the importance of a robust self-assessment framework to maintain Board effectiveness and support
each director in carrying out their responsibilities in furtherance of the Company's objectives. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee oversees the ongoing review of the performance of the Board, its committees, and individual directors,
including oversight of the annual self-evaluation process and the review and implementation of the Company's Corporate
Governance Guidelines.
Each year, directors participate in evaluations of the Board, each standing committee, and individual directors. These
evaluations provide opportunities for individual feedback and collective discussion on key matters relating to the Board and
the Company, including overall effectiveness and areas for improvement. The components of this self-evaluation process
are described below.
2
3
4
5
6
1
Approach
Self-assessments
may be conducted
through written or
oral questionnaires
administered by
Board members,
management or
third parties
Questionnaires
Each director
receives the
questionnaires
and provides
feedback
One‑on‑one
Discussions
Independent
Chairperson
discusses results in
one‑on‑one
discussions with each
director, encouraging
candid feedback
Summary Review
Independent
Chairperson reviews
the summary and
results of the
evaluation process
with the Nominating
and Corporate
Governance
Committee
Feedback
Nominating and
Corporate
Governance
Committee leads a
discussion of the
results with the
Board in executive
session to identify
focus areas and
proposed actions
Ongoing Efforts
Board implements
any agreed‑upon
actions and is
encouraged to
provide ongoing
feedback, which can
be discussed at each
regular meeting
The most recent annual evaluation process took place in the fourth quarter of 2025. Following individual one-on-one
discussions and full Board discussions, the Board and each committee concluded that their performance, as well as the
performance of individual directors, was effective.
DIRECTOR ORIENTATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Company conducts orientation programs to familiarize new directors with the Company's business, strategy and policies
and to assist new directors in developing Company- and industry-specific knowledge to support effective service on the Board.
Directors also have access to additional orientation and educational opportunities upon assuming new or expanded
responsibilities on the Board or its committees. Directors are expected to remain informed about issues affecting the Company
and its industry, as well as developments relating to their responsibilities as directors. The Board encourages directors to
participate annually in continuing education programs, and the Company reimburses directors for reasonable expenses
incurred in connection with such participation. Continuing education is also provided through Board meetings, other Board
discussion and as stand-alone informational sessions held outside of regular meetings.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  25
Artboard 9.jpg
2025 STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
We believe effective corporate governance includes proactive outreach and constructive engagement with our stockholders.
During 2025, we continued our stockholder outreach program as part of our corporate governance practices, seeking feedback
to understand areas of strength and potential improvement. We solicited input on a range of key topics, including corporate
governance, executive compensation, business initiatives and other matters of interest to stockholders. Feedback from these
engagements was summarized and shared with senior management and the Board to inform their consideration of relevant
governance, compensation, strategy and risk oversight matters.
HOW WE ENGAGE WITH STOCKHOLDERS
2
3
4
5
1
Year-round responsive
engagement with our
stockholders
Reported our
stockholders' views to
management and our
Board
Our Senior Leadership
Team participated in
stockholder outreach
Engaged with analysts
through quarterly calls,
our Investor Relations
website, and meetings
to discuss financial and
operational
performance
Contacted stockholders
representing 65% of our
outstanding shares and
engaged with three
global institutional
investors to discuss
governance and
executive compensation
OTHER GOVERNANCE POLICIES & PRACTICES
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines designed to assist the Board in performing its duties. These
guidelines provide general guidance to our Board with a view toward maintaining a strong and effective working relationship
among Board members and between our Board and management. The goal of these guidelines is to reflect current
governance practices and to enhance the ability of our Board and management to guide the Company in its continued growth
and success. The Corporate Governance Guidelines may be amended by our Board from time to time. A copy of the Corporate
Governance Guidelines is available on our Investor Relations website, investor.hayward.com.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines address items such as:
Board
Composition
» Board size and composition
» Director nomination and selection process
» Director qualifications and skills criteria
» Director independence
Leadership and
Elections
» Director elections and resignation policy
» Designation of Board chairperson
» Director role changes and Board review
Compensation
and Tenure
» Director term limits and re-nomination review
» Director compensation and equity alignment
Board Evaluation
and Education
» Evaluation of board performance
» Director orientation and continuing education
Operations and
Engagement
» Board policy on director communications
» CEO evaluation and leadership development
» CEO and executive succession planning
26  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
DIRECTOR COMMITMENTS & ADDITIONAL BOARD SERVICE
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees director effectiveness by reviewing external board
commitments to help confirm that such commitments do not impair a director's ability to effectively serve on the Board. This
review is conducted at least annually as part of the Board's evaluation process and is reflected in the Corporate Governance
Guidelines approved by the Board. Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board does not maintain a formal limit
on the number of other public company boards on which a director may serve; however, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee considers each director's and nominee's other board commitments, particularly with respect to public
companies, and expects that directors devote sufficient time and attention to fulfill their responsibilities to the Company.
BUSINESS CONDUCT POLICY & CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Business Ethics and Code of Conduct Policy and Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Financial
Officers which are posted on our Investor Relations website, investor.hayward.com. We will also disclose on our website any
amendments to sections of our Business Ethics and Code of Conduct Policy and Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and
Financial Officers that constitute our Code of Ethics and any waivers granted to our executive officers or directors.
RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTION POLICY
We have adopted a written policy governing review, approval and ratification of related-party transactions. Under this policy,
the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving transactions, arrangements and relationships (including
any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) or any series of similar transactions, in which the Company or one of its
subsidiaries is a participant, the aggregate amount involved exceeds, or may be expected to exceed, $120,000 in any fiscal
year, and any related-party has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
The Chairperson of the Audit Committee may pre-approve or ratify related-party transactions expected to involve less than
$500,000. The Audit Committee considers, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms
no less favorable than those generally available to unaffiliated third parties under the same or similar circumstances and the
nature and extent of the related-party’s interest in the transaction. For additional information, see the section titled “Security
Ownership and Related Information—Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions.”
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS
In addition to the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws,
we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers. These agreements
require us to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities arising from their
service to the Company and to advance expenses incurred in connection with proceedings for which they may be entitled to
indemnification. The indemnification provided under these agreements is not exclusive of any other rights to which they may
be entitled.
PURCHASES OF PRODUCTS IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS
Certain of our related parties may, either directly or through their respective affiliates, enter into commercial transactions
with us from time to time in the ordinary course of business, primarily for the purchase of merchandise. We believe that none
of the transactions with such parties is significant enough to be considered material to such parties or to us.
AVAILABILITY OF CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
Our corporate governance documents are available on our Investor Relations website, investor.hayward.com. The information
contained on, or accessible through, our website is not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this Proxy Statement. Copies
of these governance documents are also available in print upon request by writing to the Corporate Secretary at Hayward
Holdings, Inc., 1415 Vantage Park Drive, Suite 400, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203.
CONTACTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Although we do not have a formal policy regarding communications with our Board, stockholders, employees and others
who are interested in communicating with our Board may do so by writing to us at Hayward Holdings, Inc., Attn: Corporate
Secretary, 1415 Vantage Park Drive, Suite 400, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203. The Corporate Secretary will forward to
the Chairperson of the Board and such other Board members as may be deemed appropriate for any such communication,
provided that such communication addresses a legitimate business issue.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  27
Artboard 9.jpg
Director Compensation
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We compensate our non-employee directors in accordance with our Director Compensation Policy, which is established
by the Compensation Committee in consultation with the Board, its independent compensation consultant, the CEO and other
members of senior management. The Director Compensation Policy is designed to compensate non-employee directors for
their experience and service, support the achievement of the Company's long-term strategic objectives, and align director
compensation with that of other leading U.S.-based publicly traded companies.
ANNUAL CASH RETAINER
Under the Director Compensation Policy, each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer of $85,000 ($110,000
for the chairperson of the Board). The policy does not provide additional cash retainers for committee membership and
provides additional cash retainers only for service as a committee chairperson, as set forth below:
Director Cash Retainer Policy
Board Committee
Additional Annual Cash Retainer
Audit Committee Chairperson
$20,000
Compensation Committee Chairperson
$15,000
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson
$15,000
ANNUAL RSU GRANT
In Fiscal Year 2025, each covered non-employee director received an annual grant of RSUs with a grant date fair value of
$130,000 for Board members and $205,000 for the Chairperson of the Board, as determined in accordance with ASC Topic
718. The RSUs vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the date of the Annual Meeting, generally subject
to the non-employee director’s continued service, through the applicable vesting date.
28  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
FISCAL YEAR 2025 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our Board during the year ended
December 31, 2025. Mr. Holleran did not receive any additional compensation for his service on the Board during the year
ended December 31, 2025, and his compensation for the year ended December 31, 2025, is set forth under “Executive
Compensation—Summary Compensation Table.”
Prior to January 1 of any year, a covered non-employee director may elect to receive his or her annual cash retainer in the
form of RSUs that vest on December 31 of that year (or such other date as determined by the Board or Compensation
Committee), subject to continued service as a director through the vesting date. The amount of RSUs received by a director
making such election is determined by dividing the cash value of the retainer by the closing price of the Company's common
stock on the grant date.
Name
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
Stock
Awards
($) (3)
Option
Awards
($) (4)
Total
($)
Kevin Brown
51,607
130,011
181,618
Diane Dayhoff
85,000
130,292
215,292
Stephen Felice (2)
330,463
330,463
Ronald Keating (2)
219,089
219,089
Lawrence Silber
100,000
130,292
230,292
Arthur Soucy (2)
215,327
215,327
Lori Walker
105,000
130,292
235,292
Edward Ward
85,000
130,292
215,292
(1)Amounts shown represent the cash portion of the annual retainers. Any cash retainer amounts elected to be received in the form
of RSUs that were granted in 2025 are reflected in the Stock Awards column.
(2)Mr. Felice, Mr. Keating, and Mr. Soucy elected to receive their annual cash retainers for board and committee chair service in the
form of RSUs. The amount shown is the grant date fair value of these awards, which were paid in quarterly installments during
Fiscal Year 2025.
(3)Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of RSUs granted during Fiscal Year 2025 computed in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual, which are based on the
closing share price on the applicable grant date. On May 22, 2025, the directors received annual equity retainer awards in the form of
RSUs as follows: Ms. Dayhoff: 9,462 RSUs, Mr. Felice: 14,920 RSUs, Mr. Keating: 9,462, Mr. Silber: 9,462 RSUs, Mr. Soucy: 9,462
RSUs, Ms. Walker: 9,462 RSUs, and Mr. Ward: 9,462 RSUs. In connection with his appointment to the Board on March 20, 2025, Mr.
Keating received a prorated annual equity retainer award of 1,599 RSUs on May 2, 2025, covering the period from March 20, 2025
through May 21, 2025. In addition, Mr. Brown received an annual equity retainer award of 7,550 RSUs on October 30, 2025. These
RSUs will vest on May 21, 2026, subject to the director’s continued service on our Board. In determining the number of shares to be
awarded, the Company used the closing price of our common stock on May 22, 2025, which was $13.74 per share. In addition, Mr.
Felice, Mr. Keating, and Mr. Soucy elected to receive their cash retainers for board and committee service in the form of RSUs. As such,
on February 28, 2025, Mr. Felice was granted 2,157 RSUs and Mr. Soucy was granted 1,467 RSUs; on May 2, 2025, Mr. Felice was
granted 2,226 RSUs, Mr. Keating was granted 1,697 RSUs, and Mr. Soucy was granted 1,514 RSUs; on July 31, 2025, Mr. Felice was
granted 2,032 RSUs, Mr. Keating was granted 1,382 RSUs, and Mr. Soucy was granted 1,382 RSUs; and on October 30, 2025, Mr.
Felice was granted 1,815 RSUs, Mr. Keating was granted 1,235 RSUs, and Mr. Soucy was granted 1,235 RSUs. Each of these RSUs
vested on December 31, 2025. The number of shares awarded on each grant date was determined based on the closing price of our
common stock on such date. For each non-employee director, the aggregate number of unvested stock awards outstanding as of the
end of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, was as follows: Mr. Brown: 7,550 RSUs, Ms. Dayhoff: 9,462 RSUs, Mr. Felice: 14,920
RSUs, Mr. Keating: 9,462 RSUs, Mr. Silber: 9,462 RSUs, Mr. Soucy: 9,462 RSUs, Ms. Walker: 9,462 RSUs, and Mr. Ward: 9,462 RSUs.
(4)For each non-employee director who holds option shares, the aggregate number of option awards outstanding as of the end of the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2025, was as follows: Mr. Felice: 126,750 option shares, Mr. Silber: 156,000 option shares and Mr. Soucy:
121,750 option shares. These awards consist of vested option shares issued prior to our initial public offering (“IPO”).
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  29
Artboard 9.jpg
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Non-employee directors are reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending
meetings of our Board and its committees. In addition, pursuant to the Company's Hayward Products Valuation and Marketing
Policy, directors and executive officers may receive Hayward pool products for personal use at no cost. No director received
$10,000 or more of Hayward products under this policy in Fiscal Year 2025.
Non-employee directors are also subject to stock ownership guidelines requiring ownership of Company common stock with a
value equal to five times the annual cash retainer for Board service, excluding any additional cash retainers for committee
service or leadership roles. Directors are required to meet these ownership levels by the later of February 10, 2026 and the
fifth anniversary of the date the individual became a director. For additional information, see the section titled “Executive
Compensation—Other Policies & Practices—Stock Ownership Guidelines” in this Proxy Statement.
30  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL
2
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION (“SAY-ON-PAY”)
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR
the adoption of the resolution approving, on an advisory basis, the compensation
paid to our named executive officers as presented in this Proxy Statement.
Recommendation.jpg
The Board of Directors is providing stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our
NEOs pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act. This proposal, commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal, gives our
stockholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive compensation programs and policies and the
compensation paid to our NEOs. We currently hold annual Say-on-Pay votes.
The Board values the opinions of the Company’s stockholders as expressed through their votes and other communications.
To provide this opportunity, we will present the following resolution to stockholders at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the stockholders hereby approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s
named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, in the Company’s proxy statement for the
2026 annual meeting of stockholders.”
This Say-on-Pay vote is advisory and therefore not binding on the Compensation Committee or the Board. This vote will not
affect any compensation already paid or awarded to any NEO, nor will it require any changes or previously made
compensation decisions. Nonetheless, the Compensation Committee and the Board will review and carefully consider the
outcome of the advisory vote when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs and policies.
We design our executive compensation programs to attract and retain top executive talent, while aligning our compensation
with our corporate and financial objectives, and the long-term interests of our stockholders. Stockholders are encouraged to
read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section of this Proxy Statement, which describes our compensation 
philosophy, program design and the manner in which compensation decisions are made.
ADVISORY VOTE REQUIRED: APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Approval of the Say-on-Pay proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively
or negatively. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF
THE RESOLUTION APPROVING, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AS PRESENTED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  31
Artboard 9.jpg
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This CD&A describes the Company’s executive compensation philosophy and policies, the process for determining executive
compensation, the elements of the executive compensation program, and the respective roles of our Compensation
Committee and management in setting executive compensation.
During Fiscal Year 2025, our NEOs and their positions were as follows:
Holleran.jpg
Kevin Holleran
President,
Chief Executive Officer
Jones.jpg
Eifion Jones
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Collins.jpg
John Collins
Senior Vice President,
Chief Commercial Officer
Canning.jpg
Susan Canning
Senior Vice President,
Chief Legal Officer and
Corporate Secretary
Sejourne.jpg
Eric Sejourne
Senior Vice President,
Chief Global
Operations Officer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Compensation Philosophy & Objectives
See Page 35 »
2
How We Determine Executive Compensation
See Page 36 »
3
2025 Executive Compensation Program
See Page 38 »
4
Other Policies & Practices
See Page 48 »
5
Compensation Committee Report
See Page 50 »
6
Executive Compensation Tables
See Page 51 »
32  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
COMPENSATION PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The Compensation Committee designed the 2025 executive compensation program with the objectives and key features
to meet those objectives as set out below.
The Compensation Committee believes that the design of the compensation program, including having the appropriate mix
of compensation elements and performance metrics and targets, has a significant impact on driving Company performance.
1
ALIGNMENT WITH CORPORATE STRATEGIES
Align Compensation Program With Our Corporate Strategy
And Business Objectives
Our compensation philosophy is focused on attracting and retaining
top executive talent while aligning executive compensation with the
Company's corporate and financial objectives and the long-term
interests of our stockholders. We provide compensation programs that
we believe are fair and competitive and that are structured to motivate
executives to drive market-leading performance relative to the
Company’s peers. We also maintain a commitment to strong
corporate governance in the design and administration of our NEO
compensation arrangements.
Our executive compensation programs have historically been
weighted toward both short- and long-term performance through a mix
of cash and equity incentives, providing executives with the
opportunity to share in the Company's long-term value creation.
See Page 35 »
OUR STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES:
Attract.jpg
Attract and Retain Top
Executive Talent
Objectives.jpg
Align Corporate and
Financial Objectives
Interests.jpg
Align Long-Term
Interests of Executives
and Stockholders
Performance.jpg
Drive Market-Leading
Performance
2025 ANNUAL
CASH INCENTIVE
2
PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
Compensation Linked To Short- And Long‑term
Performance Objectives
A substantial percentage of our NEO compensation is performance-
based. The annual cash incentive measures performance over a one-
year period and rewards are tied to short-term Company financial and
operational objectives. PSUs measure multi-year performance and
reward the achievement of long-term Company objectives, including
relative total shareholder return ("TSR").
See Pages 40-45 »
10%
Cash Conversion
Cycle
14843406975840
30%
Net Sales
60%
Adjusted
EBITDA
2025 - 2027 PSUs
20%
Return on Gross
Invested Capital
14843406975882
30%
Adjusted
EBITDA
Margin
50%
Net Sales
Annual
Growth
Rate
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  33
Artboard 9.jpg
LONG-TERM EQUITY
3
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
Equity Awards Designed To Promote Retention
And Performance
In Fiscal Year 2025, our CEO and other NEOs received long-term equity
awards in the form of RSUs and PSUs. RSUs vest annually over a
three-year period, and PSUs have a three-year performance period with
vesting shortly thereafter, which we believe promote retention and long-
term performance achievement. The target equity award mix for the
CEO and the other NEOs was 50% RSUs and 50% PSUs.
See Page 42 »
50%
PSUs
14843406976092
CEO and
OTHER
NEOs
50%
RSUs
PERFORMANCE-BASED
4
BALANCED MIX
Performance‑based, Long-term Compensation
Our NEOs' target direct compensation is heavily weighted toward
performance-based, long-term incentives. Current compensation
consists of cash, including base salary and a performance-based annual
cash incentive ("ACI"), while long-term compensation is delivered
primarily through equity awards in the form of RSUs and performance-
based PSUs.
See Page 38 »
14843406976116
48%
ACI
PSUs
LONG-TERM EQUITY
14843406976141
RSUs
56%
PSUs
5
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
Alignment With Long-term Stockholder Value
We maintain stock ownership guidelines to reinforce executive
accountability and align executive interests with long-term
stockholder value.
See Page 48 »
CEO
5x
annual base salary
CFO
3x
annual base salary
OTHER NEOs
1x
annual base salary
34  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION
KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
The graphs below show actual Company performance to better contextualize the corresponding performance targets for the
performance‑based compensation elements making up the majority of the Company’s awards paid in 2025.
Net
Sales
($ in billions)
10995116278561
Return On Gross
Invested Capital
10995116280333
Adjusted
EBITDA(1)
($ in millions)
10995116280337
Adjusted
EBITDA Margin(1)
10995116280345
Net Sales Annual
Growth Rate
10995116280349
Chart.gif
Despite macroeconomic challenges faced by the pool industry, the Company achieved
sales and earnings growth, margin expansion, and increased cash flow generation in Fiscal
Year 2025.
(1)Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP measures. See Appendix A for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA Margin to their most directly comparable GAAP measures.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  35
Artboard 9.jpg
SAY ON PAY & STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
In making its decisions regarding executive compensation for 2025, the Compensation Committee considered the significant
level of stockholder support our executive compensation program received from stockholders in 2025 (92% support).
We also prioritize regular engagement with our stockholders regarding a number of governance matters, including
executive compensation.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY & OBJECTIVES
PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
The Company uses short- and long-term incentive compensation as key components of its compensation philosophy.
A significant portion of our executive compensation is “at-risk,” delivered through a mix of performance-based incentives tied
to key financial and operational objectives, and equity awards with multi-year vesting schedules, or a combination of these
features, in order to promote superior performance, long-term retention, and alignment with stockholder interests.
Compensation for our NEOs generally consists of base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and equity awards.
BASE SALARY
Provides the level of market-based
compensation to attract, retain
and recognize talent in key roles
required for the operation
of the Company
CASH-BASED INCENTIVE
COMPENSATION
Provides short-term incentives
directly linked to achievement
of the Company’s annual financial
and operational performance
EQUITY-BASED
COMPENSATION
Aligns the long-term interests
of NEOs and stockholders,
and supports retention
circleplus.gif
circleplus.gif
Base salary is intended to be competitive and designed to attract and retain executive talent. In establishing base salary
ranges and individual pay levels, the Compensation Committee considers market data, business conditions, individual
talent, relevant experience and performance, with input from the Company's human resources team and its independent
compensation consultant. The annual cash incentive program is designed to emphasize the achievement of the Company's
annual financial and operational objectives. Equity-based compensation aligns our executives' interests with those
of our stockholders and executive retention, and the Compensation Committee retains discretion to recognize
exceptional performance.
The elements of the executive compensation program are designed to operate in a complementary and integrated manner
to advance the Company's executive compensation objectives.The Compensation Committee evaluates our executive
compensation program to support these objectives, including rewarding exceptional performance, supporting long-term
stockholder value creation, and applying sound governance and compensation best practices.
36  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
WHAT WE DO / WHAT WE DON’T DO
The table below highlights our executive compensation program design and governance principles:
WHAT WE DO
Check_Blue.gif
Emphasize performance-based, at-risk compensation
Check_Blue.gif
Use equity compensation to promote executive retention
and reward long-term value creation
Check_Blue.gif
Target total direct cash compensation at the market
median and weight overall pay mix toward incentive
compensation
Check_Blue.gif
Engage an independent compensation consultant to
advise our Compensation Committee
Check_Blue.gif
Maintain rigorous stock ownership guidelines for our
directors and executive officers
Check_Blue.gif
Include double trigger provisions for cash severance
payments and long-term equity following a change-in-
control
Check_Blue.gif
Maintain an incentive compensation “clawback” policy
WHAT WE DO NOT DO
x_Black.gif
Do not grant uncapped cash incentives or guaranteed
equity compensation
x_Black.gif
Do not provide significant perquisites
x_Black.gif
No repricing or exchange of underwater stock options for
cash or other awards without stockholder approval under
the Hayward Holdings, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
(the "2021 Plan")
x_Black.gif
Do not provide tax gross-up payments with respect to
any excise tax due under the federal tax code as a result
of severance payments
x_Black.gif
No hedging, pledging, or short sales of stock permitted
x_Black.gif
Do not provide incentives that encourage excessive
risk-taking
HOW WE DETERMINE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
DETERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND COMPENSATION PRACTICES
Our Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing our compensation strategy, utilizing, in general, the
following resources and processes:
Role of Compensation Committee, Management & Compensation Consultant
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Oversees our compensation and benefit plans and policies
Oversees equity and annual incentive plans, including award design and vesting
Considers recommendations from our CEO regarding the compensation of our executive officers other than himself
Considers, reviews and approves compensation decisions relating to our executive officers, including our CEO
Reviews and provides recommendations to our Board regarding the compensation of our directors
All decisions regarding the compensation of our executive officers are made independently by the Compensation Committee
CEO AND MANAGEMENT
CEO recommends base salary and short-term and long-term compensation (including equity) for other executive officers based on
Company performance, individual contributions, role, performance of duties, and achievement of individual goals
Management presents recommendations and supporting data, including compensation surveys and publicly available peer data
CEO typically attends meetings of the Compensation Committee; the Compensation Committee meets outside the presence of our
CEO when discussing his compensation, among certain other matters
INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT
Assists the Compensation Committee in its review of our executive compensation program and the determination of an appropriate
peer group
Consults with Compensation Committee regularly throughout the year, and one or more representatives of Pearl Meyer attends
portions of our Compensation Committee meetings
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  37
Artboard 9.jpg
COMPENSATION SETTING PROCESS
The Compensation Committee uses compensation data from third-party market surveys and peer compensation data provided
by Pearl Meyer as general indicators of market conditions and pay practices and as a broader reference point when
determining compensation for our executive officers.
In addition to survey and benchmarking information derived from our peer group (as described below), the Compensation
Committee considers a number of other factors in making compensation decisions, including individual qualifications and
expertise, scope of responsibilities, industry and market conditions and position complexity. The Compensation Committee
also considers the performance of the Company’s NEOs, the individual’s historical compensation retention considerations,
and, for NEOs other than the CEO, recommendations from the CEO.
1
Establish Target
Compensation
& Goals
2
Review
& Assess
3
Evaluate
& Recommend
Market data and benchmarking
Short- and long-term business
strategy and priorities
Compensation consultant
recommendations
CEO input for other NEOs
NEO performance and pay history
Compensation program risk
considerations
Alignment with risk
management practices
Pay outcomes using market and
performance data
Performance against predetermined
Company goals
USE OF PEER GROUP
Peer Group Companies
The Compensation Committee worked with Pearl Meyer to establish a compensation peer group to assist in evaluating fair and
competitive compensation for our NEOs relative to market practices.
The peer group used to inform Fiscal Year 2025 compensation consisted of companies in similar industries, including outdoor
living-focused businesses, water-related businesses and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems businesses, with
comparable Net Sales and market capitalization and with which the Company competes for executive talent and business
and investment capital. The Compensation Committee uses this peer group as a general reference point to understand market
practices and pay levels for NEO total direct compensation. The peer group list is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted
over time to reflect changes in the Company's size, business profile, and competitive market. For Fiscal Year 2025, the
Compensation Committee revised the peer group by removing the six largest companies with larger revenue profiles (A.O.
Smith Corporation, Generac Holdings Inc., Mueller Industries Inc., Lennox International Inc., SiteOne Landscape Supply,
Inc., and The Toro Company) and adding Fluidra S.A., which is aligned with the Company's current scale and
operating characteristics.
The peer group approved by the Compensation Committee for Fiscal Year 2025 for compensation reference purposes
is as follows:
Peer Group
Aaon, Inc.
Fluidra S.A.
Mueller Water
Products, Inc.
SPX Technologies, Inc.
Watts Water
Technologies, Inc.
Badger Meter, Inc.
Latham Group, Inc.
Pentair plc
The Azek Company Inc.
YETI Holdings, Inc.
CSW Industrials, Inc.
Leslie’s, Inc.
Pool Corporation
Trex Company, Inc.
Zurn Elkay Water
Solutions Corporation
38  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
2025 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
KEY COMPONENTS
Our executive compensation program emphasizes pay-for-performance, with a greater proportion of compensation "at risk"
as executive seniority and responsibilities increase. 
For Fiscal Year 2025, equity awards consisted of performance stock units (“PSUs”) and time-based restricted stock units 
("RSUs"). PSU vesting is tied to Net Sales Annual Growth Rate, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Return on Gross Invested
Capital, with payouts subject to a +/-15% relative TSR modifier over a three-year period. No stock options were granted
in Fiscal Year 2025, and the Company does not grant or time equity awards in connection with the release of material
nonpublic information.
The following highlights the Fiscal Year 2025 target compensation mix for our CEO and other NEOs. The percentages shown 
reflect total target annual compensation, based on target award values rather than the grant-date fair values reported in the
Summary Compensation Table, and exclude "All Other Compensation."
65%
Equity Incentive
10445360533477
Base Salary
Annual Incentive
RSUs
PSUs
10445360533479
10445360463939
84%
At-Risk Compensation
48%
Equity Incentive
10445360533481
Base Salary
Annual Incentive
RSUs
PSUs
10445360533483
10445360464016
69%
At-Risk Compensation
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  39
Artboard 9.jpg
The following table summarizes the principal components of our executive compensation program and the related
performance criteria for Fiscal Year 2025:
Compensation
Element
Purpose
Key Features
Base Salary
Provide fixed cash compensation
reflecting role, experience and
responsibilities
Stable foundation for the overall compensation program
Not tied to specific performance metrics
Adjusted for sustained performance, internal equity and
market conditions (as applicable)
Annual Cash Incentive
Incentivize annual financial and
operational performance
Tied to annual performance goals
One-year performance period
May include discretion for individual contributions
Long-Term Equity Incentives
Align executive interests with
retention and long-term
stockholder value creation
Mix of RSUs and PSUs
RSUs: Time-based vesting over three years
PSUs: Performance-based vesting over three years
Additional compensation elements for 2025 include:
Participation in the Company's 401(k) Plan;
Employer matching contributions under non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements;
Health and welfare benefits; and
Certain severance benefits
These compensation elements, and the levels of compensation and benefits provided under each, were selected to help
attract and retain top executive talent, which is fundamental to our success, reward performance, and align the interests of our
executives with those of our stockholders.
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION COMPONENTS
In the future, we may provide different or additional compensation components, benefits or perquisites to our NEOs to
maintain a balanced and comprehensive compensation structure. We believe it is important to retain flexibility to adapt our
compensation programs to attract, motivate and retain top executive talent in a competitive market and to respond to evolving
market and global conditions. Any such future compensation practices will be subject to periodic review by the Compensation
Committee.
A more detailed description of the executive compensation program as it relates to our NEOs is provided below.
BASE SALARY
Our NEOs receive base salary as compensation for the services they provide to the Company. Base salary is intended to
provide a fixed component of compensation that reflects each executive’s skills, experience, role and responsibilities.
The following table sets forth the base salaries of our NEOs as of the end of Fiscal Year 2025. For information regarding base
salary earned during Fiscal Year 2025, see the Summary Compensation Table.
Named Executive Officer
Fiscal Year 2024
Base Salary ($) (1)
Fiscal Year 2025
Base Salary ($) (2)
Percentage
Change (3)
Kevin Holleran
938,000
985,000
5.01%
Eifion Jones
560,000
580,000
3.57%
John Collins
500,000
520,000
4.00%
Susan Canning
460,000
475,000
3.26%
Eric Sejourne
470,000
485,000
3.19%
(1)The salaries disclosed are as of December 31, 2024.
(2)The salaries disclosed are as of December 31, 2025.
(3)Percentages shown represent merit increases awarded to the NEOs in Fiscal Year 2025.
40  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
2025 ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE
ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
Pursuant to our go-forward compensation structure that aligned executive compensation to market and internal equity targets,
the Compensation Committee approved the following annual cash incentive targets for our NEOs in Fiscal Year 2025:
Named Executive Officer
Target Percentage (1)
Kevin Holleran
115%
Eifion Jones
75%
John Collins
70%
Susan Canning
60%
Eric Sejourne
60%
(1)Expressed as percentage of NEO’s annual base salary. The target annual cash incentive percentages disclosed are as of December 31,
2025.
Annual cash incentive awards under our annual incentive plan are based on performance relative to threshold, target, and
maximum performance levels established at the time when the awards are granted. No payout is earned if performance falls
below the threshold level. For the Fiscal Year 2025, the payout opportunity ranged from 25% to 200% of target, with payouts
for performance between threshold, target and maximum performance levels interpolated. Earned annual cash incentive
amounts are subject to an individual performance modifier of up to +/- 10% to reflect each executive's individual performance
and support of the Company's overall strategic execution.
For Fiscal Year 2025, annual cash incentive awards were based on achievement of Company Adjusted EBITDA, Net Sales
and Cash Conversion Cycle, weighted at 60%, 30% and 10%, respectively. This weighting is intended to balance near‑term
financial resilience with continued Net Sales growth, particularly in light of market conditions that require disciplined margin
management alongside sustained top‑line performance.
The Compensation Committee selected these performance measures because they are key metrics used internally to manage
the businesses and reflect profitability and asset efficiency relative to investment. The Compensation Committee believes that
performance against these measures is a primary driver of long-term stockholder value and that they represent appropriate
indicators of the annual operating performance. In establishing the performance goals and corresponding incentive
opportunities, the Compensation Committee considered management’s recommendations.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  41
Artboard 9.jpg
The following table sets forth the 2025 performance goals for the annual incentive plan, including threshold, target,
and maximum levels, actual Fiscal Year 2025 results, and the resulting percentage of target payout achieved for each
performance measure.
Performance Levels
Actual Performance
Performance Metrics
(dollars in millions)
Weighting
Threshold
(25% of
Target)
Target
(100%)
Maximum
(200% of
Target)
% of Target Payout
Achieved
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
60%
Slider.gif
114.5%
Net Sales (2)
30%
Slider copy.gif
111.9%
Cash Conversion Cycle (3)
10%
Slider.gif
147.3%
Total Weighted Average
117.0%
10445360464062
Actual Result
$299.3
Arrow.gif
$263.5
$295.0
$324.5
10445360464110
Actual Result
$1,122.2
Arrow.gif
$999.4
$1,109.0
$1,219.9
10445360464128
Actual Result
145 days
Arrow.gif
162 days
152 days
137 days
(1)Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of the annual incentive plan is generally defined as earnings before interest (including amortization of
debt costs), income taxes, depreciation, and amortization further adjusted for the impact of restructuring related income or expenses,
certain stock-based compensation, currency exchange items, and certain non-cash, nonrecurring or other items that are included in net
income that the Compensation Committee does not consider indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance. Adjusted
EBITDA is calculated in a manner consistent with Adjusted EBITDA as presented by the Company in its quarterly and annual earnings
announcements.
(2)Net Sales is generally measured as gross sales net of rebates and other discounts.
(3)Cash Conversion Cycle is defined as days sales outstanding, plus days on hand of inventory, less days payable outstanding.
The target and actual Fiscal Year 2025 annual cash incentive amounts for each NEO are set forth below.
Named Executive Officer
Target
Bonus
($)
Weighted
Payout
(%)
Earned
Bonus
($)(1)
Bonus
Paid
($)(2)
Kevin Holleran
1,132,750
117.0%
1,325,318
1,325,000
Eifion Jones
435,000
117.0%
508,950
510,000
John Collins
364,000
117.0%
425,880
425,000
Susan Canning
285,000
117.0%
333,450
335,000
Eric Sejourne
291,000
117.0%
340,470
340,000
(1)Amounts shown reflect annual cash incentive earned based on achievement of the applicable performance metrics, prior to application
of the +/- 10% adjustment framework to reflect individual performance.
(2)Amounts shown reflect annual cash incentive paid after application of the +/-10% adjustment framework to reflect
individual performance.
42  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVES
LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVES
A significant portion of each NEO's compensation is delivered in the form of equity compensation to align executive interests
with those of stockholders. As a result, the value of NEO realized compensation generally increases or decreases with
changes in the Company’s stock price.
The Company grants equity awards pursuant to its equity incentive plans, including the 2021 Plan. The use of long-term equity
incentives is intended to provide employees, including the NEOs, and other eligible service providers with the opportunity to
participate in the long-term appreciation of the Company's equity, incentivize achievement of long-term performance
objectives, and support retention.
Awards Granted In 2025
During Fiscal Year 2025, our NEOs received long-term equity awards in the form of time-based RSUs and PSUs, which vest
based on the achievement of specified performance measures, as described below. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Compensation
Committee increased the performance-based portion of long-term equity compensation for the NEOs other than the CEO by
shifting from a structure weighted more heavily toward time-based RSUs (60% RSUs and 40% PSUs) to a balanced 50% RSU
and 50% PSU mix in order to further align executive compensation with long-term Company performance and stockholder
value creation. The CEO's target long-term equity award mix remained 50% RSUs and 50% PSUs.
The below illustrates the target mix of long-term equity awards for our CEO and other NEOs, based on grant-date dollar-
denominated values.
10445360465279
The following table summarizes the number of RSUs and PSUs awarded at target performance levels in connection with Fiscal
Year 2025 annual equity grants awarded to our NEOs.
Named Executive Officer
Aggregate
Grant Date
Target Value
($)
Annual RSU
Target Value
($)
Annual RSU
Grant
(#)
Annual PSU
Target Value
($)
Annual PSU
Grant
(#)
Kevin Holleran
4,000,000
2,000,000
138,027
2,000,000
138,027
Eifion Jones
1,200,000
600,000
41,408
600,000
41,408
John Collins
750,000
375,000
25,880
375,000
25,880
Susan Canning
680,000
340,000
23,465
340,000
23,465
Eric Sejourne
550,000
275,000
18,979
275,000
18,979
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  43
Artboard 9.jpg
2025 RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Time-based RSU Awards
Annual RSU awards granted to our NEOs in Fiscal Year 2025 vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period,
subject to continued service. These awards are designed to support retention, as any unvested portion is forfeited upon
voluntary termination.
PERFORMANCE-BASED STOCK UNITS
2025 PSU Awards
Consistent with prior years, the Compensation Committee established quantitative financial performance goals for the 2025
PSUs at the beginning of the performance period, with vesting to occur at the end of a three-year performance period ending
December 31, 2027, subject to the achievement of pre-established performance targets and continued employment.
Financial Performance Metrics
The Compensation Committee selected these metrics to support long-term value creation and align the executive incentives
with the Company's strategic priorities. The financial performance metrics and weightings are as follows:
Metric
Weighting
Calculation
Net Sales Annual Growth Rate
50percent_weighting.gif
Determined by the three-year compound annual growth rate of total Net
Sales, excluding the impact of foreign exchange
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
30percent_weighting.gif
Determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Net Sales
Return on Gross Invested Capital
20percent_weighting.gif
Determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by the sum of the Company's
gross property, plant, and equipment plus working capital
Each of the financial measures selected by the Compensation Committee may be impacted by non-recurring or extraordinary
items (for example, business restructuring), and actual results may be adjusted for these items if not contemplated during the
target setting process. Adjustments to these measures, if any, are determined by the Compensation Committee.
Payout Levels
For the 2025 PSUs, performance below threshold results in no payout. Performance at the threshold level results in a payout
equal to 50% of target, performance at the target level results in payout equal to 100% of target, and performance at or above
the maximum results in a payout equal to 200% of target, with payouts for performance between these levels interpolated. In
light of the increased performance targets, the Compensation Committee returned the threshold payout opportunity to 50% of
target (consistent with prior years, other than Fiscal Year 2024, when it was set at 25%) to maintain appropriate alignment
between payouts and performance.
Relative Total Shareholder Return Modifier
The number of PSUs earned is subject to a TSR modifier measured over the same three-year performance period. The TSR
modifier compares the Company's relative TSR to the companies included in the S&P SmallCap600 Industrials Index (the
“Benchmark Index”).
TSR is calculated as the percentage change in the trading price of the Company's common stock over the TSR performance
period, based on the average closing price of the Company's common stock on the NYSE for the first 20 trading days of the
TSR performance period compared to the average closing price for the last 20 trading days of the TSR performance period.
Relative TSR below the 25th percentile of the Benchmark Index results in a 15% reduction in earned PSUs, relative TSR
above the 75th percentile results in a 15% increase, and all other outcomes result in no adjustment.
44  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
Vesting And Settlement
PSUs vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment, except as otherwise provided in the
event of retirement, and the Compensation Committee’s certification of the performance goal achievement and the applicable
relative TSR modifier. Final payouts, if any, will be determined in early 2028.
Equity Mix Alignment
In Fiscal Year 2025, the Compensation Committee increased the weighting of PSUs for NEOs other than the CEO to match
the mix awarded to the CEO of 50% RSUs and 50% PSUs. The Compensation Committee believes this structure further aligns
executive compensation with long-term stockholder value creation.
2024 PSUs: UPDATE
The PSUs granted in Fiscal Year 2024 remain outstanding and continue to be subject to the three-year absolute TSR modifier
ending December 31, 2026. The financial performance component was measured over the one-year period at the close of
Fiscal Year 2024, consistent with the program's original design. Although achievement for the financial component has been
determined, the awards remain unvested until the TSR performance period is completed and certified. Final payout, if any, will
be determined in early 2027 following application of the TSR modifier.
The following table summarizes the target levels and actual performance for these measures.
Performance Levels
Actual Performance
Performance Measure
Weighting
Threshold
(25%)
Target
(100%)
Maximum
(200%)
% of Target
Payout Achieved (3)
Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1)
40%
Slider.gif
150.0%
Gross Profit Margin(1)
40%
Slider copy.gif
137.5%
Return on Gross Invested Capital(2)
20%
Slider.gif
147.6%
1
Actual Result
26.4%
Arrow.gif
25.0%
25.8%
27.0%
13
Actual Result
50.5%
Arrow.gif
48.5%
49.6%
52.0%
25
Actual Result
45.3%
Arrow.gif
40.5%
43.3%
47.5%
(1)Adjusted EBITDA margin and Gross Profit Margin are calculated by dividing, respectively, Adjusted EBITDA and the Company's gross
profit by Net Sales.
(2)Return on Gross Invested Capital is determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by the sum of the Company's gross property, plant, and
equipment plus net working capital.
(3)The actual earned amounts remain subject to the TSR modifier, described below, and the executive’s continued employment with the
Company through the applicable vesting date.
When performance falls below threshold, no payout is earned with respect to the PSUs. Before giving effect to the TSR
modifier, payouts range from 25% to 200% with 100% of target corresponding to target performance, and payouts for
performance between these levels determined by interpolation.
Absolute TSR is calculated as the percentage change in the Company's common stock price over the TSR performance
period, based on the average NYSE closing price during the first 20 trading days compared to the average closing price during
the last 20 trading days of the period. If TSR for the performance period is less than 0%, the amount of PSUs earned based on
achievement with respect to performance goals will be reduced by 15%. If TSR exceeds 10%, the amount of PSUs earned will
be increased by 15%. If TSR is between 0% and 10%, inclusive, no TSR-based adjustment will apply.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  45
Artboard 9.jpg
2023 PSUs: RESULTS
In Fiscal Year 2023, the Compensation Committee granted PSUs that vest based on achievement of specified performance
measures over a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2025. For these awards, the Compensation Committee
selected Return on Gross Invested Capital and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, weighted equally, as the performance measures.
Following completion of the performance period on December 31, 2025, the Compensation Committee reviewed and certified
performance results and determined the number of PSUs earned based on achievement relative to the approved performance
targets. The target performance levels, actual performance and resulting earned payout are summarized in the following table:
Performance Measure
Weighting
Threshold
(50%)
Target
(100%)
Maximum
(200%)
Earned % (2)
Adjusted EBITDA margin(1)
50%
Slider.gif
0%
Return on Gross Invested Capital(1)
50%
Slider copy.gif
55%
10445360466193
Actual Result
26.7%
Arrow.gif
27.0%
28.0%
29.5%
10445360466172
Actual Result
47.9%
Arrow.gif
47.0%
56.0%
68.0%
(1)Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Net Sales.
(2)Return on Gross Invested Capital is determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by the sum of the Company's gross property, plant, and
equipment plus net working capital.
(3)Based on the performance results for the three-year period ended December 31, 2025, Adjusted EBITDA did not result in a payout,
while Return on Gross Invested Capital exceeded threshold, resulting in shares being earned and paid out under the 2023 PSU awards.
Based on these performance results, the final payout amounts under the 2023 PSU awards for the participating NEOs are set
forth below.
Named Executive Officer
# of PSUs Granted
# of PSUs Earned
Kevin Holleran
62,660
17,232
Eifion Jones
18,290
5,030
John Collins
9,420
2,591
Susan Canning
11,304
3,109
OTHER BENEFITS
RETIREMENT PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
We maintain the Hayward Industries, Inc. Retirement Plan, a 401(k) retirement plan for our full-time employees. Under the
plan, the Company provides a matching contribution equal to 50% of an employee's contributions, up to 6% of eligible
earnings, and, after one year of service, an additional non-discretionary safe harbor contribution equal to 3% of an employee’s
compensation. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same basis as other full-time employees.
We also maintain the Hayward Industries, Inc. Supplementary Retirement Plan, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan
under which participants, including our NEOs, may receive an employer matching contribution of up to 9% of eligible earnings
deferred under the plan. The investment options under the Supplementary Retirement Plan mirror those available under the
401(k) plan.
46  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
All full-time employees, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in the Company's broad-based health and welfare
benefit programs, which include medical, dental and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability insurance; and life
and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. These benefits are generally available to all eligible employees on
substantially the same terms.
EXECUTIVE PERQUISITES AND OTHER PERSONAL BENEFITS
Certain NEOs are entitled to additional perquisites and other personal benefits pursuant to the terms of their employment
agreements, which may include relocation assistance and related benefits, such as reimbursement of moving and temporary
housing expenses. The Compensation Committee believes that such benefits are appropriate in limited circumstances to
facilitate recruitment and retention of top executive talent. The aggregate incremental cost of perquisites and personal benefits
provided to each NEO is reported in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table to the extent
required by SEC rules.
The Company also maintains a Hayward Products Valuation and Marketing Policy pursuant to which directors and executive
officers may receive Hayward pool products for personal use at no cost. The Company believes this practices promotes
familiarity with, and direct experience of, the Company's products. The value of products provided under this policy
is determined in accordance with SEC rules and is included in "All Other Compensation" for the applicable NEO to the
extent required.
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
As of December 31, 2025, we were party to employment agreements or offer letters with our NEOs. The material terms of the
employment agreements with each of our NEOs, as in effect in Fiscal Year 2025, are described below. Each of our NEOs’
employment is “at will” and may be terminated at any time.
Mr. Holleran
The Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Holleran on March 2, 2021. Mr.
Holleran’s employment agreement provides that, for so long as Mr. Holleran serves as our Chief Executive Officer, the
Company will nominate him to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, and, if so elected, he will continue to serve as a
member of the Board. Under Mr. Holleran’s employment agreement he is also entitled to certain personal benefits, including
payment or reimbursement for dues for a specified organization and costs incurred in attending the organization’s meetings.
In addition, pursuant to a relocation agreement between Mr. Holleran and Hayward Industries, Inc., dated November 14, 2023
(the “Relocation Agreement”), Hayward Industries, Inc. agreed to pay Mr. Holleran certain relocation benefits regarding
relocating to the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area, including a lump-sum payment of $10,000 and up to a $90,000
reimbursement for reasonable expenses associated with the sale of Mr. Holleran’s home, since the home was sold by March
31, 2025, among other benefits set forth therein.
Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Holleran has agreed not to compete with the Company during
his employment and for one year following his termination of employment or solicit the Company’s officers, employees,
customers or vendors during his employment and for two years following his termination of employment. In addition, Mr.
Holleran has agreed to a perpetual confidentiality covenant, an assignment of intellectual property covenant and a perpetual
mutual non-disparagement covenant.
Mr. Jones
The Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Jones on March 2, 2021. Under Mr.
Jones’s employment agreement, he is entitled to certain personal benefits generally provided to other senior executives (other
than the CEO). Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Jones has agreed not to compete with the
Company during his employment and for one year following his termination of employment or solicit the Company’s officers,
employees, customers or vendors during his employment and for two years following his termination of employment. Mr. Jones
is also party to Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and Assignment Agreements he entered into in connection
with the grant to him of options to purchase the Company’s common stock, under which he has agreed not to compete with the
Company during his employment and for one year following his termination of employment or solicit the Company’s officers,
employees, customers or vendors during his employment and for two years following his termination of employment. Mr. Jones
has agreed to a perpetual confidentiality covenant, an assignment of intellectual property covenant and a mutual non-
disparagement covenant.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  47
Artboard 9.jpg
Mr. Collins
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Collins on May 16, 2022. Under Mr. Collins’ employment
agreement, he is entitled to certain personal benefits generally provided to other senior executives (other than the CEO).
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Collins has agreed not to compete with the Company during his employment and for
one year following his termination of employment or solicit our officers, employees, customers or vendors during his
employment and for two years following his termination of employment. In addition, Mr. Collins has agreed to a perpetual
confidentiality covenant, an assignment of intellectual property covenant and a mutual non-disparagement covenant.
Ms. Canning
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Canning on May 12, 2021. Under Ms. Canning’s employment
agreement, she is entitled to certain personal benefits generally provided to other senior executives (other than the CEO).
Under her employment agreement, Ms. Canning has agreed not to compete with the Company during her employment and for
one year following her termination of employment or solicit our officers, employees, customers or vendors during her
employment and for two years following her termination of employment. In addition, Ms. Canning has agreed to a perpetual
confidentiality covenant, an assignment of intellectual property covenant and a mutual non-disparagement covenant.
Mr. Sejourne
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Sejourne effective April 15, 2024. Under Mr. Sejourne’s
employment agreement, he is entitled to certain personal benefits generally provided to other senior executives (other than the
CEO). Under his employment agreement, Mr. Sejourne has agreed not to compete with the Company during his employment
and for one year following his termination of employment or solicit our officers, employees, customers or vendors during his
employment and for two years following his termination of employment. In addition, Mr. Sejourne has agreed to a perpetual
confidentiality covenant, an assignment of intellectual property covenant and a mutual non-disparagement covenant.
Each of these agreements provides for certain severance benefits to be paid upon qualifying terminations of employment that
are described below.
TREATMENT UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Qualifying Terminations Of Employment (Without Cause Or Good Reason)
Each of the NEOs is entitled to severance payments and benefits in connection with certain qualifying terminations of
employment under his or her respective employment agreement. If we terminate an NEO's employment without cause, or if the
NEO resigns for good reason (as such terms are defined in the applicable employment agreement), the NEO will be entitled to
receive: (i) any earned but unpaid base salary and any earned and payable but unpaid annual bonus; (ii) a pro-rata portion of
the annual bonus for the year in which his or her termination occurs, to the extent earned; (iii) an amount equal to the sum of
the NEO's annual base salary and target bonus, payable in 12 equal monthly installments (and, in the case of Mr. Holleran,
two times the sum of his annual base salary and target bonus, payable in 24 equal monthly installments); (iv) either a payment
equal to the cost of any personal benefits, welfare benefits and retirement plan contributions the NEO would have been eligible
to receive during the 12 months following the termination date, or the provision of such benefits for 12 months following the
termination date (the “Welfare Benefits”), (v) payment of a portion of the NEO's COBRA premiums for up to 12 months
following termination (or, if earlier, until the date the executive receives equivalent health care coverage under a subsequent
employer’s plans) at the rate we pay for active employees for the executive and his or her dependents, subject to eligibility for,
and timely election of COBRA and the executive's continued payment of the employee portion (the “COBRA Benefit”); and (vi)
outplacement counseling services for six months following termination.
Our obligation to provide severance payments and benefits under an NEO's employment agreement (other than any earned
and payable but unpaid annual bonus, or severance benefits payable as a result of death is conditioned on the NEO's
execution of a release of claims in our favor and compliance with the confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, non-
compete, and non-solicitation covenants set forth in the applicable employment agreement.
Death And Disability
If any of the NEOs’ employment is terminated as a result of his or her death, his or her estate or other legal representative
will be entitled to receive (i) any earned, but unpaid, base salary and any earned and payable, but unpaid, annual bonus and
(ii) a pro-rata portion of his or her annual bonus for the year in which his or her termination occurs, to the extent earned.
48  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
If any of the NEOs’ employment is terminated as a result of his or her disability, he or she will be entitled to receive (i) any
earned, but unpaid, base salary and any earned and payable, but unpaid, annual bonus, (ii) a pro-rata portion of his or her
annual bonus for the year in which his or her termination occurs, to the extent earned, (iii) the Welfare Benefits, and (iv) the
COBRA Benefit.
Excise Tax Matters
None of our NEOs are entitled to receive a tax gross-up with respect to any excise tax that may be imposed under the
federal tax code as a result of the severance benefits described above. The employment agreements of the NEOs include
provisions to reduce payments under the agreement if the payments otherwise would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code and such reduction would result in the executive retaining a larger amount
on an after-tax basis.
EQUITY AWARDS
Each of the NEOs has received equity awards with terms that vary with respect to vesting in the event of termination, death,
disability or a change in control. The terms "cause," "good reason," and "change in control" referred to below are defined
in the applicable equity award agreement or the relevant equity plan.
Equity Awards Upon Death Or Disability
With respect to Mr. Jones’ unvested time-vesting options covering shares of our common stock issued pursuant to the
Hayward Holdings, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2017 Plan"), if his employment
is terminated due to death or disability, then, in addition to the severance benefits described above, his then-unvested time-
vesting options that would have vested within the following year will immediately vest.
Equity Awards Upon Retirement
Beginning with PSU awards granted in 2025 under the 2021 Plan, the Company added retirement vesting provisions.
Under these provisions, if a participant's employment terminates due to retirement prior to the vesting date, the participant
will remain eligible to receive a pro-rated portion of the PSUs based on the portion of the performance cycle completed through
the retirement date, with the number of PSUs earned determined following the end of the performance cycle based on actual
performance and application of the TSR modifier. If retirement occurs within two years of the grant date, the number of PSUs
earned will be limited to the lesser of (i) the prorated PSUs based on actual performance and (ii) the prorated PSUs assuming
target performance without application of the TSR modifier. No PSUs will be paid if retirement occurs within six months of the
grant date or if the participant engages in certain competitive activities prior to the vesting date. For purposes of the PSU
awards, "retirement" generally requires that the participant be at least age 60, have completed at least five years of
continuous service with the Company, and attest to retiring from active employment with any competing public company.
Equity Awards In Connection With A Change In Control
With respect to Mr. Jones' unvested time-vesting options issued pursuant to the 2017 Plan, in the event of a change in control,
such options will vest in full as of the date of the change in control, subject to continued employment with us.
With respect to each of the NEOs’ unvested time-vesting options and RSUs issued pursuant to the 2021 Plan, in the event
of a change of control, if the surviving entity assumes the options and RSUs and the NEO's employment is terminated without
cause or by the NEO for good reason within 18-months following the change of control, any such unvested options and RSUs
will vest in full as of immediately prior to the change of control. If an NEO’s employment is terminated for any reason, any
unvested options and RSUs will be immediately forfeited, unless the Company and the NEO agree otherwise.
OTHER POLICIES & PRACTICES
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for executive officers, which are administered by the Compensation
Committee and are intended to align the interests of executive officers with those of stockholders.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  49
Artboard 9.jpg
Our guidelines for executive officers include the following:
Position
Ownership Guideline
(multiple of base salary)
Chief Executive Officer
5x
Chief Financial Officer
3x
Other Executive Officers
1x
Executive officers are required to achieve the applicable levels of ownership by the later of February 10, 2026 and the fifth
anniversary of the date the individual was designated an executive officer or became a director, as applicable.
For purposes of these guidelines, ownership includes shares owned directly or indirectly, including shares held by immediate
family members residing in the same household, shares held in trust, shares held through employee stock purchase, 401(k),
or deferred compensation plans, shares underlying vested equity awards (including vested stock options, stock appreciation
rights, and vested RSUs and PSUs not yet settled), and shares underlying unvested RSU awards (net of applicable tax
withholding). Pledged shares and any unexercised and unvested equity awards (other than unvested RSUs) do not count
towards satisfaction of the guidelines.
Executive officers and independent directors who do not meet the ownership guidelines are generally required to retain at
least 50% of the net shares received upon the vesting, settlement or exercise of equity awards until the applicable ownership
levels are achieved. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the guidelines and monitors compliance, no less
than annually.
INCENTIVE-BASED RECOVERY POLICY
We maintain a compensation clawback policy applicable to our executive officers that addresses the requirements of rules
adopted by the SEC and NYSE mandating the recovery of incentive compensation in the event of a restatement of the
Company’s financial statements. The policy requires the Company to recover incentive-based compensation that is based
wholly or in part upon the attainment of a financial reporting measure and that was received by current or former executive
officers, to the extent such compensation exceeds the amount that would have been received based on the restated financial
information, following a required accounting restatement, including a "little-r" restatement. Recovery under the policy is limited
to excessive incentive compensation received during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date the
Company is required to prepare the restatement (and any applicable transition period). To facilitate enforcement of the policy,
the Company may pursue recovery of any excess incentive-based compensation through repayment or other permitted
methods in accordance with the policy.
TAX AND ACCOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock
Compensation,” and considers applicable accounting guidance in administering its equity compensation plans. In addition, the
Company considers the tax treatment of executive compensation, including the potential limitations on deductibility under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, when structuring its compensation programs.
INSIDER TRADING POLICY, HEDGING AND PLEDGING POLICIES, DERIVATIVES TRADING
We have adopted an insider trading policy and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of the
Company's securities by directors, officers and employees (the “Insider Trading Policy”) and maintain procedures relating to
the repurchase of the Company's securities. The Company believes that its Insider Trading Policy and repurchase procedures
are reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable insider trading laws, rules and regulations and listing
standards. A copy of our Insider Trading Policy is included as Exhibit 19.1 on our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.
The insider trading policy prohibits directors, officers and employees from engaging in hedging and other monetization
transactions (such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds) involving the Company's
securities, as well as from holding Company securities in margin accounts or pledging our securities as collateral. The policy
also prohibits speculative transactions in the Company's equity securities, including short sales and transactions in options or
other derivative securities.
50  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The members of the Compensation Committee have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis set forth above. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the
Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Lawrence H. Silber (Chairperson)
Stephen Felice
Kevin Brown
Ronald Keating
This Compensation Committee Report is required by the rules of the SEC and, in accordance with those rules, is not deemed
to be "filed" with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”), or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information
by reference. This report is also not deemed to be “soliciting material” under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  51
Artboard 9.jpg
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our NEOs for the years indicated below.
Name and Principal
Position
Year
Salary ($) (1)
Bonus ($)
Stock
Awards ($) (2)
Option
Awards ($)
(3)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) (4)
All Other
Compensation
($) (5)
Total ($)
Kevin Holleran
President, Chief
Executive Officer
2025
975,962
4,113,204
1,325,000
322,616
6,736,782
2024
938,000
3,700,008
1,156,366
229,575
6,023,949
2023
923,135
150,000
2,220,021
1,480,003
201,337
4,974,496
Eifion Jones
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
2025
576,154
1,233,958
510,000
188,878
2,508,990
2024
556,154
19,760
1,200,032
450,240
133,436
2,359,622
2023
531,731
125,000
648,015
432,000
92,053
1,828,799
John Collins
Senior Vice President,
Chief Commercial
Officer
2025
516,154
771,224
425,000
166,018
1,878,395
2024
500,000
3,750,028
375,200
127,590
4,752,818
2023
444,327
125,000
333,750
222,504
93,655
1,219,236
Susan Canning
Senior Vice President,
Chief Legal Officer and
Corporate Secretary
2025
472,115
699,257
335,000
154,480
1,660,852
2024
457,115
755,026
295,872
108,851
1,616,864
2023
440,192
125,000
623,001
267,004
87,966
1,543,163
Eric Sejourne
Senior Vice President,
Chief Global
Operations Officer
2025
482,115
565,574
340,000
155,963
1,543,652
2024
325,385
133,000
722,014
280,000
98,704
1,559,103
(1)The amounts reported in the Salary column reflect actual salary earned during Fiscal Year 2025, pro-rated to account for base salary
changes occurring during the year. NEO base salary changes for 2025 were effective March 2, 2025.
(2)The amounts reported in the Stock Awards column represents the aggregate grant-date fair value of RSUs and PSUs granted during the
fiscal year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant-date fair value of RSUs is based on the closing market price
of our common stock at the date of grant. The grant-date fair value of the PSUs is based on the probable outcome of the applicable
performance conditions as of the grant date, which reflects target level of performance. Assuming achievement of maximum level
performance, the aggregate grant-date fair value of the PSUs granted in Fiscal Year 2025 would be as follows: Mr. Holleran, $6,860,356;
Mr. Jones, $2,058,102; Mr. Collins, $1,286,313; Ms. Canning, $1,166,281; and Mr. Sejourne, $943,314. For more information regarding
the accounting for and assumptions we used to calculate the grant date fair values for RSUs and PSUs, see the heading "Stock Based
Compensation Expense" in Note 17 to our financial statements included on our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2025.
(3)The amounts reported in the Option Awards column represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock option awards granted during
the fiscal year, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, without regard to estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in valuing
these awards are described in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2025.
(4)The amounts reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Compensation column represent annual cash incentive awards earned for each fiscal
year presented under our annual incentive plan. Our annual incentive plan is described above under “Executive Compensation—2025
Annual Cash Incentive—Annual Incentive Plan.”
52  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
(5)The amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column for Fiscal Year 2025 include, as applicable to each NEO:
Name
401(k) Plan ($)
(a)
Supplemental
Medical Plan
($) (b)
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Plan ($) (c)
Life Insurance
($)
Other (d)
Total ($)
Kevin Holleran
21,000
18,000
279,746
3,870
322,616
Eifion Jones
21,000
18,000
146,008
3,870
188,878
John Collins
21,000
16,992
126,676
1,350
166,018
Susan
Canning
21,000
18,000
111,610
3,870
154,480
Eric Sejourne
21,000
10,212
86,781
3,870
34,100
155,963
(a)Company matching contributions and safe harbor contribution under the Hayward Industries, Inc. Retirement Plan (our 401(k)
plan), consisting of up to $10,500 in employer matching contributions and $10,500 in safe harbor contributions.
(b)Premiums paid by the Company for a supplemental executive medical plan made available to certain senior employees, including
our NEOs.
(c)Company matching contributions under the Hayward Industries, Inc. Supplementary Retirement Plan, as described under
“Executive Compensation—Other Benefits—Retirement Plans.”
(d)For Mr. Sejourne, amounts represent relocation expenses paid pursuant to an agreement, including tax gross-up payments of
$11,076 related to such relocation benefits.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  53
Artboard 9.jpg
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table provides supplemental information relating to grants of plan-based awards made to our NEOs during
Fiscal Year 2025 and is intended to supplement the information presented above in the Summary Compensation Table.
Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plans (2)
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)(3)
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
($) (4)
Name
Grant
Date
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Kevin Holleran
283,188
1,132,750
2,492,050
2/28/2025
58,661
138,027
317,462
2,113,193
2/28/2025
138,027
2,000,011
Eifion Jones
108,750
435,000
957,000
2/28/2025
17,598
41,408
95,238
633,956
2/28/2025
41,408
600,002
John Collins
91,000
364,000
800,800
2/28/2025
10,999
25,880
59,524
396,223
2/28/2025
25,880
375,001
Susan Canning
71,250
285,000
627,000
2/28/2025
9,973
23,465
53,970
359,249
2/28/2025
23,465
340,008
Eric Sejourne
72,750
291,000
640,200
2/28/2025
8,066
18,979
43,652
290,568
2/28/2025
18,979
275,006
(1)The amounts shown represent the threshold, target, and maximum non-equity incentive opportunities established under our annual
cash incentive plan for Fiscal Year 2025. Actual amounts earned, if any, are determined based the level of achievement of the
applicable performance goals and are reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary
Compensation table for Fiscal Year 2025.
(2)The amounts shown represent the target, threshold, and maximum number of shares that may be earned under the PSU awards
granted in Fiscal Year 2025. The actual number of shares earned, if any, will be determined following the end of the applicable
performance period based on the level of achievement of the applicable performance goals and, to the extent earned, generally will
be subject to continued vesting through the applicable vesting date(s). Refer to “Executive Compensation—Long-term Equity
Incentives—Performance-Based Stock Units” for further details on these awards.
(3)The amounts shown represent RSUs granted in Fiscal Year 2025. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of our
common stock upon vesting, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date(s).
(4)The amounts shown represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of PSU and RSU awards granted during Fiscal Year 2025,
computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, and do not reflect the amounts paid to or realized by the NEO. The assumptions used
in valuing these awards are described Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2025.
54  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table summarizes the number of shares of our common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan
awards held by each NEO as of December 31, 2025.
Kevin
Holleran
OPTION AWARDS (2)
STOCK AWARDS (2)
Name
Grant
Date (1)
Approval
Date
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
unexercisable
Option
exercise
price
($)
Option
expiration
date
Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested (#)
Market
value of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
($)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
unearned
shares,
units or
other rights
that have
not vested
(#)
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Market or
payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
($) (3)
Kevin
Holleran
12/24/2019
12/24/2019
2,575,142
1.40
12/24/2029
3/11/2021
3/11/2021
607,235
17.00
3/11/2031
3/3/2022
3/1/2022
508,167
17.10
3/3/2032
3/2/2023
2/9/2023
60,887
104,300
11.80
3/2/2033
41,773
645,393
17,232
266,234
3/4/2024
2/29/2024
87,101
1,345,710
261,300
4,037,085
2/28/2025
2/28/2025
138,027
2,132,517
138,027
2,132,517
Eifion
Jones
4/20/2020
4/20/2020
890,375
1.40
4/20/2030
47,594
735,333
3/11/2021
3/11/2021
171,887
17.00
3/11/2031
3/3/2022
3/1/2022
134,908
17.10
3/3/2032
3/2/2023
2/9/2023
60,887
30,445
11.80
3/2/2033
12,194
188,397
5,030
77,714
3/4/2024
2/29/2024
33,899
523,740
67,800
1,047,510
2/28/2025
2/28/2025
41,408
639,754
41,408
639,754
John
Collins
7/29/2022
7/19/2022
62,044
11.70
7/29/2032
3/2/2023
2/9/2023
31,360
15,681
11.80
3/2/2033
6,281
97,041
2,591
40,031
3/4/2024
2/29/2024
21,187
327,339
42,376
654,709
9/13/2024
9/04/2024
221,239
3,418,143
2/28/2025
2/28/2025
25,880
399,846
25,880
399,846
Susan
Canning
8/4/2021
8/4/2021
27,323
23.30
8/4/2031
3/3/2022
3/1/2022
76,770
17.10
3/3/2032
3/2/2023
2/9/2023
37,632
18,817
11.80
3/2/2033
13,818
213,488
3,109
48,034
3/4/2024
2/29/2024
22,742
351,364
38,420
593,589
2/28/2025
2/28/2025
23,465
362,534
23,465
362,534
Eric
Sejourne
5/3/2024
4/29/2024
15,571
240,572
31,140
481,113
2/28/2025
2/28/2025
18,979
293,226
18,979
293,226
(1)The grant date reflects the legal grant date of the underlying award.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  55
Artboard 9.jpg
(2)The following sets forth the vesting schedule and related information for the outstanding unvested stock options, RSUs and PSUs
(i.e. equity plan awards):
Grant Date
Grant Type
Vesting Schedule
3/2/2023
Stock Options
Unvested portion vested in two equal installments on March 2, 2025 and March 2, 2026.
3/2/2023
PSUs
Award generally vests subject to the satisfaction of the three-year performance period and the
executive’s continued employment with the Company. Reflects actual performance and generally
any shares awarded would be issued in March 2026.
3/2/2023
RSUs
Unvested portion vested in two equal installments on March 2, 2025 and March 2, 2026.
3/4/2024
PSUs
Award generally vests subject to the satisfaction of the one-year performance period, subject to
a three-year absolute TSR modifier, and the executive’s continued employment with the Company.
Reflects maximum performance and generally any shares awarded would be issued in
March 2027.
3/4/2024
RSUs
Unvested portion vested in two of three equal installments on each of March 4, 2025 and
March 4, 2026, with the remaining equal installment vesting on March 4, 2027, subject generally
to the executive’s continued employment with the Company.
5/3/2024
PSUs
Award generally vests subject to the satisfaction of the three-year performance period and the
executive’s continued employment with the Company. Reflects maximum performance and
generally any shares awarded would be issued in May 2027.
5/3/2024
RSUs
Award vested with respect to 19,957 RSUs on May 3, 2025, and with respect to 7,785 RSUs on
May 3, 2026, with the remaining 7,786 RSUs vesting on May 3, 2027, subject generally to the
executive’s continued employment with the Company.
9/13/2024
RSUs
Award vests in two equal installments, on each of September 13, 2027 and September 13, 2029,
subject generally to the executive’s continued employment with the Company.
2/28/2025
RSUs
Unvested portion vests in three equal installments, on each of February 28, 2026, February 28,
2027 and February 28, 2028, subject generally to the executive’s continued employment with the
Company.
2/28/2025
PSUs
Award generally vests subject to the satisfaction of the three-year performance period, subject
to a three-year absolute TSR modifier, and the executive’s continued employment with the
Company. Reflects maximum performance and generally any shares awarded would be issued
in February 2028.
(3)The market value is based on the closing price of our common stock quoted on December 31, 2025 of $15.45 per share.
56  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED DURING 2025
The following table shows for Fiscal Year 2025 the number of shares acquired upon exercise of option awards and the vesting
of stock awards and the value realized upon such exercise and vesting.
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
Value Realized
on Exercise
($) (1)
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#) (2)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($) (3)
Kevin Holleran
674,000
9,057,998
85,322
1,242,848
Eifion Jones
100,000
1,434,300
29,142
424,810
John Collins
20,016
293,129
Susan Canning
25,185
366,636
Eric Sejourne
19,957
280,196
(1)The value realized on exercise is calculated by multiplying the number of shares underlying options exercised by the difference between
the exercise price and the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise.
(2)Represents the gross number of shares acquired upon the vesting of RSUs, without reduction for shares withheld to satisfy applicable
tax withholding obligations.
(3)The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs that vested by the closing market price of the Company’s
common stock on the vesting date (or, if the vesting date was not a trading day, the closing market price on the immediately preceding
trading day).
EMPLOYEE DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information relating to Hayward Industries, Inc. Supplementary Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) for
our NEOs for Fiscal Year 2025. The Plan is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that allows eligible executives to defer
compensation in excess of the limits applicable to the Company's 401(k) plan. Eligible executives may defer up to 25% of their
base salary (excluding annual bonuses) and up to 100% of their annual cash incentives under the Plan. Deferral elections for
both base salary and annual cash incentives must be made prior to the beginning of the year to which the compensation
relates. The Company matches 100% of participant deferrals up to 9% of eligible compensation. For purposes of the Plan,
“eligible compensation” generally includes base salary, one-time bonuses, and annual incentive plan bonuses.
All Company matching contributions are made in cash and are fully vested when credited. The Plan is unfunded, and account
balances are credited with earnings or losses based on the participant's investment elections among options similar to those
available under the Company's 401(k) plan. Returns are based on market performance.
Distributions under the Plan are made in either a lump sum or annual installments over a period of two to ten years, as elected
by the participant. Participant deferrals may be distributed upon termination of employment or at a specified future date, as
elected. Company matching contributions are distributed upon termination of employment. A participant may make a one-time
change to a previously elected distribution schedule, subject to the terms of the Plan. Upon a participant's death or a change in
in control of the Company, distributions will be made in a lump-sum unless installment payments have already commenced. If
no distribution election is made, default distribution is a lump sum upon termination of employment.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  57
Artboard 9.jpg
Name
Executive
Contributions in
Last FY (1) 
($)
Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY (2)
($)
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY (3)
($)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE (4)
($)
Kevin Holleran
428,846
279,746
684,248
5,095,188
Eifion Jones
97,754
146,008
106,339
1,148,135
John Collins
84,704
126,676
64,358
627,543
Susan Canning
72,641
111,610
81,967
722,750
Eric Sejourne
290,529
86,781
36,802
516,594
(1)The amounts reported in this column represent elective deferrals of base salary and/or annual bonus by the NEOs. These amounts in
are included in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2025 in the “Salary,” “Bonus” and/or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation” columns, as shown below:
Name
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
Kevin Holleran
97,596
331,250
Eifion Jones
51,854
45,900
John Collins
46,454
38,250
Susan Canning
42,491
30,150
Eric Sejourne
120,529
170,000
(2)The amounts reported in this column for Fiscal Year 2025 are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary
Compensation Table. These amounts reflect Company contributions attributable to compensation earned in Fiscal Year 2025, even
if such contributions were credited to the participant's account in 2026.
(3)Represents earnings (or losses), including interest, dividends and changes in investment value, credited to each NEO’s deferred
compensation account during Fiscal Year 2025. Earnings under the Plan are not above-market or preferential within the meaning of
SEC rules and, accordingly, are not included in the Summary Compensation Table.
(4)The amounts reported in this column represent each NEO's aggregate account balance under the Plan as of December 31, 2025. The
aggregate balance includes contributions attributable to compensation earned in Fiscal Year 2025, whether credited to the participant’s
account in 2025 or early 2026. To the extent previously reported, amounts included in this balance were reported in the Summary
Compensation Table in one or more of the following columns for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024: “Salary” or “Bonus,” as shown below:
Name
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
Kevin Holleran
2024
93,800
231,273
2023
92,313
30,000
Eifion Jones
2024
50,054
3,952
90,048
2023
44,365
25,000
John Collins
2024
45,000
33,768
2023
39,989
11,250
Susan Canning
2024
50,283
32,546
2023
39,617
13,750
Eric Sejourne
2024
39,058
33,250
2023
58  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table sets forth information regarding certain potential payments that would have been made to the NEOs if the
applicable triggering event had occurred on December 31, 2025, based on the closing price of our common stock on that date
of $15.45, where applicable. The actual amounts that may be received upon a triggering event will vary depending on the
timing of the event and the value of our common stock at that time. The amounts shown do not include (i) accrued but unpaid
base salary through the date of termination, (ii) benefits earned or accrued during employment that are generally available to
all salaried employees, such as accrued vacation or (iii) for our NEOs who are retirement-eligible, any value associated with
the potential pro-rata vesting of PSUs granted in 2025 (as that value is not yet ascertainable). The amounts also assume that,
in connection with a change in control, any successor entity assumes or substitutes outstanding awards granted under the
2021 Plan and 2017 Plan.
Name
Benefit
Death
($)
Disability
($)
Termination Without
Cause or for Good
Reason (no Change
in Control)
($)
Termination Without
Cause or for Good
Reason in Connection
with a Change in
Control
($)
Kevin Holleran
Cash (1)
1,325,000
1,325,000
5,560,500
5,560,500
Equity Acceleration (2)
10,317,942
Value of Health Benefits
28,789
28,789
28,789
Value of Retirement Contributions (3)
211,298
211,298
211,298
Value of Outplacement Services (4)
6,000
6,000
Total
1,325,000
1,565,086
5,806,586
16,124,528
Eifion Jones
Cash (1)
510,000
510,000
1,015,000
1,015,000
Equity Acceleration (2)
3,118,228
Value of Health Benefits
28,789
28,789
28,789
Value of Retirement Contributions (3)
112,050
112,050
112,050
Value of Outplacement Services (4)
6,000
6,000
Total
510,000
650,839
1,161,839
4,280,067
John Collins
Cash (1)
425,000
425,000
884,000
884,000
Equity Acceleration (2)
5,515,476
Value of Health Benefits
27,404
27,404
27,404
Value of Retirement Contributions (3)
100,260
100,260
100,260
Value of Outplacement Services (4)
6,000
6,000
Total
425,000
552,664
1,017,664
6,533,140
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  59
Artboard 9.jpg
Name
Benefit
Death
($)
Disability
($)
Termination Without
Cause or for Good
Reason (no Change
in Control)
($)
Termination Without
Cause or for Good
Reason in Connection
with a Change in
Control
($)
Susan Canning
Cash (1)
335,000
335,000
760,000
760,000
Equity Acceleration (2)
1,961,348
Value of Health Benefits
20,335
20,335
20,335
Value of Retirement Contributions (3)
89,100
89,100
89,100
Value of Outplacement Services (4)
6,000
6,000
Total
335,000
444,435
875,435
2,836,784
Eric Sejourne
Cash (1)
340,000
340,000
776,000
776,000
Equity Acceleration (2)
1,135,988
Value of Health Benefits
19,481
19,481
19,481
Value of Retirement Contributions (3)
90,540
90,540
90,540
Value of Outplacement Services (4)
6,000
6,000
Total
340,000
450,021
892,021
2,028,008
(1)In the event of death or disability, each NEO is entitled to a pro-rata annual cash incentive award based on the amount that would have
been paid to such NEO under the annual incentive plan for the year ended December 31, 2025.
(2)The value of accelerated equity awards is determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on December 31,
2025, which was $15.45 per share.
(3)Represents payment of an amount equal to the cost of perquisites, welfare benefits, and retirement plan contributions that the NEO
would have been eligible to receive during the 12 months following termination.
(4)Represents the estimated cost to the Company of providing outplacement services for a period of six months following a termination of 
employment without cause or resignation for good reason.
60  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE
CEO PAY RATIO
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are providing the
following information about the relationship between the annual total compensation of our median employee and the annual
total compensation of our CEO.
When determining our median compensated employee, we included annual base salary for our global employee population in
2025 as our consistently applied compensation measure. We applied this measure to our global employee population as of
December 31, 2025, and annualized base salaries for permanent full-time and part-time employees who did not work the full
year. For purposes of this disclosure, we converted employee compensation from local currency to U.S. dollars using the
currency exchange rates applicable on December 31, 2025.
For our Fiscal Year 2025, the Annual Total Compensation of the median-compensated employee, excluding our CEO, was
$64,043. Annual total compensation for our CEO was $6,736,782. Based on this information, for Fiscal Year 2025, we estimate
that the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the annual compensation of the median employee was 105 to 1.
The pay ratio described above is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.
SEC rules for identifying the median employee permit companies to use a wide range of methodologies, assumptions and
exclusions. As a result, it may not necessarily be meaningful to compare pay ratios reported by other companies.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  61
Artboard 9.jpg
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
of 2010, we are providing the following disclosure regarding the “Compensation Actually Paid” (“CAP”), as calculated under
applicable SEC rules, for our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and our other named executive officers (“non-PEO NEOs”)
and certain financial performance measures for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
In determining CAP for our PEO and our non-PEO NEOs, we are required to make various adjustments to the total
compensation amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”), as the SEC’s valuation methods for this
section differ from those required for the SCT. Information regarding the methodology used to calculate CAP for our PEO
and non-PEO NEOs, including details regarding the amounts deducted from and added to the SCT totals to arrive at the CAP
amounts presented, is provided in the footnotes to the table. A graphical representation of the relationship between CAP and
the financial performance measures is also presented below. For non-PEO NEOs, compensation is reported as an average.
The CD&A describes the compensation setting process for our NEOs, which is done independently from the disclosure
requirements shown in this section. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance
disclosure below in making its compensation decisions for any of the years shown.
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based on:
Net Income
Adjusted
EBITDA(6)
Year
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO (1)
($)
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO (2)(3)
($)
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for Non-PEO
NEOs (4)
($)
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Non-PEO
NEOs (2)(3)(4)
($)
HAYW
Total
Shareholder
Return (5)
($)
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return (5)
($)
($ in millions)
2025
6,736,782
6,332,757
1,897,973
1,708,046
58.90
53.01
151.6
299.3
2024
6,023,949
7,779,251
2,572,102
3,009,988
58.29
97.83
118.7
277.4
2023
4,974,496
10,206,214
1,245,539
2,009,442
51.85
85.68
80.7
247.3
2022
4,744,758
(22,103,353)
1,264,361
(2,806,660)
35.84
60.89
179.3
367.6
(1)Kevin Holleran served as President and Chief Executive Officer throughout Fiscal Years 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 and is identified as
the PEO in the table.
62  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
(2)Deductions from, and additions to, total compensation in the SCT by year to calculate Compensation Actually Paid include:
2025
PEO
($)
Average Non-PEO NEOs
($)
Total Compensation from Summary Compensation Table
6,736,782
1,897,973
Adjustments for Equity Awards
Adjustment for grant date values in the Summary Compensation
Table
(4,113,204)
(817,503)
Year-end fair value of unvested awards granted in the current year
4,360,273
866,608
Year-over-year difference of year-end fair values for unvested
awards granted in prior years
(426,023)
(67,229)
Fair values at vest date for awards granted and vested in current
year
Difference in fair values between prior year-end fair values and vest
date fair values for awards granted in prior years
(225,071)
(171,803)
Forfeitures during current year equal to prior year-end fair value
Total Adjustments for Equity Awards
(404,025)
(189,927)
Compensation Actually Paid (as calculated)
6,332,757
1,708,046
(3)Previously reported PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO’s for 2024 has been updated to correct the 2024 Black-Scholes valuation used in
the calculation of the respective CAPs for 2024.
(4)Non-PEO NEOs reflect the average Summary Compensation Table total compensation and average Compensation Actually Paid for the
following executives by year:
2025: Eifion Jones, John Collins, Susan Canning, Eric Sejourne
2024: Eifion Jones, John Collins, Susan Canning, Eric Sejourne
2023: Eifion Jones, Richard Roetken, John Collins, Susan Canning, Fernando Blasco
2022: Eifion Jones, Richard Roetken, John Collins, Susan Canning, Lesley Billow
(5)TSR is determined based on the value of an initial fixed investment of $100 made on the last trading day of the year preceding the
earliest year presented in the table and ending the last trading day of the covered year. TSR peer group consists of the Company’s
compensation peer group, which, for 2025, included Aaon, Inc., Badger Meter, Inc., CSW Industrials, Inc., Fluidra S.A., Latham Group,
Inc., Leslie's Inc., Mueller Water Products, Inc., Pentair plc, Pool Corporation, SPX Technologies, Inc., The Azek Company, Inc., Trex
Company, Inc., Watts Water Technologies, Inc., YETI Holdings, Inc., and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation. The peer group for
2024 included the same companies as the 2025 compensation peer group, except it also included A.O. Smith Corporation, Generac
Holdings Inc., Mueller Industries Inc., Lennox International Inc., SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. and The Toro Company, and excluded
Fluidra S.A. The comparable cumulative TSR for the prior 2024 peer group for the period starting on December 31, 2021 and ending on
December 31 of the following years would be: 2022 ($59.30), 2023 ($84.51), 2024 ($96.50), and 2025 ($88.07).
(6)Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure selected by the compensation committee for evaluating performance with respect to the
compensation of our NEOs. Please see page 33 for a description of the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA.
COMPANY FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES
We have listed below the three performance measures that represent the most important metrics we used to link CAP to our
NEOs in 2025:
Adjusted EBITDA
Revenue (Net Sales)
Return on gross invested capital
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  63
Artboard 9.jpg
These financial performance measures are discussed in detail in “Executive Compensation–Compensation Discussion and
Analysis” in this Proxy Statement, including the use of these measures in annual and long-term performance-based
compensation awards.
ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THE PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE TABLE 
The illustrations below provide a graphical description of CAP (as calculated under applicable SEC rules) and the following
financial performance measures:
the Company’s cumulative TSR, the Peer Group’s cumulative TSR, and the prior peer group's cumulative TSR;
the Company’s Net Income; and
the Company Selected Measure, which for Hayward is Adjusted EBITDA.
4963
64  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
4965
4967
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  65
Artboard 9.jpg
AUDIT MATTERS
PROPOSAL
3
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends that the Stockholders Vote
FOR” the Ratification of the Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fiscal Year
Ending December 31, 2026.
Recommendation.jpg
Our Audit Committee has appointed PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. PwC has served as our independent registered public
accounting firm since 1999.
At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders are being asked to ratify the appointment of PwC as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Stockholder ratification of the selection of PwC as our
independent registered public accounting firm is not required by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws.
However, our Audit Committee is submitting the appointment of PwC to our stockholders because we value our stockholders’
views on our independent registered public accounting firm and as a matter of good corporate governance. Notwithstanding
the appointment of PwC and even if our stockholders ratify the appointment, our Audit Committee, in its discretion, may
appoint another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if our Audit Committee believes
that such a change would be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. If our stockholders do not ratify
the appointment of PwC, our Board may reconsider the appointment. Representatives of PwC are expected to be present
(virtually) at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and are expected
to be available to respond to appropriate questions from our stockholders.
FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee engaged PwC to perform an annual audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2025. The Audit Committee was responsible for determination and approval of audit fees primarily based on
audit scope, with consideration of audit team skills and experiences.
Pursuant to SEC rules, the fees billed by PwC for each of the past two years are disclosed in the table below:
(in thousands)
FY 2025
FY 2024
Audit Fees
$2,105
$2,625
Audit-Related Fees
5
45
Tax Fees
16
46
All Other Fees
2
264
Total Fees
$2,128
$2,980
AUDIT FEES
Consists of fees for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial
statements, including audited financial statements presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, review of our quarterly
financial statements presented in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by our
independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those
fiscal years, such as registration statements.
66  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
AUDIT-RELATED FEES
Consists of aggregate fees for accounting consultations and other services that were reasonably related to the performance
of audits or reviews of our consolidated financial statements and were not reported above under “Audit Fees.” This category
primarily includes fees related to the 401(k) plan audit.
TAX FEES
Consists of fees for professional services for tax advisory, compliance services, and consultations for customs recovery.
ALL OTHER FEES
Consists of fees for permitted products and services other than those that meet the criteria above.
AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE
In Fiscal Year 2025, there were no other professional services provided by PwC, other than those listed above, that would
have required our Audit Committee to consider their compatibility with maintaining the independence of PwC.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Consistent with requirements of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), regarding auditor
independence, our Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our
independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, our Audit Committee pre-approves all audit
and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include
audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. All services provided by PwC in Fiscal Years 2025 and
2024 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee prior to any services being rendered.
VOTE REQUIRED
The ratification of the appointment of PwC requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter
affirmatively or negatively. Abstentions will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected on this proposal.
Broker non-votes (if any) are not considered votes for or against this proposal and thus will have no effect on the outcome of
the proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  67
Artboard 9.jpg
Audit Committee Report
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist our Board of Directors in overseeing (i) the integrity of our financial
statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) our independent auditors’ qualifications and
independence, (iv) the performance of the independent auditors and our internal audit function and (v) other matters as set
forth in the Audit Committee’s charter. The Audit Committee is further responsible for the appointment and oversight of our
independent auditor and is involved in the selection of the independent auditor’s lead audit partner.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December
31, 2025 with management and PwC and, with and without management present, reviewed and discussed the results of
PwC’s examination of the financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, PwC and our internal
auditors, the quality and adequacy of our internal controls and the processes for assessing and monitoring risk. The Audit
Committee reviewed with both PwC and our internal auditor their audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks.
The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by the PCAOB and the SEC. The Audit
Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the
PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has
discussed PwC’s independence with PwC.
Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to our Board that such audited financial statements
be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC.
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee of the Board:
Lori Walker (Chairperson)
Kevin Brown
Diane Dayhoff
Arthur Soucy
This report of the Audit Committee is required by the SEC and, in accordance with the SEC’s rules, will not be deemed to be
part of or incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing
under the Securities Act, or under the Exchange Act except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by
reference, and will not otherwise be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
68  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
SECURITY OWNERSHIP AND
RELATED INFORMATION
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 20, 2026, by:
each of our directors and nominees for director;
each of our NEOs;
all current directors and executive officers as a group; and
each person or entity known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, based solely on
Hayward's review of filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Exchange Act.
Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially own, except to the extent such power may be shared with
a spouse. We deem shares of common stock that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of March 20, 2026,
pursuant to the exercise of options or the vesting of RSUs, to be outstanding for purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of such individual or group, but such shares are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table. The percentage ownership information shown in the table
is based upon 217,634,403 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 20, 2026.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Hayward Holdings, Inc., 1415
Vantage Park Drive, Suite 400, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203.
Name of Beneficial Owner
Shares(1)
% of Shares
Outstanding
Non-Employee Directors:
Kevin Brown (2)
3,200,529
1.47%
Diane Dayhoff
37,337
*
Stephen Felice
456,033
*
Ronald Keating
36,356
*
Lawrence Silber
203,337
*
Arthur Soucy
159,010
*
Lori Walker
39,337
*
Edward Ward
29,985
*
Named Executive Officers:
Kevin Holleran (3)
4,224,966
1.94%
Eifion Jones
1,495,352
*
John Collins
151,560
*
Susan Canning
211,930
*
Eric Sejourne
26,204
*
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (16 total)
10,293,839
4.73%
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  69
Artboard 9.jpg
Name of Beneficial Owner
Shares(1)
% of Shares
Outstanding
5% or Greater Stockholders:
BlackRock
50 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
22,976,015
(4)
10.56%
The Vanguard Group
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355
19,305,043
(5)
8.87%
JPMorgan Chase & Company
383 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10179
11,641,562
(6)
5.35%
*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
(1)These numbers include the following shares that the individuals may acquire within 60 days after March 20, 2025 through the exercise
of stock options: Mr. Felice: 126,750 option shares, Mr. Silber: 156,000 option shares, Mr. Soucy: 121,750 option shares, Mr. Holleran:
3,785,702 option shares, Mr. Jones: 1,273,502 option shares, Mr. Collins: 109,085 option shares, Ms. Canning: 160,542 option shares,
and all directors and current executive officers as a group: 5,733,331 option shares.
(2)For Mr. Brown, does not include shares of our common stock held by an affiliate of MSD Partners, L.P. Mr. Brown is a Partner and
member of the Investment Committee of BDT & MSD.
(3)Kevin Holleran also serves as a director. Shares reported as beneficially owned include 700 shares owned by Mr. Holleran indirectly.
(4)This information is based on an amended Schedule 13G/A dated January 30, 2025 filed with the SEC by The Vanguard Group reporting
beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2024. The Schedule 13G/A reported that The Vanguard Group has sole voting power over 0
shares of the Company’s common stock, shared voting power over 52,519 shares of the Company’s common stock, sole dispositive
power over 19,068,168 shares of the Company’s common stock, and shared dispositive power over 236,875 shares of the Company’s
common stock.
(5)This information is based on an amended Schedule 13G/A dated October 2, 2025 filed with the SEC by BlackRock, Inc. reporting
beneficial ownership as of September 30, 2025. The Schedule 13G/A reported that BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over
22,549,565 shares of the Company’s common stock, shared voting power over 0 shares of the Company’s common stock, sole
dispositive power over 22,976,015 shares of the Company’s common stock, and shared dispositive power over 0 shares of the
Company’s common stock.
(6)This information is based on a Schedule 13G dated October 31, 2025 filed with the SEC by JPMorgan Chase & Company reporting
beneficial ownership as of September 30, 2025. The Schedule 13G reported that JPMorgan Chase & Company has sole voting power
over 11,052,006 shares of the Company's common stock, shared voting power over 0 shares of the Company's common stock, sole
dispositive power over 11,641,562 shares of the Company's common stock, and shared dispositive power over 0 shares of the
Company's common stock.
70  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The information provided below in a question-and-answer format is provided for your convenience and summarizes certain
information contained in this Proxy Statement. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated
by reference into this Proxy Statement, and references to our website address in this Proxy Statement are intended to be 
inactive textual references only.
WHY ARE YOU HOLDING A VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING AND HOW CAN STOCKHOLDERS ATTEND?
We will be hosting the Annual Meeting via live webcast only. We believe hosting our Annual Meeting virtually helps to expand
access, facilitate stockholder attendance, reduce costs, and enable improved communication. It also reduces the
environmental impact of our Annual Meeting.
HOW CAN I VIEW AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL MEETING?
To participate, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HAYW2026 and log in with your 16-digit control number included in
the Notice if you are a stockholder of record of shares of common stock (or on your proxy card if you are a stockholder of
record and requested paper copies of the Annual Meeting materials), or included with your voting instructions received from
your broker, bank, or other nominee if you are a street name stockholder, as described below.
WHEN CAN I JOIN THE ANNUAL MEETING?
You may begin to log in to the Annual Meeting platform beginning at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time. We encourage you to join the
meeting prior to the start time. Participants should allow plenty of time to log in and confirm that they can hear streaming audio
prior to the start of the virtual Annual Meeting. The live webcast will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday,
May 21, 2026.
HOW CAN I ASK QUESTIONS AND VOTE?
Stockholders may vote and submit questions virtually during the meeting (subject to time restrictions and to our Rules
of Conduct).
WHAT IF I EXPERIENCE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES?
If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical
support number: 844-986-0822 (U.S.) or +1-303-562-9302 (international).
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
Holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 (our “common stock”), as of the close of business on the Record Date, March
25, 2026, will be entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held by them on the Record Date with respect to all
matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 217,662,103 shares of our common stock
outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting.
WHY DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS INSTEAD OF A FULL
SET OF PROXY MATERIALS?
In accordance with the rules of the SEC, we have elected to furnish our proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement and
our 2025 Annual Report, primarily via the internet. The Notice containing instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement
and our 2025 Annual Report is first being mailed on or about April 2, 2026 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Stockholders may request to receive all future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email by
following the instructions contained in the Notice. We encourage stockholders to take advantage of the availability of our proxy
materials on the internet to help reduce the environmental impact and the cost of our Annual Meeting.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  71
Artboard 9.jpg
HOW DO I VOTE?
If you are a stockholder of record, there are four ways to vote:
By internet at www.proxyvote.com, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20,
2026 (have your Notice or proxy card in hand when you visit the website);
By toll-free telephone at 1-800-690-6903 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2026 (have your Notice or proxy
card in hand when you call);
By completing and mailing your proxy card (if you received printed proxy materials) to Vote Processing, c/o
Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717 to be received by 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 21,
2026; or
By attending the virtual meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HAYW2026, where you may vote
electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting. Please have your Notice or proxy card in hand when
you visit the website. If you previously voted via the internet (or by telephone or mail), you may still vote online at the
Annual Meeting.
Voting via the internet or by telephone is fast and convenient, and your vote is immediately confirmed and tabulated. Voting
early will help avoid additional solicitation costs and will not prevent you from voting electronically during the Annual Meeting if
you wish to do so.
If you are a street name stockholder, you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee. You must
follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee in order to direct your broker, bank or other
nominee on how to vote your shares. As discussed above, if you are a street name stockholder, you may not vote your shares
electronically at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee.
CAN I CHANGE OR REVOKE MY VOTE?
Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you can change your vote or revoke your proxy any time by:
Entering a new vote by internet or by telephone before the Annual Meeting;
Delivering a written notice of revocation or completing and returning a later-dated proxy card before 8:00 a.m.
Eastern Time on May 21, 2026 to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717;
or
Attending and voting electronically at the virtual Annual Meeting (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not,
by itself, revoke a proxy).
If you are a street name stockholder, your broker, bank or other nominee can provide you with instructions on how to change
your vote.
WHO ARE STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD?
If shares of our common stock are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, you
are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and the Notice was provided to you directly by us. As
the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy and indicate your voting choices directly to the
individuals listed on the proxy card or to vote virtually at the Annual Meeting.
WHO ARE STREET NAME STOCKHOLDERS?
If shares of our common stock are held on your behalf in a brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are
considered to be the beneficial owner of shares that are held in “street name,” and the Notice was forwarded to you by your
broker, bank or other nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee as to
how to vote your shares in the manner provided in the voting instructions you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee.
If you request a printed copy of our proxy materials by mail, your broker, bank or other nominee will provide a voting instruction
form for you to use. Street name stockholders are also invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. However, because a street
name stockholder is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares of our common stock virtually at the Annual
Meeting unless you follow your broker, bank or other nominee’s procedures for obtaining a legal proxy. Throughout this Proxy
Statement, we refer to stockholders who hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee as “street name
stockholders.”
72  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
HOW MANY VOTES ARE NEEDED FOR APPROVAL OF EACH PROPOSAL?
Proposal
Vote Needed for Approval and Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
PROPOSAL NO. 1
To elect three nominees identified in this Proxy
Statement as Class II directors to serve terms
lasting until our 2029 annual meeting of
stockholders and their successors are duly
elected and qualified.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws state that directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast. Accordingly, the nominees that receive the highest
number of votes cast “FOR” will be elected. Broker non-votes and abstentions will
have no effect on this proposal. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines further
state that, in an uncontested election of directors (such as this director election), if
the votes “WITHHELD” from a director nominee exceed the votes cast “FOR” such
nominee, the nominee shall be required to submit his or her resignation to the
Board of Directors for its consideration. The Board will have the opportunity to
determine whether to accept or reject such resignation in accordance with the
Corporate Governance Guidelines.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
To approve, on an advisory basis, the
compensation of our named executive officers.
Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are seeking an advisory vote
from our stockholders to approve the compensation of our named executive
officers for Fiscal Year 2025, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This proposal
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter
affirmatively or negatively. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on
this proposal. This vote is not binding upon the Company, our Board or the
Compensation Committee. Nevertheless, the Board and the Compensation
Committee value the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this
proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future
compensation decisions regarding the Company’s named executive officers.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
To ratify the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm
for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”)
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter
affirmatively or negatively. Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have no
effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected on this proposal.
Stockholder ratification of the appointment of PwC is not required by the
Company’s Bylaws, but if the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit
Committee will reconsider whether to retain PwC.
Voting results will be tabulated and certified by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting.
WHAT IS A QUORUM?
A quorum is the minimum number of shares required to be present at the Annual Meeting to properly hold an annual meeting
and conduct business under our Bylaws and Delaware law. The presence in person (by means of remote communication) or
represented by proxy of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled
to vote on a matter at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for that matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and
broker non-votes are counted as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF GIVING A PROXY?
Proxies are solicited by and on behalf of our Board. Kevin Holleran (our President and Chief Executive Officer) and Susan
Canning (our Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary) have been designated as proxy holders by
our Board. When proxies are properly dated, executed and returned, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. If no specific instructions are given, however, the
shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board as described above. If any matters not described in
this Proxy Statement are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will use their own judgment to determine
how to vote the shares. If the Annual Meeting is postponed, adjourned or continued, the proxy holders can vote the shares on
the new Annual Meeting date as well, unless you have properly revoked your proxy instructions, as described above.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  73
Artboard 9.jpg
HOW ARE PROXIES SOLICITED FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING?
The Company is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting. All expenses associated with this solicitation will be borne by
us. We will reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for reasonable expenses that they incur in sending the Notice and
our proxy materials to you if a broker, bank or other nominee holds shares of our common stock on your behalf. In addition, our
directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. Our directors
and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies.
HOW MAY MY BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE VOTE MY SHARES IF I FAIL TO PROVIDE TIMELY
DIRECTIONS?
Brokers, banks and other nominees holding shares of our common stock in street name for their customers are generally
required to vote such shares in the manner directed by their customers. In the absence of timely directions, your broker, bank
or other nominee will have discretion to vote your shares on the proposal to ratify the appointment of PwC as our independent
registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Absent direction from you, your broker, bank
or other nominee will not have discretion to vote on the election of directors or the stockholder advisory vote to approve the
compensation of the NEOs. If the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares in street name returns a proxy card
without voting on a non-routine proposal because it did not receive voting instructions from you on that proposal, this
is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes are considered in determining whether a quorum exists at the
Annual Meeting. The effect of broker non-votes on the outcome of each proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting
is explained above.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. We will also disclose voting results on a Current Report on
Form 8-K that we will file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not
available to us in time to file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we will file a
Current Report on Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and will provide the final results in an amendment to the Current
Report on Form 8-K as soon as they become available.
I SHARE AN ADDRESS WITH ANOTHER STOCKHOLDER, AND WE RECEIVED ONLY ONE PAPER COPY
OF THE PROXY MATERIALS. HOW MAY I OBTAIN AN ADDITIONAL COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?
The rules promulgated by the SEC permit companies, brokers, banks or other intermediaries to deliver a single copy of proxy
materials, or, where applicable, the Notice, to households at which two or more stockholders reside. Each stockholder,
however, still receives a separate proxy card if he or she receives paper copies. This practice, known as “householding,” is
designed to reduce duplicate mailings and save significant printing and postage costs as well as natural resources.
Stockholders sharing an address who have been previously notified by their broker, bank or other nominee and have
consented to householding will receive only one copy of our Proxy Statement and Annual Report or Notice. If you would like to
opt out of this practice for future mailings and receive a separate proxy statement and annual report to stockholders or Notice
for each stockholder sharing the same address, please contact your broker, bank or other nominee.
You may also obtain a separate Proxy Statement or Annual Report or Notice without charge by sending a written request to
Broadridge Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, or by calling Broadridge’s
Householding Department at 866-540-7095. Additional copies of the Proxy Statement or Annual Report or Notice will be sent
promptly upon receipt of such request. Stockholders sharing an address that are receiving multiple copies of the Proxy
Statement or Annual Report or Notice can request delivery of a single copy of future proxy statements or annual reports or
Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by contacting their broker, bank or other nominee or sending a written request
to Broadridge Householding Department at the address above or by calling 866-540-7095.
74  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
OTHER MATTERS
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2027 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
RULE 14A-8 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
As prescribed by Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, qualifying stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in
our proxy statement for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders. For a Rule 14a-8 stockholder proposal to
be timely and considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must
comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-8, including with respect to ownership of our common stock, and our
Corporate Secretary must receive the written proposal at our principal executive offices by the deadline prescribed by Rule
14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Provided that the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders is not held more than 30 days from the
first anniversary of the Annual Meeting, the applicable deadline will be December 3, 2026. Stockholder proposals should be
addressed to: Hayward Holdings, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, at the mailing address of our principal executive offices.
If a stockholder who has notified us of his, her or its intention to present a Rule 14a-8 stockholder proposal at an annual
meeting does not appear and a qualified representative of that stockholder does not appear to present his, her or its proposal
at such annual meeting, such proposal shall be disregarded, and we are not required to present the proposal for a vote at such
annual meeting.
ADVANCE NOTICE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Our Bylaws also establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to present a proper proposal, including
director nominations, before an annual meeting of stockholders but do not intend for the proposal to be included in our Proxy
Statement. Any such advance notice stockholder proposal, including director nominations, must comply with all of the
requirements set forth in our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and applicable laws, rules and regulations. Our Bylaws
provide that, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, among other requirements
specified therein, (i) the stockholder must be a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice and at the time of
the meeting, (ii) the stockholder must be entitled to vote at, and must be present at, the meeting, (iii) the business must be a
proper matter for stockholder action and (iv) the stockholder must give timely written notice to our Corporate Secretary, and the
notice must contain the information specified in our Bylaws. For an advance notice stockholder proposal, including director
nominations, to be timely for our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, our Corporate Secretary must receive the written
proposal at our principal executive offices:
not earlier than the close of business on 120 days prior to the anniversary of the Annual Meeting (January 21, 2027);
and
not later than the close of business 90 days prior to the anniversary of the Annual Meeting (February 20, 2027).
In the event that we hold our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders more than 30 days before or after the one-year anniversary
of the Annual Meeting, notice of an advance notice stockholder proposal must be received on or before ten days after the day
on which the date of the 2027 annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement.
If a stockholder who has notified us of his, her or its intention to present an advance notice stockholder proposal, including
director nominations, at an annual meeting does not appear and a qualified representative of that stockholder does not appear
to present his, her or its proposal at such annual meeting, such proposal shall be disregarded and we are not required to
present the proposal for a vote at such annual meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been
received by us.
You are advised to review our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements regarding advance notice stockholder proposals,
including director nominations. A copy of our Bylaws is available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also contact
our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices for a copy of the relevant Bylaw provisions regarding the
requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.
In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under the Company’s Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules,
stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide
notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  75
Artboard 9.jpg
In connection with our solicitation of proxies for our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, we intend to file a proxy statement
and white proxy card with the SEC. Stockholders may obtain our proxy statement (and any amendments and supplements
thereto) and other documents as and when filed with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at: www.sec.gov.
AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT AND SEC FILINGS
Our financial statements for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 are included in our 2025 Annual Report, which includes
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 other than the exhibits thereto. This Proxy
Statement and our 2025 Annual Report are posted on our website at investor.hayward.com and are available from the SEC
at its website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of this Proxy Statement and our 2025 Annual Report without
charge by sending a written request to Hayward Holdings, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 1415 Vantage Park Drive, Suite
400, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203.
2026 PROXY STATEMENT  ||  A-1
Artboard 9.jpg
APPENDIX A
Supplemental Information About Financial Measures
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management
believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional meaningful information that should be
considered when assessing our underlying business performance and trends. Management also uses these non-GAAP
financial measures in making financial, operating, compensation and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's
performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for the impact of restructuring related income or expenses, stock-
based compensation, currency exchange items, and certain non-cash, nonrecurring, or other items that are included
in net income and EBITDA that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.
Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company's results prepared
in accordance with GAAP, and our non-GAAP financial measures do not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting.
Financial measures in this Proxy Statement, unless otherwise indicated, are reproduced from our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year-ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2026.
The tables below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures used in this Appendix A to the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measures.
Year Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2025
Net income
$80,687
$118,655
$151,570
Depreciation
15,983
20,078
22,835
Amortization
37,079
35,783
34,451
Interest expense, net
73,584
62,163
50,282
Income taxes
20,400
25,527
33,067
Loss on debt extinguishment
4,926
EBITDA
227,733
267,132
292,205
Stock-based compensation (a)
1,270
608
57
Currency exchange items (b)
786
(836)
79
Acquisition and restructuring related expense, net (c)
13,213
6,464
3,886
Other (d)
4,271
4,079
3,052
Total Adjustments
19,540
10,315
7,074
Adjusted EBITDA
$247,273
$277,447
$299,279
Net income margin
8.1%
11.3%
13.5%
Adjusted EBITDA margin
24.9%
26.4%
26.7%
A-2  ||  2026 PROXY STATEMENT
Artboard 9.jpg
(a)
Represents non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards issued to management, employees, and directors.
The adjustment includes only expense related to awards issued under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, which were awards granted prior
to the effective date of Hayward’s initial public offering (the “IPO”).
(b)
(c)
Represents unrealized non-cash (gains) losses on foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities and foreign currency contracts.
(d)
Adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2025 are primarily driven by $3.1 million of compensation expenses for the retention of
key employees acquired in the ChlorKing acquisition pursuant to the conditions in the acquisition agreement. Other adjustments for the
year ended December 31, 2025 include $0.4 million of costs related to restructuring actions in E&RW, $0.3 million of separation costs
for the consolidation of operations in North America and $0.2 million of other acquisition and integration costs, partially offset by a
reduction in expense of $0.2 million to finalize the relocation of the Company's corporate office functions to Charlotte, North Carolina
from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. Adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2024 are primarily driven by $3.2 million of
compensation expenses for the retention of key employees acquired in the ChlorKing acquisition pursuant to the conditions in the
acquisition agreement. Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2024 include $1.1 million of transaction and integration
costs associated with the acquisition of the ChlorKing business, $0.9 million of termination benefits related to a reduction-in-force within
E&RW, $0.8 million of separation and other costs associated with the centralization and consolidation of operations in Europe and $0.4
million of costs to finalize restructuring actions initiated in prior years. Adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily
include $6.7 million of costs related to the discontinuation of a product line leading to an impairment of the associated fixed assets,
inventory and intangible assets, $2.4 million related to programs to centralize and consolidate manufacturing operations and
professional services in Europe, $1.9 million of costs associated with the relocation of the corporate headquarters to Charlotte, North
Carolina, $1.2 million separation costs associated with the 2022 cost reduction program and $0.8 million of costs associated with
Adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2025 primarily include $4.3 million for the settlement in principle of the securities class
action litigation. Expenses beyond the $4.3 million related to this case are subject to insurance recoveries pursuant to the Company’s
retention amount with its insurance carriers. Other adjustments include $1.3 million of income from insurance proceeds related to flood
damage associated with a hurricane at a contract manufacturing facility. Adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2024 are
primarily driven by a $3.3 million increase in cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value inventory step-up adjustment recognized as
part of the purchase accounting for the acquisition of the ChlorKing business, $0.7 million of costs sustained from flood damage
associated with a hurricane at a contract manufacturing facility and $0.5 million of costs incurred related to litigation, partially offset by
$0.5 million of gains on the sale of assets. Adjustments in the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily include $1.8 million related to
inventory and fixed asset write-offs in Europe and $1.5 million of costs incurred related to the selling stockholder offerings of shares in
March, May and August 2023, which are reported in SG&A in our consolidated statements of operations.
hayward_ibc.jpg
hayward_bc.jpg
USE THIS ONE HAYWARD HOLDINGS INC._V_PRXY_P42814_26(#93022) - CC_Page_1.jpg
USE THIS ONE HAYWARD HOLDINGS INC._V_PRXY_P42814_26(#93022) - CC_Page_2.jpg

FAQ

What is on the agenda for Hayward (HAYW) at the 2026 annual meeting?

Stockholders will elect three Class II directors for terms expiring in 2029, approve on an advisory basis the compensation of named executive officers, and ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

When and how can Hayward (HAYW) stockholders attend the 2026 annual meeting?

The 2026 annual meeting will be held virtually on May 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Stockholders can attend, vote and submit questions online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HAYW2026 using the 16-digit control number from their proxy materials.

What were Hayward (HAYW) 2025 net sales and growth highlighted in the proxy?

Hayward reports 2025 net sales of $1.12 billion, an increase of 6.7% year over year. The company emphasizes its strong aftermarket repair, replacement and upgrade mix, which supports durable cash flow and leverages a large installed base in residential and commercial pool markets.

How is executive compensation structured for Hayward (HAYW) leadership?

Hayward’s executive pay combines base salary, annual cash incentives and long-term equity awards. About 84% of the CEO’s and 69% of other named executive officers’ target compensation is at-risk, tied to metrics such as Net Sales, Adjusted EBITDA, margin, cash conversion cycle and multi-year PSU performance goals.

What Say-on-Pay results and stockholder feedback did Hayward (HAYW) report?

Hayward notes that its 2025 advisory Say-on-Pay proposal received 92% stockholder support. The Compensation Committee considered this strong backing, along with ongoing stockholder engagement on governance and compensation topics, when designing and maintaining the 2025 executive compensation program and related pay practices.

How does Hayward (HAYW) address ESG and corporate stewardship in the proxy?

Hayward organizes stewardship around Products, Planet, People and Principles. Highlights include more than 60% of eligible North American products by net sales meeting ENERGY STAR criteria, targeted projects to reduce energy and water use, over 85% employee engagement survey participation, and company-matched workplace giving through Hayward Cares.

What is the composition and independence profile of Hayward (HAYW) board of directors?

Hayward’s Board has nine members with an average age of 63.2 years and average tenure of 5.9 years, of whom eight are independent under NYSE standards. The roles of CEO and Chair are separated, and all Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members are independent directors.
Hayward Hldgs Inc

NYSE:HAYW

View HAYW Stock Overview

HAYW Rankings

HAYW Latest News

HAYW Latest SEC Filings

HAYW Stock Data

2.91B
212.30M
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery
Link
United States
CHARLOTTE