2018 Proxy Statement

TEXTRON 2018 PROXY STATEMENT 50 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered SXEOLF DFFRXQWLQJ ¿UP UHWDLQHG WR DXGLW 7H[WURQ¶V ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV 7KH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH KDV DSSRLQWHG (UQVW <RXQJ //3 WR VHUYH DV WKH &RPSDQ\¶V LQGHSHQGHQW UHJLVWHUHG SXEOLF DFFRXQWLQJ ¿UP IRU (UQVW <RXQJ //3 RU LWV SUHGHFHVVRUV KDYH VHUYHG DV WKH LQGHSHQGHQW UHJLVWHUHG SXEOLF DFFRXQWLQJ ¿UP IRU WKH &RPSDQ\ IRU RYHU WZHQW\ \HDUV ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR ensuring the regular rotation of the lead audit partner as required by law, the Audit Committee is involved in the selection of, and reviews and evaluates, the lead audit partner. 7KH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH DQG WKH %RDUG EHOLHYH WKDW WKH DSSRLQWPHQW RI WKH ¿UP RI (UQVW <RXQJ //3 WR DXGLW 7H[WURQ¶V FRQVROLGDWHG ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV IRU LV LQ WKH EHVW LQWHUHVWV RI WKH &RPSDQ\ DQG LWV VKDUHKROGHUV DQG SURSRVH DQG recommend that the shareholders ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered SXEOLF DFFRXQWLQJ ¿UP IRU $OWKRXJK UDWL¿FDWLRQ LV QRW UHTXLUHG E\ RXU %\ /DZV RU RWKHUZLVH WKH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH LV VXEPLWWLQJ WKH VHOHFWLRQ RI (UQVW Young LLP to shareholders as a matter of good corporate governance. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. A representative or representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement and be available to respond to appropriate questions. FEES TO INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The following table presents fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of Textron’s DQQXDO ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV WKH UHYLHZV RI WKH ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV LQ 7H[WURQ¶V )RUPV 4 DQG RWKHU VHUYLFHV LQ FRQQHFWLRQ ZLWK VWDWXWRU\ DQG UHJXODWRU\ ¿OLQJV DQG HQJDJHPHQWV IRU DQG DQG IHHV ELOOHG IRU DXGLW UHODWHG VHUYLFHV WD[ VHUYLFHV and all other services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP in 2016 and 2017. 2016 2017 ($ in thousands) Audit Fees $8,844 $ 9,434 $XGLW 5HODWHG )HHV Tax Fees (2) 112 66 All Other Fees 0 0 Total Fees $9,669 $10,975 $XGLW UHODWHG IHHV LQFOXGH IHHV IRU HPSOR\HH EHQH¿W SODQ DXGLWV DWWHVW VHUYLFHV QRW UHTXLUHG E\ VWDWXWH RU UHJXODWLRQ DQG FRQVXOWDWLRQV FRQFHUQLQJ ¿QDQFLDO DFFRXQWLQJ DQG UHSRUWLQJ PDWWHUV QRW FODVVL¿HG DV DXGLW (2) Tax fees include fees for tax services relating to consultations and compliance. 8QGHU WKH $XGLW DQG 1RQ $XGLW 6HUYLFHV 3UH $SSURYDO 3ROLF\ DGRSWHG E\ WKH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH DOO DXGLW DQG QRQ DXGLW VHUYLFHV WR EH SHUIRUPHG E\ WKH LQGHSHQGHQW DXGLWRU IRU 7H[WURQ UHTXLUH SUH DSSURYDO E\ WKH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH 7KH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH PD\ GHOHJDWH SUH DSSURYDO DXWKRULW\ WR RQH RU PRUH RI LWV PHPEHUV $Q\ SUH DSSURYDOV SXUVXDQW WR GHOHJDWHG DXWKRULW\ VKDOO EH UHSRUWHG WR WKH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH DW LWV QH[W VFKHGXOHG PHHWLQJ 7KH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH FDQQRW GHOHJDWH SUH DSSURYDO authority to management. $OO DXGLW UHODWHG VHUYLFHV WD[ VHUYLFHV DQG RWKHU VHUYLFHV IRU ZHUH SUH DSSURYHG E\ WKH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH ZKLFK determined that such services would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules on auditor independence. 7KH %RDUG RI 'LUHFWRUV UHFRPPHQGV D YRWH ´)25µ UDWLÀFDWLRQ RI WKH DSSRLQWPHQW E\ WKH $XGLW &RPPLWWHH RI Ernst & Young LLP (Item 3 on the proxy card).