Global Partner Agreement
EXHIBIT 10.15
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0
0 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0
Dear Phil:
AIM Funds Management Inc. (the “Company”), part of the AMVESCAP Group, wishes to employ you as
a Global Partner under the terms and conditions set forth in this letter. The term “Global Partner”
is used throughout the AMVESCAP Group to refer to the most senior group of officers and employees.
The purpose of this letter is to articulate the terms and conditions of your employment.
It is important to note at the outset that both the Company and AMVESCAP Group consider you
an important part of its continued success. Further, please note that under the terms of this
letter agreement, which is a binding contract, neither the Company nor you have any right to
terminate the employment relationship except as set forth below.
1. Duties Of Employment
You agree to perform the duties assigned to you by the Company as more specifically stated in
an attachment to this letter. The attachment may be modified in the future if you and the Company
agree in writing. You understand and agree that during your employment relationship with the
Company, you are not allowed, without proper prior approval, to perform any business activities
for any person or entity other than the Company or another company that is part of the AMVESCAP
Group. Of course, if you obtain the Company’s prior written approval, you may perform other
business activities.
It is your obligation to comply with all Company policies and procedures, including those set
forth in any Code of Ethics and other materials distributed by the Company to its employees.
Further, you agree to comply with all applicable rules and regulations that pertain to the
Company’s business.
As a Global Partner you have important duties to the Company: the duty to refrain from
dealing in your self interest above that of the Company’s, the duty to disclose any information
that indicates that you may be exposed to a conflict of interests, the duty of loyalty, and the
duty to refrain from using the Company’s business opportunities for your own benefit. These
fiduciary obligations and others arise because of the unique trust and confidence the Company
places in you as a Global Partner.
2. Compensation
Your annual salary is set forth in an attachment to this letter. You will also receive
certain bonuses and stock awards as approved from time to time by the Company. The attachment may
be modified in the future as agreed by you and the Company in writing.
3. Term
The term of your employment relationship with the Company shall be for one year from the date
of your signature on this letter. This term will automatically renew at the end of the initial
term for another year and will continue to renew every year, unless your employment is terminated
in a manner specified below. In no event will the term of your employment relationship with the
Company be less than the unexpired period of any notice of intent to terminate given as set forth
below. Your employment can only be terminated as specifically set forth below.
A. Termination Effective After Expiration of Notice Period
Either you or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time during the
initial term or any renewal, upon twelve months (see Note) written notice to the other party.
Notice of intent to terminate will be considered given upon mailing or actual receipt, whichever
occurs first. Whether you or the Company give the notice of termination, your employment will
continue for the entire notice period. The effective date of the termination of the employment
relationship will be the last day of the notice period.
[Note: The Company is willing to agree to a minimum four month notice period, but will accept up
to twelve months as a reasonable notice period. Please fill in and initial the notice period that
you desire. If you do not designate a number of months in the blank or if you designate a number
less than four months, you are agreeing to the default notice period of four months.]
B. Termination by Mutual Agreement
You and the Company can, effective immediately, terminate the employment relationship without
cause or notice, but such a mutual termination will only be effective if you and the Company both
agree to the termination in writing. Such an agreement must be signed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company to be effective.
C. Termination with Cause
Your employment may be terminated effective immediately upon written notice if the Company
believes in good faith that you engaged in the following conduct:
| (1) | After written notice, any continuing violation of this agreement or Company policies or procedures; | ||
| (2) | Your conviction of committing a criminal act; |
-2-
| (3) | Any violation of law or regulation related to the business of the Company or affecting your ability to perform your duties; | ||
| (4) | Your bankruptcy or insolvency. |
You may terminate your employment effective immediately if the Company, after written notice,
has engaged in any continuing violation of this letter agreement and has not cured such violation
within a reasonable period of time.
D. Termination Due to Death or Disability
In the event of your death, or disability to the extent that you cannot perform the essential
functions of your position with reasonable accommodation, your employment will be terminated
effective on the last day of the month that such death or disability occurs. We mutually recognize
that the Company has a disability plan that is separate from this letter agreement.
4. Confidential Information
A critical aspect of your position is your access to trade secret, proprietary, and
confidential information. For example, your knowledge of the exact amounts and holdings of
Company-related investment positions is confidential. While some of that information may eventually
be made public, the information is extremely sensitive and is to be treated as confidential until
it is released. Likewise, computer models and programs developed by the Company or purchased by it
are proprietary and confidential. Other information the Company possesses as trade secrets or
confidential information include its marketing strategies, marketing plans, compensation
arrangements, benefit plans, and ideas and inventions of its employees.
These are simply examples of the types of information the Company considers trade secret
and/or confidential. As time passes, the Company will no doubt develop new categories of
information it considers trade secret and/or confidential. As this occurs, the Company will
identify such new categories of information and remind you of your obligation to treat it as
confidential. The importance of all of the types of information identified here is that the
Company’s competitors do not have permitted access to this information and are thus unable to use
it to compete with the Company. Accordingly, these types of information create a competitive
advantage for the Company and are economically valuable. Thus, you agree not to disclose or use
any of the Company’s trade secret and/or confidential information for your own benefit or the
benefit of anyone other than the Company, during your employment or for six (6) months after the
effective date of the termination of your employment relationship with the Company.
5. Company Employees And Customers
You agree that, in the event of the termination of the employment relationship between you
and the Company, you will not solicit or hire any Company employees for a period of six (6) months
after the effective date of the termination of your employment relationship with the Company.
Further, you agree that you will not solicit the business relationships you developed or acquired
while working for the Company or another company affiliated with the AMVESCAP
-3-
Group for a period of six (6) months after the effective date of the termination of your
employment.
6. Inventions And Ideas
Since the Company is paying you for your time and efforts, you agree that all information,
ideas, and inventions you develop while employed by the Company related in any way to the
Company’s business, are the sole property of the Company. This includes all investment models,
processes, and methodologies you develop while employed by the Company. Indeed, one of the reasons
for your employment is the creation of such ideas. This information is confidential and trade
secret information as discussed above. You understand that the Company may seek to patent or to
obtain trademark or copyright protection related to such information, ideas, and inventions, and
that, if necessary, you will assign any interest you may have in such information, ideas, and
inventions you develop to the Company.
7. Return of Company Property
Upon the termination of your employment, you agree to return all property of the Company. To
the extent such property is information of which you have detailed knowledge but no electronic or
other documents containing such information, you agree to itemize such information in writing for
the Company prior to the effective date of the termination of your employment.
8. Assignment
You agree that this letter agreement may be assigned to any other entities in the AMVESCAP
Group, or to any successor company by acquisition of either the Company’s stock or its assets. In
the case of such an assignment by the Company, you understand and agree that you would continue to
be bound by this letter agreement. No such assignment, without your consent, shall require you to
change your duties or to move from your principal residence.
9. Choice of Law and Forum
We agree that, in the event of a disagreement between you and the Company about any aspect of
your employment with the Company or this letter agreement, Ontario’s substantive law, without
regard to Ontario’s choice of law rules, will govern any litigation or proceeding brought by
either party. You also agree that any litigation or proceeding shall be brought in Ontario, Canada
in either provincial or federal court, as appropriate.
10. Notice
We agree that any notice that is to be given under this letter agreement is properly given
when delivered in person, by certified mail, or by over night delivery such as Federal Express.
-4-
11. Prior Agreements
This letter agreement extinguishes and replaces any previous written employment
agreement between you and the Company.
We are very grateful for the significant contributions you are making to the
Company and look forward to working with you in the future.
| Sincerely, AIM Funds Management Inc. |
||||
| By: | /s/ Xxx Xxxx | |||
| Xxx Xxxx | ||||
| Accepted January 1, 2001: |
||||
| /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
| Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
-5-
Global Partnership Addendum
Name of Global Partner: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Company: AIM Funds Management Inc. (Canada)
Base Annualized Salary effective January 1, 2002: USD $300,000
You are also a participant in the AMVESCAP Global Partner’ compensation and benefits plan.
You will receive local benefits as outlined in the Working@AIM binder.
You will receive bonus and stock awards as approved from time to time by the Company.
