GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC. EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Exhibit 10.22
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
SECTION 1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 | ||
SECTION 2. | DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||
(a) “Affiliate” |
1 | |||
(b) “Award” |
1 | |||
(c) “Award Agreement” |
1 | |||
(d) “Board” |
1 | |||
(e) “Cashless Exercise” |
1 | |||
(f) “Cause” |
1 | |||
(g) “Change in Control” |
2 | |||
(h) “Committee” |
2 | |||
(i) “Common Stock” |
2 | |||
(j) “Company” |
2 | |||
(k) “Consultant” |
2 | |||
(l) “Director” |
2 | |||
(m) “Disability” |
3 | |||
(n) “Employee” |
3 | |||
(o) “Exchange Act” |
3 | |||
(p) “Exercise Price” |
3 | |||
(q) “Fair Market Value” |
3 | |||
(r) “Fiscal Year” |
3 | |||
(s) “Key Service Provider” |
3 | |||
(t) “Non-Employee Director” |
4 | |||
(u) “Option” |
4 | |||
(v) “Optionee” |
4 | |||
(w) “Parent” |
4 | |||
(x) “Participant” |
4 | |||
(y) “Plan” |
4 | |||
(z) “Re-Price” |
4 | |||
(aa) “SAR Agreement” |
4 | |||
(bb) “SEC” |
4 | |||
(cc) “Securities Act” |
4 | |||
(dd) “Service” |
4 |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
(ee) “Share” |
4 | |||
(ff) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” |
4 | |||
(gg) “Stock Grant” |
4 | |||
(hh) “Stock Grant Agreement” |
5 | |||
(ii) “Stock Option Agreement” |
5 | |||
(jj) “Stock Unit” |
5 | |||
(kk) “Stock Unit Agreement” |
5 | |||
(ll) “Subsidiary” |
5 | |||
SECTION 3. | ADMINISTRATION | 5 | ||
(a) Committee Composition |
5 | |||
(b) Authority of the Committee |
5 | |||
(c) Indemnification |
6 | |||
SECTION 4. | GENERAL | 6 | ||
(a) General Eligibility |
6 | |||
(b) Restrictions on Shares |
6 | |||
(c) Beneficiaries |
7 | |||
(d) Performance Conditions |
7 | |||
(e) No Rights as a Stockholder |
7 | |||
(f) Termination of Service |
7 | |||
SECTION 5. | SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND SHARE LIMITS | 7 | ||
(a) Basic Limitation |
7 | |||
(b) Additional Shares |
7 | |||
(c) Dividend Equivalents |
8 | |||
(d) Share Limits |
8 | |||
(i) Limits on Options |
8 | |||
(ii) Limits on SARs |
8 | |||
(iii) Limits on Stock Grants and Stock Units |
8 | |||
SECTION 6. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS | 8 | ||
(a) Stock Option Agreement |
8 | |||
(b) Number of Shares |
8 | |||
(c) Exercise Price |
8 | |||
(d) Exercisability and Term |
8 |
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
(e) Payment for Option Shares |
9 | |||
(i) Surrender of Stock |
9 | |||
(ii) Cashless Exercise |
9 | |||
(iii) Other Forms of Payment |
9 | |||
(f) Modifications or Assumption of Options |
9 | |||
(g) Assignment or Transfer of Options |
9 | |||
SECTION 7. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS | 9 | ||
(a) SAR Agreement |
9 | |||
(b) Number of Shares |
10 | |||
(c) Exercise Price |
10 | |||
(d) Exercisability and Term |
10 | |||
(e) Exercise of SARs |
10 | |||
(f) Modification or Assumption of SARs |
10 | |||
(g) Assignment or Transfer of SARs |
11 | |||
SECTION 8. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STOCK GRANTS | 11 | ||
(a) Time, Amount and Form of Awards |
11 | |||
(b) Stock Grant Agreement |
11 | |||
(c) Payment for Stock Grants |
11 | |||
(d) Vesting Conditions |
11 | |||
(e) Assignment or Transfer of Stock Grants |
11 | |||
(f) Voting and Dividend Rights |
12 | |||
(g) Modification or Assumption of Stock Grants |
12 | |||
SECTION 9. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK UNITS | 12 | ||
(a) Stock Unit Agreement |
12 | |||
(b) Number of Shares |
12 | |||
(c) Payment for Awards |
12 | |||
(d) Vesting Conditions |
12 | |||
(e) Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units |
12 | |||
(f) Voting and Dividend Rights |
13 | |||
(g) Creditors’ Rights |
13 | |||
(h) Modification or Assumption of Stock Units |
13 |
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
(i) Assignment or Transfer of Stock Units |
13 | |||
SECTION 10. | PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION | 13 | ||
(a) Adjustments |
13 | |||
(b) Participant Rights |
14 | |||
(c) Fractional Shares |
14 | |||
SECTION 11. | EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL | 14 | ||
(a) Change in Control |
14 | |||
(b) Acceleration |
14 | |||
(c) Dissolution |
14 | |||
SECTION 12. | LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS | 14 | ||
(a) Participant Rights |
14 | |||
(b) Stockholders’ Rights |
15 | |||
(c) Regulatory Requirements |
15 | |||
SECTION 13. | TAXES | 15 | ||
(a) General |
15 | |||
(b) Share Withholding |
15 | |||
SECTION 14. | DURATION AND AMENDMENTS | 16 | ||
(a) Term of the Plan |
16 | |||
(b) Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan |
16 |
iv
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION.
On July , 2008 the Board adopted this Global Ship Lease, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, which shall become effective upon the closing of the Merger (the “Effective Date”).
The purpose of this Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by offering Key Service Providers the opportunity to share in such long-term success by acquiring a proprietary interest in the Company.
The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for discretionary long-term incentive Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Grants and Stock Units.
The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands (except its choice-of-law provisions). Capitalized terms shall have the meaning provided in Section 2 unless otherwise provided in this Plan or any related Award Agreement.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) “Affiliate” means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.
(b) “Award” means an Option, SAR, Stock Grant or Stock Unit.
(c) “Award Agreement” means any Stock Option Agreement, SAR Agreement, Stock Grant Agreement or Stock Unit Agreement.
(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.
(e) “Cashless Exercise” means, to the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides and as permitted by applicable law, a program approved by the Committee in which payment of the aggregate Exercise Price and/or satisfaction of any applicable tax or withholding obligations may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares subject to an Option and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company.
(f) “Cause” means, except as may otherwise be provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, (i) Participant’s willful failure to perform his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company or material violation of a written Company policy; (ii) Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty or any other willful misconduct that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the Company; (iii) unauthorized use or disclosure by Participant of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of
nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company; or (iv) Participant’s willful breach of any of his or her obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company. The determination as to whether a Participant is being terminated for Cause shall be made in good faith by the Committee and shall be conclusive and binding on the Participant. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability to terminate a Participant’s Service at any time as provided in Section 12(a), and the term “Company” will be interpreted to include any Subsidiary, Parent, Affiliate, or any successor thereto, if appropriate.
(g) “Change in Control” means the consummation, following the date of the Merger, of any of the following transactions:
(i) The sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(ii) The merger of the Company with or into another corporation in which securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company are transferred to a person or persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction; or
(iii) The acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s stockholders which the Board does not recommend such stockholders accept.
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transactions.
(h) “Committee” means a committee described in Section 3.
(i) “Common Stock” means the Company’s Class A common shares.
(j) “Company” means GSL Holdings, Inc. (to be renamed Global Ship Lease, Inc.), a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation.
(k) “Consultant” means an individual who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee, Director or Non-Employee Director. For clarity, the term “Consultant” also means those members of the board of directors of a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate that are not Employees.
(l) “Director” means a member of the Board who is also an Employee.
2
(m) “Disability” means that the Participant is classified as disabled under the long-term disability policy of the Company or, if no such policy applies, the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
(n) “Employee” means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
(o) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(p) “Exercise Price” means, in the case of an Option, the amount for which a Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. “Exercise Price,” in the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.
(q) “Fair Market Value” means the market price of a Share as determined in good faith by the Committee. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. The Fair Market Value shall be determined by the following:
(i) If the Shares are admitted to trading on any established national stock exchange or market system on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing sales price for such Shares as quoted on such national exchange or system on such date; or
(ii) if the Shares are admitted to quotation on any established national stock quotation system or are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the mean between the bid and asked prices of the Shares reported for such date.
In each case, the applicable price shall be the price reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; provided, however, that if there is no such reported price for the Shares for the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the price reported on the last preceding date for which such price exists. If neither (i) or (ii) are applicable, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate.
(r) “Fiscal Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.
(s) “Key Service Provider” means an Employee, Director, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who has been selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.
(t) “Merger” means the consummation of the mergers contemplated under the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 21, 2008, by and among Marathon Acquisition Corp., GSL Holdings, Inc., CMA CGM S.A. and the Company.
3
(u) “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
(v) “Option” means a stock option granted under the Plan entitling the Optionee to purchase Shares.
(w) “Optionee” means an individual, estate or other entity that holds an Option.
(x) “Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
(y) “Participant” means an individual or estate or other entity that holds an Award.
(z) “Plan” means this Global Ship Lease, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan as it may be amended from time to time.
(aa) “Re-Price” means that the Company has lowered or reduced the Exercise Price of outstanding Options and/or outstanding SARs for any Participant(s) in a manner described by Item 402(d)(2)(viii) of SEC Regulation S-K (or its successor provision).
(bb) “SAR Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 7 evidencing a Stock Appreciation Right.
(cc) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(dd) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(ee) “Service” means service as an Employee, Director, Non-Employee Director or Consultant. A Participant’s Service does not terminate if he or she is an Employee and goes on a bona fide leave of absence that was approved by the Company in writing and the terms of the leave provide for continued service crediting, or when continued service crediting is required by applicable law. Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends, unless such Employee immediately returns to active work. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant’s Service will not terminate merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant provides service to the Company, a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, or a transfer between entities (the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary, or Affiliate); provided that there is no interruption or other termination of Service.
(ff) “Share” means one share of Common Stock.
(gg) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a stock appreciation right awarded under the Plan.
(hh) “Stock Grant” means Shares awarded under the Plan.
4
(ii) “Stock Grant Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 8 evidencing a Stock Grant.
(jj) “Stock Option Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 6 evidencing an Option.
(kk) “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Share awarded under the Plan.
(ll) “Stock Unit Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 9 evidencing a Stock Unit.
(mm) “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
(nn) “UK Stock Option Agreement” means the stock option agreement described in Addendum A.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall administer the Plan with respect to all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors.
The Board and any Committee appointed to administer the plan is referred to herein as the “Committee”.
(i) selecting Key Service Providers who are to receive Awards under the Plan;
(ii) determining the type, number, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards;
(iii) amending any outstanding Awards;
5
(iv) accelerating the vesting, or extending the post-termination exercise term, of Awards at any time and under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate;
(v) interpreting the Plan and any Award Agreement;
(vi) correcting any defect, supplying any omission or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement;
(vii) adopting such rules or guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan;
(viii) making all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan; and
(ix) adopting such plans or subplans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to provide for the participation by employees of the Company, its Parent, Subsidiaries and Affiliates who reside outside of the U.S., which plans and/or subplans shall be attached hereto as Appendices.
The Committee’s determinations under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
SECTION 4. GENERAL.
6
(c) Beneficiaries. Unless stated otherwise in an Award Agreement and then only to the extent permitted by applicable law, a Participant may designate one or more beneficiaries with respect to an Award by timely filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Participant’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, then after a Participant’s death any vested Award(s) shall be transferred or distributed to the Participant’s estate.
(e) No Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant, or a transferee of a Participant, shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Stock covered by an Award until such person has satisfied all of the terms and conditions to receive such Common Stock, has satisfied any applicable withholding or tax obligations relating to the Award and the Shares have been issued (as evidenced by an appropriate entry on the books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).
SECTION 5. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND SHARE LIMITS.
7
SECTION 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
(d) Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable and may include performance conditions. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the maximum term of the Option; provided that the maximum term of an Option shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or other events. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, no Option can be exercised after the expiration date provided in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.
8
(iii) Other Forms of Payment. Payment may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules and approved by the Committee.
SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) SAR Agreement. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. A SAR Agreement may provide for a maximum limit on the amount of any payout notwithstanding the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical. SARs may be granted in consideration of a reduction in the Participant’s compensation.
9
(d) Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable and may include performance conditions. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the maximum term of the SAR which shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or other events. SARs may be awarded in combination with Options or Stock Grants, and such an Award shall provide that the SARs will not be exercisable unless the related Options or Stock Grants are forfeited. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the SAR Agreement, no SAR can be exercised after the expiration date provided in the applicable SAR Agreement.
10
(g) Assignment or Transfer of SARs. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable SAR Agreement and then only to the extent such transfer is otherwise permitted by applicable law and is not a transfer for value (unless such transfer for value is approved in advance by the Company’s stockholders), no SAR shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or any similar laws in the applicable jurisdiction. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable SAR Agreement, a SAR may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only or by the guardian or legal representative of the Participant. No SAR or interest therein may be assigned, pledged or hypothecated by the Participant during his or her lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
SECTION 8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STOCK GRANTS.
(a) Time, Amount and Form of Awards. Awards under this Section 8 may be granted in the form of a Stock Grant. A Stock Grant may be awarded in combination with Options, and such an Award may provide that the Stock Grant will be forfeited in the event that the related Options are exercised.
11
SECTION 9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK UNITS.
12
SECTION 10. PROTECTION AGAINST DILUTION.
(i) the number of Shares and the kind of shares or securities available for future Awards under Section 5;
13
(ii) the limits on Awards specified in Section 5;
(iii) the number of Shares and the kind of shares or securities covered by each outstanding Award; or
(iv) the Exercise Price under each outstanding SAR or Option.
SECTION 11. EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) Change in Control. In the event that the Company is a party to a Change in Control, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the applicable agreement of merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide, without limitation, for the assumption of outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent, for their continuation by the Company (if the Company is a surviving corporation), for accelerated vesting or for their cancellation with or without consideration, in all cases without the consent of the Participant.
SECTION 12. LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS.
14
Award. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant expressly acknowledges that there is no obligation on the part of the Company to continue the Plan and/or grant any additional Awards. Any Award granted hereunder is not intended to be compensation of a continuing or recurring nature, or part of a Participant’s normal or expected compensation, and in no way represents any portion of a Participant’s salary, compensation, or other remuneration for purposes of pension benefits, severance, redundancy, resignation or any other purpose.
Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain an employee, consultant or director of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate. The Company and its Parent, Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the Service of any person at any time, and for any reason, subject to applicable laws, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and any applicable written employment agreement (if any), and such terminated person shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived any claim to damages or specific performance for breach of contract or dismissal, compensation for loss of office, tort or otherwise with respect to the Plan or any outstanding Award that is forfeited and/or is terminated by its terms or to any future Award.
SECTION 13. TAXES.
15
or her or (iii) surrendering all or a portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired (the Company may, in it discretion, require that Shares withheld or previously owned Shares that are tendered shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s tax withholding obligations at the minimum statutory withholding rates unless the previously owned Shares have been held for the minimum duration necessary to avoid financial accounting charges under applicable accounting guidance). Any payment of taxes by assigning Shares to the Company may be subject to restrictions, including, but not limited to, any restrictions required by rules of the SEC.
SECTION 14. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.
(a) Term of the Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its approval by the Company’s stockholders. The Plan shall terminate on the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date and may be terminated on any earlier date pursuant to this Section 14.
(b) Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason. Any such termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not impair any Award previously granted under the Plan. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the Plan’s termination. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent such approval is required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.
16
ADDENDUM A
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
(U.K. Participants)
In addition to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the terms set forth in this Addendum A shall apply to Awards issued to Participants that are U.K. taxpayers. All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Plan.
1. UK Approved Share Scheme.
(a) The Company may grant Options (“Approved Options”) pursuant to any approved form of share scheme deemed appropriate by the Company, which has been approved by HM Revenue & Customs as qualifying under Schedule 4 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003, a “company share option plan” or “CSOP”.
(b) The terms of the Plan shall apply subject to the terms of the UK Stock Option Agreement (together referred to as the “UK Plan”).
(c) Options may only be granted under such approved CSOP to a full-time director or Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary who is required to devote not less than 25 hours per week (excluding meal breaks) to their duties.
(d) In relation to Shares which are the subject to an Option granted under any such approved CSOP, “Fair Market Value” shall mean as at any date, the value of a Share on the stock exchange that is determined by the Committee to be the primary market for the Common Stock at such date, and shall be determined as follows:
(i) if the Shares are traded over the counter or listed with NASDAQ or otherwise not listed on the London Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value is determined in accordance with the provisions of Part XIII of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 as agreed upon for purposes of the UK Plan with HM Revenue & Customs Shares Valuation Office on or before that date; or
(ii) if the Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value on the date in question is the closing selling price for the Common Stock as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on the exchange for the date in question; provided, however, that if there is no such reported price for the Common Stock for the date in question, then such price on the last preceding date for which such price exists shall be determinative of Fair Market Value.
(e) In relation to such approved CSOP, an adjustment may be made pursuant to Section 10 (Protection Against Dilution) only with the prior approval of HM Revenue & Customs and any such adjustment shall in no event affect the class of Shares subject to an Approved Option.
(f) Shares acquired pursuant to an Approved Option shall not be subject to any restrictions other than those attaching to all shares of the same class or otherwise as permitted by paragraph 16-20, inclusive, of Schedule 4 and Section 4(b) shall not apply in relation to any such Shares.
(g) Section 4(e) shall not apply in relation to any Approved Option.
Whenever possible, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee should be based on the prices reported in the Western Edition of The Wall Street Journal. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
The Fair Market Value of a Share shall be converted from U.S. Dollars into Pounds Sterling at the rate of exchange determined by the Committee in accordance with the exchange rates published by the online exchange rate service xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx or a similar service, applicable to the date in question.
2. Transfer of Employer’s NICs. Subject to the applicable Award Agreement, where the Company determines that the exercise, assignment, release of, or other dealing with, an Award may give rise to an obligation on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary to account for National Insurance Contributions the Participant shall, promptly on request of the Company, execute such form of joint election as shall have been approved by HM Revenue & Customs so as to transfer the entire liability for all such National Insurance Contributions to the Participant. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such transferred obligations are satisfied in full.
3. PAYE. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged by the Participant that references in the Plan to “withholding tax” shall include amounts required to be accounted for by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Pay As You Earn income tax rules whether or not such amounts are capable of being withheld or deducted from amounts due to the Participant.
2
ADDENDUM B
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
(U.S. Participants)
In addition to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the terms set forth in this Addendum B shall apply to Awards issued to Participants that are U.S. taxpayers. All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Plan.
1. Definitions.
(a) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.
(b) “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an incentive stock option described in Code Section 422.
(c) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” or “NSO” means a stock option that is not an ISO.
(d) “Service” shall have the meaning given in the Plan, however, for purposes of determining whether an Option is entitled to continuing ISO status, an Employee’s Service will be treated as terminating 90 days after such Employee went on leave, unless such Employee’s right to return to active work is guaranteed by law or by a contract.
(e) “10-Percent Stockholder” means an individual who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, its Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.
2. Incentive Stock Options. Only Key Service Providers who are Employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. In addition, a Key Service Provider who is a 10-Percent Stockholder shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless the requirements set forth in Code Section 422(c)(5) are satisfied.
3. Share Limits. The aggregate maximum number of Shares that may be issued in connection with ISOs shall be 750,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.
4. Terms and Conditions of Options and SARs.
(a) The Stock Option Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an ISO or an NSO.
(b) The Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value for an ISO granted to a 10-Percent Stockholder on the date of grant.
(c) In the case of an ISO granted under the Plan, except to the extent permitted by applicable law, payment shall be made only pursuant to the express provisions of the applicable Stock Option Agreement. In the case of an NSO granted under the Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion at any time, accept payment in any form(s) described in Section 6(e) of the Plan.
(d) A SAR may be included in an ISO only at the time of grant but may be included in an NSO at the time of grant or at any subsequent time, but not later than six months before the expiration of such NSO.
2