February 7, 2011 Ms. Christine Baird President CHC Global Operations [home address] CHC Helicopter Agreement regarding termination of employment
Exhibit 10.30
February 7, 2011
Xx. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx President CHC Global Operations [home address] | ||
CHC Helicopter | Agreement regarding termination of employment | |
0000 Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0 Xxxxxx
T 604.276.7500 F 604.232.8341 xxx.xxx.xx |
Dear Xxxxxxxxx:
I am writing further to our discussions about your future at CHC Helicopter in light of your health concerns and the needs of the business going forward. I believe what follows sets out the agreement between us.
In this letter the following terms have the following meanings:
“CaymanCo” means 6922767 Holding (Cayman) Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands;
“CHC” means CHC Helicopter S.A., a company incorporated pursuant to the laws of Luxemburg;
“CHC Global” means CHC Global Operations (2008) Inc., a corporation incorporated pursuant to the laws of Canada;
“CHC Helicopter” means the group comprised of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of CHC;
“Consulting Agreement” means the agreement attached hereto as Annex A whereby you will provide consulting services as required for the term of 3 years from the Termination Date;
“Employment Agreement” means the contract of employment between you and CHC Global dated September 16, 2008;
“Note” means the promissory note issued by you to FR Horizon Topco S.à.x.x. dated September 16, 2008 evidencing indebtedness of US$235,291.82;
“Option” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan; | |
“Option Agreement” means the option agreement between you and CaymanCo dated September 16, 2008;
“Ordinary B Shares” means the non-voting ordinary B shares having a par value of $1.00 each in the capital of CaymanCo;
“Plan” means the 6922767 Holding (Cayman) Inc. Share Incentive Plan;
“Rollover Options” means the 496,580 Options granted to you under the Rollover Option Agreement;
“Rollover Option Agreement” means the rollover option agreement between CaymanCo and you effective as of September 16, 2008;
“SERP” means the amended and restated supplemental retirement plan agreement made April 30, 2007 between you and CHC Helicopters International Inc.;
“SERP Waiver” means the waiver and consent to the amendment of the amended and restated supplemental retirement plan agreement between CHC Helicopters International Inc. and you dated September 15, 2010.
“Shareholders Agreement” means the management shareholders agreement among CaymanCo and the management shareholders of CaymanCo dated as of September 16, 2008;
“Special A Shares” means the special A shares having a par value of $0.01 each in the capital of CaymanCo;
“Special A Share Subscription Agreement” means the agreement pursuant to which you subscribed for 80,000 Special A Shares effective as of September 16, 2008;
“Taxation” or “Tax” means all forms of taxation, duties, imposts, charges, withholdings, contributions, impositions and levies whatsoever and whenever imposed and whether of Canada or elsewhere and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing includes:
(a) income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, value added tax, national insurance and social security contributions, withholding taxes and any payment whatsoever which any person may be or becomes legally bound to make to any Tax Authority or other person as a result of any entitlement relating to Taxation (whether or not such liability is primarily imposed upon that person or another person and whether or not that person may have any right of relief or reimbursement) and any other taxes, duties, levies or imposts supplementing or replacing any of the foregoing; and
(b) all interest, fines or penalties in respect of and relating to any of the foregoing; |
“Tax Authority” means any government or other authority whatsoever competent to impose, collect or administer any Tax whether in Canada, Luxemburg, the Cayman Islands or any other jurisdiction; | ||||||||
“Tax Liability” means a liability of you, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, to make any payment of or in respect of Tax whether or not such liability is contingent; and | ||||||||
“Termination Date” means February 28, 2011 being your last day of active employment with CHC Global. | ||||||||
1. |
Your base salary and benefits shall remain as contemplated in the Employment Agreement until the Termination Date. | |||||||
2. |
Following the termination of your employment: | |||||||
a. |
the termination will be treated as a termination without cause and, provided you execute as of the Termination Date the mutual release in the form attached hereto as Annex B, you will receive all of the payments and entitlements detailed in Section 5.4 of the Employment Agreement, payable on or before March 4, 2011. | |||||||
b. |
For greater certainty, the payments to be made pursuant to a. hereof are: | |||||||
(i) |
$62,465.75, being the bonus accrual provided for in 5.4 (a)(ii); | |||||||
(ii) |
$800,000, being 24 month base salary as provided for in 5.4 (a)(iv) (1); | |||||||
a) $32,500 will be deducted from the lump sum above and will be transferred to your RRSP as a Retiring Allowance, as directed by you | ||||||||
(iii) |
$150,000, being the bonus amount provided for 5.4 (a)(iv) (2). | |||||||
c. |
all of your Rollover Options shall continue to be vested and exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the Rollover Option Agreement; | |||||||
d. |
CaymanCo shall permit you to retain your 309,292 Ordinary B Shares and shall not redeem them with the intent that you shall be entitled to receive at any Exit Event or Final Exit the Fair Value, if any, of such Ordinary B Shares as of the date of any such Exit Event or Final Exit; as the case may be; | |||||||
e. |
40% (1,780,872) of the Options granted to you under the Option Agreement will, in accordance with the Option Agreement and the Plan, remain outstanding and continue to be exercisable by you in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the Option Agreement; |
f. |
in accordance with the terms of the SERP and the SERP Waiver, we will establish a Retirement Compensation Arrangement as required by subsection 8(b) of the SERP. | |||||||
g. |
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Option Agreement and the Plan, in consideration of your agreement not to request that CaymanCo redeem or otherwise purchase any of your Ordinary B Shares and entering into the Consulting Agreement, and subject to you abiding by the terms of the Consulting Agreement, at the end of the Term (as defined in the Consulting Agreement) (i) a further 10% (445,218) of the Options granted to you under the Option Agreement shall vest and (ii) 50% (50,000) of the Special A shares may be retained by you and not redeemed by XxxxxxXx, with the result that as of the Termination Date, assuming compliance with the terms of the Consulting Agreement, 50% (2,226,090) of the Options granted shall have vested and the remaining 50% shall have been cancelled as at February 28, 2011; and 50% (50,000) of the Special A Shares issued to you shall be retained by you and not redeemed by XxxxxxXx with the intent that you shall be entitled to receive at any Exit Event or Final Exit the Fair Value, if any, of such retained Special A Shares as of the date of any such Exit Event or Final Exit Event as the case may be. The balance of all Special A Shares held by you shall have been redeemed for their par value in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Special A Share Subscription Agreement as at February 28, 2011. In the event you breach the terms of the Consulting Agreement the 445,218 Options referred to in (i) hereof shall not vest and be cancelled and the 50,000 Special A shares referred to in (ii) hereof shall be redeemed for the par value in accordance with the Plan and the Special A Share Subscription Agreement. | |||||||
3. |
Following the termination of your employment, we will announce that you are retiring from CHC. | |||||||
You will continue to be obligated by the terms of the Note including, without limitation, the obligation to pay interest thereon. You agree that any balance owing under the Note including all accrued but unpaid interest may be deducted from any payment to you in respect of the Special A Shares on an Exit Event and you hereby authorize and direct XxxxxxXx acting as your agent to deduct any such sum from any such payment to you and pay the same to FR Horizon Topco S.à.x.x. on your behalf in satisfaction of your obligations under the Note.
No party shall make any public announcement concerning this agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) except as required by law or any governmental or regulatory authority (including, without limitation, any relevant securities exchange) or by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction. |
No variation to this agreement shall be valid unless in writing and agreed by all parties to the agreement.
The terms of this letter shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of British Columbia and the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia to deal with any dispute arising from or in connection with the terms of this letter.
Please review this letter carefully. The contents of this letter and the written agreements between you and certain of our affiliates constitute the whole of the agreements between us and between you and such affiliates. No oral discussions in respect of the matters detailed in this letter will have any force or effect or be binding upon us or you.
As these are important matters for you, we recommend that you obtain independent legal advice in connection with these matters.
Please sign below and return a copy of this letter to me to confirm your acceptance of the terms set out herein. We wish you success with your future endeavours. | ||||||
Yours truly, | ||||||
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
I hereby confirm and agree the contents of this letter. | ||||||
February [8], 2011 | ||||||
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Witness | Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx |
Annex A
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT made effective as of the 1ST day of March, 2011.
BETWEEN:
HELI-ONE CANADA INC. |
(“CHC”)
AND:
XXXXXXXXX XXXXX |
(the “Consultant”)
individually referred to as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the “Parties”.
WHEREAS:
A. | The Consultant is very knowledgeable about the global helicopter transportation industry; and |
B. | CHC and its affiliates are engaged in the business of providing helicopter transportation services worldwide. |
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein CHC and the Consultant agree as follows:
1. | Consultancy Services |
1.1. | During the Term (as defined below) the Consultant will on a casual, on call basis provide the consulting services for CHC as further described in Appendix 3 (the “Services”). |
1.2. | The Parties acknowledge that the Consultant will at all times be an independent contractor while performing the Services or any services for CHC under this Agreement and that the Consultant will not, for any purpose whatsoever, be deemed to be the employee, agent, partner, joint venture partner, servant or representative of CHC. |
2. | Term and Termination |
2.1. | The term of the Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on March 1, 2011 and continue until February 28, 2013 unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
2.2. | CHC may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Consultant. The Consultant shall have no rights to terminate this Agreement solely for her convenience. At the end of the Term, this Agreement will terminate without further notice, unless the Consultant and CHC agree otherwise in writing. |
2.3. | This Agreement shall terminate upon the death of the Consultant. |
Baird – Consultancy Agreement
3. | Warranties and Liabilities |
3.1. | The Consultant warrants that the Services will be carried out with all due skill, care and diligence in accordance with best industry practices. |
3.2. | Each Party will be liable towards the other Party for damage to or loss of property and for the injury to or death of any person caused by its own negligence, or that of any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or subcontractors in connection with or as a result of the services rendered under this Agreement. |
3.3. | CHC will indemnify and hold harmless the Consultant, its directors, officers, employees, agents and subcontractors from and against all claims of third parties related to damage, loss, injury or death unless such damage, loss, injury or death is caused by the negligence of the Consultant, its directors, officers, employees, agents or subcontractors. |
3.4. | The Consultant will indemnify and hold harmless CHC, its directors, officers, employees, agents and subcontractors from and against all claims of third parties related to damages, loss, injury or death unless such damage, loss, injury or death is caused by the negligence of CHC, its directors, officers, employees, agents or subcontractors. |
3.5. | Under no circumstances will either Party be responsible to the other Party under this Agreement for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages such as but not limited to loss of profit or loss of revenue, except to the extent that such damages are caused solely by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of a Party. |
3.6. | The Parties agree that the liability and indemnification set forth in this Article 3 is exclusive and that each Party explicitly waives any other rights to claim damages or indemnification it may have at law or otherwise. |
4. | Confidentiality and Code of Business Conduct |
4.1. | The Consultant shall sign and execute CHC’s standard Confidentiality Agreement and Code of Ethics attached as Annex A and B to this Agreement. In addition the Consultant and each of its directors, officers, employees, agents and subcontractors will be expected to observe and perform their services under this Agreement in accordance with all applicable policies and procedures of CHC and its applicable affiliates, as they are developed and adopted from time to time for CHC’s Consultants. |
4.2. | CHC and the Consultant agree not to disclose any details of this Agreement with any third parties and/or with any employees of CHC or its affiliates (except as required in performance of their respective duties). Should a Party breach its obligations under this clause, the other Party has the right to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect and without any obligation to carry out or perform any further obligations contained herein. |
4.3. | All goods, documents, software and any other technical data (contained on any media or in any format whatsoever) supplied or made available to the Consultant by CHC under this Agreement, remains the exclusive property of CHC and will be promptly be returned by the Consultant to CHC upon the expiry of earlier termination of this Agreement. |
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5. | Remuneration for Services |
5.1. | CHC will pay the Consultant for the Services $1,000 per month on the last day of each month during the Term whether or not CHC has requested any Services from the Consultant during such month. The Consultant shall be responsible for all taxes, deductions and statutory remittances whatsoever associated with its remuneration under this Agreement (the “Deductions and Remittances”). The Consultant shall indemnify and hold CHC harmless against any and all claims for payment of the Deductions and Remittances whatsoever and howsoever arising. |
5.2. | You acknowledge that in addition to the payments under Clause 5.1 hereof, the consideration set out in paragraph 2.1 g. of the letter to you from Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx dated February 7, 2011 shall also be consideration for your obligations hereunder, including without limitation the provisions relating to confidentiality and non-competition. |
5.3. | The Consultant’s remuneration for her Services referred to in Clauses 5.1 and 5.2 above shall be the only compensation payable to the Consultant under this Agreement and is inclusive all of wages or fees of any third parties or subcontractors hired by the Consultant to assist her, and includes all applicable taxes, Deductions and Remittances payable by the Consultant. Unless expressly agreed to in advance or as described herein, all costs or expenses incurred by the Consultant in the performance of her services hereunder are for her own account. |
6. | Non-Competition |
6.1. | The Consultant recognizes and understands that in performing the Services as provided in this Agreement, she will occupy a position of high fiduciary trust and confidence, pursuant to which she will develop and acquire wide experience and knowledge with respect to all aspects of the CHC’s global helicopter services and other businesses carried on by CHC and its affiliates and the manner in which such businesses are conducted. It is the express intent and agreement of the Consultant and CHC that such knowledge and experience shall not be used in any manner which would be detrimental to the business interests of CHC and such affiliates during the Term. The Consultant covenants and agrees with CHC that she will not, without the prior written consent of CHC, at any time during the Term, either individually or in partnership or in conjunction with any person, whether as principal, agent, shareholder, director, officer, employee, investor, consultant, or in any other manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, advise, manage, carry on, be engaged in, own or lend money to, or permit the Consultant’s name or any part thereof to be used or employed by any person managing, carrying on or engaged in a business of supplying global, national or local helicopter services. |
6.2. | The Consultant shall not, during the Term, without the prior written consent of CHC, for her account or jointly with another, either directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of herself or any individual, partnership, corporation or other legal entity, as principal, agent, employee, consultant or otherwise, solicit, influence, entice or induce, attempt to solicit, influence, entice or induce: |
(a) | any person who is employed by CHC or any affiliated company to leave such employment; or |
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(b) | any person, firm or corporation whatsoever, who or which has at any time in the last two (2) years, been a customer of CHC, an affiliate company, or of any of their respective predecessors, provided that this subsection shall not prohibit the Consultant from soliciting business from any such customer if the business is in no way similar to the business carried on by CHC, an affiliated company, any of their respective predecessors, subsidiaries or associates to cease its relationship with CHC or any affiliated company. |
7. | General |
7.1. | The relationship between CHC and the Consultant will be governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada (excluding its choice of law provisions) and any dispute under that relationship will be exclusively brought before a competent court of British Colombia, Canada, except that CHC may bring any dispute before any other court than the competent court |
7.2. | Notices and other statements in connection with this Agreement may only be given by way of a letter sent by regular or other mail, or by facsimile, and at the recipient’s place of business as stated above, or at such other address as advised by one Party to the other Party from time to time. |
7.3. | In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part it shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity of any other provision. |
7.4. | This Agreement may be executed in counterparts with the same effect as if both Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. |
7.5. | The Consultant shall not assign or, sub-contract or in any way dispose of the Agreement or any part of it (whether by trust device or otherwise) without the prior written consent of CHC. The Consultant acknowledges that CHC may assign this Agreement in whole, or in part, to a corporate affiliate at any time without consent. |
7.6. | This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Parties in relation to its subject matter. Upon execution of this Agreement, all previous agreements and arrangements made by the parties in relation to its subject matter shall end. This Agreement may only be amended by an instrument in writing signed by an authorized representative of both the Parties. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first before written:
On behalf of |
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HELI-ONE CANADA INC. | XXXXXXXXX XXXXX | |
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Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Title: President & CEO |
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Annex 1 – Confidentiality Statement
Please sign and return one copy of this statement to CHC.
The information exchanged between CHC, on behalf of itself and each of its corporate affiliates (collectively, “CHC”) and Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx (the “Consultant”) in respect of the Services for CHC is for the exclusive and confidential use of CHC and the Consultant and may contain legally privileged information. Any other distribution or reproduction without the consent of CHC or the Consultant is unauthorized and strictly prohibited.
CHC and the Consultant promptly return the information provided to either party upon request from CHC or the Consultant but no later than at the end of the Term.
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Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx |
February [8], 2011 |
Baird – Consultancy Agreement
Annex 2 - Code of Ethics
Introduction
This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) has been approved by CHC’s board of directors and sets out the standards of behaviour that CHC expects from each one of you in carrying out your duties and in dealing with each other, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
The Code sets out the guiding principles for ethical behaviour but cannot, and therefore does not, address every ethical situation that may confront you. You should familiarize yourself with all CHC’s policies that are applicable to you. Some, such as Human Resources, are applicable to all employees. Others, such as Information Technology, are applicable to most, while others will be applicable depending upon your job function. As well, each subsidiary and business unit of CHC may set its own policies consistent with this Code and other CHC policies of general application. If you are unclear as to the policies that are applicable to you or want to know more about those that are, contact your supervisor or human resources administrator. For matters that do not appear to be addressed by any policy you must discuss the matter with your supervisor.
Must I follow the Code?
Every employee, officer, director, agent or authorized representative of CHC or its controlled subsidiaries must follow the Code.
THE CODE
Work and External Environment
CHC treats each employee fairly and with respect and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to any distinctions based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender or sexual orientation, in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country where it does business.
CHC is committed to provide safe and healthy working conditions for all employees free from harassment including all forms of sexual, physical and psychological abuse. You must refrain from engaging in any form of harassment including all forms of sexual, physical and psychological abuse.
CHC is committed to responsible environmental practices and complies with all laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. You must ensure that you adhere to all such laws and regulations in the performance of your duties.
Fair Dealing
CHC is committed to fair dealing with our security holders, customers, suppliers and competitors. Your conduct must always be consistent with this commitment.
Business Practices
Books and Records - Our books and records shall be complete, fair and accurate in all respects and comply with all applicable legal requirements.
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Safeguarding Property - CHC’s property should not be used for any improper purpose. You must safeguard CHC’s property as well as the property of customers entrusted to our care to ensure that it is not lost, damaged, misappropriated or misused. This includes the confidential information and intellectual property of CHC. Confidential information is information of CHC that is not subject to public disclosure. You must not disclose any confidential information to any non-authorized colleague or any person outside of CHC, without the authorization of senior management.
Communications - You are expected to be truthful and clear in your verbal and written communications and to not be intentionally misleading to colleagues and others such as internal and external auditors.
Communications with the media, the investment community and regulators are the responsibility of designated CHC employees. You must refer any inquiry from such parties to a CHC employee authorized to deal with such inquiry.
Gifts and Entertainment - You must avoid giving or receiving gifts or entertainment if these might improperly influence the recipient’s judgment or be perceived to do so. If a gift is given it must be reasonable, in good taste and of nominal value. Only infrequent gifts of nominal value may be accepted. Under no circumstances shall gifts be given or received contrary to applicable laws.
Business Dealings - CHC complies with all anti-corruption laws in jurisdictions in which it operates including the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act of Canada and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States of America. You must never approve, authorize, make or take any illegal or improper payment.
Conflicts of Interest - You must avoid conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, in the performance of your duties on behalf of CHC. If a conflict of interest cannot be avoided, you must disclose the nature and circumstances to your supervisor. A conflict of interest exists whenever your personal interests, or those of close relatives or people with whom you are in close personal or business contact, conflict or appear to conflict in any way with the interests of CHC. If you have any doubt about whether a conflict of interest exists contact your supervisor for guidance. Your supervisor will consult higher management or Legal Services as necessary.
Improper Influence - External Auditor - You must never improperly influence or attempt to improperly influence any person acting as an external auditor of CHC.
Insider Information - It is illegal for anyone who has material, non-public information (“inside information”) about a publicly traded company to buy, sell or trade its securities or pass such inside information on to third parties. You must not buy, sell or trade securities of CHC while possessed of such inside information nor pass on such inside information to others.
COMPLIANCE
General
You must comply with the spirit and letter of the Code and all policies, procedures and rules of CHC that are applicable to you.
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You must comply with all applicable laws.
Disregard Of Code, Policies and Procedures - No employee who exercises supervision or influence over another employee shall direct, request or encourage that other employee to do anything or omit to do anything the doing of which or the omission of which is contrary to the Code, any other policy, procedure or rule of CHC or any applicable law. You are required to immediately report any situation in which any person attempts to direct, request or encourage you to violate the Code, or any other policy, procedure or rule of CHC or any applicable law to any supervisor or manager that makes sense given the circumstances.
Waivers - No waivers of this Code shall be granted to any officer or director of CHC except by the Board of Directors. Any waiver of the Code granted to any officer or director of CHC shall be publicly disclosed in accordance with applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules.
Reporting
It is your duty to report any possible violation of the Code or any violation of any law by CHC or any employee. You have several reporting options:
• | Contact the Corporate Secretary at Corporate Headquarters in Vancouver. |
• | Contact the Director of Internal Audit at Corporate Headquarters in Vancouver. |
• | Advise your supervisor. Supervisors receiving reports from others must formally report any violation of the Code or applicable law when it becomes known to them to the Corporate Secretary at Corporate Headquarters in Vancouver. |
• | Use CHC’s anonymous, confidential Whistleblower Hotline which can be accessed on CHC’s Intranet and our website, xxx.xxx.xx. |
There shall be no retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, makes a complaint, raises a concern or provides assistance to CHC, it’s management or any other person or group, including any governmental, regulatory or law enforcement body, investigating a complaint or concern.
Consequences of Non-compliance
CHC treats violations of the Code as serious matters. If you violate the Code you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
I have read and understand this Code of Ethics.
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Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx |
February [8], 2011 |
Baird – Consultancy Agreement