INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made as of this 15th day of
December, 2016 by and between The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund III (the "Trust"),
a Delaware statutory trust registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and GQG Partners
LLC (the "Adviser"), a Delaware limited liability company with its principal
place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the Trust has selected the
Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Trust on behalf of the series set
forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (the "Fund"), as such Schedule may be
amended from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties, and to provide
certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and to perform such
services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set
forth herein, the Trust and the Adviser do hereby agree as follows:
1. THE ADVISER'S SERVICES.
(a) DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The Adviser shall
act as investment adviser with respect to the Fund. In such capacity, the
Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board, regularly provide
the Fund with investment research, advice and supervision and shall furnish
continuously an investment program for the Fund, consistent with the
investment objectives and policies of the Fund. The Adviser shall
determine, from time to time, what securities shall be purchased for the
Fund, what securities shall be held or sold by the Fund and what portion of
the Fund's assets shall be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the
provisions of the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and
its registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement")
under the 1940 Act, and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), covering Fund shares, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), and to the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions of the Fund, as each of the same shall be from
time to time in effect. To carry out such obligations, the Adviser shall
exercise full discretion and act for the Fund in the same manner and with
the same force and effect as the Fund itself might or could do with respect
to purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all
other such things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of
such purchases, sales or other transactions. No reference in this Agreement
to the Adviser having full discretionary authority over the Fund's
investments shall in any way limit the right of the Board, in its sole
discretion, to establish or revise policies in connection with the
management of the Fund's assets or to otherwise exercise its right to
control the overall management of the Fund.
(b) COMPLIANCE. The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of
the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Advisers Act"), the
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1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"),
the Commodity Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations
thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all other applicable federal and
state laws, rules, regulations and case law that relate to the services and
relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of its business as a
registered investment adviser. The Adviser also agrees to comply with the
objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration
Statement, as amended or supplemented, of the Fund, and with any policies,
guidelines, instructions and procedures approved by the Board and provided
to the Adviser. In selecting the Fund's portfolio securities and performing
the Adviser's obligations hereunder, the Adviser shall cause the Fund to
comply with the diversification and source of income requirements of
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
for qualification as a regulated investment company. The Adviser shall
maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to
ensure its compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity
undertaken by the Board shall limit the Adviser's full responsibility for
any of the foregoing.
(c) PROXY VOTING. The Board has the authority to determine how proxies
with respect to securities that are held by the Fund shall be voted, and
the Board has initially determined to delegate the authority and
responsibility to vote proxies for the Fund's securities to the Adviser. So
long as proxy voting authority for the Fund has been delegated to the
Adviser, the Adviser shall exercise its proxy voting responsibilities. The
Adviser shall carry out such responsibility in accordance with any
instructions that the Board shall provide from time to time, and at all
times in a manner consistent with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act and
its fiduciary responsibilities to the Trust. The Adviser shall provide
periodic reports and keep records relating to proxy voting as the Board may
reasonably request or as may be necessary for the Fund to comply with the
1940 Act and other applicable law. Any such delegation of proxy voting
responsibility to the Adviser may be revoked or modified by the Board at
any time.
The Adviser is authorized to instruct the Fund's custodian and/or broker(s)
to forward promptly to the Adviser or designate service provider copies of
all proxies and shareholder communications relating to securities held in
the portfolio of a Fund (other than materials relating to legal proceedings
against the Fund). The Adviser may also instruct the Fund's custodian
and/or broker(s) to provide reports of holdings in the portfolio of the
Fund. The Adviser has the authority to engage a service provided to assist
with administrative functions related to voting Fund proxies. The Trust
shall direct the Fund's custodian and/or broker(s) to provide any
assistance requested by the Adviser in facilitating the use of a service
provider. In no event shall the Adviser have any responsibility to vote
proxies that are not received on a timely basis. The Trust acknowledges
that the Adviser, consistent with the Adviser's written proxy voting
policies and procedures, may refrain from voting a proxy if, in the
Adviser's discretion, refraining from voting would be in the best interests
of the Fund and its shareholders.
(d) RECORDKEEPING. The Adviser shall not be responsible for the
provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the
Fund, except as otherwise
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provided herein or as may be necessary for the Adviser to supply to the
Trust or its Board the information required to be supplied under this
Agreement.
The Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all
matters pertaining to Fund assets advised by the Adviser required by Rule
31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by any
administrator, custodian or transfer agent appointed by the Fund) relating
to its responsibilities provided hereunder with respect to the Fund, and
shall preserve such records for the periods and in a manner prescribed
therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act (the "Fund Books and Records").
The Fund Books and Records shall be available to the Board at any time upon
request, shall be delivered to the Trust upon the termination of this
Agreement and shall be available without delay during any day the Trust is
open for business.
(e) HOLDINGS INFORMATION AND PRICING. The Adviser shall provide
regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and may, on its own initiative,
furnish the Trust and its Board from time to time with whatever information
the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose. The Adviser agrees to
notify the Trust promptly if the Adviser reasonably believes that the value
of any security held by the Fund may not reflect fair value. The Adviser
agrees to provide upon request any pricing information of which the Adviser
is aware to the Trust, its Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in
the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market
quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance
with the 1940 Act or the Trust's valuation procedures for the purpose of
calculating the Fund net asset value in accordance with procedures and
methods established by the Board.
(f) COOPERATION WITH AGENTS OF THE TRUST. The Adviser agrees to
cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Trust, any Trust
custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other
agents and representatives of the Trust with respect to such information
regarding the Fund as such entities may reasonably request from time to
time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to
reasonable requests made by such persons and establish appropriate
interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information
and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
2. CODE OF ETHICS. The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics that it
reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940
Act, which it has provided to the Trust. The Adviser shall ensure that its
Access Persons (as defined in the Adviser's Code of Ethics) comply in all
material respects with the Adviser's Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to
time. Upon request, the Adviser shall provide the Trust with a (i) copy of the
Adviser's current Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and (ii)
certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent
Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Adviser's Code of
Ethics. Annually, the Adviser shall furnish a written report, which complies
with the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Adviser's Code of Ethics to
the Trust's Board. The Adviser shall respond to requests for information from
the Trust as to violations of the Code by Access Persons and the sanctions
imposed by the Adviser.
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The Adviser shall immediately notify the Trust of any material violation of the
Code, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by the Fund.
3. INFORMATION AND REPORTING. The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its
officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has
assumed under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably
request.
(a) NOTIFICATION OF BREACH / COMPLIANCE REPORTS. The Adviser shall
notify the Trust's chief compliance officer immediately upon detection of
(i) any material failure to manage the Fund in accordance with its
investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any
material breach of any of the Fund's or the Adviser's policies, guidelines
or procedures. In addition, the Adviser shall provide a quarterly report
regarding the Fund's compliance with its investment objectives and
policies, applicable law, including, but not limited to the 1940 Act and
Subchapter M of the Code, and the Fund's policies, guidelines or procedures
as applicable to the Adviser's obligations under this Agreement. The
Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action
that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such breach.
Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with
supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund
financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event (i) the
Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit,
proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any
court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding
class action suits in which the Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by
reason of the Fund's ownership of shares in the defendant) or the
compliance by the Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or (ii)
an actual change in control of the Adviser resulting in an "assignment" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.
(b) BOARD AND FILINGS INFORMATION. The Adviser will provide the Trust
with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the
Fund required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report,
Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-SAR, amended registration
statement, proxy statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the
Trust with the Commission. The Adviser will make its officers and employees
available to meet with the Board from time to time on due notice to review
its investment management services to the Fund in light of current and
prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board
such information as may reasonably be necessary in order for the Board to
evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.
(c) TRANSACTION INFORMATION. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust
such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to
enable the Trust or its designated agent to perform such compliance testing
on the Fund and the Adviser's services as the Trust may, in its sole
discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information
by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way relieves the
Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
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4. BROKERAGE.
(a) PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS. In connection with purchases or sales of
securities for the account of the Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its
directors, officers or employees will act as a principal or agent or
receive any commission except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(b) PLACEMENT OF ORDERS. The Adviser shall arrange for the placing of
all orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund's account
with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. In the selection of such
brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Adviser is directed
at all times to seek for the Fund the most favorable execution and net
price available under the circumstances. It is also understood that it is
desirable for the Fund that the Adviser have access to brokerage and
research services provided by brokers who may execute brokerage
transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when allocating
brokerage to other brokers, consistent with section 28(e) of the 1934 Act
and any Commission staff interpretations thereof. Therefore, the Adviser is
authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the
Fund with such brokers, subject to review by the Board from time to time
with respect to the extent and continuation of this practice. It is
understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the
Adviser in connection with its or its affiliates' services to other
clients.
(a) AGGREGATED TRANSACTIONS. On occasions when the Adviser deems the
purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as
other clients of the Adviser, the Adviser may, to the extent permitted by
applicable law and regulations, but is not obligated to, aggregate the order for
securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Adviser will allocate
securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses
incurred in the transaction, in the manner the Adviser reasonably considers to
be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to
such other clients under the circumstances.
(b) AFFILIATED BROKERS. The Adviser or any of its affiliates may act
as broker in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other
investments for the Fund, subject to: (a) the requirement that the Adviser
seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy guidelines
determined by the Board and set forth in the Fund's current Registration
Statement; (b) the provisions of the 1940 Act; (c) the provisions of the
Advisers Act; (d) the provisions of the 1934 Act; and (e) other provisions
of applicable law. These brokerage services are not within the scope of the
duties of the Adviser under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law and any procedures adopted by the Board, the Adviser or its
affiliates may receive brokerage commissions, fees or other remuneration
from the Fund for these services in addition to the Adviser's fees for
services under this Agreement.
5. CUSTODY. Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or
receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of the
Fund.
6. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Adviser will bear its own costs
of providing services hereunder. Other than as herein specifically indicated,
the Adviser shall not
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be responsible for the Fund's expenses, including brokerage and other expenses
incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other
investment instruments. In particular, but without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Adviser will not be required to pay: (i) operational and
organizational expenses of the Fund; (ii) fees and expenses incurred by the
Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (iii)
brokers' commissions and any other transaction related expenses and fees
arising out of transactions effected on behalf of the Fund; (iv) payment for
portfolio pricing services to a pricing agent, if any; (v); legal, auditing or
accounting expenses; (vi) taxes or governmental fees; (vii) the fees and
expenses of the administrator, the transfer agent or any subtransfer agent of
the Trust; (viii) the cost of preparing stock certificates or any other
expenses, including clerical expenses of issue, redemption or repurchase of
shares of the Fund; (ix) the expenses of and fees for registering or
qualifying shares for sale and of maintaining the registration of the Fund and
registering the Trust as a broker or a dealer; (x) if the Adviser is deemed to
be a "commodity pool operator" with respect to the Fund, the out of pocket
costs incurred by the Adviser in connection with its preparation or revision of
the Fund's disclosure documents and periodic reports to shareholders in order
to comply with the CEA and/or the rules adopted by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC") thereunder; (xi) the fees and expenses of Trustees
who are not affiliated with the Adviser; (xii) the cost of preparing and
distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the SEC and other regulatory
authorities; (xiii) costs of holding shareholder meetings; (xiv) the fees or
disbursements of custodians of the Fund's assets, including expenses incurred
in the performance of any obligations enumerated by the Declaration of Trust or
ByLaws of the Trust insofar as they govern agreements with any such custodian;
(xv) premiums for insurance for which the Trust is a named insured; or (xvi)
litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not
incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser shall not
be required to pay expenses of activities which are primarily intended to
result in sales of shares of the Fund.
To the extent that expenses to be borne by the Trust or the Fund pursuant
to this Section 6 are paid by the Adviser, the Trust, acting on behalf of the
Fund, shall reimburse the Adviser for such expenses.
7. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.
(a) PROPERLY REGISTERED. The Adviser is registered as an investment
adviser under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered for the
duration of this Agreement. The Adviser is not prohibited by the Advisers
Act or the 1940 Act from performing the services contemplated by this
Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Adviser, there is no proceeding
or investigation that is reasonably likely to result in the Adviser being
prohibited from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement. The
Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the occurrence of any event
that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to
an investment company. The Adviser is in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable federal and state law in connection with its
investment management operations.
(b) ADV DISCLOSURE. The Adviser has provided the Trust with a copy of
its Form ADV Part I as most recently filed with the SEC and its current
Part II and will,
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promptly after filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC updating
its Part II, furnish a copy of such amendments or updates to the Trust. The
information contained in the Adviser's Form ADV is accurate and complete in
all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) FUND DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS. The Adviser has reviewed, and will in
the future review, the Registration Statement, summary prospectus,
prospectus, statement of additional information, periodic reports to
shareholders, reports and schedules filed with the Commission (including
any amendment, supplement or sticker to any of the foregoing) and
advertising and sales material relating to the Fund (collectively the
"Disclosure Documents") and represents and warrants that such Disclosure
Documents contain or will contain no untrue statement of any material fact
and do not and will not omit any statement of material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(d) USE OF THE NAME "GQG PARTNERS". The Adviser has the right to use
the name "GQG PARTNERS" in connection with its services to the Trust and
that, subject to the terms set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, the
Trust shall have the right to use the name "GQG PARTNERS" in connection
with the management and operation of the Fund. The Adviser is not aware of
any threatened or existing actions, claims, litigation or proceedings that
would adversely affect or prejudice the rights of the Adviser or the Trust
to use the name "GQG PARTNERS."
(e) INSURANCE. The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance
coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written notice to
the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or
insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its
insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall, upon reasonable
request, provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require
concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
(f) NO DETRIMENTAL AGREEMENT. The Adviser represents and warrants that
it has no arrangement or understanding with any party, other than the
Trust, that would influence the decision of the Adviser with respect to its
selection of securities for the Fund, and that all selections shall be done
in accordance with what is in the best interest of the Fund.
(g) CONFLICTS. The Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and in
the best interests of the Trust including requiring any of its personnel
with knowledge of Fund activities to place the interest of the Fund first,
ahead of their own interests, in all personal trading scenarios that may
involve a conflict of interest with the Fund, consistent with its fiduciary
duties under applicable law.
(h) REPRESENTATIONS. The representations and warranties in this
Section 7 shall be deemed to be made on the date this Agreement is executed
and at the time of delivery of the quarterly compliance report required by
Section 3(a), whether or not specifically referenced in such report.
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8. THE NAME "GQG PARTNERS". The Adviser grants to the Trust a license to
use the name "GQG Partners" (the "Name") as part of the name of the Fund. The
foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Trust to use the Name as part of
the name of the Fund is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use,
or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Trust acknowledges and agrees that,
as between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or
authorize others to use, the Name. The Trust shall (1) only use the Name in a
manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser; (2) use its best efforts to
maintain the quality of the services offered using the Name; (3) adhere to such
other specific quality control standards as the Adviser may from time to time
promulgate. At the request of the Adviser, the Trust will (a) submit to Adviser
representative samples of any promotional materials using the Name; and (b)
change the name of the Fund within three months of its receipt of the Adviser's
request, or such other shorter time period as may be required under the terms of
a settlement agreement or court order, so as to eliminate all reference to the
Name and will not thereafter transact any business using the Name in the name of
the Fund; provided, however, that the Trust may continue to use beyond such date
any supplies of prospectuses, marketing materials and similar documents that the
Trust had on the date of such name change in quantities not exceeding those
historically produced and used in connection with such Fund.
9. ADVISER'S COMPENSATION. The Fund shall pay to the Adviser, as
compensation for the Adviser's services hereunder, a fee, determined as
described in Schedule A that is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Such fee
shall be computed daily and paid not less than monthly in arrears by the Fund.
The method for determining net assets of the Fund for purposes hereof shall
be the same as the method for determining net assets for purposes of
establishing the offering and redemption prices of Fund shares as described in
the Fund's prospectus. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the fee
provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of the period ending on
the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect subject to a pro rata
adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a
percentage of the total number of days in such month.
10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In the performance of its duties hereunder, the
Adviser is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise
expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no
authority to act for or represent the Trust or the Fund in any way or otherwise
be deemed to be an agent of the Trust or the Fund. If any occasion should arise
in which the Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of
the Fund, the Adviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and
not in any way on behalf of the Fund.
11. ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment
(as defined in section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act); provided that such termination
shall not relieve the Adviser of any liability incurred hereunder.
This Agreement may not be added to or changed orally and may not be
modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto and in
accordance with the 1940 Act,
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when applicable.
12. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed and shall
remain in full force and effect continually thereafter, subject to renewal as
provided in Section 12(c) and unless terminated automatically as set forth in
Section 11 hereof or until terminated as follows:
(a) The Trust may cause this Agreement to terminate either (i) by vote
of its Board or (ii) with respect to the Fund, upon the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; or
(b) The Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not less
than thirty (30) days' written notice delivered or mailed by registered
mail, postage prepaid, to the Trust; or
(c) This Agreement shall automatically terminate two years from the
date of its execution unless its renewal is specifically approved at least
annually thereafter by (i) a majority vote of the Trustees, including a
majority vote of such Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust
or the Adviser, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval; or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund; provided, however, that if the continuance of this
Agreement is submitted to the shareholders of the Fund for their approval
and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this Agreement as
provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve hereunder as to the Fund
in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder; and
(d) Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section shall be
without payment of any penalty.
In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Adviser
shall, immediately upon notice of termination or upon such later date as may be
specified in such notice, cease all activity on behalf of the Fund and with
respect to any of its assets, except as otherwise required by any fiduciary
duties of the Adviser under applicable law. In addition, the Adviser shall
deliver the Fund Books and Records to the Trust by such means and in accordance
with such schedule as the Trust shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate, as
reasonably directed by the Trust, in the transition of portfolio asset
management to any successor of the Adviser.
13. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund" shall have the meaning as set forth in the 1940
Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission
staff.
(b) "Interested persons" and "Assignment" shall have their respective
meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions
as may be
9
granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the
Commission staff.
14. LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER.
(a) The Adviser shall have responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness (and liability for the lack thereof) of statements in the
Fund's Disclosure Documents.
(b) The Adviser shall be liable to the Fund for any loss (including
transaction costs) incurred by the Fund as a result of any investment made
by the Adviser in contravention of: (i) any investment policy, guideline or
restriction set forth in the Registration Statement or as approved by the
Board from time to time and provided to the Adviser; or (ii) applicable
law, including but not limited to the 1940 Act and the Code (including but
not limited to the Fund's failure to satisfy the diversification or source
of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Code) (the investments
described in this subsection (b) collectively are referred to as "Improper
Investments"). For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any other
provision in this Agreement, it is not intended that the Adviser be liable
for the performance or profitability of the Fund or any part thereof, if
and to the extent that the Adviser's investment decisions are not in
contravention of item (b)(i) or (b)(ii).
(c) The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, each
affiliated person of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the
1940 Act, and each person who controls the Trust within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (any such person, an "Indemnified Party")
against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities
(including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending any alleged
loss, claim, damage, expense or liability and reasonable counsel fees
incurred in connection therewith) to which any such person may become
subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or other federal or
state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) a breach by the
Adviser of this Agreement or of the representations and warranties made by
the Adviser herein; (ii) any Improper Investment; (iii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Disclosure Document or the omission or alleged omission from a Disclosure
Document of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading; or (iv) the Adviser's
performance or non-performance of its duties hereunder; provided, however,
that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect any Indemnified Party who is
a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to
its shareholders to which such Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject
by reason or willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office
with the Trust.
15. ENFORCEABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or
10
provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any
of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and
agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of
any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of
the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing
liabilities.
17. CHANGE IN THE ADVISER'S OWNERSHIP. The Adviser agrees that it shall
notify the Trust of any anticipated or otherwise reasonably foreseeable change
in the ownership of the Adviser within a reasonable time prior to such change
being effected.
18. JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware and the Adviser
consents to the jurisdiction of courts, both state and federal, in Delaware,
with respect to any dispute under this Agreement.
19. PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. The headings of paragraphs contained in this
Agreement are provided for convenience only, form no part of this Agreement and
shall not affect its construction.
20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.
11
THE ADVISORS' INNER CIRCLE FUND III, on behalf of
the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
-------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: President
GQG PARTNERS, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxx
--------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx
Title: CIO
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Zalakuk
-------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Zalakuk
Title: COO
12
SCHEDULE A
TO THE
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 15, 2016 BETWEEN
THE ADVISORS' INNER CIRCLE FUND III
AND
The Trust will pay to the Adviser as compensation for the Adviser's services
rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily
net assets of the Fund in accordance the following fee schedule:
FUND RATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund 0.95%
A-1
