WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS 2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED ON DECEMBER 30, 2009 BY WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)...
Exhibit 10.3
XXXXXX
GROUP HOLDINGS
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
(AS
AMENDED AND RESTATED ON DECEMBER 30, 2009 BY XXXXXX GROUP
HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY
XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY
XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
SHARE
OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
(Performance-Based Share Options)
(Performance-Based Share Options)
THIS SHARE OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”),
effective as of [INSERT DATE] is made by and between Xxxxxx
Group Holdings Public Limited Company, and any successor thereto
(hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) and the
individual (the “Optionee”) who has duly completed,
executed and delivered the Option Acceptance Form, a copy of
which is attached hereto as Schedule A and which is deemed
to be a part hereof (the “Acceptance Form”) and; if
applicable the Agreement of Restrictive Covenants and Other
Obligations, a copy of which is set out in Schedule C
attached hereto and deemed to be a part hereof.
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan (as
hereinafter defined), the terms of which are hereby incorporated
by reference and made a part of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Committee (as hereinafter defined) has determined
that it would be to the advantage and best interest of the
Company and its shareholders to grant the Option (as hereinafter
defined) provided for herein to the Optionee as an incentive for
increased efforts on the part of the Optionee during the
Optionee’s employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries
(as hereinafter defined), and has advised the Company thereof
and instructed the undersigned officer to prepare said Option.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Defined terms used in this Agreement shall have the meaning
specified in the Plan or below unless the context clearly
indicates to the contrary.
Section 1.1
— Act
“Act” shall mean the Companies Xxx 0000 of
Ireland.
Section 1.2 — Adjusted
Earnings Per Share
“Adjusted Earnings Per Share” shall mean the
adjusted earnings per share as stated by the Company in its
annual financial results as issued by the Company with respect
to the Performance Period.
Section 1.3
— Adjusted Operating Margin
“Adjusted Operating Margin” shall mean the
adjusted operating margin as stated by the Company in its annual
financial results as issued by the Company with respect to the
Performance Period.
Section 1.4
— Board
“Board” shall mean the board of directors of
the Company.
Section 1.5
— Cause
“Cause” shall mean (i) the Optionee’s
continued
and/or
chronic failure to adequately
and/or
competently perform his material duties with respect to the
Company or its Subsidiaries after having been provided
reasonable notice of such failure and a period of at least ten
days after the Optionee’s receipt of such notice to cure
and/or
correct such performance failure, (ii) willful misconduct
by the Optionee in connection with the Optionee’s
employment which is injurious to the Company or its Subsidiaries
(willful misconduct shall be understood to include, but not be
limited to, any breach of the duty of loyalty owed by the
Optionee to the Company or its Subsidiaries),
(iii) conviction of any criminal act (other than minor road
traffic violations not involving imprisonment), (iv) any
breach of the Optionee’s restrictive covenants and other
obligations as provided in Schedule C to this Agreement (if
applicable), in the Optionee’s employment agreement (if
any), or any other non-compete agreement
and/or
confidentiality agreement entered into between the Optionee and
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than an
insubstantial, inadvertent and non-recurring breach), or
(v) any material violation of any written Company policy
after reasonable notice and an opportunity to cure such
violation within ten (10) days after the Optionee’s
receipt of such notice.
Section 1.6
— Committee
“Committee” shall mean the Compensation
Committee of the Board (or if no such committee is appointed,
the Board provided that a majority of the Board are
“independent directors” for the purpose of the rules
and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange).
Section 1.7
— Earned Date
“Earned Date” shall mean the date that the
annual financial results of the Company are issued by the
Company.
Section 1.8
— Earned Performance Shares
“Earned Performance Shares” shall mean Shares
subject to the Option in respect of which the applicable
Performance Objectives, as set out in Section 3.1, have
been achieved and shall become vested and exercisable as set out
in Section 3.2.
Section 1.9 —
Grant Date
“Grant Date” shall mean [INSERT DATE].
Section 1.10
— Option
“Option” shall mean the option to purchase
Ordinary Shares of the Company granted in accordance with this
Agreement and the Plan.
Section 1.11
— Option Price
“Option Price” shall mean the exercise price of
the Option set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement. The
Option Price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the Grant Date.
Section 1.12
— Performance Period
“Performance Period” shall mean [insert
performance period].
Section 1.13
— Performance Objectives
“Performance Objectives” shall mean the
performance objectives based on an Adjusted Earnings Per Share
or Adjusted Operating Margin that are set forth in
Section 3.1(a) and Exhibit 1 to the Acceptance Form.
2
Section 1.14
— Permanent Disability
The Optionee shall be deemed to have a “Permanent
Disability” if the Optionee meets the requirements of the
definition of such term, or of an equivalent term, as defined in
the Company’s or Subsidiary’s long-term disability
plan applicable to the Optionee or, if no such plan is
applicable, in the event the Optionee is unable by reason of
physical or mental illness or other similar disability, to
perform the material duties and responsibilities of his job for
a period of 180 consecutive business days out of 270 business
days.
Section 1.15
— Plan
“Plan” shall mean the Xxxxxx Group Holdings
2008 Share Purchase and Option Plan, as amended from time
to time.
Section 1.16
— Pronouns
The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and neuter, and
the singular the plural, where the context so indicates.
Section 1.17
— Secretary
“Secretary” shall mean the Secretary of the
Company.
Section 1.18
— Shares or Ordinary Shares
“Shares” or “Ordinary Shares”
means ordinary shares of the Company, which may be authorised
but unissued.
Section 1.19
— Subsidiary
“Subsidiary” shall mean with respect to the
Company, a body corporate which is a subsidiary of the Company
within the meaning of Section 155 of the Act. For purposes
of granting share options or any other “stock rights,”
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an entity
shall not be considered a Subsidiary if granting any such share
right would result in the share right becoming subject to
Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of granting
U.S. incentive stock options, an entity shall not be
considered a Subsidiary if it does not also meet the
requirements of Section 424(f) of the Code.
Section 1.20
— Xxxxxx Group
“Xxxxxx Group” shall mean the Company and its
Subsidiaries collectively.
ARTICLE II
GRANT OF
OPTIONS
Section 2.1
— Grant of Options
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
additional terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
including any country-specific provisions set forth in
Schedule B to this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to
the Optionee an Option to purchase all or part of the aggregate
number of Shares, as stated in the Acceptance Form. In
circumstances where the Optionee is required to enter into the
Agreement of Restrictive Covenants and Other Obligations set
forth in Schedule C, the Optionee agrees that the grant of
an Option pursuant to this Agreement is sufficient consideration
for the Optionee entering into such agreement.
Section 2.2
— Option Price
Subject to Section 2.4, the Option Price of each Share
subject to the Option shall be as stated in the Acceptance Form.
3
Section 2.3
— Employment Rights
Subject to the terms of the Agreement of Restrictive Covenants
and Other Obligations where applicable, the rights and
obligations of the Optionee under the terms of his office or
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be
affected by his participation in this Plan or any right which he
may have to participate in it. The Option and the
Optionee’s participation in the Plan will not be
interpreted to form an employment agreement with the Company or
any Subsidiary. The Optionee hereby waives any and all rights to
compensation or damages in consequence of the termination of his
office or employment for any reason whatsoever insofar as those
rights arise or may arise from his ceasing to have rights under
or be entitled to earn, vest in or exercise any Option as a
result of such termination. If, notwithstanding the foregoing,
any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction,
then, by participating in the Plan, the Optionee shall be deemed
irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees
to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal
or withdrawal of such claims.
Section 2.4
— Adjustments in Options Pursuant to
Merger, Consolidation, etc.
Subject to Sections 9 and 10 of the Plan, in the event that
the outstanding Shares subject to an Option are, from time to
time, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind
of Shares or other securities, by reason of a share split,
spin-off, share or extraordinary cash dividend, share
combination or reclassification, recapitalization or merger,
Change of Control, or similar event, the Committee shall, in its
absolute discretion, make an appropriate and equitable
adjustment in the number and kind of Shares, the Option Price,
the grant of dividends
and/or other
value determinations applicable to the Plan or outstanding
Options, in all events in order to allow the Optionee to
participate in such event in an equitable manner.
Notwithstanding Section 10 of the Plan, in the event of a
Change of Control and regardless of whether the Option is
assumed or substituted by a successor company, the Option shall
not immediately vest and become exercisable unless the Committee
so determines at the time of the Change of Control. The
Committee
and/or the
amount of consideration as to which or for which, as the case
may be. Any such adjustment or determination made by the
Committee shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the
Company and all other interested persons.
Section 2.5 — Clawback
Policy
The Company may cancel all or part of the Option or require
payment by the Optionee to the Company of all or part of any
amount or Shares received by the Optionee following the exercise
of the Option pursuant to the Company’s Clawback Policy
dated December 2009, as amended from time to time, except to the
extent prohibited under applicable law.
ARTICLE III
PERIOD OF
EXERCISABILITY
Section 3.1
— Commencement of Earning
(a) Subject to Sections 3.1(b) and 3.1(d), the Shares
subject to Option shall become Earned Performance Shares as of
the Earned Date and shall become eligible to vest and become
exercisable in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3.2 if and to the extent that the Performance
Objectives set out in Targets 1 (50% of Target Number of Shares)
and 2 (50% of Target Number of Shares) of Exhibit 1 to the
Acceptance Form are attained and subject to the Optionee being
in the employment of the Company or any Subsidiary at each
respective vesting date as set forth in Section 3.2 below.
(b) The Optionee understands and agrees that the terms
under which the Option shall become Earned Performance Shares as
described in Section 3.1(a) above and in Exhibit 1 to
the Acceptance Form is confidential and the Optionee agrees not
to disclose, reproduce or distribute such confidential
information concerning the Company, except as required in the
course of the Optionee’s employment with the Company or one
of its Subsidiaries, without the prior written consent of the
Company. The Optionee’s failure to abide by this condition
may result in the immediate cancellation of the Option.
(c) As promptly as practicable following the Performance
Period, the Committee shall determine whether the applicable
Performance Objectives were attained, and based on such
determination, shall declare the number of Shares subject to the
Option that shall become Earned Performance Shares. Anything to
the contrary in this Section 3.1 and
4
Exhibit 1 to the Acceptance Form notwithstanding, the
Committee retains sole discretion to determine the number of
Shares subject to the Option that will become Earned Performance
Shares.
(d) If prior to the end of the Performance Period,
(i) the Optionee’s employment terminates for reasons
other than Cause, or (ii) there is a Change of Control, the
Committee, may, in its sole discretion deem the Performance
Objectives to be attained at the level (not to exceed the
maximum level) determined by the Committee as to all or part of
the unearned Shares underlying the Option and deem them to be
Earned Performance Shares.
(e) All Shares subject to the Option that are not declared
by the Committee to be Earned Performance Shares shall be
forfeited immediately on the earlier of the Optionee’s
termination of employment or the date that the Committee makes a
determination on whether the Performance Objectives were
attained.
Section 3.2 — Commencement
of Vesting and Exercisability
(a) Subject to the Optionee’s continued employment
with the Xxxxxx Group through the applicable vesting date (set
forth in the left column), the Earned Performance Shares shall
vest and become exercisable in accordance with Section 3.2
below:
Percentage of Earned |
||||
Date Earned Performance Shares Become |
Performance Shares that Become |
|||
Vested and Exercisable | Vested and Exercisable | |||
Second anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
||||
Third anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
||||
Fourth anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
||||
Fifth anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
(b) In the event of a termination of the Optionee’s
employment as a result of death or Permanent Disability, then
(i) the Earned Performance Shares and the Option in respect
thereof shall become immediately vested and exercisable with
respect to all of the Shares underlying such Option through the
time period set forth in Section 3.3 (b) below, and
(ii) as of the date of termination of employment, any
portion of the Option which then has not become an Earned
Performance Share shall immediately terminate and will at no
time be exercisable.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herewith to the contrary the
Option over Earned Performance Shares that have not yet vested
shall immediately terminate and will at no time become
exercisable, except that the Committee may, for termination of
employment for reasons other than death, Permanent Disability or
Cause, determine in its sole discretion that the Option over the
Earned Performance Shares that have not yet vested and become
exercisable, shall become vested and exercisable.
(d) In the event of a termination of the Optionee’s
employment for any reason other than death or Permanent
Disability, then the Earned Performance Shares that have vested
and become exercisable and the Option in respect thereof shall
remain exercisable through the time period set forth in
Section 3.3 (b) below.
(e) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion, the termination date for purposes of this
Section 3.2 and the Agreement will be the later of
(i) the last day of the Optionee’s active employment
with the Company or any Subsidiary or (ii) the last day of
any notice period or garden leave, as provided for under the
Optionee’s employment or service contract or local law.
(f) In the event of a Change of Control, the Option shall
not automatically vest and become exercisable and the Committee
shall have the sole discretion to accelerate the vesting of
unvested Earned Performance Shares without regard to whether the
Earned Performance Shares are assumed or substituted by a
successor company.
5
Section 3.3
— Expiration of Options
(a) The Option shall immediately lapse upon the termination
of the Optionee’s employment, subject to, and except as
otherwise specified within, the terms and conditions of
Section 3.2 above.
(b) The Option over Earned Performance Shares that has
become vested and exercisable in accordance with
Section 3.2 will cease to be exercisable by the Optionee
upon the first to occur of the following events:
(i) The eighth anniversary of the Grant Date; or
(ii) Twelve months after the date of the Optionee’s
termination of employment by reason of death or Permanent
Disability; or
(iii) Ninety days after the date of any termination of the
Optionee’s employment by the Company or its Subsidiary for
any reason other than (A) death or Permanent Disability or
(B) where the Committee has exercised its discretion in
accordance with Section 3.2(c) above; or
(iv) Six calendar months after the date of termination of
the Optionee’s employment provided the Committee has
exercised its discretion pursuant to Section 3.2(c) above
and termination is other than for Cause; or
(v) If the Committee so determines pursuant to
Section 9 of the Plan and 3.2(f) of this Agreement, the
effective date of a Change of Control, so long as the Optionee
has a reasonable opportunity to exercise or receive value for
his Options prior to such effective date.
(c) The Optionee agrees to execute and deliver the
following agreements or other documents in connection with the
grant of the Option within the period set forth below:
(i) the Optionee must execute the Agreement of Restrictive
Covenants and Other Obligations pursuant to Article VII
below, if applicable, and deliver it to the Company within
45 days of the receipt of this Agreement;
(ii) the Optionee must execute the Acceptance Form and
deliver it to the Company within 45 days of the receipt of
this Agreement; and
(iii) the Optionees who are resident in the United Kingdom
must execute the form of joint election as described in terms
set forth in Schedule B for the United Kingdom and deliver
it to their employing company within 45 days of the receipt
of this Agreement.
(d) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, cancel the
Option, if the Optionee fails to execute and deliver the
agreements and documents within the period set forth in
Section 3.3(c) or fails to meet the requirements set forth
in Section 3.1(a) and Exhibit 1 to the Acceptance Form.
ARTICLE IV
EXERCISE
OF OPTION
Section 4.1
— Person Eligible to Exercise
During the lifetime of the Optionee, only he may exercise an
Option or any portion thereof. After the death of the Optionee,
any exercisable portion of an Option may, prior to the time when
an Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be
exercised by any person empowered to do so under the
Optionee’s will or under then applicable laws of
inheritance.
6
Section 4.2
— Partial Exercise
Any exercisable portion of an Option or the entire Option, if
then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at
any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof
becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3; provided, however,
that any partial exercise shall be for whole Shares only.
Section 4.3
— Manner of Exercise
An Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised
solely by delivering to the Secretary or his office or the
Company’s agent, if so directed all of the following prior
to the time when the Option or such portion becomes
unexercisable under Section 3.3:
(a) Notice in writing signed by the Optionee or the other
person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof,
stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised,
such notice complying with all applicable rules established by
the Committee and made available to the Optionee (or such other
person then entitled to exercise the Option);
(b) Full payment (in cash, by cheque, electronic transfer,
by way of a cashless exercise with a broker as approved by the
Company, by way of surrender of Shares to the Company, by
withholding in Shares to be issued upon Option exercise as
approved by the Company in its sole discretion, or by a
combination thereof) of the Option Price for the Shares with
respect to which such Option or portion thereof is exercised,
provided the Shares surrendered or withheld have a Fair Market
Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of exercise)
that is not less than such Option Price or part thereof and any
Tax-Related Items (as defined in (d) below);
(c) Full payment to the Company or any Subsidiary, by which
the Optionee is employed (the “Employer”) of all
income tax, payroll tax, payment on account, and social
insurance contributions amounts (“Tax”) which, under
federal, state, local or foreign law, it is required to withhold
upon exercise of the Option; and
(d) In a case where any Employer is obliged to (or would
suffer a disadvantage if it were not to) account for any Tax (in
any jurisdiction) for which the Optionee is liable by virtue of
the Optionee’s participation in the Plan
and/or any
social security contributions recoverable from and legally
applicable to the Optionee (the “Tax-Related Items”),
the Optionee will pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory
to the Company
and/or the
Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the
Optionee may elect to satisfy the obligations with regard to all
Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:
(i) withholding from the Optionee’s wages or other
cash compensation paid to the Optionee by the Company
and/or the
Employer; or
(ii) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares issued
at exercise of the Option either through a voluntary sale or
through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the
Optionee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization); or
(iii) withholding in Shares to be issued at exercise of the
Option, to the extent the Company permits this method of
withholding.
To avoid any negative accounting treatment, the Company may
withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering
applicable minimum statutory withholding amounts or other
applicable withholding rates. If the obligation for Tax-Related
Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes,
the Optionee is deemed to have been issued the full number of
Shares subject to the exercised Option, notwithstanding that a
number of Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying
the Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the
Optionee’s participation in the Plan.
Finally, the Optionee shall pay to the Company or the Employer
any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer
may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the
Optionee’s participation in the Plan that cannot be
satisfied by the means previously described.
(e) In the event the Option or any portion thereof shall be
exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons
other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such
person or persons to exercise the Option.
7
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee
may, prior to exercise, require an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent transfer of
Shares acquired on exercise of an Option does not violate the
Exchange Act and may issue stop-transfer orders in the
U.S. covering such Shares.
Section 4.4
— Conditions to Issuance of Shares
The Earned Performance Shares to be delivered upon the exercise
of an Option, or any portion thereof, in accordance with
Section 3.2 of this Agreement may be either previously
authorized but unissued Shares or issued Shares held by any
other person. Such Shares shall be fully paid. The Company shall
not be required to issue or deliver any certificates
representing such Shares or their electronic equivalent issued
upon the exercise of an Option or portion thereof prior to
fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a) The obtaining of approval or other clearance from any
state, federal, local or foreign governmental agency which the
Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be
necessary or advisable; and
(b) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following
the exercise of the Option as the Committee may from time to
time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.
Section 4.5
— Rights as Shareholder
The Optionee shall not be, nor have any of the rights or
privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of any
Shares that may be received upon the exercise of the Option or
any portion thereof unless and until certificates representing
such Shares or their electronic equivalent shall have been
issued by the Company to the Optionee.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTION
Section 5.1 — Nature
of Grant
In accepting the Option, the Optionee acknowledges, understands
and agrees that:
(a) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, is
discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or
terminated by the Company at any time;
(b) the grant of the Option is voluntary and occasional and
does not create any contractual or other right to receive future
options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have
been granted repeatedly in the past;
(c) all decisions with respect to future Option grants, if
any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(d) the Optionee’s participation in the Plan is
voluntary;
(e) the Option and any Shares acquired under the Plan are
not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation under
any pension arrangement;
(f) the Option and any Shares acquired under the Plan are
not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any
purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any
severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end of service
payments, dismissal, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or
retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no
event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in
any way to past services for, the Employer, the Company or a
Subsidiary;
(g) the future value of the Shares underlying the Option is
unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
(h) if the Optionee exercises the Option and acquires
Shares, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease in
value, even below the Option Price; and
8
(i) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages
shall arise from termination of the Option or diminution in
value of the Option or Shares acquired upon exercise of the
Option in the event of the Optionee’s termination of
employment (whether or not in breach of contract or local labor
laws and whether or not later found to be invalid), and in
consideration of the grant of the Option to which the Optionee
is otherwise not entitled, the Optionee irrevocably agrees never
to institute any claim against the Company or any Subsidiary,
waives his ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and
releases the Company and any Subsidiary from any such claim.
Section 5.2 —
No Advice Regarding Grant
The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice,
nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding the
Optionee’s participation in the Plan, or the issuance of
Shares upon exercise of the Option or sale of the Shares. The
Optionee is hereby advised to consult with his own personal tax,
legal and financial advisors regarding his participation in the
Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.
ARTICLE VI
DATA
PRIVACY NOTICE AND CONSENT
Section 6 — Data
Privacy
(a) The Optionee hereby explicitly and unambiguously
consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or
other form, of the Optionee’s personal data as described in
this Agreement and any other Option grant materials by and
among, as applicable, the Employer, the Company and its
Subsidiaries for the exclusive purpose of implementing,
administering and managing the Optionee’s participation in
the Plan.
(b) The Optionee understands that the Company and the
Employer may hold certain personal information about the
Optionee, including, but not limited to, the Optionee’s
name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social
insurance number or other identification number, salary,
nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the
Company, details of all Options or any other entitlement to
Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or
outstanding in the Optionee’s favor, for the exclusive
purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan
(“Data”).
(c) The Optionee understands that Data will be
transferred to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx or to any other third
party assisting in the implementation, administration and
management of the Plan. The Optionee understands that the
recipients of the Data may be located in the Optionee’s
country or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country
(e.g., Ireland) may have different data privacy laws and
protections from the Optionee’s country. The Optionee
understands that he may request a list with the names and
addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting
his local human resources representative. The Optionee
authorizes the Company, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx and any
other recipients of Data which may assist the Company (presently
or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing
the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data,
in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of
implementing, administering and managing his participation in
the Plan. The Optionee understands that Data will be held only
as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the
Optionee’s participation in the Plan. The Optionee
understands that he may, at any time, view Data, request
additional information about the storage and processing of Data,
require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw
the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in
writing his local human resources representative. The Optionee
understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his consent
may affect the Optionee’s ability to participate in the
Plan. For more information on the consequences of the
Optionee’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the
Optionee understands that he may contact his local human
resources representative.
9
ARTICLE VII
AGREEMENT
OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
Section 7 — Restrictive
Covenants and Other Obligations
In consideration of the grant of an Option, the Optionee shall
enter into the Agreement of Restrictive Covenants and Other
Obligations, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Schedule C. In the event the Optionee does not sign and
return the Agreement of Restrictive Covenants and Other
Obligations within 45 days of the receipt of this
Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cancel the
Option. If no such agreement is required, Schedule C shall
state none or not applicable.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 — Administration
The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and
this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration,
interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent
therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules. All actions
taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the
Committee shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the
Company and all other interested persons. No member of the
Committee shall be personally liable for any action,
determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect
to the Plan or the Options. In its absolute discretion, the
Committee may at any time and from time to time exercise any and
all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan and this
Agreement.
Section 8.2 — Options
Not Transferable
Neither the Options nor any interest or right therein or part
thereof shall be subject to the debts, contracts or engagements
of the Optionee or his successors in interest or shall be
subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation,
pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such
disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law
by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or
equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted
disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect;
provided, however, that this Section 8.2 shall not prevent
transfers made solely for estate planning purposes or under a
will or by the applicable laws of inheritance.
Section 8.3 — Binding
Effect
The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and
accrue to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
Section 8.4 — Notices
Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the
Company shall be addressed to the Company at the following
address:
Xxxxxx Group Holdings Public Limited Company
c/x Xxxxxx
North America, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Share Plans
and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be at the
address set forth in the Option Acceptance Form.
By a notice given pursuant to this Section 8.4, either
party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to
be given to him. Any notice that is required to be given to the
Optionee shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be given to
the Optionee’s personal representatives if such
representatives have previously informed the Company of their
status
10
and address by written notice under this Section 8.4. Any
notice shall have been deemed duly given when sent by facsimile
or enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed
as aforesaid, deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office
or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States
Postal Service or the United Kingdom’s Post Office or in
the case of a notice given by an Optionee resident outside the
United States of America or the United Kingdom, sent by
facsimile or by a recognized international courier service.
Section 8.5
— Titles
Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to
serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this
Agreement.
Section 8.6
— Applicability of Plan
The Options and the Earned Performance Shares underlying the
Options shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of
the Plan, to the extent applicable to the Options. In the event
of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms
of the Plan shall control.
Section 8.7
— Amendment
The Committee shall have the authority to make such amendments
to this Agreement as are consistent with the Plan.
Section 8.8 — Governing
Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with the laws of Ireland, without regard to its conflicts of law
provisions, provided; however, that the Agreement of Restrictive
Covenants and Other Obligations, if applicable, shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws specified
in that agreement.
Section 8.9 — Jurisdiction
The courts of the state of New York shall have jurisdiction to
hear and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle
any disputes which may arise out of or in connection with this
Agreement and, for such purposes, the parties hereto irrevocably
submit to the jurisdiction of such courts; provided, however,
where applicable, that with respect to the Agreement of
Restrictive Covenants and Other Obligations the courts specified
in such agreement shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine
any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any disputes which
may arise out of or in connection with that agreement.
Section 8.10 — Electronic
Delivery and Acceptance
The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any
documents related to current or future participation in the Plan
by electronic means. The Optionee hereby consents to receive
such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate
in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established
and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the
Company. Further, this Agreement has been executed on behalf of
the Company electronically and the Optionee accepts the
electronic signature of the Company.
Section 8.11 — Language
If the Optionee has received this Agreement, or any other
document related to the Option
and/or the
Plan translated into a language other than English and if the
translated version is different than the English version, the
English version will control.
Section 8.12 — Severability
The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or
more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise
unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions
shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
11
Section 8.13 — Schedule B
The Option shall be subject to any special provisions set forth
in Schedule B for the Optionee’s country of residence,
if any. If the Optionee relocates to one of the countries
included in Schedule B during the life of the Option, the
special provisions for such country shall apply to the Optionee,
to the extent the Company determines that the application of
such provisions is necessary or advisable in order to comply
with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan.
Schedule B constitutes part of this Agreement.
Section 8.14 — Imposition
of Other Requirements
The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on
the Option and the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option,
to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or
advisable in order to comply with local laws or facilitate the
administration of the Plan, and to require the Optionee to sign
any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary
to accomplish the foregoing.
Section 8.15 — Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
(including by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company and the Optionee have each
executed this Agreement.
XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
12
SCHEDULE A
ACCEPTANCE
FORM TO THE SHARE OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
XXXXXX
GROUP HOLDINGS
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
(AS
AMENDED AND RESTATED ON DECEMBER 30, 2009 BY XXXXXX GROUP
HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
Name
|
||
Target Number of Shares Granted Under Option
|
||
Grant Date
|
||
Option Price
|
I accept the grant of the Option under the Xxxxxx Group Holdings
2008 Share Purchase and Option Plan, as amended from time
to time and I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of
the Share Option Award Agreement dated [insert date] and any
country-specific terms set forth in Schedule B, thereto.
Signature:
|
||
Address:
|
Once completed, please return one copy of this form to:
Share Plans
Xxxxxx Group Holdings Public Limited Company
c/x Xxxxxx
North America, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
U.S.A.
This form should be returned to the above address within
45 days of receipt. Your option may be cancelled if your
form is not received by that date.
13
EXHIBIT 1
ACCEPTANCE
FORM TO
SHARE OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
SHARE OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
XXXXXX
GROUP HOLDINGS
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
(AS
AMENDED AND RESTATED ON DECEMBER 30, 2009 BY XXXXXX GROUP
HOLDINGS
LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY XXXXXX GROUP
HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY XXXXXX GROUP
HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
Performance
Period: [Insert]
Earned
Date: Publication of Company’s Annual Financial
Results
Target 1:
Adjusted Operating Margin
(“OM”)
Target [Insert]%
Percentage
of Option Shares Subject to Target 1: 50%
89% or below |
90-94% |
95-99% |
||||||
Performance Scale:* | OM of [Insert]) | OM of [Insert]) | OM of [Insert]) | 100% or above | ||||
Percentage of Earned Performance Shares:
|
0% | 80-89% | 90-99% | 100% |
Target 2:
Adjusted Earnings Per Share
(“EPS”)
Target $ [Insert]
Percentage
of Option Shares Subject to Target 2: 50%
89% or below |
90-94% |
95-99% |
||||||
Performance Scale:* | (EPS of [Insert]) | (EPS of [Insert]) | (EPS of [Insert]) | 100% or above | ||||
Percentage of Earned Performance Shares:
|
0% | 80-89% | 90-99% | 100% |
* | Performance between amounts is subject to interpolation. |
14
SCHEDULE B
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC
APPENDIX TO
SHARE
OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
(Performance-Based and Time-Based Share Options)
(Performance-Based and Time-Based Share Options)
XXXXXX
GROUP HOLDINGS
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
2008 SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION PLAN
(AS
AMENDED AND RESTATED ON DECEMBER 30, 2009 BY XXXXXX GROUP
HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY
XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
HOLDINGS LIMITED AND AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AND ASSUMED BY
XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
ON DECEMBER 31, 2009)
Terms and
Conditions
This Schedule B includes additional terms and conditions
that govern the Option granted to the Optionee under the Xxxxxx
Group Holdings 2008 Share Purchase and Option Plan, as
amended from time to time (the “Plan”) if the Optionee
resides in one of the countries listed below. This
Schedule B forms part of the Agreement. Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in the Agreement or the Plan.
Notifications
This Schedule B also includes information based on the
securities, exchange control and other laws in effect in the
Optionee’s country as of June 2011. Such laws are often
complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly
recommends that the Optionee not rely on the information noted
herein as the only source of information relating to the
consequences of the Optionee’s participation in the Plan
because the information may be out of date at the time the
Optionee exercises the Option under the Plan.
In addition, the information is general in nature. The Company
is not providing the Optionee with any tax advice with respect
to the Option. The information is provided below may not apply
to the Optionee’s particular situation, and the Company is
not in a position to assure the Optionee of any particular
result. Accordingly, the Optionee is strongly advised to seek
appropriate professional advice as to how the tax or other laws
in the Optionee’s country apply to the Optionee’s
situation.
Finally, if the Optionee is a citizen or resident of a country
other than the one in which the Optionee is currently working,
transfers employment after this Option is granted, or is
considered a resident of another country for local law purposes,
the notifications contained herein may not be applicable to the
Optionee, and the Company shall, in its discretion, determine to
what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be
applicable to the Optionee.
UNITED
KINGDOM
Terms
and Conditions
Tax Withholding Obligations. The following
provisions supplement Section 4.3(d) of the Agreement:
The Optionee agrees that if he or she does not pay or the
Employer or the Company does not withhold from the Optionee the
full amount of Tax-Related Items that the Optionee owes at
exercise of the Option, or the release or assignment of the
Option for consideration, or the receipt of any other benefit in
connection with the Option (the “Taxable Event”),
within 90 days after the Taxable Event or such other period
specified in section 222(1)(c) of the U.K. Income Tax
(Earnings and Xxxxxxxx) Xxx 0000, then the amount of any
uncollected income taxes will constitute a benefit to
Participant on which additional income tax and national
insurance contributions (including the Employer’s NICs, as
defined below) will be payable. The Optionee acknowledges that
the Company or the Employer
15
may recover any such additional income tax and NICs at any time
thereafter by any of the means referred to in the
Section 4.3(d) of the Agreement, although the Optionee
acknowledges that the Optionee ultimately will be responsible
for reporting any income tax or National Insurance Contributions
(“NICs”) due on this additional benefit directly to
HMRC under the self-assessment regime.
Joint
Election
If the Optionee is a U.K. tax resident, the grant of this Option
is conditional upon the Optionee hereby agreeing to accept any
liability for any employer National Insurance contributions
(“Employer NICs”) which may be payable by the Employer
in connection with the exercise, assignment, release or
cancellation of any Option. The Optionee may elect that the
Employer NICs may be collected by the Company or the Employer
using any of the methods described in Section 4 of the
Agreement. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Optionee
agrees to execute a joint election with the Company
and/or the
Employer (“Election”), the form of such Election being
formally approved by HMRC, and any other consent or elections
required to accomplish the transfer of the Employer NICs to the
Optionee. The Optionee further agrees to execute such other
joint elections as may be required between the Optionee and any
successor to the Company
and/or the
Employer. If the Optionee does not make an Election prior to the
vesting of the Option or if approval to the Election is
withdrawn by HMRC and a new Election is not entered into,
without any liability to the Company, the Employer or any
Subsidiary of the Company, the Option shall become null and void
without any liability to the Company
and/or the
Employer and may not be exercised by the Optionee.
UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
Notifications
Tax
Information
The Option is not an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
16