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 10.4
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)
RESTRICTED
SHARE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
(Performance-Based Restricted Share Units)
(Performance-Based Restricted Share Units)
WHEREAS, Xxxxxx Group Holdings Public Limited Company and
any successor thereto, hereinafter referred to as the
“Company,” has adopted the Xxxxxx Group Holding
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 (the
“Plan”);
WHEREAS, the Committee (as hereinafter defined) has
determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company
and its shareholders to grant Restricted Share Units to the
Executive pursuant to the Plan and the terms set forth herein.
WHEREAS, the award of Restricted Share Units is also
granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the SMIP (as
hereinafter defined), and is, therefore, intended to qualify as
“qualified performance-based compensation” for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code (as hereinafter
defined).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto do hereby agree as
follows:
THIS RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT (this
“Agreement”), effective as of [insert date] is made by
and between the Company and the individual (the
“Executive”) who has duly completed, executed and
delivered the Acceptance Form, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Schedule A (including Exhibit 1 thereto) 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.
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 Act 1963 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
Executive’s continued
and/or
chronic failure to adequately
and/or
competently perform his material duties with respect to the
Company or its Subsidiaries or Designated Associate Companies
after having been provided reasonable notice of such failure and
a period of at least ten days after the Executive’s receipt
of such notice to cure
and/or
correct such performance failure, (ii) willful misconduct
by the Executive in connection with the Executive’s
employment which is injurious to the Company or its Subsidiaries
or Designated Associate Companies (willful misconduct shall be
understood to include, but not be limited to, any breach of the
duty of loyalty owed by the Executive to the Company or its
Subsidiaries or Designated Associate Companies),
(iii) conviction of any criminal act (other than minor road
traffic violations not involving imprisonment), (iv) any
breach of the Executive’s restrictive covenants and other
obligations as provided in Schedule C to this Agreement (if
applicable), in the Executive’s employment agreement (if
any), or any other non-compete agreement
and/or
confidentiality agreement entered into between the Executive and
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Designated Associate
Companies (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 Executive’s receipt of such notice.
Section 1.6 — Certification
Date
“Certification Date” shall mean the date that
the Committee certifies in accordance with the requirements of
Code Section 162(m), the amount payable under the SMIP
based on “Earnings” for the Performance Period (as
defined in the SMIP), the attainment level of the Performance
Objectives and the number of Shares subject to RSUs that will
become Earned Performance Shares based on the amount payable
under the SMIP and attainment level of the additional
Performance Objectives.
Section 1.7 — Code
“Code” shall mean the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Section 1.8 — 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 1.9 — Earned
Performance Shares
“Earned Performance Shares” shall mean Shares
subject to the RSUs in respect of which the applicable
Performance Objectives, as set out in Section 3.1 and
Exhibit 1 to the Acceptance Form, have been achieved and
shall become eligible for vesting and payment as set out in
Section 3.2.
Section 1.10 — Grant
Date
“Grant Date” shall mean [insert date].
Section 1.11 — Performance
Period
“Performance Period” shall mean [insert
performance period].
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Section 1.12 — Performance
Objectives
“Performance Objectives” shall mean 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.
Section 1.13 — Permanent
Disability
The Executive shall be deemed to have a “Permanent
Disability” if the Executive meets the requirements of the
definition of such term, or of an equivalent term, as defined in
the Xxxxxx Group’s or Designated Associate Company’s
long-term disability plan applicable to the Executive or, if no
such plan is applicable, in the event the Executive 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 1.14 — Plan
“Plan” shall mean the Xxxxxx Group Holdings
2008 Share Purchase and Option Plan, as amended from time
to time.
Section 1.15 — Pronouns
The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and neuter, and
the singular the plural, where the context so indicates.
Section 1.16 — Restricted
Share Units or RSUs
“Restricted Share Units” or “RSUs”
shall mean a conditional right to receive Ordinary Shares,
pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement upon
vesting and settlement, as set forth in Sections 3.1 and
3.2 of this Agreement.
Section 1.17 — Shares
or Ordinary Shares
“Shares” or “Ordinary Shares” means
ordinary shares of the Company, nominal value of $0.000115 each,
which may be authorised but unissued.
Section 1.18 — SMIP
“SMIP” means the Xxxxxx Group Holdings Senior
Management Incentive 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.
Section 1.19 — Subsidiary
“Subsidiary” shall mean with respect to the
Company, any subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of
Section 155 of the Act.
Section 1.20 — Xxxxxx
Group
“Xxxxxx Group” shall mean the Company and its
Subsidiaries, collectively.
ARTICLE II
GRANT
OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
Section 2.1 — Grant
of the Restricted Share Units
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 and the additional terms and
conditions set forth in the SMIP, the Company hereby grants to
the Executive the targeted number of RSUs stated in the
3
Acceptance Form (including Exhibit 1 thereto). In
circumstances where the Executive is required to enter into the
Agreement of Restrictive Covenants and Other Obligations set
forth in Schedule C, the Executive agrees that the grant of
RSUs pursuant to this Agreement is sufficient consideration for
the Executive entering into such agreement.
Section 2.2 — RSU
Payment
The Shares to be issued upon vesting and settlement of the RSUs
must be fully paid up prior to issuance of Shares by payment of
the nominal value (US$0.000115) per Share. The Committee shall
ensure that payment of the nominal value for any Shares
underlying the RSUs is received by it on behalf of the Executive
at the time the RSUs vest from a Subsidiary or other source and
shall establish any procedures or protocols necessary to ensure
that payment is timely received.
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 Executive under the terms of his office or
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or Designated
Associate Company shall not be affected by his participation in
this Plan or any right which he may have to participate in it.
The RSUs and the Executive’s participation in the Plan will
not be interpreted to form an employment agreement with the
Company or any Subsidiary or Designated Associate Company. The
Executive 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 or vest in his RSUs 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 Executive 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 RSUs Pursuant to Merger, Consolidation, etc.
Subject to Sections 9 and 10 of the Plan, in the event that
the outstanding Shares subject to a RSU 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, shares or extraordinary cash dividend, share
combination or reclassification, recapitalization, 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. Notwithstanding
Section 10 of the Plan, in the event of a Change of
Control, and regardless of whether the RSUs are assumed or
substituted by a successor company, the RSUs shall not
immediately vest unless the Committee so determines at the time
of the Change of Control, in its absolute discretion, on such
terms and conditions that the Committee deems appropriate. Any
such adjustment or determination made by the Committee shall be
final and binding upon the Executive, the Company and all other
interested persons. An adjustment may have the effect of
reducing the price at which Shares may be acquired to less than
their nominal value (the “Shortfall”), but only if and
to the extent that the Committee shall be authorized to
capitalize from the reserves of the Company a sum equal to the
Shortfall and to apply that sum in paying up that amount on the
Shares.
Section 2.5 — Employee
Costs
The Executive must make full payment to the Company or any
Subsidiary or Designated Associate Company by which the
Executive is employed (the “Employer”) of all income
tax, payroll tax, payment on account, and social insurance
contribution amounts (“Tax”), which under federal,
state, local or foreign law, it is required to withhold upon
vesting, settlement or other tax event of the RSUs. 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 Executive is liable by virtue of the Executive’s
participation in the Plan or any social insurance contributions
recoverable from and legally applicable to the Executive (the
“Tax-Related Items”), the Executive will pay or make
adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company
and/or the
Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the
Executive 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 Executive’s wages or other
cash compensation paid to the Executive by the Company
and/or the
Employer; or
(ii) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares
acquired at vesting either through a voluntary sale or through a
mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Executive’s
behalf pursuant to this authorization); or
4
(iii) withholding in Shares to be issued at vesting of the
RSUs, 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 Executive is deemed to have been issued the full number of
Shares subject to the vested RSUs, 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
Executive’s participation in the Plan.
Finally, the Executive 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
Executive’s participation in the Plan that cannot be
satisfied by the means previously described.
Section 2.6 — Clawback
Policy
The Company may cancel all or part of the RSUs or require
payment by the Executive to the Company of all or part of any
amount or Shares acquired by the Executive upon vesting and
settlement of the RSUs 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 PERFORMANCE-BASED AND TIME-BASED VESTING
REQUIREMENTS
Section 3.1 — Earning
Performance Shares
(a) Subject to Sections 3.1(c) and (d), the Shares
subject to the RSUs shall become Earned Performance Shares as of
the Earned Date and shall become eligible to vest and become
payable 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 Executive being in the employment of
the Company, any Subsidiary or Designated Associate Company at
each respective vesting date as set forth in Section 3.2
below.
(b) The Executive understands and agrees that the terms
under which the RSUs shall become Earned Performance Shares is
confidential and the Executive agrees not to disclose, reproduce
or distribute such confidential information concerning the
Company, except as required in the course of the
Executive’s employment with the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries, without the prior written consent of the Company.
The Executive’s failure to abide by this condition may
result in the immediate cancellation of the RSUs.
(c) If prior to the end of the Performance Period,
(i) the Executive’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 RSUs and deem them to be
Earned Performance Shares, provided, however, that no RSU shall
become an Earned Performance Share to the extent that any such
discretion would prevent the RSU from qualifying as qualified
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Code.
(d) The Performance Objectives may be adjusted in
accordance with the terms of the Plan to the extent such
adjustments would not prevent the RSUs from qualifying as
qualified performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code.
(e) As of the Certification Date, the Committee shall
certify the amount payable under the SMIP, determine the
attainment level of applicable Performance Objectives, and based
on such certification and determination, shall declare the
number of Shares subject to the RSUs that shall become Earned
Performance Shares. Anything to the contrary in this
Section 3.1 and Exhibit 1 to the Acceptance Form
notwithstanding, the Committee retains sole discretion to
determine the number of Shares subject to the RSUs that will
become Earned Performance Shares, subject to any requirements
under Code Section 162(m).
5
(f) Shares subject to the RSUs that are not declared by the
Committee on the Certification Date to be Earned Performance
Shares shall be forfeited immediately.
Section 3.2 — Vesting/Settlement
(a) Subject to the Executives’ continued employment
with the Xxxxxx Group or any Designated Associate Company
through the applicable vesting date (set forth in the left
column), the Earned Performance Shares shall vest as follows and
become payable in accordance with Section 3.2 below:
Percentage of Earned |
||||
Date Earned Performance Shares Become Vested | Performance Shares that Become Vested | |||
First anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
||||
Second anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
||||
Third anniversary of Grant Date
|
[insert] | % | ||
[INSERT DATE]
|
(b) In the event of a termination of the Executive’s
employment with Xxxxxx Group or any Designated Associate Company
any unvested Earned Performance Shares as of the termination
date will be forfeited immediately by the Executive, subject to,
and except as otherwise specified within, the terms and
conditions of Sections 3.2(c) to 3.2(f) below.
(c) In the event of a termination of the Executive’s
employment as a result of death or Permanent Disability, the
RSUs shall become fully vested with respect to all Earned
Performance Shares on the termination date.
(d) In the event of a termination of the Executive’s
employment for reasons other than death, Permanent Disability or
Cause, the Committee may, in its discretion accelerate the
vesting of the RSUs over Earned Performance Shares as to all or
a portion of the Earned Performance Shares subject thereto. If
no determination is made as of the date of termination, then the
Earned Performance Shares shall, to the extent not then vested
be immediately forfeited by the Executive.
(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 Executive’s active employment
with the Company or any Subsidiary or Designated Associate
Company or (ii) the last day of any notice period or garden
leave, as provided for under the Executives’ employment or
service contract or local law
(f) In the event of a Change of Control, the RSUs shall not
automatically vest 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.
(g) The Executive agrees to execute and deliver the
following agreements or other documents in connection with the
grant of the RSUs within the period set forth below:
(i) the Executive must execute the Agreement of Restrictive
Covenants and Other Obligations pursuant to Article VI
below, if applicable, and deliver it to the Company within
45 days of the receipt of this Agreement;
(ii) the Executive must execute the form of joint election
as described in Schedule B for the United Kingdom and
deliver it to his employing company within 45 days of the
receipt of this Agreement; and
(iii) the Executive must execute the Acceptance Form and
deliver to the Company within 45 days of the receipt of
this Agreement.
6
(h) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, cancel the
RSUs if the Executive fails to execute and deliver the
agreements and documents within the period set forth in
Section 3.2(g) or fails to meet the requirements as set
forth in Section 3.1(a) and Exhibit 1 to the
Acceptance Form.
(i) Except as provided herein, Earned Performance Shares
that become vested in accordance with this Section 3.2
shall be delivered within one month following the applicable
vesting date (which payment schedule is intended to comply with
the “short-term deferral” exception from the
application of Section 409A of the Code). Subject to
Section 7.16 hereof, in the case the Committee exercises
its discretion under Section 3.1(c) hereof and the Earned
Performance Shares become vested on an accelerated basis
pursuant to either Section 3.2 (c), (d) or (e), the
Earned Performance Shares underlying the RSUs shall be delivered
on April 1st of the year following the last day of the
applicable Performance Period. Finally, the Company shall not be
required to pay out the Earned Performance Shares to the
Participant unless and until the Participant has paid or made
arrangements to pay any Tax-Related Items liability in
accordance with Section 2.5.
Section 3.3 — Conditions
to Issuance of Shares
The Earned Performance Shares to be delivered upon the vesting
of the RSUs, in accordance with Section 3.2 of the
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
deliver any certificates representing such Shares (or their
electronic equivalent) allotted and issued upon the applicable
date of the vesting of the RSUs prior to fulfillment of all of
the following conditions, and in any event, subject to
Section 409A of the Code for U.S. taxpayers:
(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 Executive has paid or made arrangements to pay the
Tax-Related Items pursuant to Section 2.5.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee
may in the case of U.S. resident employees of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or Designated Associate Companies
require an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to it to the
effect that any subsequent transfer of Shares acquired on the
vesting of RSUs does not violate the Exchange Act, and may issue
stop-transfer orders in the U.S. covering such Shares.
Section 3.4 — Rights
as Shareholder
The Executive 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 settlement of the RSUs
unless and until certificates representing such Shares or their
electronic equivalent shall have been issued by the Company to
the Executive.
Section 3.5 — Limitation
on Obligations
The Company’s obligation with respect to the RSUs granted
hereunder is limited solely to the delivery to the Executive of
Shares within the period when such Shares are due to be
delivered hereunder, and in no way shall the Company become
obligated to pay cash in respect of such obligation. The RSUs
shall not be secured by any specific assets of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or Designated Associate Companies, nor
shall any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Designated Associate Companies be designated as attributable or
allocated to the satisfaction of the Company’s obligations
under this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall not be
liable to the Executive for damages relating to any delays in
issuing the share certificates or its electronic equivalent to
the Executive (or his designated entities), any loss of the
certificates, or any mistakes or errors in the issuance of the
certificates (or the electronic equivalent) to the Executive (or
his designated entities) or in the certificates themselves.
7
ARTICLE IV
ADDITIONAL
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE RSUs
Section 4.1 — Nature
of Award
In accepting the RSUs, the Executive 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 RSU award is voluntary and occasional and does not
create any contractual or other right to receive future RSU
awards, or benefits in lieu of RSU awards, even if RSU awards
have been granted repeatedly in the past;
(c) all decisions with respect to future RSUs, if any, will
be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(d) the Executive’s participation in the Plan is
voluntary;
(e) the RSUs and any Shares acquired under the Plan are not
intended to replace any pension rights or compensation under any
pension arrangement;
(f) the RSUs 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, any
Subsidiary or Designated Associate Company;
(g) the future value of the Shares underlying the RSUs is
unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty; and
(h) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages
shall arise from the forfeiture of the RSUs or the Shares
underlying the RSUs in the event of the Executive’s
termination 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 RSU award to which the Executive is
otherwise not entitled, the Executive irrevocably agrees never
to institute any claim against the Company or any Subsidiary or
Designated Associate Company, waives his ability, if any, to
bring any such claim, and releases the Company and any
Subsidiary or Designated Associate Company from any such claim.
Section 4.2 — No
Advice Regarding Grant
The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice,
nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding the
Executive’s participation in the Plan, the issuance of
Shares upon vesting of the RSUs or sale of the Shares. The
Executive 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 V
DATA
PRIVACY NOTICE AND CONSENT
Section 5 — Data
Privacy
(a) The Executive hereby explicitly and unambiguously
consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or
other form, of the Executive’s personal data as described
in this Agreement and any other RSU materials by and among, as
applicable, the Employer, the Company and its Subsidiaries or
Designated Associate Companies for the exclusive purpose of
implementing, administering and managing the Executive’s
participation in the Plan.
(b) The Executive understands that the Company and
the Employer may hold certain personal information about the
Executive, including, but not limited to, the Executive’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
8
in the Company, details of all RSUs or any other
entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested,
unvested or outstanding in the Executive’s favor, for the
exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing
the Plan (“Data”).
(c) The Executive 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 Executive understands that the
recipients of the Data may be located in the Executive’s
country or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country
(e.g., Ireland) may have different data privacy laws and
protections from the Executive’s country. The Executive
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 Executive
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 Executive understands that Data will be held only
as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the
Executive’s participation in the Plan. The Executive
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 Executive
understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his consent
may affect the Executive’s ability to participate in the
Plan. For more information on the consequences of the
Executive’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent,
the Executive understands that he may contact his local human
resources representative.
ARTICLE VI
AGREEMENT
OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
Section 6 — Restrictive
Covenants and Other Obligations
In consideration of the grant of RSUs, the Executive 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 Executive 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
RSUs. If no such agreement is required, Schedule C shall
state none or not applicable.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 — 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 Executive, 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 RSUs. 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 7.2 — RSUs
Not Transferable
Neither the RSUs nor any interest or right therein or part
thereof shall be subject to the debts, contracts or engagements
of the Executive 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
9
Section 7.2 shall not prevent transfers made solely for
estate planning purposes or under a will or by the applicable
laws of inheritance.
Section 7.3 — 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 7.4 — 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.
One World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281
Attention: Share Plans
and any notice to be given to the Executive shall be at the
address set forth in the RSUs Acceptance Form.
By a notice given pursuant to this Section 7.4, 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
Executive shall, if the Executive is then deceased, be given to
the Executive’s personal representatives if such
representatives have previously informed the Company of their
status and address by written notice under this
Section 7.4. 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 Executive resident outside the United States of America or
the United Kingdom, sent by facsimile or with a recognized
international courier service.
Section 7.5 — Titles
Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to
serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this
Agreement.
Section 7.6 — Applicability
of Plan
The RSUs and the Shares underlying the RSUs shall be subject to
all of the terms and provisions of the Plan, to the extent
applicable to the RSUs and the underlying Shares. In the event
of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms
of the Plan shall control.
Section 7.7 — Amendment
This Agreement may be amended only by a document executed by the
parties hereto, which specifically states that it is amending
this Agreement.
Section 7.8 — Governing
Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with the laws of Ireland, without regard to its conflict 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 7.9 — 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
10
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 7.10 — 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 Executive 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 Executive accepts the
electronic signature of the Company.
Section 7.11 — Language
If the Executive has received this Agreement, or any other
document related to the RSUs
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 7.12 — 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.
Section 7.13 — Schedule B
The RSUs shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in
Schedule B for the Executive’s country of residence,
if any. If the Executive relocates to one of the countries
included in Schedule B during prior to the vesting of the
RSUs, the special provisions for such country shall apply to the
Executive, 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 7.14 — Imposition
of Other Requirements
The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on
the RSUs and the Shares acquired upon vesting of the RSUs, 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 Executive to sign
any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary
to accomplish the foregoing.
Section 7.15 — 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.
Section 7.16 — Code
Section 409A.
For purposes of U.S. taxpayers, it is intended that the
terms of the RSUs will comply with the provisions of
Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations
relating thereto so as not to subject the Executive to the
payment of additional taxes and interest under Section 409A
of the Code, and this Agreement will be interpreted, operated
and administered in a manner that is consistent with this
intent. In furtherance of this intent, the Committee may adopt
such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and
procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with
retroactive effect), or take any other actions, in each case,
without the consent of the Executive, that the Committee
determines are reasonable, necessary or appropriate to comply
with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and
related U.S. Department of Treasury guidance. In that
light, the Xxxxxx Group makes no representation or covenant to
ensure that the RSUs that are intended to be exempt from, or
compliant with, Section 409A of the Code are not so exempt
or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee with
respect thereto.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no
Shares underlying the RSU Awards under this Agreement that
constitute an item of deferred compensation under
Section 409A of the Code that become payable by reason of a
Participant’s termination of employment with the Company
shall be issued to the Participant unless the
11
Participant’s termination of employment constitutes a
“separation from service” (within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code and any the regulations or other
guidance thereunder). In addition, no such issuance shall be
made to the Participant prior to the earlier of (a) the
expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the
Participant’s separation from service or (b) the date
of the Participant’s death, if the Participant is deemed at
the time of such separation from service to be a “specified
employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the
Code and any the regulations or other guidance thereunder) and
to the extent such delayed commencement is otherwise required in
order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A
of the Code and any the regulations or other guidance thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have each
executed this Agreement.
XXXXXX GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
12
SCHEDULE A
ACCEPTANCE
FORM TO RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT 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 RSUs Granted
Grant Date
I accept the grant of Restricted Share Units (RSUs) 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 Restricted Share Unit Award
Agreement dated [insert date].
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.
One World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281
U.S.A.
This form should be returned to the above address within
45 days of receipt. Your RSUs may be cancelled if your form
is not received by that date.
13
EXHIBIT 1
ACCEPTANCE
FORM TO RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT 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 Period]
Earned
Date: Publication of Company’s Annual Financial
Results
Target 1:
Adjusted Operating Margin
(“OM”)
Target [INSERT]%
Percentage
of RSU Shares Subject to Target 1: 50%
89% or below |
||||||||
(OM of [INSERT] |
90-94% |
95-99% |
||||||
Performance Scale:* | or below) | (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 RSU Shares Subject to Target 2: 50%
89% or below |
||||||||
(EPS of $ [INSERT] |
90-94% |
95-99% |
||||||
Performance Scale:* | or below) | (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
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 Restricted Share Unit Award granted to the
Executive under the Xxxxxx Group Holdings 2008 Share
Purchase and Option Plan, as amended from time to time (the
“Plan”) if the Executive 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
Executive’s country as of June 2011. Such laws are often
complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly
recommends that the Executive not rely on the information noted
herein as the only source of information relating to the
consequences of the Executive’s participation in the Plan
because the information may be out of date at the time the RSUs
vest under the Plan.
In addition, the information is general in nature. The Company
is not providing the Executive with any tax advice with respect
to the RSUs. The information is provided below may not apply to
the Executive’s particular situation, and the Company is
not in a position to assure the Executive of any particular
result. Accordingly, the Executive is strongly advised to
seek appropriate professional advice as to how the tax or other
laws in the Executive’s country apply to the
Executive’s situation.
Finally, if the Executive is a citizen or resident of a country
other than the one in which the Executive is currently working,
transfers employment after the Grant Date, or is considered a
resident of another country for local law purposes, the
notifications contained herein may not be applicable to the
Executive, and the Company shall, in its discretion, determine
to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall
be applicable to the Executive.
UNITED
KINGDOM
Terms
and Conditions
Tax Withholding Obligations. The following
provisions supplement Section 2.5 of the Agreement:
The Executive agrees that if he or she does not pay or the
Employer or the Company does not withhold from the Executive the
full amount of Tax-Related Items that the Executive owes at
vesting of the RSUs, or the release or assignment of the RSUs
for consideration, or the receipt of any other benefit in
connection with the RSUs (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 Pensions) Act 2003, then the amount of any
uncollected income taxes will constitute a benefit to
Participant on which additional income tax and national
insurance contributions (“NICs”), including the
Employer’s NICs (as defined below) will be payable. The
Executive acknowledges that the Company or the Employer may
recover any such additional income tax and NICs at any time
thereafter by any of the means referred to in the
Section 2.5 of the Agreement, although the Executive
acknowledges that the Executive ultimately will be responsible
for reporting any income tax or NICs due on this additional
benefit directly to HMRC under the self-assessment regime.
15
Joint Election. In the case of Executives who
are U.K. tax residents, the RSU Award is conditional upon the
Executive 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 vesting, assignment, release or cancellation of any
RSUs. The Employer NICs may be collected by the Company or the
Employer using any of the methods described in Section 2.5.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Executive agrees to
execute a joint election with Company
and/or the
Employer (“Election”), the form of such Election being
formally approved by Her Majesty’s Revenue &
Customs (“HMRC”), and any other consent or elections
required to accomplish the transfer of the Employer NICs to the
Executive. The Executive further agrees to execute such other
joint elections as may be required between the Executive and any
successor to the Company
and/or the
Employer. If the Executive does not make an Election prior to
the vesting of the RSUs 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, the RSUs shall become null and void without any
liability to the Company
and/or the
Employer.
UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
Notifications
Exchange
Control Information
United States persons who have signature or other authority
over, or a financial interest in, bank, securities or other
financial accounts outside of the United States (including a
non-U.S. brokerage
account holding the Company’s Shares or proceeds from the
sale of same) must file a Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Report (“FBAR”) with the United States Internal
Revenue Service each calendar year in which the aggregate value
of the accounts exceeds $10,000. The FBAR must be on file by
June 30 of each calendar year for accounts held in the previous
year which exceed the aggregate value.
16