Bermuda
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
|
54161
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
|
98-0341111
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
John B. Tehan
Alan D. Schnitzer
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 455-2000
Facsimile: (212) 455-2502
|
John J. Huber
Raymond Y. Lin
Latham & Watkins
555 11th St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20004-1304
Telephone: (202) 637-2200
Facsimile: (202) 637-2201
|
Per Share
|
Total
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Initial public offering price | $ | $ | ||
Underwriting discount | $ | $ | ||
Proceeds, before expenses, to Accenture Ltd | $ | $ |
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
Morgan Stanley
|
JPMorgan
|
Lehman Brothers
|
Merrill Lynch & Co.
|
UBS Warburg
|
ABN AMRO Rothschild LLC
|
Per Share
|
Total
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Initial public offering price | $ | $ | ||
Underwriting discount | $ | $ | ||
Proceeds, before expenses, to Accenture Ltd | $ | $ |
Goldman Sachs International | Morgan Stanley |
|
Strategy & Business Architecture
Customer Relationship
Management
Supply Chain Management
Human Performance
|
Finance & Performance Management
Technology Research &
Innovation
Solutions Engineering
Solutions Operations
|
(1)
|
Includes non-partner employees.
|
(2)
|
Generally consists of our partners in countries other than Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway,
Spain, Sweden and the United States.
|
(3)
|
Generally consists of our partners in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the
United States. Our partners in Canada and New Zealand do not hold Accenture Ltd Class A common shares or Accenture SCA Class I common shares, but instead hold Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares. Each of these exchangeable shares is
exchangeable at the option of the holder for an Accenture Ltd Class A common share on a one-for-one basis and entitles its holder to receive distributions equal to any distributions to which an Accenture Ltd Class A common share entitles its
holder.
|
Class A common shares offered in the
offering |
115,000,000 Class A common shares. | |
Class A common shares to be outstanding
immediately following the offering(1) |
394,536,601 Class A common shares (or 989,999,405 Class A common shares if our partners holdings of Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares are redeemed or exchanged for newly issued Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis). |
(1)
|
Class A common shares to be outstanding immediately following the offering and the other information in the prospectus based
thereon reflects:
|
|
115,000,000 Class A common shares offered in the offering;
|
|
212,335,219 Class A common shares held by our partners (or 807,798,023 Class A common shares if our partners holdings
of Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares are redeemed or exchanged for newly issued Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis); and
|
|
67,201,382 Class A common shares underlying restricted share units that are fully vested or are scheduled to fully vest prior
to the end of the current fiscal year. Information in the prospectus also reflects the assumed issuance of an equivalent number of Accenture SCA Class I common shares to be issued to Accenture Ltd in connection with these restricted share
units.
|
Class A common shares to be outstanding immediately following the offering and the other information in the prospectus based
thereon does not reflect:
|
|
17,250,000 Class A common shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters overallotment option;
|
|
6,695,091 Class A common shares underlying restricted share units that will not fully vest prior to the end of the current
fiscal year; and
|
|
98,995,000 Class A common shares issuable pursuant to options.
|
See Accenture Organizational Structure and ManagementEmployee Awards.
|
By Accenture Ltd |
Accenture Ltd intends to use the net proceeds from
the offering to subscribe for Accenture SCA Class I common shares. |
|
By Accenture SCA |
Accenture SCA intends to use the proceeds it
receives from the issuance of its Class I common shares as follows: |
|
approximately $839 million for costs and
expenses incurred in connection with our transition to a corporate structure; |
|
approximately $245 million to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities; and
|
|
the balance for working capital, which previously was funded by our partners, and for general corporate purposes.
|
Voting rights
|
Each Class A common share and each Class X
common share will entitle its holder to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of Accenture Ltd. Immediately following the offering, our partners will own or control Class A common shares and Class X common shares representing, in the aggregate, approximately 82% of the voting interest in Accenture Ltd, or approximately 80% if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full. All of our partners who hold Class A or Class X common shares have entered into a voting agreement that requires them to vote as a group with respect to all matters voted upon by shareholders of Accenture Ltd. For a discussion of the voting agreement, see Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Voting Agreement. Our partners will effectively control us for as long as they continue to hold a significant block of voting rights. |
Dividend and distribution policy
|
We currently do not anticipate that Accenture Ltd or Accenture SCA will pay dividends.
|
Transfer restrictions
|
The equity interests that our partners own are subject to transfer restrictions that generally restrict sales for one year and then permit sales in increasing amounts
over the subsequent seven years. For a discussion of the terms of the transfer restrictions, see Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsVoting Agreement and Accenture SCA Transfer Rights Agreement and
Risk FactorsRisks That Relate to Your Ownership of Our Class A Common SharesOur share price may decline due to the large number of Class A common shares eligible for future sale.
|
New York Stock Exchange symbol
|
ACN
|
Risk factors
|
For a discussion of some of the factors you should consider before buying our Class A common shares, see Risk Factors.
|
Revenues
|
Cost of Services
|
Operating Income
|
Gain (Loss) on Investments
|
Provision for Taxes
|
Partnership Income Before Partnership Distributions
|
Historical
|
Pro forma
as adjusted |
Historical
|
Pro forma
as adjusted |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended August 31,
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Six months ended
|
Six months
ended |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
February 29,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
February 28,
2001 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $4,942 | $6,275 | $8,215 | $9,550 | $9,752 | $9,752 | $4,685 | $5,713 | $5,713 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursements | 768 | 1,172 | 1,425 | 1,529 | 1,788 | 1,788 | 799 | 909 | 909 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | 5,710 | 7,447 | 9,640 | 11,079 | 11,540 | 11,540 | 5,484 | 6,622 | 6,622 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses:* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services:* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses* | 2,678 | 3,470 | 4,700 | 5,457 | 5,486 | 6,138 | 2,660 | 2,943 | 3,508 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 768 | 1,172 | 1,425 | 1,529 | 1,788 | 1,788 | 799 | 909 | 909 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services* | 3,446 | 4,642 | 6,125 | 6,986 | 7,274 | 7,926 | 3,459 | 3,852 | 4,417 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing* | 532 | 611 | 696 | 790 | 883 | 1,192 | 421 | 453 | 674 | ||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative costs* | 659 | 819 | 1,036 | 1,271 | 1,297 | 1,441 | 640 | 766 | 799 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reorganization and rebranding costs* | | | | | | | | 189 | 189 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses* | 4,637 | 6,072 | 7,857 | 9,047 | 9,454 | 10,559 | 4,520 | 5,260 | 6,079 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income* | 1,073 | 1,375 | 1,783 | 2,032 | 2,086 | 981 | 964 | 1,362 | 543 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on investments, net | | | | 92 | 573 | 573 | 268 | 189 | 189 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | | | | 60 | 67 | 67 | 28 | 42 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (16 | ) | (19 | ) | (17 | ) | (27 | ) | (24 | ) | (35 | ) | (12 | ) | (10 | ) | (20 | ) | |||||||||||
Other income (expense) | (4 | ) | 4 | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | 51 | 51 | 19 | 24 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | | | (1 | ) | (6 | ) | (46 | ) | (46 | ) | (7 | ) | (42 | ) | (42 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income before taxes* | 1,053 | 1,360 | 1,759 | 2,146 | 2,707 | 1,591 | 1,260 | 1,565 | 736 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for taxes (1) | 116 | 118 | 74 | 123 | 243 | 636 | 115 | 135 | 294 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income before minority interest and cumulative
change in accounting* |
937 | 1,242 | 1,685 | 2,023 | 2,464 | 955 | 1,145 | 1,430 | 442 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest | | | | | | 573 | | | 265 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income before cumulative change in accounting* | 937 | 1,242 | 1,685 | 2,023 | 2,464 | $382 | 1,145 | 1,430 | $177 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | | | | | | 188 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions* (2) | $ 937 | $1,242 | $1,685 | $2,023 | $2,464 | $1,145 | $1,618 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
basic | $ 0.97 | $ 0.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
diluted | $ 0.96 | $ 0.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
basic | 394,536,601 | 395,875,619 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
diluted | 990,668,914 | 991,673,178 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
*
|
Historical information excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
(1)
|
Provision for taxes is not the same as income taxes of a corporation. For the historical periods, we operated through
partnerships in many countries. Therefore, we generally were not subject to income taxes in those countries. Taxes related to income earned by our partnerships were the responsibility of the individual partners. In other countries, we operated
through corporations, and in these circumstances we were subject to income taxes.
|
(2)
|
Partnership income before partner distributions is not comparable to net income of a corporation similarly determined.
Partnership income in historical periods is not executive compensation in the customary sense because partnership income is comprised of distributions of current earnings. Accordingly, compensation and benefits for services rendered by partners have
not been reflected as an expense in our historical combined financial statements.
|
Historical
|
Historical
|
Pro forma as
adjusted |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As of August 31,
|
As of
February 29, 2000 |
As of
February 28, 2001 |
As of
February 28, 2001 |
||||||||||||||
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 438 | $ 325 | $ 736 | $1,111 | $1,271 | $1,018 | $1,342 | $1,950 | |||||||||
Working capital | 280 | 175 | 531 | 913 | 1,015 | 909 | 860 | (82 | ) | ||||||||
Total assets | 2,323 | 2,550 | 3,704 | 4,615 | 5,451 | 5,326 | 5,474 | 6,246 | |||||||||
Long-term debt | 226 | 192 | 157 | 127 | 99 | 127 | 97 | 97 | |||||||||
Total partners capital | 696 | 761 | 1,507 | 2,208 | 2,368 | 2,473 | 1,948 | | |||||||||
Shareholders equity | | | | | | | | 176 |
Our services or products may infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.
|
Our engagements with clients may not be profitable.
|
If our affiliates, alliances or venture capital portfolio companies do not succeed, we may not be successful in
implementing our growth strategy.
|
Our global operations pose complex management, foreign currency, legal, tax and economic risks, which we may not
adequately address.
|
|
the absence in some jurisdictions of effective laws to protect our intellectual property rights;
|
|
multiple and possibly overlapping and conflicting tax laws;
|
|
restrictions on the movement of cash;
|
|
the burdens of complying with a wide variety of national and local laws;
|
|
political instability;
|
|
currency fluctuations;
|
|
longer payment cycles;
|
|
restrictions on the import and export of certain technologies;
|
|
price controls or restrictions on exchange of foreign currencies; and
|
|
trade barriers.
|
The consulting, information technology and outsourcing markets are highly competitive, and we may not be able to
compete effectively.
|
|
large accounting, consulting and other professional service firms;
|
|
information technology service providers;
|
|
application service providers;
|
|
packaged software vendors and resellers; and
|
|
service groups of computer equipment companies.
|
If we are unable to attract and retain employees in appropriate numbers, we will not be able to compete effectively and
will not be able to grow our business.
|
Our transition to a corporate structure may adversely affect our ability to recruit, retain and motivate our partners
and other key employees, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to compete effectively and to grow our business.
|
We have only a limited ability to protect our intellectual property rights, which are important to our
success.
|
Our profitability will suffer if we are not able to maintain our prices and utilization rates and control our
costs.
|
|
our clients perception of our ability to add value through our services;
|
|
competition;
|
|
introduction of new services or products by us or our competitors;
|
|
pricing policies of our competitors; and
|
|
general economic conditions.
|
|
seasonal trends, primarily as a result of our hiring cycle and holiday and summer vacations;
|
|
our ability to transition employees from completed projects to new engagements;
|
|
our ability to forecast demand for our services and thereby maintain an appropriate headcount; and
|
|
our ability to manage attrition.
|
Our quarterly revenues, operating results and profitability will vary from quarter to quarter, which may result in
increased volatility of our share price.
|
|
seasonality;
|
|
the business decisions of our clients regarding the use of our services;
|
|
the timing of projects and their termination;
|
|
the timing and extent of gains and losses on our portfolio of investments;
|
|
the timing of income or loss from affiliates;
|
|
our ability to transition employees quickly from completed projects to new engagements;
|
|
the introduction of new products or services by us or our competitors;
|
|
changes in our pricing policies or those of our competitors;
|
|
our ability to manage costs, including personnel costs and support services costs;
|
|
costs related to possible acquisitions of other businesses; and
|
|
global economic conditions.
|
The historical and pro forma financial information in this prospectus may not permit you to predict our costs of
operations.
|
Our management has no experience in managing a public company.
|
We expect to record substantial net losses in the fiscal quarters ended May 31, 2001 and August 31, 2001 due to a
number of nonrecurring items relating to our transition to a corporate structure and the offering.
|
We will continue to be controlled by our partners, whose interests may differ from those of our other
shareholders.
|
|
elect the board of directors and remove directors;
|
|
control our management and policies;
|
|
determine the outcome of most corporate transactions or other matters submitted to the shareholders for approval, including
mergers, amalgamations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and
|
|
act in their own interest as partners, which may conflict with or not be the same as the interests of shareholders who are
not partners.
|
|
select, for three to five years after the offering, five partner nominees for election to membership on the board of
directors of Accenture Ltd;
|
|
make a non-binding recommendation to the board of directors of Accenture Ltd through a committee of partners regarding the
selection of a chief executive officer of Accenture Ltd in the event a new chief executive officer is appointed within the first four years after the offering;
|
|
vote on new partner admissions;
|
|
approve the partners income plan as described below; and
|
|
hold a non-binding vote with respect to any decision to eliminate or materially change the current practice of allocating
partner compensation on a relative, or unit, basis.
|
Our share price may decline due to the large number of Class A common shares eligible for future
sale.
|
Anniversary
of offering |
Number of Class A
common shares that become available for sale by our partners(1) |
Percentage of Class A
common shares outstanding immediately following the offering that become available for sale(1) |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 80,779,802 | 8% | ||
2 | 121,169,703 | 12% | ||
3 | 80,779,802 | 8% | ||
4 | 80,779,802 | 8% | ||
5 | 80,779,802 | 8% | ||
6 | 80,779,802 | 8% | ||
7 | 80,779,802 | 8% | ||
8 | 201,949,506 | 20% |
(1)
|
Assumes our partners holdings of Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares
are redeemed or exchanged on a one-for-one basis.
|
There has been no prior market for the Class A common shares, and they may trade at prices below the initial public
offering price.
|
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of your Class A common
shares.
|
We may need additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us. The raising of additional capital may
dilute your ownership in us.
|
|
take advantage of opportunities, including more rapid expansion;
|
|
acquire complementary businesses or technologies;
|
|
develop new services and products; or
|
|
respond to competitive pressures.
|
We are registered in Bermuda, and a significant portion of our assets are located outside the United States. As a
result, it may not be possible for shareholders to enforce civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States.
|
Bermuda law differs from the laws in effect in the United States and may afford less protection to
shareholders.
|
(1)
|
Includes non-partner employees.
|
(2)
|
Generally consists of our partners in countries other than Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway,
Spain, Sweden and the United States.
|
(3)
|
Generally consists of our partners in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the
United States. Our partners in Canada and New Zealand do not hold Accenture Ltd Class A common shares or Accenture SCA Class I common shares but instead hold Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares. Each of these exchangeable shares is
exchangeable at the option of the holder for an Accenture Ltd Class A common share on a one-for-one basis and entitles its holder to receive distributions equal to any distributions to which an Accenture Ltd Class A common share entitles its
holder.
|
|
approximately $839 million for costs and expenses incurred in connection with our transition to a corporate
structure;
|
|
approximately $245 million to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities; and
|
|
the balance for working capital, which previously was funded by our partners, and for general corporate purposes.
|
|
on a historical combined basis;
|
|
on a pro forma combined basis giving effect to the pro forma adjustments described under Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information; and
|
|
on a pro forma combined basis giving effect to the pro forma adjustments described under Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information and as adjusted to reflect our sale in the offering of 115,000,000 Class A common shares at an assumed public offering price of $14.00 per share, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses payable by us.
|
As of February 28, 2001
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical
|
Pro
forma |
Pro forma
as adjusted |
||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $1,342 | $ 519 | $ 1,950 | |||||
|
|
|
||||||
Short-term bank borrowings | $ 213 | $ 213 | $ 213 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 30 | 30 | 30 | |||||
Long-term debt | 97 | 97 | 97 | |||||
Partners capital | 1,948 | | | |||||
Shareholders equity: | ||||||||
Preferred shares: 2,000,000,000 shares authorized | | | | |||||
Class A common shares, par value $0.0000225 per share,
20,000,000,000 shares authorized, 212,335,219 shares issued and outstanding pro forma; 327,335,219 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted |
| | | |||||
Class X common shares, par value $0.0000225 per share,
1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 591,161,473 shares issued and outstanding pro forma; 591,161,473 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted |
| | | |||||
Restricted share units (related to Class A common shares),
73,896,473 units issued and outstanding |
| | 1,035 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | | 11 | 1,264 | |||||
Retained earnings | | (1,098 | ) | (1,973 | ) | |||
Deferred compensation | | | (94 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | (56 | ) | (56 | ) | |||
|
|
|
||||||
Total shareholders equity | | (1,143 | ) | 176 | ||||
|
|
|
||||||
Total capitalization | $2,288 | $ (803 | ) | $ 516 | ||||
|
|
|
Assumed initial public offering price per Class A common share | $14.00 | |||
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of February 28, 2001 | $(4.41) | |||
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new
investors |
4.63 | |||
|
||||
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the offering (1) | 0.22 | |||
|
||||
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors (2) | $13.78 | |||
|
(1)
|
Intangible assets as of February 28, 2001 were $91 million, relating to intangible assets acquired in connection with the
separation from Andersen Worldwide and Arthur Andersen, or $0.23 per share after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments and adjustments for the offering described under Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.
|
(2)
|
Dilution is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the offering from
the initial public offering price per share paid by a new investor.
|
|
the transactions related to our transition to a corporate structure described under Certain Relationships and Related
TransactionsReorganization and Related Transactions;
|
|
compensation payments to employees who were partners prior to our transition to a corporate structure; and
|
|
provision for corporate income taxes.
|
|
approximately $839 million for costs associated with our transition to a corporate structure;
|
|
net compensation cost of approximately $960 million resulting from the grant of restricted share units in connection with the
offering;
|
|
recognition of deferred tax assets, net of liabilities, of approximately $164 million; and
|
|
recognition of a charitable contribution of $16 million.
|
For the six months ended February 28, 2001
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical
|
Pro forma
adjustments |
Pro forma
|
Adjustments
for the offering |
Pro forma as
adjusted |
|||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $5,713 | $ | $5,713 | $ | $ 5,713 | ||||||||||
Reimbursements | 909 | 909 | 909 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues | 6,622 | 6,622 | 6,622 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses:* | |||||||||||||||
Cost of services:* | |||||||||||||||
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses* | 2,943 | 559 | (a) | 3,502 | 6 | (k) | 3,508 | ||||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 909 | 909 | 909 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cost of services* | 3,852 | 559 | 4,411 | 6 | 4,417 | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing* | 453 | 219 | (a) | 672 | 2 | (k) | 674 | ||||||||
General and administrative costs* | 766 | 32 | (a) | 798 | 1 | (k) | 799 | ||||||||
Reorganization and rebranding costs* | 189 | 189 | 189 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expenses* | 5,260 | 810 | 6,070 | 9 | 6,079 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating income* | 1,362 | (810 | ) | 552 | (9 | ) | 543 | ||||||||
Gain on investments, net | 189 | 189 | 189 | ||||||||||||
Interest income | 42 | 42 | 42 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (10 | ) | (10 | )(b) | (32 | ) | 12 | (s) | (20 | ) | |||||
(12 | )(r) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | 24 | 24 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | (42 | ) | (42 | ) | (42 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income before taxes* | 1,565 | (832 | ) | 733 | 3 | 736 | |||||||||
Provision for taxes (1) | 135 | 158 | (c) | 293 | 1 | (c) | 294 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income before minority interest and cumulative change in
accounting* |
1,430 | (990 | ) | 440 | 2 | 442 | |||||||||
Minority interest | | 326 | (q) | 326 | (61 | )(q) | 265 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions and cumulative
change in accounting* (2) |
$1,430 | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before cumulative change in accounting | $ (1,316 | ) | $ 114 | $ 63 | 177 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||
Income before cumulative change in accounting applicable
to common shareholders |
|||||||||||||||
basic | $ 0.45 | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
diluted | $ 0.45 | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares | |||||||||||||||
basic | 395,875,619 | (d) | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
diluted | 991,673,178 | (d) | |||||||||||||
|
*
|
Historical information excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
(1)
|
Provision for taxes is not the same as income taxes of a corporation. For the historical periods, we operated through
partnerships in many countries. Therefore, we generally were not subject to income taxes in those countries. Taxes related to income earned by our partnerships were the responsibility of the individual partners. In other countries, we operated
through corporations, and in these circumstances we were subject to income taxes.
|
(2)
|
Partnership income before partner distributions is not comparable to net income of a corporation similarly determined.
Partnership income in historical periods is not executive compensation in the customary sense because partnership income is comprised of distributions of current earnings. Accordingly, compensation and benefits for services rendered by partners have
not been reflected as an expense in our historical combined financial statements.
|
For the year ended August 31, 2000
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical
|
Pro forma
adjustments |
Pro forma
|
Adjustments
for the offering |
Pro forma
as adjusted |
|||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $ 9,752 | $ | $ 9,752 | $ | $ 9,752 | ||||||||||
Reimbursements | 1,788 | 1,788 | 1,788 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues | 11,540 | 11,540 | 11,540 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses:* | |||||||||||||||
Cost of services:* | |||||||||||||||
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses* | 5,486 | 641 | (a) | 6,127 | 11 | (k) | 6,138 | ||||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 1,788 | 1,788 | 1,788 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cost of services* | 7,274 | 641 | 7,915 | 11 | 7,926 | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing* | 883 | 304 | (a) | 1,187 | 5 | (k) | 1,192 | ||||||||
General and administrative costs* | 1,297 | 141 | (a) | 1,438 | 3 | (k) | 1,441 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expenses* | 9,454 | 1,086 | 10,540 | 19 | 10,559 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating income* | 2,086 | (1,086 | ) | 1,000 | (19 | ) | 981 | ||||||||
Gain on investments, net | 573 | 573 | 573 | ||||||||||||
Interest income | 67 | 67 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (24 | ) | (11 | )(b) | (59 | ) | 24 | (s) | (35 | ) | |||||
(24 | )(r) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | 51 | 51 | 51 | ||||||||||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | (46 | ) | (46 | ) | (46 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income before taxes | 2,707 | (1,121 | ) | 1,586 | 5 | 1,591 | |||||||||
Provision for taxes (1) | 243 | 391 | (c) | 634 | 2 | 636 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income before minority interest* | 2,464 | (1,512 | ) | 952 | 3 | 955 | |||||||||
Minority interest | | 704 | (q) | 704 | (131 | )(q) | 573 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions* (2) | $ 2,464 | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $(2,216 | ) | $ 248 | $ 134 | $ 382 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||
Net income applicable to common shareholders: | |||||||||||||||
basic | $ 0.97 | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
diluted | $ 0.96 | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares: | |||||||||||||||
basic | 394,536,601 | (d) | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
diluted | 990,668,914 | (d) | |||||||||||||
|
*
|
Historical information excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
(1)
|
Provision for taxes is not the same as income taxes of a corporation. For the historical periods, we operated through
partnerships in many countries. Therefore, we generally were not subject to income taxes in those countries. Taxes related to income earned by our partnerships were the responsibility of the individual partners. In other countries, we operated
through corporations, and in these circumstances we were subject to income taxes.
|
(2)
|
Partnership income before partner distributions is not comparable to net income of a corporation similarly determined.
Partnership income in historical periods is not executive compensation in the customary sense because partnership income is comprised of distributions of current earnings. Accordingly, compensation and benefits for services rendered by partners have
not been reflected as an expense in our historical combined financial statements.
|
Historical
|
Pro forma
adjustments |
Pro
forma |
Adjustments
for the offering |
Pro forma as
adjusted |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $1,342 | $ (508 | )(f) | $ 519 | $1,516 | (l) | $ 1,950 | ||||||||
(282 | )(m) | (16 | )(p) | ||||||||||||
(33 | )(i) | (69 | )(g) | ||||||||||||
Short-term investments | 20 | 20 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Receivables from clients | 1,629 | 1,629 | 1,629 | ||||||||||||
Unbilled services | 800 | 800 | 800 | ||||||||||||
Due from related parties | 28 | 28 | 28 | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets | | 23 | (o) | 23 | 23 | ||||||||||
Other current assets | 261 | 261 | 261 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current assets | 4,080 | (800 | ) | 3,280 | 1,431 | 4,711 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-current assets: | |||||||||||||||
Due from related parties | 81 | 81 | 81 | ||||||||||||
Investments | 406 | 406 | 406 | ||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 759 | 759 | 759 | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets | | 66 | (o) | 66 | 75 | (o) | 141 | ||||||||
Other non-current assets | 148 | 148 | 148 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total non-current assets | 1,394 | 66 | 1,460 | 75 | 1,535 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets | $5,474 | $ (734 | ) | $ 4,740 | $1,506 | $ 6,246 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Short-term bank borrowings | $ 213 | $ | $ 213 | $ 213 | |||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 30 | 30 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable | 186 | 186 | 186 | ||||||||||||
Due to related parties | 300 | 14 | (e) | 1,438 | 1,438 | ||||||||||
1,401 | (e) | ||||||||||||||
(282 | )(m) | ||||||||||||||
5 | (f) | ||||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | 998 | 998 | 998 | ||||||||||||
Accrued payroll and related benefits | 929 | 41 | (j) | 1,048 | (31 | )(g) | 1,017 | ||||||||
78 | (h) | ||||||||||||||
Taxes payable | 305 | 305 | (6 | )(p) | 299 | ||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | | 334 | (i) | 334 | 334 | ||||||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 259 | 259 | 19 | (k) | 278 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 3,220 | 1,591 | 4,811 | (18 | ) | 4,793 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Non-current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 97 | 97 | 97 | ||||||||||||
Retirement benefits | | 294 | (j) | 294 | 294 | ||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | 209 | 472 | (i) | 681 | (58 | )(g) | 623 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total non-current liabilities | 306 | 766 | 1,072 | (58 | ) | 1,014 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Minority interest | | | 263 | (q) | 263 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Partners capital: | |||||||||||||||
Paid-in capital | 524 | (524 | )(f) | | | ||||||||||
Undistributed earnings | 1,480 | (1,401 | )(e) | | | ||||||||||
(14 | )(e) | ||||||||||||||
(65 | )(e) | ||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (56 | ) | 56 | (n) | | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total partners capital | 1,948 | (1,948 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Shareholders equity | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock: 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and
outstanding |
| | | ||||||||||||
Class A common shares, par value $0.0000225 per share, 20,000,000,000
shares authorized, (212,335,319 shares issued and outstanding pro forma; 327,335,319 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted) |
| | | ||||||||||||
Class X common shares, par value $0.0000225 per share, 1,000,000,000
shares authorized, (591,161,473 shares issued and outstanding pro forma; 591,161,473 shares issued and outstanding pro forma as adjusted) |
| | | ||||||||||||
Restricted share units (related to Class A common shares), 73,896,473
units issued and outstanding |
| | 941 | (k) | 1,035 | ||||||||||
94 | (k) | ||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | | 11 | (f) | 11 | 1,516 | (l) | 1,264 | ||||||||
(263 | )(q) | ||||||||||||||
Retained earnings (deficit) | | (839 | )(i) | (1,098 | ) | (10 | )(p) | (1,973 | ) | ||||||
65 | (e) | 20 | (g) | ||||||||||||
(78 | )(h) | 75 | (o) | ||||||||||||
(270 | )(j) | (960 | )(k) | ||||||||||||
(65 | )(j) | ||||||||||||||
89 | (o) | ||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation | | | | (94 | )(k) | (94 | ) | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | (56 | )(n) | (56 | ) | (56 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total shareholders equity (deficit) | | (1,143 | ) | (1,143 | ) | 1,319 | 176 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity (deficit) | $5,474 | $ (734 | ) | $ 4,740 | $1,506 | $ 6,246 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Adjustments reflect compensation and benefit costs totaling $810 and $1,086 for the six months ended February 28, 2001 and
for the year ended August 31, 2000, respectively, that we would have paid to our partners had we been in a corporate structure during the historical periods. Since Accenture has operated in historical periods as a series of related partnerships and
corporations under the control of our partners, payments to Accentures partners have generally been accounted for as distributions of partners income, rather than compensation expense. As a result, Accentures net income and
compensation and benefits expense have not reflected any payments for services rendered by partners. As a corporation, we will include payments for services rendered by our partners in compensation and benefits expense. The new compensation plan
adopted by us is comprised of a fixed salary amount, benefits and performance-based bonuses. All elements of the new compensation plan, including bonus, have been reflected in these adjustments because our partners would have earned the bonus based
on our results of operations for the historical periods. Compensation cost in the pro forma income statement does not include the fair value of restricted share units to be granted at the time of the offering to partners and employees that vest upon
grant or on August 31, 2001, discussed under note (k), because they are a one-time grant in connection with the offering.
|
Benefit costs are medical, dental and payroll taxes, all of which are based on estimated costs that would have been incurred
had these benefits been in place during the historical periods.
|
Compensation and benefit costs of partners have been allocated 69% and 59% to cost of services, 27% and 28% to sales and
marketing, and 4% and 13% to general and administrative costs for the six months ended February 28, 2001 and for the year ended August 31, 2000, respectively, based upon an estimate of the time spent on each activity at the appropriate cost rates.
The percentage allocation in the six months ended February 28, 2001 varies from the allocation in the year ended August 31, 2000 due to the admission of a significant number of new partners on September 1, 2000.
|
(b)
|
Reflects an adjustment of $10 and $11 for the six months ended February 28, 2001 and for the year ended August 31, 2000,
respectively, for the estimated interest expense on early-retirement benefits payable to partners discussed in note (j).
|
(c)
|
Reflects an adjustment for an estimated income tax provision as if we had operated in a corporate structure at a pro forma
tax rate of 40%. Pro forma as adjusted income taxes total $294 and $636 for the six months ended February 28, 2001 and for the year ended August 31, 2000, respectively. As a series of related partnerships and corporations under the control of our
partners, we generally were not subject to income taxes. However, some of the corporations were subject to income taxes in their local jurisdictions.
|
(d)
|
For the purposes of the pro forma earnings per share calculation, the weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted,
were calculated based on:
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 Pro forma as adjusted |
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 Pro forma as adjusted |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common share issuances
|
Basic
|
Diluted
|
Basic
|
Diluted
|
||||
Accenture Ltd Class A common shares | 212,335,219 | 212,335,219 | 212,335,219 | 212,335,219 | ||||
Accenture SCA Class I common shares | | 587,302,062 | | 587,302,062 | ||||
Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares | | 8,160,742 | | 8,160,742 | ||||
Restricted share unitsvested | 67,201,382 | 67,870,891 | 68,540,400 | 68,875,155 | ||||
New shares from offering | 115,000,000 | 115,000,000 | 115,000,000 | 115,000,000 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 394,536,601 | 990,668,914 | 395,875,619 | 991,673,178 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:
|
(e)
|
Adjustment to reflect distributions of pre-incorporation earnings of $1,401 to our partners. We expect this amount will be
paid in one or more installments on or prior to December 31, 2001. This amount represents the balance of undistributed earnings at February 28, 2001, less an amount of $65, which has been retained in Accenture Ltd related to the retirement benefits
referred to in note (j), and less an amount of $14 due to specific partners and reclassified as a liability.
|
(f)
|
Adjustment reflects a distribution of partners paid-in capital of $508 in cash in connection with our transition to a
corporate structure. The remaining $16 of paid-in capital will be converted to $11 of additional paid-in capital contained within shareholders equity and $5 payable to specific partners.
|
(g)
|
In connection with the grant of restricted share units, discussed in note (k), we are terminating our deferred bonus plan
(the eUnit Bonus Plan) for employees. Adjustment reflects an extinguishment of a liability of $89, of which $69 will be paid out in cash.
|
(h)
|
Adjustment to recognize partner-accrued vacation payable of $78 upon the consummation of our transition to a corporate
structure.
|
(i)
|
We anticipate incurring transaction costs totaling $839 in connection with its transition to a corporate structure. These
costs include the following:
|
|
Indirect taxes such as capital and stamp duty imposed on transfers of assets among group members;
|
|
Income taxes imposed on transfers of assets and liabilities among group members; and
|
|
Income taxes relating to mandatory changes in tax accounting methods.
|
Adjustment reflects costs associated with our transition to a corporate structure, including $33 in cash costs, the creation
of a current deferred tax liability of $334, and the creation of non-current accrued liabilities of $472. Of the $839 in costs, approximately $367 is expected to be paid in cash before December 31, 2001, approximately $190 is expected to be paid
before August 31, 2002 and the balance is expected to be paid prior to August 31, 2003, in each case out of cash from operations, borrowings, or other sources.
|
(j)
|
Adjustment to establish liabilities of $65 and $270 for the basic and early-retirement benefit plans, respectively, for
retired partners upon the consummation of our transition to a corporate structure. Of these amounts, $41 is classified as current.
|
All of our partners who retired prior to the consummation of our transition to a corporate structure, or their qualifying
surviving spouses, are paid basic retirement benefits for life. The amount of annual benefit payments is periodically adjusted for cost-of-living adjustments at the beginning of each calendar year. Basic retirement benefits were paid in 2000 to
retired partners and recorded as a distribution of partners income. Basic retirement benefits could be rescinded at any time by a two-thirds vote of the partners. Since retirement benefits were funded out of undistributed earnings, no
liability was reflected in the historical combined balance sheet.
|
Prior to September 1, 2000, early retirement benefits were paid to our partners retiring between the ages of 56 and 62.
Partners retiring at age 56 received early-retirement benefits based on two years earnings. Partners retiring after age 56 received reduced amounts declining on a straight-line basis that resulted in no payout to partners retiring at age 62.
Effective September 1, 2000, the early-retirement benefit program was modified to be payable at age 50 based on one years earnings, increasing on a straight-line basis to two years earnings at age 56 and declining to zero at age 62.
Retired partners could elect to receive early retirement benefits in the form of a lump-sum payment or installment payments over 10 years. Early retirement benefits could be rescinded at any time by the board of partners. Since retirement benefits
were funded out of undistributed earnings, no liability was reflected in the historical combined balance sheet.
|
(k)
|
Adjustment reflects the anticipated one-time grants of restricted share units to partners, former partners, and employees.
Each restricted share unit awarded will represent an unfunded, unsecured right, which is nontransferable except in the event of death, to receive a Class A common share on the date specified in the award agreement. We intend to grant restricted
share units on a one time basis on the date of the offering as follows:
|
|
35,000,000 to employees who are current holders of eUnits under the eUnit Bonus Plan described on page F-7 in replacement of
outstanding eUnits which are being cancelled as described in note (g) and to all employees in good standing.
|
|
15,042,077 to qualified former partners who retired or resigned prior to May 31, 2001, in respect of past
services.
|
|
17,159,305 to some of our employees that will be promoted to partner on September 1, 2001. These restricted share units will
vest on August 31, 2001.
|
|
6,695,091 to some of our recently admitted partners in respect of future service. These restricted share units will vest over
five years and will be expensed over the vesting period as services are rendered.
|
|
We recognize compensation expense for share-based compensation awards in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Under the
measurement principles of APB No. 25 and Financial Interpretation Number 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensationan Interpretation of APB 25, we have recognized a net compensation expense of $960
(50,042,077 restricted share units that vest upon grant and 17,159,305 restricted share units that vest on August 31, 2001 at $14.00 per share plus $19 of payroll taxes) in respect of the portion of restricted share units that are fully vested on
the date of the grant. See ManagementEmployee Awards. This includes $19 of payroll tax incurred on the grant of the restricted share units which has been recorded in current liabilities. In addition, we have recognized $9 and $19
for the six months ended February 28, 2001 and for the year ended August 31, 2000, respectively, for the portion of restricted share units that will vest over a five year period. The compensation cost of these restricted share units that will vest
over a five year period have been allocated 69% and 59% to cost of services, 27% and 28% to sales and marketing, and 4% and 13% to general and administrative costs for the six months ended February 28, 2001 and for the year ended August 31, 2000,
respectively. See note (a). The total cost of the restricted share units that vest over five years, $94 (6,695,091 restricted share units at $14.00 per share), has been recorded in the pro forma as adjusted balance sheet as deferred
compensation.
|
(l)
|
Adjustment to record net proceeds from the sale of 115,000,000 Class A common shares in the offering, resulting in net
proceeds of $1,516.
|
(m)
|
Adjustment to reflect the remaining cash payment of $282 paid in March 2001 in connection with our separation from Andersen
Worldwide and Arthur Andersen.
|
(n)
|
Adjustment to transfer accumulated other comprehensive loss of $56 from partners capital to shareholders
equity.
|
(o)
|
Adjustment to establish pro forma net deferred tax assets totaling $89, of which $23 has been classified as current,
increased by $75 related to adjustments for the offering to a $164 pro forma as adjusted net deferred tax asset, of which $23 has been classified as a current asset.
|
(p)
|
Reflects the payment of $16 in cash to the Accenture Foundation, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation, or to
comparable entities in other jurisdictions.
|
(q)
|
Reflects an assumed 74% minority interest ownership of partners in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings. This
percentage will be reduced to 60% by additional shares and restricted share units issued at the date of the offering. Also reflects the assumed issuance to Accenture Ltd of the 67,201,382 Accenture SCA Class I common shares that will be issued in
connection with the delivery of the 67,201,382 Accenture Ltd Class A common shares to be delivered upon the maturity of the 67,201,382 restricted share units which are considered fully vested and will be issued for no consideration solely upon the
passage of time for the purpose of the pro forma earnings per share and minority interest calculation.
|
Accenture Ltd owns a 26% economic interest and a 52% voting interest in Accenture SCA prior to the offering. The remaining
economic interest and voting interest are owned by certain of Accentures partners. Accenture SCA owns all of the operating companies and assets of the Accenture group.
|
The reorganization of the Accenture worldwide organization to a corporate structure will be accounted for as a reorganization
at carryover basis. Partners in the Accenture organization received shares of Accenture Ltd, Accenture SCA or Accenture Canada Holdings depending on their member firm. The shares of Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings held by the
partners will be treated as a minority interest in the consolidated financial statements of Accenture Ltd. However, the future exchange and/or acquisition of Accenture SCA or Accenture Canada Holdings shares will be accounted for at carryover
basis.
|
Upon the consummation of the offering, Accenture Ltd will issue additional shares. Upon receipt of consideration for these
shares, Accenture Ltd will subscribe for an equal number of additional shares in Accenture SCA for the same price per share, thereby increasing its percentage ownership in Accenture SCA.
|
Accenture Ltd is the sole general partner of Accenture SCA and owns the majority of the voting shares in Accenture SCA and
therefore consolidates Accenture SCA and its subsidiaries. Although the other shareholders of Accenture SCA hold more than 50% of the economic interest in Accenture SCA, they do not have voting control and therefore are considered to be a minority
interest.
|
(r)
|
Reflects an adjustment of $12 and $24 for the six months to February 28, 2001 and the year to August 31, 2000, respectively,
for the estimated interest expense on borrowings of $315 at an incremental borrowing rate of 7.5% incurred to repay partners paid-in capital in connection with the transition to a corporate structure.
|
(s)
|
Reflects an adjustment to eliminate the adjustment described in note (r) since the proceeds of the offering eliminate the
need for such borrowing.
|
Six months ended
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended August 31,
|
February 29, | February 28, | |||||||||||||||||||
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2000
|
2001
|
|||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $4,942 | $6,275 | $8,215 | $9,550 | $9,752 | $4,685 | $5,713 | ||||||||||||||
Reimbursements | 768 | 1,172 | 1,425 | 1,529 | 1,788 | 799 | 909 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenues | 5,710 | 7,447 | 9,640 | 11,079 | 11,540 | 5,484 | 6,622 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses:* | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services:* | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses* | 2,678 | 3,470 | 4,700 | 5,457 | 5,486 | 2,660 | 2,943 | ||||||||||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 768 | 1,172 | 1,425 | 1,529 | 1,788 | 799 | 909 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cost of services* | 3,446 | 4,642 | 6,125 | 6,986 | 7,274 | 3,459 | 3,852 | ||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing* | 532 | 611 | 696 | 790 | 883 | 421 | 453 | ||||||||||||||
General and administrative costs* | 659 | 819 | 1,036 | 1,271 | 1,297 | 640 | 766 | ||||||||||||||
Reorganization and rebranding costs | | | | | | | 189 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses* | 4,637 | 6,072 | 7,857 | 9,047 | 9,454 | 4,520 | 5,260 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Operating income* | 1,073 | 1,375 | 1,783 | 2,032 | 2,086 | 964 | 1,362 | ||||||||||||||
Gain on investments, net | | | | 92 | 573 | 268 | 189 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | | | | 60 | 67 | 28 | 42 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (16 | ) | (19 | ) | (17 | ) | (27 | ) | (24 | ) | (12 | ) | (10 | ) | |||||||
Other income (expense) | (4 | ) | 4 | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | 51 | 19 | 24 | |||||||||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | | | (1 | ) | (6 | ) | (46 | ) | (7 | ) | (42 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Income before taxes* | 1,053 | 1,360 | 1,759 | 2,146 | 2,707 | 1,260 | 1,565 | ||||||||||||||
Provision for taxes (1) | 116 | 118 | 74 | 123 | 243 | 115 | 135 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Income before cumulative change in accounting* | 937 | 1,242 | 1,685 | 2,023 | 2,464 | 1,145 | 1,430 | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting | | | | | | | 188 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions* (2) | $ 937 | $1,242 | $1,685 | $2,023 | $2,464 | $1,145 | $1,618 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
As of
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
As of August 31,
|
February 29, | February 28, | |||||||||||||||||||
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2000
|
2001
|
|||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 438 | $ 325 | $ 736 | $1,111 | $1,271 | $1,018 | $1,342 | ||||||||||||||
Working capital | 280 | 175 | 531 | 913 | 1,015 | 909 | 860 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 2,323 | 2,550 | 3,704 | 4,615 | 5,451 | 5,326 | 5,474 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 226 | 192 | 157 | 127 | 99 | 127 | 97 | ||||||||||||||
Total partners capital | 696 | 761 | 1,507 | 2,208 | 2,368 | 2,473 | 1,948 |
*
|
Excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
(1)
|
Provision for taxes is not the same as income taxes of a corporation for historical periods. We operated through partnerships
in many countries. Therefore, we generally were not subject to income taxes in those countries. Taxes related to income earned by our partnerships were the responsibility of the individual partners. In other countries, we operated through
corporations, and in these circumstances we were subject to income taxes.
|
(2)
|
Partnership income before partner distributions is not comparable to net income of a corporation similarly determined.
Partnership income in historical periods is not executive compensation in the customary sense because partnership income is comprised of distributions of current earnings. Accordingly, compensation and benefits for services rendered by partners have
not been reflected as an expense in our historical combined financial statements.
|
Presentation
|
Segments
|
Revenues
|
Operating Expenses
|
Cost of Services
|
Sales and Marketing
|
General and Administrative Costs
|
Reorganization and Rebranding Costs
|
Gain on Investments
|
Interest Income
|
Interest Expense
|
Other Income (Expense)
|
Equity in Losses of Affiliates
|
Provision for Taxes
|
Partnership Income Before Partner Distributions
|
As a Percentage of Revenues
|
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended August 31,
|
Six months ended
|
||||||||||||||
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
February 29,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
|||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | 85 | % | 86 | % | 85 | % | 85 | % | 86 | % | |||||
Reimbursements | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses* | |||||||||||||||
Cost of services*: | |||||||||||||||
Cost of services before
reimbursable
expenses* |
49 | 49 | 48 | 48 | 44 | ||||||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cost of services* | 64 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 58 | ||||||||||
Sales and marketing* | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||||
General and administrative costs* | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | ||||||||||
Reorganization and rebranding costs* | | | | | 3 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expenses* | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 79 | ||||||||||
Operating income(1)* | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | ||||||||||
Gain on investments | | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||
Interest income | | | | | 1 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | | | | | | ||||||||||
Other income (expense) | | | | | | ||||||||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | | | | | (1 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income before taxes* | 18 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 24 | ||||||||||
Provision for taxes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income before accounting change* | 17 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 22 | ||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | | | | 3 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions* | 17 | % | 18 | % | 21 | % | 21 | % | 25 | % | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
(1)
|
Operating income as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements was 22%, 21%, 21%, 21% and 24% for the years ended August
31, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and for the six months ended February 29, 2000 and February 28, 2001, respectively.
|
Year ended August 31,
|
Six months ended
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
February 29,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
|||||||||||
(in millions, except for percentages) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
Communications & High Tech | $1,903 | $ 2,499 | $ 2,806 | $1,309 | $1,666 | ||||||||||
Financial Services | 2,405 | 2,737 | 2,542 | 1,233 | 1,465 | ||||||||||
Government | 547 | 777 | 797 | 388 | 451 | ||||||||||
Products | 1,576 | 1,664 | 1,891 | 905 | 1,129 | ||||||||||
Resources | 1,702 | 1,812 | 1,661 | 822 | 954 | ||||||||||
Other | 82 | 61 | 55 | 28 | 48 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenues before
reimbursements |
8,215 | 9,550 | 9,752 | 4,685 | 5,713 | ||||||||||
Reimbursements | 1,425 | 1,529 | 1,788 | 799 | 909 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total | $9,640 | $11,079 | $11,540 | $5,484 | $6,622 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Revenues as a percentage of total: | |||||||||||||||
Communications & High Tech | 19 | % | 22 | % | 25 | % | 24 | % | 25 | % | |||||
Financial Services | 25 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 22 | ||||||||||
Government | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||
Products | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | ||||||||||
Resources | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | ||||||||||
Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenues before
reimbursements |
85 | 86 | 85 | 85 | 86 | ||||||||||
Reimbursements | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating Income: | |||||||||||||||
Communications & High Tech | $ 346 | $ 532 | $ 638 | $ 283 | $ 394 | ||||||||||
Financial Services | 681 | 814 | 653 | 295 | 429 | ||||||||||
Government | 20 | 94 | 71 | 34 | 40 | ||||||||||
Products | 350 | 250 | 390 | 184 | 257 | ||||||||||
Resources | 276 | 267 | 249 | 115 | 193 | ||||||||||
Other | 110 | 75 | 85 | 53 | 49 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total | $1,783 | $ 2,032 | $ 2,086 | $ 964 | $1,362 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating Income as a percentage of
total: |
|||||||||||||||
Communications & High Tech | 19 | % | 26 | % | 31 | % | 29 | % | 29 | % | |||||
Financial Services | 38 | 40 | 31 | 31 | 31 | ||||||||||
Government | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||||
Products | 20 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 19 | ||||||||||
Resources | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | ||||||||||
Other | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating Income as a percentage of
total revenues before reimbursements: |
|||||||||||||||
Communications & High Tech | 18 | % | 21 | % | 23 | % | 22 | % | 24 | % | |||||
Financial Services | 28 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 29 | ||||||||||
Government | 4 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||
Products | 22 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 23 | ||||||||||
Resources | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 20 | ||||||||||
Other | n/m | n/m | n/m | n/m | n/m | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total revenues before
reimbursements |
22 | % | 21 | % | 21 | % | 21 | % | 24 | % | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating Income as a percentage of
revenues |
18 | % | 18 | % | 18 | % | 18 | % | 21 | % | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended February 28, 2001 Compared to Six Months Ended February 29, 2000
|
Revenues
|
Operating Expenses
|
Operating Income
|
Gain on Investments
|
Interest Income
|
Other Income (Expense)
|
Equity in Losses of Affiliates
|
Provision for Taxes
|
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change
|
Year Ended August 31, 2000 Compared to Year Ended August 31, 1999
|
Revenues
|
Operating Expenses
|
Operating Income
|
Gain on Investments
|
Interest Income
|
Other Income (Expense)
|
Equity in Losses of Affiliates
|
Provision for Taxes
|
Year Ended August 31, 1999 Compared to Year Ended August 31, 1998
|
Revenues
|
Operating Expenses
|
Operating Income
|
Gain on Investments
|
Interest Income
|
Other Income (Expense)
|
Equity in Losses of Affiliates
|
Provision for Taxes
|
Quarterly Results
|
Three months ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 30,
1999 |
February 29,
2000 |
May 31,
2000 |
August 31,
2000 |
November 30,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
|||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues before
reimbursements |
$2,412 | $2,272 | $2561 | $2,507 | $2,831 | $2,882 | ||||||||||||
Reimbursements | 364 | 436 | 501 | 487 | 407 | 502 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues | 2,776 | 2,708 | 3,062 | 2,994 | 3,238 | 3,384 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses* | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services:* | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services before
reimbursable expenses* |
1,356 | 1,304 | 1,340 | 1,487 | 1,384 | 1,560 | ||||||||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 364 | 436 | 501 | 487 | 407 | 502 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Cost of services* | 1,720 | 1,740 | 1,841 | 1,974 | 1,791 | 2,062 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing* | 199 | 222 | 230 | 232 | 202 | 251 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative
costs* |
318 | 322 | 296 | 360 | 376 | 389 | ||||||||||||
Reorganization and rebranding
costs |
| | | | 30 | 159 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total operating expenses* | 2,237 | 2,284 | 2,367 | 2,566 | 2,399 | 2,861 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating income* | 539 | 424 | 695 | 428 | 839 | 523 | ||||||||||||
Gain on investments | 68 | 200 | 266 | 39 | 218 | (30 | ) | |||||||||||
Interest income | 14 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (7 | ) | (5 | ) | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | (4 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||
Other income (expense) | 6 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 7 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | (4 | ) | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | (37 | ) | (20 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income before taxes* | 616 | 643 | 983 | 465 | 1,063 | 503 | ||||||||||||
Provision for taxes | 42 | 71 | 81 | 49 | 53 | 83 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income before cumulative change in
accounting* |
574 | 572 | 902 | 416 | 1,010 | 420 | ||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting
change |
| | | | 188 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner
distributions* |
$ 574 | $ 572 | $ 902 | $ 416 | $1,198 | $ 420 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Excludes payments for partner distributions
|
|
take advantage of opportunities, including more rapid expansion;
|
|
acquire complementary businesses or technologies;
|
|
develop new services and products; or
|
|
respond to competitive pressures.
|
Foreign Currency Risk
|
Interest Rate Risk
|
Equity Price Risk
|
Valuation of investments assuming
indicated decrease |
August 31,
1999 fair value |
Valuation of investments assuming
indicated increase |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-30%
|
-20%
|
-10%
|
+10%
|
+20%
|
+30%
|
|||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Marketable Equity
Securities |
$211,713 | $241,958 | $272,202 | $302,447 | $332,692 | $362,936 | $393,181 |
Valuation of investments assuming
indicated decrease |
August 31,
2000 fair value |
Valuation of investments assuming
indicated increase |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-30%
|
-20%
|
-10%
|
+10%
|
+20%
|
+30%
|
|||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Marketable Equity
Securities |
$528,016 | $603,446 | $678,877 | $754,308 | $829,739 | $905,170 | $980,600 |
Valuation of investments assuming
indicated decrease |
February
28, 2001 fair value |
Valuation of investments assuming
indicated increase |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-30%
|
-20%
|
-10%
|
+10%
|
+20%
|
+30%
|
|||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Marketable Equity Securities
and Warrants Deemed Derivatives by SFAS 133 |
$148,556 | $169,779 | $191,001 | $212,223 | $233,446 | $254,668 | $275,891 |
|
Seamless Execution on a Global Scale.
We operate globally with one common brand and
business model designed to allow us to serve our clients on a consistent basis around the world. We believe that our global network of more than 75,000 employees in 46 countries provides us with a significant advantage in developing and delivering
solutions to the most complex strategic, technological and operational opportunities and challenges that our clients face. Our consulting professionals around the world share skills, insight, knowledge of local markets and service line expertise,
and receive a common base of extensive training to ensure the same high-quality services and solutions for clients globally.
|
|
Deep Industry Expertise.
We have developed specialized expertise and experience in the
18 industry groups in which our professionals work. Our industry focus enables our professionals to provide services with a thorough understanding of industry evolution, business issues and applicable technologies, and ultimately to deliver
solutions tailored to each clients industry.
|
|
Broad and Evolving Service Offerings.
We offer our clients what we believe is the
broadest and deepest service offering expertise in the industry. Our eight service lines, which span the global market units, are Strategy & Business Architecture, Finance & Performance Management, Human Performance, Customer Relationship
Management, Supply Chain Management, Solutions Engineering, Technology Research & Innovation, and Solutions Operations. More than 8,000 Accenture professionals are dedicated full time to a specific service line, helping to develop knowledge,
assets and innovative solutions for clients across all of the industries we serve. These subject matter experts complement the more than 55,000 professionals working within our global market units who apply their knowledge of a specific service line
to clients within an industry group.
|
|
Enduring Relationships with the Worlds Leading Corporations and Governments.
We
work with chief executive officers and other senior management at many of the worlds largest and most successful organizations, including the top companies in virtually every industry sector, and
governments worldwide. We serve 84 of the
Fortune
Global 100 and more than half of the
Fortune
Global 500. Our partners and senior executives are responsible for both winning client engagements and delivering service to clients,
ensuring continuity between what we promise to our clients and what we deliver. We believe that our commitment to client satisfaction serves to strengthen and extend our relationships. For example, more than 80% of our top 100 clients in fiscal year
2000, ranked by revenues before reimbursements, have been our clients for each of the last five years, and more than 50% have been clients for at least 10 years. Our clients typically retain us on a non-exclusive basis.
|
|
Technology Innovation and Implementation.
Technology is part of our heritage and is
fundamental to our service offerings. We are a leader in the development and implementation of technology-based business solutions that create value for our clients. In addition, our innovative tools, methodologies, software and other intellectual
property enhance our ability to deploy technical solutions, particularly across large-scale, global platforms.
|
|
Distinctive People and Culture.
Our most important asset is our people. We are deeply
committed to the long-term development of our employees, whom we recruit from universities and industry. Each professional receives extensive and focused technical and managerial skills development training throughout his or her career with us,
including 750 hours of training for our entry-level professionals in their first five years. In fiscal year 2000, we spent $580 million, or nearly 5% of our revenues, on training and development. We seek to reinforce our employees commitment
to our clients, culture and values through a comprehensive performance review system and a competitive compensation philosophy that reward individual performance and teamwork. In addition, in connection with the offering, we intend to grant equity
awards to our employees in order to promote employee ownership of our company and improve retention. After the offering, we will preserve the management practices, including the continued use of the partner title, that reinforce our
partnership culture and the collaboration, motivation, alignment of interests and sense of ownership and reward that our partnership culture has sustained.
|
|
Proven, Tenured and Highly Motivated Management Team.
Our more than 2,400 partners
manage our day-to-day activities and client relationships and have an average of 14 years of experience with us. In addition to establishing and supporting enduring client relationships, our partners focus on mentoring our professionals at all
levels to develop the next generation of firm leadership. None of our partners will be selling shares in the offering and, immediately following the offering, our partners will own approximately 82% of the equity in our business, or 80% if the
underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full.
|
|
Highly Diversified Business by Industry, Geography and Technology.
Our global business
is highly diverse. We operate across virtually every industry and geography, delivering a wide range of business and technology solutions and services to address the strategic and functional business challenges that organizations face. As a result,
we can deploy our professionals anywhere in the world in response to evolving marketplace opportunities or challenges. Not only does our diversification enable us to take advantage of changing business, technological and economic conditions
worldwide, it also allows us to manage through geographic and industry market cycles.
|
|
History of Staying Ahead of Industry Trends.
Throughout our history, we have reinvented
ourselves to capitalize on evolving management trends and technologies for the benefit of our
clients. We pioneered systems integration and business integration; we led the deployment of enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and electronic services; and we have established ourselves as a leader in todays
marketplace. We constantly adapt our service offerings in anticipation of future industry trends.
|
|
Deliver Value@Speed for Our Clients.
Successful client relationships depend
on our ability to help clients quickly deliver more value to their customers and shareholders. We have implemented a global initiative, called Value@Speed, to help clients accelerate development of top- and bottom-line growth. Through this
initiative we develop proprietary offerings aimed at creating value within specific industries. We do this by developing an in-depth understanding of how the industries are structured and operate, key trends within the industries and how companies
are affected by these trends, and how companies can create or destroy value. Our strategy is to work closely with client executives to implement value-generating solutions that contribute to superior financial performance and enhance productivity on
an accelerated basis.
|
|
Accelerate and Ride the Waves of Change.
Industry today is characterized by
ongoing waves of technological and business change that present our clients with significant value-creation opportunities. We leverage our network of businesses to help organizations apply business and technology solutions that create value by
realizing the opportunities presented by these waves of change. We believe that our significant scale and access to capital will enable us to continue to make the investments in research and development, tools and methodologies and intellectual
property necessary to anticipate these waves and rapidly develop and deliver business and technology solutions based on them.
|
|
Create Asset-Based Solutions to Drive Superior Results.
To deliver value to our clients
more quickly, we create assets, such as software and business architectures and methodologies for business processes, that enable us to rapidly implement market-ready solutions for our clients. One example is the 24-hour online multi-channel
transaction processing software asset we developed for the banking industry, which has been installed in 89 financial institutions in 16 countries. We recognize the value of intellectual property in the new marketplace and vigorously create, harvest
and protect our intellectual property. We have filed more than 600 patent applications in the United States and other jurisdictions in the last two years and have received more than 40 United States patents.
|
|
Leverage Our Expertise in Transformational Outsourcing.
We are helping our clients
create value by leveraging information technology to reinvent and transform fundamental business operations. Using our knowledge of consulting, business process infrastructure and applications
outsourcing, we believe we are well positioned to develop and implement new business models and operate critical business functions for clients around the world. We refer to the creation of new and innovative ways to manage and operate business
functions in a manner that helps refocus the cost base around the business strategic goals as transformational outsourcing. We pursue transformational outsourcing opportunities, which require a combination of consulting and outsourcing skills.
Our strategy is to leverage our industry expertise and technology and business process skills to help clients discover and create new business models and, in many cases, transform entire business functions.
|
|
Aggressively Grow in Attractive Geographic Markets.
Demand for the services we provide
is growing rapidly in both established and emerging economies, such as parts of Asia and Latin America. We have offices in 46 countries around the world and, while we are a leader in the majority of markets in which we operate, we believe there are
significant opportunities for us to grow in multiple geographies, including by way of investment. Given the fragmented nature of the worldwide business consulting and information technology services market, and based on our market knowledge of the
markets in each of the 46 countries in which we operate, we believe there is room for us to increase our market share on a global basis.
|
|
Foster a Great Place to Work.
We derive our success from the ability of our
professionals to help our clients succeed in todays complex business environment. Our ability to hire, train, develop and retain our professionals is critical to our enterprise. To attract and retain these professionals, we have a great
place to work program, which includes performance metrics to hold our leadership accountable for employee satisfaction and retention. In an early initiative in this program, we promoted 1,286 new partners in September 2000 to further
incentivize our professionals at an earlier stage in their careers with us. Our goal is to create an environment in which we can:
|
|
develop inspiring leaders;
|
|
cultivate a diverse workforce;
|
|
create interesting work;
|
|
provide continuous learning;
|
|
support flexible workstyles; and
|
|
provide competitive rewards.
|
The marketplace for high-caliber consulting professionals has become very competitive in many parts of the world, and we are
committed to providing attractive current compensation and significant long-term incentives for our employees.
|
|
Enhance Our Operational Efficiency.
As experts in operational efficiency, we plan to
provide value to our clients as well as our shareholders by maintaining our organization as a cost-effective, technology-enabled company with strong financial discipline. This includes continuous improvement in our client delivery capabilities and
cost structure. We intend to continue to electronically enable our own business processes in areas such as human resources, training, recruiting, performance management and finance and operations management. Our continued focus on efficiency is
intended to optimize the performance of our organization as we increase our scale and scope.
|
Global Market Units
|
Global Market Units
|
Communications & High Tech
|
Communications & High Tech
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before reimbursements (in millions): | $2,806 | $1,666 | ||||
Percent of revenues before reimbursements: | 29 | % | 29 | % |
Number of employees as
of May 31, 2001: |
16,503 |
Clients
|
AT&T Corp.
BellSouth
Corporation
Cable & Wireless
PLC
Compaq Computer
Corporation
Deutsche Telekom
AG
Electronic Arts
France Telecom
Infostrada S.p.A.
LM Ericsson AB
Microsoft
Corporation
|
Nokia Corporation
Nortel Networks
Corporation
Sony Corporation
Sprint Corporation
Sun Microsystems,
Inc.
Telecom Argentina
Telecom Italia
S.p.A.
Telenor AS
Texas Instruments,
Incorporated
Verizon
Communications
|
|
Communications.
Our Communications industry group serves many of the worlds
leading wireline, wireless, cable and satellite communications companies. In fiscal year 2000, we served 19 of the 21 telecommunications companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. We provide a wide range of services designed to help our
communications clients increase margins and market share, improve customer retention, increase revenues, reduce overall costs and accelerate sales cycles. For instance, communications companies have extremely complex billing systems, and we believe
that our industry knowledge and experience have made us the industry leader in developing, implementing and operating billing systems tailored to our communications clients needs. We have expertise in next-generation networks, as demonstrated
by our numerous patent applications in areas such as high-speed networks, system architectures and bandwidth trading. Over the last decade, we have worked with many of the worlds leading communications companies on a number of strategic,
operational and systems consulting projects. For example, since 1998 we have been managing many of BellSouths applications as part of one of the largest information technology outsourcing arrangements in the telecommunications
industry.
|
|
Electronics & High Tech.
Our Electronics & High Tech industry group serves the
aerospace, defense, electronics, high technology and network communications industries. In fiscal year 2000, we worked with 37 of the 47 aerospace, computer services and software, computer, office equipment, electronics, electrical equipment,
network communications, scientific, photo and control equipment companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. This industry group provides services in such areas as electronic commerce and strategy and supply chain management. For instance, we helped
Sharp build a Web-based system that enables the companys large network of office-products dealers and corporate customers to configure and purchase products online, ultimately improving order accuracy and reducing order cycle time. By
providing up-to-the-second order information, the new system enables Sharps customers to track the status of their orders online, greatly reducing costly telephone inquiries. We also helped Dell Computer upgrade its already world-class
manufacturing infrastructure as part of an accelerated supply-chain solution. A key
element was a rigorous process-reengineering program that enables Dell to keep no more than a few hours of inventory of parts and supplies on hand, substantially reducing inventory and carrying costs at its manufacturing facilities.
|
|
Media & Entertainment.
Our Media & Entertainment industry group serves
entertainment, print and publishing companies, as well as innovative new ventures and Internet companies. In fiscal year 2000, we worked with five of the nine entertainment, printing and publishing companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. Our
Media & Entertainment industry group provides an array of services ranging from customer relationship management to digital content infrastructure. For instance, we have helped several media and entertainment clients design and build electronic
business solutions. We worked with Electronic Arts to design and develop their advanced gaming portal, EA.com. Additionally, we have helped our media and entertainment clients use digital content services and exploit mobile and broadband commerce.
For example, we played a central role in the launch of Qpass, a start-up backed by Accenture Technology Ventures that provides an end-to-end commerce infrastructure for processing transactions across the Internet, wireless and broadband
platforms.
|
Financial Services
|
Financial Services
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before reimbursements (in millions): | $2,542 | $1,465 | ||||
Percent of revenues before reimbursements: | 26 | % | 26 | % |
Number of employees as
of May 31, 2001: |
15,108 |
Allianz
Allstate Insurance
Company
AMP Limited
AXA Group
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
Argentaria
Barclays Bank plc.
BSCH
Clearstream
International
Credit Suisse
Group
Deutsche Bank AG
|
Dresdner Bank Group
E*TRADE
The Goldman Sachs Group,
Inc.
J. P. Morgan Chase &
Co.
Lloyds TSB
London Stock
Exchange
UnitedHealth Group
Visa USA
Washington Mutual,
Inc.
Zurich Financial
Services
|
|
Banking.
In fiscal year 2000, our Banking industry group worked with 49 of the 75
commercial and savings banks, diversified financials and securities companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. We also work with a variety of new entrants and innovators, such as on-line banks and brokerages. We help these organizations develop and
execute strategies to target, acquire and retain customers more effectively, expand product and service offerings, and leverage new technologies and distribution channels. For example, we helped E*TRADE define and implement its customer relationship
management strategy, which included developing the technology infrastructure and business processes required to generate customer insights. As a result, E*TRADE is able to develop targeted marketing campaigns and strengthen its customer
relationships. We consulted with Visa USA, one of the worlds largest consumer payment systems, as it modernized its core infrastructure, which supports clearing, settlement and authorization transactions between member banks and merchants.
This solution, called Visa Direct Exchange, allows transactions to be processed over a single, flexible, reliable and secure network and messaging architecture. This capability gives Visa USA the flexibility to grow its business to support more than
40 billion transactions annually, with peak capabilities of 10,000 transactions per second.
|
|
Health Services.
Our Health Services industry group serves integrated healthcare
providers, health insurers, managed care organizations, biotech and life sciences companies and policy-making authorities. In fiscal year 2000, our Health Services industry group served five of the seven health care companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. We are helping our clients in the health plan and health insurance area in North America accelerate their business by connecting consumers, physicians and other stakeholders through electronic commerce. For example, we helped
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield develop and execute an electronic consumer health management strategy, including separate portals for consumers, providers, groups and agents. In Europe, we are helping create new connections between governments,
physicians and insurers.
|
|
Insurance.
Our Insurance industry group helps property and casualty insurers,
life insurers, reinsurance firms and insurance brokers improve business processes, develop Internet insurance businesses and improve the quality and consistency of risk selection decisions. In fiscal year 2000, we served 25 of the 53 insurance
companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. For example, we have been helping Pacific Life design and implement an innovative service capability for its agent network. Components of the solution include automated document management and workflow and
a knowledge management application. These components, coupled with a new technology infrastructure, are designed to enable Pacific Life to continue its high-end product and services strategy while enhancing the capabilities of its employees to
service Pacific Lifes multiple distribution systems and complex product suite. We also help insurers take advantage of the opportunities provided by convergence within the financial services industry. For instance, we helped AMP, one of
Australias leading insurance and investment institutions, create a direct bank within just eight months of AMPs decision to proceed. In conjunction with AMP staff, we designed and delivered a solution that supports secured and unsecured
lending, deposit-taking and credit cards. In addition, our Insurance industry group has also developed a claims management capability that enables insurers to provide better customer service while optimizing claims costs.
|
Products
|
Products
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before reimbursements (in millions): | $1,891 | $1,129 | ||||
Percent of revenues before reimbursements: | 19 | % | 20 | % |
Number of employees as
of May 31, 2001: |
10,347 |
Adecco SA
AstraZeneca
Auchan
Best Buy
British American
Tobacco
Carrefour
Daimler Chrysler
Exel
Fiat S.p.A.
Ford Motor Company
|
GlaxoSmithKline
JCPenney Company,
Inc.
Johnson &
Johnson
Marriott International,
Inc.
Retek, Inc
Ryder System Inc.
Takeda Chemical Industries,
Ltd.
Toys R Us,
Inc.
United Parcel Service,
Inc.
Volvo
|
|
Automotive.
Our Automotive industry group works with auto manufacturers, suppliers,
dealers, retailers and service providers. In fiscal year 2000, we served 15 of the 25 motor vehicles and parts companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. Our automotive industry professionals work with our clients to develop and implement solutions
focused on customer service and retention, channel strategy and management, branding, buyer-driven business models, cost reduction, customer relationship management and integrated supplier partnerships. For instance, we helped Ford Motor Company
design, build and manage a Web-based eLearning solution to deliver technical education to the companys suppliers. Designed and built in 14 weeks, the netsourced solution allows suppliers employees to register for, purchase and complete
courses and to take tests to demonstrate competency in a specific subject area. By delivering training directly to employees desktops, the system gives participants the flexibility to learn on their own time.
|
|
Consumer Goods & Services.
Our Consumer Goods & Services industry group helps
food, beverage, tobacco, household products, cosmetics and apparel companies move beyond incremental cost cutting and establish bolder innovation and growth agendas. In fiscal year 2000, we worked with 12 of the 21 beverage, food, soap, cosmetics
and tobacco companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. This industry group adds value to companies through innovative service offerings that address, among other things, new ways of reaching the retail trade and consumers through precision consumer
marketing, maximizing brand synergies and cost reductions in mergers and acquisitions, and improving supply chain efficiencies through collaborative commerce business models. For example, we are working with CPGmarket.com, a Europe-based global
business-to-business marketplace that includes 30 leading packaged goods companies. We have helped CPGmarket.com with business planning and building an information technology infrastructure that enables member companies to access the exchanges
services. We also provide management consulting services to North America-based Transora, which was established by more than 50 of the worlds largest consumer packaged goods manufacturers to develop a global electronic marketplace for the
industry. In addition, we are a preferred integrator to help companies across the consumer products supply chain adopt, integrate and use Transoras services. We also helped Earthgrains, a $2.6 billion bakery and refrigerated dough
manufacturer, reduce costs by
developing an Internet-based procurement process and system that enables the company to leverage the collective purchasing power of its operations in 32 states.
|
|
Industrial Equipment.
Our Industrial Equipment industry group serves the industrial and
electrical equipment, construction, consumer durable and heavy equipment industries. In fiscal year 2000, we served six of the 12 building materials, glass, and industrial and farm equipment companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. We help our
clients increase operating and supply chain efficiency by improving processes and leveraging technology. For example, we implemented a sophisticated enterprise-wide technology solution for Komatsu to help the company significantly increase the
efficiency of its back- and front-office functions in the United States. We also work with clients to generate value from strategic mergers and acquisitions. For instance, as part of the merger of BTR and Siebe to create Invensys, an automation and
controls company, we helped manage the integration of more than 200 workstreams covering human resources, finance, procurement and supply chain management. Our Industrial Equipment industry group also develops and deploys innovative solutions in the
area of channel management, collaborative product design, remote field maintenance, enterprise application integration and outsourcing.
|
|
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products.
Our Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products
industry group serves pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical products and other industry-related companies. In fiscal year 2000, we served all 14 of the pharmaceuticals companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. With knowledge in discovery,
development, manufacturing, supply chain, and sales and marketing issues, we help companies identify and exploit opportunities for value creation, such as reducing the time it takes to develop and deliver new drugs to market through process
improvements and implementation of technology. For example, we helped Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline) significantly increase their clinical trial capacity while reducing their cycle time, and we helped the Medicines Control Agency in the United
Kingdom use electronic commerce technologies to improve their efficiency in submitting and processing regulatory applications. In addition, we worked with Takeda Pharmaceuticals America to help the company build a comprehensive set of business
capabilities, including product development, supply chain management, and sales and marketing. Our Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products industry group also helps clients integrate new discovery technologies, realize the potential of genomics and
biotechnology, become more patient-centric, and create new business models that deliver medical breakthroughs more rapidly.
|
|
Retail.
Our Retail industry group serves a wide spectrum of retailers ranging from
convenience stores to destination stores, including supermarkets, specialty premium retailers and large mass-merchandise discounters. In fiscal year 2000, we served 21 of the 52 food and drug stores, general merchandisers and specialty retailers, as
well as four of the trading companies, in the
Fortune
Global 500. Our Retail industry group professionals work with clients to improve operational performance, increase advertising and merchandising effectiveness, and enhance supply chain and
customer relationship management capabilities. For example, Best Buy engaged us for a two-year program, called Process to Profits, designed to drive shareholder value and enhance the retailers capabilities through improved assortment planning,
pricing, inventory management, product sourcing and advertising effectiveness. The programs success led Best Buy to publicly credit Accenture with playing a strong role in the companys return to profitability. More recently, we entered
into a long-term contract with J Sainsbury PLC to assist the company with a full-scale transformation of its business and technology to improve its customers shopping experiences.
|
|
Transportation & Travel Services.
Our Transportation & Travel Services industry
group serves clients in the airline, freight transportation, third-party logistics, hospitality, gaming, car rental, passenger rail and travel distribution industries. In fiscal year 2000, we served 14 of the 25 airline, railroad, mail, package, and
freight delivery companies and postal services in the
Fortune
Global 500. We help clients develop and implement strategies and solutions to improve customer relationship management capabilities, operate more-efficient networks, integrate supply chains, develop procurement and electronic business
marketplace strategies and more effectively manage maintenance, repair and overhaul processes and expenses. We recently helped Finnish Rail, the largest transportation company in Finland, reduce costs and improve customer service by creating an
advanced ticketing sales system that integrates multiple sales channels and streamlines processes for ticket sales, railway station back-offices and corporate headquarters. Our industry experience and knowledge drive innovation, and we often
leverage our intellectual property to develop effective solutions for multiple clients. For instance, while working for Northwest Airlines in the early 1990s we recognized an industry-wide need for a revenue accounting and billing system and
developed a comprehensive solution to address the unique needs of the airline industry. That solution, which was later expanded to include distribution and reservation system services, is operated by Navitaire Inc., an Accenture affiliate, which
today serves more than 50 airlines worldwide.
|
Resources
|
Resources
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before reimbursements (in millions): | $1,661 | $954 | ||||
Percent of revenues before reimbursements: | 17 | % | 17 | % |
Number of employees as
of May 31, 2001: |
10,713 |
Ameren Corporation
BP
Centrica plc
Conoco Inc.
The Dow Chemical
Company
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company
EDF
Electrabel
Eni
Entergy
Corporation
|
Equilon Enterprises LLC
Exelon Corporation
Exxon Mobil
Corporation
Grupo Endesa
Halliburton
Company
Royal Dutch/Shell Group of
Companies
RWE AG
Seeboard PLC
Sithe Energies,
Inc.
Tosco Corporation
|
|
Chemicals.
Our Chemicals industry group serves 51 of the worlds 100 largest
chemicals companies, including all of the 10 largest companies. In fiscal year 2000 we worked with nine of the 11 chemicals companies, as well as several of the petroleum refining companies, in the
Fortune
Global 500. This industry group has significant resources in Europe, Asia, Japan and the Americas and works with a wide cross-section of industry segments, including specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, polymers and plastics,
gases and life science companies. We also have long-term operations contracts with many of the industry leaders, including Dow and DuPont. For instance, our innovative outsourcing arrangement with Dow Chemical for information technology application
development is designed to improve significantly Dows return on its information technology investment. We have also worked closely with many chemical industry electronic marketplaces and start-ups, including ChemConnect, one of the
worlds largest Internet chemicals exchanges.
|
|
Energy.
Our Energy industry group serves a wide range of companies in the oil and gas
industry, including upstream, downstream and oil services companies. In fiscal year 2000, we served 22 of the 33 energy and petroleum refining companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. Our clients include BP, Shell, Halliburton, Enron and Exxon
Mobil, among others. We help clients create cross-industry synergies and operational efficiencies through our multi-client outsourcing centers, forge alliances to advance integrated industry solutions, build new markets in Asia, establish electronic
procurement exchanges, build and enhance trading and risk management operations, and exploit new business technologies.
|
|
Forest Products.
In fiscal year 2000, we served four of the six forest and paper
products companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. The Forest Products industry group helps our clients in the pulp and paper business achieve improvements in business performance from the individual mill level throughout the value chain. We also
help our Forest Products clients use electronic commerce and the Internet to drive incremental value.
|
|
Metals & Mining.
Our Metals & Mining industry group serves metals industry
clients located in the worlds key mining regions, including North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and South East Asia. In fiscal year 2000, we served seven of the 18 metals, metal products, mining and crude-oil production
companies in the
Fortune
Global 500. The Metals & Mining industry group works with clients in areas such as electronic commerce, including procurement, supply-chain management and customer service. For example, we are providing a wide
range of strategy, process and technology support for MetalSite, a North America-based marketplace, including the creation and launch of its site in Japan. In addition, we are working with Quadrem to design, build and support an electronic
marketplace founded by 20 of the worlds largest mining, metals and mineral companies.
|
|
Utilities.
Our Utilities industry group works with electric, gas and water utilities
around the world to respond to an evolving and highly competitive marketplace. In fiscal year 2000, we served 12 of the 17 gas and electric utilities, as well as several of the energy companies, in the
Fortune
Global 500. Our work includes
helping utilities transform themselves from state-owned, regulated local entities to global deregulated corporations, as well as developing diverse products and service offerings to help our clients deliver higher levels of convenience and service
to their customers. These offerings include trading and risk management, supply chain optimization and customer relationship management. We are also working with new electricity power exchanges, including ASMAE (Brazilian Power Exchange), PJM
Interconnection and ERCOT (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas), to bring producers together with the goal of improving service to consumers and reducing rates.
|
Government
|
Government
|
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before reimbursements (in millions): | $797 | $451 | ||||
Percent of revenues before reimbursements: | 8 | % | 8 | % |
Number of employees as
of May 31, 2001: |
4,851 |
Canada Post Corporation
Centrelink,
Australia
City of Boston
Direccão-Geral das
Contribuições e Impostos
District of Columbia Office of
Taxation and Revenue
Government of Ontario,
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Independent Electoral
Commission, South Africa
Kanto Gakuen,
Japan
Ministère Des Finances,
France
National Diet Library,
Japan
National Treasury, South
Africa
|
New Mexico Department of Human
Services
Tennessee Department of
Human Services
United Kingdom Inland
Revenue
U.S. Defense Logistics
Agency
U.S. Department of
Commerce
U.S. Department of Education,
Office of Student Financial Assistance
U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development
U.S. Department of the
Interior, Minerals Management Service
U.S. Postal
Service
|
Service Lines
|
Strategy & Business Architecture
|
Customer Relationship Management
|
Supply Chain Management
|
Human Performance
|
Finance & Performance Management
|
Technology Research & Innovation
|
Solutions Engineering
|
Solutions Operations
|
Solution Centers and Business Launch Centres
|
Solution Centers
|
Business Launch Centres
|
Affiliates
|
Alliances
|
Alliance Partner | Alliance Description | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
Adaytum |
We work with Adaytum to co-develop and implement Web-based
applications to accelerate and improve the predictability of our clients enterprise business planning processes. |
||
|
|||
Ariba |
We work together to build and deliver procurement and electronic
marketplace solutions and to improve supply chain efficiency. |
||
|
|||
Avanade* |
Our relationship with Avanade gives us an advantage in building
and delivering customized, scalable, complex electronic commerce and enterprise-wide solutions based upon the Microsoft .Net enterprise platform. |
||
|
|||
Blue Martini Software |
We work with Blue Martini to develop software solutions to
understand, target and interact with customers across all channels. |
||
|
|||
Click Commerce |
We work with Click Commerce to help our clients create secure,
tailored channel management solutions across the Internet and wireless platforms. |
||
|
|||
Commerce One |
We work with Commerce One to build public and private
electronic marketplaces. We use its applications suite to implement solutions that support supply chain processes. |
||
|
|||
Docent |
We use Docents open learning management platform to implement
employee learning solutions that enable clients to increase speed to proficiency while lowering training costs. |
||
|
|||
e-peopleserve* |
We use e-peopleserves leading-edge, electronically enabled
human resources solutions to deliver comprehensive outsourced human resources services to clients. |
||
|
|||
Hewlett-Packard |
We work with Hewlett-Packard to offer a wide range of imaging
solutions and computer hardware and software to our clients. |
||
|
|||
ICG Commerce |
We work with ICG Commerce to offer our clients access to its
comprehensive procurement solution. |
||
|
|||
Imagine Broadband* |
We work with Imagine Broadband to develop, customize and
deliver leading-edge interactive broadband services. |
||
|
|||
i2 |
We work with i2 to build and support electronic marketplaces that
improve our clients supply chain efficiency. |
||
|
|||
Jamcracker |
We work with Jamcracker to deliver net-sourced solutions to our
clients, including virtual private networks, hosted exchanges and remote access. |
*
|
Also an affiliate.
|
Alliance Partner | Alliance Description | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
Kana Communications |
We work with Kana to deliver Web-architected customer
relationship management solutions that help clients manage interactions with their customers, partners and suppliers across multiple communication channels. |
||
|
|||
Lombardi Software |
We work with Lombardi to develop solutions that enable companies
across the extended supply chain to collaborate, facilitating problem resolution and accelerating decision making. |
||
|
|||
Microsoft |
We work with Microsoft and Avanade to offer a broad array of
scalable solutions built upon the Microsoft .Net enterprise platform. |
||
|
|||
Moai |
We work with Moai to co-market and deliver online contract
negotiation services that allow businesses to buy and sell goods more efficiently over the Internet. |
||
|
|||
Perform.com |
We work with Perform.com to deliver Web-enabled human
performance, organizational planning and career management tools and processes. |
||
|
|||
SAP |
We work with SAP to provide supply chain solutions that help
companies collaborate electronically, enabling them to quickly add new members, lower distribution costs, reduce inventories, increase delivery accuracy and better control infrastructure technology costs. |
||
|
|||
SeeBeyond (formerly known
as STC) |
We work with SeeBeyond to help our clients optimize their
information flow by delivering Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) solutions for integrating supply chain management, customer relationship management, decision support and electronic commerce applications. |
||
|
|||
Siebel Systems |
We work with Siebel Systems to deliver customer relationship
management technologies that help our clients interact effectively with their customers across multiple channels. |
||
|
|||
Seisint (formerly known
as eData) |
We work with Seisint to develop solutions
to help companies
improve business performance by using data at speed, at scale and cost-effectively. |
||
|
|||
Sun Microsystems |
We work with Sun Microsystems to co-develop and jointly market
products and services. |
||
|
|||
Yantra |
We work with Yantra to develop scalable electronic supply chain
solutions for managing and executing high-volume customer transactions across complex, multi-channel and multi-partner enterprises. |
*
|
Also an affiliate.
|
Accenture Technology Ventures Portfolio Companies
|
|
customer relationship management;
|
|
supply chain management;
|
|
eInfrastructure and enterprise integration software;
|
|
wireless technologies;
|
|
digital content services; and
|
|
eHuman Performance, including eLearning and eHuman Resources.
|
|
Information technology outsourcing and services companies.
In addition to information
technology outsourcing, these companies also offer consulting and systems integration capabilities for a complete solution.
|
|
Big 5 accounting and consulting firms.
Over the past few years, the Big
5 accounting firms have built significant consulting operations with broad capabilities and geographic coverage. Many of these firms are currently undergoing restructuring to separate audit and consulting practices to meet regulatory
requirements, as well as to gain access to equity markets.
|
|
Management and strategy consulting firms.
These firms continue to focus on high-level corporate
strategy for their traditional clients and emerging companies. Many have recently added a focus on information technology and electronic commerce strategy.
|
|
Specialized electronic business consulting firms.
The fragmented nature of this industry,
coupled with constant changes in technology, results in the formation of boutique consultants. The rapid rise of the Internet resulted in the emergence of many specialized services firms, typically focused on a small segment of the overall market,
such as Web design and development.
|
|
Information technology product and service vendors.
Product vendors offer technical consulting
to support their own products while also maintaining alliance relationships with major consulting firms, and these organizations typically attempt to broaden their services beyond their product suites. We also compete with application service
providers.
|
|
skills and capabilities of people;
|
|
reputation and client references;
|
|
price;
|
|
scope of services;
|
|
service delivery approach;
|
|
technical and industry expertise;
|
|
perceived ability to add value;
|
|
quality of advice given;
|
|
focus on achieving results on a timely basis;
|
|
availability of appropriate resources; and
|
|
global reach and scale.
|
Name
|
Age
|
Years with
Accenture |
Position
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe W. Forehand | 53 | 28 |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors |
|||
Stephan A. James | 54 | 33 | Chief Operating Officer and Director | |||
Karl-Heinz Flöther | 48 | 22 |
Managing PartnerFinancial Services Global
Market Unit and Director |
|||
Joel P. Friedman | 53 | 29 | Director | |||
William D. Green | 47 | 23 |
Managing PartnerCommunications & High Tech
Global Market Unit and Director |
|||
Masakatsu Mori | 54 | 32 | Director | |||
Diego Visconti | 51 | 25 | Director | |||
Jackson L. Wilson, Jr. | 54 | 26 |
Corporate Development Officer, Managing
General PartnerAccenture Technology Ventures and Director |
|||
Arnaud André | 46 | 22 | Managing PartnerPeople Matters | |||
R. Timothy S. Breene | 52 | 5 | Managing PartnerGlobal Service Lines | |||
Pamela J. Craig | 44 | 22 | Managing PartnerGlobal Business Operations | |||
Gregg G. Hartemayer | 48 | 25 | Managing PartnerProducts Global Market Unit | |||
David R. Hunter | 50 | 28 |
Managing PartnerGovernment Global Market
Unit |
|||
Jose Luis Manzanares | 48 | 26 | Managing PartnerGeographic Services | |||
Michael G. McGrath | 55 | 28 | Treasurer | |||
Douglas G. Scrivner | 50 | 21 | General Counsel and Secretary | |||
Mary A. Tolan | 41 | 19 | Managing PartnerResources Global Market Unit | |||
Harry L. You | 42 | | Chief Financial Officer |
|
a nominating committee;
|
|
an audit committee; and
|
|
a compensation committee.
|
|
review the performance of the independent accountants and make recommendations to the board regarding the appointment or
termination of the independent accountants;
|
|
oversee that management has maintained the reliability and integrity of our accounting policies and financial reporting and
disclosure practices;
|
|
oversee that management has established and maintained procedures designed to assure that an adequate system of internal
controls is functioning; and
|
|
oversee that management has established and maintained procedures designed to assure our compliance with applicable laws,
regulations and corporate policy.
|
|
an annual retainer of $50,000, which may be deferred by the individuals in whole or in part, through receipt of fully-vested
restricted share units;
|
|
an initial grant of an option to purchase 25,000 Class A common shares upon election to the board of directors;
and
|
|
an annual grant of an option to purchase 10,000 Class A common shares.
|
Name and Principal Position
|
||
---|---|---|
Joe W. Forehand | $4,000,000 | |
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Jackson L. Wilson, Jr. | $4,600,000 | |
Corporate Development Officer and
Managing General PartnerAccenture Technology Ventures |
||
Stephan A. James | $4,200,000 | |
Chief Operating Officer | ||
Michael G. McGrath | $3,900,000 | |
Treasurer | ||
William D. Green | $3,500,000 | |
Managing PartnerCommunications & High Tech Global Market Unit |
(1)
|
Amounts in the table consist of distributions of partnership income, including realized gains on investments and return on
capital at risk. These amounts are not comparable to executive compensation in the customary sense.
|
|
some of our employees will receive a grant of restricted share units which will vest on August 31, 2001, and with respect to
which up to an aggregate of 17,159,305 Class A common shares generally will be deliverable in eight installments beginning 12 months after the date of grant;
|
|
some of our recently admitted partners will receive a grant of restricted share units which will vest in five equal annual
installments beginning one year after the date of grant and with respect to which up to an aggregate of 6,695,091 Class A common shares generally will be deliverable in eight installments beginning 12 months after the date of grant;
|
|
some of our recently admitted partners and some of our employees will receive a grant of options to purchase an aggregate of
14,470,000 Class A common shares that will vest in five equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant;
|
|
some of our former partners will receive a grant of restricted share units with respect to which up to an aggregate of
15,042,077 Class A common shares will be deliverable either 12 or 24 months after the date of grant;
|
|
substantially all of our employees will receive a grant of restricted share units with respect to which up to an aggregate of
17,500,000 Class A common shares will be deliverable 18 months after the date of grant and up to an aggregate of 17,500,000 Class A common shares will be deliverable 36 months after the date of grant; and
|
|
some of our employees will receive a grant of options to purchase an aggregate of 84,525,000 Class A common shares that will
vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant.
|
Reorganization Transactions
|
|
Our partners received shares in our global corporate structure in lieu of their interests in our local business operations.
Our partners in Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United States received an aggregate of 587,302,062 Accenture SCA Class I common shares in lieu of their interests in our local operations in those countries. Our
partners in Canada and New Zealand received an aggregate of 8,160,742 Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares in lieu of their interests in our local operations in those countries. Our partners elsewhere received an aggregate of 212,335,219
Accenture Ltd Class A common shares in lieu of their interests in our local operations in the relevant countries. Most of our partners receiving Accenture SCA Class I common shares or Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares received a
corresponding number of Accenture Ltd Class X common shares. Class X common shares entitle the holder to voting rights in Accenture Ltd but no economic rights. Some of our partners will not hold Class X common shares and accordingly will not have
voting rights in Accenture Ltd. For more information see Accenture Organizational Structure and Description of Share Capital.
|
|
In connection with our transition to a corporate structure, each partners paid-in capital has been returned to that
partner.
|
Related Transactions
|
|
On the date of the consummation of the offering, we intend to grant restricted share units and options to purchase our Class
A common shares to substantially all our employees and some of our partners. The restricted share units represent the right to receive up to an aggregate of 73,896,473 Class A common shares valued at $1,035 million at no future cost to our employees
or partners. The options represent the right to purchase up to an aggregate of 98,995,000 Class A common shares at an exercise price generally equal to the initial public offering price per share. See ManagementEmployee
Awards.
|
|
We expect to distribute to our partners any earnings undistributed as of the date of the consummation of our transition to a
corporate structure in one or more installments on or prior to December 31, 2001.
|
|
After the consummation of the offering, we and several of our partners expect to make a contribution of cash, Accenture SCA
Class I common shares or Accenture Ltd Class A common shares to Accenture Foundation, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation, or to comparable entities in other jurisdictions.
|
Persons and Shares Covered
|
|
except as described below, maintain beneficial ownership of his or her covered shares received on or prior to the date of the
offering for a period of eight years thereafter;
|
|
maintain beneficial ownership of at least 25% of his or her covered shares received on or prior to the date of the offering
as long as he or she is an employee of Accenture; and
|
|
comply with the underwriters 180-day lock-up arrangement described under Underwriting and with certain
other transfer restrictions when requested to do so by Accenture.
|
Cumulative percentage of
shares permitted to be transferred |
Years after offering
|
|
---|---|---|
10% | 1 year | |
25% | 2 years | |
35% | 3 years | |
45% | 4 years | |
55% | 5 years | |
65% | 6 years | |
75% | 7 years | |
100% |
The later of (a) 8 years and (b) end of
employment at Accenture |
|
participating in a proxy solicitation with respect to shares of Accenture;
|
|
depositing any covered shares in a voting trust or subjecting any of these shares to any voting agreement or
arrangement;
|
|
forming, joining or in any way participating in a group that agrees to vote or dispose of shares of Accenture in
a particular manner;
|
|
except as provided in the partner matters agreement, proposing certain transactions with Accenture;
|
|
seeking the removal of any member of the board of directors of Accenture Ltd or any change in the composition of Accenture
Ltds board of directors;
|
|
making any offer or proposal to acquire any securities or assets of Accenture; or
|
|
participating in a call for any special meeting of the shareholders of Accenture Ltd.
|
|
participate as sellers in underwritten public offerings of common shares and tender and exchange offers and share repurchase
programs by Accenture;
|
|
transfer covered shares to charities, including charitable foundations;
|
|
transfer covered shares held in employee benefit plans; and
|
|
transfer covered shares in particular situations (for example, to immediate family members and trusts).
|
|
except as described below, maintain beneficial ownership of his or her covered shares received on or prior to the date of the
offering for a period of eight years thereafter;
|
|
maintain beneficial ownership of at least 25% of his or her covered shares received on or prior to the date of the offering
as long as he or she is an employee of Accenture; and
|
|
comply with certain other transfer restrictions when requested to do so by Accenture.
|
Cumulative percentage of
shares permitted to be transferred |
Years after offering
|
|
---|---|---|
10% | 1 year | |
25% | 2 years | |
35% | 3 years | |
45% | 4 years | |
55% | 5 years | |
65% | 6 years | |
75% | 7 years | |
100% |
The later of (a) 8 years and (b) end of
employment at Accenture |
|
participate as sellers in underwritten public offerings of common shares and tender and exchange offers and share repurchase
programs by Accenture;
|
|
transfer covered shares to charities, including charitable foundations;
|
|
transfer covered shares held in employee benefit plans; and
|
|
transfer covered shares in particular situations (for example, to immediate family members and trusts).
|
|
select, for three to five years after the offering, five partner nominees for membership on the board of directors of
Accenture Ltd;
|
|
make a non-binding recommendation to the board of directors of Accenture Ltd through a committee of partners regarding the
selection of a chief executive officer of Accenture Ltd in the event a new chief executive officer is appointed within the first four years after the offering;
|
|
vote on new partner admissions;
|
|
approve the partners income plan as described below; and
|
|
hold a non-binding vote with respect to any decision to eliminate or materially change the current practice of allocating
partner compensation on a relative, or unit, basis.
|
Persons Covered
|
Restricted Activities
|
Enforcement
|
Waiver and Termination
|
Arbitration Award and Separation
|
|
Arthur Andersen will provide services, including tax services, to Accenture for six years for $60 million per
year.
|
|
Arthur Andersen will provide accommodations and related facility use services to Accenture at its training facility in St.
Charles, Illinois, for specified occupancy rates for five years for $60 million per year.
|
|
Accenture will provide Arthur Andersen with consulting services at no cost to Arthur Andersen for five years up to $22.5
million per year at our published billing rate.
|
Tax Sharing Agreement
|
|
each holder who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of Accenture Ltd outstanding common
shares;
|
|
each director and named executive officer of Accenture Ltd; and
|
|
all directors and named executive officers of Accenture Ltd as a group.
|
Name
|
Accenture Ltd
Class A common shares beneficially owned |
Percent of Accenture Ltd
Class A common shares before the offering |
Percent of
Accenture Ltd Class A common shares after the offering |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors and named executive officers: | ||||||||
Joe W. Forehand(1) | 1,406,889 | * | % | * | % | |||
Stephan A. James(1) | 1,187,063 | * | * | |||||
Karl-Heinz Flöther(1) | 926,347 | * | * | |||||
Joel P. Friedman(1) | 840,257 | * | * | |||||
William D. Green(1) | 1,087,985 | * | * | |||||
Masakatsu Mori(1) | 892,495 | * | * | |||||
Diego Visconti(1) | 945,581 | * | * | |||||
Jackson L. Wilson, Jr.(1) | 1,187,063 | * | * | |||||
Michael G. McGrath(1) | 1,143,097 | * | * | |||||
|
|
|
||||||
All directors and named executive officers
as a group (9 persons) |
9,616,777 | 1.1 | % | 1.0 | % | |||
|
|
|
(1)
|
c/o Accenture, 1661 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304. Excludes any common shares subject to the voting agreement
referred to below that are owned by other parties to the voting agreement. While each of Joe W. Forehand, Stephan A. James, Karl-Heinz Flöther, Joel P. Friedman, William D. Green, Masakatsu Mori, Diego Visconti, Jackson L. Wilson, Jr. and
Michael G. McGrath is a party to the voting agreement and the Accenture Ltd common shares beneficially owned by these persons are subject thereto, each disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares subject to the voting agreement other than
those specified above for each such person individually. See Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsVoting Agreement for a discussion of the voting agreement.
|
*
|
Less than 1% of Accenture Ltd Class A common shares outstanding.
|
|
20,000,000,000 Class A common shares, par value $0.0000225 per share;
|
|
1,000,000,000 Class X common shares, par value $0.0000225 per share; and
|
|
2,000,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.0000225 per share.
|
|
212,335,219 Class A common shares held by our partners will be subject to the transfer restrictions described under
Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsVoting Agreement and, unless these restrictions are waived, will be subject to the underwriters lock-up described under Underwriting and will be eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act after one year as described below.
|
|
587,302,062 Class A common shares issuable upon redemption or exchange of Accenture SCA Class I common shares and 8,160,742
Class A common shares issuable upon exchange of Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares held by our partners will be subject to the transfer restrictions described under Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsAccenture SCA
Transfer Rights Agreement and Voting Agreement and, unless these restrictions are waived, will be subject to the underwriters lock-up described under Underwriting and will be eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act one year after redemption or exchange as described below.
|
|
The Class A common shares held by our partners and the Class A common shares that may be received by our partners in exchange
for their Accenture SCA Class I common shares or Accenture Canada Holdings exchangeable shares will be restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144. These restricted securities may not be sold in the absence of registration under
the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including the exemption contained in Rule 144. We currently expect that we will file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to register the
issuance of Accenture Ltd Class A common shares delivered upon the redemption or exchange of these shares or to register the reoffer and resale of these shares if they are not transferable to the public in accordance with Rule 144 and to the extent
they are not subject to the transfer restrictions described under Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsVoting AgreementTransfer Restrictions or the Underwriters lock-up described under Underwriting.
As a result, these shares will be freely transferable to the public unless the shares are acquired by an affiliate of Accenture Ltd. Any share acquired by an affiliate of Accenture Ltd will be transferable to the public in
accordance with Rule 144.
|
|
73,896,473 Class A common shares underlying restricted share units generally will be deliverable as follows:
|
Number of Shares
|
Months
After Offering |
|
---|---|---|
9,642,579 | 12 | |
17,500,000 | 18 | |
11,363,097 | 24 | |
19,885,440 | 36 | |
2,385,440 | 48 | |
2,385,440 | 60 | |
2,385,440 | 72 | |
2,385,439 | 84 | |
5,963,598 | 96 |
|
Of the 98,995,000 Class A common shares subject to options described under ManagementEmployee Awards,
14,470,000 will become exercisable in five equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant and 84,525,000 will become exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant.
|
|
Up to 3,000,000 Class A common shares acquired by some of our former partners in the offering will be subject to the Transfer
restrictions described under Underwriting and otherwise will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act.
|
|
one percent of the then outstanding Class A common shares (approximately 3,945,366 shares immediately after the offering);
or
|
|
the average weekly trading volume in Class A common shares on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks
preceding the date on which notice of this sale is filed, provided that requirements concerning availability of public information, manner of sale and notice of sale are satisfied.
|
|
a citizen or resident of the United States;
|
|
a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof;
|
|
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
|
|
a trust that is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more United States
persons or that has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.
|
|
a dealer in securities or currencies;
|
|
a trader in securities if you elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings;
|
|
a financial institution;
|
|
an insurance company;
|
|
a tax-exempt organization;
|
|
a person liable for alternative minimum tax;
|
|
a person holding Class A common shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or
straddle;
|
|
a person owning, actually or constructively, 10% or more of our voting stock or 10% or more of the voting stock of any of our
non-United States subsidiaries; or
|
|
a person whose functional currency is not the United States dollar.
|
|
foreign source passive income or, in the case of some holders, foreign source financial services income; and
|
|
United States source income,
|
|
at any time during the corporations taxable year, five or fewer individuals who are United States citizens or residents
own, directly or indirectly (or by virtue of certain ownership attribution rules), more than 50% of the corporations stock by either voting power or value (we refer to this as the shareholder test); and
|
|
the corporation receives at least 60% of its gross income, or 50% after the initial year of qualification, as adjusted, for
the taxable year from certain passive sources (we refer to this as the income test).
|
U.S. underwriters
|
Number of Shares
|
|
---|---|---|
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | ||
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated | ||
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation | ||
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc. | ||
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | ||
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. | ||
Banc of America Securities LLC | ||
Lehman Brothers Inc. | ||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith | ||
Incorporated | ||
UBS Warburg LLC | ||
ABN AMRO Rothschild LLC | ||
|
||
Total | ||
|
Paid by Accenture Ltd (1)
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No Exercise
|
Full Exercise
|
|||
Per Share | $ | $ | ||
Total | $ | $ |
(1)
|
In addition, Accenture Ltd will reimburse the U.S. underwriters for $ for
Blue Sky fees and expenses.
|
International underwriters
|
Number of Shares
|
|
---|---|---|
Goldman Sachs International | ||
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited | ||
Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited | ||
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc. | ||
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | ||
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. | ||
Banc of America Securities Limited | ||
Lehman Brothers Inc. | ||
Merrill Lynch International | ||
UBS AG, acting through its business group UBS Warburg | ||
ABN AMRO Rothschild | ||
|
||
Total | ||
|
Paid by Accenture Ltd
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No Exercise
|
Full Exercise
|
|||
Per Share | $ | $ | ||
Total | $ | $ |
August 31,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Unaudited) | |||||
ASSETS | |||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $1,270,516 | $1,342,406 | |||
Short-term investments | 395,620 | 20,081 | |||
Receivables from clients | 1,450,555 | 1,629,284 | |||
Unbilled services | 682,935 | 799,447 | |||
Due from related parties | 28,122 | 28,122 | |||
Other current assets | 171,537 | 261,072 | |||
|
|
||||
Total current assets | 3,999,285 | 4,080,412 | |||
|
|
||||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||
Due from related parties | 81,220 | 81,220 | |||
Investments | 509,665 | 405,578 | |||
Property and equipment, net | 705,508 | 758,547 | |||
Other non-current assets | 155,619 | 148,536 | |||
|
|
||||
Total non-current assets | 1,452,012 | 1,393,881 | |||
|
|
||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $5,451,297 | $5,474,293 | |||
|
|
||||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL | |||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||
Short-term bank borrowings | $ 164,765 | $ 213,307 | |||
Current portion of long-term debt | 29,921 | 29,921 | |||
Accounts payable | 169,648 | 185,888 | |||
Due to related parties | 339,877 | 299,641 | |||
Deferred revenues | 948,390 | 998,107 | |||
Accrued payroll and related benefits | 700,843 | 928,741 | |||
Taxes payable | 332,821 | 305,286 | |||
Other accrued liabilities | 297,714 | 259,044 | |||
|
|
||||
Total current liabilities | 2,983,979 | 3,219,935 | |||
|
|
||||
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||
Long-term debt | 98,865 | 97,481 | |||
Other non-current liabilities | | 208,606 | |||
|
|
||||
Total non-current liabilities | 98,865 | 306,087 | |||
|
|
||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||
PARTNERS CAPITAL: | |||||
Paid-in capital | 403,483 | 523,785 | |||
Undistributed earnings | 1,347,905 | 1,480,514 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 617,065 | (56,028 | ) | ||
|
|
||||
Total partners capital | 2,368,453 | 1,948,271 | |||
|
|
||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL | $5,451,297 | $5,474,293 | |||
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 29,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
|||||
REVENUES: | ||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $4,684,564 | $5,712,996 | ||||
Reimbursements | 799,511 | 909,355 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Revenues | 5,484,075 | 6,622,351 | ||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||
Cost of services*: | ||||||
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses* | 2,659,891 | 2,943,074 | ||||
Reimbursable expenses | 799,511 | 909,355 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Cost of services* | 3,459,402 | 3,852,429 | ||||
Sales and marketing* | 421,528 | 452,978 | ||||
General and administrative costs* | 639,622 | 765,337 | ||||
Reorganization and rebranding costs* | | 189,506 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Total operating expenses* | 4,520,552 | 5,260,250 | ||||
|
|
|||||
OPERATING INCOME* | 963,523 | 1,362,101 | ||||
Gain on investments, net | 267,976 | 189,159 | ||||
Interest income | 27,604 | 42,395 | ||||
Interest expense | (12,379 | ) | (10,110 | ) | ||
Other income | 19,518 | 23,513 | ||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | (7,206 | ) | (41,661 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
INCOME BEFORE TAXES* | 1,259,036 | 1,565,397 | ||||
Provision for taxes | 113,605 | 135,391 | ||||
|
|
|||||
INCOME BEFORE ACCOUNTING CHANGE* | 1,145,431 | 1,430,006 | ||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | 187,974 | ||||
|
|
|||||
PARTNERSHIP INCOME BEFORE PARTNER DISTRIBUTIONS* | $1,145,431 | $1,617,980 | ||||
|
|
*
|
Excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
Paid-in
Capital |
Undistributed
Earnings |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance at August 31, 2000 | $403,483 | $1,347,905 | $617,065 | $2,368,453 | ||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner
distributions |
1,617,980 | 1,617,980 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||
Unrealized
losses on marketable
securities, net of reclassification adjustment |
(660,281 | ) | (660,281 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation | (12,812 | ) | (12,812 | ) | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (673,093 | ) | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 944,887 | |||||||||||
Capital paid in by partners | 131,309 | 131,309 | ||||||||||
Repayment of paid-in capital to partners | (11,007 | ) | (11,007 | ) | ||||||||
Distribution of partners income | (1,228,687 | ) | (1,228,687 | ) | ||||||||
Distribution to AW-SC | (256,684 | ) | (256,684 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at February 28, 2001 | $523,785 | $1,480,514 | $(56,028 | ) | $1,948,271 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
|
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 29,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
|||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions | $1,145,431 | $1,617,980 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Adjustments to reconcile partnership income for the six months to net cash
provided by operating activities |
||||||
Depreciation | 117,249 | 119,975 | ||||
Amortization | | 65,667 | ||||
Gain on investments, net | (267,976 | ) | (189,159 | ) | ||
Equity in losses of affiliates | 7,206 | 41,661 | ||||
eUnit charge | | 89,044 | ||||
Losses on disposal of property and equipment | 8,210 | 7,337 | ||||
Other items, net | (11,315 | ) | (44,216 | ) | ||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | (187,974 | ) | |||
Change in assets and liabilities | ||||||
(Increase) in receivables from clients | (35,074 | ) | (178,729 | ) | ||
(Increase) in unbilled services | (135,176 | ) | (116,512 | ) | ||
(Increase) decrease in due from related parties | 20,640 | (5,420 | ) | |||
(Increase) decrease in other current assets | 42,161 | 16,798 | ||||
(Increase) decrease in other non-current assets | 2,222 | (5,268 | ) | |||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | (9,177 | ) | 16,240 | |||
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue | (10,849 | ) | 49,717 | |||
Increase in accrued payroll and related benefits | 112,181 | 196,947 | ||||
(Decrease) in taxes payable | (1,352 | ) | (27,535 | ) | ||
Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities | 27,649 | (73,657 | ) | |||
|
|
|||||
Total adjustments | (133,401 | ) | (225,084 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,012,030 | 1,392,896 | ||||
|
|
|||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||
Proceeds from sales of investments | 268,893 | 356,588 | ||||
Purchases of investments | (36,291 | ) | (145,204 | ) | ||
Property and equipment additions | (148,957 | ) | (180,351 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 83,645 | 31,033 | ||||
|
|
|||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||
Capital paid in by partners | 21,539 | 131,309 | ||||
Repayment of paid-in capital to partners | (14,775 | ) | (11,007 | ) | ||
Distribution of partners income | (1,043,999 | ) | (1,228,687 | ) | ||
Payment to AW-SC | | (278,000 | ) | |||
Payment to escrow | (229,776 | ) | | |||
Repayments of long-term debt | | (1,384 | ) | |||
Proceeds from issuance of short-term bank borrowings | 241,696 | 261,781 | ||||
Repayments of short-term bank borrowings | (134,729 | ) | (213,239 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (1,160,044 | ) | (1,339,227 | ) | ||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (28,363 | ) | (12,812 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (92,732 | ) | 71,890 | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period | 1,110,592 | 1,270,516 | ||||
|
|
|||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | $1,017,860 | $1,342,406 | ||||
|
|
August 31,
2000 |
February 28,
2001 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foreign currency translation adjustments | $ (75,101 | ) | $ (87,913 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Unrealized gains on securities: | ||||||
Unrealized holding gains | 1,287,344 | 557,167 | ||||
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in Partnership Income Before | ||||||
Partner Distributions | (595,178 | ) | (525,282 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Net unrealized gains | 692,166 | 31,885 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ 617,065 | $ (56,028 | ) | |||
|
|
Six months ended
February 29, 2000 |
Comm. &
High Tech |
Financial
Services |
Government
|
Products
|
Resources
|
Other (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before
reimbursements |
$1,308,941 | $1,232,437 | $387,791 | $ 904,660 | $822,387 | $28,348 | $4,684,564 | |||||||
Operating income | 282,855 | 295,176 | 34,353 | 183,533 | 115,192 | 52,414 | 963,523 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Six months ended
February 28, 2001 |
Comm. &
High Tech |
Financial
Services |
Government
|
Products
|
Resources
|
Other (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||
Revenues before
reimbursements |
$1,666,796 | $1,464,702 | $450,897 | $1,128,864 | $953,843 | $47,894 | $5,712,996 | |||||||
Operating income | 394,141 | 429,277 | 40,116 | 256,899 | 193,215 | 48,453 | 1,362,101 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Other includes Accentures consolidated affiliate companies and operations which are not related to a global market
unit. Also included is an interest credit of $40,366 and $56,386 for the six months ended February 29, 2000 and February 28, 2001, respectively, to offset interest expense charged directly to the operating segments in arriving at Operating
income.
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
ASSETS | ||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $1,110,592 | $1,270,516 | ||
Short-term investments | 126,390 | 395,620 | ||
Receivables from clients | 1,238,688 | 1,450,555 | ||
Unbilled services | 497,978 | 682,935 | ||
Due from related parties | 49,536 | 28,122 | ||
Other current assets | 169,715 | 171,537 | ||
|
|
|||
Total current assets | 3,192,899 | 3,999,285 | ||
|
|
|||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||
Escrow deposits | 293,648 | | ||
Due from related parties | 109,342 | 81,220 | ||
Investments | 176,344 | 509,665 | ||
Property and equipment, net | 658,717 | 705,508 | ||
Other non-current assets | 184,087 | 155,619 | ||
|
|
|||
Total non-current assets | 1,422,138 | 1,452,012 | ||
|
|
|||
TOTAL ASSETS | $4,615,037 | $5,451,297 | ||
|
|
|||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL | ||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||
Short-term bank borrowings | $ 127,022 | $ 164,765 | ||
Current portion of long-term debt | 29,727 | 29,921 | ||
Accounts payable | 219,554 | 169,648 | ||
Due to related parties | | 339,877 | ||
Deferred revenue | 821,782 | 948,390 | ||
Accrued payroll and related benefits | 700,504 | 700,843 | ||
Taxes payable | 236,914 | 332,821 | ||
Other accrued liabilities | 143,999 | 297,714 | ||
|
|
|||
Total current liabilities | 2,279,502 | 2,983,979 | ||
|
|
|||
LONG-TERM DEBT | 127,402 | 98,865 | ||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||
PARTNERS CAPITAL: | ||||
Paid-in capital | 351,505 | 403,483 | ||
Undistributed earnings | 1,603,486 | 1,347,905 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 253,142 | 617,065 | ||
|
|
|||
Total partners capital | 2,208,133 | 2,368,453 | ||
|
|
|||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL | $4,615,037 | $5,451,297 | ||
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REVENUES: | |||||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $8,214,767 | $ 9,549,856 | $ 9,752,085 | ||||||
Reimbursements | 1,424,946 | 1,529,543 | 1,787,865 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
Revenues | 9,639,713 | 11,079,399 | 11,539,950 | ||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | |||||||||
Cost of services*: | |||||||||
Cost of
services before reimbursable
expenses* |
4,700,197 | 5,456,559 | 5,486,292 | ||||||
Reimbursable expenses | 1,424,946 | 1,529,543 | 1,787,865 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
Cost of services* | 6,125,143 | 6,986,102 | 7,274,157 | ||||||
Sales and marketing* | 696,000 | 790,246 | 883,276 | ||||||
General and administrative costs* | 1,035,450 | 1,271,357 | 1,296,398 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses* | 7,856,593 | 9,047,705 | 9,453,831 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
OPERATING INCOME* | 1,783,120 | 2,031,694 | 2,086,119 | ||||||
Gain on investments | | 92,542 | 573,220 | ||||||
Interest income | | 60,039 | 67,244 | ||||||
Interest expense | (16,844 | ) | (27,200 | ) | (24,071 | ) | |||
Other income (expense) | (5,633 | ) | (5,309 | ) | 51,042 | ||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | (1,400 | ) | (6,472 | ) | (46,853 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|||||||
INCOME BEFORE TAXES* | 1,759,243 | 2,145,294 | 2,706,701 | ||||||
Provision for taxes | 73,924 | 122,640 | 242,807 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
PARTNERSHIP INCOME BEFORE PARTNER
DISTRIBUTIONS* |
$1,685,319 | $ 2,022,654 | $ 2,463,894 | ||||||
|
|
|
*
|
Excludes payments for partner distributions.
|
Paid-in
Capital |
Undistributed
Earnings |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income |
Total
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance at August 31, 1997 | $220,200 | $ 570,127 | $(29,617 | ) | $ 760,710 | |||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner
distributions |
1,685,319 | 1,685,319 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on
marketable securities,
net of reclassification adjustment |
98,275 | 98,275 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | 18,551 | 18,551 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 116,826 | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 1,802,145 | |||||||||||
Capital paid in by partners | 65,158 | 65,158 | ||||||||||
Repayment of paid-in capital to partners | (9,333 | ) | (9,333 | ) | ||||||||
Distribution of partners income | (1,112,069 | ) | (1,112,069 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at August 31, 1998 | 276,025 | 1,143,377 | 87,209 | 1,506,611 | ||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner
distributions |
2,022,654 | 2,022,654 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on
marketable securities,
net of reclassification adjustment |
185,881 | 185,881 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | (19,948 | ) | (19,948 | ) | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 165,933 | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 2,188,587 | |||||||||||
Capital paid in by partners | 93,211 | 93,211 | ||||||||||
Repayment of paid-in capital to partners | (17,731 | ) | (17,731 | ) | ||||||||
Distribution of partners income | (1,562,545 | ) | (1,562,545 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at August 31, 1999 | 351,505 | 1,603,486 | 253,142 | 2,208,133 | ||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Partnership income before partner
distributions |
2,463,894 | 2,463,894 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on
marketable securities,
net of reclassification adjustment |
408,998 | 408,998 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | (45,075 | ) | (45,075 | ) | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 363,923 | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 2,827,817 | |||||||||||
Capital paid in by partners | 99,895 | 99,895 | ||||||||||
Repayment of paid-in capital to partners | (47,917 | ) | (47,917 | ) | ||||||||
Distribution of partners income | (1,893,319 | ) | (1,893,319 | ) | ||||||||
Distribution to AW-SC | (826,156 | ) | (826,156 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance at August 31, 2000 | $403,483 | $1,347,905 | $617,065 | $2,368,453 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||
Partnership income before partner distributions | $1,685,319 | $2,022,654 | $2,463,894 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
Adjustments to reconcile partnership income for the year to net
cash provided by operating activities |
|||||||||
Depreciation | 172,698 | 217,032 | 237,078 | ||||||
Gain on investments | | (92,542 | ) | (573,220 | ) | ||||
Equity in losses of affiliates | 1,400 | 6,472 | 46,853 | ||||||
Loss on disposal of property and equipment | | | 31,557 | ||||||
Other items, net | (2,661 | ) | (4,473 | ) | (30,749 | ) | |||
Change in assets and liabilities | |||||||||
(Increase) in receivables from clients | (230,136 | ) | (60,913 | ) | (211,867 | ) | |||
(Increase) in unbilled services | (90,061 | ) | (108,898 | ) | (184,957 | ) | |||
(Increase) decrease in due from related parties | (115,556 | ) | (38,718 | ) | 47,459 | ||||
(Increase) decrease in other current assets | (35,377 | ) | 32,744 | (1,822 | ) | ||||
(Increase) decrease in other non-current assets | (25,443 | ) | (23,736 | ) | 28,468 | ||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | 85,934 | 23,412 | (49,906 | ) | |||||
Increase in deferred revenue | 304,268 | 19,997 | 67,415 | ||||||
Increase in accrued payroll and related benefits | 133,746 | 124,783 | 339 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in taxes payable | (6,083 | ) | 21,019 | 95,907 | |||||
Increase in other accrued liabilities | 25,943 | 55,514 | 164,815 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
Total adjustments | 218,672 | 171,693 | (332,630 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,903,991 | 2,194,347 | 2,131,264 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||
Proceeds from sales of investments | | 93,496 | 575,806 | ||||||
Purchases of investments | (1,824 | ) | (18,446 | ) | (153,050 | ) | |||
Property and equipment additions | (271,387 | ) | (305,156 | ) | (315,426 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (273,211 | ) | (230,106 | ) | 107,330 | ||||
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||
Capital paid in by partners | 65,158 | 93,211 | 99,895 | ||||||
Repayment of paid-in capital to partners | (9,333 | ) | (17,731 | ) | (47,917 | ) | |||
Distribution of partners income | (1,112,069 | ) | (1,562,545 | ) | (1,893,319 | ) | |||
Payments to escrow | (195,000 | ) | (87,548 | ) | (229,776 | ) | |||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | 1,384 | ||||||
Repayments of long-term debt | (1,421 | ) | (1,427 | ) | (1,605 | ) | |||
Proceeds from issuance of short-term bank borrowings | 61,824 | 93,872 | 283,747 | ||||||
Repayments of short-term bank borrowings | (47,582 | ) | (87,907 | ) | (246,004 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (1,238,423 | ) | (1,570,075 | ) | (2,033,595 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 18,551 | (19,948 | ) | (45,075 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|||||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 410,908 | 374,218 | 159,924 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year | 325,466 | 736,374 | 1,110,592 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year | $ 736,374 | $1,110,592 | $1,270,516 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION | |||||||||
Cash paid during the year for: | |||||||||
Interest | $ 16,434 | $ 26,757 | $ 23,727 | ||||||
Taxes | 88,426 | 97,853 | 144,410 |
Description of Business
|
Principles of Combination
|
Revenue Recognition
|
Operating Expenses
|
Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts
|
Provision for Taxes
|
Partnership Income Before Partner Distributions
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
Concentrations of Credit Risk
|
Investments
|
Foreign Exchange Instruments
|
Software Development Costs
|
Property and Equipment
|
Buildings | 20 to 25 years | |
Leasehold improvements |
Term of lease, 15
years maximum |
|
Computers, related equipment and software | 3 to 5 years | |
Furniture and fixtures | 7 to 10 years |
Long-Lived Assets
|
Comprehensive Income
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foreign currency translation adjustments | $(30,026 | ) | $ (75,101 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Unrealized gains on securities: | ||||||
Unrealized holding gains | 380,183 | 1,287,344 | ||||
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in
Partnership Income Before Partner Distributions |
(97,015 | ) | (595,178 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
Net unrealized gains | 283,168 | 692,166 | ||||
|
|
|||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | $253,142 | $ 617,065 | ||||
|
|
Earnings Per Share
|
Use of Estimates
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buildings and land | $ 66,886 | $ 72,953 | ||||
Leasehold improvements | 254,717 | 286,177 | ||||
Computers, related equipment and software | 698,438 | 782,107 | ||||
Furniture and fixtures | 275,149 | 252,905 | ||||
Total accumulated depreciation | (636,473 | ) | (688,634 | ) | ||
|
|
|||||
$ 658,717 | $ 705,508 | |||||
|
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Marketable equity securities: short-term | $126,390 | $395,620 | ||
Marketable equity securities: long-term | 176,057 | 358,688 | ||
Non-marketable and other | 287 | 150,977 | ||
|
|
|||
Total | $302,734 | $905,285 | ||
|
|
Marketable Equity Securities
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fair value | $302,447 | $754,308 | ||||
Cost | 19,279 | 62,142 | ||||
Gross unrealized gains | 284,474 | 697,228 | ||||
Gross unrealized losses | (1,306 | ) | (5,062 | ) |
Equity Method Investments
|
Lines of Credit
|
Long-Term Debt
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Joint Debt | ||||
Unsecured notes payable to insurance companies due upon
maturity at various dates through 2002 with interest due semiannually at fixed rates ranging from 7.52% to 8.49% |
$100,000 | $75,000 | ||
Collateral trust note payable in fixed annual installments
through 2011 with interest due semiannually at 9.26% |
37,464 | 34,342 | ||
Collateral trust note payable in varying annual installments through
2007 with interest due annually at 8.12%, secured by real property |
19,665 | 18,060 | ||
Other | | 1,384 | ||
|
|
|||
157,129 | 128,786 | |||
LessCurrent portion | 29,727 | 29,921 | ||
|
|
|||
Total Long-term debt | $127,402 | $98,865 | ||
|
|
2001 | $29,921 | |
2002 | 56,517 | |
2003 | 5,363 | |
2004 | 5,613 | |
2005 | 5,884 |
Interest
|
Investments
|
Type of Investment
|
1999
|
2000
|
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
Cost
|
Fair Value
|
|||||
Debt and equity securities (cost method) | ||||||||
Issued by public entities, short-term | $ 1,104 | $126,390 | $ 600 | $395,620 | ||||
Issued by public entities, long-term | 10,053 | 146,966 | 31,442 | 159,205 | ||||
Issued by non-public entities | 287 | 287 | 134,094 | 174,573 | ||||
Warrants | ||||||||
Issued by public entities, long-term | 8,122 | 29,091 | 30,100 | 199,483 | ||||
Issued by non-public entities | | | 30,946 | 27,161 |
Long-Term Debt
|
Foreign Exchange Instruments
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notional
Value |
Fair
Value |
Notional
Value |
Fair
Value |
|||||||
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | ||||||||||
To sell | $ 7,836 | $ (55 | ) | $100,768 | $ 3,300 | |||||
To buy | 167,935 | (816 | ) | 107,361 | (2,814 | ) | ||||
Option contracts | ||||||||||
Put options | $ 48,544 | $1,454 | $ 84,732 | $12,269 | ||||||
Call options | 79,388 | 400 | 26,264 | |
Pension Benefits
|
Other Benefits
|
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999
|
2000
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||||||
Changes in projected benefit obligation | ||||||||||||
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year | $239,793 | $269,996 | $ 22,555 | $ 28,392 | ||||||||
Service cost | 50,919 | 46,870 | 5,495 | 3,205 | ||||||||
Interest cost | 15,544 | 18,596 | 1,461 | 2,123 | ||||||||
Actuarial (gain) | (37,448 | ) | (65,942 | ) | (1,025 | ) | (3,151 | ) | ||||
Benefits paid | (3,129 | ) | (5,521 | ) | (94 | ) | (106 | ) | ||||
Exchange rate (gain)/loss | 4,317 | (2,964 | ) | | | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Projected benefit obligation, end of year | $269,996 | $261,035 | $ 28,392 | $ 30,463 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Changes in plan assets | ||||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | $151,862 | $228,052 | $ 11,584 | $ 12,552 | ||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | 12,138 | 23,742 | 810 | 1,033 | ||||||||
Actuarial gain/(loss) | 12,797 | (8,227 | ) | 252 | (488 | ) | ||||||
Employer contributions | 50,918 | 13,858 | | 2,135 | ||||||||
Benefits paid | (3,129 | ) | (5,521 | ) | (94 | ) | (106 | ) | ||||
Exchange rate gain | 3,466 | 219 | | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | $228,052 | $252,123 | $ 12,552 | $ 15,126 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Reconciliation of funded status | ||||||||||||
Funded status | $(41,944 | ) | $ (8,912 | ) | $(15,840 | ) | $(15,337 | ) | ||||
Unrecognized transitional obligation | 2,539 | 2,747 | 1,170 | 1,083 | ||||||||
Unrecognized loss/(gain) | 2,388 | (56,104 | ) | 3,932 | 2,166 | |||||||
Unrecognized prior service cost | 14,447 | 12,154 | | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(Accrued) benefit cost as of 6/30 | (22,570 | ) | (50,115 | ) | (10,738 | ) | (12,088 | ) | ||||
Contribution between 6/30-8/31 | | | 2,045 | 3,308 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Adjusted (accrued) benefit cost as of 8/31 | $(22,570 | ) | $(50,115 | ) | $ (8,693 | ) | $ (8,780 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Amounts recognized in the Combined Balance Sheets
consist of: |
||||||||||||
Prepaid benefit cost | $ 7,380 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Accrued benefit liability | (29,950 | ) | (50,115 | ) | (8,693 | ) | (8,780 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net amount recognized at year-end | $(22,570 | ) | $(50,115 | ) | $ (8,693 | ) | $ (8,780 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Components of pension expense | ||||||||||||
Service cost | $ 50,919 | $ 46,870 | $ 5,495 | $ 3,205 | ||||||||
Interest cost | 15,544 | 18,596 | 1,461 | 2,123 | ||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (12,138 | ) | (23,742 | ) | (810 | ) | (1,033 | ) | ||||
Amortization of transitional obligation | 475 | 537 | 87 | 87 | ||||||||
Amortization of loss | 2,464 | 22 | 140 | 142 | ||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost | 2,011 | 2,293 | | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total | $ 59,275 | $ 44,576 | $ 6,373 | $ 4,524 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Weighted-average assumptions | ||||||||||||
Discount rate | 6.94 | % | 7.26 | % | 7.50 | % | 8.00 | % | ||||
Expected return on plan assets | 7.93 | % | 8.07 | % | 8.0%/6.0 | % | 8.0%/6.0 | % | ||||
Rate of increase in future compensation | 5.52 | % | 7.89 | % | N/A | N/A |
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend
|
One Percentage
Point Increase |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999
|
2000
|
|||||
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | $ 1,191 | $ 875 | ||||
Effect on year-end postretirement benefit obligation | 4,386 | 5,600 | ||||
One Percentage
Point Decrease |
||||||
1999
|
2000
|
|||||
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | $(1,014 | ) | $ (796 | ) | ||
Effect on year-end postretirement benefit obligation | (4,033 | ) | (4,500 | ) |
2001 | $ 178,974 | |
2002 | 148,447 | |
2003 | 129,392 | |
2004 | 118,528 | |
2005 | 102,450 | |
Thereafter | 361,606 | |
|
||
$1,039,397 | ||
|
Nature of Transaction
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rental expense | $45,871 | $36,353 | $23,948 | |||
Andersen Worldwide costs allocated | 87,842 | 24,163 | 18,975 | |||
Professional education and development costs | 72,927 | 52,582 | 38,577 | |||
Professional services | 29,360 | 31,880 | 34,710 | |||
Interest expense | 16,844 | 12,955 | 3,950 |
Reportable Segments
|
Year ended
August 31, 1998 |
Comm. &
High Tech |
Financial
Services |
Government
|
Products
|
Resources
|
Other (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues before reimbursements | $1,903,366 | $2,405,108 | $547,034 | $1,575,941 | $1,701,417 | $81,901 | $8,214,767 | |||||||
Depreciation (2) | 43,012 | 49,000 | 12,769 | 32,182 | 35,735 | | 172,698 | |||||||
Operating income | 345,872 | 681,126 | 20,177 | 350,202 | 276,003 | 109,740 | 1,783,120 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Assets at August 31 (3) | $ 224,741 | $ 202,495 | $105,262 | $ 174,303 | $ 183,816 | $21,061 | $ 911,678 | |||||||
Year ended
August 31, 1999 |
Comm. &
High Tech |
Financial
Services |
Government
|
Products
|
Resources
|
Other (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $2,498,460 | $2,736,416 | $777,028 | $1,664,317 | $1,812,369 | $61,266 | $9,549,856 | |||||||
Depreciation (2) | 59,745 | 67,459 | 18,285 | 31,651 | 39,892 | | 217,032 | |||||||
Operating income | 531,554 | 814,064 | 93,942 | 249,872 | 266,867 | 75,395 | 2,031,694 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Assets at August 31 (3) | $ 368,414 | $ 227,894 | $141,795 | $ 154,383 | $ 169,884 | $20,750 | $1,083,120 | |||||||
Year ended
August 31, 2000 |
Comm. &
High Tech |
Financial
Services |
Government
|
Products
|
Resources
|
Other (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||
Revenues before reimbursements | $2,806,506 | $2,541,900 | $796,862 | $1,890,686 | $1,660,868 | $55,263 | $9,752,085 | |||||||
Depreciation (2) | 65,425 | 62,633 | 19,005 | 43,805 | 46,210 | | 237,078 | |||||||
Operating income | 638,508 | 652,880 | 70,542 | 390,475 | 248,948 | 84,766 | 2,086,119 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Assets at August 31 (3) | $ 492,220 | $ 302,138 | $123,933 | $ 188,252 | $ 178,750 | $ 6,418 | $1,291,711 |
(1)
|
Other includes Accentures consolidated affiliate companies and operations which are not related to a global market
unit. Also included is an interest credit of $81,623, $79,496 and $87,639 in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively, to offset interest expense charged directly to the operating segments in arriving at Operating income.
|
(2)
|
This amount includes depreciation on property and equipment controlled by each operating segment as well as an allocation for
depreciation on property and equipment they do not directly control.
|
(3)
|
Operating segment assets directly attributed to an operating segment and provided to the chief operating decision maker
include Receivables from clients, Unbilled services, Deferred revenue and a portion of Other long-term assets that represent balances for clients with extended payment terms.
|
Geographic Information
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Americas | $5,661,971 | $ 6,070,823 | $ 6,259,859 | |||
EMEAI(1) | 3,276,167 | 4,244,441 | 4,391,095 | |||
Asia/Pacific | 701,575 | 764,075 | 888,996 | |||
|
|
|
||||
Total | $9,639,713 | $11,079,399 | $11,539,950 | |||
|
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Americas | $391,630 | $446,089 | $500,133 | |||
EMEAI(1) | 149,868 | 169,053 | 158,184 | |||
Asia/Pacific | 29,095 | 43,575 | 47,191 | |||
|
|
|
||||
Total | $570,593 | $658,717 | $705,508 | |||
|
|
|
(1)
|
EMEAI includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India.
|
Registration fee | $ 495,938 | |
NASD filing fee | 30,500 | |
IPO consulting fees and expenses | 6,000,000 | |
Blue Sky fees and expenses | 20,000 | |
New York Stock Exchange listing fees | 500,000 | |
Accounting fees and expenses | 3,000,000 | |
Legal fees and expenses | 5,600,000 | |
Transfer agent and registrar fee | 25,000 | |
Printing and engraving | 1,500,000 | |
Miscellaneous | 1,004,062 | |
|
||
Total | $18,175,500 | |
|
1. On April 15, 2001, issued an aggregate of 6,583,592 Class A
common shares to partners in Portugal and 60,434 Class A common shares to a partner in the Slovak Republic;
|
2. On April 17, 2001, issued an aggregate of 5,323,210 Class A
common shares to partners in Argentina;
|
3. On May 2, 2001, issued an aggregate of 4,189,621 Class A
common shares to partners in South Africa;
|
4. On May 15, 2001, issued an aggregate of 4,736,656 Class A
common shares to partners in Belgium, an aggregate of 4,339,459 Class A common shares to partners in Ireland, an aggregate of 2,973,039 Class A common shares to partners in Mexico, an aggregate of 7,365,277 common shares to partners in The
Netherlands and an aggregate of 87,654,292 Class A common shares to partners in the United Kingdom;
|
5. On May 25, 2001, issued an aggregate of 2,750,406 Class X
common shares to various individual partners; and
|
6. On May 31, 2001, issued an aggregate 809,264 Class A common
shares to a partner in India.
|
Exhibit
Number |
Exhibit Description
|
|
---|---|---|
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
3.1 | Memorandum of Continuance of the Registrant, dated February 21, 2001. | |
3.2 | Form of Bye-laws of the Registrant. | |
4.1 | Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrants Class A common shares. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Appleby Spurling & Kempe. | |
9.1** |
Form of Voting Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among the Registrant and the
covered persons party thereto. |
|
10.1** |
Form of Partner Matters Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among the Registrant and
the partners party thereto. |
|
10.2** |
Form of Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among the Registrant and
certain employees. |
|
10.3** | 2001 Share Incentive Plan. | |
10.4** | 2001 Employee Share Purchase Plan. | |
10.5 | Form of Articles of Association of Accenture SCA. | |
10.6** |
Form of Accenture SCA Transfer Rights Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among
Accenture SCA and the covered persons party thereto. |
|
10.7** |
Form of Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among Accenture SCA and
certain employees. |
|
10.8** |
Form of Letter Agreement, dated April 18, 2001, between Accenture SCA and certain
shareholders of Accenture SCA. |
|
10.9 |
Form of Support Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2001, between the Registrant and
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. |
Exhibit
Number |
Exhibit Description
|
|
---|---|---|
10.10** | Form of Employment Agreement of Messrs. Forehand, James, Green, Wilson and McGrath. | |
10.11 | Form of Articles of Association of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. | |
10.12 |
Form of Exchange Trust Agreement by and between the Registrant and Accenture Canada
Holdings Inc. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, made as of May 23, 2001. |
|
10.13 |
Form of Letter Agreement, dated May 21, 2001, between the Registrant and Stichting
Naritaweg I. |
|
10.14 |
Form of Letter Agreement, dated May 21, 2001, between the Registrant and Stichting
Naritaweg II. |
|
21.1 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. | |
23.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |
23.2 | Consent of Appleby Spurling & Kempe (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
24.1 | Power of Attorney (contained on the signature pages to the registration statement). |
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the
Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
|
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
A
CCENTURE
L
TD
|
By: /
S
/ J
OE
W. F
OREHAND
|
|
Name: Joe W. Forehand
|
Title: Chief Executive Officer
|
and Chairman of the Board
|
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/
S
/ J
OE
W. F
OREHAND
Joe W. Forehand |
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board (principal executive officer) |
June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ S
TEPHAN
A. J
AMES
Stephan A. James |
Chief Operating Officer and
Director |
June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ K
ARL
-H
EINZ
F
LÖTHER
Karl-Heinz Flöther |
Managing PartnerFinancial
Services Global Market Unit and Director |
June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ J
OEL
P. F
RIEDMAN
Joel P. Friedman |
Director | June 29, 2001 |
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/
S
/ W
ILLIAM
D. G
REEN
William D. Green |
Managing Partner
Communications & High Tech Global Market Unit and Director |
June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ M
ASAKATSU
M
ORI
Masakatsu Mori |
Director | June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ D
IEGO
V
ISCONTI
Diego Visconti |
Director | June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ J
ACKSON
L. W
ILSON
, J
R
.
Jackson L. Wilson, Jr. |
Corporate Development Officer,
Managing General Partner Accenture Technology Ventures and Director |
June 29, 2001 | ||
/
S
/ H
ARRY
L. Y
OU
Harry L. You |
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer) |
June 29, 2001 |
Exhibit
Number |
Exhibit Description
|
|
---|---|---|
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
3.1 | Memorandum of Continuance of the Registrant, dated February 21, 2001. | |
3.2 | Form of Bye-laws of the Registrant. | |
4.1 | Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrants Class A common shares. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Appleby Spurling & Kempe. | |
9.1** |
Form of Voting Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among the Registrant and the
covered persons party thereto. |
|
10.1** |
Form of Partner Matters Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among the Registrant and
the partners party thereto. |
|
10.2** |
Form of Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among the Registrant
and certain employees. |
|
10.3** | 2001 Share Incentive Plan. | |
10.4** | 2001 Employee Share Purchase Plan. | |
10.5 | Form of Articles of Association of Accenture SCA. | |
10.6** |
Form of Accenture SCA Transfer Rights Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among
Accenture SCA and the covered persons party thereto. |
|
10.7** |
Form of Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001, among Accenture SCA
and certain employees. |
|
10.8** |
Form of Letter Agreement, dated April 18, 2001, between Accenture SCA and certain
shareholders of Accenture SCA. |
|
10.9 |
Form of Support Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2001, between the Registrant and
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. |
|
10.10** |
Form of Employment Agreement of Messrs. Forehand, James, Green, Wilson and
McGrath. |
|
10.11 | Form of Articles of Association of Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. | |
10.12 |
Form of Exchange Trust Agreement by and between the Registrant and Accenture Canada
Holdings Inc. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, made as of May 23, 2001. |
|
10.13 |
Form of Letter Agreement, dated May 21, 2001, between the Registrant and Stichting
Naritaweg I. |
|
10.14 |
Form of Letter Agreement, dated May 21, 2001, between the Registrant and Stichting
Naritaweg II. |
|
21.1 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. | |
23.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |
23.2 | Consent of Appleby Spurling & Kempe (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
24.1 | Power of Attorney (contained on the signature pages to the registration statement). |
*
|
To be filed by amendment.
|
**
|
Previously filed.
|
Exhibit 3.1
BERMUDA
THE COMPANIES ACT 1981
MEMORANDUM OF CONTINUANCE OF
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
(Section 132C(2))
MEMORANDUM OF CONTINUANCE
OF
ACCENTURE LTD
(hereinafter referred to as the Company )
6.1 to carry on business as a holding company and to acquire and hold shares, stocks, debenture stock, bonds, mortgages, obligations and securities and interests of any kind issued or guaranteed by any company, corporation or undertaking of whatever nature and wherever constituted or carrying on business, whether in Bermuda or elsewhere, and to vary, transpose, dispose of or otherwise deal with, from time to time as may be considered expedient, any of the Companys investments for the time being; 6.2 to acquire any such shares and other securities as are mentioned in the preceding paragraph by subscription, syndicate participation, tender, purchase, exchange or otherwise and to subscribe for the same, either conditionally or otherwise, and to guarantee the subscription thereof and to exercise and enforce all rights and powers conferred by or incident to the ownership thereof;
6.3 to co-ordinate the administration, policies, management, supervision, control, research, planning, trading and any and all other activities of, and to act as financial advisers and consultants to, any company or companies now or hereafter incorporated or acquired which may be or may become a group company (which expression, in this and the next following paragraph, means a company, wherever incorporated, which is or becomes a holding company or a subsidiary of, or affiliated with, the Company within the meanings respectively assigned to those terms in The Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda) or, with the prior written approval of the Minister of Finance of Bermuda, to any company or companies now or hereafter incorporated or acquired (which are not group companies) with which the Company may be or may become associated; 6.4 to provide financing and financial investment, management and advisory services to any group company, which shall include but not be limited to granting or providing credit and financial accommodation, lending and making advances with or without interest to any group company and lending to or depositing with any bank funds or other assets to provide security (by way of mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or otherwise) for loans or other forms of financing granted to such group company by such bank; and 6.5 to acquire by purchase or otherwise and hold, sell, dispose of and deal in real property situated outside Bermuda and the Netherlands Antilles and in personal property of all kinds wheresoever situated; and 6.6 to enter into any guarantee, contract of indemnity or suretyship and to assure, support or secure with or without consideration or benefit the performance of any obligations of any person or persons and to guarantee the fidelity of individuals filling or about to fill situations of trust or confidence; Provided that the Company shall not be deemed to have the power to act as executor or administrator, or as trustee, except in connection with the issue of bonds and debentures by the Company or any group company or in connection with a pension scheme for the benefit of employees or former employees of the Company or a group company or their respective predecessors, or the dependants or connections of such employees or former employees.
Signed by a duly authorised director in the presence of at least one witness attesting the signature thereof:-
/s/ Michael Emmons
|
/s/ C.A. Atwood
|
Dated: February 21, 2001
THE COMPANIES ACT 1981
FIRST SCHEDULE (section 11(1))
A company limited by shares, or other company having a share capital, may exercise all or any of the following powers subject to any provision of law or its memorandum- |
||
(1) | [repealed by 1992:51] | |
(2) | to acquire or undertake the whole or any part of the business, property and liabilities of any person carrying on any business that the company is authorized to carry on; | |
(3) | to apply for, register, purchase, lease, acquire, hold, use, control, licence, sell, assign or dispose of patents, patent rights, copyrights, trade marks, formulae, licences, inventions, processes, distinctive marks and similar rights; | |
(4) | to enter into partnership or into any arrangement for sharing of profits, union of interests, co-operation, joint venture, reciprocal concession or otherwise with any person carrying on or engaged in or about to carry on or engage in any business or transaction that the company is authorized to carry on or engage in or any business or transaction capable of being conducted so as to benefit the company; | |
(5) | to take or otherwise acquire and hold securities in any other body corporate having objects altogether or in part similar to those of the company or carrying on any business capable of being conducted so as to benefit the company; | |
(6) | subject to section 96 to lend money to any employee or to any person having dealings with the company or with whom the company proposes to have dealings or to any other body corporate any of whose shares are held by the company; | |
(7) | to apply for, secure or acquire by grant, legislative enactment, assignment, transfer, purchase or otherwise and to exercise, carry out and enjoy any charter, licence, power, authority, franchise, concession, right or privilege, that any government or authority or any body corporate or other public body may be empowered to grant, and to pay for, aid in and contribute toward carrying it into effect and to assume any liabilities or obligations incidental thereto; | |
(8) | to establish and support or aid in the establishment and support of associations, institutions, funds or trusts for the benefit of employees or former employees of the company or its predecessors, or the dependants or connections of such employees or former employees, and grant pensions and allowances, and make payments towards insurance or for any object similar to those set forth in this paragraph, and to subscribe or guarantee money for charitable, benevolent, educational or religious objects or for any exhibition or for any public, general or useful objects; | |
(9) | to promote any company for the purpose of acquiring or taking over any of the property and liabilities of the company or for any other purpose that may benefit the company; | |
(10) |
to purchase, lease, take in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any personal property and any rights or privileges that the company considers necessary or convenient for the purposes of its business;
|
|
(11) | to construct, maintain, alter, renovate and demolish any buildings or works necessary or convenient for its objects; | |
(12) | to take land in Bermuda by way of lease or letting agreement for a term not exceeding fifty years, being land bona fide required for the purposes of the business of the company and with the consent of the Minister granted in his discretion to take land in Bermuda by way of lease or letting agreement for a term not exceeding twenty-one years in order to provide accommodation or recreational facilities for its officers and employees and when no longer necessary for any of the above purposes to terminate or transfer the lease or letting agreement; | |
(13) | except to the extent, if any, as may be otherwise expressly provided in its incorporating Act or memorandum and subject to this Act every company shall have power to invest the moneys of the Company by way of mortgage of real or personal property of every description in Bermuda or elsewhere and to sell, exchange, vary, or dispose of such mortgage as the company shall from time to time determine; | |
(14) | to construct, improve, maintain, work, manage, carry out or control any roads, ways, tramways, branches or sidings, bridges, reservoirs, watercourses, wharves, factories, warehouses, electric works, shops, stores and other works and conveniences that may advance the interests of the company and contribute to, subsidize or otherwise assist or take part in the construction, improvement, maintenance, working, management, carrying out of control thereof; | |
(15) | to raise and assist in raising money for, and aid by way of bonus, loan, promise, endorsement, guarantee or otherwise, any person and guarantee the performance or fulfilment of any contracts or obligations of any person, and in particular guarantee the payment of the principal of and interest on the debt obligations of any such person; | |
(16) | to borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the company may think fit; | |
(17) | to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue bills of exchange, promissory notes, bills of lading, warrants and other negotiable or transferable instruments; | |
(18) | when properly authorized to do so, to sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of the undertaking of the company or any part thereof as an entirety or substantially as an entirety for such consideration as the company thinks fit; | |
(19) | to sell, improve, manage, develop, exchange, lease, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with the property of the company in the ordinary course of its business; | |
(20) | to adopt such means of making known the products of the company as may seem expedient, and in particular by advertising, by purchase and exhibition of works of art or interest, by publication of books and periodicals and by granting prizes and rewards and making donations; | |
(21) | to cause the company to be registered and recognized in any foreign jurisdiction, and designate persons therein according to the laws of that foreign jurisdiction or to represent the company and to accept service for and on behalf of the company of any process or suit; | |
(22) | to allot and issue fully-paid shares of the company in payment or part payment of any property purchased or otherwise acquired by the company or for any past services performed for the company; | |
(23) | to distribute among the members of the company in cash, kind, specie or otherwise as may be resolved, by way of dividend, bonus or in any other manner considered advisable, any property of the company, but not so as to decrease the capital of the company unless the distribution is made for the purpose of enabling the company to be dissolved or the distribution, apart from this paragraph, would be otherwise lawful; | |
(24) | to establish agencies and branches; | |
(25) | to take or hold mortgages; hypothecs, liens and charges to secure payment of the purchase price, or of any unpaid balance of the purchase price, of any part of the property of the company of whatsoever kind sold by the company, or for any money due to the company from purchasers and others and to sell or otherwise dispose of any such mortgage, hypothec, lien or charge; | |
(26) | to pay all costs and expenses of or incidental to the incorporation and organization of the company; | |
(27) | to invest and deal with the moneys of the company not immediately required for the objects of the company in such manner as may be determined; | |
(28) | to do any of the things authorized by this Schedule and all things authorized by its memorandum as principals, agents, contractors, trustees or otherwise, and either alone or in conjunction with others; | |
(29) | to do all such other things as are incidental or conductive to the attainment of the objects and the exercise of the powers of the company. | |
Every company may exercise its powers beyond the boundaries of Bermuda to the extent to which the laws in force where the powers are sought to be exercised permit. |
BYE-LAWS
OF
ACCENTURE LTD
(effective 2001)
Appleby Spurling & Kempe
Cedar House
41 Cedar Avenue
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bye-laws
of
Accenture Ltd
1. | In these Bye-Laws, unless the context otherwise requires: | ||
" Bermuda " means the Islands of Bermuda; | |||
" Board " means the board of directors for the time being of the Company; | |||
" Bye-Laws " means these bye-laws in their present form or as from time to time amended; | |||
" Class A Common Shares " means class A common shares of par value US$0.0000225 per share (or such other par value as may result from any reorganisation of capital) in the capital of the Company, having the rights and being subject to the limitations set out in these Bye-laws; | |||
" Class X Common Shares " means redeemable class X common shares of par value US$0.0000225 per share (or such other par value as may result from any reorganisation of capital) in the capital of the Company, having the rights and being subject to the limitations set out in these Bye-laws. | |||
" clear days " means, in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day on which the notice is given or served, or deemed to be given or served, and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect; | |||
" Companies Acts " means every Bermuda statute, regulation and order from time to time in force concerning companies insofar as the same apply to the Company; | |||
" Company " means Accenture Ltd, an exempted company registered in Bermuda with registration number EC 30090 (following its continuance into Bermuda on 21 February 2001) ; | |||
" Director " means a director for the time being of the Company; | |||
" Employee Covered Shares " has the same meaning as is given to that term in the Voting Agreement; | |||
" Group Company " means the Company, any holding company of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company or of any such holding company; |
" Officer " means a Director, Secretary, or other officer of the Company appointed pursuant to Bye-Law 105, but does not include any person holding the office of auditor in relation to the Company; | |||
" Paid Up " means paid up or credited as paid up; | |||
" Person entitled by Transmission " means a person whose entitlement to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder or of any other event giving rise to its transmission by operation of law has been noted in the Register; | |||
" Redemption Date " means the date specified in a notice served by the Company on a Class X Common Shareholder under Bye-law 4.3(d); | |||
" Register " means the register of shareholders of the Company and, except in Bye-Laws 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3, includes any branch register; | |||
" Registered Office " means the registered office for the time being of the Company; | |||
" Resident Representative " means the person or, if permitted by the Companies Acts, the company appointed to perform the duties of resident representative of the Company as set out in the Companies Acts (and includes any assistant or deputy resident representative appointed by the Board); | |||
" Resolution " means a resolution of the Shareholders or, where required, of a separate class or separate classes of Shareholders, adopted in general meeting or passed in accordance with the provisions of these Bye-Laws; | |||
" Seal " means the common seal of the Company and includes any duplicate seal; | |||
" Secretary " means the secretary of the Company or, if there are joint secretaries, any of the joint secretaries and includes a deputy or assistant secretary and any person appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of the secretary; | |||
" Shareholder " means a holder of a share (of any class) of the Company; | |||
" Share " means any share in the capital of the Company; | |||
" Subsidiary " and "holding company" have the same meanings as in section 86 of the Companies Act 1981, except that references in that section to a company shall include any body corporate or other legal entity, whether incorporated or established in Bermuda or elsewhere; | |||
" Undesignated Shares " means the 2,000,000,000 shares of par value US$0.0000225 per share (or such other par value as may result from any reorganisation of capital) in the capital of the Company, having such rights and being subject to such limitations as may be attached to them pursuant to Bye-law 5.3; | |||
" US dollars " or " US$ " means United States dollars; and |
" Voting Agreement " means the voting agreement relating to shares in the Company to be dated as of 18 April 2001 and entered into among the Company and the covered persons from time to time party to that agreement. | |||
2. | For the purposes of these Bye-Laws, unless the context otherwise requires: | ||
2.1 | a corporation shall be deemed to be present in person at a meeting if its representative, duly authorised pursuant to these Bye-Laws, is present; | ||
2.2 | words importing only the singular number include the plural number and vice versa; | ||
2.3 | words importing only one gender include the other genders; | ||
2.4 | references to a company include any body corporate or other legal entity, whether incorporated or established in Bermuda or elsewhere; | ||
2.5 | references to a person include any company, partnership or other body of persons, whether corporate or not, any trust and any government, governmental body or agency or public authority, whether of Bermuda or elsewhere; | ||
2.6 | references to writing include typewriting, printing, lithography, photography, electronic mail and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form; | ||
2.7 | a reference to anything being done by electronic means includes its being done by means of any electronic or other communications equipment or facilities and references to any communication being delivered or received, or being delivered or received at a particular place, include the transmission of an electronic or similar communication, and to a recipient identified in such manner or by such means, as the Board may from time to time approve or prescribe, either generally or for a particular purpose; | ||
2.8 | references to a signature or to anything being signed or executed include such forms of electronic signature or other means of verifying the authenticity of an electronic or similar communication as the Board may from time to time approve or prescribe, either generally or for a particular purpose; | ||
2.9 | references to a dividend include a distribution paid in respect of shares to Shareholders out of contributed surplus or any other distributable reserve; | ||
2.10 | any words or expressions defined in the Companies Acts, if not otherwise defined in or given a particular meaning by these Bye-Laws, have the same meaning in these Bye-Laws, except that the definition of "attorney" shall not apply; | ||
2.11 | any reference to any statute or statutory provision (whether of Bermuda or elsewhere) includes a reference to any modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force and to every rule, regulation or order made under it (or under any such modification or re-enactment) and for the time being in force and any reference to any rule, regulation or order made under any such statute or statutory provision includes a | ||
reference to any modification or replacement of such rule, regulation or order for the time being in force; and | |||
2.12 | references to shares carrying the general right to vote at general meetings of the Company are to those shares (of any class or series) carrying the right to vote, other than shares which entitle the holders to vote only in limited circumstances or upon the occurrence of a specified event or condition (whether or not those circumstances have arisen or that event or condition has occurred). |
3. | The Registered Office shall be at such place in Bermuda as the Board from time to time decides. |
SHARE CAPITAL
4.1 | The authorised share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Bye-laws is US$517,500 divided into 20,000,000,000 Class A Common Shares, 1,000,000,000 Class X Common Shares and 2,000,000,000 Undesignated Shares. | ||
4.2 | Class A Common Shares | ||
The Class A Common Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the following rights :- | |||
(a) | as regards dividend :- | ||
after making all necessary provisions, where relevant, for payment of any preferred dividend in respect of any preference shares in the Company then outstanding, the Company shall apply any profits or reserves which the Directors resolve to distribute in paying such profits or reserves to the holders of the Class A Common Shares in respect of their holdings of such shares pari passu and pro rata to the number of Class A Common Shares held by each of them; | |||
(b) | as regards capital :- | ||
on a return of assets on liquidation, reduction of capital or otherwise, the holders of the Class A Common Shares shall be entitled to be paid the surplus assets of the Company remaining after payment of its liabilities (subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares in the Company then in issue having preferred rights on a return of capital) in respect of their holdings of Class A Common Shares pari passu and pro rata to the number of Class A Common Shares held by each of them; | |||
(c) | as regards voting in general meetings :- | ||
the holders of the Class A Common Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, general meetings of the Company; every holder of Class A Common Shares present in person or by proxy shall have one vote |
for each Class A Common Share held by him (and, except as otherwise provided by the Companies Acts or these Bye-laws, the holders of Class A Common Shares and Class X Common Shares shall vote as a single class). | |||
4.3 | Class X Common Shares | ||
The Class X Common Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the following rights and will be subject to the following restrictions :- | |||
(a) | as regards dividend:- | ||
the holders of Class X Common Shares will have no right to receive any dividend or distribution in respect of their holdings of Class X Common Shares; | |||
(b) | as regards capital:- | ||
on a return of assets on liquidation, reduction of capital or otherwise, the holders of the Class X Common Shares will not be entitled to any payment out of the surplus assets of the Company in respect of their holdings of Class X Common Shares; | |||
(c) | as regards voting in general meetings:- | ||
the holders of the Class X Common Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, general meetings of the Company; every holder of Class X Common Shares present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for each Class X Common Share held by him (and, except as otherwise provided by the Companies Acts or these Bye-laws, the holders of Class A Common Shares and Class X Common Shares shall vote as a single class); | |||
(d) | as regards redemption :- | ||
(i) | subject as provided in this Bye-law 4.3(d), any Class X Common Shares may, at the option of the Company, at any time (subject to the requirements of the Companies Acts) be redeemed by the Company; | ||
(ii) | if the Company exercises its right under this Bye-law 4.3(d) it will, within 30 days of the Redemption Date, notify the Class X Common Shareholder in writing of the date of completion of the redemption, the number of Class X Common Shares held by him which have been redeemed and of his right to claim a redemption payment under paragraph (iii); | ||
(iii) |
(subject to delivery of any share certificate as referred to in paragraph (iv) below) the Company will, within 30 days of receipt by it from the Shareholder of a written request for payment, (subject to paragraph (v) below) pay to such holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the holder whose name stands first in the register of members in respect of such |
shares, in respect of each Class X Common Share which has been redeemed the par value of that share; | |||
(iv) | the holder of any Class X Common Shares which have been redeemed shall, within 30 days of receipt by him of the notice referred to in paragraph (ii), deliver to the Company at its Registered Office (or such other place as the Company directs) any certificates for the Class X Common Shares held by him which have been redeemed. If relevant, the Company will issue to the Shareholder a new share certificate for any unredeemed Class X Common Shares held by that shareholder); | ||
(v) | if a redemption of Class X Common Shares under this bye-law 4.3(d) would otherwise result in the Shareholder being entitled to receive a redemption payment of a fractional part of one cent of a US dollar, then the amount of the payment will be rounded up to the nearest whole cent; | ||
(vi) | the receipt of the registered holder or, in the case of joint holders, the holder whose name stands first in the register of members for the time being of Class X Common Shares being redeemed for the monies payable on redemption of such shares shall constitute an absolute discharge to the Company in respect thereof; and | ||
(vii) | any redemption payment which is uncollected for a period of 1 year from the date of issue by the Company of the notice relating to it under paragraph (ii) above shall be forfeited and will revert to the Company; | ||
(e) | as regards transfer:- | ||
Class X Common Shares are not transferable by their holders, unless the Class X Common Shareholder has received the prior written consent of the Company to the proposed transfer to the proposed transferee; and | |||
(f) | as regards certificates:- | ||
unless the Board resolves otherwise (either generally or in any particular case or cases) holders of Class X Common Shares will not be entitled to receive a share certificate in respect of any Class X Common Shares held by him. |
5.1 | Subject to the Companies Acts and to the rights conferred on the holders of any other class of shares, any share in the Company may be issued with or have attached to it such preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions as the Company may by Resolution decide or, if no such Resolution is in effect or insofar as the Resolution does not make specific provision, as the Board may from time to time determine. |
6.1 | Subject to the Companies Acts, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to any class of shares for the time being in issue may, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up), be altered or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than 50 per cent. of all of the votes capable of being cast at the relevant time at a separate general meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a Resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of shares of that class by a majority of not less than 50 per cent. of the votes cast. | ||
6.2 | All the provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to general meetings of the Company shall apply mutatis mutandis to any separate general meeting of any class of Shareholders, except that the necessary quorum shall be two or more Shareholders present in person or by proxy together holding or representing a majority of the issued shares of the relevant class; provided that, if the relevant class of Shareholders has only one Shareholder, one Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall constitute the necessary quorum. | ||
7. |
The special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be altered or abrogated by (i) the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with them, (ii) the creation or issue for full value (as determined by the Board) of further shares ranking as regards participation in the profits or assets of the Company or otherwise in priority to them or (iii) the purchase or redemption by the Company of any of its own shares. |
8.1 | Subject to the other provisions of these Bye-Laws, the unissued shares of the Company (whether forming part of the original share capital or any increased capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options or other rights over or otherwise deal with or dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and generally on such terms and conditions as the Board may from time to time determine. | ||
8.2 | Shares may be issued in fractional denominations and in such event the Company shall deal with such fractions to the same extent as its whole shares, so that a share in a fractional denomination shall have, in proportion to the fraction of a whole share that it represents, all the rights of a whole share, including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) the right to vote, to receive dividends and distributions and to participate in a winding-up. | ||
9. | The Board may, in connection with the issue of any shares, exercise all powers of paying commissions and brokerages conferred or permitted by law. | ||
10. | Subject to the Companies Acts, the Company may purchase its own shares and the Board may (without the sanction of a Resolution) authorise any exercise of the |
Company's power to purchase its own shares, whether in the market, by tender or by private agreement, at such prices (whether at par or above or below par) and otherwise on such terms and conditions as the Board may from time to time determine. The whole or any part of the amount payable on any such purchase may be paid or satisfied otherwise than in cash, to the extent permitted by the Companies Acts. | |||
11. |
Except only as otherwise provided in these Bye-Laws, as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise required by law, the Company shall be entitled to treat the registered holder of any share (or any fractional part of a share) as the absolute owner of it and accordingly no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share (or any fractional part of a share) upon trust, and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise (even when having notice of it) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest or other right in any share (or any fractional part of a share) except an absolute right to the entirety of the share or to the fractional part of a share in the registered holder of it. |
12. | The Company may from time to time increase its capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such par value, as the Company by Resolution shall prescribe. | ||
13. | The Company may, by the Resolution increasing the capital, direct that the new shares or any of them shall be offered in the first instance either at par or at a premium or (subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts) at a discount to all the holders for the time being of shares of any class or classes in proportion to the number of such shares held by them respectively or make any other provision as to the issue of the new shares. | ||
14. | The new shares shall be subject to all the provisions of these Bye-Laws with reference to lien, the payment of calls, forfeiture, transfer, transmission and otherwise. |
15.1 | The Company may (subject to Bye-law 15.2) from time to time by Resolution: | ||
15.1.1 | divide its shares into several classes and attach to them respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions; | ||
15.1.2 | consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger par value than any of its existing shares; | ||
15.1.3 | sub-divide its shares or any of them into shares of smaller par value than is fixed by its memorandum, so, however, that in the sub-division the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; |
15.1.4 | make provision for the issue and allotment of shares which do not carry any voting rights; | ||
15.1.5 | cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of the relevant Resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its authorised share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled; and | ||
15.1.6 | change the currency denomination of its share capital. | ||
15.2 | In the case of any split, subdivision, combination or reclassification of Class A Common Shares or Class X Common Shares, the shares of the other such class of common shares shall also be split, subdivided, combined or reclassified, in each case so that the numbers of Class A Common Shares and Class X Common Shares in issue immediately following such split, subdivision, combination or reclassification shall bear the same relationship to one another as do the numbers of Class A Common Shares and Class X Common Shares in issue immediately prior to such split, subdivision, combination or reclassification. | ||
15.3 | Where any difficulty arises in regard to any division, consolidation or sub-division under this Bye-Law 15, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and, in particular, may arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale in due proportion among the Shareholders who would have been entitled to the fractions, except that any proceeds in respect of any holding which are less than a sum fixed by the Board may be retained for the benefit of the Company. For the purpose of any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares representing fractions to the purchaser, who shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale. | ||
16. | Subject to the Companies Acts and to any confirmation or consent required by law or these Bye-Laws, the Company may from time to time by Resolution convert any preference shares in the Company (unless otherwise expressly provided by the rights attaching to or by the terms of issue of the preference shares in question) into redeemable preference shares. |
17. | Subject to the Companies Acts and to any confirmation or consent required by law or these Bye-Laws, the Company may from time to time by Resolution authorise the reduction in any manner of its issued share capital (but not to a sum less than the minimum share capital prescribed by its memorandum) or any share premium account. | ||
18. | In relation to any such reduction, the Company may by Resolution determine the terms upon which the reduction is to be effected, including, in the case of a reduction of part only of a class of shares, those shares to be affected. |
19.1 | Shares shall be issued in registered form. Unless the Board resolves otherwise, no Covered Person (as such term is defined in the Voting Agreement) will be entitled to a share certificate for any shares held by him. Otherwise, unless otherwise provided by the rights attaching to or by the terms of issue of any particular shares, each Shareholder shall, upon becoming the holder of any share, be entitled to a share certificate for all the shares of each class held by him (and, on transferring a part of his holding, to a certificate for the balance), but the Board may decide not to issue certificates for any shares held by, or by the nominee of, any securities exchange or depository or any operator of any clearance or settlement system except at the request of any such person. In the case of a share held jointly by several persons, delivery of a certificate in their joint names to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. | ||
19.2 | Share certificates shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe, subject to the requirements of the Companies Acts. No fee shall be charged by the Company for issuing a share certificate. | ||
20. | If a share certificate is worn-out or defaced, or alleged to have been lost or destroyed, it may be replaced without fee but on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and to payment of any exceptional costs and out of pocket expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Board may think fit and, in case of wearing-out or defacement, on delivery of the certificate to the Company. The Board may require any such indemnity to be secured in such manner as the Board may think fit. | ||
21.1 | All certificates for shares (other than letters of allotment, scrip certificates and other like documents) shall, except to the extent that the terms of issue of any shares otherwise provide, be issued under the Seal or a facsimile of it. Each certificate shall be signed by such person or persons (whether or not Officers) as the Board may from time to time decide, but the Board may determine that certificates for shares or for particular shares need not be signed by any person. | ||
21.2 | The Board may also determine, either generally or in any particular case, that any signatures on certificates for shares (or certificates or agreements or other documents evidencing the issue by the Company of awards under any share option, share incentive or other form of employee benefits plan adopted by the Company from time to time) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates, agreements or other documents by some mechanical means or may be facsimiles printed on such certificates, agreements or other documents. If any Officer who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been used on, any such certificate, agreement or other document ceases for any reason to hold his office, such certificate, agreement or other document may nevertheless be issued as though that Officer had not ceased to hold such office. | ||
22. | Nothing in these Bye-Laws shall preclude (i) title to a share being evidenced or transferred otherwise than in writing to the extent permitted by the Companies Acts and otherwise as may be determined by the Board from time to time or (ii) the Board |
from recognising the renunciation of the allotment of any share by the allottee in favour of some other person on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board may from time to time decide. |
23. | The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) for all moneys, whether presently due or not, called or payable in respect of such share. The Company's lien on a share shall extend to all dividends payable on it. The Board may at any time, either generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Bye-Law. | ||
24.1 | The Company may sell, in such manner as the Board may think fit, any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently due nor until the expiration of 14 clear days after a notice, stating and demanding payment of the sum presently due and giving notice of the intention to sell in default of such payment, has been served on the holder for the time being of the share or the person entitled by transmission to it. | ||
24.2 | The net proceeds of sale by the Company of any shares on which it has a lien shall be applied in or towards payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists so far as the same is due, and any residue shall (subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently due as existed upon the share prior to the sale) be paid to the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the share immediately before such sale. For giving effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the share to the purchaser. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the share and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale. | ||
24.3 | Whenever any law for the time being of any country, state or place imposes or purports to impose any immediate or future or possible liability upon the Company to make any payment or empowers any government or taxing authority or government official to require the Company to make any payment in respect of any shares registered in any of the Company's registers as held either jointly or solely by any Shareholders or in respect of any dividends, bonuses or other monies due or payable or accruing due or which may become due or payable to such Shareholder by the Company on or in respect of any Shares registered as mentioned above or for or on account or in respect of any Shareholder and whether in consequence of: | ||
(a) | the death of such Shareholder; | ||
(b) | the non-payment of any income tax or other tax by such Shareholder; | ||
(c) | the non-payment of any estate, probate, succession, death, stamp, or other duty by the executor or administrator of such Shareholder or by or out of his estate; or | ||
(d) | any other act or thing; |
in every such case (except to the extent that the rights conferred upon holders of any class of shares render the Company liable to make additional payments in respect of sums withheld on account of the foregoing): | |||
(i) | the Company shall be fully indemnified by such Shareholder or his executor or administrator from all liability; | ||
(ii) | the Company shall have a lien upon all dividends and other monies payable in respect of the shares registered in any of the Company's registers as held either jointly or solely by such Shareholder for all monies paid or payable by the Company as referred to above in respect of such Shares or in respect of any dividends or other monies thereon or for or on account or in respect of such Shareholder under or in consequence of any such law, together with interest at the rate of 15% per annum (or such other rate as the Board may determine) thereon from the date of payment to date of repayment, and the Company may deduct or set off against such dividends or other monies so payable any monies paid or payable by the Company as referred to above together with interest at the same rate; | ||
(iii) | the Company may recover as a debt due from such Shareholder or his executor or administrator (wherever constituted) any monies paid by the Company under or in consequence of any such law and interest thereon at the rate and for the period referred to above in excess of any dividends or other monies then due or payable by the Company; and | ||
(iv) | the Company may if any such money is paid or payable by it under any such law as referred to above refuse to register a transfer of any Shares by any such Shareholder or his executor or administrator until such money and interest is set off or deducted as referred to above or in the case that it exceeds the amount of any such dividends or other monies then due or payable by the Company, until such excess is paid to the Company. | ||
Subject to the rights conferred upon the holders of any class of shares, nothing in this Bye-law 24.3 will prejudice or affect any right or remedy which any law may confer or purport to confer on the Company. As between the Company and every such Shareholder as referred to above (and, his executor, administrator and estate, wherever constituted), any right or remedy which such law shall confer or purport to confer on the Company shall be enforceable by the Company. |
25.1 | The Board may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether on account of the par value of the shares or by way of premium) and not by the terms of issue of the shares made payable at a date fixed by or in accordance with their terms of issue and each Shareholder shall (subject to the Company serving on him at least 14 clear days' notice specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times and place so specified the amount called on his shares. A call may be revoked or postponed as the Board may determine. | ||
25.2 | A call may be made payable by instalments and shall be deemed to be made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call is passed. |
25.3 |
A person on whom a call is made shall (in addition to the transferee) remain liable for it notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the share in respect of which the call is made. |
||
26. | The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of it. | ||
27. | If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for its payment, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the sum from the day appointed for payment to the time of actual payment at such rate as the Board may determine, but the Board may waive payment of such interest, wholly or in part. | ||
28. | Any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable on allotment or at any date fixed by or in accordance with such terms of issue, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium, shall for all purposes of these Bye-Laws be deemed to be a call duly made, notified and payable on the date on which, by the terms of issue, the same becomes payable, and, in case of non-payment, all the relevant provisions of these Bye-Laws as to payment of interest, forfeiture or otherwise shall apply as if such sum had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. | ||
29. | The Board may, on the issue of any shares, differentiate between the allottees or holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment. | ||
30. | The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive all or any part of the moneys payable on a share beyond the sum actually called up on it if the holder is willing to make payment in advance and, on any moneys so paid in advance, may (until they would otherwise be due) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed between the Board and the Shareholder paying the sum in advance. |
31. | If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call on the day appointed for its payment, the Board may at any time while any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid serve on him a notice requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued. The notice shall state a further day (not being less than 14 clear days from the date of the notice) on or before which, and the place where, the payment required by the notice is to be made and shall state that, in the event of non-payment on or before the day and at the place appointed, the shares in respect of which such call is made or instalment is payable will be liable to be forfeited. | ||
32. | The Board may accept the surrender of any share liable to be forfeited, and, in any such case, references in these Bye-Laws to forfeiture include surrender. | ||
33. | If the requirements of any notice given under Bye-Law 31 are not complied with, any share in respect of which the notice was given may, at any time before payment of all calls or instalments and interest due in respect of it is made, be forfeited by a |
resolution of the Board to that effect. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared and other moneys payable in respect of the forfeited shares and not actually paid before the forfeiture. | |||
34. | When any share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served on the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share or the person entitled by transmission to it, but no forfeiture shall be invalidated by any omission to give such notice. | ||
35. | A forfeited share shall become the property of the Company and may be sold, re-offered or otherwise disposed of either to the person who was, before forfeiture, the holder of, or entitled to, the share or to any other person, on such terms and in such manner as the Board thinks fit. At any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Board may think fit. | ||
36. | A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited shares but shall, notwithstanding the forfeiture, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares, together with interest at such rate as the Board may determine from the date of forfeiture until payment and the Company may enforce payment without being under any obligation to make any allowance for the value of the shares forfeited. | ||
37. | An affidavit to the effect that the deponent is a Director or the Secretary and that a share has been duly forfeited on the date stated in the affidavit shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. The Company may receive the consideration (if any) given for the share on its sale, re-allotment or disposition, and the Board may authorise some person to transfer the share to the person to whom it is sold, re-allotted or disposed of. That person shall be registered as the holder of the share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money (if any), nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the forfeiture, sale, re-allotment or disposal of the share. |
38.1 | The Register shall be kept in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts at the Registered Office or at such other place in Bermuda as may be authorised by the Board from time to time. | ||
38.2 | The Company may also keep one or more branch registers at such place or places outside Bermuda to the extent and in the manner permitted by the Companies Acts and the Board may make such regulations as it thinks fit regarding the keeping of any branch register and may revoke or vary any such regulations. The Board may authorise any share on the Register to be included in a branch register or any share registered on a branch register to be registered on another branch register, provided that at all times the Register is maintained in accordance with the Companies Acts. |
38.3 | The Register or any branch register may be closed at such times and for such periods as the Board may from time to time decide, subject to the Companies Acts. Except during such time as it is closed, the Register and each branch register shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (or between such other times as the Board from time to time determines) on every working day. | ||
38.4 | Unless the Board so determines, no Shareholder or intending Shareholder shall be entitled to have entered in the Register any indication of any trust or any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share, and if any such entry exists or is permitted by the Board it shall not be deemed to abrogate any provisions of Bye-Law 11. |
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
39. | The Secretary shall maintain a register of the Directors and Officers of the Company as required by the Companies Acts. The register of Directors and Officers shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (or between such other times as the Board from time to time determines) on every working day. |
40. | Subject to the Companies Acts and to such of the restrictions contained in these Bye-Laws (including, without limitation, Bye-law 4.3(e)) as may be applicable, any Shareholder may transfer all or any of his shares (of any class) by an instrument of transfer in the usual common form or in any other form which the Board may from time to time approve. The instrument of transfer may be endorsed on the certificate. | ||
41.1 | The instrument of transfer of a share shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and, if the share is not fully paid, by or on behalf of the transferee and the transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect of it. All instruments of transfer may be retained by the Company. | ||
41.2 | The Board may, in its absolute discretion and without assigning any reason for its decision, decline to register any transfer of any share which is not a fully-paid share. The Board may also decline to register any transfer if: | ||
41.2.1 | the instrument of transfer is not duly stamped, if required, and lodged at the Registered Office or any other place as the Board may from time to time specify for the purpose, accompanied by the certificate (if any) for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; | ||
41.2.2 | the instrument of transfer is in respect of more than one class of share; | ||
41.2.3 | the instrument of transfer is in favour of more than four persons jointly; |
41.2.4 | it is not satisfied that all applicable consents, authorisations, permissions or approvals of any governmental body or agency in Bermuda or any other applicable jurisdiction required to be obtained under relevant law prior to such transfer have been obtained; or | ||
41.2.5 | it is not satisfied that the transfer would not violate the terms of any agreement to which the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) and the transferor are party or subject. | ||
41.3 | Subject to any directions of the Board from time to time in force, the Secretary may exercise the powers and discretions of the Board under Bye-Law 41.2 and Bye-Laws 40 and 42. | ||
42. | If the Board declines to register a transfer it shall, within one month after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to the transferee notice of such refusal. | ||
43. | No fee shall be charged by the Company for registering any transfer or for making any entry in the Register concerning any other document relating to or affecting the title to any share (except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed on it in connection with such transfer or entry). |
44. | In the case of the death of a Shareholder, the survivor or survivors, where the deceased was a joint holder, or the estate representative, where he was sole holder, shall be the only person or persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his shares; but nothing in these Bye-Laws shall release the estate of a deceased holder from any liability in respect of any share held by him either solely or jointly with other persons. In this Bye-Law, estate representative means the person to whom probate or letters of administration or confirmation as executor has or have been granted under the laws applicable to the estate of the deceased Shareholder or, failing such person, such other person as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine to be the person recognised by the Company for the purpose of this Bye-Law. | ||
45.1 | In the case of a person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death of a Shareholder or otherwise by operation of applicable law, the Board may require the production to the Company of such evidence of his entitlement as is prescribed by the Companies Acts or, to the extent that no such evidence is prescribed, as may from time to time be required by the Board. Upon production of such evidence the name and address of the person so entitled shall be noted in the Register. | ||
45.2 | Subject to Bye-Law 46.2, any person entitled by transmission to a share shall be entitled to receive (and may give a discharge for) any dividends or other moneys payable in respect of the share, to attend and vote in respect of the share at general meetings of the Company and of the relevant class of Shareholders and generally to |
exercise in respect of the share all of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder as if he were registered as the holder of the share. | |||
46.1 | Any person entitled by transmission to a share may elect either to be registered himself as the holder of the share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee of the share. If he elects to be registered himself, he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects. If he elects to have his nominee registered, he shall signify his election by signing an instrument of transfer of such share in favour of his nominee. All the provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfer of shares shall apply to any such notice or instrument of transfer as if the death of the Shareholder or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred and the notice or instrument of transfer was an instrument of transfer signed by such Shareholder. | ||
46.2 | The Board may at any time give notice requiring a person entitled by transmission to a share to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share and if the notice is not complied with within 60 days the Board may withhold payment of all dividends and other moneys payable in respect of the share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. | ||
47. | Subject to any directions of the Board from time to time in force, the Secretary may exercise the powers and discretions of the Board under Bye-Laws 44, 45 and 46. |
48.1 | The Board shall convene and the Company shall hold annual general meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts. | ||
48.2 | The Board may, whenever it thinks fit, and shall, on the requisition in writing of Shareholders holding such number of shares as is prescribed by, and made in accordance with, the Companies Acts, convene a general meeting in the manner required by the Companies Acts. All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called special general meetings. | ||
48.3 | Each general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Board decides. |
49. |
An annual general meeting of the Company (other than an adjourned meeting) shall be called by at least 30 clear days' notice and a special general meeting of the Company (other than an adjourned meeting) shall be called by at least 10 clear days notice. The notice of a general meeting shall specify the place, day and time of the meeting (including any satellite meeting place arranged for the purposes of Bye-Law 53.2) and, in the case of a special general meeting, the general nature of the business to be considered. Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner permitted by these Bye-Laws to all Shareholders (other than those who, under the provisions of these Bye-Laws or the terms of issue of the shares which they hold, are |
not entitled to receive such notice from the Company) and to each Director and to the Resident Representative. | |||
50. | The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the notice) the accidental omission to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting. A Shareholder present, either in person or by proxy, at any general meeting of the Company or of the holders of any class of shares in the Company, will be deemed to have received notice of that meeting and, where required, of the purpose for which it was called. |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
51.1 | The chairman of the Board or, in his absence, the president of the Board shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders. If there is no such chairman or president, or if at any meeting neither the chairman nor the president is present within 5 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or if neither of them is willing to act as chairman, the Directors present shall appoint one of those Directors who is willing to act as chairman or, if only one Director is present, he shall preside as chairman, if willing to act. If none of the Directors present is willing to act as chairman, the Director or Directors present may appoint any other Officer who is present and willing to act as chairman. In default of any such appointment, the persons present and entitled to vote shall elect any Officer who is present and willing to act as chairman or, if no Officer is present or if none of the Officers present is willing to act as chairman, one of their number to be chairman. | ||
51.2 | Except in the case of the removal of auditors or Directors, anything which may be done by resolution in general meeting of all or any class or Shareholders may, without a meeting and without any previous notice being required, be done by resolution in writing, signed by all of the Shareholders or any class thereof or their proxies (or in the case of a Shareholder that is a corporation (whether or not a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts) on behalf of such Shareholder) being all of the Shareholders of the Company or any class thereof, who at the date of the resolution in writing would be entitled to attend a meeting and vote on the resolution. Such resolution in writing may be signed in as many counterparts as may be necessary. | ||
51.3 | For the purposes of any written resolution under Bye-law 51.2, the date of the resolution in writing is the date when the resolution is signed by, or on behalf of, the last Shareholder to sign and any reference in any enactment to the date of passing of a resolution is, in relation to a resolution in writing made in accordance with this section, a reference to such date. | ||
51.4 | A resolution in writing made in accordance with Bye-law 51.2 is as valid as if it had been passed by the Company in general meeting or, if applicable, by a meeting of the relevant class of Shareholders of the Company, as the case may be. A resolution in writing made in accordance with this section shall constitute minutes for the purposes of the Companies Acts and these Bye-laws. |
52.1 | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting or adjourned meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the appointment or election of a chairman, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by the Companies Acts or these Bye-Laws, two Shareholders present in person or by proxy and having the right to attend and vote at the meeting and holding shares representing more than 50 per cent of the votes that may be cast by all Shareholders at the relevant time shall be a quorum (provided that, if the Company shall have only one Shareholder, one Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall constitute the necessary quorum). | ||
52.2 | If within 5 minutes (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for a meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. If within 15 minutes after the time appointed for a meeting, no shareholders are present, the meeting shall be dissolved. In any other case, it shall stand adjourned to such other day and such other time and place as the chairman of the meeting may determine. The Company shall give not less than 5 days notice of any meeting adjourned through want of a quorum and such notice shall state the quorum requirement from the adjourned meeting under Bye-Law 52.1. If within 5 minutes (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for any adjourned meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting may be further adjourned to such other day and such other time and place as the chairman of the meeting may determine, but otherwise the meeting shall be dissolved. A meeting may not be adjourned under this Bye-Law 52.2 to a day which is more than 90 days after the day originally appointed for the meeting. | ||
52.3 | If it appears to the chairman of a general meeting that the place of the meeting specified in the notice convening the meeting is inadequate to accommodate all persons entitled and wishing to attend, the meeting is duly constituted and its proceedings are valid if the chairman is satisfied that adequate facilities are available, whether at the place of the meeting or elsewhere, to ensure that each such person who is unable to be accommodated at the place of the meeting is able to communicate simultaneously and instantaneously with the persons present at the place of the meeting, whether by the use of microphones, loud-speakers, audio-visual or other communications equipment or facilities. | ||
53.1 | A meeting of the Shareholders or of any class of Shareholders may be held by such electronic means as the Board may from time to time approve and which permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. | ||
53.2 | The Board may resolve to enable persons entitled to attend a general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders to do so by simultaneous attendance and participation at a satellite meeting place anywhere in the world. The Shareholders present at any such satellite meeting place in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be counted in the quorum for, and shall be entitled to vote at, the general meeting in question if the chairman of the general meeting is satisfied that adequate |
facilities are available throughout the general meeting to ensure that Shareholders attending at all the meeting places are able to: | |||
53.2.1 | communicate simultaneously and instantaneously with the persons present at the other meeting place or places, whether by the use of microphones, loud-speakers, audio-visual or other communications equipment or facilities; and | ||
53.2.2 | have access to all documents which are required by the Companies Acts and these Bye-Laws to be made available at the meeting. | ||
The chairman of the general meeting shall be present at, and the meeting shall be deemed to take place at, the principal meeting place. If it appears to the chairman of the general meeting that the facilities at the principal meeting place or any satellite meeting place are or become inadequate for the purposes referred to above, then the chairman may, without the consent of the meeting, interrupt or adjourn the general meeting. All business conducted at that general meeting up to the time of such adjournment shall be valid. | |||
54. | Each Director and the Resident Representative shall be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders. | ||
55. | The Board may make any security arrangements which it considers appropriate relating to the holding of a general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders including, without limitation, arranging for any person attending a meeting to be searched and for items of personal property which may be taken into a meeting to be restricted, and any person who fails to comply with any such arrangements may be refused entry to the meeting. | ||
56.1 | Subject to the Companies Acts, a resolution may only be put to a vote at a general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders if: | ||
56.1.1 | it is proposed by or at the direction of the Board; or | ||
56.1.2 | it is proposed at the direction of the Court; or | ||
56.1.3 | it is proposed on the requisition in writing of such number of Shareholders as is prescribed by, and is made in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the Companies Acts; or | ||
56.1.4 | the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that the resolution may properly be regarded as within the scope of the meeting. | ||
56.2 | No amendment may be made to a resolution, at or before the time when it is put to a vote, unless the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that the amendment or the amended resolution may properly be put to a vote at that meeting. | ||
56.3 | If the chairman of the meeting rules a resolution or an amendment to a resolution admissible or out of order (as the case may be), the proceedings of the meeting or on the resolution in question shall not be invalidated by any error in his ruling. Any |
ruling by the chairman of the meeting in relation to a resolution or an amendment to a resolution shall be final and conclusive. | |||
57. |
The chairman of the meeting may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present, adjourn the meeting from time to time (or sine die ) and from place to place. In addition to any other power of adjournment conferred by law, the chairman of the meeting may at any time without the consent of the meeting adjourn the meeting (whether or not it has commenced or a quorum is present) to another time and/or place (or sine die ) if, in his opinion, it would facilitate the conduct of the business of the meeting to do so or if he is so directed (prior to or at the meeting) by the Board. When a meeting is adjourned sine die the time and place for the adjourned meeting shall be fixed by the Board. | ||
58. | When a meeting is adjourned for three months or more or sine die , not less than 10 clear days' notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the same manner as in the case of the original meeting. Except as expressly provided by these Bye-Laws, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting. No business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might properly have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. |
59. | Except where a greater majority is required by the Companies Acts or these Bye-Laws, any question proposed for consideration at any general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast by Shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting and all resolutions put to the Shareholders will be decided on a poll vote | ||
60. | Subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class of shares, on any vote each Shareholder present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for each share held by him. | ||
61. | The Board may, before any meeting of Shareholders, determine the manner in which the poll vote is to be taken and the manner in which votes are to be counted, which may include provision for votes to be cast by electronic means by persons present in person or by proxy at the meeting and for the appointment of scrutineers. To the extent not so determined by the Board, such matters shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. A person appointed to act as a scrutineer need not be a Shareholder. | ||
62. | Votes may be cast on the poll vote either personally or by proxy. A person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way. | ||
63. | The result of the poll vote shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting. |
64. | In the case of an equality of votes at a general meeting, the motion shall be deemed to be lost and the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. | ||
65. | In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. | ||
66. | Subject to Bye-law 67, a Shareholder who is a patient for any purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court in Bermuda (or elsewhere having jurisdiction) for the protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs may vote, by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such court, and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy and may otherwise act and be treated as such Shareholder for the purpose of general meetings. | ||
67. | Evidence to the satisfaction of the Board of the authority of any person claiming the right to vote under Bye-law 66 shall be produced at the Registered Office (or at such other place as may be specified for the deposit of instruments of proxy) not later than the last time by which an instrument appointing a proxy must be deposited in order to be valid for use at the meeting or adjourned meeting or on the holding of the poll at or on which that person proposes to vote and, in default, the right to vote shall not be exercisable. | ||
68. | No Shareholder shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders in respect of any share held by him unless all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of that share have been paid. | ||
69. | No objection may be raised to the qualification of any voter or to the counting of, or failure to count, any vote except at the meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered. Any objection so raised shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that it may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on any such matter shall be final and conclusive. Except as otherwise decided by the chairman, every vote counted and not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid and every vote disallowed or not counted shall be invalid. |
PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES
70.1 | A Shareholder may appoint one or more persons as his proxy, with or without the power of substitution, to represent him and vote on his behalf in respect of all or some only of his shares at any general meeting (including an adjourned meeting). A proxy need not be a Shareholder. | ||
70.2 | A Shareholder which is a corporation may appoint any person (or two or more persons in the alternative) as its representative to represent it and vote on its behalf at |
any general meeting (including an adjourned meeting) and such a corporate representative may exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder. | |||
70.3 | A Shareholder which is a corporation may appoint more than one such corporate representatives (with or without appointing any persons in the alternative) at any such meeting provided that such appointment specifies the number of shares in respect of which each such appointee is authorised to act as representative, not exceeding in aggregate the number of shares held by the appointor and carrying the right to attend and vote at the relevant meeting. | ||
70.4 | The appointment of a proxy or a corporate representative in relation to a particular meeting shall, unless the contrary is stated, be valid for any adjournment of the meeting. | ||
71. | A Shareholder may appoint a standing proxy, with or without the power of substitution, or (if a corporation) a standing representative by delivery to the Registered Office (or at such other place as the Board may from time to time specify for such purpose) of evidence of such appointment. The appointment of such a standing proxy or representative shall be valid for every general meeting and adjourned meeting until such time as it is revoked by notice to the Company, but: | ||
71.1 | the appointment of a standing proxy or representative may be made on an irrevocable basis in which case the Company may recognise the vote of the proxy or representative given in accordance with the terms of the appointment, to the exclusion of the vote of the Shareholder, until such time as the appointment ceases to be effective in accordance with its terms. The Company will, in particular, recognise votes given by a proxy in accordance with the terms of any standing, irrevocable proxy given by a Shareholder pursuant to the terms of the Voting Agreement on this basis; | ||
71.2 | (subject to Bye-law 71.1) the appointment of a standing proxy or representative shall be deemed to be suspended at any meeting or poll taken subsequently to any meeting at which the Shareholder is present or in respect of which the Shareholder has specifically appointed another proxy or representative; and | ||
71.3 | the Board may from time to time require such evidence as it deems necessary as to the due execution and continuing validity of the appointment of any standing proxy (other than a standing, irrevocable proxy given pursuant to the terms of the Voting Agreement) or representative and, if it does so, the appointment of the standing proxy or representative shall be deemed to be suspended until such time as the Board determines that it has received the required evidence or other evidence satisfactory to it. | ||
72.1 | A proxy may be appointed by an instrument in writing in any common form or in such other form as the Board may approve, such instrument being executed under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney or agent authorised by him in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, |
attorney or other person authorised to sign the same. A proxy may also be appointed in such other manner as the Board may from time to time approve. The form of standing, irrevocable proxy attached to the Voting Agreement will be regarded as approved by the Board for all purposes of these Bye-laws. | |||
72.2 | Any instrument or other form of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of a proxy or a corporate representative (other than a standing proxy or representative), together with such evidence as to its due execution as the Board may from time to time require, shall be delivered to the Registered Office (or to such other place or places as may be specified in the notice convening the meeting or in any notice of an adjourned meeting or, in either case, in any other information sent to Shareholders by or on behalf of the Board in relation to the meeting or adjourned meeting) by such time or times as may be specified in the notice of meeting or adjourned meeting or in any such other information (which times may differ when more than one place is so specified) or, if no such time is specified, at any time prior to the holding of the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting at which the appointee proposes to vote, and if not so delivered (but subject to Bye-Law 76) the appointment shall not be treated as valid. | ||
72.3 | Subject to Bye-Law 76 and subject as mentioned in this Bye-law, an instrument or other form of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of a standing proxy or corporate representative shall not be treated as valid until 24 hours after the time at which it, together with such evidence as to its due execution as the Board may from time to time require, is delivered to the Registered Office (or to such other place or places as the Board may from time to time specify for the purpose). Any standing, irrevocable proxy delivered to the Company by any Shareholder pursuant to the Voting Agreement will automatically be treated as valid and effective for all purposes of these Bye-laws. | ||
72.4 | If the terms of appointment of a proxy include a power of substitution, any proxy appointed by substitution under such power shall be deemed to be the proxy of the Shareholder who conferred such power. All the provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to the execution and delivery of an instrument or other form of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of a proxy shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the instrument or other form of communication effecting or evidencing such an appointment by substitution. | ||
73. | The appointment of a proxy, whether a standing proxy or a proxy relating to a particular meeting, shall be deemed, unless the contrary is stated, to confer authority to vote on any amendment of a resolution and on any other resolution put to a meeting for which it is valid in such manner as the proxy thinks fit. | ||
74. | A vote given by proxy, whether a standing proxy or a proxy relating to a particular meeting, shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation of the appointment of the proxy or of the authority under which it was executed, unless notice of such death, insanity or revocation was received by the Company at the Registered Office (or at any other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments or other forms of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of proxies in the notice convening the meeting or in any other |
information sent to Shareholders by or on behalf of the Board in relation to the meeting) at least one hour before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote is given or by such later time as the Board may decide, either generally or in any particular case. | |||
75. | Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of these Bye-Laws, the Board may decide, either generally or in any particular case, to treat an instrument or other form of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of a proxy or a corporate representative as properly delivered for the purposes of these Bye-Laws if a copy or facsimile image of the instrument is sent by electronic means to the Registered Office (or to such place as may be specified in the notice convening the meeting or in any notice of any adjournment or, in either case, in any other information sent by or on behalf of the Board in relation to the meeting or adjourned meeting). | ||
76. | Subject to the Companies Acts, the Board may also at its discretion waive any of the provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to the execution and deposit of an instrument or other form of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of a proxy or a corporate representative or any ancillary matter (including, without limitation, any requirement for the production or delivery of any instrument or other communication to any particular place or by any particular time or in any particular way) and, in any case in which it considers it appropriate, may accept such verbal or other assurances as it thinks fit as to the right of any person to attend and vote on behalf of any Shareholder at any general meeting. |
AMALGAMATIONS, DISCONTINUANCE AND SALES
77.1 | Any amalgamation of the Company and another company shall require the approval of (i) the Board by a resolution passed with the approval of a majority of those Directors then in office and eligible to vote on that resolution and (ii) a Resolution passed by a majority of votes cast, in addition to any other sanction required by the Companies Acts in respect of any variation of the rights of any class of Shareholders. | ||
77.2 | A discontinuance of the Company out of Bermuda under Section 132G of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda shall, for the purposes of that section, require the approval of (i) the Board by a resolution passed with the approval of a majority of those Directors then in office and eligible to vote on that resolution and (ii) a Resolution passed by a majority of votes cast. | ||
77.3 | Any sale, lease or exchange by the Company of all or substantially all of its property or assets, including its goodwill and its corporate franchises, will require the approval of (i) the Board by a resolution passed with the approval of a majority of those Directors then in office and eligible to vote on that resolution and (ii) a Resolution passed by a majority of votes cast. |
APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
78.1 | At the date of adoption of these Bye-Laws on 12 April 2001, the Board consists of the following persons:- |
Name
Joe W. Forehand
Stephan A. James
Jackson L. Wilson, Jr.
78.2 | Joe W. Forehand is designated as a class I Director, Stephen A. James is designated as a class II Director and Jackson L. Wilson Jr. is designated as a class III Director for the purposes of these Bye-laws. There is no distinction in the voting or other powers and authorities of Directors of different classes; the classifications are solely for the purposes of the retirement by rotation provisions set out in Bye-law 79. All Directors will be designated as either class I, class II or class III Directors. The Board shall from time to time by resolution determine the respective numbers of class I Directors, class II Directors and class III Directors. | ||
78.3 | Upon the resignation or termination of office of any Director, if a new Director shall be appointed to the Board he will be designated to fill the vacancy arising and shall, for the purposes of these Bye-Laws, constitute a member of the class of Directors represented by the person that he replaces. | ||
79.1 | Each class I Director shall (unless his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-laws) serve initially until the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company held in the calendar year 2002 and subsequently shall (unless his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-laws) serve for three-year terms, each concluding at the third annual general meeting after the class I Directors together were last appointed or re-appointed. | ||
79.2 | Each class II Director shall (unless his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-laws) serve initially until the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company held in the calendar year 2003 and subsequently shall (unless his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-laws) serve for three-year terms, each concluding at the third annual general meeting after the class II Directors together were last appointed or re-appointed. | ||
79.3 | Each class III Director shall (unless his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-laws) serve initially until the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company held in the calendar year 2004 and subsequently shall (unless his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-laws) serve for three-year terms, each concluding at the third annual general meeting after the class III Directors were last appointed or re-appointed. | ||
79.4 | Any Director retiring at an annual general meeting will be eligible for re-appointment and will retain office until the close of the meeting at which he retires or (if earlier) until a resolution is passed at that meeting not to fill the vacancy or the resolution to re-appoint him is put to a vote at the meeting and is lost. |
79.5 | If the Company, at the meeting at which a Director (of any class) retires by rotation or otherwise, does not fill the vacancy, the retiring Director shall, if willing to act, be deemed to have been re-appointed unless at the meeting it is resolved not to fill the vacancy or unless a resolution for the reappointment of the Director is put to the meeting and lost. | ||
80.1 | No person shall be appointed a Director, unless:- | ||
80.1.1 | in the case of an annual or special general meeting, such person is recommended by the Board; or | ||
80.1.2 | in the case of an annual general meeting, not less than 120 nor more than 150 days before the date of the Company's proxy statement released to Shareholders in connection with the prior year's annual general meeting, notice executed by a Shareholder (not being the person to be proposed) has been received by the Secretary of the Company of the intention to propose such person for appointment, setting forth as to each person whom the Shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a Director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (iii) the class, series and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by such person, (iv) particulars which would, if he were so appointed, be required to be included in the Company's register of Directors and Officers and (v) all other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for the election of Directors pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States of America (as amended), together with notice executed by such person of his willingness to serve as a Director if so elected; provided, however, that no Shareholder shall be entitled to propose any person to be appointed, elected or re-elected Director at any special general meeting, | ||
80.2 | A Director need not be a Shareholder. Except as otherwise required by the Companies Acts, the appointment of any person proposed as a Director shall be effected by a separate resolution voted on at a general meeting as provided in these Bye-Laws. | ||
80.3 | All Directors (other than the Directors referred to in Bye-law 78.2), upon election or appointment (but not on re-appointment), must provide written acceptance of their appointment, in such form as the Board may think fit, by notice in writing to the Registered Office within 30 days of their appointment. | ||
81.1 | The Board may determine the number of Directors from time to time, which will be not less than 8 nor more than 15. | ||
81.2 | Subject to Bye-law 79.5, the Directors shall be individuals appointed as follows: | ||
81.2.1 |
the Company by Resolution at the annual general meeting in each year or at any special general meeting called for the purpose may appoint any eligible |
person as a Director (but not so as to exceed the maximum number of Directors permitted by these Bye-Laws); | |||
81.2.2 | if so authorised by the Company by Resolution at any general meeting, the Board may, by a resolution passed with the approval of a majority of the Directors then in office, appoint any persons as additional Directors (but not so as to exceed the maximum number of Directors permitted by these Bye-Laws); | ||
81.2.3 | so long as there remains in office a sufficient number of Directors to constitute a quorum of the Board in accordance with Bye-Law 99.1, the Board may, by a resolution passed with the approval of a majority of the Directors then in office, appoint any person as a Director to fill any vacancy occurring in the Board; | ||
and a Director so appointed shall (unless he is removed from office or his office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-Laws) hold office until he is required to retire under the following provisions of this Bye-law 81. | |||
81.3 | Subject to Bye-law 78.3, the resolution appointing any Director must designate the Director as a class I, class II or class III Director. | ||
81.4 | A Director (other than a Director appointed by the Board prior to the completion by the Company of the initial public offering and listing of its Class A Common Shares, who will hold office until required to resign under Bye-law 79.1, 79.2 or 79.3, as relevant) appointed by the Board under Bye-law 81.2.2 or 81.2.3 will hold office only until the next following annual general meeting. If not re-appointed at that annual general meeting, the Director will vacate office at the end of that meeting. If re-appointed at that annual general meeting, the Director will subsequently hold office until required to retire by rotation under Bye-law 79.1, 79.2 or 79.3 as relevant. | ||
81.5 | Directors are not entitled to appoint alternate directors. |
RESIGNATION AND DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
82. | The office of a Director shall be vacated: | ||
82.1 | if he resigns his office, on the date on which notice of his resignation is delivered to the Registered Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board or on such later date as may be specified in such notice; or | ||
82.2 | on his being prohibited by law from being a Director; | ||
82.3 | on his ceasing to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Companies Acts; | ||
82.4 | if, at a time when the Employee Covered Shares which are subject to Article IV of the Voting Agreement carry the right to cast more than 50 per cent. of all votes capable of being cast generally on resolutions of Shareholders, the Partners' Representatives (as defined in the Voting Agreement, being the representatives of the Shareholders who are party from time to time to the Voting Agreement), having been authorised to do so by the affirmative vote of |
66 2 / 3 per cent. of the Employee Covered Shares (which vote shall be conducted pursuant to such procedures as the Partners' Representatives shall determine, including (without limitation) the record date for that vote) give written notice to the Company that the office of any Director is terminated (such notice having effect upon delivery to the Company); or | |||
82.5 | if, at a time when the Employee Covered Shares which are subject to Article IV of the Voting Agreement do not carry the right to cast more than 50 per cent. of all votes capable of being cast generally on resolutions of Shareholders, he is requested to resign in writing by not less than three quarters of the other Directors. | ||
The provisions of section 93 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda will not apply to the Company. |
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
83. |
Each Director (other than a Director who is also an employee of a Group Company) shall be entitled to receive such fees for his services as a Director, if any, as the Board may from time to time determine. Directors who are also employees of a Group Company will not be paid any such fees by the Company in addition to their remuneration as an employee. Each Director shall be paid all expenses properly and reasonably incurred by him in the conduct of the Company's business or in the discharge of his duties as a Director, including (but without limitation) his reasonable travelling, hotel and incidental expenses in attending and returning from meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board or general meetings. | ||
84. | The Board may from time to time determine that, subject to the requirements of the Companies Acts, all or part of any fees or other remuneration payable to any non-employee Director or other Officer of the Company shall be provided in the form of shares or other securities of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or options or rights to acquire such shares or other securities, on such terms as the Board may decide. |
85. | A Director may hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of auditor) in addition to his office of Director for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine and may be paid such extra remuneration for so doing (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine, in addition to any remuneration or other amounts payable to a Director pursuant to any other Bye-Law. | ||
86. | A Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor) and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director. |
87.1 | Subject to the Companies Acts, a Director notwithstanding his office (i) may be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested and (ii) may be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any company or other person promoted by the Company or in which the Company is interested. The Board may also cause the voting power conferred by the shares in any other company or other person held or owned by the Company to be exercised in such manner in all respects as the Board thinks fit, including the exercise of votes in favour of any resolution appointing the Directors or any of them to be directors or officers of such other company or person or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to any such Directors as the directors or officers of such other company or person. | ||
87.2 | A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, to his knowledge interested in a contract with the Company or any other Group Company shall declare the nature of his interest at the first opportunity at a meeting of the Board at which the question of entering into the contract is first taken into consideration, if he knows his interest then exists, or in any other case at the first meeting of the Board after he knows that he is or has become so interested. | ||
87.3 | Subject to the Companies Acts and any further disclosure required thereby, a general notice to the Directors by a Director or other Officer declaring that he is a director or officer of or has an interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction or arrangement made with that person shall be a sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any transaction or arrangement so made. | ||
87.4 | So long as, where it is necessary, he declares the nature of his interest in accordance with Bye-law 87.2, a Director shall not by reason of his office be accountable to the Company for any benefit which he derives from any office or employment to which these Bye-Laws allow him to be appointed or from any transaction or arrangement in which these Bye-Laws allow him to be interested, and no such transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the ground of any such interest or benefit. |
88. | Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and these Bye-Laws, the Board shall manage the business and affairs of the Company and may exercise all the powers of the Company. No alteration of these Bye-Laws shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made. The powers given by this Bye-Law shall not be limited by any special power given to the Board by these Bye-Laws and, except as otherwise expressly provided in these Bye-Laws, a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board. So long as the Director acts honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company in taking any action, including action that may involve or relate to a change or potential change in the control of the Company, a Director may consider, among other things, both the long-term interests of the Company and its |
Shareholders and the effects that the Company's actions may have in the short term or long term upon any one or more of the following matters: | |||
(i) | the prospects for potential growth, development, productivity and profitability of the Company; | ||
(ii) | the employees, including "partner" level employees, of the Company and its subsidiaries; | ||
(iii) | the retired former partners and "partner" level employees of the Accenture group of businesses (as constituted prior to the adoption of these Bye-laws); | ||
(iv) | the customers and creditors of the Company and its subsidiaries; | ||
(v) | the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to contribute to the communities in which they do business, and | ||
(vi) | such other additional factors as a Director may consider appropriate in such circumstances. | ||
Nothing in this Bye-law 88 shall create any duty owed by any Director to any person or entity to consider, or afford any particular weight to, any of the foregoing matters or to limit his consideration to the foregoing matters. No such employee, retired former partner of Accenture, former employee, beneficiary, customer, creditor or community or member thereof shall have any rights against any Director under this Bye-law 88. | |||
89. | The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any other person. | ||
90. | All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for money paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time determine. | ||
91. | The Board may (subject to Bye-law 83) exercise all the powers of the Company to grant or procure the grant or provision of benefits, including pensions, annuities or other allowances, to or for any person, including any Director or former Director, who has held any executive office or employment with, or whose services have directly or indirectly been of benefit to, the Company or any company which is or has been a subsidiary of the Company or otherwise associated with any of them or a predecessor in business of the Company or of any such other company, and to or for any relation or dependant of any such person, and to contribute to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such benefit, or for the insurance of any such person. | ||
92. | The Board may from time to time appoint one or more of its body to hold any executive office with the Company for such period and on such terms as the Board may determine and may revoke or terminate any such appointment. Any such revocation or termination shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Director for any breach of any contract of service between him and the Company |
which may be involved in such revocation or termination. Any person so appointed shall receive such remuneration, if any (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise), as the Board may (subject to Bye-law 83) determine. |
DELEGATION OF THE BOARD'S POWERS
except in a case where the nature or extent of the interest of the Director concerned, so far as known to him, has not been fairly disclosed. | |||
99.5 | The Resident Representative shall, upon delivering written notice of an address for the purposes of receiving notice to the Registered Office, be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and be heard at and to receive minutes of all meetings of the Board. | ||
99.6 | The Company may by Resolution suspend or relax the provisions of this Bye-Law 99 to any extent or ratify any transaction not duly authorised by reason of a contravention of it. | ||
100. | So long as at least two Directors remain in office, the continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board, but, if less than two Directors remain in office, the sole continuing Director may act only for the purposes of calling a general meeting for such purposes as he thinks fit and of nominating a person or persons for appointment to the Board. | ||
101. | The chairman of the Board or, in his absence, any Director holding the office of president shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board. If there is no such chairman or president, or if at any meeting the chairman or the president is not present within 5 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is not willing to act as chairman, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. | ||
102. | A resolution in writing signed or approved by all the Directors shall be as valid and effectual as a resolution passed at a meeting of the Board duly called and constituted. Such a resolution may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed or approved by one or more of the Directors. | ||
103. | A meeting of the Board may be held by such electronic means as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Such a meeting will be deemed to take place where the largest group of those participating in the meeting are physically present together or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting then is. | ||
104. | All acts done in good faith by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as a Director or member of a committee or any person authorised by the Board or any committee shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated their office, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director, member of such committee or person so authorised. |
105.1 | The Company shall have either a chairman and a deputy chairman or a president and vice-president, as the Board may from time to time determine, who shall be Directors |
and shall be elected by the Board. A person appointed to any such office shall vacate that office if he vacates his office as a Director (otherwise than by retirement at a general meeting of the Company at which he is re-appointed). | |||
105.2 | The Company may have such other Officers in addition to the Directors and the Secretary, as the Board may from time to time determine. Without limiting the foregoing, such other Officers may include a chairman and deputy chairman (if a president and vice-president are appointed under Bye-law 105.1) or a president and one or more vice-presidents (if a chairman and deputy chairman are appointed under Bye-law 105.1), to the extent that such Officers are not appointed pursuant to Bye-law 105.1. A person appointed to any such other office need not be a Director and the same person may hold more than one office. | ||
105.3 | Any person elected or appointed pursuant to this Bye-Law 105 shall hold office for such period and on such terms as the Board may determine and the Board may revoke or vary any such election or appointment at any time by resolution of a majority of the Directors then in office. Any such revocation or variation shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Officer may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Officer for any breach of any contract of service between him and the Company which may be involved in such revocation or variation. If any such office becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board. | ||
105.4 | Except as provided in the Companies Acts or these Bye-Laws, the powers and duties of any Officer elected or appointed pursuant to this Bye-Law 105 shall be such as are determined from time to time by the Board. |
106.1 | The Board shall cause minutes to be made and books kept for the purpose of recording all the proceedings at meetings of the Board and of any committee of the Board and at general meetings of the Company and of any class of Shareholders of the Company. | ||
106.2 | The minutes of general meetings of the Company and of any class of Shareholders of the Company (but not minutes of meetings of the Board or any committee of it) shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Acts between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (or between such other times as the Board from time to time determines) on every working day. |
SECRETARY AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
107. | The Secretary and, if required by the Companies Acts, the Resident Representative shall be appointed by the Board at such remuneration (if any) and on such terms as it may think fit and any Secretary and Resident Representative so appointed may be removed by the Board. The duties of the Secretary and those of the Resident Representative shall be those prescribed by the Companies Acts, together with such other duties as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Board. |
108. | A provision of the Companies Acts or these Bye-Laws requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as, or in the place of, the Secretary. |
109.1 | The Seal shall consist of a circular metal device with the name of the Company around its outer margin and the details of its registration across its centre. The Company may also have for use in any territory outside Bermuda one or more additional Seals, each of which shall be a duplicate of the Seal except, in the case of a Seal for use in sealing documents creating or evidencing securities issued by the Company, for the addition on its face of the word "Securities". | ||
109.2 | The Board shall provide for the custody of every Seal. A Seal shall only be used by authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board. Subject to the Companies Acts and except as provided in Bye-Law 21, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed by an Officer or by any person who has been authorised by the Board either generally or specifically to attest to the use of a Seal. |
110. | Subject to the Companies Acts, the Board may from time to time declare cash dividends to be paid to the Shareholders, according to their respective rights and interests, and may fix the time for the payment of such dividends. | ||
111. | Except insofar as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any shares otherwise provide: | ||
111.1 | all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on a share in advance of a call may be treated for the purpose of this Bye-Law 111 as paid up on the share; and | ||
111.2 | dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid. | ||
112. | The Board may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Shareholder (either alone or jointly with another) by the Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) due from him (either alone or jointly with another) to the Company on account of calls or otherwise in respect of shares of the Company. | ||
113. | No dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against the Company, unless the terms of issue of that share otherwise expressly provide. | ||
114.1 | Any dividend or other sum payable in cash to the holder of a share may be paid by cheque, warrant or other means approved by the Board and, in the case of a cheque or |
warrant, may be sent through the post addressed to the holder at his address in the Register (or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the share at his registered address as appearing in the Register) or addressed to such person at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. | |||
114.2 | Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of one or more of the holders and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company. | ||
114.3 | In addition, any dividend or other sum payable to the holder of a share may be paid by a bank or other funds transfer system or by such other means as may be approved by the Board and to or through such person as the holder or joint holders may direct in writing, and the Company shall have no responsibility for any sums lost or delayed in the course of any such transfer or when it has acted on any such direction. | ||
114.4 | Any one of two or more joint holders may give an effectual receipt for any dividend or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders. | ||
115.1 | If (i) a payment for a dividend or other sum payable in respect of a share sent by the Company to the person entitled to it in accordance with these Bye-Laws is left uncashed or is returned to the Company and, after reasonable enquiries, the Company is unable to establish any new address or, with respect to a payment to be made by a funds transfer system, a new account, for that person or (ii) such a payment is left uncashed or returned to the Company on two consecutive occasions, the Company shall not be obliged to send any dividends or other sums payable in respect of that share to that person until he notifies the Company of an address or, where the payment is to be made by a funds transfer system, details of the account, to be used for the purpose. | ||
115.2 | Any dividend or other distribution in respect of a share which is unclaimed for a period of 6 years from the date on which it became payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The payment by the Company of any unclaimed dividend or other distribution payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect of it. | ||
116. | The Board may direct payment or satisfaction of any dividend or other distribution wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets and, in particular, of fully or partly paid up shares or debentures of any other company; and, where any difficulty arises in regard to such dividend or distribution, the Board may settle it as it thinks expedient, and in particular may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions, or may ignore fractions altogether, and may fix the value for distribution or dividend purposes of any such specific assets, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Shareholders upon the footing of the values so fixed in order to secure equality of distribution, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board. |
117. | The Board may, before declaring any dividend or other distribution, set aside such sums as it thinks proper as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose of the Company and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such manner as the Board may from time to time think fit. The Board may also without placing the same to reserves carry forward any sums which it may think it prudent not to distribute. |
118.1 | The Board may, at any time and from time to time, resolve that it is desirable to capitalise all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund which is available for distribution or to the credit of any share premium account and accordingly that such amount be set free for distribution amongst the Shareholders or any class of Shareholders who would be entitled to it if distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions, on the footing that the same is not paid in cash but is applied either in or towards paying up amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in the Company held by such Shareholders respectively or in payment up in full of unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted, distributed and credited as fully-paid amongst such Shareholders, or partly in one way and partly in the other; provided that, for the purpose of this Bye-Law, a share premium account may be applied only in paying up of unissued shares to be issued to such Shareholders credited as fully-paid and provided further than any sum standing to the credit of a share premium account may only be applied in crediting as fully-paid shares of the same class as that from which the relevant share premium was derived. | ||
118.2 | Where any difficulty arises in regard to any distribution under this Bye-Law 118, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and, in particular, may make such provision as it thinks fit in the case of securities becoming distributable in fractions (including provision for the whole or part of the benefit of fractional entitlements to accrue to the Company) and may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments should be made to any Shareholders in lieu of any fractional entitlements, as may seem expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect to it, and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Shareholders. | ||
119.1 | Whenever the Board decides to make a capitalisation issue of shares under Bye-Law 118 it may, subject to the rights attached to any particular class of shares, also decide to offer any Shareholder the right to elect to forego his entitlement to receive additional shares under such capitalisation issue (or such part of his entitlement as the Board may determine) and to receive instead a payment in cash (a "cash option") in accordance with the following provisions of this Bye-Law 119. |
119.2 | The amount payable under and all other terms of the cash option shall be decided by the Board, which may fix a limit on the extent to which an election for the cash option shall be effective (whether by reference to a part of any Shareholder's total entitlement to additional shares or to the total number of additional shares in respect of which all such elections may be made on any occasion). | ||
119.3 | The Board shall give notice to the Shareholders of their rights of election in respect of the cash option and shall specify the procedure to be followed in order to make an election. | ||
119.4 | Payments to those Shareholders who elect to receive cash instead of their entitlement to further shares under such a capitalisation issue ("cash electors") may be made either (i) out of profits or reserves of the Company available for the payment of dividends or (ii) out of the net proceeds of sale of the shares to which the cash electors would have been entitled under such capitalisation issue but for their election to receive cash, or partly in one way and partly in the other, as the Board determines. To the extent that the Board determines that payment is to be made as in (ii) above, the Board shall be entitled to sell the additional shares to which the cash electors would have been entitled, to appoint some person to transfer those shares to the purchaser (who shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale). The net proceeds of sale shall be applied in or towards payment of the amounts due to cash electors in respect of their cash entitlement and, to the extent that they exceed that entitlement, may be retained by the Company for its benefit. | ||
119.5 | The Board may decide that Shareholders resident in territories where, in the opinion of the Board, compliance with local laws or regulations would be unduly onerous if those Shareholders were to receive additional shares, shall be deemed to have exercised rights of election to receive cash. | ||
119.6 | The Board may determine that any sums due in respect of a cash option to all or some of those Shareholders whose registered addresses are in a particular territory shall be paid in a currency or currencies other than US dollars and, if it does so, the Board may fix or otherwise determine the basis of conversion into the other currency or currencies and payment of that converted amount in that currency shall be in full satisfaction of the entitlement to such sum. | ||
120.1 | The Board may, subject to the rights attached to any particular class of shares, offer any Shareholder the right to elect to receive further shares, credited as fully paid, instead of cash in respect of all (or some part) of any dividend (a "scrip dividend") in accordance with the following provisions of this Bye-Law 120. | ||
120.2 | The basis of allotment of the further shares shall be decided by the Board so that, as nearly as may be considered convenient, the value of the further shares, including any fractional entitlement, is equal to the amount of the cash dividend which would otherwise have been paid. For these purposes the value of the further shares shall be |
calculated in such manner as may be determined by the Board, but the value shall not in any event be less than the par value of a share. | |||
120.3 | The Board shall give notice to the Shareholders of their rights of election in respect of the scrip dividend and shall specify the procedure to be followed in order to make an election. | ||
120.4 | The dividend or that part of it in respect of which an election for the scrip dividend is made shall not be paid and instead further shares shall be allotted in accordance with elections duly made and the Board shall capitalise a sum equal to not less than the aggregate par value of, nor more than the aggregate "value" (as determined under Bye-Law 120.2) of, the shares to be allotted, as the Board may determine out of such sums available for the purpose as the Board may consider appropriate. | ||
120.5 | The Board may decide that the right to elect for any scrip dividend shall not be made available to Shareholders resident in any territory where, in the opinion of the Board, compliance by the Company with local laws or regulations would be unduly onerous. | ||
120.6 | The Board may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give effect to the provisions of a scrip dividend election and the issue of any shares in accordance with the provisions of this Bye-Law 120, and may make such provisions as it thinks fit for the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions under which, in whole or in part, the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to the Company rather than to the Shareholders concerned). | ||
120.7 | The Board may from time to time establish or vary a procedure for election mandates, under which a holder of shares may, in respect of any future dividends for which a right of election pursuant to this Bye-Law 120 is offered, elect to receive further shares in lieu of such dividend on the terms of such mandate. |
121.1 | Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bye-Laws, the Company by Resolution or the Board may fix any date as the record date for any dividend, distribution, allotment or issue and for the purpose of identifying the persons entitled to receive notices of general meetings of the Company or of any class of Shareholders or other documents. Any such record date may be on or at any time before or after any date on which such dividend, distribution, allotment or issue is declared, paid or made or such notice or other document is dispatched. | ||
121.2 | In relation to any general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders or to any adjourned meeting of which notice is given, the Board may specify in the notice of meeting or adjourned meeting or in any document sent to Shareholders by or on behalf of the Board in relation to the meeting, a time and date (a "record date") which is not more than 60 days before the date fixed for the meeting (the "meeting date") and, notwithstanding any provisions in these Bye-Laws to the contrary, in any such case: |
121.2.1 | each person entered in the Register at the record date as a Shareholder, or a Shareholder of the relevant class, (a "record date holder") shall be entitled to attend and to vote at the relevant meeting and to exercise all of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder, or a Shareholder of the relevant class, in relation to that meeting in respect of the shares, or the shares of the relevant class, registered in his name at the record date; and | ||
121.2.2 | accordingly, a holder of relevant shares at the meeting date shall not be entitled to attend or to vote at the relevant meeting, or to exercise any of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder, or a Shareholder of the relevant class, in respect of the relevant shares at that meeting. |
122. | The Board shall cause accounting records of the Company to be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts. | ||
123. | The records of account shall be kept at the Registered Office or at such other place or places as the Board thinks fit; provided that, if the records of account are kept at some place outside Bermuda, there shall be kept at an office of the Company in Bermuda such records as are required by the Companies Acts to be so kept. The records of account shall at all times be open to inspection by the Directors and, to the extent prescribed by the Companies Acts, by the Resident Representative. No Shareholder (other than an Officer) shall have any right to inspect any accounting record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Board or by Resolution. | ||
124. | The Board shall procure that financial statements of the Company are prepared and audited in respect of each year or other period from time to time fixed by the Board and that those financial statements are made available to Shareholders and laid before the Company in general meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts. |
125 | Auditors shall be appointed and their duties regulated in accordance with the Companies Acts, any other applicable law and such requirements not inconsistent with the Companies Acts as the Board may from time to time determine. |
126.1 | The Company shall be entitled to sell at the best price reasonably obtainable at the time of sale the shares of a Shareholder or the shares to which a person is entitled by transmission if and provided that: | ||
126.1.1 | during a period of 6 years no dividend in respect of those shares has been claimed and at least 3 cash dividends have become payable on the shares in question; |
126.1.2 | on or after expiry of that period of 6 years the Company has inserted an advertisement in a newspaper circulating in the area of the last-registered address at which service of notices upon the Shareholder or person entitled by transmission may be effected in accordance with these Bye-Laws and in a national newspaper published in the relevant country, giving notice of its intention to sell such shares; | ||
126.1.3 | during that period of 6 years and the period of 3 months following the publication of such advertisement the Company has not received any communication from such Shareholder or person entitled by transmission; and | ||
126.1.4 | if so required by the rules of any securities exchange upon which the shares in question are listed for the time being, notice has been given to that exchange of the Company's intention to make such sale. | ||
126.2 | The Company's power of sale shall extend to any share which, on or before the date or first date on which any such advertisement appears, is issued in right of a share to which Bye-law 126.1 applies. | ||
126.3 | To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares to the purchaser who shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale. The net proceeds of sale shall belong to the Company which shall be obliged to account to the former Shareholder or person entitled by transmission for an amount equal to such proceeds and shall enter the name of such former Shareholder or person entitled by transmission in the books of the Company as a creditor for such amount. No trust shall be created in respect of the debt, no interest shall be payable in respect of the same and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned on the net proceeds, which may be employed in the business of the Company or invested in such investments as the Board may from time to time think fit. |
SERVICE OF NOTICES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
127.1 | Any notice or other document (including a share certificate) may be served on or delivered to any Shareholder by the Company either personally or by sending it through the post (by air mail where applicable) in a pre-paid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register or by delivering it to or leaving it at such registered address. Any notice may also be served on any Shareholder by the Company by sending it to him by electronic means to such addressee (including any appropriate identification name or number) as he may from time to time notify to the Company for this purpose or as the Companies Acts may permit. | ||
127.2 | Any notice or other document which is sent by post (or air mail) shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the second day after it was put in the post and, in proving such service or delivery, it shall be sufficient to prove that the notice or document was properly addressed, stamped and put in the post. Any notice or other |
document not sent by post but left at a registered address shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day it was so left. Any notice sent by electronic means during normal business hours on any business day shall be deemed to have been served on the day on which it is sent and any notice so sent at any other time shall be deemed to have been served on the next day which is a normal business day (normal business hours and business days being ascertained for this purpose by reference to such hours and days in the place or territory to which the notice is so sent). | |||
128. | If at any time, by reason of the suspension or curtailment of postal services within Bermuda or any other territory, the Company is unable effectively to convene a general meeting by notices sent through the post, a general meeting may be convened by a notice advertised in at least one national newspaper published in the territory concerned and such notice shall be deemed to have been duly served on each person entitled to receive it in that territory on the day, or on the first day, on which the advertisement appears. In any such case the Company shall send confirmatory copies of the notice by post if at least five clear days before the meeting the posting of notices to addresses throughout that territory again becomes practicable. | ||
129. | In the case of joint holders of a share, service or delivery of any notice or other document on or to one of the joint holders shall for all purposes be deemed as sufficient service on or delivery to all the joint holders. | ||
130. | In the case of a person entitled by transmission to a share, any notice or other document shall be served on or delivered to him as if he were the holder of that share and his address noted in the Register were his registered address. In any other case, any notice or other document delivered, sent or given to a Shareholder in any manner permitted by these Bye-Laws shall, notwithstanding that the Shareholder is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event, be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder. | ||
131. | A Shareholder shall not be entitled to receive any communication from the Company if 2 consecutive communications addressed to him, and properly served under these Bye-laws, have been returned to the Company undelivered, but he shall again become entitled to receive communications following written notice from him to the Company of a new or corrected registered address. For the purposes of this Bye-law, references to a communication include (without limitation) notices of general meetings and any cheque or other instrument of payment or attempted payment by a funds transfer system; but nothing in this Bye-Law shall entitle the Company to cease sending any cheques, warrants or orders or otherwise to cease making any payments for dividends or other monies payable in respect of shares, unless it is so entitled under Bye-Law 115.1. |
132.1 | The Board may authorise or arrange the destruction of documents held by the Company as follows: |
132.1.1 | at any time after the expiration of 6 years from the date of registration, all instruments of transfer of shares and all other documents transferring or purporting to transfer shares or representing or purporting to represent the right to be registered as the holder of shares on the faith of which entries have been made in the Register; | ||
132.1.2 | at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of cancellation, all registered share certificates which have been cancelled; | ||
132.1.3 | at any time after the expiration of 2 years from the date of recording them, all dividend mandates and notifications of change of address; | ||
132.1.4 | at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of actual payment, all paid dividend warrants and cheques | ||
132.1.5 | at any time after the expiration of one year from the general meeting at which it last could be used, any form of proxy. | ||
132.2 | It shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that: | ||
132.2.1 | every entry in the register purporting to have been made on the basis of an instrument of transfer or other document so destroyed was duly and properly made; | ||
132.2.2 | every instrument of transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered; | ||
132.2.3 | every share certificate so destroyed was a valid certificate duly and properly cancelled; | ||
132.2.4 | every other document mentioned in Bye-law 132.1 above so destroyed was a valid and effective document in accordance with the particulars of it recorded in the books and records of the Company; and | ||
132.2.5 | every paid dividend warrant and cheque so destroyed was duly paid. | ||
132.3 | The provisions of Bye-law 132.2 shall apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without notice of any claim (regardless of the parties to it) to which the document might be relevant. | ||
132.4 | Nothing in this Bye-Law 132 shall be construed as imposing on the Company or the Board any liability in respect of the destruction of any document earlier than as stated in Bye-law 132.1 above or in any other circumstances in which liability would not attach to the Company or the Board in the absence of this Bye-Law 132. | ||
132.5 | References in this Bye-Law 132 to the destruction of any document include references to its disposal in any manner. |
133. | If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Resolution and any other sanction required by the Companies Acts: | ||
133.1 | divide among the Shareholders in cash or in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they consist of property of the same kind or not) and for such purposes set such value as he deems fair on any property to be so divided and determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different classes of Shareholders; and | ||
133.2 | vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator, with the like sanction, thinks fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other assets upon which there is any liability. | ||
EXEMPTION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS
134.1 | Subject always to Bye-law 134.5, no Officer shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other Officer nor, so long as he has acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company, shall any Officer be liable in respect of any negligence, default or breach of duty on his own part in relation to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or for any loss, misfortune or damage which may happen, in or arising out of the actual or purported execution or discharge of his duties or the exercise or purported exercise of his powers or otherwise in relation to or in connection with his duties, powers or office. | ||
134.2 | Subject always to Bye-law 134.5, every Officer shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against all liabilities, losses, damages or expenses (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) arising out of the actual or purported execution or discharge of his duties or the exercise or purported exercise of his powers or otherwise in relation to or in connection with his duties, powers or office (including but not limited to liabilities attaching to him and losses arising by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which he may be guilty in relation to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company). | ||
134.3 | The Board shall have power to purchase and maintain insurances for the benefit of any persons who are or were at any time Officers or employees of the Company, or of any other company which is its holding company or of any other company which is a subsidiary of the Company or such holding company or in which the Company or such holding company has any direct or indirect interest, including (without limitation) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported performance of their duties or powers or offices in relation to the Company or such other company. |
134.4 | In this Bye-Law 134 (i) the term "Officer" includes, in addition to the persons specified in the definition of that term in Bye-Law 1, the Resident Representative, a member of a committee constituted under Bye-Law 95 and any person acting as an Officer or committee member in the reasonable belief that he has been so appointed or elected, notwithstanding any defect in such appointment or election; and (ii) where the context so admits, references to an Officer include the estate and personal representatives of a deceased Officer or any such other person. | ||
134.5 | The provisions for exemption from liability and indemnity contained in this Bye-Law shall have effect to the fullest extent permitted by law, but shall not extend to any matter which would render any of them void pursuant to the Companies Acts. | ||
135.1 | To the extent that any person is entitled to claim an indemnity pursuant to these Bye-Laws in respect of an amount paid or discharged by him, the relevant indemnity shall take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the person making such payment (including advance payments of fees or other costs) or effecting such discharge. | ||
135.2 | The rights to indemnification and reimbursement of expenses provided by these Bye-Laws are in addition to any other rights to which a person may be entitled. |
136.1 | These Bye-Laws may be revoked or amended only by the Board, which may from time to time revoke or amend them in any way by a resolution of the Board passed by a majority of the Directors then in office and eligible to vote on that resolution, but no such revocation or amendment shall be operative unless and until it is approved at a subsequent general meeting of the Company by a Resolution approved by (subject to Bye-Law 136.2) majority vote of the Shareholders. | ||
136.2 | Unless the Board has, by a resolution passed by a majority of the Directors then in office and eligible to vote on that resolution, approved a revocation or amendment of Bye-laws 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, or this Bye-Law 136 the revocation or amendment will not be effective unless approved by a Resolution in favour of which Shareholders holding not less than 80 per cent. of the issued shares of the Company carrying the right to vote at general meetings at the relevant time have voted. |
Exhibit 4.1
Number ACN |
[Accenture logo] |
Registered under the Laws of Bermuda
The share(s) represented by this certificate are transferable in Canton, MA, Jersey City, NJ or New York City, NY through EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. or in Hamilton, Bermuda through Reid Management Ltd. |
Class A Common Shares
Shares
CUSIP G1150G 11 1
|
||
This certifies that
is the registered holder of
|
|||||
fully paid Class A Common Shares of
Dated:
Countersigned and Registered:
|
[seal of the Company] |
||||
By /s/ Charles V. Rossi |
/s/ Joe W. Forehand | /s/ Douglas G. Scrivner | |||
Authorized Signature |
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
General Counsel and Secretary |
Accenture Ltd
The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests, a copy of the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares of the Company or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Any such requests may be addressed to the Secretary of the Company.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws and regulations:
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, _______________________hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
Exhibit 5.1
29 June 2001
Accenture Ltd
Cedar House
41 Cedar Avenue
Hamilton HM12
Bermuda
Dear Sirs
Accenture Ltd (the Company)
We have acted as legal counsel in Bermuda to the Company in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 of a registration statement (the Registration Statement) on Form S-1 in relation to an offer (the Offer) by the Company of 115,000,000 class A common shares of par value US$0.0000225 each in the Company (Class A Common Shares) and (if the over-allotment option referred to in the Registration Statement is exercised) up to an additional 17,250,000 Class A Common Shares.
The aggregate of 132,250,000 Class A Common Shares are collectively referred to as the Company Shares.
Unless otherwise defined in this opinion or the schedule to it, capitalised terms have the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.
For the purposes of this opinion we have examined and relied upon the documents listed (which, in some cases, are also defined) in the Schedule to this opinion (the Documents).
Assumptions
In stating our opinion we have assumed:
(a) |
the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all Documents (including, without limitation, public records) submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original Documents of all Documents submitted to us as certified, electronic or photostatic copies; |
(b) |
the genuineness of all signatures on the Documents; |
(c) |
the authority, capacity and power of each of the persons signing the Documents (other than directors or officers of the Company); |
(d) |
that any factual statements made in any of the Documents are true, accurate and complete; |
(e) |
that there are no provisions of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda which would have any implication in relation to these opinions; |
(f) |
that the records which were the subject of the search made on 22 June 2001 of the Register of Companies at the office of the Registrar of Companies referred to in paragraph 6 of the Schedule to this opinion were complete and accurate at the time of such search and disclosed all information which is material for the purposes of this opinion and such information has not since such date been materially altered; |
(g) |
the Resolutions are in full force and effect, have not been rescinded, either in whole or in part, and accurately record the resolutions passed by the shareholders of the Company in meetings which were duly convened and at which a duly constituted quorum was present and voting throughout and that there is no matter affecting the authority of the directors to issue and allot the Company Shares, not disclosed by the Constitutional Documents or the Resolutions, which would have any adverse implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein; |
(h) |
that the price at which the Company Shares are agreed to be issued pursuant to the underwriting agreement as referred to in the Registration Statement is equal to or greater than their par value per share of US$0.0000225; and |
(i) |
that, immediately prior to its continuance into Bermuda on 21 February 2001, Accenture N.V. was a company limited by shares registered and existing under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, with an authorised share capital of US$30,000 divided into 30,000 shares of par value US$1.00 each, of which 16,000 shares were in issue, fully-paid and held jointly by Vernon J. Ellis, Michael G. McGrath, Karl-Heinz Flöther, Joe W. Forehand, Stephan A. James and David Hunder as the general partners of Accenture Holdings C.V. |
Opinion
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the reservations set out below and to any matters not disclosed to us, we are of the opinion that:
(1) |
The Company is an exempted company incorporated with limited liability and existing under the laws of Bermuda and is in good standing under the laws of Bermuda. |
(2) |
The Company Shares have been duly created as authorised but unissued Common Shares and, when duly resolved by the board of directors of the Company to be issued and allotted, and paid for, as contemplated by the underwriting agreements as referred to in the Registration Statement, will be duly authorised, validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable Class A Common Shares of the Company. |
Reservations
We have the following reservations:
(a) |
We express no opinions as to any law other than Bermuda law and none of the opinions expressed in this opinion relates to compliance with or matters governed by the laws of any jurisdiction except Bermuda. This opinion is limited to Bermuda law as applied by the courts of Bermuda at the date hereof. |
(b) |
Any reference in this opinion to shares being non-assessable shall mean, in relation to fully-paid Class A Common Shares, (subject to any contrary provision in any agreement between the Company and the holders of such shares) that no holder of such Class A Common Shares shall be bound by an alteration of the memorandum of continuance or bye-laws of the Company after the date on which he became a shareholder, if and so far as the alteration requires him to take, or subscribe for, additional shares, or in any way increases his liability to contribute to the share capital of, or otherwise to pay money to, the Company. |
(c) |
Searches of the Register of Companies at the office of the Registrar of Companies are not conclusive and it should be noted that the Register of Companies does not reveal: |
(i) |
details of matters which have been lodged for filing or registration which as a matter of general practice of the Registrar of Companies would have or should have been disclosed on the public file but have not actually been registered or to the extent that they have been registered have not been disclosed or do not appear in the public records at the date and time the search is concluded; or |
(ii) |
details of matters which should have been lodged for registration but have not been lodged for registration at the date the search is concluded. |
(d) |
In order to issue this opinion we have carried out the search referred to in paragraph 7 of the Schedule to this opinion at 9:00 am on 22 June 2001 and have not enquired as to whether there has been any change since that time and date. |
(e) |
In this opinion, the term good standing means only that the Company has received a certificate of compliance from the Registrar of Companies in Hamilton, Bermuda. |
(f) |
We have relied upon the contents of the documents referred to in paragraph 5 of the schedule to this opinion for the purposes of this opinion. We have made no independent verification of the matters stated in that document and we qualify this opinion to the extent that the statements made in that document are not accurate in any respect. |
Disclosure
This opinion is addressed to you in connection with the filing by the Company of the Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purposes of registering its Class A Company Shares under the Securities Act of 1933. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (including, for this purpose, any and all additional registration statements, and any and all amendments to them, relating to the same offering of securities as those that are covered by the Registration Statement, that are filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) with the Securities and Exchange Commission). We also consent to the reference to our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement in the form in which it appears.
This opinion is addressed to the Company solely for the benefit of the Company and (save as referred to in the preceding paragraph) is neither to be transmitted to any other person, nor relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose nor quoted nor referred to in any public document nor filed with any governmental agency or person without our prior written consent, except as may be required by law. Further, this opinion speaks as of its date and is strictly limited to the matters stated in it and we assume no obligation to review or update this opinion if applicable law or the existing facts or circumstances should change.
This opinion is governed by and is to be construed in accordance with Bermuda law. It is given on the basis that it will not give rise to any legal proceedings with respect thereto in any jurisdiction other than Bermuda.
Yours faithfully
/s/ Appleby Spurling & Kempe
THE SCHEDULE
1. |
An electronic copy of Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (which includes a prospectus in relation to the Company)relating to the Offer (excluding the exhibits thereto). |
||
2. | Certified copies dated 28 June 2001 of:- | ||
2.1 the resolutions of the sole shareholder of the Company passed on 12 April 2001;
and |
|||
2.2 minutes of a meeting of the shareholder of the Company held on 6 May 2001
(together with a signed form of consent to the variation of the rights attaching to certain class X common shares of the Company dated 18 May 2001), |
|||
(together, the Resolutions). | |||
3. | Certified copies dated 28 June 2001 of:- | ||
3.1 the certificate of continuance of the Company; | |||
3.2 the memorandum of continuance of the Company; and | |||
3.3 the bye-laws of the Company, | |||
(together, the Constitutional Documents). | |||
4. | A copy of a letter dated 25 June 2001 evidencing the consent of the Bermuda Monetary Authority to the issue by the Company of the Company Shares. | ||
5. |
An officers certificate dated 28 June 2001 and issued by D. Randall as company secretary of the Company confirming details of the issued share capital of the Company as of that date. |
||
6. | The entries and filings shown in respect of the Company on the file of the Company maintained in the Register of Companies at the offices of the Registrar of Companies in Hamilton, Bermuda, as revealed by a search on 22 June 2001 in respect of the Company. | ||
7. | A certificate of compliance dated 26 June 2001 issued by the Registrar of Companies, Hamilton, Bermuda in respect of the Company. |
Exhibit 10.5
ACCENTURE SCA
Société en commandite par actions
Siège social: 398, route d'Esch, L-1471 Luxembourg
Registre de Commerce Luxembourg n° B 79874
STATUTS COORDONNES
à la date du 1 er juin 2001
UPDATED ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
as at June1 st , 2001
ENGLISH VERSION
Article 1 - Form
There exists among Accenture Ltd, a company limited by shares organised under the laws of Bermuda, being the general partner ( gérant commandité ) (the "General Partner" or "Accenture Ltd") of Accenture SCA , a partnership limited by shares ( société en commandite par actions ) (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") and Accenture Minority IV, Ltd, a Gibraltar company being the current limited shareholder ( associé commanditaire ) of the Company and all those persons who shall become limited shareholders ( associés commanditaires ) (the "Limited Shareholders") of the Company.
Hereinafter the Limited Shareholders and the General Partner will be referred to individually as a Shareholder and collectively as the Shareholders.
Article 2 - Term
The Company is incorporated for an unlimited period of time. However, the Company shall come to an end in the event of a resolution to dissolve the Company adopted at a general meeting of Shareholders deciding in compliance with the conditions of quorum and majority required for amendments to the Articles of Association. The Company shall not end in the event of the resignation, dissolution, bankruptcy or insolvency of the General Partner.
Article 3 - Purposes
The Company shall have as its business purpose the holding of participations, in any form whatsoever, in Luxembourg and foreign companies, the acquisition by purchase, subscription, or in any other manner as well as the transfer by sale, exchange or otherwise of stock, bonds, debentures, notes and other securities of any kind, and the ownership, administration, development and management of its participations and of its asset portfolio.
The Company may carry on any commercial, industrial and/or financial activity or maintain a commercial establishment open to the public. The Company may participate directly on indirectly in the establishment and development of any financial, industrial or commercial enterprises in Luxembourg and abroad and it may render them every assistance, whether of a financial nature or not, such as, without limitation, the granting of loans or advances, guarantees for their benefit or other forms of assistance. The Company may borrow in any form and proceed to the issuance of bonds and notes whether or not convertible or exchangeable in shares of the Company or into shares of other companies.
The Company may enter into and perform under global alliances and marketing arrangements and any other contracts aimed at promoting and furthering the development and the operation of the Accenture group, including but not limited to actions involving or relating to staff of any and all affiliated group companies.
In general, it may take any controlling and supervisory measures and carry out any operation which it may deem useful for the accomplishment and development of its purposes.
Article 4 - Registered office
The registered office of the Company is established in Luxembourg City, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The General Partner may establish branches or other offices either in Luxembourg or abroad.
In the event that the General Partner determines that extraordinary political, economic or social developments have occurred or are imminent that interfere or are likely to interfere with the normal activities of the Company at its registered office, or with the ease of communication between such office and persons abroad, the registered office may be temporarily transferred abroad until the complete cessation of these extraordinary circumstances; such temporary measures shall have no effect on the nationality of the Company which, notwithstanding the temporary transfer of its registered office, will remain a Luxembourg partnership limited by shares.
Article 5 - Capital
The Company has a subscribed, issued and fully paid nominal share capital of EUR 1,529,427,785 (one billion five hundred twenty-nine million four hundred twenty-seven thousand seven hundred eighty-five Euro) divided into shares ( actions de commandité ) held by the General Partner and having a par value of one Euro and twenty-five cents (EUR 1.25) each and shares ( actions de commanditaires ) held by the Limited Shareholder(s) having a par value of one Euro and twenty-five cents (EUR 1.25) each. The Shares are divided into 752,583,920 (seven hundred fifty-two million five hundred eighty-three thousand nine hundred twenty) Class I Common Shares ("Class I Common Shares") and 470,958,308 (four hundred seventy million nine hundred fifty-eight thousand three hundred eight) Class II Common Shares ("Class II Common Shares") having the same characteristics and rights save as to those differences outlined in these Articles of Association. The Class I Common Shares and the Class II Common Shares are individually referred to as a "Share" and collectively as the "Shares". The Class I Common Shares and Class II Common Shares are issued as redeemable shares in accordance with the terms of article 49-8 of the law of 10th August, 1915, on commercial companies, as amended (the "Law"), and the redemption features laid down in Article 7 hereof shall apply thereto.
An extraordinary meeting of Shareholders, resolving in the manner required for the amendment of these Articles of Association, and with the consent of the General Partner, may increase the subscribed and issued capital.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the General Partner of the Company is authorised and empowered to render effective an increase of the subscribed and issued capital, in whole or in part, from time to time, within a period starting as of May 5, 2001, and expiring on the fifth anniversary of such date, by issuing shares representing such whole or partial increase of the capital up to the total amount of the authorised share capital and for the number and classes of Shares being the object of the authorisation. The General Partner shall accept subscriptions for such shares.
In connection with this authorisation to increase the capital and in compliance with article 32-3 (5) of the Law, the General Partner of the Company is authorised, at its discretion, to waive entirely or partially or to limit, or to set conditions in respect of any preferential subscription rights of the existing Shareholders for the same period of five years and to determine the amount of issue premium (if any) which will have to be paid by the subscriber(s) in the context of this capital increase.
Class I Common Shares are convertible into Class II Common Shares by a resolution of an extraordinary meeting of Shareholders resolving in the manner required for amendments of these Articles of Association. The conversion ratio shall be 1 Class I Common Share for 10 Class II Common Shares. Upon such resolution, the nominal capital shall be increased by EUR 11.25 per Class I Common Share so converted and Class II Common Shares shall be issued in accordance with the conversion ratio in replacement of the Class I Common Shares so converted.
Class II Common Shares are convertible into Class I Common Shares by a resolution of an extraordinary meeting of shareholders resolving in the manner required for amendments of these Articles of Association. The conversion ratio shall be 10 Class II Common Shares for 1 Class I Common Share. Upon such resolution, the nominal capital shall be reduced by EUR 11.25 per 10 Class II Common Shares so converted and the amount of the nominal share capital reduction shall be allocated to the share premium reserve of the Company. In addition, additional Class I Common Shares shall be issued in accordance with the conversion ratio in replacement of the Class II Common Shares so converted.
The authorised capital of the Company is set at EUR 50,000,000,000 consisting of 20,000,000,000 Class I Common Shares of a par value of one euro and twenty-five cents (EUR 1.25) each and of 20,000,000,000 Class II Common Shares of a par value of one euro and twenty-five cents (EUR 1.25) each.
The General Partner is authorised and empowered to issue Class I Common Shares and/or Class II Common Shares from time to time in one or several series bearing different numbers or letters in order to identify them.
The authorisation granted to the General Partner includes the authorisation to issue Shares to itself.
The General Partner is hereby authorised and empowered to determine the conditions attaching to any subscription of Shares, and it may, from time to time, effect such whole or partial increase upon the conversion of any net profit of the Company into capital and the attribution of fully-paid Shares to Shareholders in lieu of dividends.
The General Partner is further authorised to cause the Company to issue warrants, convertible bonds or assimilated instruments or bonds with warrants or subscription rights or to issue any financial instruments convertible into Shares under the terms and conditions to be set by the General Partner.
Each time the General Partner shall act to render effective the increase of capital, as authorised, Article 5 of the Articles of Association of the Company shall be amended so as to reflect the result of such action and the General Partner shall take or authorise any person to take any necessary steps for the purpose of the recording and publication of such increase and such amendment.
The Company recognises only one holder per Share; in case a Share is held by more than one person, the Company has the right to suspend the exercise of all rights attached to that Share until one person is appointed or designated by the joint holders as the sole owner in relation to the Company.
The Shares of the Company are and they continue to stay in registered form. The Shares are not certificated, but a certificate ( certificat d'inscription nominative ) witnessing the registration of the relevant Shareholder in the share register of the Company and the number of Shares held by it shall be issued by the Company on request of the Shareholder.
A share register shall be kept at the registered office of the Company and, to the extent the General Partner shall so decide, with a transfer agent and registrar. Such register shall set forth the name of each Shareholder, its residence or elected notice address, the number of Shares held by it, the class of Shares, the amounts paid in on each such Share, the transfers of Shares and the dates of such transfers.
Unpaid amounts, if any, on issued and outstanding Shares may be called at any time at the discretion of the General Partner, provided however that calls shall be made on all the Shares in the same proportion and at the same time. Any sum, the payment of which is in arrear, automatically attracts interest in favour of the Company at the rate of ten per cent (10%) per year or such other rate as may be determined by the General Partner from time to time calculated from the date when the payment was due until the date of the actual payment.
Article 6 - Transfer of Shares
Except for a redemption made pursuant to Article 7, no Transfer (as defined below) of Shares of the Company by a Limited Shareholder shall be made unless the Supervisory Board of the Company or its delegate shall have given its prior approval to a contemplated Transfer.
If a Limited Shareholder wants to transfer or dispose of all or part of its shares in the Company or of all or part of the rights attached thereto, in any form whatsoever, including, without limitation, via a sale, gift, pledge or some other form of encumbrance or otherwise (a "Transfer"), it must submit a written application beforehand to the Supervisory Board or its delegate by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt or any other means approved by the Supervisory Board or its delegate. A Transfer application shall contain the name of the contemplated transferee, the contemplated sale price or consideration as well as any other relevant information.
The decision of the Supervisory Board will be made known to the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable after it shall have been taken. The Supervisory Board or its delegate's decision in respect of the application must be made known to the Limited Shareholder by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt or any other means approved by the General Partner.
Any Transfer not made in compliance with the terms hereof shall, with respect to the Company, be deemed to be null and void and the Company shall not proceed with the registration of any transferee in the share register unless (i) the Transfer to such transferee has been approved in writing by the Supervisory Board or its delegate and (ii) the transferee shall have signed any and all relevant documents as may be required by the Supervisory Board or its delegate.
Article 7 - Redemption of Shares
The Company is authorised to redeem Class II Common Shares or any series thereof at the request of the General Partner and upon the written approval of the Supervisory Board in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 16 hereto. If the redemption of the Class II Common Shares or of a series thereof will be done in the context of or accompanied by a share capital reduction of the Company, the redemption of Class II Common Shares or a series thereof must in addition be approved by a resolution at a meeting of Shareholders passed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting including the consent of the General Partner.
Subject to any contractual restrictions on Transfer by a holder set forth in any contract or agreement to which the Company or any of its affiliates is a party, Class I Common Shares shall be redeemable for cash at the option of the holder by the giving of irrevocable notice of an election for redemption to the Company.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, at the option of the Company represented by the General Partner, the redemption price payable to any Limited Shareholder that becomes a Limited Shareholder after May 31, 2001 (or such other date that the Supervisory Board shall declare to be the date of the consummation of the Accenture group of companies' transition to a corporate structure) (a "Subsequent Limited Shareholder") in connection with any redemption under this Article 7 may be paid in cash or in Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares and any holder and the Company may agree that the Company may redeem such holder's Class I Common Shares for different consideration.
At the request of the General Partner, the Company is authorised to redeem any Class I Common Share or any series held by any Subsequent Limited Shareholder for Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares if the Company receives a satisfactory opinion from an internationally recognized counsel or professional tax advisor that such redemption should be tax-free with respect to such Subsequent Limited Shareholder. If the redemption of the Class I Common Share will be done in the context of or accompanied by a share capital reduction of the Company, the redemption must in addition be approved by a resolution at a meeting of Shareholders passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, including the consent of the General Partner.
The redemption price for a Class I Common Share to be paid in Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares shall equal a number of Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares equal to the Valuation Ratio (as defined below). The redemption price for a Class I Common Share to be paid in cash shall equal the Valuation Ratio multiplied by the Market Price of an Accenture Ltd Class A Common Share (as defined below) as of the U.S. trading day following the United States trading day on which the Company receives a notice of an election for redemption with respect to such Class I Common Share.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) no redemption at the option of a holder may be made prior to the time that the Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares shall have been listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange and (ii) the Company may refuse to honor a request for redemption at any time or during any period, including, without limitation, during a so-called "blackout period" (and the Class I Common Shares shall not be redeemable at such time or during such period), if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel (which may be inside counsel), that there is material non-public information that may affect the Average Price Per Share (as defined below) at such time or during such period.
For the purposes of the Articles of Association a Luxembourg business day shall mean a day on which banks are ordinarily open for business in the City of Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
The Company may adopt reasonable procedures for the implementation of the redemption provisions set forth in this Article 7, including, without limitation, procedures for the giving of notice of an election for redemption.
Article 8 - Liability of Shareholders
The Limited Shareholders are only liable up to the amount of their capital contribution made to the Company.
The General Partner's liability is and shall be unlimited.
Article 9 - Meetings of Shareholders
The annual general meeting of Shareholders shall be held, in accordance with Luxembourg law, in Luxembourg at the registered office of the Company, or at such other place in Luxembourg as may be specified in the notice of meeting, on January 15 at 12:00 noon. If such day is not a Luxembourg business day, the annual general meeting shall be held on the next following Luxembourg business day.
Other meetings of Shareholders may, subject to applicable law, be held at such place and at such time as may be specified by the General Partner in the respective notices of meeting.
All general meetings shall be chaired by the General Partner.
Article 10 - Notice, quorum, proxies, majority
The notice periods and quorum rules required by the Law shall apply with respect to the meetings of Shareholders of the Company, as well as with respect to the conduct of such meetings, unless otherwise provided herein.
Each Share is entitled to one vote. A Shareholder may act at any meeting of Shareholders by appointing another person in writing (whether in original or by telefax, cable, telegram or telex), whether a Shareholder or not, as its proxy.
Except as otherwise required by law or by these Articles of Association, resolutions at a meeting of Shareholders will be passed by a simple majority of those Shares represented and voting at the meeting and with the consent of the General Partner.
The following matters shall require a quorum (if and when required as a matter of the Law) of half of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares and a two-thirds majority vote of those Shares represented and voting at the meeting:
(i) | amendment of these Articles of Association; | |
(ii) | dissolution and the liquidation of the Company; | |
(iii) | setting of the authorised share capital and the authorisation given to the General Partner to increase the Company's share capital within the limits of the authorisation; | |
(iv) | decrease of the Company's share capital; and | |
(v) | sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. | |
The following matters shall require a unanimous resolution of all the Shareholders of the Company: | ||
(i) | the redomestication of the Company (i.e. its migration) by the change of the nationality of the Company; and | |
(ii) | the assessment of the Shareholders. | |
The Shares shall, as a rule, vote as a single class. Matters adversely affecting the rights of the holders of a specific share class only shall require a quorum (if and when required as a matter of the Law) of half of the class' issued and outstanding Shares and a two-thirds majority vote of the Shares of that share class and, in respect of such matters but only in respect of such matters, the holders shall vote as a separate class.
Article 11 - Convening notice
Shareholders' meetings shall be convened by the General Partner or by the Supervisory Board, pursuant to a notice setting forth the agenda and sent by registered mail at least eight days prior to the meeting to each Shareholder at the Shareholder's notice address on record or, failing which, its residence address on record in the share register of the Company or by two publications in each of the Luxembourg press and in the Luxembourg Official Gazette ( Mémorial ), whereby the first publication shall be made so that the second publication shall be made at least eight days prior to the meeting and with there being at least an eight-day interval between the first and the second publications for the meeting.
If all the Shareholders are present or represented at a meeting of Shareholders, and if they state that they have been informed of the agenda of the meeting, the meeting may be held without prior notice.
The General Partner may determine all reasonable conditions that must be fulfilled by Shareholders for them to participate in any meeting of Shareholders.
Article 12 - Powers of the meeting of Shareholders
Any regularly constituted meeting of Shareholders of the Company shall represent the entire body of Shareholders of the Company. The meeting of Shareholders may resolve on any item only with the consent of the General Partner.
Article 13 - Management
The Company shall be managed by the General Partner who shall be the liable partner ( associé - gérant - commandité ) and who shall be personally, jointly and severally liable with the Company for all liabilities which cannot be met out of the assets of the Company.
The General Partner is vested with the broadest powers to perform all acts of administration and disposition in the Company's interest which are not expressly reserved by the Law or by these Articles of Association to the meeting of Shareholders or to the Supervisory Board.
The General Partner shall have the sole authority to institute and direct court proceedings and to negotiate, settle and compromise disputes on behalf of the Company and may delegate this authority to such persons or committees as it may designate, provided the Supervisory Board shall have approved the persons to whom the delegation by the General Partner of such authority is made.
The General Partner shall have the power on behalf and in the name of the Company to carry out any and all of the purposes of the Company and to perform all acts and enter into and perform all contracts and other undertakings that it may deem necessary, advisable or useful or incidental thereto. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the General Partner has, and shall have full authority in its discretion to exercise, on behalf of and in the name of the Company, all rights and powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of the Company.
Article 14 - Authorised signature
The Company shall be bound by the corporate signature of the General Partner as made by the individual or joint signatures of any other persons to whom authority shall have been delegated by the General Partner as the General Partner shall determine in its discretion, provided the Supervisory Board shall have approved the persons to whom the delegation by the General Partner of such authority is made.
Article 15 - Remuneration of General Partner; Expenses
The General Partner shall receive no remuneration from the Company for its duties. To the largest extent permitted by applicable law, but without prejudice to the second paragraph of Article 8, the Company shall bear, and reimburse for, the costs and expenses incurred by the General Partner resulting from the performance of its duties and/or actions taken on behalf of and/or for the benefit of the Company and may make advances to the General Partner in connection therewith (including, without limitation, losses, damages and defense costs resulting from actual or threatened third party claims).
Article 16 - Supervisory Board
The affairs of the Company and its financial situation including particularly its books and accounts shall be supervised by a supervisory board composed of at least three board members (herein referred to as the "Supervisory Board").
The Supervisory Board shall be consulted by the General Partner on such matters as the General Partner may determine, and it shall authorise any actions of the General Partner that may, pursuant to the Law or under these Articles of Association, exceed the powers of the General Partner.
The Supervisory Board shall approve those individuals put forth from time to time by the General Partner to exercise the General Partner's powers with respect to the management of the Company, and the General Partner shall act only through such individuals.
The Supervisory Board shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the general meeting of Shareholders for a maximum term of six years, which shall be renewable.
The general meeting of Shareholders shall determine the remuneration of the Supervisory Board, if any.
The Supervisory Board shall be convened by its chairman (as appointed by the Supervisory Board from the Board members) or by the General Partner.
Written notice of any meeting of the Supervisory Board shall be given to all members of the Supervisory Board with at least eight days prior notice, except in circumstances of emergency, in which case the nature of such circumstances shall be set forth in the notice of the meeting. This notice may be waived by the consent in writing, whether in original or by cable, telegram, telefax or telex of each member. Separate notice shall not be required for individual meetings held at times and places prescribed in a schedule previously adopted by resolution of the Supervisory Board. If all the members of the Supervisory Board are present or represented at a meeting of Supervisory Board, and if they state that they have been informed of the agenda of the meeting, the meeting may be held without prior notice.
Any member may act at any meeting of the Supervisory Board by appointing in writing, whether in original or by cable, telegram, telex, telefax or other electronic transmission another member as his proxy.
The Supervisory Board can deliberate or act validly only if at least the majority of its members are present or represented. Resolutions shall be approved if taken by a majority of the votes of the members present or represented at such meeting. Resolutions may also be taken in one or several written instruments signed by all the members.
No member of the Supervisory Board shall be liable in respect of any negligence, default or breach of duty on his own part in relation to the Company and each member of the Supervisory Board shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against all liabilities, losses, damages or expenses arising out of the actual or purported execution or discharge of his duties or the exercise of his powers or otherwise in relation to or in connection with his duties, powers or office; provided that this exemption from liability and indemnity shall not extend to any matter which would render them void pursuant to Luxembourg law.
Article 17 - Accounting year - Accounts
The accounting year of the Company shall begin on 1st September and it shall terminate on 31st August of each year.
The accounts of the Company shall be stated in euro and/or United States dollars or in any other fungible currency as decided by the General Partner.
Article 18 - Allocation of profits
From the annual net profits of the Company, five per cent (5 %) shall be allocated to the legal reserve as required by the Law. This allocation shall cease to be required as soon as such legal reserve amounts to ten per cent (10 %) of the nominal issued share capital of the Company as stated in Article 5 hereof as increased or reduced from time to time.
The General Partner shall determine how the annual net profits shall be disposed of, and it shall decide to pay dividends from time to time, as it, in its discretion, believes to suit best the corporate purpose and policy of the Company. A general meeting of Shareholders shall have to approve the General Partner's decision to pay dividends as well as the profit allocation proposed by the General Partner.
Each Shareholder shall have dividend rights corresponding to its share. Each Class II common Share shall entitle its holder to receive a dividend equal to 10% of any dividend to which a Class I Common Share entitles its holder, whether in cash or in kind.
The dividends may be paid in Euro or in United States Dollars or in any other currency determined by the General Partner and they may be paid at such places and times as shall be determined by the General Partner.
The General Partner may decide to pay interim dividends under the conditions and within the limits laid down in the Law.
Article 19 - Dissolution and liquidation
The Company may be voluntarily dissolved by a resolution passed at a general meeting of Shareholders with the consent of the General Partner.
The liquidation shall be carried out by one or several liquidators (who may be physical persons or legal entities) named by a general meeting of Shareholders which shall also determine their powers and their remuneration.
Each holder of Shares of the Company shall be entitled (to the extent of the availability of funds or assets in sufficient amount), to the repayment of the nominal share capital amount corresponding to its Share holdings. The liquidation proceeds (if any), including the return of nominal share capital, shall be paid so that each Class II Common Share shall entitle its holder to receive a liquidation payment equal to 10% of any liquidation payment to which a Class I Common Share entitles its holder.
Article 20 - Amendments
These Articles of Association may be amended from time to time by a general meeting of Shareholders, subject to the quorum and majority requirements provided by the laws of Luxembourg, and subject to the consent of the General Partner.
Article 21 - Tax Matters
The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, make any tax elections with respect to the Company, provided that the General Partner reasonably determines that any such election would not have an adverse tax impact on any Shareholder.
Article 22 - Applicable law
All matters not governed by these Articles of Association shall be determined by application of the provisions of Luxembourg law, and, in particular, of the Law.
Article 23 - Definitions
The "Average Price Per Share" as of any day shall equal the average of the high and low sales prices of Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or if the Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the American Stock Exchange, or if the Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the American Stock Exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market, or if the Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, on the over-the-counter market as furnished by any nationally recognized New York Stock Exchange member firm selected by Accenture Ltd for such purpose), net of customary brokerage and similar transaction costs as determined with respect to the Company and by the Company.
The "Market Price of an Accenture Ltd Class A Common Share" as of any day shall equal the Average Price Per Share as of such day, unless Accenture Ltd sells (i.e. trade date) shares of its Class A Common Shares on such day for cash other than in a transaction with any employee or an affiliate and other than pursuant to a preexisting obligation; in which case the "Market Price of an Accenture Ltd Class A Common Share" as of such day shall be the weighted average sale price per share, net of brokerage and similar costs.
The "Valuation Ratio" at any time shall equal 1.00, provided that the Valuation Ratio shall be subject to adjustment from time to time pursuant to the following provisions of this Article 23 If at any time:
(i) | Accenture Ltd acquires or otherwise holds more than a de miminis amount of assets other than: | ||||
(a) | its shareholding in the Company, | ||||
(b) | any direct or indirect interest in its own shares (provided that such shares would not be treated as an asset of Accenture Ltd on a consolidated balance sheet of Accenture Ltd prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America) or | ||||
(c) | any assets that it holds only transiently prior to contributing or loaning such assets to the Company (provided that any such transiently held assets are so contributed or loaned prior to the end of the then current fiscal quarter of Accenture Ltd), | ||||
(ii) | Accenture Ltd incurs or otherwise is liable for more than a de miminis amount of liabilities other than any liability for which it is the obligee under a corresponding liability of the Company or | ||||
(iii) | circumstances otherwise require, then | ||||
(1) | the General Partner shall promptly inform the Supervisory Board and those members of the Supervisory Board that are also Limited Shareholders (in such capacity, the "Limited Shareholders Committee") of such fact, | ||||
(2) | the General Partner shall provide the Limited Shareholders Committee with such other information, including financial information or statements, as the Limited Shareholders Committee may reasonably require in connection with the determinations contemplated by the following clause (3) of this sentence and | ||||
(3) | each of the General Partner and the Limited Shareholders Committee shall use their best efforts to promptly: | ||||
(x) | determine whether an adjustment to the Valuation Ratio is required in order to reflect the relative fair market values of an Accenture Ltd Class A Common Share and a Class I Common Share and | ||||
(y) | if such an adjustment is so required, determine a process for equitable adjustment of the Valuation Ratio (whether based on the financial statements of Accenture Ltd or otherwise and whether a process for a one-time adjustment or recurring adjustments). | ||||
If the General Partner and the Limited Shareholders Committee determine that an adjustment in the Valuation Ratio is so required and determine a process for equitable adjustment of the Valuation Ratio, then the Valuation Ratio shall be adjusted by such process. If no agreement can be reached promptly (but in any event within 45 days) between the General Partner and the Limited Shareholders Committee as to whether any such adjustment is so required or as to a process for equitable adjustment, then the General Partner and the Limited Shareholders Committee shall choose an independent arbitrator (which may be a leading international investment bank) who is a recognized expert in the field of company valuation to (x) determine whether an adjustment to the Valuation Ratio is required in order to reflect the relative fair market values of an Accenture Ltd Class A Common Share and a Class I Common Share and (y) if such an adjustment is so required, determine a process for equitable adjustment of the Valuation Ratio (whether based on the financial statements of Accenture Ltd or otherwise and whether a process for a one-time adjustment or recurring adjustments). If the arbitrator determines that an adjustment in the Valuation Ratio is so required and determines a process for equitable adjustment of the Valuation Ratio, then the Valuation Ratio shall be adjusted by such process.
If Accenture Ltd: | ||
(i) | pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares in Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares, | |
(ii) | subdivides its outstanding Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares into a greater number of shares, | |
(iii) | combines its outstanding Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, | |
(iv) | makes a distribution on its Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares in shares of its share capital other than Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares or | |
(v) | issues by reclassification of its Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares any shares of its share capital, | |
then the Valuation Ratio in effect immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the holder of Class I Common Shares thereafter redeemed may receive the redemption price or number of shares of share capital of Accenture Ltd, as the case may be, which it would have owned immediately following such action if it had redeemed immediately prior to such action (after taking into account any corresponding action taken by the Company).
In the event of any business combination, amalgamation, restructuring, recapitalization or other extraordinary transaction directly or indirectly involving Accenture Ltd or any of its securities or assets as a result of which the holders of Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares shall hold voting securities of an entity other than Accenture Ltd, the terms "Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares" and "Accenture Ltd" shall refer to such voting securities formerly representing or distributed in respect of Accenture Ltd Class A Common Shares and such entity, respectively."
VERSION FRANCAISE
Article 1 - Forme
Entre Accenture Ltd, société anonyme ( company limited by shares ) constituée en vertu du droit des Bermudes, le gérant commandité (le « gérant commandité » ou « Accenture Ltd ») et Accenture Minority IV, Ltd, société constituée à Gibraltar, associé commanditaire actuel de la société et les personnes qui deviendront des associés commanditaires de la société (les « associés commanditaires »), il est formé Accenture SCA , une société en commandite par actions (ci-après dénommée la « société »).
Ci-après, les associés commanditaires et le gérant commandité seront chacun dénommé un actionnaire et ensemble des actionnaires.
Article 2 - Durée
La Société est constituée pour une durée illimitée. Cependant, la Société est dissoute dans le cas de l'adoption d'une résolution de dissolution de la Société par une assemblée générale des actionnaires délibérant conformément aux conditions de quorum et de majorité requises pour la modification des statuts. La Société n'est pas dissoute dans le cas de la démission, de la dissolution, de la faillite ou de l'insolvabilité du gérant commandité.
Article 3 - Objet
L'objet de la Société est la détention de participations, sous quelque forme que ce soit, dans des sociétés luxembourgeoises et étrangères, l'acquisition par voie d'achat, de souscription ou de toute autre manière, ainsi que la cession par voie de vente, d'échange ou de toute autre manière d'actions, d'obligations, de billets et autres valeurs mobilières de toute nature, et la propriété, l'administration, le développement et la gestion de ses participations et de son portefeuille d'actifs.
La Société peut exercer toute activité commerciale, financière et/ou industrielle ou conserver un établissement commercial ouvert au public. La Société peut participer directement ou indirectement à l'établissement et au développement de toutes entreprises financières, industrielles ou commerciales au Luxembourg et à l'étranger et peut leur prêter toute assistance, de nature financière ou non, comme notamment l'octroi de prêts ou d'avances, de garanties à leur avantage ou toute autre forme d'assistance. La Société peut emprunter sous toute forme et peut procéder à l'émission d'obligations et de billets, qu'ils soient ou non convertibles ou échangeables contre des actions de la société ou des actions de toutes autres sociétés.
La Société peut conclure et exécuter des conventions générales de partenariat et de marketing et toute autre convention destinée à promouvoir et à assurer le développement et le fonctionnement du groupe Accenture, en ce compris et de manière non exhaustive, toute opération impliquant ou se rapportant au personnel de toute société du groupe.
De manière générale, elle peut prendre toutes mesures de surveillance et de contrôle et exercer toute opération qu'elle peut juger utile à la réalisation et au développement de ses objets.
Article 4 - Siège social
Le siège social de la société est fixé à Luxembourg, au Grand Duché de Luxembourg. Le gérant commandité peut établir des succursales ou d'autres bureaux au Luxembourg ou à l'étranger.
Si le gérant commandité décide que des événements extraordinaires de nature politique, économique ou sociale sont survenus ou sont imminents, qui entravent ou sont susceptibles d'entraver les activités normales de la société à son siège social, ou la facilité de communication entre le siège et les personnes situées à l'étranger, le siège social peut être provisoirement transféré à l'étranger jusqu'à cessation complète de ces circonstances extraordinaires ; ces mesures provisoires n'ont aucun effet sur la nationalité de la société, qui, nonobstant le transfert provisoire de son siège, restera une société en commandite par actions luxembourgeoise.
Article 5 - Capital
Le capital actions nominal souscrit, émis et libéré de la Société est de EUR 1,529,427,785 (un milliard cinq cent vingt-neuf millions quatre cent vingt-sept mille sept cent quatre-vingt-cinq Euro) représenté par des actions de commandité détenues par le gérant commandité d'une valeur nominale de un Euro et vingt-cinq cents chacune (1,25 EUR) et des actions de commanditaires détenues par le(s) associé(s) commanditaire(s) d'une valeur nominale de un Euro et vingt-cinq cents (1,25 EUR) chacune. Les actions sont divisées en 752,583,920 (sept cent cinquante-deux millions cinq cent quatre-vingt-trois mille neuf cent vingt) actions ordinaires de catégorie I (« actions ordinaires de catégorie I ») et en 479,958,308 (quatre cent soixante-dix-neuf millions neuf cent cinquante-huit mille trois cent huit) actions ordinaires de catégorie II (« actions ordinaires de catégorie II ») assorties des mêmes caractéristiques et droits, à l'exception des différences exposées dans les présents statuts. Les actions ordinaires de catégorie I et les actions ordinaires de catégorie II sont chacune dénommée une « action » et ensemble les « actions ». Les actions ordinaires de catégorie I et les actions ordinaires de catégorie II sont émises sous la forme d'actions rachetables, conformément à l'article 49-8 de la loi du 10 août 1915 relative aux sociétés commerciales, telle qu'amendée (la « loi »), et les caractéristiques de rachat stipulées à l'article 7 des présentes sont applicables à ces actions.
Une assemblée extraordinaire des actionnaires de la société, délibérant de la manière requise pour la modification des présents statuts, et avec l'accord du gérant commandité, peut augmenter le capital souscrit et émis.
Nonobstant le paragraphe qui précède, le gérant commandité de la société a l'autorisation et le pouvoir de mettre en _uvre une augmentation du capital souscrit et émis, en tout ou en partie, périodiquement, pendant une période commençant le 5 mai 2001 et expirant au cinquième anniversaire de cette date, par l'émission d'actions représentant cette augmentation totale ou partielle du capital dans les limites du montant total du capital actions autorisé et pour le nombre et les catégories d'actions qui font l'objet de l'autorisation. Le gérant commandité accepte des souscriptions pour ces actions.
Dans le cadre de cette autorisation d'augmenter le capital et conformément à l'article 32-3 (5) de la loi, le gérant commandité de la société est autorisé, à son entière discrétion, à renoncer en tout ou en partie ou à limiter, ou à assortir de conditions tous droits de souscription privilégiés des actionnaires existants pendant la même période de cinq ans et à fixer le montant des primes d'émission (le cas échéant) qui devront être payées par le(s) souscripteur(s) dans le cadre de cette augmentation de capital.
Les actions ordinaires de catégorie I sont convertibles en actions ordinaires de catégorie II par voie de résolution d'une assemblée extraordinaire des actionnaires de la société, délibérant comme en matière de modification des présents statuts. Le rapport de conversion est de 1 action ordinaire de catégorie I pour 10 actions ordinaires de catégorie II. À l'adoption de cette résolution, le capital nominal est augmenté de 11,25 EUR par action ordinaire de catégorie I ainsi converties et il est procédé à l'émission d'actions ordinaires de catégorie II conformément au rapport de conversion pour remplacer les actions ordinaires de catégories I ainsi converties.
Les actions ordinaires de catégorie II sont convertibles en actions ordinaires de catégorie I par voie de résolution d'une assemblée extraordinaire des actionnaires de la société, délibérant comme en matière de modification des présents statuts. Le rapport de conversion est de 10 actions ordinaires de catégorie II pour 1 action ordinaire de catégorie I. À l'adoption de cette résolution, le capital nominal est diminué de 11,25 EUR par 10 actions ordinaires de catégorie II ainsi converties et le montant de la diminution du capital actions nominal est affectée à la réserve de primes d'émission de la société. En outre, il est procédé à l'émission d'actions ordinaires de catégorie I supplémentaires conformément au rapport de conversion pour remplacer les actions ordinaires de catégories II ainsi converties.
Le capital autorisé de la société est fixé à 50 000 000 000 EUR, représenté par 20 000 000 000 actions ordinaires de catégorie I d'une valeur nominale d'un euro et vingt-cinq cents (1,25 EUR) chacune et 20 000 000 000 actions ordinaires de catégorie II d'une valeur nominale d'un euro et vingt-cinq cents (1,25 EUR) chacune.
Il est conféré au gérant commandité l'autorisation et le pouvoir d'émettre des actions ordinaires de catégorie I et/ou des actions ordinaires de catégorie II périodiquement en une ou plusieurs séries portant différents numéros ou lettres aux fins de leur identification.
L'autorisation accordée au gérant commandité inclut l'autorisation d'émettre des actions pour lui-même.
Il est par les présentes conféré au gérant commandité l'autorisation et le pouvoir de fixer les conditions attachées à toute souscription d'actions, et il peut, périodiquement, mettre en _uvre cette augmentation partielle ou totale à la conversion de tout bénéfice net de la société en capital et l'attribution d'actions entièrement libérées aux actionnaires au lieu de dividendes.
Le gérant commandité est également autorisé à provoquer l'émission par la société de warrants, d'obligations convertibles ou d'instruments ou obligations assimilés assortis de warrants ou droits de souscription ou l'émission de tous instruments financiers convertibles en actions aux termes et conditions fixés par le gérant commandité.
Chaque fois que le gérant commandité agit pour mettre en _uvre une telle augmentation de capital, ainsi qu'il y est autorisé, l'article 5 des statuts de la société est modifié pour refléter le résultat de cette action et le gérant commandité prend ou autorise toute personne à prendre toutes mesures nécessaires aux fins de l'enregistrement et de la publication de cette augmentation et de cette modification.
La société ne reconnaît qu'un détenteur par action ; si une action est détenue par plus d'une personne, la société a le droit de suspendre l'exercice de tous les droits attachés à cette action jusqu'à ce qu'une personne soit nommée ou désignée par les détenteurs conjoints comme le seul propriétaire à l'égard de la société.
Les actions de la société sont et restent nominatives. Les actions de sont pas certifiées, mais un certificat d'inscription nominative portant témoignage de l'enregistrement de l'actionnaire correspondant dans le registre des actionnaires de la société et du nombre d'actions qu'il détient est émis par la société à la demande de l'actionnaire.
Un registre des actionnaires est tenu au siège social de la société et, dans la mesure où le gérant commandité en décide ainsi, par un agent de transfert et agent chargé de la tenue des registres. Ce registre précise le nom de chaque actionnaire, son domicile ou l'adresse choisie aux fins de notification, le nombre d'actions qu'il détient, la catégorie des actions, les montants payés au titre de chacune de ces actions, les cessions d'actions et la date de ces cessions.
Les sommes impayées, le cas échéant, au titre d'actions émises et en circulation peuvent être appelées à tout moment à la discrétion du gérant commandité, sous réserve cependant que ces appels de fonds soient effectués au titre de toutes les actions dans les mêmes proportions et au même moment. Toute somme dont le paiement est en retard, emporte automatiquement des intérêts en faveur de la société au taux annuel de dix pour-cent (10 %) ou à tout autre taux fixé par le gérant commandité périodiquement, calculés à partir de la date à laquelle le paiement est devenu exigible jusqu'à la date du paiement réel.
Article 6 - Cession d'actions
Sauf à l'occasion d'un rachat effectué en application de l'article 7, aucune cession (au sens défini ci-dessous) d'actions de la société par un associé commanditaire n'est effectuée sans que le conseil de surveillance de la société ou son délégué ait donné son accord préalable à la cession envisagée.
Si un associé commanditaire souhaite céder ou aliéner tout ou partie de ses actions dans la société ou tout ou partie des droits attachés à ces actions, de quelque manière que ce soit, dont notamment par voie de vente, donation, nantissement ou toute autre forme de charge ou autrement (une « cession »), il doit soumettre au préalable une demande écrite au conseil de surveillance ou à son délégué par lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception ou par tout autre moyen approuvé par le conseil de surveillance ou son délégué. Une telle demande d'agrément comprend le nom du cessionnaire envisagé, le prix de vente ou la contrepartie envisagés ainsi que toutes autres informations pertinentes.
La décision du conseil de surveillance sera communiquée au demandeur aussi tôt que possible après qu'elle a été prise. La décision du conseil de surveillance ou de son délégué quant à la demande doit être communiquée à l'associé commanditaire par lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception ou tout autre moyen approuvé par le gérant commandité.
Toute cession non conforme aux termes des présentes est réputée nulle et non avenue à l'égard de la société et la société ne procède à l'enregistrement d'aucun cessionnaire dans le registre des actionnaires sauf si (i) la cession à ce cessionnaire a été approuvée par écrit par le conseil de surveillance ou son délégué et (ii) le cessionnaire a signé tous les documents pertinents que le conseil de surveillance ou son délégué peuvent exiger.
Article 7 - Rachat d'actions
La société est autorisée à racheter les actions ordinaires de catégorie II ou toute série de cette catégorie à la demande du gérant commandité et avec l'accord écrit du conseil de surveillance conformément aux procédures prévues à l'article 16 des présentes. Si le rachat des actions ordinaires de catégorie II ou d'une série de cette catégorie est effectué dans le cadre ou accompagné d'une diminution du capital actions de la société, le rachat d'actions ordinaires de catégorie II ou d'une série de cette catégorie doit être approuvé par voie de résolution adoptée à la majorité des deux-tiers des actionnaires présents et votants d'une assemblée des actionnaires, avec l'accord du gérant commandité.
Sous réserve de toutes restrictions contractuelles à la cession par un détenteur stipulées dans tout contrat ou accord auquel la société ou quelconque de ses sociétés liées est partie, les actions ordinaires de catégories I et II sont rachetables pour du numéraire au choix du détenteur par la remise à la société d'une notification irrévocable d'un choix de rachat.
Nonobstant le paragraphe précédent, au choix de la société représentée par le gérant commandité, le prix de rachat payable à tout associé commanditaire qui devient associé commanditaire après le 31 mai 2001 (ou toute autre date que le conseil de surveillance fixe comme la date de prise d'effet de la transformation du groupe de sociétés Accenture en une structure sociale) (un « associé commanditaire ultérieur ») au titre de tout rachat au terme du présent article 7 peut être payé en numéraire ou en actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd et tout détenteur et la société peuvent convenir que la société peut racheter les actions ordinaires de catégorie I de ce détenteur pour toute autre contrepartie.
À la demande du gérant commandité, la société est autorisée à racheter toute action ordinaire de catégorie I ou toute série de cette catégorie détenue par tout associé commanditaire ultérieur pour des actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd si la société reçoit un avis satisfaisant d'un conseil juridique ou d'un conseiller fiscal professionnel de réputation internationale faisant état de ce qu'un tel rachat serait exempté de taxe à l'égard de cet associé commanditaire ultérieur. Si le rachat de l'action ordinaire de catégorie I est effectué dans le cadre ou accompagné d'une diminution du capital actions de la société, le rachat doit en outre doit être approuvé par voie de résolution adoptée à la majorité des deux-tiers des actionnaires présents et votants d'une assemblée des actionnaires, avec l'accord du gérant commandité.
Le prix de rachat d'une action ordinaire de catégorie I à payer en actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd est égal au rapport d'évaluation (ainsi qu'il est défini plus bas). Le prix de rachat d'une action ordinaire de catégorie I à payer en numéraire est égal au rapport d'évaluation multiplié par le cours du marché d'une action ordinaire de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd (ainsi qu'il est défini plus bas) au jour ouvré des marchés américains suivant le jour ouvré des marchés américains auquel la société reçoit une notification de choix de rachat quant à cette action ordinaire de catégorie I.
Nonobstant toute disposition contraire, (i) aucun rachat au choix d'un associé ne peut être effectué avant la date à laquelle les actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd ont été cotées à la bourse de New York et (ii) la société peut refuser d'honorer une demande de rachat à tout moment ou pendant toute période, dont notamment, pendant ce qu'on appelle une « période de black-out » (et les actions ordinaires de catégorie I ne sont pas rachetables à ce moment ou pendant cette période), si la société décide, sur le fondement de l'avis d'un conseil juridique (qui peut être un conseil juridique interne), qu'il existe des informations substantielles non communiquées au public qui peuvent influer sur le cours moyen par action (ainsi qu'il est défini plus bas) à ce moment ou pendant cette période.
Aux fins des statuts, par jour ouvrable luxembourgeois, on entend un jour pendant lequel les banques sont normalement ouvertes dans la ville de Luxembourg, au Luxembourg.
La société peut adopter des procédures raisonnables pour la mise en ouvre des dispositions de rachat stipulées dans le présent article 7, dont notamment des procédures de remise des notifications de choix de rachat.
Article 8 - Responsabilité des associés
Les associés commanditaires ne sont responsables qu'à concurrence de leur apport au capital de la société.
La responsabilité du gérant commandité est illimitée.
Article 9 - Assemblées des actionnaires
L'assemblée générale annuelle des actionnaires se tient, conformément au droit luxembourgeois, au siège social de la société au Luxembourg, ou dans tout autre lieu du territoire du Luxembourg qui peut être précisé dans l'avis de convocation à l'assemblée, le 15 janvier à midi. Si ce jour n'est pas un jour ouvrable luxembourgeois, l'assemblée générale annuelle se tient le jour ouvrable luxembourgeois suivant.
Les autres assemblées des actionnaires peuvent, sous réserve du droit applicable, se tenir au lieu, à l'heure et à la date qui peuvent être précisés par le gérant commandité dans les avis de convocation respectifs aux assemblées.
Toutes les assemblées générales sont présidées par le gérant commandité.
Article 10 - Avis, quorum, représentation, majorité
Les périodes des avis de convocation et les règles de quorum exigés par la loi s'appliquent aux assemblées des actionnaires de la société, ainsi qu'à la tenue de ces assemblées, sauf disposition contraire des présentes.
Chaque action donne droit à une voix. Un actionnaire peut agir à toute assemblée des actionnaires en désignant une autre personne par écrit (sous la forme d'un original, ou par télécopie, câble, télégramme ou télex) que cette personne soit ou non un actionnaire, pour être son représentant.
Sauf prescription légale contraire ou disposition contraire des présents statuts, les résolutions d'une assemblée des actionnaires seront adoptées à la majorité simple des actions représentées et votant à l'assemblée, et avec l'accord du gérant commandité.
Pour les questions suivantes, un quorum composé de la moitié des actions émises et en circulation de la société est nécessaire (si et quand la loi l'exige) et un vote à la majorité des deux-tiers des actions représentées et votant à l'assemblée est nécessaire :
(i) | modification des présents statuts ; | |
(ii) | dissolution et liquidation de la société ; | |
(iii) | détermination du capital actions autorisé et autorisation accordée au gérant commandité d'augmenter le capital actions de la société dans les limites de l'autorisation ; | |
(iv) | diminution du capital actions de la société ; et | |
(v) | vente de la totalité ou de la quasi-totalité de l'actif de la société. | |
Pour les questions suivantes, une résolution adoptée à l'unanimité de tous les associés de la société est nécessaire : | ||
(i) | le changement de domicile de la société (c'est-à-dire sa migration) par le changement de la nationalité de la société ; et | |
(ii) | l'évaluation des associés. | |
Les actions, généralement, votent comme une catégorie unique. Pour les questions qui n'ont un effet négatif que sur les droits des détenteurs des actions d'une catégorie d'actions particulière, un quorum (si et lorsqu'il est exigé par la loi) composé de la moitié des actions émises en circulation de la catégorie en question et un vote à la majorité des deux-tiers des actions de cette catégorie sont nécessaires, et pour ces questions uniquement les détenteurs votent comme une catégorie distincte.
Article 11 - Avis de convocation
Les assemblées des actionnaires sont convoquées par le gérant commandité ou par le conseil de surveillance, en application d'un avis de convocation stipulant l'ordre du jour, envoyé par courrier recommandé au moins huit jours avant l'assemblée à chaque actionnaire à l'adresse de l'actionnaire figurant dans le registre aux fins de notification ou, à défaut, à son domicile figurant dans le registre des actionnaires de la société ou par deux publications dans la presse luxembourgeoise et deux publications dans le journal officiel du Luxembourg ( Mémorial ), la première publication paraissant de telle sorte que la seconde publication soit effectuée au moins huit jours avant l'assemblée et qu'il existe un intervalle d'au moins huit jours entre la première et la seconde publication de l'assemblée.
Si tous les actionnaires sont présents ou représentés à une assemblée des actionnaires, et s'ils déclarent qu'ils ont été informés de l'ordre du jour de l'assemblée, l'assemblée peut être tenue sans préavis.
Le gérant commandité peut fixer toutes les conditions raisonnables qui doivent être remplies par les actionnaires pour leur permettre de participer à toute assemblée des actionnaires.
Article 12 - Attributions de l'assemblée des actionnaires
Toute assemblée régulièrement constituée des actionnaires de la société représente l'ensemble des actionnaires de la société. L'assemblée des actionnaire ne peut adopter de résolution sur toute question qu'avec l'accord du gérant commandité.
Article 13 - Gérance
La société est gérée par le gérant commandité qui est l'associé responsable et qui est personnellement, conjointement et solidairement responsable avec la société de tout passif qui ne peut pas être réglé sur l'actif de la société.
Le gérant commandité est investi des pouvoirs les plus étendus pour exécuter tous actes d'administration et de disposition dans l'intérêt de la société qui ne sont pas expressément réservés par la loi ou les présents statuts à l'assemblée des actionnaires ou au conseil de surveillance.
Le gérant commandité a le pouvoir exclusif d'engager et de diriger des poursuites judiciaires et de négocier, régler à l'amiable et transiger sur des litiges pour le compte de la société, et il peut déléguer ce pouvoir à toutes autres personnes ou tous autres comités qu'il peut désigner, sous réserve que le conseil de surveillance ait approuvé les personnes ou comités auxquels ce pouvoir est délégué par le gérant commandité.
Le gérant commandité a le pouvoir, pour le compte et au nom de la société, d'exercer tous les objets de la société, d'effectuer tous actes et de conclure et d'exécuter tous contrats et autres engagements qu'il peut juger nécessaires, souhaitables, utiles ou accessoires à ces objets. Sauf stipulation contraire expresse, le gérant commandité dispose des pleins pouvoirs discrétionnaires d'exercer, pour le compte de la société, tous les droits et pouvoirs nécessaires ou utiles à l'accomplissement des objets de la société.
Article 14 - Délégation de signature
La société est liée par la signature sociale du gérant commandité exprimée par les signatures individuelles ou conjointes de toutes autres personnes auxquelles ce pouvoir a été délégué par le gérant commandité, de la manière que le gérant commandité fixe à son entière discrétion, sous réserve de l'approbation par le conseil de surveillance des personnes auxquelles le gérant commandité délègue ce pouvoir.
Article 15 - Rémunération du gérant commandité ; frais
Le gérant commandité ne reçoit aucune rémunération au titre de ses services de la part de la société. Dans la plus grande mesure autorisée par la loi, mais sans préjudice du deuxième paragraphe de l'article 8, la société supporte et rembourse les coûts et frais encourus par le gérant commandité du fait de l'exécution de ses obligations et/ou des mesures prises pour le compte et/ou dans l'intérêt de la société et peut accorder toutes avances au gérant commandité au titre de ces frais et coûts (dont notamment, les pertes, dommages-intérêts et frais de défense encourus du fait de demandes ou de menaces de demandes de tiers).
Article 16 - Conseil de surveillance
Les affaires de la société et sa situation financière, dont en particulier ses livres et comptes, sont contrôlés par un conseil de surveillance composé d'au moins trois membres du conseil (ci-après, le « conseil de surveillance »).
Le conseil de surveillance est consulté par le gérant commandité sur les questions que le gérant commandité peut fixer, et il autorise toutes actions du gérant commandité qui peuvent, en application de la loi ou des présents statuts, dépasser le champ des pouvoirs du gérant commandité.
Le conseil de surveillance approuve les personnes désignées périodiquement par le gérant commandité pour exercer les pouvoirs du gérant commandité quant à la gestion de la société, et le gérant commandité n'agit que par l'intermédiaire de ces personnes.
Le conseil de surveillance est élu par un vote à la majorité simple de l'assemblée générale des actionnaires pour une période maximale de six ans, qui est renouvelable.
L'assemblée générale des actionnaires fixe la rémunération du conseil de surveillance, le cas échéant.
Le conseil de surveillance est convoqué par son président (ainsi qu'il est nommé par le conseil de surveillance parmi ses membres) ou par le gérant commandité.
Un avis de convocation écrit sera remis à tous les membres du conseil de surveillance au moins huit jours avant la tenue de la réunion du conseil, sauf en cas d'urgence, auquel cas la nature de l'urgence est précisée dans l'avis de convocation. Il peut être renoncé à cet avis de convocation par l'accord écrit, sous la forme d'un original ou par câble, télégramme, télécopie ou télex, de chaque membre. Un avis de convocation distinct n'est pas nécessaire pour les réunions individuelles tenues au lieu, à la date et à l'heure prescrits dans un document adopté précédemment par voie de résolution du conseil de surveillance. Si tous les membres du conseil de surveillance sont présents ou représentés à une réunion du conseil de surveillance, et s'ils déclarent qu'ils ont été informés de l'ordre du jour de la réunion, la réunion peut être tenue sans préavis.
Tout membre peut agir à toute réunion du conseil de surveillance en désignant par écrit, sous la forme d'un original ou par câble, télégramme, télécopie, télex ou toute autre communication électronique, un autre membre pour le représenter.
Le conseil de surveillance ne peut délibérer ou agir valablement que si au moins la majorité de ses membres est présente ou représentée. Les résolutions adoptées à la majorité des voix des membres présents ou représenté à la réunion sont approuvées. Les résolutions peuvent également être adoptées sous la forme d'un ou de plusieurs instruments signés par tous les membres.
Aucun membre du conseil de surveillance n'est responsable au titre de toute faute, tout manquement ou tout défaut de sa part à l'égard de la société et chaque membre du conseil de surveillance est indemnisé sur les fonds de la société de toutes responsabilités, pertes, dommages-intérêts ou frais encourus du fait de l'exécution ou de la décharge réelle ou alléguée de ses obligations ou de l'exercice de ses pouvoirs ou de toute autre manière dans le cadre de ses fonctions, sous réserve que cette exonération de responsabilité et cette indemnité ne s'étendent pas à toute question qui les rendrait nulles en application du droits luxembourgeois.
Article 17 - Exercice - comptes
L'exercice de la société commence le 1er septembre et finit le 31 août de chaque année.
Les comptes de la société sont tenus en euros et/ou en dollars des États-Unis ou dans toute autre devise fongible que décide le gérant commandité.
Article 18 - Affectation des bénéfices
Cinq pour-cent (5 %) des bénéfices annuels de la société sont affectés à la réserve légale, ainsi que la loi l'exige. Cette affectation cesse d'être nécessaire dès que la réserve légale atteint dix pour-cent (10 %) du capital actions nominal émis de la société exposé à l'article 5 des présentes, tel qu'il est diminué ou augmenté périodiquement.
Le gérant commandité fixe la manière dont il est disposé des bénéfices nets annuels, et décide de verser des dividendes périodiquement, de la manière qu'il juge, à son entière discrétion, la mieux correspondre à l'objet social et à la politique de la société. Une assemblée générale des actionnaires doit approuver la décision du gérant commandité de verser des dividendes ainsi que de l'affectation des bénéfices proposée par le gérant commandité.
Chaque actionnaire dispose des droits à dividendes correspondants à sa participation. Chaque action ordinaire de catégorie II donne droit à son détenteur à recevoir un dividende égal à 10 % de tout dividende auquel une action ordinaire de catégorie I donne droit à son détenteur, en numéraire ou en nature.
Les dividendes peuvent être payés en euros ou en dollars des États-Unis ou dans toute autre devise que le gérant commandité décide et ils peuvent être payés aux lieux et aux dates que le gérant commandité décide.
Le gérant commandité peut décider de payer des dividendes provisoires aux conditions et dans les limites prévues par la loi.
Article 19 - Dissolution et liquidation
La société peut être dissoute volontairement par voie de résolution adoptée à une assemblée générale des actionnaires avec l'accord du gérant commandité.
La liquidation est exécutée par un ou plusieurs liquidateurs (qui peuvent être des personnes physiques ou morales) désignés par une assemblée générale des actionnaires qui fixe également leurs pouvoirs et leur rémunération.
Chaque détenteur d'actions de la société a droit (dans la mesure de la suffisance des fonds ou de l'actif disponibles) au remboursement du montant du capital actions nominal correspondant à sa participation en actions. Les produits de la liquidation (le cas échéant), dont le remboursement du capital actions nominal, sont payés de telle sorte que chaque action ordinaire de catégorie II donne droit à son détenteur à recevoir un paiement à la liquidation égal à 10 % de tout paiement à la liquidation auquel une action ordinaire de catégorie I donne droit à son détenteur.
Article 20 - Modifications
Les présents statuts peuvent être modifiés périodiquement par une assemblée générale des actionnaires, sous réserve des exigences de quorum et de majorité prévues par les lois du Luxembourg et sous réserve de l'accord du gérant commandité.
Article 21 - Questions fiscales
Le gérant commandité peut, à son entière et exclusive discrétion, faire tous choix fiscaux pour la société, sous réserve que le gérant commandité décide raisonnablement que tout choix de la sorte n'aura aucune incidence négative sur les actionnaires.
Article 22 - Droit applicable
Toutes les questions qui ne sont pas régies par les présents statuts sont fixées par l'application des dispositions du droit luxembourgeois, et notamment, de la loi.
Article 23 - Définitions
Le « cours moyen par action » à toute date donnée est égal à la moyenne des cours de vente le plus élevé et le plus faible des actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd, tels qu'ils sont signalés à la bourse de New York (ou si les actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd ne sont pas cotées ou admises à l'échange à la bourse de New York, à la bourse américaine, ou si les actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd ne sont pas cotées ou admises à l'échange à la bourse américaine, au marché national Nasdaq, ou si les actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd ne sont pas cotées ou admises à l'échange au marché national Nasdaq, au marché hors cote tel qu'il est offert par toute société membre de la bourse de New York et reconnue au plan national, sélectionnée par Accenture Ltd à cette fin), net des frais de courtage et des frais d'opération similaires fixés pour la société et par la société.
Le « cours de marché d'une action ordinaire de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd » à toute date donnée est égal au prix moyen par action de cette date sauf si Accenture Ltd vend (c'est-à-dire la date d'opération) une partie de ses actions ordinaires de catégorie A à cette date pour du numéraire, autrement que dans le cadre d'une opération avec tout employé ou toute société liée et autrement qu'en application d'une obligation antérieure ; auquel cas le « cours de marché d'une action ordinaire de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd » de cette date est égal à la moyenne pondérée du cours de vente par action net des frais de courtage et frais similaires.
Le « rapport d'évaluation » est à tout moment égal à 1,00, sous réserve que le rapport d'évaluation soit sous réserve d'un ajustement périodique en application des dispositions suivantes du présent article 23 Si à tout moment :
(i) | Accenture Ltd acquiert ou détient autrement un montant d'actif supérieur à un montant de miminis autre que : | |||
(A) | sa participation dans la société, | |||
(B) |
tout intérêt direct ou indirect dans ses propres actions (sous réserve que ces actions ne soient pas traitées comme actif d'Accenture Ltd sur un bilan consolidé d'Accenture Ltd préparé conformément aux principes comptables généralement admis aux États-Unis d'Amérique) ou | |||
(C) | tout actif qu'elle détient uniquement à titre provisoire avant d'apporter ou de prêter cet actif à la société (sous réserve que tout actif de la sorte détenu provisoirement soit ainsi apporté ou prêté avant la fin du trimestre en cours de l'exercice d'Accenture Ltd), | |||
(ii) | Accenture Ltd encourt ou est responsable un montant de passif supérieur à un montant de miminis qu'un passif dont elle répond au titre d'un passif correspondant de la société ou | |||
(iii) |
les circonstances en exigent autrement, alors | |||
(1) | le gérant commandité informe sans délai le conseil de surveillance et les membres du conseil de surveillance qui sont également associés commanditaires (en cette qualité, le « comité des associés commanditaires ») de ce fait, | |||
(2) | le gérant commandité communique au comité des associés commanditaires toutes autres informations, dont les informations ou états financiers, que le comité des associés commanditaires peut raisonnablement demander en rapport avec les décisions envisagées par l'alinéa (3) suivant de la présente phrase et | |||
(3) | le gérant commandité et le comité des associés commanditaires mettent en _uvre tous les moyens possibles pour : | |||
(x) | déterminer sans délai si un ajustement du rapport d'évaluation est nécessaire pour refléter les valeurs justes de marché relatives d'une action ordinaire de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd et d'une action ordinaire de catégorie I et | |||
(y) | si un tel ajustement est nécessaire, déterminer sans délai une méthode d'ajustement équitable du rapport d'évaluation (fondée sur les états financiers d'Accenture Ltd ou autrement, et si cette méthode ne concerne qu'un seul ajustement ou des ajustements récurrents). | |||
Si le gérant commandité et le comité des associés commanditaires décident qu'un ajustement du rapport d'évaluation est nécessaire, et déterminent une méthode d'ajustement équitable du rapport d'évaluation, alors le rapport d'évaluation est ajusté au moyen de cette méthode. S'il n'est parvenu à aucun accord rapide (mais dans tous les cas dans un délai de 45 jours) entre le gérant commandité et le comité des associés commanditaires quant à la nécessité ou non d'un tel ajustement ou la détermination d'une méthode d'ajustement équitable, alors le gérant commandité et le comité des associés commanditaires choisissent un arbitre indépendant (qui peut être une grande banque d'investissement) qui est un expert reconnu dans le domaine de l'évaluation des société (x) pour décider si un ajustement du rapport d'évaluation est nécessaire pour refléter les justes valeurs de marché relatives d'une action ordinaire de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd et d'une action ordinaire de catégorie I et (y) si un tel ajustement est nécessaire, pour déterminer une méthode d'ajustement équitable du rapport d'évaluation (sur le fondement des états financiers d'Accenture Ltd ou autrement et si cette méthode ne concerne qu'un seul ajustement ou des ajustement récurrents). Si l'arbitre décide qu'un ajustement du rapport d'évaluation est ainsi nécessaire et détermine une méthode d'ajustement équitable du rapport d'évaluation, alors le rapport d'évaluation est ajusté au moyen cette méthode.
Si Accenture Ltd:
(i) | paie un dividende ou effectue une distribution sur ses actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd en actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd, | |||
(ii) | sous-divise ses actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd en circulation en un plus grand nombre d'actions, | |||
(iii) | réunit ses actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd en circulation en un plus petit nombre d'actions, | |||
(iv) | effectue une distribution sur ses actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd en actions de son capital actions autres que des actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd ou | |||
(v) | émet, par voie de nouvelle classification de ses actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd, toutes actions de son capital actions, | |||
alors, le rapport d'évaluation en effet immédiatement avant une telle mesure est ajusté de telle sorte que les détenteurs d'actions ordinaires de catégorie I rachetées par la suite puissent recevoir le prix de rachat ou le nombre d'actions dans le capital actions d'Accenture Ltd, selon le cas, dont ils auraient été propriétaires immédiatement après une telle mesure si ces actions avaient été rachetées immédiatement avant cette mesure (après avoir tenu compte de toute mesure correspondante prise par la société).
Dans le cas de toute association, fusion, restructuration, recapitalisation d'activité ou de toute autre opération extraordinaire impliquant directement ou indirectement Accenture Ltd ou quelconque de ses titres ou actifs, en conséquence de quoi les détenteurs d'actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd détiennent des titres assortis de droits de vote dans une société autre qu'Accenture Ltd, les termes « actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd » et « Accenture Ltd » feront référence aux titres assortis de droits de vote représentant auparavant ou distribués respectivement au titre d'actions ordinaires de catégorie A d'Accenture Ltd ou de cette société.
PREVAILING VERSION - VERSION PREPONDERANTE
The present Articles of Association are worded in English followed by a French translation.
In case of discrepancy between the English and the French text, the English version will prevail.
Les présents statuts sont rédigés en langue anglaise suivi d'une version française. En cas de
divergences entre le texte anglais et le texte français, le texte anglais fera foi.
POUR COPIE CONFORME DES STATUTS,
COORDONNES à LA DATE DU 1
er
juin 2001.
Signé à Luxembourg, ce
TRUE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE UPDATED ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
as at June 1
st
, 2001.
Undersigned in Luxembourg, this
Exhibit 10.9
THIS SUPPORT AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 23, 2001, between Accenture Ltd, an exempted company registered under the laws of Bermuda (ParentCo) and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Ontario (the Corporation).
WHEREAS , pursuant to a reorganization of the capital structure of the Corporation (the Reorganization), the Corporation issued certain exchangeable shares (the Exchangeable Shares) having attached thereto certain rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (collectively, the Exchangeable Share Provisions).
AND WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to make appropriate provision and to establish a procedure whereby ParentCo will take certain actions and make certain payments and deliveries necessary to ensure that the Corporation will be able to make certain payments and to deliver or cause to be delivered Class A Shares in satisfaction of the obligations of the Corporation under the Exchangeable Share Provisions with respect to the payment and satisfaction of dividends, Liquidation Amounts, Retraction Prices and Redemption Prices, all in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements provided in this agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
1.1 | Defined Terms . Except as expressed in the following sentence, each term denoted herein by initial capital letters and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions, unless the context requires otherwise. |
1.2 | Interpretation Not Affected by Headings, Etc . The division of this agreement into articles, sections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this agreement. |
1.3 | Number, Gender, Etc . Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa. |
1.4 | Date for Any Action . If any date on which any action is required to be taken under this agreement is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding Business Day. |
2.1 | Covenants of ParentCo Regarding Exchangeable Shares . So long as any Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, ParentCo will: |
(a) | cause the Corporation to declare simultaneously with the declaration of any dividend on Class A Shares an equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares and, when such dividend is paid on Class A Shares, cause the Corporation to pay simultaneously therewith such equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares, in each case in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions; |
(b) | advise the Corporation sufficiently in advance of the declaration by ParentCo of any dividend on Class A Shares and take all such other actions as are necessary, in cooperation with the Corporation, to ensure that the respective declaration date, record date and payment date for a dividend on the Exchangeable Shares shall be the same as the record date, declaration date and payment date for the corresponding dividend on Class A Shares; |
(c) | take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Corporation, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount in respect of each issued and outstanding Exchangeable Share upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation for the purpose of winding up its affairs, including without limitation all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Corporation to cause to be delivered Class A Shares to the holders of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions; |
(d) | take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Corporation, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Retraction Price and the Redemption Price, including without limitation all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Corporation to cause to be delivered Class A Shares to the holders of Exchangeable Shares, upon the retraction or redemption of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 or Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, as the case may be, if the Corporation proposes to deliver Class A Shares to such holders pursuant the such Articles of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
2.2 | Reservation of Class A Shares . ParentCo hereby represents, warrants and covenants that it has irrevocably reserved for issuance and will at all times keep available, free from pre-emptive and other rights, within its authorized and unissued share capital such number of Class A Shares (or other shares or securities into which Class A Shares may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by section 2.6 hereof) (a) as is equal to the number of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding from time to time, and (b) as are now and may hereafter be required to enable and permit the Corporation to meet its obligations hereunder, under the Exchange Trust Agreement and under the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
2.3 | Notification of Certain Events . In order to assist ParentCo to comply with its obligations hereunder, the Corporation will give ParentCo notice of each of the following events at the times set forth below: |
(a) | in the event of any determination by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in accordance with the Articles of the Corporation to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to the Corporation or to effect any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, at least 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution; |
(b) | immediately, upon the earlier of (i) receipt by the Corporation of notice of, and (ii) the Corporation otherwise becoming aware of, any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or to effect any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs; |
(c) | immediately, upon receipt by the Corporation of a Retraction Request (as defined in the Exchangeable Share Provisions); |
(d) | at least 30 days prior to any accelerated Automatic Redemption Date determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and |
(e) | as soon as practicable upon the issuance by the Corporation of any Exchangeable Shares. |
2.4 | Delivery of Class A Shares . In furtherance of its obligations hereunder, upon notice of any event which requires the Corporation to cause to be delivered Class A Shares to any holder of Exchangeable Shares, ParentCo shall forthwith issue and deliver, or procure the transfer of, the requisite Class A Shares to or to the order of the former holder of the surrendered Exchangeable Shares. All such Class A Shares shall be duly issued as fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of any lien, claim, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim or interest created by or through ParentCo. |
2.5 | Equivalence . ParentCo hereby covenants and agrees to cause the Corporation to effect the necessary amendments to the Articles of the Corporation to ensure that the Exchangeable Shares are adjusted to fully reflect the effect of any stock split, subdivision, combination, reverse split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible in Class A Shares), reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization or other like change with respect to the Class A Shares occurring after the Effective Date. |
2.6 | Tenders Offers, Etc . In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid or similar transaction with respect to Class A Shares (an Offer) is proposed by ParentCo or is proposed to ParentCo or its shareholders and is recommended by the Board of Directors of ParentCo, or is otherwise effected or to be effected, ParentCo shall, in good faith, take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit holders of Exchangeable Shares to participate in such Offer to the same extent and on an equivalent basis as the holders of Class A Shares, without discrimination, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, ParentCo will use its good faith efforts expeditiously to (and shall, in the case of a transaction proposed by ParentCo or where ParentCo is a participant in the negotiation thereof) ensure that holders of the Exchangeable Shares may participate in all such Offers without being required to retract Exchangeable Shares as against the Corporation (or, if so required, to ensure that any such retraction shall be effective only upon, and shall be conditional upon, the closing of the Offer and only to the extent necessary to tender or deposit to the Offer). |
2.7 | Ownership of Outstanding Shares . Without the prior approval of the Corporation and the prior approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, ParentCo covenants and agrees in favour of the Corporation that, as long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares are owned by any person or entity other than ParentCo or any of its Subsidiaries, ParentCo or one or more of its Subsidiaries will be and remain the direct or indirect beneficial owner of securities of the Corporation carrying or entitled to not less than 51% of the voting rights for the election of directors, in each case other than the Exchangeable Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, ParentCo shall not be in violation of this section 2.8 if any person or group of persons acquires Class A Shares pursuant to any merger of ParentCo in which ParentCo was not the surviving corporation. |
2.8 | ParentCo Not to Vote Exchangeable Shares . ParentCo covenants and agrees that it will appoint and cause to be appointed proxy holders with respect to all Exchangeable Shares held by ParentCo and its Subsidiaries for the sole purpose of attending each meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares in order to be counted as part of the quorum for each such meeting. ParentCo further covenants and agrees that as long as any outstanding Exchangeble Shares are owned by any person or entity other than ParentCo or any of its Subsidiaries, it will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries not to, exercise any voting rights which may be exercisable by holders of Exchangeable Shares from time to time pursuant to the Exchangeable Shares held by it or by its Subsidiaries in respect of any matter considered at any meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares. |
2.9 | Due Performance . On and after the Effective Date, ParentCo shall duly and timely perform all of its obligations under this agreement and related agreements in respect of the Reorganization, including any obligations that may arise upon the exercise of ParentCos rights under the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
3.1 | ParentCo Liquidation Call Right . |
(a) | ParentCo shall have the overriding right (the Liquidation Call Right), in the event of and notwithstanding the proposed liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation as referred to in Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, to purchase from all, but not less than all, of the holders of Exchangeable Shares on the Liquidation Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares held by each such holder on delivery by ParentCo to each holder of the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the Liquidation Date (the Liquidation Call Purchase Price), which as provided in section 3.1, shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of ParentCo of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Call Purchase Price. In the event of the exercise of the Liquidation Call Right by ParentCo, it is intended that each holder shall be obligated to sell all the Exchangeable Shares held by the holder to ParentCo on the Liquidation Date on payment by ParentCo to the holder of the Exchange Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Call Purchase Price for each such share, as provided in section 5.4 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. The Corporation agrees, for the benefit of ParentCo, to enforce against the holders of Exchangeable Share Provisions, to such effect. |
(b) | To exercise the Liquidation Call Right, ParentCo must notify the Corporation of ParentCos intention to exercise such right at least ten days before the Liquidation Date in the case of a voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation and at least five Business Days before the Liquidation Date in the case of an involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation. The Corporation will notify the holders of Exchangeable Shares as to whether or not ParentCo has exercised the Liquidation Call Right forthwith after the expiry of the date by which the same may be exercised by ParentCo. If ParentCo exercises the Liquidation Call Right, on the Liquidation Date, ParentCo will purchase all of the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding for the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Call Purchase Price. |
(c) | For the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Liquidation Call Right, ParentCo shall deposit with the Corporation, on or before the Liquidation Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration for all of the Exchangeable Shares. Provided that such Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Corporation, on and after the Liquidation Date the right of each holder of Exchangeable Shares will be limited to receiving such holders proportionate share of such Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Call Purchase Price payable by ParentCo without interest upon presentation and surrender by the holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder. Upon surrender to the Corporation of a certificate or certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, the holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Corporation on behalf of ParentCo shall deliver to such holder, the Exchangeable Share Consideration to which the holder is entitled. If ParentCo does not exercise the Liquidation Call Right in the manner described above, on the Liquidation Date the holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount otherwise payable by the Corporation in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation pursuant to Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
3.2 | ParentCo Redemption Call Right . |
(a) | ParentCo shall have the overriding right (the Redemption Call Right), notwithstanding the proposed redemption of the Exchangeable Shares by the Corporation pursuant to Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, to purchase from all, but not less than all, of the holders of Exchangeable Shares on the Automatic Redemption Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares held by each such holder, other than any Subsidiary of ParentCo, on payment by ParentCo to the holder of the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the Automatic Redemption Date (the Redemption Call Purchase Price), which as provided in this section 3.2, shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of ParentCo of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Call Purchase Price. In the event of the exercise of the Redemption Call Right by ParentCo, it is intended that each holder shall be obligated to sell all the Exchangeable Shares held by the holder to ParentCo on the Automatic Redemption Date on payment by ParentCo to the holder of Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Call Purchase Price for each such share as provided in section 7.4 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. The Corporation agrees, for the benefit of ParentCo, to enforce against the holders of Exchangeable Shares the provisions of section 7.4 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions to such effect. |
(b) | To exercise the Redemption Call Right, ParentCo must notify the Corporation of ParentCos intention to exercise such right at least five days before the Automatic Redemption Date. The Corporation will notify the holders of the Exchangeable Shares as to whether or not ParentCo has exercised the Redemption Call Right forthwith after the date by which the same may be exercised by ParentCo. If ParentCo exercises the Redemption Call Right, on the Automatic Redemption Date, ParentCo will purchase all of the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding for the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Call Purchase Price. |
(c) | For the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Redemption Call Right, ParentCo shall deposit with the Corporation, on or before the Automatic Redemption Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration for all the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares representing the total Redemption Call Purchase Price. Provided that such Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Corporation, on and after the Automatic Redemption Date the rights of each holder of Exchangeable Shares will be limited to receiving such holders proportionate share of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Call Purchase Price payable by ParentCo upon presentation and surrender by the holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder. Upon surrender to the Corporation of a certificate or certificates representing Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Act as the Corporation may reasonably require, the holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Corporation shall deliver to such holder, the Exchangeable Share Consideration to which the holder is entitled. If ParentCo does not exercise the Redemption Call Right in the manner described above, on the Automatic Redemption Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Price otherwise payable by the Corporation in connection with the redemption of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
3.3 | Exchange Put Right . Upon and subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Exchangeable Share Provisions and the Exchange Trust Agreement: |
(a) | A holder of Exchangeable Shares shall have the right (the Exchange Put Right) at any time to require ParentCo to purchase all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares of the holder; and |
(b) | Upon the exercise by the holder of the Exchange Put Right, it is intended that the holder shall be required to sell to ParentCo, and ParentCo shall be required to purchase from the holder, that number of Exchangeable Shares in respect of which the Exchange Put Right is exercised, in consideration of the payment by ParentCo of the Exchangeable Share Price for each Exchangeable Share in respect of which the Exchange Put Right has been exercised by such holder. The Corporation agrees, for the benefit of ParentCo, to enforce against the holders of Exchangeable Shares the provisions of section 8.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions to such effect. |
3.4 | Assignment . ParentCo shall have the unqualified right, at any time and from time to time, to assign any or all of its rights under this Article 3 or Section 6.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions or both to any Canadian Subsidiary of ParentCo (other than the Corporation), and if any such assignment is made, such Canadian Subsidiary may exercise all of ParentCos rights hereunder and perform all of ParentCos obligations hereunder arising from the exercise of such rights as fully as ParentCo might; provided, however, that nothing herein shall affect in any way the obligation of ParentCo, which obligation shall be absolute and continuing notwithstanding any such assignment, to provide Class A Shares or to pay money, in the amounts and at times required hereunder, in order to permit such Canadian Subsidiary to exercise ParentCos rights and to perform ParentCos obligations hereunder. ParentCo hereby, as primary obligor, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the prompt and complete payment and performance, as and when due, by any such Canadian Subsidiary of any obligations of ParentCo arising from any such assignment that may be made by ParentCo hereunder. |
4.1 | Term . This agreement shall come into force and be effective as of the date hereof and shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at such time as no Exchangeable Shares (or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares) are held by any party other than ParentCo and any of its Subsidiaries. |
4.2 | Changes in Capital of ParentCo and the Corporation . Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4.4 hereof, at all times after the occurrence of any event effected pursuant to Section 2.6 or 2.7 hereof, as a result of which either ParentCo Class A Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any way changed, this agreement shall forthwith be amended and modified as necessary in order that it shall apply with full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new securities into which Class A Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are so changed, and the parties hereto shall execute and deliver an agreement in writing giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications. |
4.3 | Severability . If any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and this agreement shall be carried out as nearly as possible in accordance with its original terms and conditions. |
4.4 | Amendments, Modifications, Etc . This agreement may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Corporation and ParentCo and approved by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
4.5 | Ministerial Amendments . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof, the parties to this agreement may in writing, at any time and from time to time, without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares, amend or modify this agreement for the purposes of: |
(a) | adding to the covenants of either or both parties for the protection of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; |
(b) | making such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this agreement as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions which, in the opinion of the board of directors of each of the Corporation and ParentCo, it may be expedient to make, provided that each such board of directors shall be of the opinion that such amendments or modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; or |
(c) | making such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation and ParentCo, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error; provided that the boards of directors of each of the Corporation and ParentCo shall be of the opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. |
4.6 | Meeting to Consider Amendments . The Corporation, at the request of ParentCo, shall call a meeting or meetings of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or modification requiring approval of such shareholders. Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation, the Exchangeable Share Provisions and all applicable laws. |
4.7 | Amendments Only in Writing . No amendment to or modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto. |
4.8 | Enurement . This agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the holders, from time to time, of Exchangeable Shares and each of their respective heirs, successors and assigns. |
4.9 | Notices to Parties . All notices and other communications between the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered personally or by confirmed telecopy to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for either such party as shall be specified in like notice): |
(a) |
if to ParentCo to:
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc.
Attn: President
|
(b) |
if to the Corporation to:
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc.
Attn: President
|
Any notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been given and received upon delivery thereof and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of confirmed receipt thereof, unless such day is not a Business Day, in which case it shall be deemed to have been given and received upon the immediately following Business Day.
4.10 | Counterparts . This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. |
4.11 | Jurisdiction . This agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. |
4.12 | Attornment . ParentCo agrees that any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement may be instituted in the courts of Ontario, waives any objection which it may have now or hereafter to the venue of any such action or proceeding, irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding, agrees to be bound by any judgment of such courts and not to seek, and hereby waives, any review of the merits of any such judgment by the courts of any other jurisdiction and hereby appoints the Corporation at its registered office in the Province of Ontario as ParentCos attorney for service of process. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ParentCo and the Corporation have caused this agreement to be signed by
their respective officers thereunder duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
ACCENTURE CANADA HOLDINGS INC. | ||
By: | ____________________________ | |
David E. Seibel | ||
President | ||
ACCENTURE LTD. | ||
By: | ____________________________ | |
Michael L. Emmons | ||
Managing Director |
5. | A) | The amalgamation agreement has been duly adopted by the Shareholders of each of the amalgamating corporations as required by subsection 176 (4) of the Business Corporations Act on the date set out below. | x | A) | Les actionnaires de chaque compagnie qui fusionne ont dûment adopté la convention de fusion conformément au paragraphe 176 (4) de la Loi sur les compagnies à la date mentionnée ci-dessous. | |||
| ||||||||
Check | Cocher | |||||||
A or B | A ou B | |||||||
| ||||||||
B) |
The amalgamation has been approved by the directors of each amalgamating corporation by a resolution as required by section 177 of the Business Corporations Act on the date set out below.
|
o | B) | Les administrateurs de chaque compagnie qui fusionne ont approuvé la fusion par voie de résolution conformément à l'article 177 de la Loi sur les compagnies à la date mentionnée ci-dessous. Les statuts de fusion reprennent essentiellement les dispositions des statuts constitutifs de | ||||
|
||||||||
and are more particularly set out in these articles. | et sont énoncés textuellement aux présents statuts. | |||||||
Names of amalgamating corporations
Dénomination sociale des compagnies qui fusionnent |
Ontario Corporation Number
Numéro de la compagnie en Ontario |
Date of Adoption/Approval
Date d'adoption ou d'approbation |
|||
|
|||||
909701 ONTARIO INC. | 909701 | October 26 , 1994 | |||
SYNERLOGIC INC | 836382 | October 26 , 1994 | |||
6. | Restrictions, if any, on business the corporation may carry on or on powers the corporation exercise. | Limites, s'il y a lieu, imposées aux activitiés commerciales ou aux pouvoirs de la compagnie. | |||
NONE. | |||||
7. |
The classes and any maximum number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue: |
Catagoriés et nombre maximal, s'il y a lieu, d'actions que la compagnie est autorisée á émettre: | |||
(1) | an unlimited number of common shares; | ||||
(2) | an unlimited number of Class A preference shares: | ||||
(3) | an unlimited number of Class B preference shares; and | ||||
(4) |
an unlimited number of Class C preference shares.
|
8. | Rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (if any) attaching to each class of shares and directors authority with respect to any class of shares which may be issued in series: | Droits, priviléges, restrictions et conditions, s'il y á lieu, rettachés a chaque catégorie d'actions et pouvoirs des administrateurs relatifs á chaque catégorie d'actions qui peut étre émise en série: | ||||
(1) | The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the common shares are as follows: | |||||
(a) | Voting Rights | |||||
The holders of the common shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation and each common share shall confer the right to one (1) vote in person or by proxy at all such meetings of shareholders of the Corporation. | ||||||
(b) | Dividends | |||||
Subject to the prior rights of the holders of the preference shares, the holders of the common shares shall be entitled to receive any dividend declared by the Corporation in respect of the common shares. | ||||||
(c) | Participation upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding-Up | |||||
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or other distribution of assets or property of the Corporation among shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of the common shares shall be entitled, subject to the prior rights attaching to the preference shares, to receive the remaining property of the Corporation. | ||||||
(2) | The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Class A preference shares are as follows: | |||||
(a) | Voting Rights | |||||
Except as required under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the holders of Class A preference shares shall not have any voting rights for any purpose; the holders of Class A preference shares shall, however, be entitled to notice of meetings of shareholders called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale, lease, or exchange of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof, except a sale, lease or exchange in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation. |
(b) | Dividends | |||
The holders of Class A preference shares shall be entitled to receive and the Corporation shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the board of directors of the Corporation out of moneys properly applicable to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative cash dividends at a rate to be fixed by resolution of the board of directors provided that such rate shall not exceed 11% of the Redemption Amount (as hereinafter defined) attributable to the Class A preference shares, on such date or dates as the directors shall by resolution determine from time to time. The holders of Class A preference shares shall not be entitled to any dividends other than or in excess of the dividends hereinbefore provided for. | ||||
(c) | Participation in Assets on Dissolution | |||
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or other distribution of assets or property of the Corporation among the shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Class A preference shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets and property of the corporation before any repayment of capital or any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation amongst the holders of the common shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A preference shares, an amount equal to the Redemption Amount as hereinafter defined. The "Redemption Amount" of the Class A preference shares shall be equal to the redemption amount of the 909701 Class A Preference shares (the "909701 Class A Shares") converted into the Class A preference shares. The holders of Class A preference shares shall rank pari passu with the Class B preference shares and the Class C preference shares and shall be entitled to participate rateably with the holders of Class B preference shares and the Class C preference shares in any distribution of the assets and property of the Corporation. | ||||
(d) | Retraction | |||
The holders of Class A preference shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem at any time the Class A preference shares registered in the name of such holders on the books of the Corporation by tendering to the Corporation at its head office the share certificate representing the Class A preference shares which the registered holder desires to have the Corporation redeem together with a request in writing specifying (i) that the registered holder desires to have the Class A preference shares redeemed by the Corporation and (ii) the business day (in this paragraph referred to as the "Redemption Date") on which the |
holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such Class A preference shares which shall not be less than thirty (30) days following the day on which the request in writing is given to the Corporation. Upon receipt of the share certificate representing the Class A preference shares which the registered holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with such a request, the Corporation shall on the Redemption Date, redeem the Class A preference shares by paying to such registered holder an amount equal to the Redemption Amount of the Class A preference shares being redeemed plus all unpaid dividends which have been declared thereon (the aggregate thereof which is referred to as the "Redemption Price"). The Class A preference shares shall be redeemed on the Redemption Date and from and after the Redemption Date such share shall cease to be entitled to dividends and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of the holders of Class A preference shares in respect thereof unless payment for the Redemption Price is not made on the Redemption Date, in which event the rights of the holder of the said shares shall remain unaffected. | ||||
(e) | Redemption | |||
The Corporation may, upon giving notice as hereinafter provided, redeem at any time the then outstanding Class A preference shares on payment of the Redemption Price, as hereinbefore defined. | ||||
(f) | Method of Redemption | |||
In the case of redemption of Class A preference shares under the provisions of sub-paragraph (e) above, the Corporation shall, at least twenty (20) days before the date specified for redemption, mail to the person who at the date of mailing is the registered holder of the Class A preference shares to be redeemed a notice in writing of the intention of the Corporation to redeem such Class A preference shares. Such notice shall be mailed by letter, postage prepaid, addressed to such shareholder's address as it appears in the records of the Corporation or in the event of the address of any such shareholder not so appearing then to the last known address of such shareholder; provided, however, that accidental failure to give any such notice to the shareholder shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Such notice shall set out the Redemption Price and the date on which redemption is to take place. On or after the date so specified for redemption, the Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid to or to the order of the registered holder of the Class A |
preference shares to be redeemed the Redemption Price thereof on presentation and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or any other place designated in such notice of the certificate representing the Class A preference shares called for redemption. From and after the date specified for redemption in any such notice the Class A preference shares called for redemption shall cease to be entitled to dividends and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of the shareholder in respect thereof unless payment of the Redemption Price shall not be made upon presentation of the certificate in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the shareholder shall remain unaffected. The Corporation shall have the right at any time after the mailing of notice of its intention to redeem the Class A preference shares to deposit the Redemption Price of the share so called for redemption or of such of the said share represented by the certificate as has not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by the holder thereof in connection with such redemption to a special account in any chartered bank or any trust company in Canada named in such notice, to be paid without interest to or to the order of the respective holder of such Class A preference shares called for redemption upon presentation and surrender to such bank or trust company of the certificate representing the same. Upon such deposit being made or upon the date specified for redemption in such notice, whichever is the later, the Class A preference shares in respect whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and the rights of the holder thereof after such deposit or such redemption date, as the case may be, shall be limited to receiving without interest their proportionate part of the total Redemption Price so deposited against presentation and surrender of the said certificate held by them respectively. | ||||
(g) | Price Adjustment | |||
The provisions of subparagraph (a) through (f) inclusive hereof in respect of the Redemption Amount of the Class A preference shares shall be subject to the provisions of this sub-paragraph. In the event that the Department of National Revenue, Taxation (the "Department") determines that the fair market value of the 909701 Class A Shares is greater or less than the redemption amount of the 909701 Class A Shares, the Redemption Amount of the Class A preference shares shall be increased or decreased to reflect the fair market value of the 909701 Class A Shares as ultimately determined. The Redemption Amount of the Class A preference shares so adjusted shall be deemed retroactively to the date of the first issuance to have been its Redemption Amount. In the | ||||
event that the Class A preference shares has been redeemed prior to the date of the ultimate determination, cash settlements will be made by the holder of the Class A preference shares or the Corporation as the case may be. Reference to value as ultimately determined herein shall have the following meaning: | |||||
(i) | such amount as may be agreed by the Department, the Corporation and the holder of the Class A preference shares, to have been the fair market value of the 909701 Class A Shares; or | ||||
(ii) | in the absence of such agreement, such amount as shall be determined by a Court having jurisdiction in the matter (after all appeal rights have been exhausted or all times for appeal). | ||||
(h) | Restriction on Dividends | ||||
No dividends will in the future be declared on the other shares of the Corporation in such large amounts as would result in the Corporation having insufficient net assets to enable it to redeem, at the Redemption Amount, the Class A preference shares of the Corporation which is outstanding from time to time; and further, the Corporation will not, if it should otherwise be so authorized at any time, either redeem or purchase for cancellation the Class A preference shares of the Corporation for an amount less than the lesser of the Redemption Amount of the Class A preference shares being so redeemed or purchased and the fair market value of the Corporation valued on a going concern basis at the time of purchase. | |||||
(3) | The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Class B preference shares are as follows: | ||||
(a) | Voting Rights | ||||
Except as required under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the holders of Class B preference shares shall not have any voting rights for any purpose; the holders of Class B preference shares shall, however, be entitled to notice of meetings of shareholders called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale, lease, or | |||||
exchange of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof, except a sale, lease or exchange in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation. | |||||
(b) | Dividends | ||||
The holders of Class B preference shares shall be entitled to receive and the Corporation shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the board of directors of the Corporation out of moneys properly applicable to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative cash dividends at a rate to be fixed by resolution of the board of directors provided that such rate shall not exceed 11% of the Redemption Amount (as hereinafter defined) attributable to the Class B preference shares, on such date or dates as the directors shall by resolution determine from time to time. The holders of Class B preference shares shall not be entitled to any dividends other than or in excess of the dividends hereinbefore provided for. | |||||
(c) | Participation in Assets on Dissolution | ||||
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or other distribution of assets or property of the Corporation among the shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Class B preference shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets and property of the corporation before any repayment of capital or any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation amongst the holders of the common shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class B preference shares, an amount equal to the Redemption Amount as hereinafter defined. The "Redemption Amount" of the Class B preference shares shall be equal to the fair market value of the common shares of Synerlogic Inc. (the "Synerlogic Common Shares") converted into the Class B preference shares. The holders of Class B preference shares shall rank pari passu with the Class A preference shares and the Class C preference shares and shall be entitled to participate rateably with the holders of Class A preference shares and the Class C preference shares in any distribution of the assets and property of the Corporation. | |||||
(d) | Retraction | ||||
The holders of Class B preference shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem at any time the Class B preference shares registered in the name of such holders on the books of the Corporation |
by tendering to the Corporation at its head office the share certificate representing the Class B preference shares which the registered holder desires to have the Corporation redeem together with a request in writing specifying (i) that the registered holder desires to have the Class B preference shares redeemed by the Corporation and (ii) the business day (in this paragraph referred to as the "Redemption Date") on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such Class B preference shares which shall not be less than thirty (30) days following the day on which the request in writing is given to the Corporation. Upon receipt of the share certificate representing the Class B preference shares which the registered holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with such a request, the Corporation shall on the Redemption Date, redeem the Class B preference shares by paying to such registered holder an amount equal to the Redemption Amount of the Class B preference shares being redeemed plus all unpaid dividends which have been declared thereon (the aggregate thereof which is referred to as the "Redemption Price"). The Class B preference shares shall be redeemed on the Redemption Date and from and after the Redemption Date such share shall cease to be entitled to dividends and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of the holders of Class B preference shares in respect thereof unless payment for the Redemption Price is not made on the Redemption Date, in which event the rights of the holder of the said shares shall remain unaffected. | |||||
(e) | Redemption | ||||
The Corporation may, upon giving notice as hereinafter provided, redeem at any time the then outstanding Class B preference shares on payment of the Redemption Price, as hereinbefore defined. | |||||
(f) | Method of Redemption | ||||
In the case of redemption of Class B preference shares under the provisions of sub-paragraph (e) above, the Corporation shall, at least twenty (20) days before the date specified for redemption, mail to the person who at the date of mailing is the registered holder of the Class B preference shares to be redeemed a notice in writing of the intention of the Corporation to redeem such Class B preference shares. Such notice |
shall be mailed by letter, postage prepaid, addressed to such shareholder's address as it appears in the records of the Corporation or in the event of the address of any such shareholder not so appearing then to the last known address of such shareholder; provided, however, that accidental failure to give any such notice to the shareholder shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Such notice shall set out the Redemption Price and the date on which redemption is to take place. On or after the date so specified for redemption, the Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid to or to the order of the registered holder of the Class B preference shares to be redeemed the Redemption Price thereof on presentation and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or any other place designated in such notice of the certificate representing the Class B preference shares called for redemption. From and after the date specified for redemption in any such notice the Class B preference shares called for redemption shall cease to be entitled to dividends and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of the shareholder in respect thereof unless payment of the Redemption Price shall not be made upon presentation of the certificate in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the shareholder shall remain unaffected. The Corporation shall have the right at any time after the mailing of notice of its intention to redeem the Class B preference shares to deposit the Redemption Price of the share so called for redemption or of such of the said share represented by the certificate as has not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by the holder thereof in connection with such redemption to a special account in any chartered bank or any trust company in Canada named in such notice, to be paid without interest to or to the order of the respective holder of such Class B preference shares called for redemption upon presentation and surrender to such bank or trust company of the certificate representing the same. Upon such deposit being made or upon the date specified for redemption in such notice, whichever is the later, the Class B preference shares in respect whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and the rights of the holder thereof after such deposit or such redemption date, as the case may be, shall be limited to receiving without interest their proportionate part of the total Redemption Price so deposited against presentation and surrender of the said certificate held by them respectively. |
(g) | Price Adjustment | ||||
The provisions of sub-paragraph (a) through (f) inclusive hereof in respect of the Redemption Amount of the Class B preference shares shall be subject to the provisions of this sub-paragraph. In the event that the Department of National Revenue, Taxation (the "Department") determines that the fair market value of the Synerlogic Common Shares is greater or less than the Redemption Amount, the Redemption Amount of the Class B preference shares shall be increased or decreased to reflect the fair market value of the Synerlogic Common Shares as ultimately determined. The Redemption Amount of the Class B preference shares so adjusted shall be deemed retroactively to the date of the first issuance to have been its Redemption Amount. In the event that the Class B preference shares has been redeemed prior to the date of the ultimate determination, cash settlements will be made by the holder of the Class B preference shares or the Corporation as the case may be. Reference to value as ultimately determined herein shall have the following meaning: | |||||
(iii) | such amount as may be agreed by the Department, the Corporation and the holder of the Class B preference shares, to have been the fair market value of the Synerlogic Common Shares; or | ||||
(iv) | in the absence of such agreement, such amount as shall be determined by a Court having jurisdiction in the matter (after all appeal rights have been exhausted or all times for appeal). | ||||
(h) | Restriction on Dividends | ||||
No dividends will in the future be declared on the other shares of the Corporation in such large amounts as would result in the Corporation having insufficient net assets to enable it to redeem, at the Redemption Amount, the Class B preference shares of the Corporation which is outstanding from time to time; and further, the Corporation will not, if it should otherwise be so authorized at any time, either redeem or purchase for cancellation the Class B preference shares of the Corporation for an amount less than the lesser of the Redemption Amount of the Class B preference shares being so redeemed or purchased and the fair marked value of the Corporation valued on a going concern basis at the time of purchase. |
4. | The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Class C preference shares shall be as follows: | |||
(a) | Voting Rights | |||
Except as required under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the holders of Class C preference shares shall not have any voting rights for any purpose; the holders of Class C preference shares shall, however, be entitled to notice of meetings of shareholders called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale, lease, or exchange of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof, except a sale, lease or exchange in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation. | ||||
(b) | Dividends | |||
The holders of Class C preference shares shall be entitled to receive and the Corporation shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the board of directors of the Corporation out of moneys properly applicable to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative cash dividends at a rate to be fixed by resolution of the board of directors provided that such rate shall not exceed 11% of the Redemption Amount (as hereinafter defined) attributable to the Class C preference shares, on such date or dates as the directors shall by resolution determine from time to time. The holders of Class C preference shares shall not be entitled to any dividends other than or in excess of the dividends hereinbefore provided for. | ||||
(c) | Participation in Assets on Dissolution | |||
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or other distribution of assets or property of the Corporation among the shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Class C preference shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets and property of the corporation before any repayment of capital or any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation amongst the holders of the common shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class C preference shares, an amount equal to the Redemption Amount as hereinafter defined. The "Redemption Amount" of the Class C preference shares shall be equal to the redemption amount of the First Preferred shares and the Second Preferred shares of Synerlogic Inc. (the "Synerlogic Preferred Shares") |
converted into the Class C preference shares. The holders of Class C preference shares shall rank pari passu with the Class A preference shares and the Class B preference shares and shall be entitled to participate rateably with the holders of Class A preference shares and the Class B preference shares in any distribution of the assets and property of the Corporation. | ||||
(d) | Retraction | |||
The holders of Class C preference shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem at any time the Class C preference shares registered in the name of such holders on the books of the Corporation by tendering to the Corporation at its head office the share certificate representing the Class C preference shares which the registered holder desires to have the Corporation redeem together with a request in writing specifying (i) that the registered holder desires to have the Class C preference shares redeemed by the Corporation and (ii) the business day (in this paragraph referred to as the "Redemption Date") on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such Class C preference shares which shall not be less than thirty (30) days following the day on which the request in writing is given to the Corporation. Upon receipt of the share certificate representing the Class C preference shares which the registered holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with such a request, the Corporation shall on the Redemption Date, redeem the Class C preference shares by paying to such registered holder an amount equal to the Redemption Amount of the Class C preference shares being redeemed plus all unpaid dividends which have been declared thereon (the aggregate thereof which is referred to as the "Redemption Price"). The Class C preference shares shall be redeemed on the Redemption Date and from and after the Redemption Date such share shall cease to be entitled to dividends and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of the holders of Class C preference shares in respect thereof unless payment for the Redemption Price is not made on the Redemption Date, in which event the rights of the holder of the said shares shall remain unaffected. | ||||
(e) | Redemption | |||
The Corporation may, upon giving notice as hereinafter provided, redeem at any time the then outstanding Class C preference shares on payment of the Redemption Price, as hereinbefore defined. |
(f) | Method of Redemption | |||||
In the case of redemption of Class C preference shares under the provisions of sub-paragraph (e) above, the Corporation shall, at least twenty (20) days before the date specified for redemption, mail to the person who at the date of mailing is the registered holder of the Class C preference shares to be redeemed a notice in writing of the intention of the Corporation to redeem such Class C preference shares. Such notice shall be mailed by letter, postage prepaid, addressed to such shareholder's address as it appears in the records of the Corporation or in the event of the address of any such shareholder not so appearing then to the last known address of such shareholder; provided, however, that accidental failure to give any such notice to the shareholder shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Such notice shall set out the Redemption Price and the date on which redemption is to take place. On or after the date so specified for redemption, the Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid to or to the order of the registered holder of the Class C preference shares to be redeemed the Redemption Price thereof on presentation and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or any other place designated in such notice of the certificate representing the Class C preference shares called for redemption. From and after the date specified for redemption in any such notice the Class C preference shares called for redemption shall cease to be entitled to dividends and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of the shareholder in respect thereof unless payment of the Redemption Price shall not be made upon presentation of the certificate in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the shareholder shall remain unaffected. The Corporation shall have the right at any time after the mailing of notice of its intention to redeem the Class C preference shares to deposit the Redemption Price of the share so called for redemption or of such of the said share represented by the certificate as has not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by the holder thereof in connection with such redemption to a special account in any chartered bank or any trust company in Canada named in such notice, to be paid without interest to or to the order of the respective holder of such Class C preference shares called for redemption upon presentation and surrender to such bank or trust company of the certificate representing the same. Upon such deposit being made or upon the date specified for redemption in such notice, whichever is the later, the Class C preference shares in respect whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and the rights of the holder thereof after such deposit or such redemption date, as the case may be, shall be limited to receiving without interest their proportionate part of the total Redemption Price so deposited against presentation and surrender of the said certificate held by them respectively. | ||||||
(g) | Price Adjustment | |||||
The provisions of sub-paragraph (a) through (f) inclusive hereof in respect of the Redemption Amount of the Class C preference shares shall be subject to the provisions of this sub-paragraph. In the event that the Department of National Revenue, Taxation (the "Department") determines that the fair market value of the Synerlogic Preferred Shares is greater or less than the stated capital of the Synerlogic Preferred Shares, the Redemption Amount of the Class C preference shares shall be increased or decreased to reflect the fair market value of the Synerlogic Preferred Shares as ultimately determined. The Redemption Amount of the Class C preference shares so adjusted shall be deemed retroactively to the date of the first issuance to have been its Redemption Amount. In the event that the Class C preference shares has been redeemed prior to the date of the ultimate determination, cash settlements will be made by the holder of the Class C preference shares or the Corporation as the case may be. Reference to value as ultimately determined herein shall have the following meaning: | ||||||
(v) | such amount as may be agreed by the Department, the Corporation and the holder of the Class C preference shares, to have been the fair market value of the Synerlogic Preferred Shares; or | |||||
(iv) | in the absence of such agreement, such amount as shall be determined by a Court having jurisdiction in the matter (after all appeal rights have been exhausted or all times for appeal). | |||||
(h) | Restriction on Dividends | |||||
No dividends will in the future be declared on the other shares of the Corporation in such large amounts as would result in the Corporation having insufficient net assets to enable it to redeem, at the Redemption Amount, the Class C preference shares of the Corporation which is outstanding from time to time; and further, the Corporation will not, if it |
should otherwise be so authorized at any time, either redeem or purchase for cancellation the Class C preference shares of the Corporation for an amount less than the lesser of the Redemption Amount of the Class C preference shares being so redeemed or purchased and the fair market value of the Corporation valued on a going concern basis at the time of purchase. |
Schedule "A"
909701 Ontario Inc.
Statement
I, Robert C. Manion, President of 909701 Ontario Inc. (the "Corporation"), refer to the proposed amalgamation of the Corporation with Synerlogic Inc. ("Synerlogic") and hereby state that: | |||
1. | There are reasonable grounds for believing that: | ||
(a) | the Corporation is able to pay its liabilities as they become due; | ||
(b) | the corporation continuing from the amalgamation of the Corporation and Synerlogic (the "Amalgamated Corporation") will be able to pay its liabilities as they become due; | ||
(c) | the realizable value of the Amalgamated Corporation's assets immediately after the issuance of the certificate of amalgamation giving effect to the said amalgamation will not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and' stated capital of all classes; and | ||
(d) | no creditor of the Corporation will be prejudiced by the said amalgamation. | ||
2. | No creditor has notified the Corporation that such creditor objects to the proposed amalgamation. | ||
DATED October 26, 1994. | |||
Robert C. Manion | |||
Robert C. Manion, President |
Schedule "A"
Synerlogic Inc.
Statement
I, Robert C. Manion, Vice-President of Synerlogic Inc. (the "Corporation"), refer to the proposed amalgamation of the Corporation with 909701 Ontario Inc. ("909701") and hereby state that: | |||
1. | There are reasonable grounds for believing that: | ||
(a) | the Corporation is able to pay its liabilities as they become due; | ||
(b) | the corporation continuing from the amalgamation of the Corporation and 909701 (the "Amalgamated Corporation") will be able to pay its liabilities as they become due; | ||
(c) | the realizable value of the Amalgamated Corporation's assets immediately after the issuance of the certificate of amalgamation giving effect to the said amalgamation will not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes; and | ||
(d) | no creditor of the Corporation will be prejudiced by the said amalgamation. | ||
2. | No creditor has notified the Corporation that such creditor objects to the proposed amalgamation. | ||
DATED October 26, 1994. | |||
Robert C. Manion | |||
Robert C. Manion, Vice-President |
Schedule "B"
AMALGAMATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of November 1, 1994 | |||
BETWEEN: | |||
909701 Ontario Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario ("909701") | |||
|
|||
-and-
|
|||
|
|||
Synerlogic Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and continued under the laws of the Province of Ontario ("Synerlogic"). | |||
WHEREAS 909701 was incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario by articles of incorporation effective August 29, 1990 and 1 Class A Preference Share and 100 common shares of 909701 are issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable; | |||
WHEREAS Synerlogic was incorporated under the laws of Canada and continued under the laws of the Province of Ontario by articles of continuance effective December 30, 1988 and 4,856,694 common shares and 20,000 first preferred shares and 103,000 second preferred shares of Synerlogic are issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable; and | |||
WHEREAS the parties hereto propose to amalgamate and continue as one corporation; | |||
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the covenants and agreements herein contained the parties hereto agree as follows: | |||
1. 909701 and Synerlogic shall amalgamate, pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and continue as one corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Amalgamated Corporation") upon and subject to the terms and conditions and in the manner hereinafter set out. | |||
2. The name of the Amalgamated Corporation shall be an Ontario numbered company as issued by the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. | |||
3. The registered office of the Amalgamated Corporation shall be located in the City of Etobicoke in the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto in the Province of |
of the directors or by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by a majority of the directors. | ||
9. The issued and outstanding shares in the capital of each of the parties hereto, except the shares, if any, cancelled pursuant to Section 9 hereof, shall, upon articles of amalgamation in respect of the amalgamation becoming effective, be converted into issued and outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable shares in the capital of the Amalgamated Corporation on the following basis: | ||
(a) |
each common share in the capital of 909701 shall become a common share in the capital of the Amalgamated Corporation; | |
(b) |
the one (1) single Class A Preference share in the capital of 909701 shall become one (1) single Class A preferred share in the capital of the Amalgamated Corporation; | |
(c) |
the 4,856,694 common shares in the capital of Synerlogic shall become one (1) Class B preferred share in the capital of the Amalgamated Corporation by conversion of one common share to .000000205 of a Class B preferred share; and | |
(d) |
the 123,000 first and second preferred shares in the capital of Synerlogic shall become one (1) Class C preference share in the capital of the Amalgamated Corporation by conversion of one first or second preferred share to .00000813 of a Class C preference share. | |
After articles of amalgamation in respect of the amalgamation become effective, the holders of shares of 909701 and Synerlogic shall be entitled to receive certificates representing shares of the Amalgamated Corporation on the bases aforesaid on presentation and surrender of the certificates representing shares held by them at the registered office of the Amalgamated Corporation and shall, if requested by the Amalgamated Corporation, surrender the certificates representing shares of 909701 or Synerlogic for cancellation. | ||
10. Holders of shares of either of the parties hereto shall not be entitled to be registered on the books of the Amalgamated Corporation in respect of a fraction of one of the issued shares of the Amalgamated Corporation resulting from the conversion described above or to receive any consideration in respect thereof. | ||
11. The by-laws of 909701, shall,
mutatis mutandis
, be the by-laws of the Amalgamated Corporation,
such by-laws after the amalgamation becoming effective to be supplemented, amended or repealed in accordance with the provisions of the
Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) relating to the making, amending and repealing of by-laws.
|
For Ministry Use Only
A l'usage exclusif du ministére |
|
Ontario Corporation Number
Numéro de la societé en Ontario 1102773 |
STAMP
MAY 23 MAI, 2001
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT STATUTS DE MODIFICATION |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form 3
Business Corporations Act |
1. The name of the corporation is: | Dénomination sociale de la société: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
|
O |
N |
T |
A |
R |
I |
O |
|
I |
N |
C |
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
. |
||||
Formule 3
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. The name of the corporation is changed to (if
applicable): |
Nouvelle dénomination sociale de la société (s'il y a lieu): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A |
C |
C |
E |
N |
T |
U |
R |
E |
C |
A |
N |
A |
D |
A |
H |
O |
L |
D |
I |
N |
G |
S |
I |
N |
C |
. | ||||||
3. Date of incorporation/amalgamation: | Date de la constitution ou de la fusion: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994/11/01
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Year, Month, Day)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4. The articles of the corporation are amended as follows: | Les statuts de la société sont modifiés de la façon suivante. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PAGES 1A TO 1U ARE INCORPORATED IN THIS FORM. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The articles of the Corporation are amended as follows: | |
(1) | to create an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares; |
(2) | to declare that the capital of the Corporation after giving effect to the foregoing consists of an unlimited number of common shares, an unlimited number of Class A preference shares, an unlimited number of Class B preference shares, an unlimited number of Class C preference shares, and an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares; |
(3) | to provide that the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares are as set out in Schedule 1 hereto; and |
(4) | to change the name of the Corporation to "Accenture Canada Holdings Inc.". |
SCHEDULE 1
Exchangeable Share Conditions
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
For the purposes of these rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
Section 1.1 Definitions.
"Act" means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), as amended, consolidated or reenacted from time to time.
"Automatic Redemption Date" means the date for the automatic redemption by the Corporation of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7 of these share provisions, which date shall be such date as is set by the Board of Directors following receipt by the Corporation of an opinion satisfactory to the Board of Directors from an internationally recognized legal counsel or professional tax advisor to the effect that such redemption should be able to be effected on a tax-deferred basis with respect to holders of Exchangeable Shares resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation and any committee thereof acting within its authority.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day when banks are not generally open for business in Toronto, Ontario, Hamilton, Bermuda and New York, New York.
"Common Shares" means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation.
"Class A Shares" means the Class A shares, par value $0.00001 per share in the capital of ParentCo and including any other securities issued by ParentCo in substitution therefor or provided in section 2.6 of the Support Agreement.
"Corporation" means Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., a corporation incorporated and existing under the Act.
"Current Market Price" means, on any given day in respect of a Class A Share;
(a) | if the Exchangeable Share Consideration is to be satisfied by the payment of money, the average price per share on such day, net of brokerage and similar transaction costs, at which ParentCo sells Class A Shares for the purpose of satisfying the Exchangeable Share Consideration in cash; and | |
(b) | if the Exchangeable Share Consideration is to be satisfied by the delivery of Class A Shares, the average of the high and low sales prices of the Class A Shares reported on the principal stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Class A Shares are |
listed or quoted, as the case may be and as determined by the Board of Directors, on the Business Day following the date of receipt of notice by the Corporation of the notice required to be received in order to calculate the Exchangeable Share Consideration hereunder, net of customary brokerage and similar transaction costs,. |
"Effective Date" means the date of the completion of the initial public offering of Class A Shares.
"Exchange Put Right" has the meaning provided in Article 8.
"Exchange Trust Agreement" means the Exchange Trust Agreement between the Corporation, ParentCo and the Trustee made as of the Effective Date.
"Exchangeable Share Consideration" means, with respect to each Exchangeable Share, for any acquisition of, or redemption of, or distribution of assets of the Corporation in respect of, or purchase pursuant to the Exchange Put Right of, Exchangeable Shares pursuant to these share provisions, the Support Agreement or the Exchange Trust Agreement, that part of the relevant consideration which is:
(c) | the Current Market Price of a Class A Share, such consideration shall be fully paid and satisfied, at the option of ParentCo on the date of any payment of such consideration, by either the payment of money by a cheque or cheques payable at par at any branch of bankers of the payor, or by the delivery of one Class A Share, as evidenced by certificates representing the aggregate number of such Class A Shares; | |
(d) | the amount of all declared and unpaid and undeclared but payable cash dividends deliverable in connection with such action, a cheque or cheques payable at par at any branch of bankers of the payor; and | |
(e) | all declared and unpaid non-cash dividends deliverable in connection with such action, such consideration shall be fully satisfied by the delivery of such non-cash items; |
provided that (i) any such share shall be duly issued as fully paid and non-assessable and any such property shall be delivered free and clear of any lien, claim, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim or interest created by or through the Corporation or ParentCo; and (ii) such consideration shall be paid less any tax required to be deducted and withheld therefrom, unless the holder provides to the Corporation a certificate or such other assurance as is provided for under applicable legislation as is required to ensure that the Corporation is not liable for such tax, and without interest.
"Exchangeable Share Price" means, for each Exchangeable Share, at any given date, an amount equal to the aggregate of:
(a) | the Current Market Price of a Class A Share; plus | |
(b) | an additional amount equal to the full amount of all cash dividends declared and unpaid on such Exchangeable Share; plus |
(c) | an additional amount equal to all dividends declared on a Class A Share which have not been declared on each Exchangeable Share in accordance herewith; plus | |
(d) | an additional amount representing the value of non-cash dividends declared and unpaid on such Exchangeable Share. |
"Exchangeable Shares" means the Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein.
"Liquidation Amount" has the meaning provided in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Liquidation Call Right" has the meaning provided in the Support Agreement.
"Liquidation Date" has the meaning provided in Section 5.1 hereof.
"ParentCo" means Accenture Ltd, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda and includes any successor corporation.
"ParentCo Call Notice" has the meaning provided in Section 6.3 hereof
"ParentCo Dividend Declaration Date" means the date on which the board of directors of ParentCo declares any dividend on the Class A Shares.
"ParentCo Dividend Payment Date" means the date on which any dividend declared by the board of directors of ParentCo on the Class A Shares is to be paid.
"Purchase Price" has the meaning provided in Section 6.3 hereof.
"Redemption Call Purchase Price" has the meaning provided in the Support Agreement.
"Redemption Call Right" has the meaning provided in the Support Agreement.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning provided in Section 7.1 hereof.
"Reorganization" means the reorganization of the capital structure of the Corporation pursuant to which the Corporation issued certain Exchangeable Shares.
"Retracted Shares" has the meaning provided in Subsection 6.1(i) hereof.
"Retraction Call Right" has the meaning provided in Subsection 6.1(iii) hereof.
"Retraction Date" has the meaning provided in Subsection 6.1(ii) hereof.
"Retraction Price" has the meaning provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
"Retraction Request" has the meaning provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
"Subsidiary" , in relation to any person, means any body corporate, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares or units of ownership or beneficial interest entitled in all circumstances to vote in the election of directors (or members of a comparable governing body) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person.
"Support Agreement" means the Support Agreement between ParentCo and the Corporation made as of the Effective Date.
"Transfer Restrictions" means any restrictions to which either the Exchangeable Shares or Class A Shares may be subject pursuant to any contract or agreement between the Corporation or any affiliate thereof and the holder of Exchangeable Shares or Class A Shares..
"Trustee" means any trustee or any successor trustee appointed under the Exchange Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
RANKING OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
Section 2.1 The Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled to a preference over the Common Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, with respect to (i) priority in payment of dividends, and (ii) the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.
ARTICLE 3
DIVIDENDS
Section 3.1 The Board of Directors shall, subject to applicable law, on each ParentCo Dividend Declaration Date, declare a dividend on each Exchangeable Share, and a holder of Exchangeable Shares shall, subject to applicable law, be entitled to receive on each ParentCo Dividend Payment Date, in each case, (a) in the case of a cash dividend declared on the Class A Shares, in an amount in cash for each Exchangeable Share equal to the cash dividend declared on each Class A Share or (b) in the case of a share dividend declared on the Class A Share to be paid in Class A Shares, in such number of Exchangeable Shares for each Exchangeable Share as is equal to the number of Class A Shares to be paid on each Class A Share or (c) in the case of a dividend declared on the Class A Shares in property (other than cash or Class A Shares) in such type and amount of property for each Exchangeable Share as is the same as the type and amount of property declared as a dividend on each Class A Share. Such dividends shall be paid out of money, assets or property of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, or out of authorized but unissued shares of the Corporation.
Section 3.2 Cheques of the Corporation payable at par at any branch of the bankers of the Corporation shall be issued in respect of any cash dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1(a) hereof and the sending of such a cheque to each holder of an Exchangeable Share (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld from such dividends paid or credited by the Corporation) at the address of such holder according to the share register of the Corporation shall satisfy the cash dividends represented thereby unless the cheque is not paid on presentation. Certificates registered in the name of the registered holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be issued or transferred in respect of any share dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1(b) hereof and the sending of such a certificate to each holder of an Exchangeable Share at the address for such holder according to the share register of the Corporation shall satisfy the share dividend represented thereby. Such other type and amount of property in respect of any dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1(c) hereof shall be issued, distributed or transferred by the Corporation in such manner as it shall determine and the issuance, distribution or transfer thereof by the Corporation to each holder of an Exchangeable Share at the address for such holder according to the share register of the Corporation shall satisfy the dividend represented thereby. In all cases any such dividends shall be subject to any reduction or adjustment for tax required to be deducted and withheld from such dividends paid or credited by the Corporation. No holder of an Exchangeable Share shall be entitled to recover by action or other legal process against the Corporation any dividend which is represented by a cheque that has not been duly presented to the Corporation's bankers for payment or which otherwise remains unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which such dividend was payable.
Section 3.3 The record date for the determination of the holders of Exchangeable Shares entitled to receive payment of, and the payment date for, any dividend declared on the Exchangeable Shares under Section 3.1 hereof shall be the same dates as the record date and payment date, respectively, for the corresponding dividend declared on the Class A Shares.
Section 3.4 If on any payment date for any dividends declared on the Exchangeable Shares under Section 3.1 hereof the dividends are not paid in full on all of the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding, any such dividends which remain unpaid shall be paid on a subsequent date or dates determined by the Board of Directors on which the Corporation shall have sufficient moneys, assets or property properly applicable to the payment of such dividends.
Section 3.5 Except as provided in this Article 3, the holders of Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled to receive dividends in respect thereof.
ARTICLE 4
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS
Section 4.1 So long as any of the Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, the Corporation shall not without, but may at any time with, the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given as specified in Section 10.2 of these share provisions at any time amend the articles or by-laws of the Corporation in a manner which would prejudicially affect the holders of Exchangeable Shares in any material respect.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTION ON LIQUIDATION
Section 5.1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, a holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled, subject to applicable law, to receive from the assets of the Corporation in respect of each Exchangeable Share held by such holder on the effective date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up (the "Liquidation Date"), before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation to the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, an amount equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the Liquidation Date (the "Liquidation Amount") which, as set forth in section 5.2, shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of the Corporation of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such holder's total Liquidation Amount. In connection with payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the Class A Shares which would otherwise be deliverable to the particular holder of Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax obligation.
Section 5.2 As soon as practicable but in no event later than 5 Business Days after the Liquidation Date, and subject to (i) the exercise by ParentCo of the Liquidation Call Right, (ii) the Transfer Restrictions, (iii) either the Corporation or ParentCo being subject to any trading 'blackout' or 'windows' period, and (iv) ParentCo determining, in its sole discretion, that the issuance of Class A Shares in a public offering in the United States of America would be inadvisable at such time or during such period as a result of application of any United States federal or state law or regulation, and receipt by the Corporation of appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount for each such Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender of the certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, at the registered office of the Corporation or such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. The Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares shall be delivered to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation for the Exchangeable Shares or by holding for pick up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares. On and after the Liquidation Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be holders of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof, other than the right to receive their respective Exchangeable Share Consideration, unless payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of share certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. The Corporation shall have the right at any time on or after the Liquidation Date to deposit or cause to be deposited the Exchangeable Share Consideration in respect of the Exchangeable Shares represented by certificates that have not at the Liquidation Date been surrendered by the holders thereof in a custodial account or for safekeeping, in the case of non-cash items, with any chartered bank or trust company in Canada. Upon such deposit being made, the rights of the holders of Exchangeable Shares after such deposit shall be limited to receiving their proportionate share of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares so deposited, against presentation and surrender of the said certificates held by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. If such payment or deposit of such Exchangeable Share Consideration is made in part in Class A Shares, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holders of the Class A Shares delivered to them.
Section 5.3 After the Corporation has satisfied its obligations to pay the holders of the Exchangeable Shares the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount per Exchangeable Share, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the assets of the Corporation.
Section 5.4 If ParentCo exercises the Liquidation Call Right, each holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated to sell all the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder to ParentCo on the Liquidation Date on payment by ParentCo to the holder of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Call Purchase Price for each such share.
ARTICLE 6
RETRACTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY HOLDER
Section 6.1 A holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled at any time, subject to (i) the exercise by ParentCo of the Retraction Call Right which, if exercised by ParentCo, shall be binding on the holders of Exchangeable Shares, (ii) the Transfer Restrictions, (iii) either the Corporation or ParentCo being subject to any trading 'blackout' or 'windows' period, and (iv) ParentCo determining, in its sole discretion, that the issuance of Class A Shares in a public offering in the United States of America would be inadvisable at such time or during such period as a result of application of any United States federal or state law or regulation, and otherwise upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 6, to require the Corporation to redeem any or all of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of such holder for the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the Business Day following the date of the Retraction Request (the "Retraction Price") which as set forth in section 6.4 shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of the Corporation of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such holder's total Retraction Price. In connection with payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the Class A Shares that would otherwise be deliverable to the particular holder of Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax obligation. To effect such redemption, the holder shall present and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares the certificate or certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, and together with a duly executed statement (the "Retraction Request") in the form of Schedule A hereto or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Corporation:
(i) | specifying that the holder desires to have all or any number specified therein of the Exchangeable Shares represented by such certificate or certificates (the "Retracted Shares") redeemed by the Corporation; | |
(ii) | stating the Business Day on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem the Retracted Shares (the "Retraction Date"), provided that such date shall be not less than five Business Days nor more than ten Business Days, or such other number of Business Days as the Corporation may determine, after the date on which the Retraction Request is received by the Corporation and further provided that, in the event that no such Business Day is specified by the holder in the Retraction Request, the Retraction Date shall be deemed to be the fifth Business Day after the date on which the Retraction Request is received by the Corporation; | |
(iii) | acknowledging the overriding right (the "Retraction Call Right") of ParentCo to purchase all but not less than all of the Retracted Shares directly from the holder and that the Retraction Request shall be deemed to be a revocable offer by the holder to sell the Retracted Shares in accordance with the Retraction Call Right on the terms and conditions set out in Section 6.3 below. |
Section 6.2 Subject to the exercise by ParentCo of the Retraction Call Right, upon receipt by the Corporation in the manner specified in Section 6.l hereof of a certificate or certificates representing the number of Exchangeable Shares which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with a Retraction Request as well as appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the Exchange Share Consideration, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7 hereof, the Corporation shall redeem the Retracted Shares effective at the close of business on the Retraction Date and shall cause to be delivered on the Retraction Date to such holder the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price with respect to such shares in accordance with Section 6.4 hereof. If only a part of the Exchangeable Shares represented by any certificate are redeemed or purchased by ParentCo pursuant to the Retraction Call Right, a new certificate for the balance of such Exchangeable Shares shall be issued on the Retraction Date to the holder at the expense of the Corporation.
Section 6.3 Upon receipt by the Corporation of a Retraction Request, the Corporation shall immediately notify ParentCo thereof. In order to exercise the Retraction Call Right, ParentCo must notify the Corporation in writing of its determination to do so (the "ParentCo Call Notice") within two Business Days of such notification. If ParentCo does not so notify the Corporation within two Business Days, the Corporation will notify the holder as soon as possible thereafter that ParentCo will not exercise the Retraction Call Right. If ParentCo delivers the ParentCo Call Notice within such two Business Days, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7, the Retraction Request shall thereupon be considered only to be an offer by the holder to sell the Retracted Shares to ParentCo in accordance with the Retraction Call Right. In such event, the Corporation shall not redeem the Retracted Shares and ParentCo shall purchase from such holder and such holder shall sell to ParentCo on the Retraction Date the Retracted Shares for a purchase price (the "Purchase Price") per share equal to the Retraction Price per share which as set forth in section 6.4, shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of ParentCo of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such holder's total Purchase Price. For the purposes of completing a purchase pursuant to the Retraction Call Right, ParentCo shall deposit with the Corporation, on or before the Retraction Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration for each Exchangeable Share to be purchased. Provided that such Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Corporation, the closing of the purchase and sale of the Retracted Shares pursuant to the Retraction Call Right shall be deemed to have occurred as at the close of business on the Retraction Date and, for greater certainty, no redemption by the Corporation of such Retracted Shares shall take place on the Retraction Date. In the event that ParentCo does not deliver a ParentCo Call Notice within two Business Days or otherwise comply with these Exchangeable Share provisions in respect thereto, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7 hereof, the Corporation shall redeem the Retracted Shares on the Retraction Date and in the manner otherwise contemplated in this Article 6.
Section 6.4 Subject to receipt by the Corporation or ParentCo of appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation or ParentCo, as the case may be, shall deliver on the Retraction Date the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, to the relevant holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation for the Exchangeable Shares or at the address specified in the holder's Retraction Request or by holding for pick-up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares and such delivery of such Exchangeable Share Consideration shall be deemed to be payment of and shall satisfy and discharge all liability under this Article 6, except as to any cheque included therein which is not paid on due presentation.
Section 6.5 On and after the close of business on the Retraction Date, the holder of the Retracted Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or total Purchase Price, as the case may be, unless upon presentation and surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, shall not be made, in which case the rights of such holder shall remain unaffected until the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, a the case may be, has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. On and after the close of business on the Retraction Date, provided that presentation and surrender of certificates and payment of the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, has been made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the holder of the Retracted Shares so redeemed by the Corporation or purchased by ParentCo shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be a holder of the Class A Shares delivered to it.
Section 6.6 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 6, the Corporation shall not be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified by a holder in a Retraction Request to the extent that such redemption of Retracted Shares would be contrary to liquidity or solvency requirements or other provisions of applicable law. If the Corporation believes that on any Retraction Date it would not be permitted by any of such provisions to redeem the Retracted Shares tendered for redemption on such date, and provided that ParentCo shall not have exercised the Retraction Call Right with respect to the Retracted Shares, the Corporation shall only be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified by a holder in a Retraction Request to the extent of the maximum number that may be so redeemed (rounded down to a whole number of shares) as would not be contrary to such provisions and shall notify the holder at least two Business Days prior to the Retraction Date as to the number of Retracted Shares which will not be redeemed by the Corporation. In any case in which the redemption by the Corporation of Retracted Shares would be contrary to liquidity or solvency requirements or other provisions of applicable law, the Corporation shall redeem Retracted Shares in accordance with Section 6.2 of these share provisions on a pro rata basis in respect of Exchangeable Shares to be redeemed on the applicable Retraction Date, and shall issue on the Retraction Date to each holder of Retracted Shares a new certificate, at the expense of the Corporation, representing the Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof. Provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7 hereof, the holder of any such Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2 of these share provisions as a result of liquidity or solvency requirements or applicable law shall be deemed by giving the Retraction Request to require ParentCo to purchase such Retracted Shares from such holder on the Retraction Date or as soon as practicable thereafter on payment by ParentCo to such holder of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Purchase Price for each such Retracted Share, all as more specifically provided in the Exchange Trust Agreement, and ParentCo shall make such purchase.
Section 6.7 A holder of Retracted Shares may, by notice in writing given by the holder to the Corporation before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Retraction Date, withdraw its Retraction Request in which event such Retraction Request shall be null and void and, for greater certainty, the revocable offer constituted by the Retraction Request to sell the Retracted Shares to ParentCo shall be deemed to have been revoked.
ARTICLE 7
REDEMPTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY THE CORPORATION
Section 7.1 Subject to applicable law, and if ParentCo does not exercise the Redemption Call Right which, if exercised by ParentCo, shall be binding on the holders of Exchangeable Shares, the Corporation shall on the Automatic Redemption Date redeem the whole of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares for an amount equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the Automatic Redemption Date (the "Redemption Price"), which as set forth in section 7.3 below, shall be fully paid and satisfied by delivery by or on behalf of the Corporation of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price. In connection with payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Price, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the Class A Shares which would otherwise be deliverable to the particular holder of Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax obligation.
Section 7.2 In any case of a redemption of Exchangeable Shares under this Article 7, the Corporation shall, at least 30 days before the Automatic Redemption Date, send or cause to be sent to each holder of Exchangeable Shares a notice in writing of the redemption by the Corporation or the purchase by ParentCo under the Redemption Call Right, as the case may be, of the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder. Such notice shall set out the Automatic Redemption Date and, if applicable, particulars of the Redemption Call Right. Any failure by the Corporation to send any such notice in writing shall not affect the right of the Corporation to redeem the Exchangeable Shares on the Automatic Redemption Date.
Section 7.3 On the Automatic Redemption Date and subject to the exercise by ParentCo of the Redemption Call Right, and receipt by the Corporation of appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares to be redeemed the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Price for each such Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation in such notice of the certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require. The Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price for such Exchangeable Shares shall be delivered to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register for the Exchangeable Shares. On the Automatic Redemption Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares called for redemption shall cease to be holders of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof, other than the right to receive their respective Exchangeable Share Consideration unless payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price for such Exchangeable Shares shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until such Exchangeable Share Consideration has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. The Corporation shall have the right at any time after the automatic Redemption Date to deposit or cause to be deposited the Exchangeable Share Consideration with respect to the Exchangeable Shares so called for redemption, or of such of the said Exchangeable Shares represented by certificates that have not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by the holders thereof in connection with such redemption, in a custodial account or for safe keeping, in the case of non-cash items, with any chartered bank or trust company in Canada named in such notice. Upon the later of such deposit being made and the Automatic Redemption Date, the Exchangeable Shares in respect whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and the rights of the holders thereof after such deposit or Automatic Redemption Date, as the case may be, shall be limited to receiving their respective Exchangeable Share Consideration so deposited, against presentation and surrender of the said certificates held by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Upon such payment or deposit of such Exchangeable Share Consideration, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be holders of the Class A Shares delivered to them.
Section 7.4 If ParentCo exercises the Redemption Call Right, each holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated to sell all the Exchangeable Shares held by the holder to ParentCo on the Automatic Redemption Date on payment by ParentCo to the holder of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Call Purchase Price for each such share.
ARTICLE 8
EXCHANGE PUT RIGHT
Section 8.1 Upon and subject to the terms and conditions contained in these Exchangeable Share Provisions and the Exchange Trust Agreement:
(a) | a holder of Exchangeable Shares shall have the right (the "Exchange Put Right") at any time to require ParentCo to purchase all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares of the holder, subject to (i) the Transfer Restrictions, (iii) either the Corporation or ParentCo being subject to any trading 'blackout' or 'windows' period, and (iv) ParentCo determining, in its sole discretion, that the issuance of Class A Shares in a public offering in the United States of America would be inadvisable at such time or during such period as a result of application of any United States federal or state regulation; and | |
(b) | upon the exercise by the holder of the Exchange Put Right, the holder shall be required to sell to ParentCo, and ParentCo shall be required to purchase from the holder, that number of Exchangeable Shares in respect of which the Exchange Put Right is exercised, in consideration of the payment by ParentCo of the Exchangeable Share Price applicable thereto (which shall be the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the Business Day following the receipt of the notice required under section 8.2 hereof), to be satisfied by delivery by or on behalf of ParentCo of the Exchangeable Share Consideration. |
Section 8.2 The Exchange Put Right provided in Section 8.1 hereof and in Article VII of the Exchange Trust Agreement may be exercised at any time by notice in writing in the form of Schedule B hereto or in such other form as may be acceptable to ParentCo (the "Notice of Exercise of Exchange Put Right") given by the holder to and received by the Corporation (the date of such receipt, the "Exchange Put Date") accompanied by presentation and surrender of the certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares, together with such documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation. The Notice of Exercise of Exchange Put Right shall be irrevocable unless the exchange is not completed in accordance herewith and shall constitute the holder's authorization to the Corporation (and such other persons aforesaid) to effect the exchange on behalf of the holder.
Section 8.3 The surrender by the holder of Exchangeable Shares under section 8.2 shall constitute the representation, warranty and covenant of the holder that the Exchangeable Shares so purchased are sold free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim or interest.
Section 8.4 If a part only of the Exchangeable Shares represented by any certificate are to be sold and purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Exchange Put Right, a new certificate for the balance of such Exchangeable Shares shall be issued to the holder at the expense of the Corporation within ten Business Days of the exercise of the Exchange Put Right.
Section 8.5 Upon receipt by the Corporation of the notice, certificates and other documents or instruments required by section 8.2, and receipt by the Corporation of appropriate certificates or other assurance in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation shall deliver or cause to be delivered as soon as practicable but in no event later than the fifth Business Day after the Exchange Put Date, on behalf of ParentCo and subject to receipt by the Corporation from ParentCo of the applicable Exchangeable Share Consideration, to the relevant holder at the address of the holder specified in the notice or by holding for pick-up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation, or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation, the Exchangeable Share Consideration. Delivery by ParentCo to the Corporation and by the Corporation to the holder of such Exchangeable Share Consideration shall be deemed to be payment of and shall satisfy and discharge all liability for the total applicable Exchangeable Share Price, except as to any cheque included therein which is not paid on due presentation.
Section 8.6 On and after the close of business on the day on which the Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the holder of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 8.5, the holder of the Exchangeable Shares in respect of which the Exchange Put Right is exercised shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive the Exchangeable Share Consideration, unless upon presentation and surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, payment of such total price shall not be made, in which case the rights of such holder shall remain unaffected until such payment has been made. On and after the close of business on the day on which the Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the holder of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 8.5, provided that presentation and surrender of certificates and payment of such total price has been made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the holder of the Exchangeable Shares so purchased by ParentCo shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be a holder of the Class A Shares delivered to it.
ARTICLE 9
VOTING RIGHTS
Section 9.1 Except as required by applicable law and by Articles 4 and 10 hereof, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of Corporation or to vote at any such meeting.
ARTICLE 10
AMENDMENT AND APPROVAL
Section 10.1 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares may be added to, changed or removed but, except as hereinafter provided, only with the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given as hereinafter specified.
Section 10.2 Any approval given by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Exchangeable Shares or any other matter requiring the approval or consent of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given if it shall have been given in accordance with applicable law subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be evidenced by resolution passed by not less than 66 2 / 3 % of the votes cast on such resolution by persons represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of holders of Exchangeable Shares duly called and held at which the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares at that time are present or represented by proxy (excluding Exchangeable Shares beneficially owned by ParentCo or its Subsidiaries). If at any such meeting the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares at that time are not present or represented by proxy within one-half hour after the time appointed for such meeting then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date not less than 24 hours thereafter and to such time and place as may be designated by the Chairman of such meeting. At such adjourned meeting the holders of Exchangeable Shares present or represented by proxy thereat may transact the business for which the meeting was originally called and a resolution passed thereat by the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2 / 3 % of the votes cast on such resolution by persons represented in person or by proxy at such meeting shall constitute the approval or consent of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. For the purposes of this section, any spoiled votes, illegible votes, defective votes and abstentions shall be deemed to be votes not cast.
ARTICLE 11
RECIPROCAL CHANGES, ETC. IN RESPECT OF
CLASS A SHARES
Section 11.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10, the Exchangeable Shares shall be automatically adjusted to fully reflect the effect of any stock split, subdivision, combination, reverse split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Class A Shares), reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to Class A Stock occurring after the Effective Date.
ARTICLE 12
ACTIONS BY THE CORPORATION UNDER
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
Section 12.1 The Corporation will take all such actions and do all such things as shall be necessary or advisable to perform and comply with and to ensure performance and compliance by ParentCo with all provisions of the Support Agreement and the Exchange Trust Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof including, without limitation, taking all such actions and doing all such things as shall be necessary or advisable to enforce to the fullest extent possible for the direct benefit of the Corporation or the holders of the Exchangeable Shares all rights and benefits in favour of the Corporation or the holders of the Exchangeable Shares under or pursuant thereto.
Section 12.2 The Corporation shall not propose, agree to or otherwise give effect to any amendment to, or waive or forgive its rights or obligations under, the Support Agreement or the Exchange Trust Agreement without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 10.1 of these share provisions other than such amendments, waivers and/or forgiveness as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of:
(a) | adding to the covenants of the other party or parties to such agreement for the protection of the Corporation or the holders of Exchangeable Shares; or | |
(b) | making such provisions or modifications not inconsistent with such agreement or certificate as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions arising thereunder which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, it may be expedient to make, provided that the Board of Directors shall be of the opinion, after consultation with counsel, that such provisions and modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; or | |
(c) | making such changes in or corrections to such agreement or certificate which, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error contained therein, provided that the Board of Directors shall be of the opinion, after consultation with counsel, that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the interest of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. |
ARTICLE 13
LEGEND
Section 13.1 The certificates evidencing the Exchangeable Shares shall contain or have affixed thereto a legend, in form and on terms approved by the Board of Directors, with respect to the Support Agreement, the Liquidation Call Right and the Redemption Call Right, and the Exchange Trust Agreement (including the provisions with respect to the voting rights, exchange right and automatic exchange thereunder).
ARTICLE 14
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 14.1 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to the Corporation by a holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be in writing and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by telecopy or by delivery to the registered office of the Corporation and addressed to the attention of the President. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail, telecopy or delivery, shall only be deemed to have been given and received upon actual receipt thereof by the Corporation.
Section 14.2 Any presentation and surrender by a holder of Exchangeable Shares to the Corporation of certificates representing Exchangeable Shares in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or the retraction or redemption of Exchangeable Shares shall be made by registered mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to the registered office of the Corporation or to such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation, in each case addressed to the attention of the President of the Corporation. Any such presentation and surrender of certificates shall only be deemed to have been made and to be effective upon actual receipt thereof by the Corporation and the method of any such presentation and surrender of certificates shall be at the sole risk of the holder.
Section 14.3 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to a holder of Exchangeable Shares by or on behalf of the Corporation shall be in writing and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation or, in the event of the address of any such holder not being so recorded, then at the last known address of such holder. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing and, if given by delivery, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of delivery. Accidental failure or omission to give any notice, request or other communication to one or more holders of Exchangeable Shares shall not invalidate or otherwise alter or affect any action or proceeding to be or intended to be taken by the Corporation.
Section 14.4 For greater certainty, the Corporation shall not be required for any purpose under these share provisions to recognize or take account of persons who are not so recorded in such securities register.
Section 14.5 All Exchangeable Shares acquired by the Corporation upon the redemption or retraction thereof shall be cancelled.
COMMON SHARES | ||
The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled: |
||
1. | To receive notice of, and to attend and to vote at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares other than the Common Shares are entitled to vote, and to cast at all such meetings one vote per Common Share; | |
2. | Subject to the rights of the holders of Exchangeable Shares, to receive and the Corporation shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the Board of Directors out of monies of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, such amounts as may from time to time be declared by the Board of Directors; and | |
3. | Subject to the rights of the holders of Exchangeable Shares, to receive, subject to the rights of the holders of any other classes of shares, the remaining property of the Corporation on the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary. |
SCHEDULE A
RETRACTION REQUEST
To: | Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") | |
Accenture Ltd ("Accenture") |
This notice is given pursuant to Article 6 of the provisions (the "Share Provisions") attaching to the Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation represented by the enclosed certificate and all capitalized words and expressions used in this notice which are defined in the Share Provisions have the meaning attributed to such words and expressions in such Share Provisions.
The undersigned hereby notifies the Corporation that, subject to the Retraction Call Right referred to below, the undersigned desires to have the Corporation redeem in accordance with Article 6 of the Share Provisions:
o | all share(s) represented by the certificate(s) accompanying this notice; or | |
o | share(s) only. |
The undersigned hereby notifies the Corporation that the Retraction Date shall be .
NOTE: |
Retraction Date must be a Business Day and must not be less than 5 Business Days nor more than 10 Business Days, or such other number of days as the Corporation may agree, after the date upon which this notice is received by the Corporation. In the event that no such Business Day is correctly specified above, the Retraction Date shall be deemed to be the fifth Business Day after the date on which this notice is received by the Corporation. |
The undersigned acknowledges the Retraction Call Right of Accenture to purchase all but not less than all of the Retracted Shares from the undersigned and that notices shall be deemed to be a revocable offer by the undersigned to sell the Retracted Shares to Accenture in accordance with the Retraction Call Right on the Retraction Date for the Retraction Price and on the other terms and conditions set out in Section 6.3 of the Share Provisions. If Accenture determines not to exercise the Retraction Call Right, the Corporation will notify the undersigned of such act as soon as possible. This notice of retraction, and offer to sell the Retracted Shares to Accenture, may be revoked and withdrawn by the undersigned by notice in writing given to the Corporation at any time before the close of business on the Business Date immediately preceding the Retraction Date.
The undersigned acknowledges that if, as a result of liquidity or solvency provisions of applicable law, the Corporation is unable to redeem all Retracted Shares, the undersigned will be deemed, subject to revoking this notice in accordance with the Share Provisions, to have exercised the Exchange Right (as defined in the Exchange Trust Agreement) so as to require Accenture to purchase the unredeemed Retracted Shares.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Corporation and Accenture that the undersigned has good title to, and owns, the Exchangeable Share(s) that are the subject of this notice and are to be acquired by the Corporation or Accenture, as the case may be, free and clear of all Transfer Restrictions, liens, claims, encumbrances, security interests and adverse claims or interests.
o | Please check box if the legal or beneficial owner of the Retracted Shares is a non-resident of Canada. | |
o | Please check box if the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the retraction of the Retracted Shares are to be held for pick-up by the shareholder at the registered office of the Corporation, failing which the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets will be delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. |
NOTE: |
This notice must be completed and the certificate(s) representing the Exchangeable Shares which are the subject of this notice, together with such additional documents as the Corporation may require, must be deposited with the Corporation at its head office. The securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the retraction or purchase of the Retracted Shares will be issued and registered in, and made payable to, or transferred into, respectively, the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation and the securities, cheque(s) and other non-cash assets resulting from such retraction or purchase will be delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. |
|
NOTE: |
If the notice of retraction is for less than all of the share(s) represented by the certificate(s) submitted with this notice, a certificate representing the remaining shares of the Corporation will be issued and registered in the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation. |
SCHEDULE B
NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE PUT RIGHT
To: | Accenture Ltd ("Accenture") | |
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") |
This notice is given pursuant to Article 8 of the provisions (the "Share Provisions") attaching to the Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation represented by the enclosed certificate and all capitalized words and expressions used in this notice which are defined in the Share Provisions have the meaning attributed to such words and expressions in such Share Provisions.
The undersigned hereby notifies Accenture that the undersigned desires to exercise the Exchange Put Right in accordance with Article 8 of the Share Provisions with respect to:
o | all share(s) represented by the certificate(s) accompanying this notice; or | |
o | share(s) only. |
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to Accenture that the undersigned has good title to, and owns, the share(s) that are the subject of this notice and are to be acquired by Accenture free and clear of all Transfer Restrictions, liens, claims, encumbrances, security interests and adverse claims or interests.
o | Please check box if the legal or beneficial owner of the Exchangeable Shares is a nonresident of Canada. | |
o | Please check box if the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares are to be held for pickup by the shareholder at the registered office of the Corporation, failing which the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets will delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. |
NOTE: |
This notice must be completed and the certificate(s) representing the Exchangeable Shares which are the subject of this notice, together with such additional documents as the Corporation may require, must be deposited with the Corporation at its head office. The securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares will be issued and registered in, and made payable to, or transferred into, respectively, the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation and the securities, cheque(s) and other non-cash assets resulting from such exchange will be delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. |
|
NOTE: |
If the notice of exercise of Exchange Put Right is for less than all of the share(s) represented by the certificate(s) submitted with this notice, a certificate representing the remaining shares of the Corporation will be issued and registered in the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation. |
Form 3
|
|||||
Formule 3
|
|||||
5. The amendment has been duly authorized as required by Sections 168
& 170 (as applicable) of the Business Corporation Act. |
La modification a été dûment autorisée conformement aux articles 168 et 170 (selon le cas) de la Loi sur les sociétés par actions. | ||||
6. The resolution authorizing the amendment was approved by the
shareholders/directors (as applicable) of the corporation on |
Les actionnaires ou les administrateurs (selon le cas) de la société ont approuvé la résolution autorisant la modification le | ||||
|
2001/05/23
|
||||
|
(Year, Month, Day)
|
||||
These articles are signed in duplicate. | Les présents status sont signés en double exemplaire. | ||||
1102773 ONTARIO INC.
|
|||||
(Name of Corporation)
|
|||||
By: /Par:
|
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
PRESIDENT
|
||||
(Signature)
(Description of Office)
(Signature) (Fonction) |
|||||
|
Ontario Corporation Number
Numéro de la societé en Ontario 1102773 |
STAMP
MAY 31 MAI, 2001
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT STATUTS DE MODIFICATION |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form 3
Business Corporations Act |
1. The name of the corporation is: | Dénomination sociale de la société: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A |
C |
C |
E |
N |
T |
U |
R |
E |
C |
A |
N |
A |
D |
A |
H |
O |
L |
D |
I |
N |
G |
S |
I |
N |
C |
. |
||||||
Formule 3
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. The name of the corporation is changed to (if
applicable): |
Nouvelle dénomination sociale de la société (s'il y a lieu): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Date of incorporation/amalgamation: | Date de la constitution ou de la fusion: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994/11/01
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Year, Month, Day)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4. The articles of the corporation are amended as follows: | Les statuts de la société sont modifiés de la façon suivante. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pages 1A and 1U are incorporated in this form | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The articles of the Corporation are amended as follows:
(1) | to create an unlimited number of New Zealand Exchangeable Shares; | |
(2) | to declare that the capital of the Corporation after giving effect to the foregoing consists of an unlimited number of common shares, an unlimited number of Class A preference shares, an unlimited number of Class B preference shares, an unlimited number of Class C preference shares, an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares, and an unlimited number of New Zealand Exchangeable Shares; and | |
(3) | to provide that the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the New Zealand Exchangeable Shares are as set out in Schedule 1 hereto. |
SCHEDULE 1
New Zealand Exchangeable Share Conditions
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
For the purposes of these rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
Section 1.1 Definitions.
"Act" means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), as amended, consolidated or reenacted from time to time.
"Automatic Redemption Date" means the date for the automatic redemption by the Corporation of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7 of these share provisions, which date shall be the date as is set by the Board of Directors following receipt by the Corporation of an opinion satisfactory to the Board of Directors from an internationally recognized legal counsel or professional tax advisor to the effect that such redemption (or the exercise of the redemption call right) should be able to effected on a basis such that with respect to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares resident in New Zealand that the redemption (or the exercise of the redemption call right) will not result in any Canadian or New Zealand tax liability arising in respect of the redemption (or the exercise of the redemption call right) or any potential future tax liability as a result of holding Class A Shares pursuant to either:
(a) | the Controlled Foreign Company or the Foreign Investment Fund provisions of the Income Tax Act 1994 (New Zealand); or | |
(b) | the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) governing dispositions of taxable Canadian property by non-residents of Canada to the extent that such provisions are not overridden by the income tax convention between Canada and New Zealand. |
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation and any committee thereof acting within its authority.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day when banks are not generally open for business in Toronto, Ontario, Hamilton, Bermuda, Auckland, New Zealand and New York, New York.
"Common Shares" means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation.
"Class A Shares" means the Class A shares, par value $0.00001 per share in the capital of ParentCo and including any other securities issued by ParentCo in substitution therefor or provided in section 2.6 of the Support Agreement.
"Corporation" means Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., a corporation incorporated and existing under the Act.
"Current Market Price" means, on any given day in respect of a Class A Share:
(c) | if the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration is to be satisfied by the payment of money, the average price per share on such day, net of brokerage and similar transaction costs, at which ParentCo sells Class A Shares for the purpose of satisfying the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration in cash; and | |
(d) | if the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration is to be satisfied by the delivery of Class A Shares, the average of the high and low sales prices of the Class A Shares reported on the principal stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Class A Shares are listed or quoted, as the case may be and as determined by the Board of Directors, on the Business Day following the date of receipt of notice by the Corporation of the notice required to be received in order to calculate the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration hereunder, net of customary brokerage and similar transaction costs. |
"Effective Date" means the date of the completion of the initial public offering of Class A Shares.
"Exchange Put Right" has the meaning provided in Article 8.
"Exchange Trust Agreement" means the Exchange Trust Agreement between the Corporation, ParentCo and the Trustee made as of the Effective Date.
"Liquidation Amount" has the meaning provided in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Liquidation Call Right" has the meaning provided in the Support Agreement.
"Liquidation Date" has the meaning provided in Section 5.1 hereof.
"NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration" means, with respect to each NZ Exchangeable Share, for any acquisition of, or redemption of, or distribution of assets of the Corporation in respect of, or purchase pursuant to the Exchange Put Right of, NZ Exchangeable Shares pursuant to these share provisions, the Support Agreement or the Exchange Trust Agreement, that part of the relevant consideration which is:
(a) | the Current Market Price of a Class A Share, such consideration shall be fully paid and satisfied, at the option of ParentCo on the date of any payment of such consideration, by either the payment of money by a cheque or cheques payable at par at any branch of bankers of the payor, or by the delivery of one Class A Share, as evidenced by certificates representing the aggregate number of such Class A Shares; | |
(b) | the amount of all declared and unpaid and undeclared but payable cash dividends deliverable in connection with such action, a cheque or cheques payable at par at any branch of bankers of the payor; and | |
(c) | all declared and unpaid non-cash dividends deliverable in connection with such action, such consideration shall be fully satisfied by the delivery of such non-cash items; |
provided that (i) any such share shall be duly issued as fully paid and non-assessable and any such property shall be delivered free and clear of any lien, claim, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim or interest created by or through the Corporation or ParentCo; and (ii) such consideration shall be paid less any tax required to be deducted and withheld therefrom, unless the holder provides to the Corporation a certificate or such other assurance as is provided for under applicable legislation as is required to ensure that the Corporation is not liable for such tax, and without interest. |
"NZ Exchangeable Share Price" means, for each NZ Exchangeable Share, at any given date, an amount equal to the aggregate of:
(a) | the Current Market Price of a Class A Share; plus | |
(b) | an additional amount equal to the full amount of all cash dividends declared and unpaid on such NZ Exchangeable Share; plus | |
(c) | an additional amount equal to all dividends declared on a Class A Share which have not been declared on each NZ Exchangeable Share in accordance herewith; plus | |
(d) | an additional amount representing the value of non-cash dividends declared and unpaid on such NZ Exchangeable Share. |
"NZ Exchangeable Shares" means the New Zealand Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein.
"ParentCo" means Accenture Ltd, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda and includes any successor corporation.
"ParentCo Call Notice" has the meaning provided in Section 6.3 hereof.
"ParentCo Dividend Declaration Date" means the date on which the board of directors of ParentCo declares any dividend on the Class A Shares.
"ParentCo Dividend Payment Date" means the date on which any dividend declared by the board of directors of ParentCo on the Class A Shares is to be paid.
"Purchase Price" has the meaning provided in Section 6.3 hereof.
"Redemption Call Purchase Price" has the meaning provided in the Support Agreement.
"Redemption Call Right" has the meaning provided in the Support Agreement.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning provided in Section 7.1 hereof.
"Reorganization" means the reorganization of the capital structure of the Corporation pursuant to which the Corporation issued certain NZ Exchangeable Shares.
"Retracted Shares" has the meaning provided in Subsection 6.1 (i) hereof.
"Retraction Call Right" has the meaning provided in Subsection 6.1 (iii) hereof.
"Retraction Date" has the meaning provided in Subsection 6.1 (ii) hereof.
"Retraction Price" has the meaning provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
"Retraction Request" has the meaning provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
"Subsidiary" , in relation to any person, means any body corporate, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares or units of ownership or beneficial interest entitled in all circumstances to vote in the election of directors (or members of a comparable governing body) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person.
"Support Agreement" means the Support Agreement between ParentCo and the Corporation made as of the Effective Date.
"Transfer Restrictions" means any restrictions to which either the NZ Exchangeable Shares or Class A Shares may be subject pursuant to any contract or agreement between the Corporation or any affiliate thereof and the holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares or Class A Shares.
"Trustee" means any trustee or any successor trustee appointed under the Exchange Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
RANKING OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
Section 2.1 The Exchangeable Shares shall rank equally with the NZ Exchangeable Shares and shall be entitled to a preference over the Common Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the NZ Exchangeable Shares, with respect to (i) priority in payment of dividends, and (ii) the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.
ARTICLE 3
DIVIDENDS
Section 3.1 The Board of Directors shall, subject to applicable law, on each ParentCo Dividend Declaration Date, declare a dividend on each NZ Exchangeable Share, and a holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall, subject to applicable law, be entitled to receive on each ParentCo Dividend Payment Date, in each case, (a) in the case of a cash dividend declared on the Class A Shares, in an amount in cash for each NZ Exchangeable Share equal to the cash dividend declared on each Class A Share or (b) in the case of a share dividend declared on the Class A Share to be paid in Class A Shares, in such number of NZ Exchangeable Shares for each NZ Exchangeable Share as is equal to the number of Class A Shares to be paid on each Class A Share or (c) in the case of a dividend declared on the Class A Shares in property (other than cash or Class A Shares) in such type and amount of property for each NZ Exchangeable Share as is the same as the type and amount of property declared as a dividend on each Class A Share. Such dividends shall be paid out of money, assets or property of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, or out of authorized but unissued shares of the Corporation.
Section 3.2 Cheques of the Corporation payable at par at any branch of the bankers of the Corporation shall be issued in respect of any cash dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1 (a) hereof and the sending of such a cheque to each holder of an NZ Exchangeable Share (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld from such dividends paid or credited by the Corporation) at the address of such holder according to the share register of the Corporation shall satisfy the cash dividends represented thereby unless the cheque is not paid on presentation. Certificates registered in the name of the registered holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be issued or transferred in respect of any share dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1 (b) hereof and the sending of such a certificate to each holder of an NZ Exchangeable Share at the address for such holder according to the share register of the Corporation shall satisfy the share dividend represented thereby. Such other type and amount of property in respect of any dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1(c) hereof shall be issued, distributed or transferred by the Corporation in such manner as it shall determine and the issuance, distribution or transfer thereof by the Corporation to each holder of an NZ Exchangeable Share at the address for such holder according to the share register of the Corporation shall satisfy the dividend represented thereby. In all cases any such dividends shall be subject to any reduction or adjustment for tax required to be deducted and withheld from such dividends paid or credited by the Corporation. No holder of an NZ Exchangeable Share shall be entitled to recover by action or other legal process against the Corporation any dividend which is represented by a cheque that has not been duly presented to the Corporation's bankers for payment or which otherwise remains unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which such dividend was payable.
Section 3.3 The record date for the determination of the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares entitled to receive payment of, and the payment date for, any dividend declared on the NZ Exchangeable Shares under Section 3.1 hereof shall be the same dates as the record date and payment date, respectively, for the corresponding dividend declared on the Class A Shares.
Section 3.4 If on any payment date for any dividends declared on the NZ Exchangeable Shares under Section 3.1 hereof the dividends are not paid in full on all of the NZ Exchangeable Shares then outstanding, any such dividends which remain unpaid shall be paid on a subsequent date or dates determined by the Board of Directors on which the Corporation shall have sufficient moneys, assets or property properly applicable to the payment of such dividends.
Section 3.5 Except as provided in this Article 3, the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled to receive dividends in respect thereof.
ARTICLE 4
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS
Section 4.1 So long as any of the NZ Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, the Corporation shall not without, but may at any time with, the approval of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable
Shares given as specified in Section 10.2 of these share provisions at any time amend the articles or by-laws of the Corporation in a manner which would prejudicially affect the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares in any material respect.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTION ON LIQUIDATION
Section 5.1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, a holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled, subject to applicable law, to receive from the assets of the Corporation in respect of each NZ Exchangeable Share held by such holder on the effective date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up (the "Liquidation Date"), before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation to the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the NZ Exchangeable Shares, an amount equal to the NZ Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the Liquidation Date (the "Liquidation Amount") which, as set forth in section 5.2, shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of the Corporation of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such holder's total Liquidation Amount. In connection with payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the Class A Shares which would otherwise be deliverable to the particular holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax obligation.
Section 5.2 As soon as practicable but in no event later than 5 Business Days after the Liquidation Date, and subject to (i) the exercise by ParentCo of the Liquidation Call Right, (ii) the Transfer Restrictions, (iii) either the Corporation or ParentCo being subject to any trading 'blackout' or 'windows' period, and (iv) ParentCo determining, in its sole discretion, that the issuance of Class A Shares in a public offering in the United States of America would be inadvisable at such time or during such period as a result of application of any United States federal or state law or regulation, and receipt by the Corporation of appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered to the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount for each such NZ Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender of the certificates representing such NZ Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of NZ Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, at the registered office of the Corporation or such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares. The NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount for such NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be delivered to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation for the NZ Exchangeable Shares or by holding for pick up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares. On and after the Liquidation Date, the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be holders of such NZ Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof, other than the right to receive their respective NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, unless payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount for such NZ Exchangeable Shares shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of share certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. The Corporation shall have the right at any time on or after the Liquidation Date to deposit or cause to be deposited the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration in respect of the NZ Exchangeable Shares represented by certificates that have not at the Liquidation Date been surrendered by the holders thereof in a custodial account or for safekeeping, in the case of non-cash items, with any chartered bank or trust company in Canada. Upon such deposit being made, the rights of the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares after such deposit shall be limited to receiving their proportionate share of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation Amount for such NZ Exchangeable Shares so deposited, against presentation and surrender of the said certificates held by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. If such payment or deposit of such NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration is made in part in Class A Shares, the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holders of the Class A Shares delivered to them.
Section 5.3 After the Corporation has satisfied its obligations to pay the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Amount per NZ Exchangeable Share, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the assets of the Corporation.
Section 5.4 If ParentCo exercises the Liquidation Call Right, each holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated to sell all the NZ Exchangeable Shares held by such holder to ParentCo on the Liquidation Date on payment by ParentCo to the holder of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Liquidation Call Purchase Price for each such share.
ARTICLE 6
RETRACTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY HOLDER
Section 6.1 A holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled at any time, subject to (i) the exercise by ParentCo of the Retraction Call Right which, if exercised by ParentCo, shall be binding on the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares, (ii) the Transfer Restrictions, (iii) either the Corporation or ParentCo being subject to any trading 'blackout' or 'windows' period, and (iv) ParentCo determining, in its sole discretion, that the issuance of Class A Shares in a public offering in the United States of America would be inadvisable at such time or during such period as a result of application of any United States federal or state law or regulation, and otherwise upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 6, to require the Corporation to redeem any or all of the NZ Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of such holder for the NZ Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the Business Day following the date of the Retraction Request (the "Retraction Price") which as set forth in section 6.4 shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of the Corporation of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such holder's total Retraction Price. In connection with payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the Class A Shares that would otherwise be deliverable to the particular holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax obligation. To effect such redemption, the holder shall present and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares the certificate or certificates representing the NZ Exchangeable Shares which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of NZ Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, and together with a duly executed statement (the "Retraction Request") in the form of Schedule A hereto or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Corporation:
(i) | specifying that the holder desires to have all or any number specified therein of the NZ Exchangeable Shares represented by such certificate or certificates (the "Retracted Shares") redeemed by the Corporation; | |
(ii) | stating the Business Day on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem the Retracted Shares (the "Retraction Date"), provided that such date shall be not less than five Business Days nor more than ten Business Days, or such other number of Business Days as the Corporation may determine, after the date on which the Retraction Request is received by the Corporation and further provided that, in the event that no such Business Day is specified by the holder in the Retraction Request, the Retraction Date shall be deemed to be the fifth Business Day after the date on which the Retraction Request is received by the Corporation; | |
(iii) | acknowledging the overriding right (the "Retraction Call Right") of ParentCo to purchase all but not less than all of the Retracted Shares directly from the holder and that the Retraction Request shall be deemed to be a revocable offer by the holder to sell the Retracted Shares in accordance with the Retraction Call Right on the terms and conditions set out in Section 6.3 below. |
Section 6.2 Subject to the exercise by ParentCo of the Retraction Call Right, upon receipt by the Corporation in the manner specified in Section 6.1 hereof of a certificate or certificates representing the number of NZ Exchangeable Shares which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem, together with a Retraction Request as well as appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the NZ Exchange Share Consideration, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7 hereof, the Corporation shall redeem the Retracted Shares effective at the close of business on the Retraction Date and shall cause to be delivered on the Retraction Date to such holder the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price with respect to such shares in accordance with Section 6.4 hereof. If only a part of the NZ Exchangeable Shares represented by any certificate are redeemed or purchased by ParentCo pursuant to the Retraction Call Right, a new certificate for the balance of such NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be issued on the Retraction Date to the holder at the expense of the Corporation.
Section 6.3 Upon receipt by the Corporation of a Retraction Request, the Corporation shall immediately notify ParentCo thereof. In order to exercise the Retraction Call Right, ParentCo must notify the Corporation in writing of its determination to do so (the "ParentCo Call Notice") within two Business Days of such notification. If ParentCo does not so notify the Corporation within two Business Days, the Corporation will notify the holder as soon as possible thereafter that ParentCo will not exercise the Retraction Call Right. If ParentCo delivers the ParentCo Call Notice within such two Business Days, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7, the Retraction Request shall thereupon be considered only to be an offer by the holder to sell the Retracted Shares to ParentCo in accordance with the Retraction Call Right. In such event, the Corporation shall not redeem the Retracted Shares and ParentCo shall purchase from such holder and such holder shall sell to ParentCo on the Retraction Date the Retracted Shares for a purchase price (the "Purchase Price") per share equal to the Retraction Price per share which as set forth in section 6.4, shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf of ParentCo of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing such holder's total Purchase Price. For the purposes of completing a purchase pursuant to the Retraction Call Right, ParentCo shall deposit with the Corporation, on or before the Retraction Date, the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration for each NZ Exchangeable Share to be purchased. Provided that such NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Corporation, the closing of the purchase and sale of the Retracted Shares pursuant to the Retraction Call Right shall be deemed to have occurred as at the close of business on the Retraction Date and, for greater certainty, no redemption by the Corporation of such Retracted Shares shall take place on the Retraction Date. In the event that ParentCo does not deliver a ParentCo Call Notice within two Business Days or otherwise comply with these NZ Exchangeable Share provisions in respect thereto, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7 hereof, the Corporation shall redeem the Retracted Shares on the Retraction Date and in the manner otherwise contemplated in this Article 6.
Section 6.4 Subject to receipt by the Corporation or ParentCo of appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation or ParentCo, as the case may be, shall deliver on the Retraction Date the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, to the relevant holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation for the NZ Exchangeable Shares or at the address specified in the holder's Retraction Request and such delivery of such NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration shall be deemed to be payment of and shall satisfy and discharge all liability under this Article 6, except as to any cheque included therein which is not paid on due presentation.
Section 6.5 On and after the close of business on the Retraction Date, the holder of the Retracted Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or total Purchase Price, as the case may be, unless upon presentation and surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, shall not be made, in which case the rights of such holder shall remain unaffected until the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. On and after the close of business on the Retraction Date, provided that presentation and surrender of certificates and payment of the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, has been made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the holder of the Retracted Shares so redeemed by the Corporation or purchased by ParentCo shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be a holder of the Class A Shares delivered to it.
Section 6.6 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 6, the Corporation shall not be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified by a holder in a Retraction Request to the extent that such redemption of Retracted Shares would be contrary to liquidity or solvency requirements or other provisions of applicable law. If the Corporation believes that on any Retraction Date it would not be permitted by any of such provisions to redeem the Retracted Shares tendered for redemption on such date, and provided that ParentCo shall not have exercised the Retraction Call Right with respect to the Retracted Shares, the Corporation shall only be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified by a holder in a Retraction Request to the extent of the maximum number that may be so redeemed (rounded down to a whole number of shares) as would not be contrary to such provisions and shall notify the holder at least two Business Days prior to the Retraction Date as to the number of Retracted Shares which will not be redeemed by the Corporation. In any case in which the redemption by the Corporation of Retracted Shares would be contrary to liquidity or solvency requirements or other provisions of applicable law, the Corporation shall redeem Retracted Shares in accordance with Section 6.2 of these share provisions on a pro rata basis in respect of NZ Exchangeable Shares to be redeemed on the applicable Retraction Date, and shall issue on the Retraction Date to each holder of Retracted Shares a new certificate, at the expense of the Corporation, representing the Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof. Provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7 hereof, the holder of any such Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2 of these share provisions as a result of liquidity or solvency requirements or applicable law shall be deemed by giving the Retraction Request to require ParentCo to purchase such Retracted Shares from such holder on the Retraction Date or as soon as practicable thereafter on payment by ParentCo to such holder of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Purchase Price for each such Retracted Share, all as more specifically provided in the Exchange Trust Agreement, and ParentCo shall make such purchase.
Section 6.7 A holder of Retracted Shares may, by notice in writing given by the holder to the Corporation before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Retraction Date, withdraw its Retraction Request in which event such Retraction Request shall be null and void and, for greater certainty, the revocable offer constituted by the Retraction Request to sell the Retracted Shares to ParentCo shall be deemed to have been revoked.
ARTICLE 7
REDEMPTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY THE CORPORATION
Section 7.1 Subject to applicable law, and if ParentCo does not exercise the Redemption Call Right which, if exercised by ParentCo, shall be binding on the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares, the Corporation shall on the Automatic Redemption Date redeem the whole of the then
outstanding NZ Exchangeable Shares for an amount equal to the NZ Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the Automatic Redemption Date (the "Redemption Price"), which as set forth in section 7.3 below, shall be fully paid and satisfied by delivery by or on behalf of the Corporation of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price. In connection with payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Price, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the Class A Shares which would otherwise be deliverable to the particular holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax obligation.
Section 7.2 In any case of a redemption of NZ Exchangeable Shares under this Article 7, the Corporation shall, at least 30 days before the Automatic Redemption Date, send or cause to be sent to each holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares a notice in writing of the redemption by the Corporation or the purchase by ParentCo under the Redemption Call Right, as the case may be, of the NZ Exchangeable Shares held by such holder. Such notice shall set out the Automatic Redemption Date and, if applicable, particulars of the Redemption Call Right. Any failure by the Corporation to send any such notice in writing shall not affect the right of the Corporation to redeem the NZ Exchangeable Shares on the Automatic Redemption Date.
Section 7.3 On the Automatic Redemption Date and subject to the exercise by ParentCo of the Redemption Call Right, and receipt by the Corporation of appropriate certificates or other assurances in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered to the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares to be redeemed the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Price for each such NZ Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation in such notice of the certificates representing such NZ Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of NZ Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require. The NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price for such NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be delivered to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register for the NZ Exchangeable Shares. On the Automatic Redemption Date, the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares called for redemption shall cease to be holders of such NZ Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof, other than the right to receive their respective NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration unless payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price for such NZ Exchangeable Shares shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until such NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. The Corporation shall have the right at any time after the automatic Redemption Date to deposit or cause to be deposited the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration with respect to the NZ Exchangeable Shares so called for redemption, or of such of the said NZ Exchangeable Shares represented by certificates that have not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by the holders thereof in connection with such redemption, in a custodial account or for safe keeping, in the case of non-cash items, with any chartered bank or trust company in Canada named in such notice. Upon the later of such deposit being made and the Automatic Redemption Date, the NZ Exchangeable Shares in respect whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and the rights of the holders thereof after such deposit or Automatic Redemption Date, as the case may be, shall be limited to receiving their respective NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration so deposited, against presentation and surrender of the said certificates held by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Upon such payment or deposit of such NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be holders of the Class A Shares delivered to them.
Section 7.4 If ParentCo exercises the Redemption Call Right, each holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated to sell all the NZ Exchangeable Shares held by the holder to ParentCo on the Automatic Redemption Date on payment by ParentCo to the holder of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the Redemption Call Purchase Price for each such share.
ARTICLE 8
EXCHANGE PUT RIGHT
Section 8.1 Upon and subject to the terms and conditions contained in these New Zealand Exchangeable Share Provisions and the Exchange Trust Agreement:
(a) | a holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall have the right (the "Exchange Put Right") at any time to require ParentCo to purchase all or any part of the NZ Exchangeable Shares of the holder, subject to (i) the Transfer Restrictions, (ii) either the Corporation or ParentCo being subject to any trading 'blackout' or 'windows' period, and (iii) ParentCo determining, in its sole discretion, that the issuance of Class A Shares in a public offering in the United States of America would be inadvisable at such time or during such period as a result of application of any United States federal or state regulation; and | |
(b) | upon the exercise by the holder of the Exchange Put Right, the holder shall be required to sell to ParentCo, and ParentCo shall be required to purchase from the holder, that number of NZ Exchangeable Shares in respect of which the Exchange Put Right is exercised, in consideration of the payment by ParentCo of the NZ Exchangeable Share Price applicable thereto (which shall be the NZ Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the Business Day following the receipt of the notice required under section 8.2 hereof), to be satisfied by delivery by or on behalf of ParentCo of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration. |
Section 8.2 The Exchange Put Right provided in Section 8.1 hereof and in Article VII of the Exchange Trust Agreement may be exercised at any time by notice in writing in the form of Schedule B hereto or in such other form as may be acceptable to ParentCo (the "Notice of Exercise of Exchange Put Right") given by the holder to and received by the Corporation (the date of such receipt, the "Exchange Put Date") accompanied by presentation and surrender of the certificates representing such NZ Exchangeable Shares, together with such documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of NZ Exchangeable Shares under the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Corporation may reasonably require, at the registered office of the Corporation or at such other
office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation. The Notice of Exercise of Exchange Put Right shall be irrevocable unless the exchange is not completed in accordance herewith and shall constitute the holder's authorization to the Corporation (and such other persons aforesaid) to effect the exchange on behalf of the holder.
Section 8.3 The surrender by the holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares under section 8.2 shall constitute the representation, warranty and covenant of the holder that the NZ Exchangeable Shares so purchased are sold free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim or interest.
Section 8.4 If a part only of the NZ Exchangeable Shares represented by any certificate are to be sold and purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Exchange Put Right, a new certificate for the balance of such NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be issued to the holder at the expense of the Corporation within ten Business Days of the exercise of the Exchange Put Right.
Section 8.5 Upon receipt by the Corporation of the notice, certificates and other documents or instruments required by section 8.2, and receipt by the Corporation of appropriate certificates or other assurance in respect of applicable taxes related to the payment of the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, the Corporation shall deliver or cause to be delivered as soon as practicable but in no event later than the fifth Business Day after the Exchange Put Date, on behalf of ParentCo and subject to receipt by the Corporation from ParentCo of the applicable NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, to the relevant holder at the address of the holder specified in the notice or by holding for pick-up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation, or at such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation, the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration. Delivery by ParentCo to the Corporation and by the Corporation to the holder of such NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration shall be deemed to be payment of and shall satisfy and discharge all liability for the total applicable NZ Exchangeable Share Price, except as to any cheque included therein which is not paid on due presentation.
Section 8.6 On and after the close of business on the day on which the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 8.5, the holder of the NZ Exchangeable Shares in respect of which the Exchange Put Right is exercised shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration, unless upon presentation and surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, payment of such total price shall not be made, in which case the rights of such holder shall remain unaffected until such payment has been made. On and after the close of business on the day on which the NZ Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 8.5, provided that presentation and surrender of certificates and payment of such total price has been made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the holder of the NZ Exchangeable Shares so purchased by ParentCo shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be a holder of the Class A Shares delivered to it.
ARTICLE 9
VOTING RIGHTS |
||
Section 9.1 Except as required by applicable law and by Articles 4 and 10 hereof, the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting. | ||
ARTICLE 10
AMENDMENT AND APPROVAL |
||
Section 10.1 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the NZ Exchangeable Shares may be added to, changed or removed but, except as hereinafter provided, only with the approval of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares given as hereinafter specified. | ||
Section 10.2 Any approval given by the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the NZ Exchangeable Shares or any other matter requiring the approval or consent of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given if it shall have been given in accordance with applicable law subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be evidenced by resolution passed by not less than 90% of the votes cast on such resolution by persons represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares duly called and held at which the holders of at least 85% of the outstanding NZ Exchangeable Shares at that time are present or represented by proxy (excluding NZ Exchangeable Shares beneficially owned by ParentCo or its Subsidiaries). If at any such meeting the holders of at least 85% of the outstanding NZ Exchangeable Shares at that time are not present or represented by proxy within one-half hour after the time appointed for such meeting then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date not less than 24 hours thereafter and to such time and place as may be designated by the Chairman of such meeting. At such adjourned meeting the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares present or represented by proxy thereat may transact the business for which the meeting was originally called and a resolution passed thereat by the affirmative vote of not less than 90% of the votes cast on such resolution by persons represented in person or by proxy at such meeting shall constitute the approval or consent of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares. For the purposes of this section, any spoiled votes, illegible votes, defective votes and abstentions shall be deemed to be votes not cast. | ||
ARTICLE 11
RECIPROCAL CHANGES, ETC. IN RESPECT OF CLASS A SHARES |
||
Section 11.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10, the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be automatically adjusted to fully reflect the effect of any stock split, subdivision, combination, reverse split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Class A Shares), reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to Class A Stock occurring after the Effective Date. |
ARTICLE 12
ACTIONS BY THE CORPORATION UNDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT |
||
Section 12.1 The Corporation will take all such actions and do all such things as shall be necessary or advisable to perform and comply with and to ensure performance and compliance by ParentCo with all provisions of the Support Agreement and the Exchange Trust Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof including, without limitation, taking all such actions and doing all such things as shall be necessary or advisable to enforce to the fullest extent possible for the direct benefit of the Corporation or the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares all rights and benefits in favour of the Corporation or the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares under or pursuant thereto. | ||
Section 12.2 The Corporation shall not propose, agree to or otherwise give effect to any amendment to, or waive or forgive its rights or obligations under, the Support Agreement or the Exchange Trust Agreement without the approval of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 10.1 of these share provisions other than such amendments, waivers and/or forgiveness as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of: | ||
(a) | adding to the covenants of the other party or parties to such agreement for the protection of the Corporation or the holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares; or | |
(b) | making such provisions or modifications not inconsistent with such agreement or certificate as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions arising thereunder which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, it may be expedient to make, provided that the Board of Directors shall be of the opinion, after consultation with counsel, that such provisions and modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares; or | |
(c) | making such changes in or corrections to such agreement or certificate which, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error contained therein, provided that the Board of Directors shall be of the opinion, after consultation with counsel, that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the interest of the holders of the NZ Exchangeable Shares. | |
ARTICLE 13
LEGEND |
||
Section 13.1 The certificates evidencing the NZ Exchangeable Shares shall contain or have affixed thereto a legend, in form and on terms approved by the Board of Directors, with respect to the Support Agreement, the Liquidation Call Right and the Redemption Call Right, and the Exchange Trust Agreement (including the provisions with respect to the voting rights, exchange right and automatic exchange thereunder). | ||
ARTICLE 14
MISCELLANEOUS |
||
Section 14.1 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to the Corporation by a holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be in writing and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by telecopy or by delivery to the registered office of the Corporation and addressed to the attention of the President. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail, telecopy or delivery, shall only be deemed to have been given and received upon actual receipt thereof by the Corporation. | ||
Section 14.2 Any presentation and surrender by a holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares to the Corporation of certificates representing NZ Exchangeable Shares in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or the retraction or redemption of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall be made by registered mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to the registered office of the Corporation or to such other office in Ontario, Canada as may be specified by the Corporation, in each case addressed to the attention of the President of the Corporation. Any such presentation and surrender of certificates shall only be deemed to have been made and to be effective upon actual receipt thereof by the Corporation and the method of any such presentation and surrender of certificates shall be at the sole risk of the holder. | ||
Section 14.3 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to a holder of NZ Exchangeable Shares by or on behalf of the Corporation shall be in writing and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation or, in the event of the address of any such holder not being so recorded, then at the last known address of such holder. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing and, if given by delivery, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of delivery. Accidental failure or omission to give any notice, request or other communication to one or more holders of NZ Exchangeable Shares shall not invalidate or otherwise alter or affect any action or proceeding to be or intended to be taken by the Corporation. | ||
Section 14.4 For greater certainty, the Corporation shall not be required for any purpose under these share provisions to recognize or take account of persons who are not so recorded in such securities register. | ||
Section 14.5 All NZ Exchangeable Shares acquired by the Corporation upon the redemption or retraction thereof shall be cancelled. | ||
NOTE: | This notice must be completed and the certificate(s) representing the NZ Exchangeable Shares which are the subject of this notice, together with such additional documents as the Corporation may require, must be deposited with the Corporation at its head office. The securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the retraction or purchase of the Retracted Shares will be issued and registered in, and made payable to, or transferred into, respectively, the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation and the securities, cheque(s) and other non-cash assets resulting from such retraction or purchase will be delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. | |||
NOTE: | If the notice of retraction is for less than all of the share(s) represented by the certificate(s) submitted with this notice, a certificate representing the remaining shares of the Corporation will be issued and registered in the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation. | |||
SCHEDULE B |
||
NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE PUT RIGHT | ||
To: |
Accenture Ltd ("Accenture")
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation") |
|
This notice is given pursuant to Article 8 of the provisions (the "Share Provisions") attaching to the NZ Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation represented by the enclosed certificate and all capitalized words and expressions used in this notice which are defined in the Share Provisions have the meaning attributed to such words and expressions in such Share Provisions. | ||
The undersigned hereby notifies Accenture that the undersigned desires to exercise the Exchange Put Right in accordance with Article 8 of the Share Provisions with respect to: | ||
o | all share(s) represented by the certificate(s) accompanying this notice; or | |
o | _________________ share(s) only. | |
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to Accenture that the undersigned has good title to, and owns, the share(s) that are the subject of this notice and are to be acquired by Accenture free and clear of all Transfer Restrictions, liens, claims, encumbrances, security interests and adverse claims or interests. | ||
o | Please check box if the legal or beneficial owner of the NZ Exchangeable Shares is a non-resident of Canada. | |
o | Please check box if the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the exchange of the NZ Exchangeable Shares are to be held for pick-up by the shareholder at the registered office of the Corporation, failing which the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets will delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. | |
Name of Person in Whose Name Securities or Cheque(s) or Other Non-cash Assets Are To Be Registered, Issued or Delivered (please print) |
Date |
|||
Street Address or P.O. Box |
Signature of Shareholder |
|||
City, Province, Country |
NOTE: | This notice must be completed and the certificate(s) representing the NZ Exchangeable Shares which are the subject of this notice, together with such additional documents as the Corporation may require, must be deposited with the Corporation at its head office. The securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash assets resulting from the exchange of the NZ Exchangeable Shares will be issued and registered in, and made payable to, or transferred into, respectively, the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation and the securities, cheque(s) and other non-cash assets resulting from such exchange will be delivered to the shareholder in accordance with the Share Provisions. | |||
NOTE: | If the notice of exercise of Exchange Put Right is for less than all of the share(s) represented by the certificate(s) submitted with this notice, a certificate representing the remaining shares of the Corporation will be issued and registered in the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation. | |||
5. | The amendment has been duly authorized as required by Sections 168 & 170 (as applicable) of the Business Corporations Act. | La modification a été dûment autorisée conformement aux articles 168 et 170 (selon le cas) de la Loi sur les sociétés par actions. | ||
6. | The resolution authorizing the amendment was approved by the shareholders/directors (as applicable) of the corporation on | Les actionnaires ou les administrateurs (selon le cas) de la société ont approuvé la résolution autorisant la modification le | ||
2001/05/30
|
||||
|
(Year, Month, Day)
|
|||
These articles are signed in duplicate. | Les présents status sont signés en double exemplaire. | |||
ACCENTURE CANADA HOLDINGS INC.
|
||||
(Name of Corporation)
|
||||
By: /Par:
|
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
Director
|
|||
(Signature)
(Description of Office)
(Signature) (Fonction) |
||||
Exhibit 10.12
EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
ACCENTURE LTD
AND
ACCENTURE CANADA HOLDINGS INC.
AND
CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY
MADE AS OF
May 23, 2001
EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
THIS EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 23, 2001, by and between ACCENTURE LTD, an exempted company registered under the laws of Bermuda (ParentCo), and ACCENTURE CANADA HOLDINGS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Ontario (the Corporation), and CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY, a Canadian trust company (Trustee).
WHEREAS pursuant to a reorganization of the capital structure of the Corporation (the Reorganization) the Corporation created a new class of preferred shares (the Exchangeable Shares) having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached hereto as Schedule A (collectively, the Exchangeable Share Provisions);
WHEREAS the parties desire to make appropriate provision and to establish a procedure whereby holders of Exchangeable Shares may exchange their Exchangeable Shares for Class A Shares by and through the Trustee and whereby the rights to require ParentCo or, at the option of ParentCo, ParentCo Sub (as hereinafter defined) to purchase Exchangeable Shares from the holders thereof (other than ParentCo and its Subsidiaries) shall be exercisable by such holders of Exchangeable Shares by and through the Trustee, who will hold the covenant of ParentCo to purchase the Exchangeable Shares for the benefit of such holders;
WHEREAS , these recitals and any statements of fact in this agreement are made by ParentCo and the Corporation and not by the Trustee;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements provided in this agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions.
In this agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Authorized Investment means short term interest bearing or discount debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the Government of Canada or a province or a Canadian Chartered Bank (which may include an affiliate of the Trustee) provided that each such obligation is rated at least R1 (middle) by DBRS Inc. or an equivalent rating by Canadian Bond Rating Services;
Automatic Exchange Rights means the obligation of ParentCo to effect the automatic exchange of Class A Shares for Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Section 3.11 hereof;
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
Business Day has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Class A Share has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Exchange Put Right has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Exchange Right has the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) hereof;
Exchangeable Share Consideration has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Exchangeable Share Price has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Exchangeable Share Provisions has the meaning provided in the recitals hereto;
Exchangeable Shares has the meaning provided in the recitals hereto;
Holders means the registered holders from time to time of Exchangeable Shares, other than ParentCo and its Subsidiaries;
Insolvency Event means the institution by the Corporation of any proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent or to be dissolved or wound-up, or the consent of the Corporation to the institution of bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or winding-up proceedings against it, or the filing of a petition, answer or consent seeking dissolution or winding-up under any bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, including without limitation the Companies Creditors' Arrangement Act (Canada) and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), and the failure by the Corporation to contest in good faith any such proceedings commenced in respect of the Corporation within 15 days of becoming aware thereof, or the consent by the Corporation to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, or the making by the Corporation of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission in writing by the Corporation of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the Corporation's not being permitted, pursuant to liquidity or solvency requirements of applicable law, to redeem any Retracted Shares pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Liquidation Call Right has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Liquidation Event has the meaning provided in subsection 3.12(b) hereof;
Liquidation Event Effective Time has the meaning provided in subsection 3.12(c) hereof;
Officer's Certificate means, with respect to ParentCo or the Corporation, as the case may be, a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board (if there be one), the President, Managing Partner or any Vice-President or other similarly senior officer of ParentCo or the Corporation, as the case may be;
ParentCo Sub means any Subsidiary of ParentCo incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) for the purpose of delivering Class A Shares as provided in this agreement, the Exchangeable Share Provisions or the Support Agreement;
Successor has the meaning provided in Section 8.1 hereof;
Person includes an individual, body corporate, partnership, company, unincorporated syndicate or organization, trust, trustee, executor, administrator and other legal representative;
Redemption Call Right has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Reorganization has the meaning provided in the recitals hereto;
Retracted Shares has the meaning provided in Section 3.7 hereof;
Retraction Call Right has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Subsidiary has the meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
Support Agreement means that certain support agreement made as of the date hereof by and between ParentCo and the Corporation;
Trust means the trust created by this agreement;
Trust Estate means the Exchange Right, the Automatic Exchange Rights and any money or other property which may be held by the Trustee from time to time pursuant to this agreement;
Trustee means CIBC Mellon Trust Company and, subject to the provisions of Article 7 hereof, includes any successor trustee or permitted assigns; and
US$ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
1.2 Integration Not Affected by Headings, Etc.
The division of this agreement into articles, sections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this agreement.
1.3 Number, Gender, Etc.
Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa. Words importing the use of any gender shall include all genders.
1.4 Date for Any Action.
If any date on which any action is required to be taken under this agreement is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding Business Day.
1.5 Exhibits and Schedules.
The following are the Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto and incorporated by reference in this agreement:
Schedule A - Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
Schedule B - Support Agreement.
ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
The purpose of this agreement is to create the Trust for the benefit of the Holders, as herein provided. The Trustee will hold the Exchange Right, the Exchange Put Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights in order to enable the Trustee to exercise such rights, in each case as trustee for and on behalf of the Holders as provided in this agreement.
ARTICLE 3 - EXCHANGE RIGHT AND AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
3.1 Grant and Ownership of the Exchange Right.
ParentCo hereby grants to the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of, and for the use and benefit of, the Holders:
(a) | the Exchange Put Right, | ||
(b) | the right (the Exchange Right), upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, to require ParentCo to purchase or to cause ParentCo Sub to purchase from each or any Holder all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares held by the Holders, and | ||
(c) |
the Automatic Exchange Rights, |
all in accordance with the provisions of this agreement and the Exchangeable Share Provisions, as the case may be. ParentCo hereby acknowledges receipt from the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of the Holders of good and valuable consideration (and the sufficiency and adequacy thereof) for the grant of the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights by ParentCo to the Trustee. During the term of the Trust and subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement, the Trustee shall possess and be vested with full legal ownership of the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights and shall be entitled to exercise and enforce for the benefit of the Holders all of the rights and powers of an owner with respect to the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights, provided that the Trustee shall:
(d) | hold the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights and the legal title thereto as trustee solely for the use and benefit of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of this agreement; and | ||
(e) | except as specifically authorized by this agreement, have no power or authority to exercise or otherwise deal in or with the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights, and the Trustee shall not exercise any such rights for any purpose other than the purposes for which this Trust is created pursuant to this agreement. |
3.2 Legended Share Certificates.
The Corporation will cause each certificate representing Exchangeable Shares to bear an appropriate legend notifying the Holders of:
(a) | their right to instruct the Trustee with respect to the exercise of the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right in respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by a Holder; and | ||
(b) |
the Automatic Exchange Rights. |
3.3 General Exercise of Exchange Put Right and Exchange.
The Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right shall be and remain vested in and exercised by the Trustee. Subject to Section 4.15 hereof, the Trustee shall exercise the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right only on the basis of instructions received pursuant to this Article 3 from Holders entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the exercise thereof. To the extent that no instructions are received from a Holder with respect to the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right, the Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right.
3.4 Purchase Price.
The purchase price payable by ParentCo or ParentCo Sub for each Exchangeable Share to be purchased by ParentCo or ParentCo Sub (a) under the Exchange Put Right shall be the amount determined under the Exchangeable Share Provisions, and (b) under the Exchange Right shall be an amount equal to the Exchangeable Share Price on the last Business Day prior to the day of closing of the purchase and sale of such Exchangeable Share under the Exchange Right. In connection with each exercise of the Exchange Right, ParentCo will provide to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate setting forth the calculation of the applicable Exchangeable Share Price for each Exchangeable Share. The applicable Exchangeable Share Price for each such Exchangeable Share so purchased may be satisfied only by ParentCo or ParentCo Subsidiary delivering or causing to be delivered to the Trustee, on behalf of the relevant Holder, the applicable Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total applicable Exchangeable Share Price.
3.5 Exercise Instructions.
Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, a Holder shall be entitled, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, to instruct the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right with respect to all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of such Holder on the books of the Corporation. To cause the exercise of the Exchange Right by the Trustee, the Holder shall deliver to the Trustee, in person or by certified or registered mail, at its principal transfer office in Toronto, Ontario or at such other places in Canada as the Trustee may from time to time designate by written notice to the Holders, the certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares which such Holder desires ParentCo to purchase, duly endorsed in blank, and accompanied by such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Trustee may reasonably require, together with:
(a) | a duly completed form of notice of exercise of the Exchange Right, contained on the reverse of or attached to the Exchangeable Share certificates, stating: | ||
(i) |
that the Holder thereby instructs the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right so as to require ParentCo to purchase from the Holder the number of Exchangeable Shares specified therein, |
||
(ii) | that such Holder has good title to and owns all such Exchangeable Share to be acquired by ParentCo free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, security interests and adverse claims or interests, | ||
(iii) |
the names in which the Class A Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of the Exchange Right are to be issued, and |
||
(iv) |
the names and addresses of the persons to whom the Exchangeable Share Consideration should be delivered; and |
||
(b) |
payment (or evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, the Corporation and ParentCo of payment) of the taxes (if any) payable as contemplated by Section 3.8 of this agreement. |
||
If only a part of the Exchangeable Shares represented by any certificate or certificates delivered to the Trustee are to be purchased by ParentCo or ParentCo Sub under the Exchange Right, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate for the balance of such Exchangeable Shares to the Holder at the expense of the Corporation.
3.6 Delivery of Exchangeable Share Consideration; Effect of Exercise.
Promptly after receipt of the certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares which the Holder desires ParentCo to purchase under the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right
(together with such documents and instruments of transfer and a duly completed form of notice of exercise of the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right), duly endorsed for transfer to ParentCo, the Trustee shall notify ParentCo and the Corporation of its receipt of the same, which notice to ParentCo and the Corporation shall constitute exercise of the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right by the Trustee on behalf of the Holder of such Exchangeable Shares, and ParentCo shall immediately thereafter deliver or cause ParentCo Sub to deliver to the Trustee, for delivery to the Holder of such Exchangeable Shares (or to such other persons, if any, properly designated by such Holder), the Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable in connection with the exercise of the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right; provided, however, that no such delivery shall be made unless and until the Holder requesting the same shall have paid (or provided evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, the Corporation and ParentCo of the payment of) the taxes (if any) payable as contemplated by Section 3.8 of this agreement. Immediately upon the giving of notice by the Trustee to ParentCo and the Corporation of the exercise of the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right, as provided in this Section 3.6, the closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right shall be deemed to have occurred, and the Holder of such Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have transferred to ParentCo (or at ParentCo's option, to ParentCo Sub) all of its right, title and interest in and to such Exchangeable Shares and the related interest in the Trust Estate, shall cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive his proportionate part of the total purchase price therefor, unless such Exchangeable Share Consideration is not delivered by ParentCo or ParentCo Sub to the Trustee, for delivery to such Holder (or to such other persons, if any, properly designated by such Holder), within five Business Days of the date of the giving of such notice by the Trustee, in which case the rights of the Holder shall remain unaffected until such Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered by ParentCo or ParentCo Sub and any cheque included therein is paid. Concurrently with such Holder ceasing to be a holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Holder shall be registered as the holder of the Class A Shares delivered to it pursuant to the Exchange Put Right or the Exchange Right.
3.7 Exercise of Exchange Right Subsequent to Retraction.
In the event that a Holder has exercised its right under Article 6 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions to require the Corporation to redeem any or all of the Exchangeable Shares held by the Holder (the Retracted Shares) and is notified by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions that the Corporation will not be permitted as a result of liquidity or solvency requirements of applicable law to redeem all such Retracted Shares, subject to receipt by the Trustee of written notice to that effect from the Corporation and provided that ParentCo shall not have exercised the Retraction Call Right with respect to the Retracted Shares and that the Holder has not revoked the retraction request delivered by the Holder to the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, the retraction request will constitute and will be deemed to constitute notice from the Holder to the Trustee instructing the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right with respect to those Retracted Shares which the Corporation is unable to redeem. In any such event, the Corporation hereby agrees with the Trustee and in favour of the Holder immediately to notify the Trustee of such prohibition against
the Corporation's redeeming all of the Retracted Shares and immediately to forward or cause to be forwarded to the Trustee all relevant materials delivered by the Holder to the Corporation (including without limitation a copy of the retraction request delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions) in connection with such proposed redemption of the Retracted Shares, and the Trustee will thereupon exercise the Exchange Right with respect to the Retracted Shares which the Corporation is not permitted to redeem and will require ParentCo or ParentCo Sub to purchase such shares in accordance with the provisions of this Article 3.
3.8 | Stamp or Other Transfer Taxes. |
Upon any sale of Exchangeable Shares to ParentCo pursuant to the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights, the Class A Shares to be | |||
issued anddelivered or transferred in connection with the payment of the total purchase price therefor shall be registered in the name of the Holder of the Exchangeable Shares so sold or in such names as such Holder may otherwise direct in writing without charge to the holder of the Exchangeable Shares so sold, provided, however, that such Holder: | |||
(a) |
shall pay (and none of ParentCo, ParentCo Sub, the Corporation or the Trustee shall be required to pay) any documentary, stamp, transfer or other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of such shares to a person other than such Holder; or |
||
(b) | shall have established to the satisfaction of the Trustee, ParentCo and the Corporation that such taxes, if any, have been paid. | ||
The Corporation and the Trustee (as directed in writing by the Corporation) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration otherwise payable under this Agreement to any Holder such amounts as the Corporation or the Trustee is required or permitted to deduct and withhold with respect to such payment under the Income Tax Act (Canada), the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any provision of provincial, state, local or foreign tax law, in each case as amended or succeeded unless such Holder provides to the Corporation certificates or such other assurances as are provided for under the Income Tax Act (Canada), the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or such other applicable taxation provisions. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the Holder in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made, provided that such withheld amounts are actually remitted to the appropriate taxing authority as and when required. To the extent that the amount so required or permitted to be deducted or withheld from any payment to a Holder exceeds the cash portion, if any, of the consideration otherwise payable to the Holder, the Corporation and the Trustee are hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of such portion of the consideration as is necessary to provide sufficient funds to the Corporation or the Trustee, as the case may be, to enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding requirement and the Corporation or the Trustee shall notify the Holder and remit to such Holder any unapplied balance of the net proceeds of such sale.
3.9 | Notice of Insolvency Event. |
Immediately upon the occurrence of an Insolvency Event or any event which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would be an Insolvency | |||
Event, the Corporation shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee and ParentCo. As soon as practicable after receiving notice from the Corporation of the occurrence of an Insolvency Event, the Trustee will mail to each Holder, at the expense of ParentCo, a notice of such Insolvency Event in the form provided by ParentCo, which notice shall contain a brief statement of the right of the Holders with respect to the Exchange Right. |
3.10 | Reservation of Class A Shares. |
ParentCo hereby represents, warrants and covenants with the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders that it has irrevocably reserved for issuance, and will at | |||
all times keep available, free from pre-emptive and other rights, within its authorized and unissued share capital such number of Class A Shares: |
(a) | as is equal to the number of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding from time to time; and | ||
(b) |
as are now and may hereafter be required to enable and permit the Corporation to meet its obligations hereunder, under the Support Agreement and under the Exchangeable Share Provisions. |
3.11 | Automatic Exchange on Liquidation of ParentCo. |
(a) |
ParentCo will give the Trustee written notice of each of the following events at the time set forth below: |
|||
(i) |
in the event of any determination by the board of directors of the ParentCo to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to ParentCo or to effect any other distribution of assets of ParentCo among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution; and |
|||
(ii) |
immediately, upon the earlier of |
|||
A. | receipt by ParentCo of notice of; and | |||
B. |
ParentCo's otherwise becoming aware of; |
|||
any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of |
ParentCo or to effect any other distribution of assets of ParentCo among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs. |
(b) |
Immediately following receipt by the Trustee from ParentCo of notice of any event (a Liquidation Event) contemplated by Section 3.11(a) above, the Trustee will give notice thereof to the Holders. Such notice will be provided by ParentCo to the Trustee and shall include a brief description of the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Class A Shares provided for in Section 3.11(c) below. |
|||
(c) | In order that the Holders will be able to participate on a pro rata basis with the holders of Class A Shares in the distribution of assets of ParentCo in connection with a Liquidation Event, immediately prior to the effective time (the Liquidation Event Effective Time) of a Liquidation Event, all of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares shall be automatically exchanged for Class A Shares. To effect such automatic exchange, ParentCo shall be deemed to have purchased each Exchangeable Share held by Holders outstanding immediately prior to the Liquidation Event Effective Time, and each Holder shall be deemed to have sold the Exchangeable Shares held by it at such time, for a purchase price per share equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable at such time. In connection with such automatic exchange, ParentCo will provide to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate setting forth the calculation of the purchase price for each Exchangeable Share. | |||
(d) |
The closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by Section 3.11(c) above shall be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the Liquidation Event Effective Time, and each Holder of Exchangeable Shares shall have transferred to ParentCo all of the Holder's right, title and interest in and to such Exchangeable Shares and, upon such transfer, each such Holder shall cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable Shares, and ParentCo shall deliver to the Holder the Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable upon such exchange of Exchangeable Shares. Concurrently with such Holder's ceasing to be a holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Holder shall be registered as the holder of the Class A Shares to be issued to it pursuant to such exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Class A Shares, and the certificates held by the Holder previously representing the Exchangeable Shares exchanged by the Holder with ParentCo pursuant to such exchange shall thereafter represent the right to receive the Class A Shares registered in the name of the Holder by ParentCo pursuant to such exchange. Upon the request of a Holder and the surrender by the Holder of Exchangeable Share certificates duly endorsed in blank and accompanied by such instruments of transfer as ParentCo may reasonably require, ParentCo shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder certificates representing the Class A Shares of which the Holder is the holder. |
3.12 | Certain Restrictions |
For greater certainty, the rights and obligations of each of the Holders and ParentCo set forth herein are subject to their respective rights and obligations, and any restrictions on the transfer, registration,qualification or approval of Class A Shares set forth in the Exchangeable Share Provisions, any Transfer Restrictions (as defined in the Exchangeable Share Provisions) and any other agreements or restrictions agreed to by, or binding upon, the Holders or ParentCo, as the case may be. |
ARTICLE 4 - CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
4.1 | Powers and Duties of the Trustee. |
The rights, powers and authorities of the Trustee under this agreement, in its capacity as trustee of the Trust, shall | ||||
include: |
(a) |
receiving the grant of the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights from ParentCo as trustee for and on behalf of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of this agreement; |
|||
(b) |
exercising the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right and enforcing the benefit of the Automatic Exchange Rights, in each case in accordance with the provisions of this agreement, and in connection therewith receiving from Holders certificates representing Exchangeable Shares and other requisite documents, and distributing to such Holders the Class A Shares and cheques, if any, to which such Holders are entitled upon the exercise of the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right or pursuant to the Automatic Exchange Rights, as the case may be; |
|||
(c) |
holding title to the Trust Estate; |
|||
(d) |
investing any moneys forming, from time to time, a part of the Trust Estate as provided in this agreement; |
|||
(e) |
taking action at the direction of a Holder or Holders to enforce the obligations of ParentCo under this agreement; and |
|||
(f) | taking such other actions and doing such other things as are specifically provided in this agreement. |
In the exercise of such rights, powers and authorities the Trustee shall have (and is granted) such incidental and additional rights, powers and authority not in conflict with any of the provisions of this agreement as the Trustee, acting in good faith and in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, may deem necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the purpose of the Trust. Any exercise of such discretionary rights, powers and authorities by the Trustee shall
be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons. For greater certainty, the Trustee shall have only those duties as are set out specifically in this agreement. The Trustee in exercising its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Holders and the terms of this agreement and shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent trustee would exercise in comparable circumstances. The Trustee shall not be bound to give any notice or do or take any act, action or proceeding by virtue of the powers conferred on it hereby unless and until it shall be specifically required to do so under the terms hereof; nor shall the Trustee be required to take any notice of, or to do or to take any act, action or proceeding as a result of, any default or breach of any provision hereunder, unless and until notified in writing of such default or breach, which notices shall distinctly specify the default or breach desired to be brought to the attention of the Trustee and in the absence of such notice the Trustee may for all purposes of this agreement conclusively assume that no default or breach has been made in the observance or performance of any of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or conditions contained herein.
4.2 No Conflict of Interest.
The Trustee represents to the Corporation and ParentCo that at the date of execution and delivery of this agreement there exists no material conflict of interest in the role of the Trustee as a fiduciary hereunder and the role of the Trustee in any other capacity. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after it becomes aware that such a material conflict of interest exists, either eliminate such material conflict of interest or resign in the manner and with the effect specified in Article 7 hereof. If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.2, the Trustee has such a material conflict of interest, the validity and enforceability of this agreement shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason only of the existence of such material conflict of interest. If the Trustee contravenes the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.2, any interested party may apply to the superior court of the province in which the Corporation has its registered office for an order that the Trustee be replaced as trustee hereunder.
4.3 Dealings with Transfer Agents, Registrars, Etc.
The Corporation and ParentCo irrevocably authorize the Trustee, from time to time, to:
(a) |
consult, communicate and otherwise deal with the respective registrars and transfer agents, and with any such subsequent registrar or transfer agent, of the Class A Shares; and |
|||
(b) |
requisition, from time to time, |
|||
(i) |
from the Corporation or any such registrar or transfer agent of the Exchangeable Shares any information readily available from the records maintained by it and any certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares which the Trustee may reasonably require for the discharge of its duties and responsibilities under this agreement; and |
|||
(ii) |
from the transfer agent of Class A Shares, and any subsequent transfer agent of such shares, to complete the exercise from time to time of the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights in the manner specified in Article 3 hereof, the share certificates issuable upon such exercise, if any. |
The Corporation and ParentCo irrevocably authorize their respective registrars and transfer agents to comply with all such requests. ParentCo covenants that if the Class A Shares are to be represented by share certificates, it will supply its transfer agent with duly executed share certificates for the purpose of completing the exercise from time to time of the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights, in each case pursuant to Article 3 hereof.
4.4 Books and Records.
The Trustee shall keep available for inspection by ParentCo and the Corporation, at the Trustee's principal transfer office in Toronto, Ontario, correct and complete books and records of account relating to the Trustee's actions under this agreement, including without limitation all information relating to mailings and instructions to and from Holders and all transactions pursuant to the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights for the term of this agreement.
4.5 Income Tax Returns and Reports.
The Corporation shall, to the extent necessary, prepare and file on behalf of the Trust appropriate United States and Canadian income tax returns and any other returns or reports as may be required by applicable law or pursuant to the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or other trading system through which the Class A Shares are traded and, in connection therewith, may obtain the advice and assistance of such experts as the Trustee may consider necessary or advisable. If requested by the Trustee, ParentCo shall retain such experts for purposes of providing such advice and assistance.
4.6 Indemnification Prior to Certain Actions by Trustee.
The Trustee shall exercise any or all of the rights, duties, powers or authorities vested in it by this agreement at the written request, order or direction of any Holder upon such Holder's furnishing to the Trustee reasonable funding, security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the Trustee therein or thereby; provided that no Holder shall be obligated to furnish to the Trustee any such funding, security or indemnity in connection with the exercise by the Trustee of any of its rights, duties, powers and authorities with respect to the Exchange Put Right and the Exchange Right as specifically provided for in Article 3 hereof, subject to Section 4.15 hereof, and with respect to the Automatic Exchange Rights pursuant to Article 3 hereof. None of the provisions contained in this agreement shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the exercise of any of its
rights, powers, duties or authorities unless funded, given funds, security and indemnified as aforesaid.
4.7 Actions by Holders.
No Holder shall have the right to institute any action, suit or proceeding or to exercise any other remedy authorized by this agreement for the purpose of enforcing any of its rights or for the execution of any trust or power hereunder unless the Holder has requested the Trustee to take or institute such action, suit or proceeding and furnished the Trustee with the funding, security and indemnity referred to in Section 4.6 hereof and the Trustee shall have failed to act within a reasonable time thereafter. In such case, but not otherwise, the Holder shall be entitled to take proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction such as the Trustee might have taken; it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights hereby created by any such action, or to enforce any right hereunder or under the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights, except subject to the conditions and in the manner herein provided, and that all powers and trusts hereunder shall be exercised and all proceedings at law shall be instituted, had and maintained by the Trustee, except only as herein provided, and in any event for the equal benefit of all Holders.
4.8 Reliance Upon Declarations.
The Trustee shall not be considered to be in contravention of any of its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder if, when required, it acts and relies in good faith upon lists, mailing labels, notices, statutory declarations, certificates, opinions, reports or other papers or documents furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or required by the Trustee to be furnished to it in the exercise of its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder, and such lists, mailing labels, notices, statutory declarations, certificates, opinions, reports or other papers or documents comply with the provisions of Section 4.9 hereof, if applicable, and with any other applicable provisions of this agreement.
4.9 Evidence and Authority to Trustee.
The Corporation and/or ParentCo shall furnish to the Trustee evidence of compliance with the conditions provided for in this agreement relating to any action or step required or permitted to be taken by the Corporation and/or ParentCo or the Trustee under this agreement or as a result of any obligation imposed under this agreement, including, without limitation, in respect of the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights and the taking of any other action to be taken by the Trustee at the request of or on the application of the Corporation and/or ParentCo forthwith if and when:
(a) |
such evidence is required by any other section of this agreement to be furnished to the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.9; or |
|||
(b) |
the Trustee, in the exercise of its rights, powers, duties and authorities under this agreement, gives the Corporation and/or ParentCo written notice requiring it to furnish such evidence in relation to any particular action or obligation specified in such notice. |
Such evidence shall consist of an Officer's Certificate of the Corporation and/or ParentCo or a statutory declaration or a certificate made by persons entitled to sign an Officer's Certificate stating that any such condition has been complied with in accordance with the terms of this agreement.
Whenever such evidence relates to a matter other than the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, such evidence may consist of a report or opinion of any solicitor, auditor, accountant, appraiser, valuer, engineer or other expert or any other person whose qualifications give authority to a statement made by him, provided that if such report or opinion is furnished by a director, officer or employee of the Corporation and/or ParentCo it shall be in the form of an Officer's Certificate or a statutory declaration.
Each statutory declaration, certificate, opinion or report furnished to the Trustee as evidence of compliance with a condition provided for in this agreement shall include a statement by the person giving the evidence:
(c) |
declaring that he has read and understands the provisions of this agreement relating to the condition in question; |
|||
(d) |
describing the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which he based the statutory declaration, certificate, statement or opinion; and |
|||
(e) |
declaring that he has made such examination or investigation as he believes is necessary to enable him to make the statements or give the opinions contained or expressed therein. |
4.10 | Experts, Advisers and Agents. |
The Trustee may: |
(a) |
in relation to these presents act and rely, and shall be protected in acting and relying, on the opinion or advice of or information obtained from or prepared by any solicitor, auditor, accountant, appraiser, valuer, engineer or other expert, whether retained by the Trustee or by the Corporation and/or ParentCo or otherwise, and may employ such assistants as may be necessary to the proper determination and discharge of its powers and duties and determination of its rights hereunder and may pay proper and reasonable compensation for all such legal and other advice or assistance as aforesaid; and |
|||
(b) |
retain and employ such agents and other assistants as it may reasonably require for the proper determination and discharge of its powers and duties hereunder, and may pay reasonable remuneration for all services performed for it (and shall be entitled to receive reasonable remuneration for all services performed by it) in the discharge of the trusts hereof and compensation for all disbursements, costs and expenses made or incurred by it in the determination and discharge of its duties hereunder and in the management of the Trust. |
4.11 | Investment of Moneys Held by Trustee. |
Unless otherwise provided in this agreement, any moneys held by or on behalf of the Trustee which under the terms |
of this agreement may or ought to be invested or which may be on deposit with the Trustee or which may be in the hands of the Trustee, may be invested and reinvested in the name or under the control of the Trustee in securities in which, under the laws of the Province of Ontario, trustees are authorized to invest trust moneys; provided that such securities are stated to mature within two years after their purchase by the Trustee, and the Trustee shall so invest such moneys on the timely written direction of the Corporation. Pending the investment of any moneys as hereinbefore provided, such moneys may be deposited in the name of the Trustee in any chartered bank in Canada or, with the consent of the Corporation, in the deposit department of the Trustee or any other loan or trust company authorized to accept deposits under the laws of Canada or any province thereof at the rate of interest then current on similar deposits. |
4.12 | Trustee Not Required to Give Security. |
The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the execution of the trusts, rights, duties, |
powers and authorities of this agreement or otherwise in respect of the premises. |
4.13 | Trustee Not Bound to Act on Request. |
Except as in this agreement otherwise specifically provided, the Trustee shall not be bound to act in accordance with |
any direction or request of the Corporation and/or ParentCo or of the directors thereof until a duly authenticated copy of the instrument or resolution containing such direction or request shall have been delivered to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be empowered to act and rely upon any such copy purporting to be authenticated and believed by the Trustee to be genuine. |
4.14 | Authority to Carry on Business. |
The Trustee represents to the Corporation and ParentCo that at the date of execution and delivery by it of this |
agreement it is authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in the Province of Ontario but if, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.14, it ceases to be so authorized to carry on business, the validity and enforceability of this agreement and the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights shall not be |
affected in any manner whatsoever by reason only of such event; provided, however, the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ceasing to be authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in the Province of Ontario, either become so authorized or resign in the manner and with the effect specified in Article 7 hereof.
4.15 Conflicting Claims.
If conflicting claims or demands are made or asserted with respect to any interest of any Holder in any Exchangeable Shares, including any disagreement between the heirs, representatives, successors or assigns succeeding to all or any part of the interest of any Holder in any Exchangeable Shares resulting in conflicting claims or demands being made in connection with such interest, then the Trustee shall be entitled, at its sole discretion, to refuse to recognize or to comply with any such claim or demand. In so refusing, the Trustee may elect not to exercise any Exchange Put Right, Exchange Right or Automatic Exchange Rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands and, in so doing, the Trustee shall not be or become liable to any person on account of such election or its failure or refusal to comply with any such conflicting claims or demands. The Trustee shall be entitled to continue to refrain from acting and to refuse to act until:
(a) |
the rights of all adverse claimants with respect to the Exchange Put Right, Exchange Right or Automatic change Rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands have been adjudicated by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; or |
|||
(b) |
the differences with respect to the Exchange Put Right, Exchange Right or Automatic Exchange Rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands have been conclusively settled by a valid written agreement binding on all such adverse claimants, and the Trustee shall have been furnished with an executed copy of such agreement. |
If the Trustee elects to recognize any claim or comply with any demand made by any such adverse claimant, it may in its discretion require such claimant to furnish such surety bond or other security satisfactory to the Trustee as it shall deem appropriate fully to indemnify it as between all conflicting claims or demands.
4.16 Acceptance of Trust.
The Trustee hereby accepts the Trust created and provided for by and in this agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and to hold all rights, privileges and benefits conferred hereby and by law in trust for the various persons who shall from time to time be Holders, subject to all the terms and conditions herein set forth.
ARTICLE 5 - COMPENSATION
ParentCo and the Corporation jointly and severally agree to pay to the Trustee reasonable compensation for all of the services rendered by it under this agreement and will reimburse the Trustee for all reasonable expenses (including but not limited to taxes, compensation paid to experts, agents and advisors and travel expenses) and disbursements, including the cost and expense of any suit or litigation of any character and any proceedings before any governmental agency, reasonably incurred by the Trustee in connection with its rights and duties under this agreement; provided that ParentCo and the Corporation shall have no obligation to reimburse the Trustee for any expenses or disbursements paid, incurred or suffered by the Trustee in any suit or litigation in which the Trustee is determined to have acted in bad faith or with negligence or wilful misconduct.
ARTICLE 6 - INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
6.1 Indemnification of the Trustee.
ParentCo and the Corporation jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee, and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents appointed and acting in accordance with this agreement (for whom it is expressly agreed that the Trustee is holding the benefit of this indemnity and rights of enforcement thereof in trust) (collectively, the Indemnified Parties) against all claims, losses, damages, costs, penalties, fines and reasonable expenses (including reasonable expenses of the Trustee's legal counsel) which, without fraud, negligence, wilful misconduct or bad faith on the part of such Indemnified Party, may be paid, incurred or suffered by the Indemnified Party by reason of or as a result of the Trustee's acceptance or administration of the Trust, its compliance with and completion of its duties set forth in this agreement, or any written or oral instructions delivered to the Trustee by ParentCo or the Corporation pursuant hereto. In no case shall ParentCo or the Corporation be liable under this indemnity for any claim against any of the Indemnified Parties unless ParentCo and the Corporation shall be notified by the Trustee of the written assertion of a claim or of any action commenced against the Indemnified Parties, promptly after any of the Indemnified Parties shall have received any such written assertion of a claim or shall have been served with a summons or other first legal process giving information as to the nature and basis of the claim and such failure prejudices the ability of the ParentCo or the Corporation to respond to any such claim or action. Subject to (i) below, ParentCo and the Corporation shall be entitled to participate at their own expense in the defense and, if ParentCo or the Corporation so elect at any time after receipt of such notice, either of them may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim. The Trustee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such suit and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Trustee unless: (i) the employment of such counsel has been authorized by ParentCo or the Corporation, such authorization not to be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) the named parties to any such suit include both the Trustee and ParentCo or the Corporation and the Trustee shall have been advised by counsel acceptable to ParentCo or the Corporation that there may be one or more legal defenses available to the Trustee that are different from or in addition
to those available to ParentCo or the Corporation and that an actual or potential conflict of interest exists (in which case ParentCo and the Corporation shall not have the right to assume the defense of such suit on behalf of the Trustee, but shall be liable to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Trustee).
6.2 Limitation of Liability.
The Trustee shall not be held liable for any loss which may occur by reason of depreciation of the value of any part of the Trust Estate or any loss incurred on any investment of funds pursuant to this agreement, except to the extent that such loss is attributable to the fraud, negligence, wilful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee.
ARTICLE 7 - CHANGE OF TRUSTEE
7.1 Resignation.
The Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to ParentCo and the Corporation specifying the date on which it desires to resign, provided that such notice shall never be given less than 60 days before such desired resignation date unless ParentCo and the Corporation otherwise agree and provided further that such resignation shall not take effect until the date of the appointment of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by the successor trustee. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, ParentCo and the Corporation shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument in duplicate, one copy of which shall be delivered to the resigning trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. Failing acceptance by a successor trustee, a successor trustee may be appointed by an order of the superior court of the province in which the Corporation has its registered office upon application of one or more of the parties hereto at the Corporation's expense.
7.2 Removal.
The Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may be removed with or without cause, at any time on 60 days' prior notice by written instrument executed by ParentCo and the Corporation, in duplicate, one copy of which shall be delivered to the trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, provided that, in connection with such removal, provision is made for a replacement trustee similar to that contemplated in Section 7.1.
7.3 Successor Trustee.
Any successor trustee appointed as provided under this agreement shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to ParentCo and the Corporation and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its
predecessor under this agreement, with like effect as if originally named as trustee in this agreement. However, on the written request of ParentCo and the Corporation or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of the agreement, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon the request of any such successor trustee, ParentCo, the Corporation and such predecessor trustee shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers.
7.4 | Notice of Successor Trustee. |
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided herein, ParentCo and the Corporation shall |
cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to each Holder specified in a List. If ParentCo or the Corporation shall fail to cause such notice to be mailed within 10 days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of ParentCo and the Corporation. |
ARTICLE 8 - SUCCESSORS TO PARENTCO OR THE CORPORATION
8.1 | Certain Requirements in Respect of Combination, Etc. |
If either ParentCo or the Corporation shall enter into any transaction (whether by way of reconstruction, |
reorganization, consolidation, merger, transfer, sale, lease or otherwise) whereby all or substantially all of its undertaking, property and assets would become the property of any other Person or, in the case of a merger, of the continuing corporation resulting therefrom, it shall ensure that: |
|
(a) |
such other Person or continuing corporation (the Successor), by operation of law, becomes, without more, bound by the terms and provisions of this agreement or, if not so bound, executes, prior to or contemporaneously with the consummation of such transaction an agreement supplemental hereto and such other instruments (if any) are necessary or advisable to evidence the assumption by the Successor of liability for all moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder, the covenant of such Successor to pay and deliver or cause to be delivered the same and its agreement to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations of ParentCo under this agreement; and |
||
(b) |
such transaction shall be upon such terms which substantially preserve and do not impair in any material respect any of the rights, duties, powers and authorities of the Trustee or of the Holders hereunder. |
8.2 | Vesting of Powers in Successor. |
In the event that Section 8.1 applies, the Trustee, the Successor, ParentCo and the Corporation shall execute |
and deliver the supplemental agreement provided for in Article 9 hereof, and thereupon the Successor shall possess and from time to time may exercise each and every right and power of ParentCo under this agreement in the name of ParentCo or otherwise and any act or proceeding by any provision of this agreement required to be done or performed by the board of directors of ParentCo or any officers of ParentCo may be done and performed with like force and effect by the directors or officers of such Successor. |
8.3 | Wholly-owned Subsidiaries. |
Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing the amalgamation or merger of any wholly-owned subsidiary of |
ParentCo with or into ParentCo or the winding-up, liquidation or dissolution of any wholly-owned subsidiary of ParentCo provided that all of the assets of such subsidiary are transferred to ParentCo or another wholly-owned subsidiary of ParentCo, and any such transactions are expressly permitted by this Article 8. |
ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
9.1 | Amendments, Modifications, Etc. |
Subject to Section 9.4, this agreement may not be amended, modified or waived except by an agreement in |
writing executed by the Corporation, ParentCo and the Trustee and approved by the Holders in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. No amendment to or modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto. |
9.2 | Ministerial Amendments. |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1 hereof, the parties to this agreement may in writing, at any time |
and from time to time, without the approval of the Holders, amend or modify this agreement for the purposes of: |
(a) |
adding to the covenants of any or all of the parties hereto for the protection of the Holders hereunder; |
|||
(b) |
making such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this agreement as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions which, in the opinion of the board of directors of each of ParentCo and the Corporation and in the opinion of the Trustee, relying upon its counsel, having in mind the best interests of the Holders as a whole, it may be expedient to make, provided that such boards of directors and the Trustee, relying on its counsel, shall be of the |
opinion that such amendments and modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders as a whole; |
||||
(c) |
making such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation, ParentCo and the Trustee, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error; provided that the Trustee and, relying on its counsel, and the board of directors of each of the Corporation and ParentCo shall be of the opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders as a whole; or |
|||
(d) |
making such changes as may be necessary or appropriate to implement or give effect to any assignment or assumption made pursuant to Section 11.8 hereof. |
9.3 | Meeting to Consider Amendments. |
The Corporation, at the request of ParentCo, shall call a meeting or meetings of the Holders for the purpose of |
considering any proposed amendment or modification requiring approval pursuant hereto. Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation, the Exchangeable Share Provisions and all applicable laws. |
9.4 | Changes in Capital of ParentCo and the Corporation. |
At all times after the occurrence of any event effected pursuant to Section 2.6 or Section 2.7 of the Support |
Agreement, as a result of which the Class A Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or any of them are in any way changed, this agreement shall forthwith be amended and modified as necessary in order that it shall apply with full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new securities into which Class A Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or any of them are so changed, and the parties hereto shall execute and deliver a supplemental agreement giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications. |
9.5 | Execution of Supplemental Agreements. |
From time to time the Corporation (when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors), ParentCo (when |
authorized by a resolution of its board of directors) and the Trustee may, subject to the provisions of these presents, and they shall, when so directed by these presents, execute and deliver by their proper officers, agreements or other instruments supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form part hereof, for any one or more of the following purposes: |
(a) |
evidencing the succession of any Successors to ParentCo and the covenants of and obligations assumed by each such Successor in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 and the successor of any successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of Article 7; |
(b) |
making any additions to, deletions from or alterations of the provisions of this agreement, the Exchange Put Right, the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights which, in the opinion of the Trustee and its counsel, will not be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders as a whole or are in the opinion of counsel to the Trustee necessary or advisable in order to incorporate, reflect or comply with any legislation the provisions of which apply to ParentCo, the Corporation, the Trustee or this agreement; and |
|||
(c) |
for any other purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of this agreement, including without limitation to make or evidence any amendment or modification to this agreement as contemplated hereby, provided that, in the opinion of the Trustee and its counsel, the rights of the Trustee and the Holders as a whole will not be prejudiced thereby. |
ARTICLE 10 - TERMINATION
10.1 | Term. |
The Trust created by this agreement shall continue until the earliest to occur of the following events: |
(a) |
no outstanding Exchangeable Shares are held by a Holder; |
|||
(b) |
each of the Corporation and ParentCo elects in writing to terminate the Trust and such termination is approved by the Holders of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and |
|||
(c) |
21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland living on the date of the creation of the Trust. |
10.2 | Survival of Agreement. |
This agreement shall survive any termination of the Trust and shall continue until there are no Exchangeable |
Shares outstanding held by a Holder; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 6 and 7 hereof shall survive any such termination of this agreement. |
ARTICLE 11 - GENERAL
11.1 | Severability. |
If any provision of this agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or |
enforceability of the remainder of this agreement shall not in any way be |
affected or impaired thereby, and the agreement shall be carried out as nearly as possible in accordance with its original terms and conditions.
11.2 | Enurement. |
This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective |
successors and permitted assigns and to the benefit of the Holders. |
11.3 | Notices to Parties. |
All notices and other communications between the parties hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to |
have been given if delivered personally or by confirmed telecopy to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for such party as shall be specified in like notice): |
(a) |
if to ParentCo to:
Accenture Ltd
Attention: President
|
|||
(b) |
if to the Corporation to:
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc.
Attention: President
|
(c) |
if to the Trustee to:
CIBC Mellon Trust Company
Attention: Sophie Arcaro, Account Manager
|
Any notice or other communication given personally shall be deemed to have been given and received upon |
delivery thereof, and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of receipt thereof unless such day is not a Business Day in which case it shall be deemed to have been given and received upon the immediately following Business Day. |
11.4 | Notice to Holders. |
Any and all notices to be given and any documents to be sent to any Holders may be given or sent to the address |
of such Holder shown on the register of Holders of Exchangeable Shares in any manner permitted by the Exchangeable Share Provisions and shall be deemed to be received (if given or sent in such manner) at the time specified in such Exchangeable Share Provisions, the provisions of which Exchangeable Share Provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis to notices or documents as aforesaid sent to such Holders. |
11.5 | Risk of Payments by Post. |
Whenever payments are to be made or documents are to be sent to any Holder by the Trustee, by the |
Corporation or by ParentCo or by such Holder to the Trustee or to ParentCo or the Corporation, the making of such payment or sending of such document sent through the post shall be at the risk of the Corporation or ParentCo, in the case of payments made or documents sent by the Trustee or the Corporation or ParentCo, and the Holder, in the case of payments made or documents sent by the Holder. |
11.6 | Counterparts. |
This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which |
taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. |
11.7 | Governing Law. |
This agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the |
laws of Canada applicable therein. |
11.8 | Permitted Assignment. |
ParentCo may assign any or all of its rights and obligations under this agreement to any Subsidiary of ParentCo, |
organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, provided that each of ParentCo and such Subsidiary shall thereafter be jointly and severally liable for the performance by such Subsidiary of the obligations of ParentCo pursuant to this agreement. Any and all of the obligations of ParentCo may be performed and satisfied by any such Subsidiary of ParentCo, except that nothing in this Section 11.8 shall permit any change to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Class A Shares or the Exchangeable Shares. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereby have caused this agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
ACCENTURE LTD
ACCENTURE CANADA HOLDINGS INC.
CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY
|
Exhibit 10.13
May 21, 2001
Accenture Ltd
1661 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Ladies and Gentlemen:
(1) Reference is made to the Voting Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms, the "Voting Agreement"; terms defined therein used herein as so defined), among Accenture Ltd, an exempted company limited by shares organized under the laws of Bermuda, and the covered persons from time to time party thereto.
(2) Stichting Naritaweg I, with seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Naritaweg 155, a legal entity established under the law of the Netherlands (the "Foundation"), hereby agrees that it will not Transfer any Common Shares without the consent of the Partners Representatives, which consent may be conditioned upon the requirement that any transferee become a party to the Voting Agreement and/or any other agreement that the Partners Representatives may require in their sole discretion.
(3) The Foundation understands and agrees that all Common Shares beneficially owned by the Foundation shall, at the sole discretion of the Partners Representatives, be registered in the name of a nominee for the Foundation and/or shall be held in the custody of a custodian until otherwise determined by the Partners Representatives and, by its signature hereto, the Foundation appoints the Partners Representatives, and each member thereof individually, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact to assign, endorse and register for transfer into such nominee's name or deliver to such custodian any such Common Shares which are not so registered or so held, as the case may be, and to enter into any custody agreement with respect to such Common Shares, granting to such attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever that such attorney or attorneys may deem necessary, advisable or appropriate to carry out fully the intent of this paragraph 3 of this letter agreement as the Foundation might or could do personally, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that such attorney or attorneys may do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney. It is understood and agreed by the Foundation that this appointment, empowerment and authorization may be exercised by the aforementioned persons with respect to all Common Shares of the Foundation, and held of record by another person. The form of the custody agreement and the identity of the custodian and/or nominee shall be as determined by the Partners Representatives from time to time.
(4) (a) By its signature hereto, the Foundation hereby (i) gives the Partners Representatives, and each member thereof individually, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, an irrevocable proxy to vote or otherwise act with respect to all of the Foundation's Common Shares, as fully, to the same extent and with the same effect as the Foundation might or could do under any applicable laws or regulations governing the rights and powers of shareholders of a Bermuda company, (ii) directs that such proxy shall be voted in connection with such matters as are the subject of a Preliminary Vote as provided in the Voting Agreement in accordance with such Preliminary Vote, (iii) authorizes the holder of such proxy to vote on such other matters as may come before a meeting
are related, directly or indirectly, to the matter which was the subject of the Preliminary Vote as the aforementioned persons see fit in their discretion but in a manner consistent with the Preliminary Vote, and (iv) authorizes the holder of such proxy to vote on such other matters as may come before a meeting of shareholders of Accenture Ltd or any adjournment thereof (including matters related to adjournment thereof) as the aforementioned persons see fit in their discretion but not to cast any vote under this clause (iv) which is inconsistent with the Preliminary Vote or which would achieve an outcome that would frustrate the intent of the Preliminary Vote. The Foundation hereby affirms that this proxy is given as a term of this letter agreement and as such is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable. It is further understood and agreed by the Foundation that this proxy may be exercised by the aforementioned persons with respect to all Common Shares of the Foundation.
(b) By its signature hereto, the Foundation appoints the Partners Representatives, and each member thereof individually, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact to direct, in accordance with the provisions of this letter agreement, the voting of any Common Shares held of record by any other person but beneficially owned by the Foundation, granting to such attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever that such attorney or attorneys may deem necessary, advisable or appropriate to carry out fully the intent of Section 4.2 of the Voting Agreement and paragraph 4(a) of this letter agreement as the Foundation might or could do personally, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that such attorney or attorneys may do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney. It is understood and agreed by the Foundation that this appointment, empowerment and authorization may be exercised by the aforementioned persons with respect to all Common Shares of the Foundation, and held of record by another person.
(5) The Foundation hereby agrees that it shall comply with, and be bound by Section 2.3, Section 2.5, Section 5.1 and Section 5.4 of the Voting Agreement as if it were an Employee Covered Person party thereto.
(6) The Foundation agrees to execute such additional documents and take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to effect the provisions of this letter agreement.
(7) This letter agreement may not be amended except by an instrument signed in writing by each of Accenture Ltd, the Foundation and the Partners Representatives or waived except by the party granting the waiver; provided that no consent shall be required from the Partners Representatives if such body shall not exist at the time in question.
(8) This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda.
Very truly yours, | ||
STICHTING NARITAWEG I | ||
By _________________________________ | ||
Name:
Title: |
||
Acknowledged and agreed: | ||
ACCENTURE LTD | ||
By _________________________________ | ||
Name:
Title: |
Exhibit 10.14
May 21, 2001
Accenture Ltd
1661 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Ladies and Gentlemen:
(1) Reference is made to the Voting Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2001 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms, the "Voting Agreement"; terms defined therein used herein as so defined), among Accenture Ltd, an exempted company limited by shares organized under the laws of Bermuda, and the covered persons from time to time party thereto.
(2) Stichting Naritaweg II, with seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Naritaweg 155, a legal entity established under the law of the Netherlands (the "Foundation"), hereby agrees that it will not Transfer any Common Shares without the consent of the Partners Representatives, which consent may be conditioned upon the requirement that any transferee become a party to the Voting Agreement and/or any other agreement that the Partners Representatives may require in their sole discretion.
(3) The Foundation understands and agrees that all Common Shares beneficially owned by the Foundation shall, at the sole discretion of the Partners Representatives, be registered in the name of a nominee for the Foundation and/or shall be held in the custody of a custodian until otherwise determined by the Partners Representatives and, by its signature hereto, the Foundation appoints the Partners Representatives, and each member thereof individually, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact to assign, endorse and register for transfer into such nominee's name or deliver to such custodian any such Common Shares which are not so registered or so held, as the case may be, and to enter into any custody agreement with respect to such Common Shares, granting to such attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever that such attorney or attorneys may deem necessary, advisable or appropriate to carry out fully the intent of this paragraph 3 of this letter agreement as the Foundation might or could do personally, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that such attorney or attorneys may do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney. It is understood and agreed by the Foundation that this appointment, empowerment and authorization may be exercised by the aforementioned persons with respect to all Common Shares of the Foundation, and held of record by another person. The form of the custody agreement and the identity of the custodian and/or nominee shall be as determined by the Partners Representatives from time to time.
(4) (a) By its signature hereto, the Foundation hereby (i) gives the Partners Representatives, and each member thereof individually, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, an irrevocable proxy to vote or otherwise act with respect to all of the Foundation's Common Shares, as fully, to the same extent and with the same effect as the Foundation might or could do under any applicable laws or regulations governing the rights and powers of shareholders of a Bermuda company, (ii) directs that such proxy shall be voted in connection with such matters as are the subject of a Preliminary Vote as provided in the Voting Agreement in accordance with such Preliminary Vote, (iii) authorizes the holder of such proxy to vote on such other matters as may come before a meeting of shareholders of Accenture Ltd or any adjournment thereof and as
of shareholders of Accenture Ltd or any adjournment thereof (including matters related to adjournment thereof) as the aforementioned persons see fit in their discretion but not to cast any vote under this clause (iv) which is inconsistent with the Preliminary Vote or which would achieve an outcome that would frustrate the intent of the Preliminary Vote. The Foundation hereby affirms that this proxy is given as a term of this letter agreement and as such is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable. It is further understood and agreed by the Foundation that this proxy may be exercised by the aforementioned persons with respect to all Common Shares of the Foundation.
(b) By its signature hereto, the Foundation appoints the Partners Representatives, and each member thereof individually, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact to direct, in accordance with the provisions of this letter agreement, the voting of any Common Shares held of record by any other person but beneficially owned by the Foundation, granting to such attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever that such attorney or attorneys may deem necessary, advisable or appropriate to carry out fully the intent of Section 4.2 of the Voting Agreement and paragraph 4(a) of this letter agreement as the Foundation might or could do personally, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts and things that such attorney or attorneys may do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney. It is understood and agreed by the Foundation that this appointment, empowerment and authorization may be exercised by the aforementioned persons with respect to all Common Shares of the Foundation, and held of record by another person.
(5) The Foundation hereby agrees that it shall comply with, and be bound by Section 2.3, Section 2.5, Section 5.1 and Section 5.4 of the Voting Agreement as if it were an Employee Covered Person party thereto.
(6) The Foundation agrees to execute such additional documents and take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to effect the provisions of this letter agreement.
(7) This letter agreement may not be amended except by an instrument signed in writing by each of Accenture Ltd, the Foundation and the Partners Representatives or waived except by the party granting the waiver; provided that no consent shall be required from the Partners Representatives if such body shall not exist at the time in question.
(8) This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda.
Very truly yours, | ||
STICHTING NARITAWEG II | ||
By_________________________________ | ||
Name:
Title: |
||
Acknowledged and agreed: | ||
ACCENTURE LTD | ||
By_________________________________ | ||
Name:
|
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Certain subsidiaries of the Registrant and their subsidiaries are listed below. The names of certain subsidiaries, which considered in the aggregate would not constitute a significant subsidiary, have been omitted.
Name |
Country of Organization |
Sistemes Consulting S.A |
Andorra |
Accenture S.A. |
Argentina |
Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd |
Australia |
Accenture Holdings Pty Ltd |
Australia |
Accenture Services Pty Ltd |
Australia |
Accenture MSL Pty Ltd |
Australia |
Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd |
Australia |
Accenture 1 |
Australia |
Accenture 2 |
Australia |
Accenture 3 |
Australia |
Diversiti Pty ltd |
Australia |
Accenture GmbH |
Austria |
Accenture Unternehmensberatung GmbH |
Austria |
Accenture LLC |
Azerbaijan |
Accenture S.A.\N.V. |
Belgium |
Accenture PBM S.C.R.L.\C.V.B.A. |
Belgium |
BPM Belgium NV |
Belgium |
Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L. |
Belgium |
Accenture Ltd |
Bermuda |
Partners Security Ltd |
Bermuda |
Accenture Australia Ltd |
Bermuda |
Accenture Australia (1) Ltd |
Bermuda |
Accenture Australia (2) Ltd |
Bermuda |
Accenture Australia (3) Ltd |
Bermuda |
Accenture Services, s.r.o. |
Czech Republic |
ENMAX Technology Bolivia S.A. |
Bolivia |
Accenture do Brazil Ltda |
Brazil |
Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. |
Canada |
Name |
Country of Organization |
Accenture Ltd |
Nigeria |
Accenture A.N.S. |
Norway |
Accenture Software Products A.N.S. |
Norway |
Accenture A.S. |
Norway |
Accenture Capital A.S. |
Norway |
Accenture, Inc |
Philippines |
Accenture Sp. z.o.o. |
Poland |
Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A. |
Portugal |
Coritel Solucoes Informaticas Integradaqs S.A. |
Portugal |
Accenture Pte Ltd |
Singapore |
Accenture software Pte Ltd |
Singapore |
Accenture s.r.o. |
Slovak Republic |
Accenture (South Africa) Pty Ltd |
South Africa |
Accenture Services (South Africa) Pty Ltd |
South Africa |
Accenture (South Africa) Trustees Pty Ltd |
South Africa |
Autris Pty Ltd |
South Africa |
Antech Pty Ltd |
South Africa |
Accenture Ltd |
South Korea |
Accenture S.L. |
Spain |
Coritel S.A. |
Spain |
Integration Services S.A. |
Spain |
Alnova Technologies Corporation S.A. |
Spain |
Business Process Management S.A. |
Spain |
Informacio I Technologia de Cataluna S.L. |
Spain |
Information de Euskadi S.L. |
Spain |
Accenture Formacion Ssociedad Civil |
Spain |
Cash Management Consulting S.L. |
Spain |
Coritel Soluciones Integrates S.L. |
Spain |
Accenture A.B. |
Sweden |
Accenture k.B. |
Sweden |
Accenture Solutions A.B. |
Sweden |
Name |
Country of Organization |
Accenture A.G. |
Switzerland |
Accenture Partners S.C. |
Switzerland |
Accenture Holding GmbH |
Switzerland |
Accenture Global Services GmbH |
Switzerland |
Accenture Co Ltd |
Taiwan |
Accenture Co ltd |
Thailand |
Accenture Solutions Co Ltd |
Thailand |
Accenture Technologies Co Ltd |
Thailand |
Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi |
Turkey |
Accenture BPM Is Yonetimi Limited Sirketi |
Turkey |
Accenture A |
United Kingdom |
Accenture B |
United Kingdom |
Accenture C |
United Kingdom |
Accenture D |
United Kingdom |
Accenture E |
United Kingdom |
Accenture F |
United Kingdom |
Accenture G |
United Kingdom |
Accenture H |
United Kingdom |
Accenture I |
United Kingdom |
Accenture J |
United Kingdom |
Accenture K |
United Kingdom |
Accenture L |
United Kingdom |
Accenture M |
United Kingdom |
Accenture N |
United Kingdom |
Accenture O |
United Kingdom |
Accenture P |
United Kingdom |
Accenture R |
United Kingdom |
Accenture Scientific Ltd |
United Kingdom |
Accenture Software ltd |
United Kingdom |
Accenture Management Ltd |
United Kingdom |
Cooperate Ltd |
United Kingdom |
The Accenture Group |
United Kingdom |
Accenture Services Ltd |
United Kingdom |
Accenture (UK) |
United Kingdom |
Accenture Pension Trustees Ltd |
United Kingdom |
Accenture Retirement Savings Plan Ltd |
United Kingdom |
Accenture, Inc |
Unites States |
Accenture LLC |
Unites States |
Name |
Country of Organization |
Acceneture LLP |
Unites States |
Accenture Newco, Inc. |
United States |
Accenture Sub Inc. |
United States |
Accenture 2, Inc. |
United States |
BPM Technical Resources LLC |
Unites States |
Digital Asset Management Co. |
United States |
Epylon Corporation |
United States |
Indeliq, Inc. |
United States |
Navitaire Inc. |
United States |
BABCN LLC |
United States |
TekraM LLC |
Unites States |
Utiligent LLC |
Unites States |
VIA World Network LLC |
Unites States |
Accenture Financial Corporation |
Unites States |
Willow Investment, Inc |
Unites States |
Willow Investment Properties, Inc |
Unites States |
Proquire LLC |
Unites States |
Accenture C.A. |
Venezuela |