|
England and Wales
|
| |
8741
|
| |
Not Applicable
|
|
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
| |
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
| |
(IRS Employer
Identification Number) |
|
|
William H. Aaronson
John B. Meade Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 1-212-450-4000 |
| |
Catherine Stead
Company Secretary Rentokil Initial plc Compass House Manor Royal Crawley West Sussex RH10 9PY United Kingdom +44 1293 858000 |
| |
Deidre Richardson
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. 150 Peabody Place Memphis, Tennessee 38103 1-901-597-1400 |
| |
Andrew R. Brownstein
Karessa L. Cain Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 51 West 52nd Street New York, New York 10019 1-212-403-1000 |
|
| Sincerely, | | | Sincerely, | |
|
[ ]
|
| |
[ ]
|
|
|
Brett T. Ponton
Chief Executive Officer Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. |
| |
Andy Ransom
Chief Executive Rentokil Initial plc |
|
|
Terminix Global Holdings, Inc.
150 Peabody Place Memphis, Tennessee 38103 Attention: Investor Relations Telephone: (901) 597-1400 |
| |
Rentokil Initial plc
Compass House Manor Royal Crawley West Sussex RH10 9PY United Kingdom Attention: Company Secretary Telephone: +44 1293 858000 |
|
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| | |
Rentokil Initial
Ordinary Shares |
| |
Terminix
Common Stock |
| |
Implied Per Share Value of
Merger Consideration |
| |||||||||
December 13, 2021
|
| | | £ | 6.24 | | | | | $ | 37.41 | | | | | $ | 55.00 | | |
|
Proposal
|
| |
Required Vote
|
| |
Effect of Certain Actions
|
|
|
Proposal 1:
Merger Proposal |
| | Approval requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Terminix common stock entitled to vote on the merger proposal. | | | Shares of Terminix common stock not present at the Terminix special meeting, shares that are present and not voted on the merger proposal, including due to the failure of any Terminix stockholder who holds their shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to such bank, broker or other nominee with respect to the merger proposal, and abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger proposal. | |
|
Proposal 2:
Compensation Proposal |
| | Approval requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock present in person (including virtually via the Internet) or represented by proxy at the Terminix special meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter in question. | | | The failure of any shares present or represented at the Terminix special meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal to vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the compensation proposal (which is subject to a non-binding advisory vote of Terminix stockholders). A broker non-vote or the failure to return or submit a proxy and to attend the Terminix special meeting will have no effect on the compensation proposal (assuming a quorum is present). | |
Announcement Date
|
| |
Acquiror
|
| |
Target
|
|
June 2021 | | | EQT AB | | | Anticimex A/S | |
November 2019 | | | GIC Private Limited | | | Anticimex A/S (10% stake)(*) | |
January 2019 | | | Rollins, Inc. | | |
Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Inc.
|
|
March 2007 | | |
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
|
| | The ServiceMaster Company | |
Announcement Date
|
| |
Acquiror
|
| |
Target
|
|
August 2021 | | | Apax Partners LLP | | | SavATree, LLC(*) | |
September 2020 | | |
Roark Capital Group Inc.
|
| | ServiceMaster Brands | |
March 2019 | | | Blackstone Group Inc. | | | Servpro Industries Inc. | |
August 2016 | | | Cintas Corporation | | | G&K Services, Inc. | |
Comparable Public Companies Analysis
|
| |
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
|
| |||
2.901x – 5.887x
|
| | | | 3.125x – 7.042x | | |
(U.S. dollars in millions)
|
| |
2021E
|
| |
2022E
|
| |
2023E
|
| |
2024E
|
| |
2025E
|
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | $ | 2,064 | | | | | $ | 2,198 | | | | | $ | 2,390 | | | | | $ | 2,608 | | | | | $ | 2,855 | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
|
| | | | 387 | | | | | | 420 | | | | | | 490 | | | | | | 569 | | | | | | 658 | | |
Capital Expenditures
|
| | | | (28) | | | | | | (30) | | | | | | (32) | | | | | | (35) | | | | | | (39) | | |
Free Cash Flow(2)
|
| | | | 211 | | | | | | 263 | | | | | | 334 | | | | | | 390 | | | | | | 454 | | |
(U.S. dollars in millions)(1)
|
| |
2021E
|
| |
2022E
|
| |
2023E
|
| |
2024E
|
| |
2025E
|
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | $ | 2,042 | | | | | $ | 2,176 | | | | | $ | 2,322 | | | | | $ | 2,479 | | | | | $ | 2,651 | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
| | | | 384 | | | | | | 412 | | | | | | 471 | | | | | | 535 | | | | | | 604 | | |
Capital Expenditures
|
| | | | (27) | | | | | | (30) | | | | | | (32) | | | | | | (35) | | | | | | (39) | | |
Free Cash Flow(3)
|
| | | | 197 | | | | | | 255 | | | | | | 317 | | | | | | 362 | | | | | | 411 | | |
(U.S. dollars in millions)(1)
|
| |
2021E
|
| |
2022E
|
| |
2023E
|
| |
2024E
|
| |
2025E
|
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | $ | 2,046 | | | | | $ | 2,164 | | | | | $ | 2,322 | | | | | $ | 2,479 | | | | | $ | 2,651 | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
| | | | 413 | | | | | | 445 | | | | | | 496 | | | | | | 560 | | | | | | 629 | | |
Capital Expenditures
|
| | | | (23) | | | | | | (33) | | | | | | (32) | | | | | | (35) | | | | | | (39) | | |
Free Cash Flow(3)
|
| | | | 199 | | | | | | 232 | | | | | | 317 | | | | | | 361 | | | | | | 410 | | |
(UK pounds sterling in millions)(1)
|
| |
2021E
|
| |
2022E
|
| |
2023E
|
| |
2024E
|
| |
2025E
|
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | £ | 2,980 | | | | | £ | 3,131 | | | | | £ | 3,289 | | | | | £ | 3,437 | | | | | £ | 3,591 | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
| | | | 670 | | | | | | 726 | | | | | | 774 | | | | | | 825 | | | | | | 881 | | |
Capital Expenditures
|
| | | | (260) | | | | | | (260) | | | | | | (270) | | | | | | (289) | | | | | | (302) | | |
Free Cash Flow(3)
|
| | | | 296 | | | | | | 334 | | | | | | 370 | | | | | | 399 | | | | | | 434 | | |
Name
|
| |
Present Positions
|
|
Brett T. Ponton
|
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
Robert J. Riesbeck
|
| | Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | |
David M. Dart
|
| | Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer | |
Deidre Richardson
|
| | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |
Dion Persson
|
| | Senior Vice President, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions, and former Interim General Counsel | |
| | |
Cash
($)(1) |
| |
Equity
($)(2) |
| |
Benefits
($)(3) |
| |
Tax
Reimbursement ($) |
| |
Other
($)(4) |
| |
Total
($) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Brett T. Ponton
|
| | | | 3,900,000 | | | | | | 8,199,540 | | | | | | 7,660 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,906,250 | | | | | | 15,013,450 | | |
Robert J. Riesbeck
|
| | | | 2,405,000 | | | | | | 2,916,337 | | | | | | 13,447 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 580,208 | | | | | | 5,914,992 | | |
David Dart
|
| | | | 1,296,000 | | | | | | 1,876,413 | | | | | | 19,622 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 451,250 | | | | | | 3,643,285 | | |
Deidre Richardson
|
| | | | 1,312,000 | | | | | | 857,120 | | | | | | 6,546 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 452,500 | | | | | | 2,628,166 | | |
Dion Persson
|
| | | | 1,440,000 | | | | | | 3,111,271 | | | | | | 13,886 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 462,500 | | | | | | 5,027,657 | | |
| | |
Terminix
Stock Options ($) |
| |
Terminix
RSU Awards ($) |
| |
Terminix
PSU Awards @100% ($) |
| |
Total
($) |
| ||||||||||||
Brett T. Ponton
|
| | | | 858,800 | | | | | | 3,172,345 | | | | | | 4,168,395 | | | | | | 8,199,540 | | |
Robert J. Riesbeck
|
| | | | 194,387 | | | | | | 1,481,975 | | | | | | 1,239,975 | | | | | | 2,916,337 | | |
David Dart
|
| | | | 476,443 | | | | | | 440,440 | | | | | | 959,530 | | | | | | 1,876,413 | | |
Deidre Richardson
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | 655,490 | | | | | | 201,630 | | | | | | 857,120 | | |
Dion Persson
|
| | | | 1,289,066 | | | | | | 590,150 | | | | | | 1,232,055 | | | | | | 3,111,271 | | |
| | |
Retention
Bonus ($) |
| |
Pro-Rata
2022 Bonus ($) |
| |
Total
($) |
| |||||||||
Brett T. Ponton
|
| | | | 2,500,000 | | | | | | 406,250 | | | | | | 2,906,250 | | |
Robert J. Riesbeck
|
| | | | 350,000 | | | | | | 230,208 | | | | | | 580,208 | | |
David Dart
|
| | | | 350,000 | | | | | | 101,250 | | | | | | 451,250 | | |
Deidre Richardson
|
| | | | 350,000 | | | | | | 102,500 | | | | | | 452,500 | | |
Dion Persson
|
| | | | 350,000 | | | | | | 112,500 | | | | | | 462,500 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments
|
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Rentokil
Initial Historical (IFRS) |
| |
Terminix
Adjusted (IFRS) |
| |
Adjustments
for Debt Refinancing |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Transaction
adjustments |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Pro forma
Combined company |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
£m
|
| |
Note 1
|
| |
Note 2
|
| |
Note 3
|
| | | | | | | |
Note 4
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
Intangible assets
|
| | | | 2,164 | | | | | | 2,464 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,914 | | | |
4a, 4b, 4c
|
| | | | 7,542 | | | | | ||||
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 398 | | | | | | 44 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 442 | | | | | ||||
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | 228 | | | | | | 136 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 364 | | | | | ||||
Investments in associated undertakings
|
| | | | 30 | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 56 | | | | | ||||
Other investments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | ||||
Deferred tax assets
|
| | | | 42 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 42 | | | | | ||||
Contract costs
|
| | | | 75 | | | | | | 73 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 148 | | | | | ||||
Retirement benefit assets
|
| | | | 19 | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 30 | | | | | ||||
Other receivables
|
| | | | 14 | | | | | | 50 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 64 | | | | | ||||
Derivative financial
instruments |
| | | | 10 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | ||||
Total Non-current assets
|
| | |
|
2,980
|
| | | |
|
2,804
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
2,914
|
| | | | | | |
|
8,698
|
| | | | ||||
Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
Other investments
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | ||||
Inventories
|
| | | | 136 | | | | | | 30 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 166 | | | | | ||||
Trade and other receivables
|
| | | | 527 | | | | | | 198 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 725 | | | | | ||||
Current tax assets
|
| | | | 9 | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 41 | | | | | ||||
Derivative financial
instruments |
| | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 668 | | | | | | 152 | | | | | | 1,110 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | (1,110) | | | |
4a(iii), 4c, 4h
|
| | | | 820 | | | | | ||||
Total Current assets
|
| | | | 1,344 | | | | | | 413 | | | | | | 1,110 | | | | | | | | | | | | (1,110) | | | | | | | | | 1,757 | | | | | ||||
Total Assets
|
| | |
|
4,324
|
| | | |
|
3,217
|
| | | |
|
1,110
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
1,804
|
| | | | | | |
|
10,455
|
| | | | | | | |
Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
Capital and reserves attributable
to the Company’s equity holders |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
Share capital
|
| | | | 19 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | |
4d
|
| | | | 32 | | | | | ||||
Share premium
|
| | | | 7 | | | | | | 1,780 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,413 | | | |
4d
|
| | | | 3,200 | | | | | ||||
Other reserves
|
| | | | (1,928) | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | |
4d
|
| | | | (1,928) | | | | | ||||
Treasury shares
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (714) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 714 | | | |
4d
|
| | | | — | | | | | ||||
Retained earnings
|
| | | | 3,167 | | | | | | 528 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | (613) | | | |
4d
|
| | | | 3,082 | | | | | ||||
Non-controlling interests
|
| | | | (1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | (1) | | | | | ||||
Total Equity
|
| | |
|
1,264
|
| | | |
|
1,579
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
1,542
|
| | | | | | |
|
4,385
|
| | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Rentokil
Initial Historical (IFRS) |
| |
Terminix
Adjusted (IFRS) |
| |
Adjustments
for Debt Refinancing |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Transaction
adjustments |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Pro forma
Combined company |
| ||||||||||||||||||
£m
|
| |
Note 1
|
| |
Note 2
|
| |
Note 3
|
| | | | | | | |
Note 4
|
| | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | 72 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 75 | | |
Bank and other long-term borrowings
|
| | | | 1,256 | | | | | | 571 | | | | | | 1,073 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | 70 | | | |
4b(iii)
|
| | | | 2,970 | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | 139 | | | | | | 127 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 266 | | |
Deferred tax liabilities
|
| | | | 108 | | | | | | 217 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 186 | | | |
4b(v)
|
| | | | 511 | | |
Retirement benefit obligations
|
| | | | 27 | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 38 | | |
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
| | | | 34 | | | | | | 302 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 336 | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| | | | 34 | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 49 | | |
Total Non-current liabilities
|
| | |
|
1,670
|
| | | |
|
1,246
|
| | | |
|
1,073
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
256
|
| | | | | | |
|
4,245
|
| |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | 764 | | | | | | 250 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 1,014 | | |
Current tax liabilities
|
| | | | 61 | | | | | | 8 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 69 | | |
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
| | | | 27 | | | | | | 85 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | |
4b(iv)
|
| | | | 118 | | |
Bank and other short-term borrowings
|
| | | | 459 | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | 37 | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 506 | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | 78 | | | | | | 39 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 117 | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 1 | | |
Total Current liabilities
|
| | |
|
1,390
|
| | | |
|
392
|
| | | |
|
37
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
6
|
| | | | | | |
|
1,825
|
| |
Total Liabilities
|
| | |
|
3,060
|
| | | |
|
1,638
|
| | | |
|
1,110
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
262
|
| | | | | | |
|
6,070
|
| |
Total Equity and Liabilities
|
| | |
|
4,324
|
| | | |
|
3,217
|
| | | |
|
1,110
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
1,804
|
| | | | | | |
|
10,455
|
| |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments
|
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Rentokil
Initial Historical (IFRS) |
| |
Terminix
Adjusted (IFRS) |
| |
Adjustments
for Debt Refinancing |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Transaction
adjustments |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Pro forma
combined company |
| | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
£m
|
| |
Note 1
|
| |
Note 2
|
| |
Note 3
|
| | | | | | | |
Note 4
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | | 2,957 | | | | | | 1,484 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 4,441 | | | | | ||||
Operating expenses
|
| | | | (2,610) | | | | | | (1,344) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | (129) | | | |
4b(i), 4c, 4g, 4h
|
| | | | (4,083) | | | | | | | ||
Operating profits
|
| | | | 347 | | | | | | 140 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | (129) | | | | | | | | | 358 | | | | | | | ||
Net gain on disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | ||||
Profit before interest and income tax
|
| | | | 347 | | | | | | 140 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | (129) | | | | | | | | | 358 | | | | | | | | |
Finance income
|
| | | | 4 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | ||||
Finance cost
|
| | | | (34) | | | | | | (41) | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | (91) | | | | | ||||
Share of profits from associates, net of tax
|
| | | | 8 | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 9 | | | | | ||||
Profit before income tax
|
| | | | 325 | | | | | | 101 | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | | | | | | | (129) | | | | | | | | | 281 | | | | | ||||
Income tax expense
|
| | | | (62) | | | | | | (33) | | | | | | 3 | | | |
3
|
| | | | 11 | | | |
4b(i), 4g, 4h
|
| | | | (81) | | | | | |||||||
Profit attributable to the Company’s
equity holders |
| | | | 263 | | | | | | 68 | | | | | | (13) | | | | | | | | | | | | (118) | | | | | | | | | 200 | | | | | ||||
Basic earnings per share attributable to the shareholders (pence/share) 4f
|
| | | | 14.16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7.99 | | | | | ||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic)
|
| | | | 1,858 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,503 | | | | | ||||
Diluted earnings per share attributable to the shareholders (pence/share) 4f
|
| | | | 14.10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7.96 | | | | | ||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted)
|
| | | | 1,866 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,514 | | | | |
|
Closing exchange rate as of December 31, 2021
|
| |
US$1 / £0.7409
|
|
|
Average exchange rate for the year ended December 31, 2021
|
| |
US$1 / £0.7259
|
|
As of December 31, 2021
|
| |
Terminix
(US GAAP) Note 2a |
| |
Reclassifications
Note 2b |
| |
IFRS
adjustments Note 2c |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Adjusted
Terminix (IFRS) |
| |
Adjusted
Terminix (IFRS)(i) |
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
US$m
|
| |
US$m
|
| |
US$m
|
| | | | |
US$m
|
| |
£m
|
| |||||||||||||||
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets
|
| | | | 1,097 | | | | | | 2,274 | | | | | | (45) | | | |
2c(v)
|
| | | | 3,326 | | | | | | 2,464 | | |
Goodwill
|
| | | | 2,211 | | | | | | (2,211) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 196 | | | | | | (137) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 59 | | | | | | 44 | | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets
|
| | | | 79 | | | | | | (79) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Notes receivable
|
| | | | 35 | | | | | | (35) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred customer acquisition costs
|
| | | | 98 | | | | | | (98) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Long-term marketable securities
|
| | | | 15 | | | | | | (15) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Restricted cash
|
| | | | 89 | | | | | | (89) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Other assets
|
| | | | 77 | | | | | | (77) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Right-of-use assets
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 197 | | | | | | (13) | | | |
2c(i)
|
| | | | 184 | | | | | | 136 | | |
Contract costs
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 98 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 98 | | | | | | 73 | | |
Investments in associated undertakings
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 35 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 35 | | | | | | 26 | | |
Retirement benefit assets
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | 11 | | |
Other receivables
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 77 | | | | | | (10) | | | |
2c(iii), 2c(iv)
|
| | | | 67 | | | | | | 50 | | |
| | | | | 3,897 | | | | | | (45) | | | | | | (68) | | | | | | | | | 3,784 | | | | | | 2,804 | | |
Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Inventories
|
| | | | 41 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 41 | | | | | | 30 | | |
Receivables, less allowance
|
| | | | 206 | | | | | | (206) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
| | | | 150 | | | | | | (150) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 116 | | | | | | 89 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 205 | | | | | | 152 | | |
Trade and other receivables
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 267 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 267 | | | | | | 198 | | |
Current tax assets
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 43 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 43 | | | | | | 32 | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | |
| | | | | 513 | | | | | | 45 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 558 | | | | | | 413 | | |
Total assets
|
| | |
|
4,410
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(68)
|
| | | | | | |
|
4,342
|
| | | |
|
3,217
|
| |
As of December 31, 2021
|
| |
Terminix
(US GAAP) Note 2a |
| |
Reclassifications
Note 2b |
| |
IFRS
adjustments Note 2c |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Adjusted
Terminix (IFRS) |
| |
Adjusted
Terminix (IFRS)(i) |
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
US$m
|
| |
US$m
|
| |
US$m
|
| | | | |
US$m
|
| |
£m
|
| |||||||||||||||
Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | (2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Additional paid-in capital
|
| | | | 2,391 | | | | | | (2,391) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Retained earnings
|
| | | | 967 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (255) | | | |
2c(i), 2c(ii), 2c(iii), 2c(iv), 2c(v)
|
| | | | 712 | | | | | | 528 | | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
| | | | (22) | | | | | | 22 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Common stock held in treasury
|
| | | | (964) | | | | | | 964 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Share capital
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | |
Share premium
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2,391 | | | | | | 12 | | | |
2c(ii)
|
| | | | 2,403 | | | | | | 1,780 | | |
Treasury shares
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (964) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | (964) | | | | | | (714) | | |
Other reserves
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (22) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | (22) | | | | | | (16) | | |
Total Equity
|
| | | | 2,374 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (243) | | | | | | | | | 2,131 | | | | | | 1,579 | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt
|
| | | | 849 | | | | | | (849) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Other long term liabilities:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred taxes
|
| | | | 387 | | | | | | (387) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Other long-term obligations, primarily self-insurance claims
|
| | | | 197 | | | | | | (197) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Long-term lease liability
|
| | | | 92 | | | | | | (92) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Other payables
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | 3 | | |
Bank and other long-term borrowings
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 766 | | | | | | 5 | | | |
2c(iv)
|
| | | | 771 | | | | | | 571 | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 174 | | | | | | (3) | | | |
2c(i)
|
| | | | 171 | | | | | | 127 | | |
Deferred tax liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 387 | | | | | | (94) | | | |
2c(i), 2c(ii), 2c(iii), 2c(iv), 2c(v), 2 c(vi)
|
| | | | 293 | | | | | | 217 | | |
Retirement benefit obligations
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | 11 | | |
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 149 | | | | | | 258 | | | |
2c(iii), 2c(vi)
|
| | | | 407 | | | | | | 302 | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | 15 | | |
| | | | | 1,525 | | | | | | (10) | | | | | | 166 | | | | | | | | | 1,681 | | | | | | 1,246 | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable
|
| | | | 85 | | | | | | (85) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Accrued liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payroll and related expenses
|
| | | | 81 | | | | | | (81) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Self-insurance claims and related expenses
|
| | | | 72 | | | | | | (72) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Accrued interest payable
|
| | | | 7 | | | | | | (7) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Other
|
| | | | 95 | | | | | | (95) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Deferred revenue
|
| | | | 103 | | | | | | (103) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Current portion of lease liability
|
| | | | 18 | | | | | | (18) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Current portion of long-term debt
|
| | | | 50 | | | | | | (50) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 338 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 338 | | | | | | 250 | | |
Current tax liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | 8 | | |
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 104 | | | | | | 11 | | | |
2c(vi)
|
| | | | 115 | | | | | | 85 | | |
Bank and other short-term borrowings
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 13 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 13 | | | | | | 10 | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 55 | | | | | | (2) | | | |
2c(i)
|
| | | | 53 | | | | | | 39 | | |
| | | |
|
511
|
| | | |
|
10
|
| | | |
|
9
|
| | | | | | |
|
530
|
| | | |
|
392
|
| |
Total liabilities
|
| | | | 2,036 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 175 | | | | | | | | | 2,211 | | | | | | 1,638 | | |
Total equity and liabilities
|
| | | | 4,410 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (68) | | | | | | | | | 4,342 | | | | | | 3,217 | | |
|
For the year ended December 31, 2021
|
| |
Terminix
(US GAAP) Note 2a |
| |
Reclassifications
Note 2b |
| |
IFRS
adjustments Note 2c |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Adjusted
Terminix (IFRS) |
| |
Adjusted
Terminix (IFRS)(i) |
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
US$m
|
| |
US$m
|
| |
US$m
|
| | | | |
US$m
|
| |
£m
|
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue | | | | | 2,045 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 2,045 | | | | | | 1,484 | | |
Cost of services rendered and products sold
|
| | | | (1,193) | | | | | | 1,193 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Selling and administrative expenses
|
| | | | (561) | | | | | | 561 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Amortization expense
|
| | | | (40) | | | | | | 40 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Acquisition-related costs
|
| | | | 1 | | | | | | (1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Mobile Bay Formosan termite settlement
|
| | | | (4) | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Termite damage claims reserve adjustment
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Fumigation related matters
|
| | | | (2) | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Realized (gain) loss on investment in frontdoor, inc
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Restructuring and other charges
|
| | | | (19) | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Goodwill impairment
|
| | | | (3) | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Operating expenses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (1,821) | | | | | | (30) | | | |
2c(i), 2c(ii), 2c(iii), 2c(iv), 2c(v), 2c(vi)
|
| | | | (1,851) | | | | | | (1,344) | | |
Operating profit
|
| | |
|
224
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(30)
|
| | | | | | |
|
194
|
| | | |
|
140
|
| |
Interest expense
|
| | | | (45) | | | | | | 45 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Interest and net investment income
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | (2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Finance income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | |
Finance cost
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (45) | | | | | | (12) | | | |
2c(i), 2c(iii)
|
| | | | (57) | | | | | | (41) | | |
Share of profit from associates, net of tax
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 1 | | |
Profit before income tax
|
| | |
|
181
|
| | | |
|
2
|
| | | |
|
(42)
|
| | | | | | |
|
141
|
| | | |
|
101
|
| |
Provision for income taxes
|
| | | | (57) | | | | | | 57 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Equity in earnings of joint ventures
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | (2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Income tax expense
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (57) | | | | | | 12 | | | |
2c(i), 2c(ii), 2c(iii), 2c(iv), 2c(v), 2c(vi)
|
| | | | (45) | | | | | | (33) | | |
Profit for the year from continuing operations
|
| | |
|
126
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(30)
|
| | | | | | |
|
96
|
| | | |
|
68
|
| |
| | |
Debt refinancing
adjustments US$m |
| |
Debt refinancing
adjustments £m |
| ||||||
Proceeds from Facility A
|
| | | | 1,678 | | | | | | 1,243 | | |
Proceeds from Facility B
|
| | | | 700 | | | | | | 519 | | |
Total sources of funding
|
| | | | 2,378 | | | | | | 1,762 | | |
Debt issuance costs
|
| | | | (6) | | | | | | (4) | | |
Total sources of funding, net of debt issuance costs
|
| | | | 2,372 | | | | | | 1,758 | | |
Repayment of outstanding Terminix term loan facility and notes, including
the early termination fee of US$95 million (£70 million) Note 4b(iii) |
| | | | (876) | | | | | | (649) | | |
Release of historical Terminix unamortized debt issuance costs
|
| | | | 1 | | | | | | 1 | | |
Net change in debt
|
| | | | 1,497 | | | | | | 1,110 | | |
Presented as: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion of debt adjustment
|
| | | | 50 | | | | | | 37 | | |
Non-current portion of debt adjustment
|
| | | | 1,447 | | | | | | 1,073 | | |
Undrawn facilities
|
| | | | 322 | | | | | | 239 | | |
| | |
Year ended December 31, 2021
|
| |||||||||||||||
£m
|
| |
Average
principal |
| |
Interest rate
|
| |
Interest
expense |
| |||||||||
Facility A
|
| | | | 1,243 | | | | | | 2.49 | | | | | | 31 | | |
Facility B
|
| | | | 519 | | | | | | 2.60 | | | | | | 13 | | |
Release of historical Terminix interest on term loan facility and notes
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (31) | | |
Debt issuance cost amortisation: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Facility A
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | |
Facility B
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | |
Release of historical Terminix unamortized debt issuance cost on term loan
facility and notes |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1) | | |
Total interest expense adjustment
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16(i) | | |
Allocation of preliminary purchase consideration
(in £ m): |
| |
Book value
|
| |
Fair value
adjustment |
| |
Notes
|
| |
Fair value
|
| ||||||||||||
Estimated fair value of assets acquired: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets, excluding goodwill
|
| | | | 826 | | | | | | 767 | | | | | | 4b(i) | | | | | | 1,593(i) | | |
Goodwill
|
| | | | 1,638 | | | | | | 2,116 | | | | | | 4b(ii) | | | | | | 3,754(ii) | | |
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 44 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 44 | | |
Right of use assets
|
| | | | 136 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 136 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | 152 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 152 | | |
Other assets
|
| | | | 385 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 385 | | |
Estimated fair values of liabilities assumed: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt
|
| | | | (748) | | | | | | (70) | | | | | | 4b(iii) | | | | | | (818)(iii) | | |
Provisions
|
| | | | (373) | | | | | | (6) | | | | | | 4b(iv) | | | | | | (379)(iv) | | |
Deferred tax liability
|
| | | | (217) | | | | | | (186) | | | | | | 4b(v) | | | | | | (403)(v) | | |
Other liabilities
|
| | | | (264) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | (264) | | |
Total allocation
|
| | |
|
1,579
|
| | | |
|
2,621
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
4,200
|
| |
| | |
Pro forma adjusted
carrying value |
| |
Weighted-average
estimated useful life |
| |
Annual amortization
|
| ||||||
| | |
(£m)
|
| |
(in years)
|
| |
(£m)
|
| ||||||
Fair value of intangible assets acquired:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer relationships
|
| | | | 344 | | | |
9
|
| | | | 38 | | |
Trade names
|
| | | | 1,235 | | | |
Not amortized
|
| | | | — | | |
Software
|
| | | | 14 | | | |
4
|
| | | | 4 | | |
Total fair value of intangible assets
acquired: |
| | | | 1,593 | | | |
Amortization expenses
|
| | | | 42 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Less historical amortization expense
|
| | | | (29) | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments to amortization expense
|
| | | | 13 | | |
| | |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(£ m)
|
| |
Eliminate
Terminix historical equity |
| |
Issuance
of Rentokil Initial Shares |
| |
Estimated
Transaction costs |
| |
Replacement
Awards |
| |
Terminix
Management Compensation |
| |
Total
Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Share capital
|
| | | | (1) | | | | | | 13 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 12 | | |
Share premium
|
| | | | (1,780) | | | | | | 3,193 | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,413 | | |
Other reserves
|
| | | | 16 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 16 | | |
Treasury shares
|
| | | | 714 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 714 | | |
Retained earnings
|
| | | | (528) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (57) | | | | | | (16) | | | | | | (12) | | | | | | (613) | | |
Non-controlling interests
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Total shareholders’ equity
|
| | |
|
(1,579)
|
| | | |
|
3,206
|
| | | |
|
(73)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(12)
|
| | | |
|
1,542
|
| |
| | |
For the year ended December 31, 2021
|
| |||||||||
| | |
Rentokil Initial
Historic |
| |
Unaudited Pro
Forma combined company |
| ||||||
Net income – attributable to shareholders, £m
|
| | | | 263 | | | | | | 200 | | |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic), million
|
| | | | 1,858 | | | | | | 2,503 | | |
Basic EPS, pence
|
| | |
|
14.16
|
| | | |
|
7.99
|
| |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted), million
|
| | | | 1,866 | | | | | | 2,514 | | |
Diluted EPS, pence
|
| | | | 14.10 | | | | | | 7.96 | | |
(in £ m)
|
| | | | | | |
Cash
|
| | | | 8 | | |
Equity
|
| | | | 13 | | |
Other benefits
|
| | | | 4 | | |
Total | | | | | 25 | | |
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Shares of
Terminix Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
| |
Percent of
Outstanding Shares of Terminix Common Stock |
| ||||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(1)
|
| | | | 13,390,372 | | | | | | 11.0 | | |
Janus Henderson Group plc(2)
|
| | | | 12,397,702 | | | | | | 10.2 | | |
Morgan Stanley(3)
|
| | | | 11,096,973 | | | | | | 9.1 | | |
The Vanguard Group(4)
|
| | | | 10,828,509 | | | | | | 8.9 | | |
Naren K. Gursahaney(5)(6)
|
| | | | 148,401 | | | | | | * | | |
Deborah H. Caplan(5)(6)
|
| | | | 14,255 | | | | | | * | | |
David J. Frear(5)(6)
|
| | | | 6,612 | | | | | | * | | |
Laurie Ann Goldman(5)(6)
|
| | | | 19,666 | | | | | | * | | |
Steven B. Hochhauser(5)(6)
|
| | | | 17,646 | | | | | | * | | |
Teresa M. Sebastian
|
| | | | 5,526 | | | | | | * | | |
Stephen J. Sedita(5)(6)
|
| | | | 30,176 | | | | | | * | | |
Chris S. Terrill
|
| | | | 5,526 | | | | | | * | | |
Brett T. Ponton(5)(7)
|
| | | | 34,371 | | | | | | * | | |
Robert J. Riesbeck
|
| | | | 16,290 | | | | | | * | | |
David M. Dart
|
| | | | 31,177 | | | | | | * | | |
Deidre Richardson
|
| | | | — | | | | | | | | |
Anthony D. DiLucente
|
| | | | — | | | | | | | | |
Dion Persson(5)(7)
|
| | | | 81,976 | | | | | | * | | |
Kim Scott
|
| | | | — | | | | | | | | |
All current directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)(7)
|
| | | | 329,646 | | | | | | * | | |
Name
|
| |
As of May 31, 2022
|
| |
Number of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares disclosed as
a percentage of issued share capital as of: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Number of
Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares |
| |
Percentage of
issued Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares |
| |
31 December
2019 |
| |
31 December
2020 |
| |
31 December
2021 |
| |||||||||||||||
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
|
| | | | 182,682,307 | | | | | | 9.99% | | | | | | 182,682,307 | | | | | | 182,682,307 | | | | | | 182,682,307 | | |
Majedie Asset Management Ltd
|
| | | | 101,963,126 | | | | | | 5.61% | | | | | | 101,963,126 | | | | | | 101,963,126 | | | | | | 101,963,126 | | |
T Rowe Price International Ltd
|
| | | | 91,554,981 | | | | | | 4.92% | | | | | | — | | | | | | 95,136,762 | | | | | | 95,136,762 | | |
BlackRock, Inc.
|
| | | | 93,128,464 | | | | | | 5.05% | | | | | | 93,128,464 | | | | | | 93,128,464 | | | | | | 93,128,464 | | |
Schroders plc
|
| | | | 89,878,920 | | | | | | 4.91% | | | | | | 89,878,920 | | | | | | 89,878,920 | | | | | | 89,878,920 | | |
Invesco Ltd
|
| | | | 89,477,118 | | | | | | 4.89% | | | | | | 89,477,118 | | | | | | 89,477,118 | | | | | | 89,477,118 | | |
AXA SA
|
| | | | 87,093,421 | | | | | | 4.80% | | | | | | 87,093,421 | | | | | | 87,093,421 | | | | | | 87,093,421 | | |
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
|
| | | | 82,615,045 | | | | | | 4.46% | | | | | | 93,388,121 | | | | | | 93,388,121 | | | | | | 82,615,045 | | |
Artemis Investment Management LLP
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 87,765,202 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | |
As of May 16, 2022
|
| |||||||||
Name
|
| |
Number of
Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares |
| |
Percentage of
issued Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares |
| ||||||
Columbia Threadneedle Investments (London)
|
| | | | 120,084,602 | | | | | | 6.44% | | |
Fidelity Investments (Boston)
|
| | | | 96,561,686 | | | | | | 5.18% | | |
T. Rowe Price (Baltimore)
|
| | | | 82,582,694 | | | | | | 4.43% | | |
BlackRock Investment Mgt – Index (London)
|
| | | | 66,745,060 | | | | | | 3.58% | | |
Vanguard Group (Philadelphia)
|
| | | | 65,339,917 | | | | | | 3.51% | | |
BlackRock Investment Mgt – Index (San Francisco)
|
| | | | 64,680,631 | | | | | | 3.47% | | |
Capital Research Global Investors (London)
|
| | | | 62,235,788 | | | | | | 3.34% | | |
Royal London Asset Mgt (CIS) (Manchester)
|
| | | | 57,378,094 | | | | | | 3.08% | | |
|
Persons depositing or withdrawing Rentokil Initial ordinary shares
or Rentokil Initial ADS Holders must pay: |
| |
For:
|
|
|
$5.00 (or less) per 100 Rentokil Initial ADSs (or portion of 100 Rentokil Initial ADSs)
|
| |
Issuance of Rentokil Initial ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of Rentokil Initial ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates
|
|
|
$0.05 (or less) per Rentokil Initial ADS
|
| |
Any cash distribution to Rentokil Initial ADS Holders
|
|
|
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been Rentokil Initial ordinary shares and the Rentokil Initial ordinary shares had been deposited for issuance of Rentokil Initial ADSs
|
| |
Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary bank to Rentokil Initial ADS Holders
|
|
|
$0.05 (or less) per Rentokil Initial ADS per calendar year
|
| |
Depositary services
|
|
|
Registration or transfer fees
|
| |
Transfer and registration of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares on its share register to or from the name of the depositary bank or its agent when you deposit or withdraw Rentokil Initial ordinary shares
|
|
|
Expenses of the depositary bank
|
| |
Cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars
|
|
|
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary bank or the custodian has to pay on any Rentokil Initial ADSs or Rentokil Initial ordinary shares underlying Rentokil Initial ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes
|
| |
As necessary
|
|
|
Any charges incurred by the depositary bank or its agents for servicing the deposited securities
|
| |
As necessary
|
|
|
Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
|
|
|
Authorized Capital
|
| |||
|
As of May 31, 2022, the allotted and fully paid share capital was 1,863,832,965 ordinary shares, each with a nominal value of £0.01. Of this number, 0 ordinary shares were registered as treasury shares.
All Rentokil Initial ordinary shares have equal voting rights and no right to a fixed income.
Rentokil Initial has no authorized share capital limit under its articles of association.
Rentokil Initial shareholder approval by ordinary resolution is required to:
i.
consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger nominal amount than its existing shares; and
ii.
sub-divide its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller nominal amount than its existing shares.
Under English law, an ordinary resolution means a resolution that is passed by a simple majority of shareholders or holders of a simple majority of the
|
| |
The aggregate number of shares of stock that Terminix has the authority to issue is 2,200,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
As of [ ], 2022, the record date for the Terminix meeting, Terminix had [ ] shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
The Terminix certificate of incorporation authorizes the Terminix board of directors, without stockholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The Terminix board of directors can, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of
|
|
|
Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
|
|
|
shares (depending on whether the vote is by a show of hands or by a poll) present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting.
The liability of the shareholders is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares held by them. All Rentokil Initial ordinary shares are, and all Rentokil Initial ordinary shares that will be issued in connection with the transaction will be, fully paid. Accordingly, no further contribution of capital may be required by Rentokil Initial from the holders of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares.
Rentokil Initial ordinary shares are currently listed on the premium listing segment of the FCA’s official list and listed on the LSE’s main market for listed securities, under the symbol of “RTO.”
Following completion of the transaction, Rentokil Initial ordinary shares will trade in the form of Rentokil Initial ADSs in the United States which will be listed on the NYSE and are expected to trade under the symbol “RTO.” It is a condition to completion of the transaction that the Rentokil Initial ADSs issued as the stock portion of the merger consideration be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
|
| | common stock. | |
|
Size, Classification and Term of Board of Directors
|
| |||
|
The Rentokil Initial articles of association provide that, unless Rentokil Initial shareholders determine otherwise by ordinary resolution, the number of directors (disregarding alternate directors) shall be not less than three.
The number of directors of the Rentokil Initial board of directors is currently set at eight.
The business of Rentokil Initial shall be managed by the directors who, subject to the provisions of the articles of association and to any directions given by Rentokil Initial shareholders by special resolution to take, or refrain from taking, specified action, may exercise all the powers of Rentokil Initial. Under English law, a special resolution means a resolution passed by a majority of not less than 75% of the shareholders or holders of 75% of the voting rights attaching to the shares (depending on whether the vote is by a show of hands or by a poll) present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. For a resolution to be regarded as a special resolution, the notice of the meeting must specify the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution.
The directors may delegate any of their powers or
|
| |
The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to certain rights granted to certain Terminix stockholders and rights that may be granted to any class or series of preferred stock, the number of directors constituting the Terminix board of directors is fixed, and may be altered from time to time, exclusively by resolution of the Terminix board of directors, but in no event may the number of directors of Terminix be less than one. The number of directors of the Terminix Board is currently set at nine.
The Terminix certificate of incorporation also provides that the Terminix board of directors is divided into three classes, each class consisting, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors on the Terminix board of directors. At each annual meeting of Terminix stockholders, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting are elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of Terminix stockholders, subject to certain rights granted to certain Terminix stockholders and rights that may be granted to any class or series of preferred stock.
|
|
|
Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
|
|
|
discretions to committees appointed by them and set the terms of reference for such committees.
The Rentokil Initial board of directors has established three principal board committees: audit committee, nomination committee and remuneration committee. The composition of the audit committee, nomination committee and remuneration committee is determined in line with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Notwithstanding the fact that there is no age limit requirement for directors to retire, at each Rentokil Initial annual general meeting, Rentokil Initial’s articles of association provide that all directors shall retire annually. In line with the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code, all of the directors wishing to continue serving, and considered eligible by the Rentokil Initial board of directors, offer themselves for re-election at every annual general meeting. Under the UK Corporate Governance Code, a majority of the board of directors (other than the Chair) are required to be independent.
Under English law, any agreement under which a director agrees to perform services (as a director or otherwise) for a company or its subsidiaries is defined as a service agreement. Service agreements with a guaranteed term of more than two years require prior approval by the shareholders by ordinary resolution at a general meeting. English law permits a company to provide for terms of different lengths for its directors.
|
| | | |
|
Nomination of Directors
|
| |||
| No person (other than a director retiring at the general meeting in question) shall be appointed or reappointed a director at any general meeting unless he or she is recommended by the board or notice of the intention to propose such person for appointment or reappointment executed by a shareholder qualified to vote on the appointment or reappointment is given to Rentokil Initial not less than seven nor more than 42 days before the date appointed for holding the meeting. | | | The Terminix bylaws provide that nominations of persons for election to the Terminix board of directors may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders, in accordance with certain notice provisions, by or at the direction of the Terminix board of directors or a committee thereof, or by any Terminix stockholder entitled to vote at the annual meeting and who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice of nomination is delivered to Terminix and at the date of the meeting. | |
|
Election of Directors
|
| |||
| Subject to the provisions of the Rentokil Initial articles of association in relation to the nomination of directors described above, Rentokil Initial shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, appoint a person who is willing to act as a director, and is permitted by law to do so, to be a director, either to | | | The Terminix bylaws provide that directors of Terminix are elected if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election; however, directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast in contested elections. | |
|
Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
|
|
|
fill a vacancy or as an additional director.
The directors may appoint a person who is willing to act as a director, and is permitted by law to do so, to be a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director, provided that the appointment does not cause the number of directors to exceed any number fixed as the maximum number of directors by ordinary resolution.
|
| | Any incumbent director who did not receive a majority of votes cast for his or her election in an uncontested election must promptly tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Terminix board of directors. The Chairman must inform the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of such tender of resignation, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must recommend to the Terminix board of directors whether to accept the tendered resignation or reject it or whether any other action should be taken. | |
|
Removal of Directors
|
| |||
|
Under the UK Companies Act 2006, Rentokil Initial shareholders may, by ordinary resolution (of which special notice has been given in accordance with the UK Companies Act 2006), remove any director from office (notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, but without prejudice to any claim that the director may have for the breach of such agreement) and appoint another person to fill the vacancy. In the absence of such appointment, the vacancy arising upon the removal of a director from office may be filled as a casual vacancy.
In addition to any power of removal under the UK Companies Act 2006, Rentokil Initial shareholders may, under the articles of association, by ordinary resolution (of which no special notice need be given), remove a director before the expiration of his or her period of office and, subject to the articles of association, may, by ordinary resolution, appoint another person who is willing to act as a director, and is permitted by law to do so, to be a director instead of him or her.
|
| | The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to certain rights granted to certain Terminix stockholders and rights that may be granted to any class or series of preferred stock, a director may be removed from office only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Terminix stock then entitled to vote in an election of directors. | |
|
Vacancies on the Board of Directors
|
| |||
| The directors or the shareholders, by ordinary resolution, may appoint a person who is willing to act as a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director. | | | The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to certain rights granted to certain Terminix stockholders and rights that may be granted to any class or series of preferred stock, and except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancy on the Terminix board of directors must be filled by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship will hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. | |
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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Voting
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A resolution put to the vote of a general meeting (other than a general meeting held partly by means of electronic facility) must be decided on a show of hands unless either the notice of the meeting specifies that a poll will be called on such resolution or a poll is (before the resolution is put to the vote on a show of hands or on the declaration of the result of a show of hands on that resolution) demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chair of the meeting, by five or more members having the right to vote on the resolution, by any holder(s) of not less than 10% of the total voting rights, or by any holder(s) of not less than 10% of the share capital of the class, who in each case is present in person or by proxy or corporate representative. A resolution put to the vote of a general meeting held partly by means of electronic facility must be decided on a poll unless the chair of the meeting determines that it shall be decided on a show of hands (subject to the above rights to call a poll).
On a show of hands, every shareholder who is present in person has one vote regardless of the number of shares held by such shareholder. Every proxy duly appointed by a shareholder entitled to vote on the resolution and present has one vote.
On a poll every shareholder present in person or by duly appointed proxy or corporate representative has one vote for every share held by the shareholder.
A shareholder, proxy or corporate representative entitled to more than one vote need not, if he or she votes, use all his or her votes or cast all the votes he or she uses the same way.
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Except as otherwise provided by the Terminix certificate of incorporation or applicable law, each holder of shares of Terminix common stock is entitled, with respect to each share of Terminix common stock held by such holder, to one vote in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Terminix common stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.
Except as otherwise provided in the Terminix certificate of incorporation or bylaws (such as with regards to the election of directors in a contested election, as described above under “Election of Directors”), generally all matters at any meeting at which a quorum is present will be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of Terminix common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter in question.
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Cumulative Voting
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| Rentokil Initial shareholders do not have the right to cumulative voting. | | | Terminix stockholders do not have the right to cumulative voting. | |
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Shareholder Action by Written Consent
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| Under English law, shareholders of a public company such as Rentokil Initial are not permitted to pass resolutions by written consent. All shareholder decisions must be taken at the general meeting. | | | The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of Terminix stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of the Terminix stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders. | |
| Amendment of the Articles of Association of Rentokil Initial and the Articles of Incorporation of Terminix | | |||
| Under English law, Rentokil Initial’s shareholders may, by special resolution alter, delete, substitute, | | | Generally, under the DGCL, any proposal to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision of the | |
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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amend or add to its articles of association. The Rentokil Initial board of directors is not authorized to change its articles of association.
If at any time the capital of Rentokil Initial is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may be varied, either while Rentokil Initial is a going concern or during or in contemplation of a winding up in such manner (if any) as may be provided by those rights. If there are no such provisions, the rights attaching to that class may be varied either with the consent in writing of the holders of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (not including any treasury shares), or with the approval of a special resolution by the Rentokil Initial shareholders, passed at a separate meeting of the holders of such shares, but not otherwise. The rights attached to any class of shares will not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue, be deemed to be varied by: (i) the creation or issue of further shares ranking equally with them, or (ii) the purchase or redemption by Rentokil Initial of any of its own shares.
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Terminix certificate of incorporation requires approval by the affirmative vote of a majority outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon.
However, the Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that any amendment to the provisions of the Terminix certificate of incorporation related to “Management of Corporation,” “Stockholder Action by Written Consent,” “Special Meetings,” “Business Opportunities,” “Section 203 of the DGCL,” “Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation,” “Amendment of the By-Laws” and “Exclusive Jurisdiction for Certain Actions,” in each case, must be approved at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Terminix common stock then entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders.
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Amendment of Bylaws
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| See “— Amendment of the Articles of Association of Rentokil Initial” above. | | |
The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that the Terminix board of directors may amend, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, the Terminix bylaws, without the vote of the Terminix stockholders.
The Terminix certificate of incorporation also provides that the Terminix stockholders may amend, alter or repeal the Terminix bylaws. Any such action will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Terminix common stock entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of Terminix stockholders.
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Meeting Notice
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| An annual general meeting and all other general meetings of Rentokil Initial must be called by at least 21 clear days’ written notice (the “clear days” rule is set out in section 360 of the UK Companies Act 2006 and excludes the day of the meeting and the day that the notice is given). In line with the UK Companies Act 2006, a special resolution enabling Rentokil Initial to hold general meetings (other than annual general meetings) on 14 clear days’ notice was approved at Rentokil Initial’s 2022 annual general meeting. | | |
The Terminix bylaws provide that notice of each annual and special meeting of Terminix stockholders will be given in writing, consistent with the requirements of the DGCL, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting to each Terminix stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.
The notice shall specify (i) the place, if any, date and time of such meeting, (ii) the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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| The notice shall specify the time, date and place of such general meeting, the means, or all different means, of attendance and participation (including, without limitation, any satellite meeting places and any electronic facilities the board has determined be used to enable attendance and participation) and the general nature of the business to be dealt with. | | | person and vote at such meeting, (iii) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called, and (iv) such other information as may be required by law or as may be deemed appropriate by the Chairman of the Terminix board of directors, the Terminix Secretary or the Terminix board of directors. | |
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Advance Notice
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In certain circumstances under the UK Companies Act 2006, Rentokil Initial shareholders may propose a resolution to be moved at the annual general meeting or require Rentokil Initial to circulate to all shareholders a statement of not more than 1,000 words in relation to a resolution or other matter to be dealt with at a general meeting.
The company is required to give notice of such resolution or circulate such statement once it has received requests to do so from:
i.
shareholders representing at least 5% of the total voting rights of all the members who have a relevant right to vote; or
ii.
at least 100 shareholders who have a relevant right to vote and hold shares in the company on which there has been paid up an average sum, per member, of at least £100.
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At an annual meeting of Terminix stockholders, for nominations of any individual for election to the Terminix board of directors or other business to be timely brought, a Terminix stockholder must deliver notice to the Terminix Secretary at the principal executive offices of Terminix not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, in the event the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 70 days from such anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by such Terminix stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.
At a special meeting of Terminix stockholders called for the purpose of electing one or more directors, any Terminix stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting may nominate a person or persons by delivering to the Terminix Secretary at the principal executive offices of Terminix not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Terminix board of directors to be elected at such meeting.
The announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting does not commence a new time period (and does not extend any time period) for the giving of notice of a stockholder nomination or a stockholder proposal as described above.
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Right to Call a Special Meeting of Shareholders
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| The directors may call general meetings. If there are not sufficient directors to form a quorum in order to | | | The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that, except as otherwise required by law and rights | |
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Terminix
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call a general meeting, any director may call a general meeting. If there is no director willing or able to do so, any two shareholders of Rentokil Initial may call a general meeting for the purpose of appointing one or more directors.
The directors are required to call a general meeting if requested by shareholders representing at least 5% of the paid-up capital of Rentokil Initial as carries the right of voting at general meetings (excluding any paid-up capital held as treasury shares). Such meeting must be called within 21 days from the date on which the directors become subject to the requirement, and held on a date not more than 28 days after the date of the notice calling the meeting.
The meeting may only deal with the business stated in the request by shareholders, or as proposed by the directors.
If the directors fail to call the general meeting requested by the shareholders, the shareholders who requested the meeting, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves call a general meeting. Such meeting must be called for a date not more than three months after the date on which the directors become subject to the requirement to call a meeting. Any reasonable expenses incurred by the shareholders requesting the meeting by reason of the failure of the directors duly to call a meeting must be reimbursed by the company.
No business other than the appointment of a chairman shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. Two persons entitled to vote upon the business to be transacted, each being a shareholder or a proxy for a shareholder or a duly authorized representative of a corporation which is a shareholder, shall be a quorum.
The directors may make arrangements for simultaneous attendance and participation by electronic means allowing persons not present together at the same place to attend, speak and vote at the meeting (including the use of satellite meeting places).
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| | that may be granted to any class or series of preferred stock, special meetings of the Terminix stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Terminix board of directors or pursuant to a resolution of the Terminix board of directors adopted by at least a majority of the directors then in office. | |
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Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses; Director Liability
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| Save as described below, under English law, any provision that purports to exempt a director of a company (to any extent) from any liability that would otherwise attach to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or | | | The Terminix bylaws provide that Terminix will indemnify, to the full extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding | |
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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breach of trust in relation to the company is void.
Subject to certain exceptions, English law does not permit Rentokil Initial to indemnify a director against any liability attaching to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to Rentokil Initial. The exceptions allow Rentokil Initial to: (1) purchase and maintain director and officer insurance insuring its directors or the directors of an “associated company” (i.e., a company that is a subsidiary of Rentokil Initial) against any liability attaching in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust owed to the company of which he or she is a director; (2) provide a qualifying third party indemnity provision which permits Rentokil Initial to indemnify its directors and directors of an associated company in respect of proceedings brought by third parties (covering both legal costs and the amount of any adverse judgment), except for (a) the legal costs of an unsuccessful defense of criminal proceedings or civil proceedings brought by the company or an associated company, or the legal costs incurred in connection with certain specified applications by the director for relief where the court refuses to grant the relief, (b) fines imposed in criminal proceedings, and (c) penalties imposed by regulatory bodies; (3) loan funds to a director to meet expenditure incurred defending civil and criminal proceedings against him or her (even if the action is brought by the company itself), or expenditure incurred applying for certain specified relief, subject to the requirement that the loan must be on terms that it is repaid if the defense or application for relief is unsuccessful; and (4) provide a qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision, which allows the company to indemnify a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme against liability incurred in connection with such director’s activities as a trustee of the scheme (subject to certain exceptions).
Under the Rentokil Initial articles of association, subject to the UK Companies Act 2006 (including as set out above), Rentokil Initial may do any or all of the following:
i.
indemnify every director or other officer of Rentokil Initial (other than any person (whether an officer or not) engaged by the Company as auditor) out of the assets of Rentokil Initial against any liability incurred by such director or other officer for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs
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(i) by reason of the fact that (x) such person is or was serving or has agreed to serve as a Terminix director or officer, or (y) such person, while serving as a Terminix director or officer, is or was serving or has agreed to serve, in each case, at the request of Terminix as a director, officer, employee, manager or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or (z) such person is or was serving or has agreed to serve, in each case, at the request of Terminix as a director, officer or manager of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (ii) by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by such person in such capacity, and who satisfies the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or other applicable law.
Terminix will indemnify such individuals (i) in a proceeding (other than a proceeding by or in the right of Terminix) against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in connection with such proceeding and any appeal therefrom or (ii) in a proceeding by or in the right of Terminix to procure a judgment in its favor, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding and any appeal therefrom.
The Terminix bylaws also provide that Terminix will advance all expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by a present or former director or officer in defending any proceeding prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon written request of such person and delivery of an undertaking by such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by Terminix.
The Terminix certificate of incorporation provides that no Terminix director will be liable to Terminix or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director. But Terminix directors may face liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Terminix or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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of Rentokil Initial; and
ii.
purchase and maintain insurance for any person who is or was (i) a director, officer, or employee of Rentokil Initial, or anybody which is or was the holding company or subsidiary undertaking of Rentokil Initial, or in which Rentokil Initial or such holding company or subsidiary undertaking has or had any interest (whether direct or indirect) or with which Rentokil Initial or such holding company or subsidiary undertaking is or was in any way allied or associated or (ii) a trustee of any pension fund in which employees of the Rentokil Initial or any other company referred to above are or have been interested, including, without limitation, insurance against any liability incurred by such person in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution or discharge of that person’s duties or in the exercise or purported exercise of that person’s powers or otherwise in relation to that person’s duties, powers or offices in relation to the relevant body or fund.
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Appraisal and Dissenters Rights
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English law does not generally provide for appraisal rights.
However, in the event of a compulsory acquisition or “squeeze out,” under the UK Companies Act 2006, where (a) a “takeover offer” is made for the shares of a company incorporated in the UK, and (b) the offeror has acquired or unconditionally contracted to acquire at least 90% in value of the shares of any class to which the offer relates representing at least 90% of the voting rights carried by those shares, the offeror may, within three months beginning on the day after the last day on which the offer could be accepted, require shareholders who did not accept the offer to transfer their shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. A dissenting shareholder may object to the transfer or its proposed terms by applying to the court within six weeks of the date on which notice of the required transfer was given by the offeror.
The court may, on receiving such an application, order (a) that the offeror is not entitled and bound to acquire the shares to which the notice relates or (b) that the terms on which the offeror is entitled and bound to acquire the shares shall be such as the court thinks fit.
A minority shareholder is entitled, in circumstances
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Under the DGCL, a stockholder may dissent from, and receive payments in cash for, the fair value of his or her shares as appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery in the event of certain mergers and consolidations. However, stockholders do not have appraisal rights if the shares of stock they hold, at the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting of stockholders to act upon the merger or consolidation, or on the record date with respect to action by written consent, are either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. Further, no appraisal rights are available to stockholders of the surviving corporation if the merger did not require the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, appraisal rights are available if stockholders are required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares anything other than (a) shares of stock of the surviving corporation, (b) shares of stock of another corporation that will either be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders, (c) cash instead of fractional shares or (d) any combination of clauses (a) – (c). Appraisal rights are also available under the DGCL in certain other circumstances, including
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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| similar to the “squeeze out” described above, to require the offeror to acquire his or her shares on the same terms as those contained in the original offer. The period within which the offeree shareholder must exercise his or her rights is the later of: (a) three months from the close of the offer and (b) three months from when the bidder gives the shareholder notice of his or her rights. | | |
in certain parent-subsidiary corporation mergers and in certain circumstances where the certificate of incorporation so provides.
The Terminix certificate of incorporation does not provide for appraisal rights in any additional circumstance.
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Dividends and Repurchases
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Pursuant to the Rentokil Initial articles of association, the shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends but may not declare dividends in excess of the amount recommended by the directors. The directors may also pay interim dividends if it appears that such dividends are justified by the profits available for distribution. No dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profits available for distribution as specified under the provisions of the UK Companies Act 2006.
The directors may, if authorized by ordinary resolution, offer Rentokil Initial shareholders the right to elect to receive, in lieu of a dividend, an allotment of new ordinary shares, credited as fully paid.
The directors may, if authorized by ordinary resolution, determine that an interim dividend shall be wholly or partly satisfied by the distribution of assets.
Once approved by Rentokil Initial shareholders by ordinary resolution and subject to certain procedural requirements of the UK Companies Act 2006, Rentokil Initial may repurchase its own shares. Shareholders may approve two different types of such share purchases: on-market purchases or off-market purchases. A purchase is an on-market purchase if it is made on a recognized investment exchange and is not an off-market purchase. A purchase is off-market if the shares are not purchased on a recognized investment exchange or are purchased on a recognized investment exchange but are not subject to a marketing arrangement on that exchange.
A resolution passed at Rentokil Initial’s 2022 annual general meeting provides the directors with authority to purchase up to 10% of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares in issue (excluding any treasury shares) as of March 23, 2022, such authority expiring on the earlier of the conclusion of Rentokil Initial’s 2023 annual general meeting or August 11, 2023.
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Distributions/Dividends
Under the DGCL, Terminix stockholders are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by the Terminix board of directors. The Terminix board of directors may declare and pay a dividend to Terminix stockholders out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the year in which the dividend is declared or the immediately preceding fiscal year, or both, provided that such payment would not reduce capital below the amount of capital represented by all classes of outstanding stock having a preference as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation. A dividend may be paid in cash, in shares of common stock or in other property.
Repurchases/Redemptions
Under the DGCL, Terminix may redeem or repurchase shares of its own common stock, except that generally it may not redeem or repurchase those shares if the capital of Terminix is impaired at the time or would become impaired as a result of the redemption or repurchase of such shares. If Terminix were to designate and issue shares of a series of preferred stock that is redeemable in accordance with its terms, such terms would govern the redemption of such shares. Repurchased and redeemed shares may be retired or held as treasury shares. Shares that have been repurchased but have not been retired may be resold by Terminix for such consideration as the Terminix board of directors may determine in its discretion.
Purchases by Subsidiaries of Terminix
Under the DGCL, Terminix common stock may be acquired by subsidiaries of Terminix without stockholder approval. Shares of such common stock owned by a majority-owned subsidiary are neither entitled to vote nor counted as outstanding for quorum purposes.
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Terminix
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Rentokil Initial can redeem or repurchase shares only if (1) the shares are fully paid and (2) payment for the redemption or repurchase is made out of (a) distributable profits or (b) the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of the repurchase or redemption.
If Rentokil Initial is wound up, the liquidator may, with the approval of shareholders by a special resolution and any other approvals required by law, divide among the shareholders in specie the whole or any part of the assets of Rentokil Initial and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, with such approvals, vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as he or she may with the like sanction determine, but no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any assets upon which there is a liability.
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Required Shareholder Votes for Certain Transactions
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The following matters, among others, require shareholder approval and, for a UK listed company, therefore have to be exclusively approved at a general meeting:
i.
Matters requiring special resolution:
(a)
amendments to the articles of association;
(b)
change to the company’s name;
(c)
reduction of the notice required for a general meeting (other than an annual general meeting) from 21 days to 14 days;
(d)
reductions of capital; and
(e)
disapplication (or renewal of disapplication) of preemption rights where directors are acting under a general authority to allot.
ii.
Matters requiring ordinary resolution:
(a)
removal of directors;
(b)
approval of directors’ long-term service contracts;
(c)
approvals of loans, quasi loans, credit transactions, substantial property transactions, etc., with directors, and persons connected with directors;
(d)
approval of directors’ remuneration report and policy;
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Terminix
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(e)
authorization of political donations or expenditure;
(f)
appointment and removal of auditors;
(g)
fixing remuneration of auditors;
(h)
authority to directors to allot shares;
(i)
authority to directors to determine the terms, conditions and manner of redemption of shares; and
(j)
authority to directors to make market purchase of shares.
Certain of the matters requiring ordinary and special resolutions listed above are proposed and voted on annually by shareholders at Rentokil Initial’s annual general meeting.
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State Antitakeover Statutes and Certain Articles of Incorporation Provisions
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Under English law, Rentokil Initial’s directors have a fiduciary duty to take only those actions that are in the interests of the company as a whole. Generally, anti-takeover measures are not actions that fall within this category.
Rentokil Initial is subject to the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, which governs the conduct of mergers and takeovers in the UK. Any takeover of Rentokil Initial would have to be in accordance with this Code.
There are no provisions in the Rentokil Initial articles of association that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover by, or change of control of, Rentokil Initial.
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| | Terminix is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with any interested stockholder for a three-year period following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the board of directors approves the business combination or the transaction by which such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, in either case, before the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder acquires 85% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock in the transaction by which such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, or the business combination is subsequently approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. | |
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Preemptive Rights
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English law provides for statutory preemption rights that apply on an allotment of equity securities. Such rights can be disapplied by a special resolution passed by shareholders at a general meeting.
On May 11, 2022 at the annual general meeting of Rentokil Initial:
1. in line with the Investment Association guideline limits, an ordinary resolution was passed granting directors the authority to allot shares in the capital of Rentokil Initial up to a maximum
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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nominal amount of: (1) £6,212,000 representing approximately one-third of Rentokil Initial’s issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) as of March 23, 2022; and (2) a further amount of £6,212,000, representing approximately one-third of Rentokil Initial’s issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) as of March 23, 2022, pursuant to a rights issue only; and
2. two special resolutions were passed granting directors the authority to allot shares for cash on a non-preemptive basis otherwise than in connection with an offer to existing shareholders up to a maximum nominal value of £931,000 representing approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of Rentokil Initial (excluding treasury shares) as of March 23, 2022, and up to a further maximum nominal value of £931,000 representing approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of Rentokil Initial (excluding treasury shares) as of March 23, 2022 for the purposes of financing an acquisition (or refinancing, if the authority is to be used within six months after the original transaction) or capital investment.
This allotment authority expires on the earlier of (1) the 2023 annual general meeting of Rentokil Initial; and (2) August 11, 2023.
The Rentokil Initial directors have confirmed their intention to follow the provisions of the Pre-Emption Group’s Statement of Principles (the “Principles”) regarding cumulative usage of authorities within a rolling three-year period. The Principles provide that companies should not issue shares for cash representing more than 7.5% of a company’s issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) in any rolling three-year period, other than to existing shareholders, without prior consultation with shareholders.
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Fiduciary Duties
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Under English law, Rentokil Initial’s directors have a statutory and fiduciary duty to take only those actions that are in the interests of the company as a whole. See also “— Conflicts of Interest” below.
Pursuant to the UK Companies Act 2006, directors must:
i.
act in a way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its shareholders as a whole;
ii.
act in accordance with the company’s
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| | Under Delaware law, the directors of Terminix owe a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that directors act on an informed basis after due consideration of the relevant materials and appropriate deliberation. The duty of care also requires that directors exercise care in overseeing and investigating the conduct of corporate employees. The duty of loyalty requires directors to act in what they reasonably believe to be the best interests of the company and its stockholders without any conflict of interest. A party challenging the propriety of a decision of a board of directors | |
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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constitution and exercise powers only for the purposes for which they are conferred;
iii.
exercise independent judgment;
iv.
exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence;
v.
avoid conflicts of interest;
vi.
not accept benefits from third parties; and
vii.
declare an interest in a proposed transaction with the company.
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| |
typically bears the burden of rebutting the applicability of the “business judgment rule” presumption, which presumes that directors acted in accordance with the duties of care and loyalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Delaware courts may subject directors’ conduct to enhanced scrutiny of, among other matters, defensive actions taken in response to a threat to corporate control and approval of a transaction resulting in a sale of control of the corporation.
Under Delaware law, a member of the board of directors, or a member of any committee designated by the board of directors, is, in the performance of such member’s duties, fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the corporation by any of the corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the board of directors, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the corporation.
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Exclusive Forum
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| |||
| Rentokil Initial’s articles of association do not stipulate an exclusive forum for a derivative action brought by a Rentokil Initial shareholder pursuant to the UK Companies Act 2006. However, the Companies Act 2006 requires that a shareholder of a company who brings a derivative claim or seeks to continue a claim as a derivative claim must apply to the courts of England and Wales for permission to continue the claim. | | | The Terminix certification of incorporation provides that, unless Terminix consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Delaware Court of Chancery is, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Terminix, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of Terminix to Terminix or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Terminix certification of incorporation or bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. | |
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Conflicts of Interest
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Under English law, a director is under a duty to avoid a situation in which he or she has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the interests of the company and is obliged to declare his or her interest in a proposed or ongoing transaction to the other directors. It is an offense to fail to declare an interest.
A director shall not vote at a meeting of the directors on any resolution concerning a matter in
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| | Under Delaware law, a contract or transaction in which a director has an interest will not be voidable solely for this reason if (i) the material facts about such interested director’s interest are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or an informed and properly functioning independent committee thereof, and a majority of disinterested directors or such committee in good faith authorizes the transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, (ii) the material facts | |
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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which he or she has, directly or indirectly, an interest which could reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest (other than an interest in shares, debentures or other securities of, or otherwise in or through, Rentokil Initial) unless his or her interest arises only because the case falls within one or more of the exceptions listed in the articles of association.
The duty to avoid a conflict of interest is not infringed if the situation cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest or if the matter has been authorized by the directors in accordance with the articles of association.
Provided that the director has declared his or her interest to the other directors, a director notwithstanding his or her office may, generally (i) be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the company or in which the company is directly or indirectly interested; or (ii) be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise be interested in, any body corporate in which the company is directly or indirectly interested or with which the director has such a relationship at the request or direction of the company.
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about such interested director’s relationship or interest are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote on such transaction, and the transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote thereon or (iii) the transaction is fair to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified. The mere fact that an interested director is present and voting on a transaction in which he or she is interested will not itself make the transaction void. Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee that authorizes the contract or transaction.
Under Delaware law, an interested director could be held liable for a transaction in which such director derived an improper personal benefit.
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Non-Competition Provisions
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| |||
| The Rentokil Initial articles of association do not contain any non-competition provisions. | | | The Terminix certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not contain any non-competitive provisions. | |
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Rights of Inspections
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Under English law, a company must retain and keep available for inspection by shareholders free of charge, and by any other person on payment of a prescribed fee, its register of shareholders. It must also keep available for inspection by shareholders free of charge records of all resolutions and meetings by shareholders and, for a fee, provide copies of the minutes to shareholders who request them. Shareholders may also inspect the service contracts of directors at Rentokil Initial’s registered offices during business hours.
In each case, the records of all resolutions and meetings by shareholders should be kept for at least ten years. These records may be kept in electronic form, as long as they are capable of being produced in hard copy form.
The Rentokil Initial articles of association provide
|
| | Under Section 220 of the DGCL, a stockholder or its agent has a right to inspect Terminix’s stock ledger, a list of all of its stockholders and its other books and records during the usual hours of business upon written demand stating his purpose (which must be reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder). If Terminix refuses to permit such inspection or refuses to reply to the request within five business days of the demand, the stockholder may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for an order to compel such inspection. | |
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Rentokil Initial
|
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Terminix
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| that no shareholder of Rentokil Initial or other person shall have any right to inspect any accounting or other book or document of the company except as conferred by statute or ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or authorized by the directors or shareholders. | | | | |
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Shareholder Suits
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The UK Companies Act 2006 provides limited circumstances in which a shareholder of a company may bring a derivative claim on behalf of the company. Such a claim may only be brought in respect of a cause of action arising from an actual or proposed act or omission involving negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by a director of the company. It is immaterial whether the cause of action arose before or after the person seeking to bring the claim became a shareholder of the company. A person seeking to bring a derivative claim must obtain the permission of the courts of England and Wales to continue that claim after issue.
The courts of England and Wales must refuse the claim if the action would not promote the success of the company, or the company authorized the director’s action or omission before it occurred, or has since ratified the action or omission (in both cases provided the act is capable of authorization or ratification). If there is no absolute bar to continuing the claim, the courts of England and Wales must consider the following (non-exhaustive) factors: (a) whether the shareholder is acting in good faith, (b) the importance that a person acting in accordance with the duty to promote the success of the company would accord to the proposed claim, (c) whether a proposed or past act or omission would be likely to be authorized or ratified, (d) whether the company has decided not to pursue the claim, (e) whether the shareholder has a cause of action that he or she may pursue in his or her own right rather than on behalf of the company and (f) the views of the shareholders of the company who have no personal direct or indirect interest in the matter.
The UK Companies Act 2006 also permits a shareholder to apply to the courts of England and Wales for relief on the grounds that: (1) the company’s affairs are being or have been conducted in a manner unfairly prejudicial to the interests of all or some shareholders, including the shareholder making the claim or (2) any act or omission of the company is or would be so prejudicial.
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| | Generally, Terminix is subject to potential liability under the federal securities laws and under Delaware law. Under the DGCL, a stockholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the corporation to enforce the rights of the corporation. Generally, a person may institute and maintain such a suit only if such person was a stockholder at the time of the transaction that is the subject of the suit or his or her shares thereafter devolved upon him or her by operation of law. The DGCL also requires that the derivative plaintiff make a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the corporate claim before the suit may be prosecuted by the derivative plaintiff, unless such demand would be futile. In certain circumstances, class action lawsuits are available to stockholders. | |
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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| The UK Limitation Act 1980 imposes a limitation period, with certain exceptions, of civil claims. The period is six years in respect of actions in contract and tort, and twelve years for breach of any obligation contained in a deed. The period starts to run on the date that the action accrued. In the case of contract, this is the date on which the breach occurred, and in tort this is the date on which the damage occurred. | | | | |
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Disclosure Interest in Shares
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There are no provisions in the Rentokil Initial articles of association whereby persons acquiring, holding or disposing of a certain percentage of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares are required to make disclosure of their ownership percentage, although there are such requirements under statute and regulation.
The basic disclosure requirement under Rule 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and the Transparency Rules made by the FCA under Part VI of FSMA imposes a statutory obligation on a person to notify Rentokil Initial and the Financial Conduct Authority of the percentage of the voting rights in Rentokil Initial he or she holds or is deemed to hold, through his or her direct or indirect holding of certain financial instruments, if the percentage of those voting rights:
i.
reaches, exceeds or falls below 3% and/or any subsequent whole percentage figure as a result of an acquisition or disposal of shares or financial instruments; or
ii.
reaches, exceeds or falls below any such threshold as a result of any change in the number of voting rights attached to shares in Rentokil Initial.
The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules set out in detail the circumstances in which an obligation of disclosure will arise, as well as certain exemptions from those obligations for specified persons.
Under Section 793 of the Companies Act 2006, Rentokil Initial may, by notice in writing, require a person that Rentokil Initial knows or has reasonable cause to believe has or had during the three years preceding the date of notice an interest in Rentokil Initial ordinary shares, to indicate whether or not that is the case and, if that person does or did hold an interest in Rentokil Initial ordinary shares, to provide certain information as set out in that Act.
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Neither the DGCL nor the Terminix certificate of incorporation or bylaws impose an obligation with respect to disclosure by stockholders of their interests in Terminix common stock, except as part of a stockholder’s nomination of director or stockholder proposals to be made at an annual meeting.
Under the U.S. Exchange Act, all beneficial owners of holders of 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of Terminix’s capital stock must report their holdings to the SEC on “Schedule 13G” if the holdings are passive and held not with an intent to acquire control and on “Schedule 13D” if the holdings are non-passive and held with an intent to acquire control.
Terminix is required by the rules of the SEC to disclose in the proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders the identity and number of shares of Terminix voting securities beneficially owned by:
•
each of its directors;
•
its principal executive officer;
•
its principal financial officer;
•
each of its three most highly compensated executive officers other than its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer;
•
all of its directors and executive officers as a group; and
•
any beneficial owner of 5% or more of Terminix voting securities of which Terminix is aware.
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Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
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Under the FCA’s Listing Rules, Rentokil Initial is required to disclose in its annual report the interests of each of its directors and their connected persons. The Market Abuse Regulation imposes an obligation of disclosure on “persons discharging managerial responsibility” (including directors) and their “closely associated” persons (in each case, as defined therein) to notify Rentokil Initial and the Financial Conduct Authority of every transaction relating to the shares or debt instruments of Rentokil Initial.
The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers also imposes strict disclosure requirements with regard to dealings in the securities of an offeror or offeree company on all parties to a takeover and also on their respective associates during the course of an offer period.
The Market Abuse Regulation prohibits any person from dealing in shares when in possession of inside information. The Market Abuse Regulation also prohibits directors and other persons discharging management responsibilities from dealing in Rentokil Initial securities during the 30-day period before the announcement of interim or annual financial results.
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Related Party Transactions
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| |||
|
Under the FCA’s Listing Rules, the definition of a related party includes substantial shareholders (i.e., any person who is entitled to exercise, or to control the exercise of, 10% or more of the votes able to be cast at general meetings of Rentokil Initial), directors and certain former directors, anyone who “exercises significant influence over the company” or any associate of a related party.
Certain tests (“class tests”) are used to assess the impact of the related party transaction on the listed company.
Rentokil Initial’s reporting obligations would be dependent on the outcome of the class tests. Depending on the size of the transaction, no action may be required; Rentokil Initial may have to obtain confirmation from a sponsor that the terms of the proposed transaction are fair and reasonable and announce details relating to the transaction as soon as possible; or Rentokil Initial may need to obtain shareholder approval at a general meeting prior to entering into the transaction.
Further, under the UK Companies Act 2006, certain transactions between a director (or a person
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| |
The Terminix board of directors has approved written policies and procedures with respect to the review and approval of certain transactions between Terminix and a “Related Person,” or a “Related Person Transaction” (the “Related Person Transaction Policy”). Pursuant to the terms of the Related Person Transaction Policy, the Terminix board of directors must review and decide whether to approve or ratify any Related Person Transaction. Any Related Person Transaction is required to be reported to the Terminix legal department, and the legal department will then determine whether it should be submitted to the Terminix Audit Committee for consideration.
For the purposes of the Related Person Transaction Policy, a “Related Person Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which Terminix (including any of our subsidiaries) were, are or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest.
A “Related Person,” as defined in the Related
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|
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Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
|
|
| connected with a director) and a related company of which he or she is a director are prohibited unless approved by the shareholders, such as loans, credit transactions and substantial property transactions. | | |
Person Transaction Policy, means any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of Terminix’s last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer of Terminix or a nominee to become a director of Terminix; any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Terminix common stock; any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, including any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or teammate) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner; and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a general partner or, for other ownership interests, a limited partner or other owner in which such person has a beneficial ownership interest of ten percent or more.
Terminix is required to disclose certain information regarding Related Person Transactions in accordance with SEC rules.
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Annual and Periodic Reporting Requirements
|
| |||
|
Rentokil Initial is required to meet continuing obligations under UK law, including making notifications and announcements with respect to:
i.
Financial reporting — Rentokil Initial must publish an annual report as soon as possible and in any event within four months after the end of each financial year. The annual report must include consolidated audited accounts, a management report and a responsibility statement. It must also contain (1) a statement describing how the directors have had regard to certain matters set out in section 172 of the UK Companies Act 2006 concerning the duties of a director to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members, (2) a going concern statement (as to whether the board considers it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting) and (3) a viability statement (on the board’s broader assessment of Rentokil Initial’s ongoing, long-term viability). Rentokil Initial must also publish a half-yearly report as soon as possible and in any event no later than three months after the end of the period to which it relates;
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| |
As a U.S. public company and a large accelerated filer under SEC rules, Terminix must file with the SEC, among other reports and notices:
•
an Annual Report on Form 10-K within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year; and
•
a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q within 40 days after the end of each fiscal quarter.
These reports are Terminix’s principal disclosure documents, and in addition to financial statements, these reports include details of Terminix’s business, its capitalization and recent transactions; management’s discussion and analysis of Terminix’s financial condition and operating results; and officer certifications regarding disclosure controls and procedures, among other matters. In addition, Terminix must file with the SEC:
•
a proxy statement in connection with the annual shareholders meeting containing information regarding Terminix’s executive compensation and the holdings of Terminix securities by Terminix’s directors, executive officers, and greater than 5% shareholders; and
•
Current Reports on Form 8-K within four business days of the occurrence of specified or
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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ii.
Inside Information — Rentokil Initial must publicly disclose, as soon as possible (except in limited circumstances), via a regulated information service, referred to as an “RIS,” information of a precise nature which is not generally available, which relates, directly or indirectly, to Rentokil Initial and which would, if generally available, be likely to have a significant effect on the price of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares;
iii.
Disclosure of Interests — any person (including directors) in their capacity as holders of securities in, or relating to, Rentokil Initial, is required to disclose details of their holdings of shares and financial instruments in the company, where those holdings reach, exceed or fall below 3% and any subsequent whole percentage figure of the voting share capital (subject to certain exceptions). Rentokil Initial must then announce this via an RIS;
iv.
Changes to the Rentokil Initial board of directors — Rentokil Initial must disclose as soon as possible via an RIS after it has made any decision about the appointment of a new director; the resignation, removal or retirement of a director; or any important change in the functions or executive responsibilities of a director;
v.
Repurchase of shares — any decision by the Rentokil Initial board of directors to submit to shareholders a proposal for Rentokil Initial to be authorized to purchase its own equity shares, other than the renewal of an existing authority, must be disclosed via an RIS immediately;
vi.
Directors’ dealings — Rentokil Initial must notify an RIS of any information notified to it by directors, other persons discharging management responsibilities, and persons closely associated with them, of the occurrence of all transactions conducted on their own account in the shares of the company, or derivatives or any other financial instruments linked to them;
vii.
Disclosure of regulated information — Rentokil Initial must disseminate all regulated information (that is information to which the FCA’s Listing Rules or Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules apply) in unedited, full text through an RIS;
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| |
other important corporate events.
The corporate events required to be disclosed on Form 8-K include, among other things:
•
entry into a material agreement;
•
unregistered sales of equity securities;
•
changes in control;
•
changes in the composition of the board of directors or executive officers; and
•
amendments to articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Further, Terminix’s officers, directors and 10% shareholders are subject to the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act and the rules thereunder with respect to their purchases and sales of Terminix common stock.
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Rentokil Initial
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Terminix
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viii.
Significant transactions — significant acquisitions and disposals by Rentokil Initial or one of its subsidiaries must be publicly disclosed;
ix.
Transactions with related parties — where any transaction or arrangement over a certain size is proposed between a listed company (or any of its subsidiary undertakings) and a related party, an RIS announcement, a shareholder circular and the prior approval of the company in general meeting will generally be required. A “related party” to the company includes significant shareholders, directors and former directors, anyone who “exercises significant influence over the company” or any associate of a related party; and
x.
Corporate Governance — Rentokil Initial is required to make a statement in its annual report regarding its compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Following listing of the Rentokil Initial ADSs on the NYSE, Rentokil Initial will also be subject to certain periodic reporting requirements under U.S. securities laws.
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Proxy Statements and Reports
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On a poll, every proxy appointed by a shareholder and present at a general meeting has one vote for every share of which he or she is the holder or in respect or which his or her appointment as proxy or corporate representative has been made. On a show of hands, every proxy appointed by a shareholder and present at a general meeting has one vote.
Under English law, there is no separate regulatory regime for the solicitation of proxies.
Following listing of the Rentokil Initial ADSs on the NYSE, Rentokil Initial will also be subject to certain period reporting requirements under U.S. securities laws. Specifically, Rentokil Initial will be required to publicly file with the SEC an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of the financial year covered by the report. As a foreign private issuer, Rentokil Initial will also be required to publicly furnish to the SEC current reports on Form 6-K promptly after the occurrence of specified significant events, including material information that it makes or is required to make public pursuant to English law, files or is required to file with any stock exchange on which Rentokil
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| | Under the U.S. Exchange Act proxy rules, Terminix must comply with notice and disclosure requirements relating to the solicitation of proxies for stockholder meetings. | |
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Rentokil Initial
|
| |
Terminix
|
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| Initial ordinary shares trade and which was made public by that exchange, or is otherwise distributed or required to be distributed to shareholders of Rentokil Initial. | | | | |
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Board Remuneration
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Until otherwise determined by Rentokil Initial shareholders by ordinary resolution, there shall be paid to the directors who do not hold executive office (other than alternate directors) such fees for their services in the office of director as the directors may determine (not exceeding in the aggregate an annual sum of £1 million or such larger amount as Rentokil Initial shareholders may by ordinary resolution decide) divided between the directors as they may determine. The remuneration of the executive directors is determined by the Remuneration Committee, which comprises independent Non-Executive Directors.
The directors may also be paid all travelling, hotel, and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of the directors or of committees of the directors or general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of any class of shares or of debentures of Rentokil Initial.
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| |
Members of the Terminix board of directors who are not employed by Terminix are entitled to receive an annual retainer of $220,000, of which $90,000 is payable in cash and the other $130,000 payable in Terminix common stock. The equity awards consist of a grant of shares of Terminix common stock on the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders or the date of the director’s appointment to the Terminix board of directors, if thereafter. Each director may elect to defer the receipt of the shares of Terminix common stock as a Terminix DSE Award to a point in the future, including the time at which the individual is no longer a member of the Terminix board of directors, subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
In addition to the amounts described above, the non-executive Chairman of the Terminix board of directors receives an additional annual cash retainer of $50,000 and an extra $100,000 award of Terminix common stock.
The chairpersons of the Terminix Audit Committee will receive an additional cash retainer of $25,000, the chairperson of the Terminix Compensation Committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $20,000, and the chairpersons of the Terminix Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Terminix Environmental, Health and Safety Committee will each receive an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000; however, if the Chairman of the Terminix board of directors serves as a chairperson of a Terminix board of directors committee, the Chairman of the Terminix board of directors will not be entitled to the additional cash retainer for the committee chair role.
All Terminix directors are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending board of directors meetings and committee meetings.
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North America
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Europe
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UK and the
Rest of World |
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Asia
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Pacific
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| |||||||||||||||
Total | | | | | 425 | | | | | | 250 | | | | | | 305 | | | | | | 610 | | | | | | 60 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
(in millions, except percentages)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | £ | 2,956.6 | | | | | £ | 2,803.3 | | | | | £ | 2,704.2 | | | | | | 5.5% | | | | | | 3.7% | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Employee costs
|
| | | | 1,404.9 | | | | | | 1,304.9 | | | | | | 1,317.1 | | | | | | 7.7% | | | | | | (0.9)% | | |
Direct materials and services
|
| | | | 586.0 | | | | | | 583.5 | | | | | | 555.5 | | | | | | 0.4% | | | | | | 5.1% | | |
Vehicle costs
|
| | | | 146.4 | | | | | | 133.9 | | | | | | 142.3 | | | | | | 9.3% | | | | | | (5.9)% | | |
Property costs
|
| | | | 59.6 | | | | | | 65.3 | | | | | | 64.9 | | | | | | (8.7)% | | | | | | 0.6% | | |
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | 128.4 | | | | | | 132.3 | | | | | | 127.3 | | | | | | (2.9)% | | | | | | 3.9% | | |
Amortization and impairment of intangible
assets |
| | | | 91.1 | | | | | | 101.0 | | | | | | 98.8 | | | | | | (9.8)% | | | | | | 2.2% | | |
One-off items – operating
|
| | | | 20.7 | | | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 14.6 | | | | | | 168.8% | | | | | | (47.3)% | | |
Other operating expenses
|
| | | | 173.0 | | | | | | 180.9 | | | | | | 118.1 | | | | | | (4.4)% | | | | | | 53.2% | | |
Total operating expenses
|
| | | £ | 2,610.1 | | | | | £ | 2,509.5 | | | | | £ | 2,438.6 | | | | | | 4.0% | | | | | | 2.9% | | |
Operating profit
|
| | | | 346.5 | | | | | | 293.8 | | | | | | 265.6 | | | | | | 17.9% | | | | | | 10.6% | | |
Net gain on disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 103.8 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (100.0)% | | |
Finance income
|
| | | | 4.2 | | | | | | 6.2 | | | | | | 10.7 | | | | | | (32.3)% | | | | | | (42.1)% | | |
Finance cost
|
| | | | (33.7) | | | | | | (78.5) | | | | | | (56.8) | | | | | | 57.1% | | | | | | (38.2)% | | |
Share of profit from associates
|
| | | | 8.1 | | | | | | 8.3 | | | | | | 15.2 | | | | | | (1.7)% | | | | | | (45.6)% | | |
Profit before income tax
|
| | | | 325.1 | | | | | | 229.8 | | | | | | 338.5 | | | | | | 41.5% | | | | | | (32.1)% | | |
Income tax expense
|
| | | | (61.9) | | | | | | (43.5) | | | | | | (54.7) | | | | | | (42.3)% | | | | | | 20.5% | | |
Profit for the year
|
| | | £ | 263.2 | | | | | £ | 186.3 | | | | | £ | 283.8 | | | | | | 41.3% | | | | | | (34.4)% | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
(in millions, except percentages)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pest Control
|
| | | £ | 1,933.4 | | | | | £ | 1,703.9 | | | | | £ | 1,724.6 | | | | | | 13.5% | | | | | | (1.2)% | | |
Hygiene
|
| | | | 660.1 | | | | | | 735.0 | | | | | | 543.7 | | | | | | (10.2)% | | | | | | 35.2% | | |
Protect & Enhance
|
| | | | 355.9 | | | | | | 346.2 | | | | | | 393.9 | | | | | | 2.8% | | | | | | (12.1)% | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | | | 4.5 | | | | | | 4.3 | | | | | | 3.8 | | | | | | 4.5% | | | | | | 11.5% | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | | | 2.7 | | | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | | | (80.4)% | | | | | | (63.5)% | | |
Total
|
| | | £ | 2,956.6 | | | | | £ | 2,803.3 | | | | | £ | 2,704.2 | | | | | | 5.5% | | | | | | 3.7% | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
(in millions, except percentages)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America
|
| | | £ | 1,299.1 | | | | | £ | 1,203.9 | | | | | £ | 1,072.3 | | | | | | 7.9% | | | | | | 12.3% | | |
Europe
|
| | | | 728.2 | | | | | | 721.2 | | | | | | 705.5 | | | | | | 1.0% | | | | | | 2.2% | | |
UK & Rest of World
|
| | | | 483.1 | | | | | | 440.5 | | | | | | 458.4 | | | | | | 9.7% | | | | | | (3.9)% | | |
Asia
|
| | | | 242.5 | | | | | | 242.0 | | | | | | 240.2 | | | | | | 0.2% | | | | | | 0.8% | | |
Pacific
|
| | | | 196.5 | | | | | | 177.5 | | | | | | 185.8 | | | | | | 10.7% | | | | | | (4.5)% | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | | | 4.5 | | | | | | 4.3 | | | | | | 3.8 | | | | | | 4.5% | | | | | | 11.5% | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | | | 2.7 | | | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | | | (80.4)% | | | | | | (63.5)% | | |
Total
|
| | | £ | 2,956.6 | | | | | £ | 2,803.3 | | | | | £ | 2,704.2 | | | | | | 5.5% | | | | | | 3.7% | | |
| | |
2021 AER
|
| |
2021 CER(3)
|
| |
2020
|
| |
% change
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
(in millions, except for shares)
|
| |
AER
|
| |
CER(3)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | £ | 2,956.6 | | | | | £ | 3,066.2 | | | | | £ | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 5.5% | | | | | | 9.4% | | |
Revenue – disposed and closed businesses(1)
|
| | | | (2.7) | | | | | | (2.7) | | | | | | (13.9) | | | | | | 80.4% | | | | | | 80.4% | | |
Ongoing Revenue
|
| | | £ | 2,953.9 | | | | | £ | 3,063.5 | | | | | £ | 2,789.4 | | | | | | 5.9% | | | | | | 9.8% | | |
Operating Profit
|
| | | £ | 346.5 | | | | | £ | 360.1 | | | | | £ | 293.8 | | | | | | 17.9% | | | | | | 22.6% | | |
One-off items
|
| | | | 20.7 | | | | | | 21.3 | | | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 170.2% | | | | | | 177.6% | | |
Amortization and impairment of intangible
assets(2) |
| | | | 74.3 | | | | | | 77.3 | | | | | | 82.5 | | | | | | (9.9)% | | | | | | (6.4)% | | |
Adjusted operating profit
|
| | | £ | 441.5 | | | | | £ | 458.7 | | | | | £ | 384.0 | | | | | | 15.0% | | | | | | 19.5% | | |
Operating profit – disposed and closed
businesses |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.2) | | | | | | 109.6% | | | | | | 110.1% | | |
Ongoing Operating Profit
|
| | | £ | 441.5 | | | | | £ | 458.7 | | | | | £ | 383.8 | | | | | | 15.0% | | | | | | 19.5% | | |
| | |
2020 AER
|
| |
2020 CER(3)
|
| |
2019
|
| |
% change
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
(in millions, except for shares)
|
| |
AER
|
| |
CER(3)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
| | | £ | 2,803.3 | | | | | £ | 2,838.8 | | | | | £ | 2,704.2 | | | | | | 3.7% | | | | | | 5.0% | | |
Revenue – disposed and closed businesses(1)
|
| | | | (13.9) | | | | | | (13.9) | | | | | | (38.2) | | | | | | 63.5% | | | | | | 63.7% | | |
Ongoing Revenue
|
| | | £ | 2,789.4 | | | | | £ | 2,824.9 | | | | | £ | 2.666.0 | | | | | | 4.6% | | | | | | 6.0% | | |
Operating Profit
|
| | | £ | 293.8 | | | | | £ | 295.3 | | | | | £ | 265.6 | | | | | | 10.6% | | | | | | 11.2% | | |
One-off items – operating
|
| | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 14.6 | | | | | | (47.5)% | | | | | | (47.5)% | | |
Amortization and impairment of intangible
assets(2) |
| | | | 82.5 | | | | | | 85.3 | | | | | | 85.2 | | | | | | (3.2)% | | | | | | (0.0)% | | |
Adjusted operating profit
|
| | | £ | 384.0 | | | | | £ | 388.3 | | | | | £ | 365.4 | | | | | | 5.1% | | | | | | 6.3% | | |
Operating profit – disposed and closed
businesses |
| | | | (0.2) | | | | | | (0.2) | | | | | | 2.7 | | | | | | (107.1)% | | | | | | (106.9)% | | |
Ongoing Operating Profit
|
| | | £ | 383.8 | | | | | £ | 388.1 | | | | | £ | 368.1 | | | | | | 4.3% | | | | | | 5.4% | | |
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| |||||||||
| | |
(in millions)
|
| |||||||||||||||
Profit for the Year
|
| | | £ | 263.2 | | | | | £ | 185.9 | | | | | £ | 283.5 | | |
One-off items – operating(1)
|
| | | | 20.7 | | | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 14.6 | | |
One-off items – associates
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2.4 | | |
Net gain on disposals
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (103.8) | | |
Amortization and impairment of intangibles(2)
|
| | | | 74.3 | | | | | | 82.5 | | | | | | 85.2 | | |
Net interest adjustments
|
| | | | (3.6) | | | | | | 35.2 | | | | | | 4.0 | | |
Tax on above items(3)
|
| | | | (18.9) | | | | | | (26.4) | | | | | | (19.1) | | |
Adjusted Profit after Tax
|
| | | £ | 335.7 | | | | | £ | 284.9 | | | | | £ | 266.8 | | |
Adjusted Earnings per Share
|
| | | | 18.07p | | | | | | 15.37p | | | | | | 14.43p | | |
| | |
One-off
cost/ (income) 2021 £m |
| |
One-off
tax impact 2021 £m |
| |
One-off
cash inflow/ (outflow) 2021 £m |
| |
One-off
cost/ (income) 2020 £m |
| |
One-off
tax impact 2020 £m |
| |
One-off
cash inflow/ (outflow) 2020 £m |
| |
One-off
cost/ (income) 2019 £m |
| |
One-off
tax impact 2019 £m |
| |
One-off
cash inflow/ (outflow) 2019 £m |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition and integration costs
|
| | |
|
13.3
|
| | | |
|
(1.3)
|
| | | |
|
(12.1)
|
| | | | | 14.7 | | | | | | (3.0) | | | | | | (14.7) | | | | | | 25.0 | | | | | | (3.2) | | | | | | (21.3) | | |
Fees relating to Terminix transaction
|
| | |
|
6.0
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(6.0)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Pension scheme closure in North
America |
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (7.3) | | | | | | 2.0 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
UK pension scheme – partial return of surplus
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 8.5 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
UK pension scheme – adjustment to settlement cost
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (17.4) | | | | | | 6.1 | | | | | | — | | |
Adjustment to acquired balance sheet – Cannon UK and MPCL
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7.0 | | | | | | (1.2) | | | | | | — | | |
Other
|
| | |
|
1.4
|
| | | |
|
(0.4)
|
| | | |
|
(9.0)
|
| | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | (1.4) | | | | | | 3.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.6) | | | | | | (2.6) | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
20.7
|
| | | |
|
(1.7)
|
| | | |
|
(27.1)
|
| | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | (2.4) | | | | | | (2.3) | | | | | | 14.6 | | | | | | 1.1 | | | | | | (23.9) | | |
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |||||||||
| | |
(in millions)
|
| |||||||||||||||
Net cash from operating activities
|
| | | £ | 563.2 | | | | | £ | 547.4 | | | | | £ | 462.6 | | |
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and intangible fixed assets
|
| | | | (159.9) | | | | | | (152.5) | | | | | | (172.6) | | |
Capital element of lease payments and initial direct costs incurred
|
| | | | (88.1) | | | | | | (82.8) | | | | | | (84.2) | | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, equipment and software
|
| | | | 7.4 | | | | | | 6.3 | | | | | | 3.2 | | |
Dividends received from associates
|
| | | | 3.9 | | | | | | 11.7 | | | | | | 30.4 | | |
Free Cash Flow
|
| | | £ | 326.5 | | | | | £ | 330.1 | | | | | £ | 239.4 | | |
Dividend received from CWS-boco International GmbH
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (26.4) | | |
One-off items – operating(1)
|
| | | | 27.1 | | | | | | 6.7 | | | | | | 23.9 | | |
Product development additions
|
| | | | 6.4 | | | | | | 5.7 | | | | | | 5.6 | | |
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
|
| | | £ | 360.0 | | | | | £ | 342.5 | | | | | £ | 242.5 | | |
Free Cash Flow conversion
|
| | | | 107.3% | | | | | | 120.2% | | | | | | 94.2% | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
(in £millions, except percentages)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided from (used for): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities
|
| | | | 563.2 | | | | | | 547.4 | | | | | | 462.6 | | | | | | 2.9% | | | | | | 18.3% | | |
Investing activities
|
| | | | (441.1) | | | | | | (497.5) | | | | | | (62.1) | | | | | | 11.3% | | | | | | (701.1)% | | |
Financing activities
|
| | | | (417.1) | | | | | | 229.5 | | | | | | (220.0) | | | | | | (281.7)% | | | | | | 204.3% | | |
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | (295.0) | | | | | | 279.4 | | | | | | 180.5 | | | | | | (205.6)% | | | | | | 54.8% | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year
|
| | | | 550.8 | | | | | | 273.9 | | | | | | 100.9 | | | | | | 101.1% | | | | | | 171.5% | | |
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | (13.9) | | | | | | (2.5) | | | | | | (7.5) | | | | | | (456.0)% | | | | | | 66.7% | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year
|
| | | £ | 241.9 | | | | | £ | 550.8 | | | | | £ | 273.9 | | | | | | (56.1)% | | | | | | 101.1% | | |
Name
|
| |
Position with
Rentokil Initial |
| |
Age
|
|
Board of directors | | | | | | | |
Richard Solomons | | |
Chairman
|
| |
60
|
|
Andy Ransom* | | |
Executive Director and Chief Executive
|
| |
59
|
|
Stuart Ingall-Tombs* | | |
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer
|
| |
55
|
|
Sarosh Mistry | | |
Non-Executive Director
|
| |
52
|
|
John Pettigrew | | |
Senior Independent Director
|
| |
53
|
|
Julie Southern | | |
Non-Executive Director
|
| |
62
|
|
Cathy Turner | | |
Non-Executive Director
|
| |
59
|
|
Linda Yueh | | |
Non-Executive Director
|
| |
50
|
|
Executive leadership team | | | | | | | |
Gary Booker | | |
Chief Marketing, Innovation and Strategy Officer
|
| |
51
|
|
Rachel Canham | | |
Group General Counsel
|
| |
40
|
|
Vanessa Evans | | |
Group HR Director
|
| |
54
|
|
Mark Gillespie | | |
Managing Director, Asia and MENAT
|
| |
50
|
|
Chris Hunt | | |
Group M&A Director
|
| |
51
|
|
Alain Moffroid | | |
Managing Director, Europe
|
| |
55
|
|
John Myers | | |
Managing Director, North America
|
| |
65
|
|
Mark Purcell | | |
Chief Information Officer
|
| |
55
|
|
Andrew Stone | | |
Managing Director, Pacific
|
| |
51
|
|
Brian Webb | | |
Group Operations Excellence Director
|
| |
61
|
|
Phill Wood | | |
Managing Director, UK & Sub Saharan Africa
|
| |
56
|
|
Matters considered
|
| |
Discussion and outcome
|
|
Executive remuneration | | | | |
Executive Director remuneration
|
| | The Committee considered and approved base salaries for 2021, bonus outcomes for 2020, bonus structure for 2021 and the 2021 PSP awards and targets for the Executive Directors, taking into consideration the wider workforce. | |
Executive Leadership Team (ELT) remuneration
|
| | The Committee considered and approved base salaries for 2021, bonus outcomes for 2020, bonus structure for 2021, and the 2021 PSP awards and targets for the members of the ELT, taking into consideration the wider workforce remuneration. | |
2018 Performance Share Plan (PSP) vest
|
| | The Committee approved the vesting of the 2018 PSP awards as a result of the performance measures being met at 85.97% of maximum. | |
2021 PSP award
|
| | The Committee approved the PSP grant in March 2021 and its performance conditions, and subsequently noted a summary of the grants made under the PSP. | |
PSP measures
|
| | The Committee monitored the performance status of the outstanding awards under the PSP. | |
2022 annual bonus
|
| | The Committee reviewed the overall structure of the 2022 annual bonus plan for Executive Directors and ELT members. | |
2021 Directors’ Remuneration Policy
|
| | The Committee considered and agreed to the structure and content of the new policy that was taken forward for shareholder approval at the 2021 AGM. | |
Shareholder engagement
|
| | The Committee engaged with shareholders on the Policy and considered the feedback received. | |
ELT appointments
|
| | The Committee approved the remuneration for the appointment of the new Rentokil Initial Group General Counsel and the Regional Managing Director for Asia & MENAT. | |
ELT retirements
|
| | The Committee considered the leaving arrangements of the Rentokil Initial Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and the Regional Managing Director Asia. | |
Governance and oversight | | | | |
Share dilution limits
|
| | The Committee noted the impact of Rentokil Initial’s executive share plans on share dilution limits. | |
Terms of reference
|
| | The Committee undertook its annual review of its terms of reference. | |
Performance review
|
| | The Committee undertook its annual review of the effectiveness of the Committee. | |
Matters considered
|
| |
Discussion and outcome
|
|
Corporate governance
and proxy voting guidelines |
| | The Committee received an update during 2021 on changes in corporate governance and proxy voting guidelines. | |
Gender Pay Report
|
| | The Committee considered and approved the 2020 Gender Pay Report in February 2021, which was published in March 2021. | |
Directors’ Remuneration Report
|
| | The Committee reviewed and approved the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be included in Rentokil Initial’s 2020 Annual Report. | |
Annual planner
|
| | The Committee considered the annual planner for 2022. | |
| | |
Fixed pay
|
| |
Variable pay
|
| |
Total
£’000 |
| |
Value of total
attributed to share price growth(6) £’000 |
| |
% of total
attributed to share price growth |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Year
|
| |
Base
salary(8) £’000 |
| |
Benefits(1)
£’000 |
| |
Pension(2)
£’000 |
| |
Total
fixed pay £’000 |
| |
Bonus(3)
£’000 |
| |
PSP(4)(5)
£’000 |
| |
Total
variable pay £’000 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andy Ransom,
Chief Executive |
| | |
|
2021
|
| | | |
|
875.0
|
| | | |
|
19.8
|
| | | |
|
191.3
|
| | | |
|
1,086.2
|
| | | |
|
1,575.0
|
| | | |
|
2,883.6
|
| | | |
|
4,458.6
|
| | | |
|
5,544.8
|
| | | |
|
985.0
|
| | | |
|
34.2%
|
| |
| | | | | 2020 | | | | | | 656.3 | | | | | | 19.7 | | | | | | 191.3 | | | | | | 867.3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,973.6 | | | | | | 2,973.6 | | | | | | 3,840.9 | | | | | | 1,321.4 | | | | | | 44.4% | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs,
Chief Financial Officer(7) |
| | |
|
2021
|
| | | |
|
518.9
|
| | | |
|
16.2
|
| | | |
|
13.7
|
| | | |
|
548.8
|
| | | |
|
895.2
|
| | | |
|
126.0
|
| | | |
|
1,021.1
|
| | | |
|
1,569.9
|
| | | |
|
43.0
|
| | | |
|
34.2%
|
| |
| | | | | 2020 | | | | | | 188.5 | | | | | | 29.3 | | | | | | 5.0 | | | | | | 222.8 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 45.4 | | | | | | 45.4 | | | | | | 268.2 | | | | | | 19.3 | | | | | | 44.9% | | |
| | |
Threshold
£’000 |
| |
Target
£’000 |
| |
Maximum
£’000 |
| |
Result
£’000 |
| ||||||||||||
Targets
|
| | | | 2,977.3 | | | | | | 3,007.1 | | | | | | 3,037.5 | | | | | | 3,087.6 | | |
Targets as % of on-target
|
| | | | 99% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 101% | | | | | | 102.7% | | |
% of maximum bonus opportunity
|
| | | | 10% | | | | | | 50% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 100% | | |
| | |
Threshold
£’000 |
| |
Target
£’000 |
| |
Maximum
£’000 |
| |
Result
£’000 |
| ||||||||||||
Targets
|
| | | | 409.9 | | | | | | 431.5 | | | | | | 453.1 | | | | | | 469.0 | | |
Targets as % of on-target
|
| | | | 95% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 105% | | | | | | 108.7% | | |
% of maximum bonus opportunity
|
| | | | 10% | | | | | | 50% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 100% | | |
| | |
Ongoing
revenue (50% weighting) |
| |
Ongoing
operating profit (50% weighting) |
| |
Bonus outcome
as % of salary for company element |
| |
Bonus outcome
for company element £’000 |
| ||||||||||||
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 75% | | | | | | 75% | | | | | | 150% | | | | | | 1,312.5 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 75% | | | | | | 75% | | | | | | 150% | | | | | | 778.4 | | |
Performance rating and definition
|
| |
1:
Below standards required |
| |
2:
Development required |
| |
3:
Good performer |
| |
4:
Exceeds expectations |
| |
5:
Outstanding |
| |||||||||||||||
% bonus opportunity
|
| | | | 0% | | | | | | 0% | | | | | | 15% | | | | | | 22.5% | | | | | | 30% | | |
| | | | | |
Company
element |
| |
Personal
element |
| |
Total
bonus outcome achieved |
| |
Bonus
outcome payable in cash |
| |
Bonus
outcome deferred in shares |
| |
Total bonus
outcome as % of maximum opportunity |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Andy Ransom
|
| |
Bonus payable as a % of salary
|
| | | | 150.0% | | | | | | 30.0% | | | | |
|
180.0%
|
| | | | | 108.0% | | | | | | 72.0% | | | | | | | | |
| Bonus payable £’000 | | | | | 1,312.5 | | | | | | 262.5 | | | | |
|
1,575.0
|
| | | | | 945.0 | | | | | | 630.0 | | | | | | 100% | | | ||
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| |
Bonus payable as a % of salary
|
| | | | 150.0% | | | | | | 22.5% | | | | |
|
172.5%
|
| | | | | 103.5% | | | | | | 69.0% | | | | | | | | |
| Bonus payable £’000 | | | | | 778.4 | | | | | | 116.8 | | | | |
|
895.2
|
| | | | | 537.1 | | | | | | 358.1 | | | | | | 95.8% | | |
Strategic objectives
|
| |
Andy Ransom, Chief Executive
|
| |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Ongoing Revenue
|
| |
Delivered increase in revenue of 9.9% over previous year
Revenue growth supported by increased sales of new innovations
Delivered improvements in customer retention to 85.3% and strong Trustpilot ratings maintained
|
| | Delivered increase in revenue of 9.9% over previous year | |
Ongoing Operating Profit
|
| |
Delivered outstanding increase of 19.5% over previous year, ahead of consensus
1.2% increase in net margin over prior year
|
| | Enabled 1.2% increase in net margin over prior year through successful delivery of Best of Breed initiatives | |
Cash and liquidity
|
| | Delivered strong free cash flow conversion of 107% | | |
Delivered strong free cash flow conversion of 107%
Delivered Net Debt to EBITDA of 1.9x Maintained S&P BBB rating
|
|
M&A
|
| |
Acquired 52 businesses, delivering £146.6m in annualised revenues
Terminix deal agreed by both boards
|
| |
Acquired 52 businesses, delivering £146.6m in annualised revenues
Terminix deal agreed by both boards
|
|
Earnings and returns
|
| |
Price per Rentokil Initial ordinary share up 15% over year and have now outperformed the FTSE 100 for seven years
Investor relations strategy successfully executed
|
| | Investor relations strategy successfully executed | |
Performance measures
|
| |
Weighting
|
| |
Definition
|
| |
Performance period
|
| |||
Relative TSR
|
| | | | 50% | | | |
Relative TSR performance measured against a
comparator group of the FTSE 350 Index, excluding financial services, property and primary resources sectors |
| |
3/25/2019 to 3/24/2022
|
|
EPS
|
| | | | 25% | | | |
Compound annual EPS growth for the
financial years 2019, 2020 and 2021 |
| |
1/1/2019 to 12/31/2021
|
|
Organic Revenue
growth |
| | | | 5% | | | |
Average Organic Revenue growth over the
three-year performance |
| |
1/1/2019 to 12/31/2021
|
|
Free Cash Flow
conversion |
| | | | 5% | | | |
Free Cash Flow conversion % over a
three-year performance period |
| |
1/1/2019 to 12/31/2021
|
|
Performance measures
|
| |
Weighting
|
| |
Definition
|
| |
Performance period
|
| |||
Sales and Service
colleague retention |
| | | | 5% | | | |
Average of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 annual
overall Sales and Service Colleague retention |
| |
1/1/2019 to 12/31/2021
|
|
Customer satisfaction
|
| | | | 5% | | | |
Average of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 annual
Customer Voice Counts score over the three-year performance period based on NPS methodology |
| |
1/1/2019 to 12/31/2021
|
|
Vehicle fuel intensity
|
| | | | 5% | | | |
Reduction in vehicle fuel intensity across 13 key countries(1) achieved by the end of the three-year performance period
|
| |
1/1/2019 to 12/31/2021
|
|
Performance measures
|
| |
Threshold:
25% vesting |
| |
Target:
50% vesting |
| |
Maximum:
100% vesting |
| |
Actual/estimated
result |
| |
Vesting
level |
| |
Weighted
vesting level |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Relative TSR(1)
|
| |
Median TSR
performance |
| |
Straight-line
vesting between threshold and maximum |
| |
Upper quartile
TSR performance |
| |
78.3% increase
in TSR against upper quartile of 66.7%. Ranked 33 out of 167 companies(1) |
| |
96.39%
|
| |
48.2%
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
EPS
|
| | | | 6.0% | | | | | | 7.9% | | | | | | 11.0% | | | | | | 13.1% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 25% | | |
Organic Revenue growth
|
| | | | 3.0% | | | | | | 3.5% | | | | | | 4.0% | | | | | | 3.7% | | | | | | 73.1% | | | | | | 3.4% | | |
Free Cash Flow conversion
|
| | | | 80% | | | | | | 85% | | | | | | 90% | | | | | | 109.5% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 5% | | |
Sales and Service colleague
retention |
| | | | 77.5% | | | | | | 80.0% | | | | | | 82.5% | | | | | | 86.4% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 5% | | |
Customer satisfaction
|
| | | | 38.0% | | | | | | 40.0% | | | | | | 42.0% | | | | | | 43.0% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 5% | | |
Vehicle fuel intensity
|
| | | | 4.0% | | | | | | 6.0% | | | | | | 8.0% | | | | | | 9.0% | | | | | | 100% | | | | | | 5% | | |
Total
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
96.64%
|
| |
| | |
Maximum
Award of shares |
| |
Vesting level
of award |
| |
Total
number of shares post performance conditions |
| |
Dividend
equivalent shares at vest |
| |
Total shares
vesting |
| |
Value of
shares vesting £’000 |
| |
Value of
share vesting attributed to share price growth £’000 |
| |
% of vesting
value attributed to share price growth |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 551,987 | | | | | | 96.64% | | | | | | 533,440 | | | | | | 14,365 | | | | | | 547,805 | | | | | | 2,883.6 | | | | | | 985.0 | | | | | | 34.2% | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs(1)
|
| | | | 24,116 | | | | | | 96.64% | | | | | | 23,305 | | | | | | 627 | | | | | | 23,932 | | | | | | 126.0 | | | | | | 43.0 | | | | | | 34.2% | | |
Performance measures 2021 – 2024
|
| |
Weighting
|
| |
Threshold: 20%
vesting(1) |
| |
Target: 50%
vesting(1) |
| |
Maximum: 100%
vesting(1) |
|
Relative TSR
|
| |
50%
|
| |
TSR performance is
median measured against the FTSE 350 Index, excluding financial services, property and primary resources sectors |
| |
Straight-line
vesting between threshold and maximum |
| |
Upper quartile
TSR performance against the FTSE 350 Index, excluding financial services, property and primary resources sectors |
|
Organic Revenue growth
|
| |
15%
|
| |
2.25%
|
| |
2.5%
|
| |
2.75%
|
|
Free Cash Flow conversion
|
| |
15%
|
| |
80%
|
| |
85%
|
| |
90%
|
|
Strategic/ESG measures
− Sales and Service colleague retention
− Customer satisfaction − Vehicle fuel intensity |
| |
20%
(split equally) |
| |
Targets for these measures have not been disclosed as
the Rentokil Initial board of directors believes that these measures are commercially sensitive. They will be based on straight-line vesting between threshold and target and between target and maximum performance which will be reported at vesting. |
|
Participant
|
| |
Date of
award |
| |
Number of
shares awarded(1) |
| |
Share price
used to determine Award(2) |
| |
Exercise
price |
| |
Face value
of shares £’000 |
| |
% of salary
awarded |
| |
Date of vest(3)
|
| |
Performance
period end(4) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 3/23/2021 | | | | | | 442,455 | | | | | | 494.4p | | | | | | 0.0p | | | | | £ | 2,187.5 | | | | | | 250% | | | | | | 3/23/2024 | | | | | | 3/22/2024 | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 5/18/2021 | | | | | | 140,074 | | | | | | 468.5p | | | | | | 0.0p | | | | | £ | 656.3 | | | | | | 75% | | | | | | 5/18/2024 | | | | | | 5/17/2024 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 3/23/2021 | | | | | | 202,265 | | | | | | 494.4p | | | | | | 0.0p | | | | | £ | 1,000.0 | | | | | | 200% | | | | | | 3/23/2024 | | | | | | 3/22/2024 | | |
| | |
Maximum
award of shares(1) |
| |
Vesting level
of award |
| |
Total
number of shares post performance conditions |
| |
Dividend
equivalent shares at vest |
| |
Total shares
vesting |
| |
Value of
shares vesting (‘000)(2) |
| |
Value of
share vesting attributed to share price growth |
| |
% of vesting
value attributed to share price growth |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jeremy
Townsend |
| | | | 276,647 | | | | | | 85.97% | | | | | | 237,833 | | | | | | 5,839 | | | | | | 243,672 | | | | | £ | 1,199.8 | | | | | £ | 539.0 | | | | | | 44.9% | | |
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
|
| |
Fees 2021
£’000 |
| |
Fees 2020(1)
£’000 |
| |
Benefits 2021
£’000 |
| |
Benefits 2020
£’000 |
| |
Total 2021
£’000 |
| |
Total 2020
£’000 |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Richard Solomons
|
| | |
|
375.0
|
| | | | | 342.2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
375.0
|
| | | | | 342.2 | | |
Sarosh Mistry(6)
|
| | |
|
45.0
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
45.0
|
| | | | | — | | |
John Pettigrew
|
| | |
|
70.0
|
| | | | | 63.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
70.0
|
| | | | | 63.9 | | |
Angela Seymour-Jackson(2)(4)
|
| | |
|
27.4
|
| | | | | 58.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
27.4
|
| | | | | 58.4 | | |
Julie Southern
|
| | |
|
75.0
|
| | | | | 68.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
75.0
|
| | | | | 68.4 | | |
Cathy Turner(3)(5)
|
| | |
|
69.6
|
| | | | | 36.8 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
69.6
|
| | | | | 36.8 | | |
Linda Yueh
|
| | |
|
60.0
|
| | | | | 54.8 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
60.0
|
| | | | | 54.8 | | |
| | |
As of March 31, 2022
|
| |
As of
December 31, 2021 |
| |
As of
December 31, 2020 |
| |||||||||||||||
| | |
Number of
Rentokil Initial ordinary shares |
| |
Percentage of
issued Rentokil Initial ordinary shares |
| |
Number of
Rentokil Initial ordinary shares |
| |
Number of
Rentokil Initial ordinary shares |
| ||||||||||||
Richard Solomons
|
| | | | 62,000 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 62,000 | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
Andy Ransom(1)
|
| | | | 1,694,097 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 1,694,097 | | | | | | 1,562,544 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs(2)
|
| | | | 169,452 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 123,359 | | | | | | 79,592 | | |
Sarosh Mistry(4)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
John Pettigrew
|
| | | | 55,000 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 55,000 | | | | | | 10,000 | | |
Angela Seymour-Jackson(5)
|
| | | | 10,574 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 10,574 | | | | | | 10,574 | | |
Julie Southern
|
| | | | 9,891 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 9,891 | | | | | | 9,891 | | |
Cathy Turner(3)
|
| | | | 24,690 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 24,690 | | | | | | 15,384 | | |
Linda Yueh
|
| | | | 1,590 | | | | | | * | | | | | | 1,590 | | | | | | 1,590 | | |
| | |
Shareholding
requirement as a % of salary |
| |
Number of
Rentokil Initial ordinary shares owned outright |
| |
Value of
shareholding as of 31 Mar 2022(1) |
| |
Rentokil Initial
ordinary shares owned outright as a % of salary(2) |
| |
Interest in PSP
and DBP awards not subject to performance conditions as of 31 Mar 2022 |
| |
Interest in PSP
awards subject to performance conditions as of 31 Mar 2022 |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 300% | | | | | | 1,694,097 | | | | | £ | 8,910,950 | | | | | | 1018% | | | | | | 5,767,530 | | | | | | 1,654,524 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 200% | | | | | | 169,452 | | | | | £ | 891,318 | | | | | | 162% | | | | | | 70.597 | | | | | | 722.825 | | |
| | |
Number of
Rentokil Initial ordinary shares |
| |
Percentage of
issued Rentokil Initial ordinary shares |
| ||||||
Gary Booker
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Rachel Canham(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Vanessa Evans
|
| | | | 16,025 | | | | | | * | | |
Mark Gillespie(2)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Chris Hunt
|
| | | | 2,664 | | | | | | * | | |
Alain Moffroid
|
| | | | 604,043 | | | | | | * | | |
John Myers
|
| | | | 357,430 | | | | | | * | | |
Mark Purcell
|
| | | | 9,338 | | | | | | * | | |
Andrew Stone
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Brian Webb
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
Phill Wood
|
| | | | — | | | | | | * | | |
| | |
Date of award
|
| |
Share price
used to determine award |
| |
Scheme
interest at 1 Jan 2021 |
| |
Shares
awarded 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Shares
lapsed 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Dividend
equivalent shares at vest |
| |
Shares
available for exercise 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Dividend
equivalent shares at exercise |
| |
Shares
exercised 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Outstanding
awards at 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Performance
period end |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 PSP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 08/05/2012 | | | | | | 83.5p | | | | |
|
163,625
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
163,625
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
163,625(7)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 07/05/2013 | | |
2013 PSP(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 30/04/2013 | | | | | | 96.0p | | | | |
|
513,403
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
513,403
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
513,403
|
| | | | | 29/04/2016 | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 01/10/2013 | | | | | | 109.0p | | | | |
|
388,853
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
388,853
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
388,853
|
| | | | | 29/04/2016 | | |
2014 PSP(1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 31/03/2014 | | | | | | 123.4p | | | | |
|
912,792
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
912,792
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
912,792
|
| | | | | 30/03/2017 | | |
2015 PSP(1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 31/03/2015 | | | | | | 135.5p | | | | |
|
883,906
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
883,906
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
883,906
|
| | | | | 30/03/2018 | | |
2016 PSP(1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 12/05/2016 | | | | | | 159.4p | | | | |
|
869,324
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
869,324
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
869,324
|
| | | | | 10/03/2019 | | |
2017 PSP(1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 31/03/2017 | | | | | | 246.4p | | | | |
|
562,676
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
562,676
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
562,676
|
| | | | | 30/03/2020 | | |
2018 PSP(2)(3)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 29/03/2018 | | | | | | 271.2p | | | | |
|
553,300
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 77,628 | | | | | | 11,678 | | | | |
|
487,350
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
487,350
|
| | | | | 28/03/2021 | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 14/05/2018 | | | | | | 271.2p | | | | |
|
138,325
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 19,407 | | | | | | 2,919 | | | | |
|
121,837
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
121,837
|
| | | | | 13/05/2021 | | |
| | |
Date of award
|
| |
Share price
used to determine award |
| |
Scheme
interest at 1 Jan 2021 |
| |
Shares
awarded 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Shares
lapsed 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Dividend
equivalent shares at vest |
| |
Shares
available for exercise 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Dividend
equivalent shares at exercise |
| |
Shares
exercised 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Outstanding
awards at 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Performance
period end |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stuart Ingall-Tombs(4)
|
| | | | 29/03/2018 | | | | | | 271.2p | | | | |
|
52,888
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 7,421 | | | | | | 1,116 | | | | |
|
46,583
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
46,583(8)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 28/03/2021 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs(4)
|
| | | | 06/09/2018 | | | | | | 320.0p | | | | |
|
48,434
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 24,217 | | | | | | 594 | | | | |
|
24,811
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
24,811(8)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 05/09/2021 | | |
2019 PSP(6)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 25/03/2019 | | | | | | 346.6p | | | | |
|
551,987
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 18,547 | | | | | | 14,365 | | | | |
|
547,805
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
547,805
|
| | | | | 24/03/2022 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs(4)
|
| | | | 25/03/2019 | | | | | | 346.6p | | | | |
|
60,978
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 36,089 | | | | | | 1,169 | | | | |
|
44,609
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
44,609
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 24/03/2022 | | |
2019 DBP(5)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 25/03/2019 | | | | | | 346.6p | | | | |
|
72,505
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
72,505
|
| | | | | 24/03/2022 | | |
2020 DBP(5) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 24/03/2020 | | | | | | 358.6p | | | | |
|
119,243
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
119,243
|
| | | | | 23/03/2023 | | |
2020 PSP | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 08/09/2020 | | | | | | 530.2p | | | | |
|
412,580
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
412,580
|
| | | | | 07/09/2023 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 08/09/2020 | | | | | | 530.2p | | | | |
|
188,608
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
188,608
|
| | | | | 07/09/2023 | | |
2021 PSP
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 23/03/2021 | | | | | | 494.4p | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
442,455
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
442,455
|
| | | | | 23/03/2024 | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 18/05/2021 | | | | | | 468.5p | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
140,074
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
140,074
|
| | | | | 18/05/2024 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 23/03/2021 | | | | | | 494.4p | | | | | | — | | | | | | 202,265 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
202,265
|
| | | | | 23/03/2024 | | |
2022 PSP
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 04/03/2022 | | | | | | 497.6p | | | | | | — | | | | | | 659,415 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
659,415
|
| | | | | 03/03/2025 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 04/03/2022 | | | | | | 497.6p | | | | | | — | | | | | | 331,592 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
331,592
|
| | | | | 03/03/2025 | | |
2022 DBP(5)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Andy Ransom
|
| | | | 22/03/2022 | | | | | | 507.2p | | | | | | — | | | | | | 124,211 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
124,211
|
| | | | | 21/03/2025 | | |
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
|
| | | | 22/03/2022 | | | | | | 507.2p | | | | | | — | | | | | | 70,597 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
70,597
|
| | | | | 21/03/2025 | | |
| | |
Scheme interest
at 1 Jan 2021 |
| |
Shares available for
exercise 1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Shares exercised
1 Jan 21 to 31 Mar 22 |
| |
Outstanding
awards at 31 Mar 22 |
| ||||||||||||
Alain Moffroid(1)
|
| | | | 378,843 | | | | | | 288,871 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 541,716 | | |
Andrew Stone(2)
|
| | | | 143,588 | | | | | | 102,703 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 234,055 | | |
Brian Webb(3)
|
| | | | 174,312 | | | | | | 128,136 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 260,916 | | |
Chris Hunt(4)
|
| | | | 312,674 | | | | | | 258,349 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 409,266 | | |
Gary Booker(5)
|
| | | | 345,904 | | | | | | 253,448 | | | | | | 12,000 | | | | | | 487,746 | | |
John Myers(6)
|
| | | | 599,592 | | | | | | 345,408 | | | | | | 345,408 | | | | | | 463,403 | | |
Mark Gillespie(7)
|
| | | | 241,319 | | | | | | 207,320 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 331,256 | | |
Mark Purcell(8)
|
| | | | 358,879 | | | | | | 310,161 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 452,200 | | |
Phill Wood(9)
|
| | | | 619,765 | | | | | | 528,954 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 782,459 | | |
Vanessa Evans(10)
|
| | | | 459,769 | | | | | | 374,557 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 612,434 | | |
Year
|
| |
Method
|
| |
25th percentile
pay ratio |
| |
Median pay
ratio |
| |
75th percentile
pay ratio |
| ||||||||||||
2021 | | | | | A | | | | | | 281:1 | | | | | | 232:1 | | | | | | 172:1 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | £ | 21,385 | | | | | £ | 25,894 | | | | | £ | 34,910 | | |
2020
|
| | | | A | | | | | | 203:1 | | | | | | 160:1 | | | | | | 111:1 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | £ | 19,959 | | | | | £ | 25,379 | | | | | £ | 36,452 | | |
2019
|
| | | | A | | | | | | 220:1 | | | | | | 173:1 | | | | | | 119:1 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | £ | 20,695 | | | | | £ | 26,348 | | | | | £ | 38,169 | | |
2018
|
| | | | A | | | | | | 229:1 | | | | | | 189:1 | | | | | | 145:1 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | £ | 21,644 | | | | | £ | 26,262 | | | | | £ | 34,318 | | |
| | |
2021(1) £m
|
| |
2020(1) £m
|
| |
% change
|
| |||||||||
Remuneration paid to all employees of the Rentokil Initial group
|
| | |
|
1,404.9
|
| | | | £ | 1,304.9 | | | | | | 7.7% | | |
Distributions to shareholders
|
| | |
|
138.7
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 100% | | |
| | | | | |
Salary/fees(1)
|
| |
Annual bonus(2)
|
| |
Benefits(3)(4)
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andy Ransom
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
33.3%
|
| | | | | (14.2)% | | | | |
|
100%
|
| | | | | (100)% | | | | |
|
0.5%
|
| | | | | (0.3)% | | | | |
|
265.4%
|
| | | | | (63.5)% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 14.3% | | | | |
|
115.8%
|
| | | | | (31.7)% | | | | |
|
0.5%
|
| | | | | (0.3)% | | | | |
|
52%
|
| | | | | (12.4)% | | | ||
Stuart Ingall-Tombs(5)
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
175.3%
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
100%
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(44.8)%
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
556.8%
|
| | | | | — | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | |
|
3.8%
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
168.3%
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(58.3)%
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
63.9%
|
| | | | | — | | | ||
Richard Solomons
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | 34.6% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | 34.6% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
Sarosh Mistry(6)
|
| |
Actual
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
John Pettigrew
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | (4.6)% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | (4.6)% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
Angela Seymour-Jackson(7)
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
(53.1)%
|
| | | | | (16.2)% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(53.1)%
|
| | | | | (16.2)% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
Julie Southern
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | (8.8)% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | (8.8)% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
Cathy Turner(8)
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
89.3%
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
89.3%
|
| | | | | — | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | |
|
16.0%
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
16.0%
|
| | | | | — | | | ||
Linda Yueh
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | (8.8)% | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
9.6%
|
| | | | | (8.8)% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
Employees(9)
|
| |
Actual
|
| | |
|
4.4%
|
| | | | | 2.7% | | | | |
|
352.1%
|
| | | | | (62.8)% | | | | |
|
(4.5)%
|
| | | | | 1.3% | | | | |
|
45.9%
|
| | | | | (15.2)% | | |
|
Like for like
|
| | |
|
0.4%
|
| | | | | 2.4% | | | | |
|
352.1%
|
| | | | | (62.8)% | | | | |
|
(4.5)%
|
| | | | | 1.3% | | | | |
|
41.3%
|
| | | | | (17.3)% | | |
| Base salary | | |||
|
Purpose/link to strategy
|
| | To attract and retain executives of the calibre required to implement Rentokil Initial’s strategy. | |
|
Operation
|
| |
Base salaries are payable in cash and are normally reviewed annually. Base salaries are set taking into account:
•
scope and responsibilities of the role;
•
external economic environment;
•
individual skills and experience;
•
contribution to overall business performance;
•
pay conditions for other colleagues based in the UK and other regions which are considered by the Committee to be relevant for that executive; and
•
comparable salaries in a cross-section of companies of a similar size and complexity at the time of review — which will be taken into consideration, but not be the key determiner of salary levels.
|
|
|
Levels of payout
|
| |
Base salaries are set at an appropriate level taking into account the factors described under “Operation” above and salary increases are considered in this context.
While there is no maximum salary level, the Committee would normally expect percentage pay increases for the Executive Directors to be broadly in line with the wider workforce in relevant regions. However, higher increases may be awarded in certain circumstances, where the Committee considers this appropriate, such as:
•
where a new Executive Director has been appointed to the Rentokil Initial board of directors at a lower than typical market salary to allow for growth in the role, then larger increases may be awarded in following years to move salary positioning closer to typical market levels as the executive grows in experience, subject to performance;
•
where the Executive Director has been promoted or has had a change in responsibilities, salary increases in excess of the above level may be awarded; or
•
a substantial change in Rentokil Initial’s size or market capitalisation leading to the positioning of an Executive Director’s salary falling behind market practice.
In exceptional circumstances, where a Non-Executive Director temporarily takes up an executive position, salary increases for the Non-Executive Director may be awarded as appropriate.
|
|
|
Performance measures and period
|
| | The payment of salary is not dependent on achieving performance targets although individual performance is taken into account when setting salary levels and determining any salary increases. | |
| Pension | | |||
|
Purpose/link to strategy
|
| | To facilitate Executive Directors’ planning for retirement. | |
|
Operation
|
| | Executive Director pension arrangements are by way of a defined contribution arrangement or through a cash alternative of a similar value or a combination of the two. | |
|
Levels of payout
|
| |
For the current Chief Financial Officer and any future Executive Director hires the maximum contribution will be in line with the wider workforce in the UK, which is currently 3% of base salary although this rate may change from time to time.
The maximum contribution for the Chief Executive has been frozen at the cash amount paid in 2019, when the Policy in force at the time was 25% of salary and is currently equivalent to 21.9% of base salary. This cash amount will be reduced to be in line with the maximum contribution for the wider workforce in the UK at the end of 2022.
|
|
| Performance measures and period | | |
Not applicable.
|
|
| Benefits | | |||
|
Purpose/link to strategy
|
| | To provide market-competitive benefits that support the executive to undertake their role. | |
|
Operation
|
| |
Rentokil Initial pays the cost of providing the benefits on a monthly, annual or one-off basis. Benefits are determined taking into account market practice, the level and type of benefits provided throughout the Rentokil Initial group and individual circumstances. All benefits are non-pensionable. The main benefits for Executive Directors are:
•
life assurance;
•
car or car allowance;
•
family healthcare;
•
permanent health insurance; and
•
relocation benefits — in the event that an executive were required to relocate to undertake their role, the Committee may provide an additional appropriate level of benefits to reflect the relevant circumstances. Such benefits may be one-off or ongoing in nature.
Should an Executive Director be appointed in a country other than the UK, benefits appropriate to that market would be considered. The Committee retains the discretion to change the benefits provided (including offering additional benefits) in line with market practice and may include offering participation in any future all employee share plan.
|
|
|
Levels of payout
|
| | Levels of benefits are set in line with market practice. The level of benefits provided varies year on year depending on the cost of the provision of benefits to Rentokil Initial and therefore it is not meaningful to identify a maximum level of benefits. | |
| Performance measures and period | | |
Not applicable.
|
|
| Annual bonus | | |||
|
Purpose/link to strategy
|
| |
To recognise and reward for stretching business performance against annual financial targets and/or personal objectives that contribute to Rentokil Initial performance.
To attract and retain executives of the calibre required to implement Rentokil Initial’s strategy and drive business performance.
The deferral of an element of the annual bonus into Rentokil Initial ordinary shares provides alignment with shareholders’ long-term interests following the successful delivery of short-term targets and supports the balance of achievement of short-term and long-term business performance.
|
|
|
Operation
|
| |
The annual bonus is paid each year after the Committee has reviewed performance against targets, which are set around the beginning of each year for each Executive Director, taking into consideration the underlying performance of the business.
Normally no more than 60% of any bonus is generally paid in cash with the balance deferred in Rentokil Initial ordinary shares under the Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP).
Deferred shares typically vest after a period of three years with no further performance conditions.
|
|
| | | |
Shares awarded under the DBP are typically awarded as nil-cost options and have an exercise period that extends from the date of vesting to the tenth anniversary of the award being made although awards may be structured in other ways. If nil-cost options remain exercisable at the tenth anniversary of grant then they will be exercised automatically on a participant’s behalf.
The Committee retains the right to exercise discretion to ensure that the level of bonus payable is appropriate and a fair reflection of Rentokil Initial’s performance.
Malus and clawback rules apply to both cash bonus payments and DBP awards (see Malus and Clawback section for details).
Deferred shares may be adjusted in accordance with the rules in the event of a variation of Rentokil Initial’s share capital, demerger, special dividend or similar event that materially affects the price of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares.
|
|
|
Levels of payout
|
| |
Bonus payouts start to accrue at a level of up to 20% of base salary for meeting threshold levels of performance and a maximum opportunity of 180% of base salary, with an on-target bonus opportunity of no more than 50% of the maximum opportunity. Payouts for performance levels in between these levels will typically be paid on a straight-line basis.
Dividend equivalents accrue between grant date and vesting date on shares that vest under the DBP and are normally settled in the form of additional shares.
|
|
|
Performance measures and period
|
| |
The annual bonus is normally based on the achievement of financial targets and/or personal objectives, although the Committee may include other strategic priorities. Performance is typically tested over a one-year performance period.
The Committee reserves the right to set appropriate measures that ensure alignment with business strategy and shareholder interest, subject to the financial measures accounting for at least 75% of the total.
Financial measures may be linked to Rentokil Initial group performance or the Executive’s specific area of responsibility, if appropriate.
|
|
| Performance Share Plan (PSP) | | |||
|
Purpose/link to strategy
|
| |
To motivate and incentivise delivery of stretching business performance over the long term and to create alignment with growth in value for shareholders.
To act as a retention tool for Executive Directors.
|
|
|
Operation
|
| |
The PSP operates under the rules approved by shareholders in 2016 (and as amended).
An award of shares is granted on an annual basis with a face value in line with the multiple of base salary approved by the Committee, with vesting subject to the achievement of performance conditions.
Shares awarded under the PSP are typically awarded as nil-cost options (although may be structured in other ways) and have an exercise period that extends from the date of vesting to the tenth anniversary of the award being made. If nil-cost options remain exercisable at the tenth anniversary of grant then they will be exercised automatically on a participant’s behalf.
Award levels and performance conditions are set to support the business’ long-term goals and seek to reflect market practice and shareholder guidance.
Awards are subject to a two-year holding period post vesting. Directors may sell sufficient shares to pay taxes due related to the award, if required, during this period.
Malus and clawback rules apply to shares awarded under the PSP (see Malus and Clawback section for details).
Awards may be adjusted in accordance with the rules in the event of a variation of Rentokil’s share capital, demerger, special dividend or similar event that materially affects the price of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares.
|
|
|
Levels of payout
|
| |
The maximum regular annual award will be 375% of base salary for the Chief Executive and 300% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer and any other Executive Directors. This increase in award will be implemented on a phased basis, with the CEO receiving 325% of salary (75% of salary increase) in the year ending December 31, 2021 (Year 1). The CFO will receive an award of 200% of salary (this remains at the current level) in Year 1, while he settles into the role and gains experience. No more than 20% of the award shall vest for meeting threshold levels of performance and 100% of the award shall vest if maximum performance is achieved. Performance between these points will typically be measured on a straight-line basis.
Dividend equivalents may accrue between grant date and vesting date or to the end of the holding period on shares that vest under the PSP and are normally settled in the form of additional shares.
|
|
|
Performance measures and period
|
| |
Awards are subject to the achievement of financial and ESG/strategic measures, with specific measures and weightings set by the Committee each year to ensure alignment with the business strategy at the time of grant. However, a minimum weighting of 75% should relate to financial (including TSR) measures. Potential measures include:
•
relative TSR performance;
•
organic revenue growth;
•
free cash flow conversion; and
•
ESG measures (colleague retention, customer satisfaction and vehicle fuel intensity).
If events happen which cause the Committee to consider that a performance condition would not, without alteration, achieve its original purpose, it may amend that performance condition provided that the amended performance condition is materially no less challenging than it would have been had the event not occurred.
The Committee retains the right to exercise discretion to ensure that the formulaic vesting outcome is appropriate and a fair reflection of Rentokil Initial’s performance.
|
|
| Shareholding guidelines | | |||
|
Purpose/link to strategy
|
| | Encourages greater levels of shareholding and aligns Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders. | |
|
Operation
|
| |
Executive Directors are expected to achieve and maintain a holding of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares.
A further post-cessation shareholding requirement will normally apply to Executive Directors (see Termination section for details). For two years following cessation of employment, Executive Directors will be required to hold Rentokil Initial ordinary shares to the value of the shareholding guideline that applied at the cessation of their employment unless the Committee exceptionally determines otherwise; or, in cases where the individual has not had sufficient time to build up shares to meet their guideline, the actual level of shareholding at cessation.
|
|
|
Levels of holding
|
| | Chief Executive: 300% of salary, Chief Financial Officer and other Executive Directors: 200% of salary. To be achieved within five years of appointment or other significant event. | |
| Performance measures and period | | |
Not applicable.
|
|
|
Terminix Filings with the SEC
(File No. 001-36507) |
| |
Period and/or Filing Date
|
|
| Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q | | | Quarter ended March 31, 2022 | |
| Annual Report on Form 10-K | | | Year ended December 31, 2021 | |
| Definitive proxy statement on Form DEF 14A | | | Filed April 8, 2022 | |
| Current Report on Form 8-K | | | Filed February 23, 2022; March 15, 2022; May 9, 2022; May 25, 2022; and June 1, 2022 | |
|
Terminix Global Holdings, Inc.
150 Peabody Place Memphis, Tennessee 38103 Attention: Investor Relations Telephone: (901) 597-1400 |
| |
Rentokil Initial plc
Compass House Manor Royal Crawley West Sussex RH10 9PY United Kingdom Attention: Company Secretary Telephone: +44 1293 858000 |
|
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1) £m |
| |
As restated
2019(1) £m |
| |||||||||
Revenue(1)
|
| |
A1
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | |
Operating expenses(1)
|
| |
A7
|
| | |
|
(2,610.1)
|
| | | | | (2,509.5) | | | | | | (2,438.6) | | |
Operating profit
|
| |
A1
|
| | |
|
346.5
|
| | | | | 293.8 | | | | | | 265.6 | | |
Net gain on disposals
|
| |
A1
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 103.8 | | |
Finance income
|
| |
C9
|
| | |
|
4.2
|
| | | | | 6.2 | | | | | | 10.7 | | |
Finance cost
|
| |
C8
|
| | |
|
(33.7)
|
| | | | | (78.5) | | | | | | (56.8) | | |
Share of profit from associates, net of tax
|
| |
B6
|
| | |
|
8.1
|
| | | | | 8.3 | | | | | | 15.2 | | |
Profit before income tax
|
| | | | | |
|
325.1
|
| | | | | 229.8 | | | | | | 338.5 | | |
Income tax expense(2)
|
| |
A12
|
| | |
|
(61.9)
|
| | | | | (43.5) | | | | | | (54.7) | | |
Profit for the year
|
| | | | | |
|
263.2
|
| | | | | 186.3 | | | | | | 283.8 | | |
Profit for the year attributable to: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity holders of the Company
|
| | | | | |
|
263.2
|
| | | | | 185.9 | | | | | | 283.5 | | |
Non-controlling interests
|
| | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 0.3 | | |
| | | | | | |
|
263.2
|
| | | | | 186.3 | | | | | | 283.8 | | |
Other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Items that are not reclassified subsequently to the income statement: Remeasurement of net defined benefit asset/liability
|
| |
A10
|
| | |
|
0.9
|
| | | | | (13.1) | | | | | | (5.9) | | |
Tax related to items taken to other comprehensive income
|
| |
A14
|
| | |
|
2.0
|
| | | | | 3.9 | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement: Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves(3)
|
| | | | | |
|
(17.7)
|
| | | | | (35.4) | | | | | | (73.9) | | |
Net gain/(loss) on net investment hedge(3)
|
| | | | | |
|
15.0
|
| | | | | (17.2) | | | | | | 35.0 | | |
Cost of hedging
|
| | | | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | | | (1.0) | | | | | | — | | |
Cumulative exchange recycled to income statement on disposal of foreign operations
|
| | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (4.1) | | |
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedge
|
| | | | | |
|
13.2
|
| | | | | (4.9) | | | | | | (0.5) | | |
Other comprehensive income for the year
|
| | | | | |
|
11.9
|
| | | | | (67.7) | | | | | | (49.3) | | |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | | | | |
|
275.1
|
| | | | | 118.6 | | | | | | 234.5 | | |
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity holders of the Company
|
| | | | | |
|
275.1
|
| | | | | 118.2 | | | | | | 234.2 | | |
Non-controlling interests
|
| | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 0.3 | | |
| | | | | | |
|
275.1
|
| | | | | 118.6 | | | | | | 234.5 | | |
Earnings per share attributable to the Company’s equity holders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic
|
| |
A2
|
| | |
|
14.16p
|
| | | | | 10.03p | | | | | | 15.33p | | |
Diluted
|
| |
A2
|
| | |
|
14.10p
|
| | | | | 9.98p | | | | | | 15.24p | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1)(2) £m |
| ||||||
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets
|
| |
B2
|
| | |
|
2,164.3
|
| | | | | 1,922.1 | | |
Property, plant and equipment
|
| |
B3
|
| | |
|
398.1
|
| | | | | 402.7 | | |
Right-of-use assets
|
| |
B4
|
| | |
|
227.5
|
| | | | | 217.5 | | |
Investments in associated undertakings
|
| |
B6
|
| | |
|
29.7
|
| | | | | 27.2 | | |
Other investments
|
| |
C4
|
| | |
|
0.2
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | |
Deferred tax assets
|
| |
A14
|
| | |
|
41.6
|
| | | | | 37.7 | | |
Contract costs
|
| |
A1
|
| | |
|
75.0
|
| | | | | 67.8 | | |
Retirement benefit assets
|
| |
A10
|
| | |
|
19.0
|
| | | | | 19.0 | | |
Other receivables
|
| |
A3
|
| | |
|
14.3
|
| | | | | 13.1 | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| |
C6
|
| | |
|
9.8
|
| | | | | 37.0 | | |
| | | | | | |
|
2,979.5
|
| | | | | 2,744.3 | | |
Current assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other investments
|
| |
C4
|
| | |
|
1.6
|
| | | | | 172.2 | | |
Inventories
|
| |
A4
|
| | |
|
135.7
|
| | | | | 131.3 | | |
Trade and other receivables(2)
|
| |
A3
|
| | |
|
526.9
|
| | | | | 569.6 | | |
Current tax assets
|
| | | | | |
|
8.5
|
| | | | | 10.6 | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| |
C6
|
| | |
|
2.5
|
| | | | | 5.6 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents(1)
|
| |
C3
|
| | |
|
668.4
|
| | | | | 1,949.5 | | |
| | | | | | |
|
1,343.6
|
| | | | | 2,838.8 | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade and other payables
|
| |
A5
|
| | |
|
(764.0)
|
| | | | | (925.0) | | |
Current tax liabilities
|
| | | | | |
|
(60.5)
|
| | | | | (80.0) | | |
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
| |
A6
|
| | |
|
(27.0)
|
| | | | | (30.1) | | |
Bank and other short-term borrowings(1)(2)
|
| |
C2
|
| | |
|
(459.3)
|
| | | | | (1,591.5) | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| |
B4
|
| | |
|
(77.8)
|
| | | | | (72.7) | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| |
C6
|
| | |
|
(1.0)
|
| | | | | (3.5) | | |
| | | | | | |
|
(1,389.6)
|
| | | | | (2,702.8) | | |
Net current (liabilities)/assets
|
| | | | | |
|
(46.0)
|
| | | | | 136.0 | | |
Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other payables
|
| |
A5
|
| | |
|
(71.5)
|
| | | | | (70.4) | | |
Bank and other long-term borrowings
|
| |
C2
|
| | |
|
(1,256.1)
|
| | | | | (1,337.6) | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| |
B4
|
| | |
|
(139.2)
|
| | | | | (141.8) | | |
Deferred tax liabilities
|
| |
A14
|
| | |
|
(108.1)
|
| | | | | (94.7) | | |
Retirement benefit obligations
|
| |
A10
|
| | |
|
(27.3)
|
| | | | | (38.8) | | |
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
| |
A6
|
| | |
|
(33.9)
|
| | | | | (34.1) | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| |
C6
|
| | |
|
(33.5)
|
| | | | | (32.3) | | |
| | | | | | |
|
(1,669.6)
|
| | | | | (1,749.7) | | |
Net assets
|
| | | | | |
|
1,263.9
|
| | | | | 1,130.6 | | |
Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital and reserves attributable to the Company’s equity holders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share capital
|
| |
D2
|
| | |
|
18.6
|
| | | | | 18.5 | | |
Share premium
|
| | | | | |
|
6.8
|
| | | | | 6.8 | | |
Other reserves
|
| | | | | |
|
(1,927.6)
|
| | | | | (1,926.2) | | |
Retained earnings
|
| | | | | |
|
3,166.6
|
| | | | | 3,030.6 | | |
| | | | | | |
|
1,264.4
|
| | | | | 1,129.7 | | |
Non-controlling interests
|
| | | | | |
|
(0.5)
|
| | | | | 0.9 | | |
Total equity
|
| | | | | |
|
1,263.9
|
| | | | | 1,130.6 | | |
| | |
Attributable to equity holders of the Company
|
| |
Non-
controlling interests £m |
| |
Total
equity £m |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
Share
capital £m |
| |
Share
premium £m |
| |
Other
reserves(1) £m |
| |
Retained
earnings £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
At 31 December 2018
|
| | | | 18.4 | | | | | | 6.8 | | | | | | (1,824.2) | | | | | | 2,631.2 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 832.6 | | |
Profit for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 283.5 | | | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 283.8 | | |
Other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (73.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (73.9) | | |
Net gain on net investment hedge(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 35.0 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 35.0 | | |
Cumulative exchange recycled to income statement on disposal of
foreign operations |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.1) | | |
Net loss on cash flow hedge
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.5) | | |
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (5.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (5.9) | | |
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive income
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (43.5) | | | | | | 277.7 | | | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 234.5 | | |
Transactions with owners: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares issued in the year
|
| | | | 0.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (85.8) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (85.8) | | |
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (0.1) | | |
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.3 | | |
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2.4 | | |
Movement in the carrying value of put options
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 13.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 13.4 | | |
At 31 December 2019
|
| | | | 18.5 | | | | | | 6.8 | | | | | | (1,867.7) | | | | | | 2,844.1 | | | | | | 0.6 | | | | | | 1,002.3 | | |
Profit for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 185.9 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 186.3 | | |
Other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (35.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (35.4) | | |
Net loss on net investment hedge(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (17.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (17.2) | | |
Net loss on cash flow hedge(2)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.9) | | |
Cost of hedging
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1.0) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1.0) | | |
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (13.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (13.1) | | |
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive
income |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.9 | | |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (58.5) | | | | | | 176.7 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 118.6 | | |
Transactions with owners: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (0.1) | | |
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.5 | | |
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.2 | | |
Movement in the carrying value of put options
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.1 | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 18.5 | | | | | | 6.8 | | | | | | (1,926.2) | | | | | | 3,030.6 | | | | | | 0.9 | | | | | | 1,130.6 | | |
Profit for the year
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
263.2
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
263.2
|
| |
Other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(17.7)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(17.7)
|
| |
Net gain on net investment hedge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
15.0
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
15.0
|
| |
Net gain on cash flow hedge(2)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
13.2
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
13.2
|
| |
Cost of hedging
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| |
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.9
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
0.9
|
| |
Transfer between reserves
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(10.4)
|
| | | |
|
10.4
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
—
|
| |
Tax related to items taken directly to other comprehensive
income |
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
2.0
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
2.0
|
| |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.4)
|
| | | |
|
276.5
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
275.1
|
| |
Transactions with owners: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares issued in the year
|
| | |
|
0.1
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
—
|
| |
Acquisition of non-controlling interests
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(8.3)
|
| | | |
|
(1.3)
|
| | | |
|
(9.6)
|
| |
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(138.7)
|
| | | | | | | | | |
|
(138.7)
|
| |
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| |
Cost of equity-settled share-based payment plans
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
9.8
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
9.8
|
| |
Tax related to items taken directly to equity
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
4.6
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
4.6
|
| |
Movement in the carrying value of put options
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(7.8)
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(7.8)
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 18.6 | | | | | | 6.8 | | | | | | (1,927.6) | | | | | | 3,166.6 | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | 1,263.9 | | |
| | |
Capital
reduction reserve £m |
| |
Legal
reserve £m |
| |
Cash flow
hedge reserve £m |
| |
Translation
reserve(1) £m |
| |
Cost of
hedging £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
At 31 December 2018
|
| | | | (1,722.7) | | | | | | 10.4 | | | | | | 1.0 | | | | | | (112.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1,824.2) | | |
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (73.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (73.9) | | |
Net loss on net investment hedge(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 35.0 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 35.0 | | |
Cumulative exchange recycled to income statement
on disposal of foreign operations |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.1) | | |
Net loss on cash flow hedge
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.5) | | |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | (43.0) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (43.5) | | |
At 31 December 2019
|
| | |
|
(1,722.7)
|
| | | |
|
10.4
|
| | | |
|
0.5
|
| | | |
|
(155.9)
|
| | | | | — | | | | |
|
(1,867.7)
|
| |
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (35.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (35.4) | | |
Net loss on net investment hedge(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (17.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (17.2) | | |
Net loss on cash flow hedge(2)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.9) | | |
Cost of hedging
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1.0) | | | | | | (1.0) | | |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4.9) | | | | | | (52.6) | | | | | | (1.0) | | | | | | (58.5) | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | (1,722.7) | | | | | | 10.4 | | | | | | (4.4) | | | | | | (208.5) | | | | | | (1.0) | | | | | | (1,926.2) | | |
Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(17.7)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(17.7)
|
| |
Net gain on net investment hedge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
15.0
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
15.0
|
| |
Net gain on cash flow hedge(2)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
13.2
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
13.2
|
| |
Transfer between reserves
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(10.4)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(10.4)
|
| |
Cost of hedging
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| |
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(10.4)
|
| | | |
|
13.2
|
| | | |
|
(2.7)
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | |
|
(1.4)
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | (1,722.7) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 8.8 | | | | | | (211.2) | | | | | | (2.5) | | | | | | (1,927.6) | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1)(3) £m |
| |
As restated
2020(1)(3)(4) £m |
| |||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash generated from operating activities(3)
|
| |
C10
|
| | |
|
668.5
|
| | | | | 652.8 | | | | | | 553.9 | | |
Interest received
|
| | | | | |
|
5.2
|
| | | | | 7.6 | | | | | | 10.8 | | |
Interest paid(2)
|
| | | | | |
|
(41.6)
|
| | | | | (48.6) | | | | | | (58.9) | | |
Income tax paid
|
| |
A13
|
| | |
|
(68.9)
|
| | | | | (64.4) | | | | | | (43.2) | | |
Net cash flows from operating activities
|
| | | | | |
|
563.2
|
| | | | | 547.4 | | | | | | 462.6 | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment(4)
|
| | | | | |
|
(127.8)
|
| | | | | (129.9) | | | | | | (141.8) | | |
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
|
| | | | | |
|
(32.1)
|
| | | | | (22.6) | | | | | | (30.8) | | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | | |
|
7.4
|
| | | | | 6.3 | | | | | | 3.2 | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses, net of cash acquired
|
| |
B1
|
| | |
|
(463.1)
|
| | | | | (194.7) | | | | | | (315.7) | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 2.2 | | | | | | 391.9 | | |
Dividends received from associates
|
| |
B6
|
| | |
|
3.9
|
| | | | | 11.7 | | | | | | 30.4 | | |
Net change to cash flow from investment in term deposits(1)
|
| | | | | |
|
170.6
|
| | | | | (170.5) | | | | | | 0.7 | | |
Net cash flows from investing activities
|
| | | | | |
|
(441.1)
|
| | | | | (497.5) | | | | | | (62.1) | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
|
| |
D1
|
| | |
|
(138.7)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (85.8) | | |
Acquisition of shares from non-controlling interest
|
| | | | | |
|
(9.4)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Capital element of lease payments
|
| | | | | |
|
(88.0)
|
| | | | | (85.4) | | | | | | (85.9) | | |
Cash outflow on settlement of debt-related foreign exchange forward contracts
|
| | | | | |
|
(19.1)
|
| | | | | (23.7) | | | | | | (11.7) | | |
Proceeds from new debt(3)
|
| | | | | |
|
4.7
|
| | | | | 1,690.8 | | | | | | 433.8 | | |
Debt repayments(3)
|
| | | | | |
|
(166.6)
|
| | | | | (1,352.2) | | | | | | (470.4) | | |
Net cash flows from financing activities
|
| | | | | |
|
(417.1)
|
| | | | | 229.5 | | | | | | (220.0) | | |
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | | |
|
(295.0)
|
| | | | | 279.4 | | | | | | 180.5 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
| | | | | |
|
550.8
|
| | | | | 273.9 | | | | | | 100.9 | | |
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | | |
|
(13.9)
|
| | | | | (2.5) | | | | | | (7.5) | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year
|
| |
C3
|
| | |
|
241.9
|
| | | | | 550.8 | | | | | | 273.9 | | |
| | |
Revenue
2021 £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue(1)(2) 2020 £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue(2) 2019 £m |
| |
Operating
profit 2021 £m |
| |
Operating
profit(1) 2020 £m |
| |
Operating
profit(1) 2019 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
France
|
| | |
|
306.4
|
| | | | | 303.2 | | | | | | 310.4 | | | | |
|
37.3
|
| | | | | 33.7 | | | | | | 46.0 | | |
Benelux
|
| | |
|
95.9
|
| | | | | 96.7 | | | | | | 95.3 | | | | |
|
29.3
|
| | | | | 27.9 | | | | | | 27.9 | | |
Germany
|
| | |
|
113.9
|
| | | | | 120.6 | | | | | | 107.5 | | | | |
|
36.6
|
| | | | | 42.1 | | | | | | 33.4 | | |
Southern Europe
|
| | |
|
148.9
|
| | | | | 143.0 | | | | | | 134.6 | | | | |
|
30.0
|
| | | | | 21.8 | | | | | | 22.2 | | |
Latin America
|
| | |
|
63.1
|
| | | | | 57.7 | | | | | | 57.7 | | | | |
|
7.0
|
| | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | 6.6 | | |
Europe
|
| | |
|
728.2
|
| | | | | 721.2 | | | | | | 705.5 | | | | |
|
140.2
|
| | | | | 131.0 | | | | | | 136.1 | | |
UK & Ireland(1)
|
| | |
|
313.4
|
| | | | | 283.2 | | | | | | 301.8 | | | | |
|
83.1
|
| | | | | 48.1 | | | | | | 64.7 | | |
Rest of World
|
| | |
|
169.7
|
| | | | | 157.3 | | | | | | 156.6 | | | | |
|
36.9
|
| | | | | 33.7 | | | | | | 35.7 | | |
UK & Rest of World
|
| | |
|
483.1
|
| | | | | 440.5 | | | | | | 458.4 | | | | |
|
120.0
|
| | | | | 81.8 | | | | | | 100.4 | | |
| | |
Revenue
2021 £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue(1)(2) 2020 £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue(2) 2019 £m |
| |
Operating
profit 2021 £m |
| |
Operating
profit(1) 2020 £m |
| |
Operating
profit(1) 2019 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Asia
|
| | |
|
242.5
|
| | | | | 242.0 | | | | | | 240.2 | | | | |
|
25.5
|
| | | | | 26.9 | | | | | | 24.9 | | |
North America(2)
|
| | |
|
1,299.1
|
| | | | | 1,203.9 | | | | | | 1072.3 | | | | |
|
217.6
|
| | | | | 211.9 | | | | | | 153.4 | | |
Pacific
|
| | |
|
196.5
|
| | | | | 177.5 | | | | | | 185.8 | | | | |
|
38.7
|
| | | | | 34.5 | | | | | | 38.6 | | |
Central and regional overheads(1)
|
| | | | 4.5 | | | | |
|
4.3
|
| | | |
|
3.8
|
| | | | | (90.8) | | | | |
|
(89.1)
|
| | | |
|
(77.6)
|
| |
Restructuring costs
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(9.7)
|
| | | | | (13.2) | | | | | | (7.7) | | |
Ongoing operations at AER
|
| | |
|
2,953.9
|
| | | | | 2,789.4 | | | | | | 2,666.0 | | | | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 383.8 | | | | | | 368.1 | | |
Disposed businesses(3)
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | (2.7) | | |
Continuing operations at AER
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | | | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 384.0 | | | | | | 365.4 | | |
One-off items – operating
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(20.7)
|
| | | | | (7.7) | | | | | | (14.6) | | |
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets(4)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(74.3)
|
| | | | | (82.5) | | | | | | (85.2) | | |
Operating profit
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
346.5
|
| | | | | 293.8 | | | | | | 265.6 | | |
|
| | |
One-off
cost/ (income) 2021 £m |
| |
One-off
tax impact 2021 £m |
| |
One-off
cash inflow/ (outflow) 2021 £m |
| |
One-off
cost/ (income) 2020 £m |
| |
One-off
tax impact 2020 £m |
| |
One-off
cash inflow/ (outflow) 2020 £m |
| |
One-off
cost/ (income) 2019 £m |
| |
One-off
tax impact 2019 £m |
| |
One-off
cash inflow/ (outflow) 2019 £m |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition and integration costs
|
| | |
|
13.3
|
| | | |
|
(1.3)
|
| | | |
|
(12.1)
|
| | | | | 14.7 | | | | | | (3.0) | | | | | | (14.7) | | | | | | 25.0 | | | | | | (3.2) | | | | | | (21.3) | | |
Fees relating to Terminix transaction
|
| | |
|
6.0
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(6.0)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Pension scheme closure in North
America |
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (7.3) | | | | | | 2.0 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
UK pension scheme – partial return of surplus
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 8.5 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
UK pension scheme – adjustment to settlement cost
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (17.4) | | | | | | 6.1 | | | | | | — | | |
Adjustment to acquired balance sheet – Cannon UK and MPCL
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7.0 | | | | | | (1.2) | | | | | | — | | |
Other
|
| | |
|
1.4
|
| | | |
|
(0.4)
|
| | | |
|
(9.0)
|
| | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | (1.4) | | | | | | 3.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.6) | | | | | | (2.6) | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
20.7
|
| | | |
|
(1.7)
|
| | | |
|
(27.1)
|
| | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | (2.4) | | | | | | (2.3) | | | | | | 14.6 | | | | | | 1.1 | | | | | | (23.9) | | |
| | |
Revenue
2021 £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue 2020(1) £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue 2019(1) £m |
| |||||||||
Pest Control
|
| | |
|
1,933.4
|
| | | | | 1,703.9 | | | | | | 1,724.6 | | |
Hygiene
|
| | |
|
660.1
|
| | | | | 735.0 | | | | | | 543.7 | | |
Protect & Enhance
|
| | |
|
355.9
|
| | | | | 346.2 | | | | | | 393.9 | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | |
|
4.5
|
| | | | | 4.3 | | | | | | 3.8 | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | |
| | |
Revenue
2021 £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue 2020(1) £m |
| |
As restated
Revenue 2019(1) £m |
| |||||||||
Recognised over time | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contract service revenue
|
| | |
|
2,009.6
|
| | | | | 1,877.8 | | | | | | 1,880.9 | | |
Recognised at a point in time | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Job work
|
| | |
|
639.5
|
| | | | | 651.5 | | | | | | 533.0 | | |
Sales of goods
|
| | |
|
307.5
|
| | | | | 274.0 | | | | | | 290.3 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | |
| | |
Amortisation and
impairment of intangibles(1) 2021 £m |
| |
Amortisation and
impairment of intangibles(1) 2020 £m |
| |
Amortisation and
impairment of intangibles(1) 2019 £m |
| |||||||||
Europe
|
| | |
|
12.3
|
| | | | | 13.3 | | | | | | 10.1 | | |
UK & Rest of World
|
| | |
|
12.8
|
| | | | | 12.4 | | | | | | 19.6 | | |
Asia
|
| | |
|
4.6
|
| | | | | 15.1 | | | | | | 8.6 | | |
North America
|
| | |
|
34.4
|
| | | | | 30.9 | | | | | | 35.0 | | |
Pacific
|
| | |
|
3.9
|
| | | | | 3.6 | | | | | | 3.9 | | |
Central and regional
|
| | |
|
6.3
|
| | | | | 7.2 | | | | | | 6.0 | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 2.0 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
74.3
|
| | | | | 82.5 | | | | | | 85.2 | | |
Tax effect
|
| | |
|
(18.2)
|
| | | | | (17.5) | | | | | | (19.6) | | |
Total after tax effect
|
| | |
|
56.1
|
| | | | | 65.0 | | | | | | 65.6 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Ongoing Revenue
|
| | |
|
2,953.9
|
| | | | | 2,789.4 | | | | | | 2,666.0 | | |
Revenue – disposed and closed businesses(1)
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | |
Revenue
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | |
Ongoing Operating Profit
|
| | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 383.8 | | | | | | 368.1 | | |
Operating profit – disposed and closed businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | (2.7) | | |
Adjusted operating profit
|
| | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 384.0 | | | | | | 365.4 | | |
One-off items
|
| | |
|
(20.7)
|
| | | | | (7.7) | | | | | | (14.6) | | |
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets(2)
|
| | |
|
(74.3)
|
| | | | | (82.5) | | | | | | (85.2) | | |
Operating profit
|
| | |
|
346.5
|
| | | | | 293.8 | | | | | | 265.6 | | |
Net gain on disposals
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 103.8 | | |
Share of profit from associates (net of tax)
|
| | |
|
8.1
|
| | | | | 8.3 | | | | | | 15.2 | | |
Net adjusted interest payable
|
| | |
|
(33.1)
|
| | | | | (37.1) | | | | | | (42.1) | | |
Net interest adjustments
|
| | |
|
3.6
|
| | | | | (35.2) | | | | | | (4.0) | | |
Profit before tax
|
| | |
|
325.1
|
| | | | | 229.8 | | | | | | 338.5 | | |
| | |
Ongoing Revenue
|
| |
Ongoing Operating Profit
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change from
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change from
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
% |
| |
AER
% |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
% |
| |
AER
% |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
France
|
| | |
|
306.4
|
| | | | | 303.2 | | | | | | 310.4 | | | | | | 1.1 | | | | | | (2.3) | | | | |
|
37.3
|
| | | | | 33.7 | | | | | | 46.0 | | | | | | 10.9 | | | | | | (26.8) | | |
Benelux
|
| | |
|
95.9
|
| | | | | 96.7 | | | | | | 95.3 | | | | | | (0.7) | | | | | | 1.4 | | | | |
|
29.3
|
| | | | | 27.9 | | | | | | 27.9 | | | | | | 5.1 | | | | | | (0.2) | | |
Germany
|
| | |
|
113.9
|
| | | | | 120.6 | | | | | | 107.5 | | | | | | (5.6) | | | | | | 12.1 | | | | |
|
36.6
|
| | | | | 42.1 | | | | | | 33.4 | | | | | | (13.1) | | | | | | 26.3 | | |
Southern Europe
|
| | |
|
148.9
|
| | | | | 143.0 | | | | | | 134.6 | | | | | | 4.1 | | | | | | 6.3 | | | | |
|
30.0
|
| | | | | 21.8 | | | | | | 22.2 | | | | | | 37.5 | | | | | | (1.7) | | |
Latin America
|
| | |
|
63.1
|
| | | | | 57.7 | | | | | | 57.7 | | | | | | 9.3 | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | |
|
7.0
|
| | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | 6.6 | | | | | | 27.4 | | | | | | (16.8) | | |
Total Europe
|
| | |
|
728.2
|
| | | | | 721.2 | | | | | | 705.5 | | | | | | 1.0 | | | | | | 2.2 | | | | |
|
140.2
|
| | | | | 131.0 | | | | | | 136.1 | | | | | | 7.1 | | | | | | (3.7) | | |
UK & Ireland
|
| | |
|
313.4
|
| | | | | 283.2 | | | | | | 301.8 | | | | | | 10.6 | | | | | | (6.1) | | | | |
|
83.1
|
| | | | | 48.1 | | | | | | 64.7 | | | | | | 73.1 | | | | | | (25.7) | | |
Rest of World
|
| | |
|
169.7
|
| | | | | 157.3 | | | | | | 156.6 | | | | | | 7.9 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | |
|
36.9
|
| | | | | 33.7 | | | | | | 35.7 | | | | | | 9.2 | | | | | | (5.4) | | |
UK & Rest of World
|
| | |
|
483.1
|
| | | | | 440.5 | | | | | | 458.4 | | | | | | 9.7 | | | | | | (3.9) | | | | |
|
120.0
|
| | | | | 81.8 | | | | | | 100.4 | | | | | | 46.7 | | | | | | (18.5) | | |
Asia
|
| | |
|
242.5
|
| | | | | 242.0 | | | | | | 240.2 | | | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | 0.8 | | | | |
|
25.5
|
| | | | | 26.9 | | | | | | 24.9 | | | | | | (5.1) | | | | | | 7.9 | | |
North America
|
| | |
|
1,299.1
|
| | | | | 1,203.9 | | | | | | 1072.3 | | | | | | 7.9 | | | | | | 12.3 | | | | |
|
217.6
|
| | | | | 211.9 | | | | | | 153.4 | | | | | | 2.7 | | | | | | 38.1 | | |
Pacific
|
| | |
|
196.5
|
| | | | | 177.5 | | | | | | 185.8 | | | | | | 10.7 | | | | | | (4.5) | | | | |
|
38.7
|
| | | | | 34.5 | | | | | | 38.6 | | | | | | 12.0 | | | | | | (10.5) | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | |
|
4.5
|
| | | | | 4.3 | | | | | | 3.8 | | | | | | 4.5 | | | | | | 11.5 | | | | |
|
(90.8)
|
| | | | | (89.1) | | | | | | (77.6) | | | | | | (2.0) | | | | | | (14.8) | | |
Restructuring costs
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(9.7)
|
| | | | | (13.2) | | | | | | (7.7) | | | | | | 26.7 | | | | | | (72.5) | | |
Ongoing operations
|
| | |
|
2,953.9
|
| | | | | 2,789.4 | | | | | | 2,666.0 | | | | | | 5.9 | | | | | | 4.6 | | | | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 383.8 | | | | | | 368.1 | | | | | | 15.0 | | | | | | 4.3 | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | | | (80.4) | | | | | | (63.5) | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | (2.7) | | | | | | (109.6) | | | | | | 107.1 | | |
Continuing
operations |
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | 3.7 | | | | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 384.0 | | | | | | 365.4 | | | | | | 15.0 | | | | | | 5.1 | | |
| | |
Ongoing Revenue
|
| |
Ongoing Operating Profit
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change from
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change from
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| |
2021
|
| |
2020
(as restated) |
| |
2019
(as restated) |
| |
2020
|
| |
2019
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
% |
| |
AER
% |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
£m |
| |
AER
% |
| |
AER
% |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pest Control
|
| | |
|
1,933.4
|
| | | | | 1,703.9 | | | | | | 1,724.6 | | | | | | 13.5 | | | | | | (1.2) | | | | |
|
361.1
|
| | | | | 281.7 | | | | | | 311.6 | | | | | | 28.2 | | | | | | (9.6) | | |
– Growth
|
| | |
|
1,681.1
|
| | | | | 1,472.0 | | | | | | 1,473.5 | | | | | | 14.2 | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | |
|
330.7
|
| | | | | 257.5 | | | | | | 275.8 | | | | | | 28.4 | | | | | | (6.6) | | |
– Emerging
|
| | |
|
252.3
|
| | | | | 231.9 | | | | | | 251.1 | | | | | | 8.8 | | | | | | (7.6) | | | | |
|
30.4
|
| | | | | 24.2 | | | | | | 35.8 | | | | | | 25.7 | | | | | | (32.3) | | |
Hygiene
|
| | |
|
660.1
|
| | | | | 735.0 | | | | | | 543.7 | | | | | | (10.2) | | | | | | 35.2 | | | | |
|
138.7
|
| | | | | 172.8 | | | | | | 95.4 | | | | | | (19.7) | | | | | | 81.2 | | |
– Core Hygiene
|
| | |
|
547.5
|
| | | | | 513.6 | | | | | | 543.7 | | | | | | 6.6 | | | | | | (5.5) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Disinfection
|
| | |
|
112.6
|
| | | | | 221.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (49.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Protect & Enhance
|
| | |
|
355.9
|
| | | | | 346.2 | | | | | | 393.9 | | | | | | 2.8 | | | | | | (12.1) | | | | |
|
42.2
|
| | | | | 31.6 | | | | | | 46.4 | | | | | | 33.6 | | | | | | (32.0) | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | |
|
4.5
|
| | | | | 4.3 | | | | | | 3.8 | | | | | | 4.5 | | | | | | 11.5 | | | | |
|
(90.8)
|
| | | | | (89.1) | | | | | | (77.6) | | | | | | (2.0) | | | | | | (14.8) | | |
Restructuring costs
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(9.7)
|
| | | | | (13.2) | | | | | | (7.7) | | | | | | 26.7 | | | | | | (72.5) | | |
Ongoing operations
|
| | |
|
2,953.9
|
| | | | | 2,789.4 | | | | | | 2,666.0 | | | | | | 5.9 | | | | | | 4.6 | | | | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 383.8 | | | | | | 368.1 | | | | | | 15.0 | | | | | | 4.3 | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | | | (80.4) | | | | | | (63.5) | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | (2.7) | | | | | | (109.6) | | | | | | 107.1 | | |
Continuing
operations |
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | 3.7 | | | | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 384.0 | | | | | | 365.4 | | | | | | 15.0 | | | | | | 5.1 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the
Company |
| | |
|
263.2
|
| | | | | 185.9 | | | | | | 283.5 | | |
One-off items – operating
|
| | |
|
20.7
|
| | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 14.6 | | |
One-off items – associates
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 2.4 | | |
Net gain on disposals
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (103.8) | | |
Amortisation and impairment of intangibles(1)
|
| | |
|
74.3
|
| | | | | 82.5 | | | | | | 85.2 | | |
Net interest adjustments(2)
|
| | |
|
(3.6)
|
| | | | | 35.2 | | | | | | 4.0 | | |
Tax on above items(3)
|
| | |
|
(18.9)
|
| | | | | (26.4) | | | | | | (19.1) | | |
Adjusted profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the
Company |
| | |
|
335.7
|
| | | | | 284.9 | | | | | | 266.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (million)
|
| | |
|
1,858.1
|
| | | | | 1,853.2 | | | | | | 1,849.0 | | |
Adjustment for potentially dilutive shares (million)
|
| | |
|
8.2
|
| | | | | 9.7 | | | | | | 11.5 | | |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share (million)
|
| | |
|
1,866.3
|
| | | | | 1,862.9 | | | | | | 1,860.5 | | |
Basic earnings per share
|
| | |
|
14.16p
|
| | | | | 10.03p | | | | | | 15.33p | | |
Diluted earnings per share
|
| | |
|
14.10p
|
| | | | | 9.98p | | | | | | 15.24p | | |
Basic adjusted earnings per share
|
| | |
|
18.07p
|
| | | | | 15.37p | | | | | | 14.43p | | |
Diluted adjusted earnings per share
|
| | |
|
17.99p
|
| | | | | 15.29p | | | | | | 14.34p | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(2) £m |
| ||||||
Trade receivables(2)
|
| | |
|
473.6
|
| | | | | 546.8 | | |
Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables
|
| | |
|
(49.2)
|
| | | | | (61.4) | | |
Trade receivables – net
|
| | | | 424.4 | | | | |
|
485.4
|
| |
Other receivables
|
| | |
|
62.5
|
| | | | | 48.8 | | |
Prepayments
|
| | |
|
35.4
|
| | | | | 29.3 | | |
Contract assets(1)
|
| | |
|
18.9
|
| | | | | 19.2 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
541.2
|
| | | | | 582.7 | | |
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current
|
| | |
|
14.3
|
| | | | | 13.1 | | |
Current
|
| | |
|
526.9
|
| | | | | 569.6 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
541.2
|
| | | | | 582.7 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
At 1 January
|
| | |
|
61.4
|
| | | | | 28.4 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | | | (0.1) | | |
Additional provision
|
| | |
|
25.5
|
| | | | | 55.8 | | |
Receivables written off as uncollectable
|
| | |
|
(19.3)
|
| | | | | (19.9) | | |
Unused amounts reversed
|
| | |
|
(16.9)
|
| | | | | (2.8) | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
49.2
|
| | | | | 61.4 | | |
| | |
Trade
receivables 2021 £m |
| |
Provision for
impairment 2021 £m |
| |
Trade
receivables 2020 £m |
| |
Provision for
impairment 2020 £m |
| ||||||||||||
Not due
|
| | |
|
224.6
|
| | | |
|
(2.0)
|
| | | | | 265.1 | | | | | | (1.0) | | |
Overdue by less than 1 month
|
| | |
|
99.6
|
| | | |
|
(1.6)
|
| | | | | 117.5 | | | | | | (2.3) | | |
Overdue by between 1 and 3 months
|
| | |
|
65.8
|
| | | |
|
(2.5)
|
| | | | | 69.9 | | | | | | (5.9) | | |
Overdue by between 3 and 6 months
|
| | |
|
29.5
|
| | | |
|
(4.4)
|
| | | | | 34.0 | | | | | | (10.5) | | |
Overdue by between 6 and 12 months
|
| | |
|
23.2
|
| | | |
|
(12.6)
|
| | | | | 33.5 | | | | | | (14.9) | | |
Overdue by more than 12 months
|
| | |
|
30.9
|
| | | |
|
(26.1)
|
| | | | | 26.8 | | | | | | (26.8) | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
473.6
|
| | | |
|
(49.2)
|
| | | | | 546.8 | | | | | | (61.4) | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1) £m |
| ||||||
Pound sterling
|
| | |
|
52.3
|
| | | | | 59.9 | | |
Euro
|
| | |
|
149.6
|
| | | | | 168.0 | | |
US dollar
|
| | |
|
132.5
|
| | | | | 177.4 | | |
Other currencies
|
| | |
|
139.2
|
| | | | | 141.5 | | |
Carrying value
|
| | |
|
473.6
|
| | | | | 546.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Raw materials
|
| | |
|
12.5
|
| | | | | 10.8 | | |
Work in progress
|
| | |
|
2.0
|
| | | | | 1.8 | | |
Finished goods
|
| | |
|
121.2
|
| | | | | 118.7 | | |
| | | |
|
135.7
|
| | | | | 131.3 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Trade payables
|
| | |
|
165.2
|
| | | | | 182.3 | | |
Social security and other taxes
|
| | |
|
72.2
|
| | | | | 84.2 | | |
Other payables
|
| | |
|
89.1
|
| | | | | 112.2 | | |
Accruals
|
| | |
|
253.7
|
| | | | | 216.9 | | |
Contract liabilities(1)
|
| | |
|
166.3
|
| | | | | 159.3 | | |
Deferred consideration
|
| | |
|
14.0
|
| | | | | 177.7 | | |
Contingent consideration (including put option liability of £41.8m (2020: £34.3m))
|
| | |
|
75.0
|
| | | | | 62.8 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
835.5
|
| | | | | 995.4 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other payables
|
| | |
|
18.0
|
| | | | | 23.4 | | |
Deferred consideration
|
| | |
|
1.3
|
| | | | | 0.9 | | |
Contingent consideration (including put option liability of £41.8m (2020: £34.3m))
|
| | |
|
52.2
|
| | | | | 46.1 | | |
Total non-current portion
|
| | |
|
71.5
|
| | | | | 70.4 | | |
Current portion
|
| | |
|
764.0
|
| | | | | 925.0 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
835.5
|
| | | | | 995.4 | | |
|
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Pound sterling
|
| | |
|
164.8
|
| | | | | 154.4 | | |
Euro
|
| | |
|
198.1
|
| | | | | 205.6 | | |
US dollar
|
| | |
|
262.9
|
| | | | | 442.0 | | |
Other currencies
|
| | |
|
209.7
|
| | | | | 193.4 | | |
Carrying value
|
| | |
|
835.5
|
| | | | | 995.4 | | |
| | |
Environmental
£m |
| |
Self-Insurance
£m |
| |
Other
£m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 14.2 | | | | | | 29.3 | | | | | | 15.6 | | | | | | 59.1 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | 0.7 | | | | | | (0.9) | | | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
Additional provisions
|
| | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 14.7 | | | | | | 13.0 | | | | | | 28.1 | | |
Used during the year
|
| | | | (1.8) | | | | | | (10.7) | | | | | | (6.7) | | | | | | (19.2) | | |
Unused amounts reversed
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (0.2) | | | | | | (4.1) | | | | | | (4.3) | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses
|
| | | | 0.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
Unwinding of discount on provisions
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.3 | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 13.6 | | | | | | 32.5 | | | | | | 18.1 | | | | | | 64.2 | | |
At 1 January 2021
|
| | |
|
13.6
|
| | | |
|
32.5
|
| | | |
|
18.1
|
| | | |
|
64.2
|
| |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(0.7)
|
| | | |
|
0.3
|
| | | |
|
(0.6)
|
| | | |
|
(1.0)
|
| |
Additional provisions
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
17.8
|
| | | |
|
6.5
|
| | | |
|
24.3
|
| |
Used during the year
|
| | |
|
(2.4)
|
| | | |
|
(14.3)
|
| | | |
|
(9.6)
|
| | | |
|
(26.3)
|
| |
Unused amounts reversed
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.8)
|
| | | |
|
(1.8)
|
| | | |
|
(2.6)
|
| |
Acquisition of companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.7
|
| | | |
|
0.3
|
| | | |
|
2.0
|
| |
Unwinding of discount on provisions
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.3
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.3
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 10.5 | | | | | | 37.5 | | | | | | 12.9 | | | | | | 60.9 | | |
| | |
2021
Total £m |
| |
2020
Total £m |
| ||||||
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current
|
| | |
|
33.9
|
| | | | | 34.1 | | |
Current
|
| | |
|
27.0
|
| | | | | 30.1 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
60.9
|
| | | | | 64.2 | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1) £m |
| |
As restated
2019(1) £m |
| ||||||||||||
Employee costs
|
| | | | A9 | | | | |
|
1,404.9
|
| | | | | 1,304.9 | | | | | | 1,317.1 | | |
Direct materials and services(1)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
586.0
|
| | | | | 583.5 | | | | | | 555.5 | | |
Vehicle costs
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
146.4
|
| | | | | 133.9 | | | | | | 142.3 | | |
Property costs
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
59.6
|
| | | | | 65.3 | | | | | | 64.9 | | |
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
|
| | | | B3 | | | | |
|
128.4
|
| | | | | 132.3 | | | | | | 127.3 | | |
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
|
| | | | B2 | | | | |
|
91.1
|
| | | | | 101.0 | | | | | | 98.8 | | |
One-off items – operating
|
| | | | A1 | | | | |
|
20.7
|
| | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | 14.6 | | |
Other operating expenses(2)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
173.0
|
| | | | | 180.9 | | | | | | 118.1 | | |
Total operating expenses
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
2,610.1
|
| | | | | 2,509.5 | | | | | | 2,438.6 | | |
| | |
2021(1)(2)
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Parent Company and
Group accounts(1) |
| | |
|
1.5
|
| | | | | 0.9 | | | | | | 0.6 | | |
Audit of accounts of subsidiaries of the Group(2)
|
| | |
|
2.8
|
| | | | | 2.3 | | | | | | 2.0 | | |
Audit-related assurance services
|
| | |
|
0.1
|
| | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | 0.2 | | |
Other assurance services
|
| | |
|
0.1
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Total audit and audit-related assurance services
|
| | |
|
4.5
|
| | | | | 3.3 | | | | | | 2.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Wages and salaries(1)
|
| | |
|
1,224.8
|
| | | | | 1141.2 | | | | | | 1,147.2 | | |
Social security costs
|
| | |
|
137.5
|
| | | | | 128.8 | | | | | | 129.4 | | |
Share-based payments
|
| | |
|
9.8
|
| | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | 5.3 | | |
Pension costs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– defined contribution plans
|
| | |
|
31.4
|
| | | | | 27.0 | | | | | | 33.7 | | |
– defined benefit plans
|
| | |
|
1.4
|
| | | | | 2.4 | | | | | | 1.5 | | |
| | | |
|
1,404.9
|
| | | | | 1,304.9 | | | | | | 1,317.1 | | |
| | |
2021
Number |
| |
2020
Number |
| |
2019
Number |
| |||||||||
Processing and service delivery
|
| | |
|
34,163
|
| | | | | 33,174 | | | | | | 31,863 | | |
Sales and marketing
|
| | |
|
5,400
|
| | | | | 5,272 | | | | | | 5,169 | | |
Administration and overheads
|
| | |
|
6,468
|
| | | | | 6,142 | | | | | | 5,901 | | |
| | | |
|
46,031
|
| | | | | 44,588 | | | | | | 42,933 | | |
| | |
Highest
paid Director 2021 £000 |
| |
Other
Directors 2021 £000 |
| |
Highest
paid Director 2020 £000 |
| |
Other
Directors 2020 £000 |
| |
Highest
paid Director 2019 £000 |
| |
Other
Directors 2019 £000 |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Aggregate emoluments excluding share options
|
| | |
|
2,661.2
|
| | | |
|
1,444.0
|
| | | | | 867.3 | | | | | | 575.6 | | | | | | 2,045.4 | | | | | | 1,178.2 | | |
Aggregate gains made by Directors on exercise
of share options |
| | |
|
916.3
|
| | | |
|
370.6
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Aggregate amount receivable under long-term
incentive schemes |
| | |
|
3,340.0
|
| | | |
|
145.9
|
| | | | | 3,187.9 | | | | | | 1,325.6 | | | | | | 2,512.3 | | | | | | 1,615.1 | | |
Aggregate value of Company contributions to
defined contribution pension schemes |
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | | |
|
6,917.5
|
| | | |
|
1,960.5
|
| | | | | 4,055.2 | | | | | | 1,901.2 | | | | | | 4,557.7 | | | | | | 2,793.3 | | |
| | |
2021
Number |
| |
2020
Number |
| |
2019
Number |
| |||||||||
Number of Directors accruing retirement benefits | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– defined contribution schemes
|
| | |
|
2
|
| | | | | 3 | | | | | | 2 | | |
– defined benefit schemes
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Number of Directors exercising share options(1)
|
| | |
|
2
|
| | | | | 2 | | | | | | — | | |
Number of Directors receiving shares as part of long-term incentive schemes
|
| | |
|
2
|
| | | | | 3 | | | | | | 2 | | |
| | |
31 December
2021 |
| |
31 December
2020 |
| ||||||
Weighted average % | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Discount rate
|
| | |
|
2.0%
|
| | | | | 1.4% | | |
Future salary increases
|
| | |
|
n/a
|
| | | | | n/a | | |
Future pension increases
|
| | |
|
3.3%
|
| | | | | 3.0% | | |
RPI inflation
|
| | |
|
3.4%
|
| | | | | 3.0% | | |
CPI inflation
|
| | |
|
2.7%
|
| | | | | 2.3% | | |
| | |
Present
value of obligation 2021 £m |
| |
Fair
value of plan assets 2021 £m |
| |
Total
2021 £m |
| |
Present
value of obligation 2020 £m |
| |
Fair
value of plan assets 2020 £m |
| |
Total
2020 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
At 1 January | | | |
|
(1,481.1)
|
| | | |
|
1,461.3
|
| | | |
|
(19.8)
|
| | | | | (1,443.9) | | | | | | 1,443.8 | | | | | | (0.1) | | |
Current service costs(1)
|
| | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | | | (1.6) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1.6) | | |
Past service costs(1)
|
| | |
|
0.9
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.9
|
| | | | | 7.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7.1 | | |
Settlement gain
|
| | |
|
21.9
|
| | | |
|
(20.7)
|
| | | |
|
1.2
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Administration expenses(1)
|
| | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | |
Interest on defined benefit obligation/asset(1)
|
| | |
|
(20.7)
|
| | | |
|
20.7
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (28.2) | | | | | | 28.7 | | | | | | 0.5 | | |
Exchange difference
|
| | |
|
2.9
|
| | | |
|
(1.7)
|
| | | |
|
1.2
|
| | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (0.4) | | | | | | (0.5) | | |
Total pension income/(expense)
|
| | |
|
3.4
|
| | | |
|
(1.7)
|
| | | |
|
1.7
|
| | | | | (22.9) | | | | | | 28.3 | | | | | | 5.4 | | |
Remeasurements: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Remeasurement gain/(loss) on scheme
assets |
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(77.8)
|
| | | |
|
(77.8)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 70.2 | | | | | | 70.2 | | |
– Remeasurement gain/(loss) on obligation(2)
|
| | |
|
78.6
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
78.6
|
| | | | | (83.3) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (83.3) | | |
Transfers: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Transferred on acquisition of business
|
| | |
|
(0.3)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.3)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Contributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Employers
|
| | |
|
(0.7)
|
| | | |
|
8.3
|
| | | |
|
7.6
|
| | | | | (0.3) | | | | | | 0.5 | | | | | | 0.2 | | |
– Participants
|
| | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | |
|
0.1
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (0.2) | | | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | — | | |
– Benefit payments
|
| | |
|
86.6
|
| | | |
|
(85.0)
|
| | | |
|
1.6
|
| | | | | 69.4 | | | | | | (68.7) | | | | | | 0.7 | | |
– Refund of surplus
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (13.0) | | | | | | (13.0) | | |
– Administration costs
|
| | |
|
0.1
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.1
|
| | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
(1,313.5)
|
| | | |
|
1,305.2
|
| | | |
|
(8.3)
|
| | | | | (1,481.1) | | | | | | 1,461.3 | | | | | | (19.8) | | |
Retirement benefit obligation schemes(3) | | | |
|
(63.0)
|
| | | |
|
35.7
|
| | | |
|
(27.3)
|
| | | | | (110.6) | | | | | | 71.8 | | | | | | (38.8) | | |
Retirement benefit asset schemes(4) | | | |
|
(1,250.5)
|
| | | |
|
1,269.5
|
| | | |
|
19.0
|
| | | | | (1,370.5) | | | | | | 1,389.5 | | | | | | 19.0 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Equity instruments
|
| | |
|
2.8
|
| | | | | 37.3 | | |
Debt instruments – unquoted
|
| | |
|
16.5
|
| | | | | 16.7 | | |
Insurance policies
|
| | |
|
1,238.6
|
| | | | | 1,343.6 | | |
Other
|
| | |
|
47.3
|
| | | | | 63.7 | | |
Total plan assets
|
| | |
|
1,305.2
|
| | | | | 1,461.3 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Share options outstanding (not exercisable)
|
| |
Share options exercisable
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Year
of grant |
| |
Vesting
year |
| |
Scheme
interest at 1 January 2021 |
| |
Shares
awarded during 2021 |
| |
Shares
lapsed during 2021 |
| |
Shares
vested during 2021 |
| |
Shares
outstanding (not exercisable) at 31 December 2021 |
| |
Shares
exercisable at 1 January 2021 |
| |
Shares
vested during 2021 |
| |
Shares
exercised during 2021 |
| |
Shares
lapsed during 2021 |
| |
Shares
outstanding (exercisable) at 31 December 2021 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2012
|
| | | | 2015 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
179,519
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(10,968)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
168,551
|
| |
|
2013
|
| | | | 2016 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
12,073
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(12,073)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,085,178
|
| | | |
|
12,073
|
| | | |
|
(71,944)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,025,307
|
| |
|
2014
|
| | | | 2017 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
13,693
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(13,693)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,200,990
|
| | | |
|
13,693
|
| | | |
|
(26,613)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,188,070
|
| |
|
2015
|
| | | | 2018 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
15,831
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(15,831)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,398,235
|
| | | |
|
15,831
|
| | | |
|
(49,797)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,364,269
|
| |
|
2016
|
| | | | 2019 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
22,920
|
| | | |
|
(15)
|
| | | |
|
(22,905)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
2,052,013
|
| | | |
|
22,905
|
| | | |
|
(131,521)
|
| | | |
|
(1,323)
|
| | | |
|
1,942,074
|
| |
|
2017
|
| | | | 2020 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
19,720
|
| | | |
|
(85)
|
| | | |
|
(19,635)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,784,890
|
| | | |
|
19,635
|
| | | |
|
(171,187)
|
| | | |
|
(7,720)
|
| | | |
|
1,625,618
|
| |
|
2018
|
| | | | 2021 | | | | |
|
6,024,191
|
| | | |
|
164,397
|
| | | |
|
(1,066,488)
|
| | | |
|
(4,230,356)
|
| | | |
|
891,744
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
4,230,356
|
| | | |
|
(2,691,765)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1,538,591
|
| |
|
2019
|
| | | | 2022 | | | | |
|
4,993,019
|
| | | |
|
33,885
|
| | | |
|
(250,755)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
4,776,149
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| |
|
2020
|
| | | | 2023 | | | | |
|
3,561,710
|
| | | |
|
754
|
| | | |
|
(91,452)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
3,471,012
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| |
|
2021
|
| | | | 2024 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
4,228,162
|
| | | |
|
(90,489)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
4,137,673
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
Share options outstanding (not exercisable)
|
| |
Share options exercisable
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Year
of grant |
| |
Vesting
year |
| |
Scheme
interest at 1 January 2020 |
| |
Shares
awarded during 2020 |
| |
Shares
lapsed during 2020 |
| |
Shares
vested during 2020 |
| |
Shares
outstanding (not exercisable) at 31 December 2020 |
| |
Shares
exercisable at 1 January 2020 |
| |
Shares
vested during 2020 |
| |
Shares
exercised during 2020 |
| |
Shares
lapsed during 2020 |
| |
Shares
outstanding (exercisable) at 31 December 2020 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2012
|
| | | | 2015 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 214,132 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (34,613) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 179,519 | | |
|
2013
|
| | | | 2016 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,266,153 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (180,975) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,085,178 | | |
|
2014
|
| | | | 2017 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,382,204 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (181,214) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,200,990 | | |
|
2015
|
| | | | 2018 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,178,655 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (777,521) | | | | | | (2,899) | | | | | | 1,398,235 | | |
|
2016
|
| | | | 2019 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,117,476 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1,047,232) | | | | | | (18,231) | | | | | | 2,052,013 | | |
|
2017
|
| | | | 2020 | | | | | | 4,717,888 | | | | | | 157,880 | | | | | | (528,405) | | | | | | (4,347,363) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 4,347,363 | | | | | | (2,562,473) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,784,890 | | |
|
2018
|
| | | | 2021 | | | | | | 6,601,097 | | | | | | 6,545 | | | | | | (324,013) | | | | | | (259,438) | | | | | | 6,024,191 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 259,438 | | | | | | (259,438) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
2019
|
| | | | 2022 | | | | | | 5,326,306 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (333,287) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 4,993,019 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
2020
|
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,561,710 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,561,710 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
UK corporation tax at 19.0% (2020: 19.0%, 2019: 19%)
|
| | |
|
9.5
|
| | | | | 8.8 | | | | | | 8.3 | | |
Overseas taxation
|
| | |
|
47.8
|
| | | | | 60.9 | | | | | | 41.6 | | |
Adjustment in respect of previous periods
|
| | |
|
(3.3)
|
| | | | | (3.1) | | | | | | 8.8 | | |
Total current tax
|
| | |
|
54.0
|
| | | | | 66.6 | | | | | | 58.7 | | |
Deferred tax expense/(credit)
|
| | |
|
20.8
|
| | | | | (17.0) | | | | | | 0.7 | | |
Deferred tax adjustment in respect of previous periods
|
| | |
|
(12.9)
|
| | | | | (6.1) | | | | | | (4.7) | | |
Total deferred tax
|
| | |
|
7.9
|
| | | | | (23.1) | | | | | | (4.0) | | |
Total income tax expense
|
| | |
|
61.9
|
| | | | | 43.5 | | | | | | 54.7 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Profit before income tax
|
| | |
|
325.1
|
| | | | | 229.8 | | | | | | 338.5 | | |
Tax calculated at domestic tax rates applicable to profits in the respective
countries |
| | |
|
76.5
|
| | | | | 55.7 | | | | | | 82.6 | | |
Adjustment in respect of previous periods
|
| | |
|
(16.2)
|
| | | | | (9.2) | | | | | | 4.1 | | |
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – one-off items
|
| | |
|
3.0
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | 8.0 | | |
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes – other
|
| | |
|
3.2
|
| | | | | 1.9 | | | | | | 4.4 | | |
Income not subject to tax
|
| | |
|
(1.0)
|
| | | | | (1.3) | | | | | | (0.7) | | |
Impairment of goodwill
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 3.2 | | | | | | 1.0 | | |
Goodwill deductions and revaluation of intangible assets
|
| | |
|
(2.4)
|
| | | | | (0.9) | | | | | | (1.3) | | |
Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses
|
| | |
|
(0.6)
|
| | | | | (0.7) | | | | | | (5.7) | | |
Deferred tax recognised on losses
|
| | |
|
(2.8)
|
| | | | | (2.1) | | | | | | (7.7) | | |
Losses not relieved
|
| | |
|
0.3
|
| | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 1.0 | | |
Deferred tax impact of change in tax rates
|
| | |
|
(3.6)
|
| | | | | (8.9) | | | | | | 0.2 | | |
Provisions utilised for which no deferred tax assets were recognised
|
| | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | | | (1.4) | | | | | | (2.2) | | |
Overseas withholding tax suffered
|
| | |
|
0.7
|
| | | | | 0.7 | | | | | | 0.5 | | |
Deferred tax on unremitted earnings
|
| | |
|
0.3
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 0.8 | | |
Tax on overseas dividends
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 1.0 | | |
Local business taxes
|
| | |
|
1.0
|
| | | | | 1.8 | | | | | | 1.6 | | |
Foreign exchange differences
|
| | |
|
0.5
|
| | | | | 0.7 | | | | | | (3.5) | | |
Disposal gain not subject to tax
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (31.6) | | |
US BEAT liability
|
| | |
|
4.8
|
| | | | | 3.1 | | | | | | 2.2 | | |
Other
|
| | |
|
(0.3)
|
| | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | — | | |
Total tax expense
|
| | |
|
61.9
|
| | | | | 43.5 | | | | | | 54.7 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
At 1 January
|
| | |
|
(57.0)
|
| | | | | (81.5) | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
1.7
|
| | | | | (0.6) | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
(7.7)
|
| | | | | (5.1) | | |
Credited to the income statement
|
| | |
|
(7.9)
|
| | | | | 23.1 | | |
Credited to other comprehensive income
|
| | |
|
(0.2)
|
| | | | | 3.9 | | |
Charged to equity
|
| | |
|
4.6
|
| | | | | 3.2 | | |
At 31 December
|
| | | | (66.5) | | | | | | (57.0) | | |
Deferred taxation has been presented on the balance sheet as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax asset within non-current assets
|
| | |
|
41.6
|
| | | | | 37.7 | | |
Deferred tax liability within non-current liabilities
|
| | |
|
(108.1)
|
| | | | | (94.7) | | |
| | | |
|
(66.5)
|
| | | | | (57.0) | | |
| | |
Customer
lists/ intangibles £m |
| |
Accelerated
tax depreciation £m |
| |
Retirement
benefits £m |
| |
Unremitted
earnings from subsidiaries £m |
| |
Tax
losses £m |
| |
Share-based
payments £m |
| |
Other(1)
£m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 72.6 | | | | | | 42.0 | | | | | | 4.5 | | | | | | 4.2 | | | | | | (23.0) | | | | | | (8.3) | | | | | | (10.5) | | | | | | 81.5 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | (1.8) | | | | | | 1.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.0 | | | | | | 0.6 | | |
Recognised in income statement
|
| | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | (4.1) | | | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | 5.5 | | | | | | 2.1 | | | | | | (27.4) | | | | | | (23.1) | | |
Recognised in other comprehensive
income |
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (3.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (3.9) | | |
Recognised in equity
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (3.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (3.2) | | |
Acquired in business combinations
|
| | | | 5.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.1 | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 76.2 | | | | | | 43.8 | | | | | | (3.5) | | | | | | 4.3 | | | | | | (17.5) | | | | | | (9.4) | | | | | | (36.9) | | | | | | 57.0 | | |
| | |
Customer
lists/ intangibles £m |
| |
Accelerated
tax depreciation £m |
| |
Retirement
benefits £m |
| |
Unremitted
earnings from subsidiaries £m |
| |
Tax
losses £m |
| |
Share-based
payments £m |
| |
Other(1)
£m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
At 1 January 2021
|
| | |
|
76.2
|
| | | |
|
43.8
|
| | | |
|
(3.5)
|
| | | |
|
4.3
|
| | | |
|
(17.5)
|
| | | |
|
(9.4)
|
| | | |
|
(36.9)
|
| | | |
|
57.0
|
| |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.4)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.3)
|
| | | |
|
(1.7)
|
| |
Recognised in income statement
|
| | |
|
0.8
|
| | | |
|
7.4
|
| | | |
|
1.4
|
| | | |
|
0.4
|
| | | |
|
3.6
|
| | | |
|
(0.8)
|
| | | |
|
(4.9)
|
| | | |
|
7.9
|
| |
Recognised in other comprehensive
income |
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.2
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.2
|
| |
Recognised in equity
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(4.6)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(4.6)
|
| |
Acquired in business combinations
|
| | |
|
6.6
|
| | | |
|
0.1
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.0
|
| | | |
|
7.7
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 83.6 | | | | | | 49.9 | | | | | | (1.9) | | | | | | 4.7 | | | | | | (13.9) | | | | | | (14.8) | | | | | | (41.1) | | | | | | 66.5 | | |
|
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Purchase consideration | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Cash paid
|
| | |
|
273.1
|
| | | | | 156.9 | | | | | | 290.3 | | |
– Deferred and contingent consideration
|
| | |
|
40.6
|
| | | | | 210.4 | | | | | | 38.3 | | |
Total purchase consideration
|
| | |
|
313.7
|
| | | | | 367.3 | | | | | | 328.6 | | |
Fair value of net assets acquired
|
| | |
|
(83.1)
|
| | | | | (49.9) | | | | | | (62.8) | | |
Goodwill from current-year acquisitions
|
| | |
|
230.6
|
| | | | | 317.4 | | | | | | 265.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Non-current assets
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Intangible assets(2)
|
| | |
|
70.7
|
| | | | | 56.9 | | | | | | 70.5 | | |
– Property, plant and equipment(3)
|
| | |
|
13.2
|
| | | | | 9.9 | | | | | | 17.0 | | |
– Other non-current assets
|
| | |
|
1.7
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
Current assets(4)
|
| | |
|
36.8
|
| | | | | 20.4 | | | | | | 14.3 | | |
Current liabilities
|
| | |
|
(25.4)
|
| | | | | (20.0) | | | | | | (20.8) | | |
Non-current liabilities(5)
|
| | |
|
(13.9)
|
| | | | | (17.3) | | | | | | (18.2) | | |
Net assets acquired
|
| | |
|
83.1
|
| | | | | 49.9 | | | | | | 62.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Total purchase consideration
|
| | |
|
313.7
|
| | | | | 367.3 | | | | | | 328.6 | | |
Consideration payable in future periods
|
| | |
|
(40.6)
|
| | | | | (210.4) | | | | | | (38.3) | | |
Purchase consideration paid in cash
|
| | |
|
273.1
|
| | | | | 156.9 | | | | | | 290.3 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents in acquired companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
(6.0)
|
| | | | | (6.1) | | | | | | (6.0) | | |
Cash outflow on current period acquisitions
|
| | |
|
267.1
|
| | | | | 150.8 | | | | | | 284.3 | | |
Deferred consideration paid
|
| | |
|
196.0
|
| | | | | 43.9 | | | | | | 31.4 | | |
Cash outflow on current and past acquisitions
|
| | |
|
463.1
|
| | | | | 194.7 | | | | | | 315.7 | | |
| | |
Goodwill
£m |
| |
Customer
lists £m |
| |
Other
intangibles £m |
| |
Product
development £m |
| |
Computer
software £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 1,376.7 | | | | | | 782.8 | | | | | | 66.7 | | | | | | 33.7 | | | | | | 135.1 | | | | | | 2,395.0 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | (45.2) | | | | | | (5.5) | | | | | | (0.7) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.5 | | | | | | (50.9) | | |
Additions
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.7 | | | | | | 16.8 | | | | | | 22.5 | | |
Disposals/retirements
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (7.7) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (7.4) | | | | | | (15.1) | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses(1)
|
| | | | 322.3 | | | | | | 56.7 | | | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 379.1 | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | | | (0.4) | | | | | | (1.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.2) | | | | | | (2.5) | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 1,653.4 | | | | | | 824.4 | | | | | | 66.1 | | | | | | 39.4 | | | | | | 144.8 | | | | | | 2,728.1 | | |
At 1 January 2021
|
| | |
|
1,653.4
|
| | | |
|
824.4
|
| | | |
|
66.1
|
| | | |
|
39.4
|
| | | |
|
144.8
|
| | | |
|
2,728.1
|
| |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
3.6
|
| | | |
|
(13.3)
|
| | | |
|
0.1
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | |
|
(11.1)
|
| |
Additions
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
3.7
|
| | | |
|
6.4
|
| | | |
|
21.0
|
| | | |
|
31.1
|
| |
Disposals/retirements
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(3.7)
|
| | | |
|
(3.4)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.8)
|
| | | |
|
(7.9)
|
| |
Acquisition of companies and businesses(1)
|
| | |
|
228.2
|
| | | |
|
68.6
|
| | | |
|
0.5
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.1
|
| | | |
|
297.4
|
| |
Hyperinflationary adjustment
|
| | |
|
3.2
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
3.2
|
| |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.2)
|
| | | |
|
(0.2)
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 1,888.4 | | | | | | 876.0 | | | | | | 67.0 | | | | | | 45.8 | | | | | | 163.4 | | | | | | 3,040.6 | | |
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | (34.2) | | | | | | (534.1) | | | | | | (42.9) | | | | | | (20.0) | | | | | | (90.4) | | | | | | (721.6) | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | (0.2) | | | | | | (0.3) | | | | | | 0.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.4) | | | | | | — | | |
Disposals/retirements
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 7.7 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 6.8 | | | | | | 14.5 | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 1.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | 2.1 | | |
Impairment charge
|
| | | | (10.6) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | (1.9) | | | | | | (13.0) | | |
Amortisation charge
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (60.5) | | | | | | (4.6) | | | | | | (6.3) | | | | | | (16.6) | | | | | | (88.0) | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | (45.0) | | | | | | (585.3) | | | | | | (46.6) | | | | | | (26.8) | | | | | | (102.3) | | | | | | (806.0) | | |
At 1 January 2021
|
| | |
|
(45.0)
|
| | | |
|
(585.3)
|
| | | |
|
(46.6)
|
| | | |
|
(26.8)
|
| | | |
|
(102.3)
|
| | | |
|
(806.0)
|
| |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
1.0
|
| | | |
|
10.5
|
| | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.3
|
| | | |
|
12.7
|
| |
Disposals/retirements
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
3.7
|
| | | |
|
3.4
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.8
|
| | | |
|
7.9
|
| |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
0.2
|
| | | |
|
0.2
|
| |
Impairment charge
|
| | |
|
(0.2)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | |
|
(1.4)
|
| | | |
|
(1.7)
|
| |
Amortisation charge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(64.0)
|
| | | |
|
(4.7)
|
| | | |
|
(5.3)
|
| | | |
|
(15.4)
|
| | | |
|
(89.4)
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | (44.2) | | | | | | (635.1) | | | | | | (48.0) | | | | | | (32.2) | | | | | | (116.8) | | | | | | (876.3) | | |
Net book value | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 1,342.5 | | | | | | 248.7 | | | | | | 23.8 | | | | | | 13.7 | | | | | | 44.7 | | | | | | 1,673.4 | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 1,608.4 | | | | | | 239.1 | | | | | | 19.5 | | | | | | 12.6 | | | | | | 42.5 | | | | | | 1,922.1 | | |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 1,844.2 | | | | | | 240.9 | | | | | | 19.0 | | | | | | 13.6 | | | | | | 46.6 | | | | | | 2,164.3 | | |
| Customer lists: | | | 3 to 15 years | |
| Other intangibles: | | | 2 to 15 years | |
| Product development: | | | 2 to 5 years | |
| Computer software: | | | 3 to 5 years | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
France
|
| | |
|
9.1
|
| | | | | 9.6 | | |
Benelux
|
| | |
|
5.9
|
| | | | | 6.2 | | |
Germany
|
| | |
|
9.2
|
| | | | | 13.4 | | |
Southern Europe
|
| | |
|
35.8
|
| | | | | 32.3 | | |
Latin America
|
| | |
|
18.0
|
| | | | | 18.6 | | |
Europe
|
| | |
|
78.0
|
| | | | | 80.1 | | |
UK & Ireland
|
| | |
|
61.5
|
| | | | | 61.7 | | |
Rest of World
|
| | |
|
82.6
|
| | | | | 34.9 | | |
UK & Rest of World
|
| | |
|
144.1
|
| | | | | 96.6 | | |
Asia
|
| | |
|
125.1
|
| | | | | 125.3 | | |
North America(1)
|
| | |
|
1,420.1
|
| | | | | 1,231.5 | | |
Pacific
|
| | |
|
76.9
|
| | | | | 74.9 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
1,844.2
|
| | | | | 1,608.4 | | |
| | |
Rentokil PCI (2021)
|
| |
Rentokil PCI (2020)
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Sensitivity analysis
|
| |
Rate used
|
| |
Impairment
£m |
| |
Rate used
|
| |
Impairment
£m |
| ||||||||||||
Assumption | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term growth rate – 1% decrease
|
| | | | 4.0% | | | | | | 2.2 | | | | | | 5.0% | | | | | | 3.5 | | |
Terminal operating margin – 1% decrease
|
| | | | 15.1% | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 15.1% | | | | | | 1.4 | | |
Pre-tax discount rate – 1% increase
|
| | | | 12.6% | | | | | | 4.5 | | | | | | 13.9% | | | | | | 5.6 | | |
| | |
Brazil
|
| |||||||||
Sensitivity analysis (year ended 31 December 2020)
|
| |
Rate used
|
| |
Increase in
impairment £m |
| ||||||
Assumption | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term growth rate – 1% decrease
|
| | | | 4.0% | | | | | | 0.3 | | |
Terminal operating margin – 1% decrease
|
| | | | 13.0% | | | | | | 0.5 | | |
Pre-tax discount rate – 1% increase
|
| | | | 18.5% | | | | | | 0.5 | | |
| | |
2021 long-term
growth rate(1) |
| |
2021 pre-tax
discount rate |
| |
2020 long-term
growth rate(1) |
| |
2020 pre-tax
discount rate |
|
France
|
| |
1.6%
|
| |
10.8 – 10.9%
|
| |
1.7%
|
| |
11.1 – 11.9%
|
|
Benelux
|
| |
1.8%
|
| |
7.3 – 10.2%
|
| |
2.0%
|
| |
10.7 – 11.7%
|
|
Germany
|
| |
2.1%
|
| |
10.6 – 10.8%
|
| |
1.9 – 2.1%
|
| |
10.3 – 11.1%
|
|
Southern Europe
|
| |
1.3 – 1.9%
|
| |
7.1 – 10.7%
|
| |
1.5 – 1.8%
|
| |
11.5 – 12.8%
|
|
Latin America
|
| |
3.0 – 3.3%
|
| |
11.6 – 15.4%
|
| |
3.0 – 4.0%
|
| |
13.0 – 18.5%
|
|
UK & Ireland
|
| |
2.0%
|
| |
6.5 – 7.0%
|
| |
2.0%
|
| |
9.4 – 11.8%
|
|
Rest of World
|
| |
1.8 – 4.5%
|
| |
8.0 – 11.6%
|
| |
2.0 – 5.3%
|
| |
9.4 – 12.1%
|
|
Asia
|
| |
1.5 – 4.0%
|
| |
8.2 – 12.6%
|
| |
1.5 – 5.0%
|
| |
10.0 – 13.9%
|
|
North America(2)
|
| |
2.0 – 2.2%
|
| |
6.6 – 8.7%
|
| |
1.2 – 2.3%
|
| |
11.6 – 16.2%
|
|
Pacific
|
| |
2.2 – 2.4%
|
| |
9.3 – 10.7%
|
| |
2.0 – 2.5%
|
| |
12.8 – 13.3%
|
|
| | |
Land and
buildings £m |
| |
Service
contract equipment £m |
| |
Other plant
and equipment £m |
| |
Vehicles
and office equipment £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| |||||||||||||||
Cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 84.1 | | | | | | 485.3 | | | | | | 169.6 | | | | | | 185.3 | | | | | | 924.3 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | 3.0 | | | | | | 19.6 | | | | | | 6.6 | | | | | | (0.4) | | | | | | 28.8 | | |
Additions
|
| | | | 2.0 | | | | | | 93.0 | | | | | | 11.5 | | | | | | 20.6 | | | | | | 127.1 | | |
Disposals
|
| | | | (1.8) | | | | | | (74.8) | | | | | | (1.8) | | | | | | (13.2) | | | | | | (91.6) | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses(1)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 4.9 | | | | | | 5.6 | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (0.2) | | |
Reclassification from IFRS 16 ROU assets(2)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.3 | | | | | | 3.3 | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 87.3 | | | | | | 523.5 | | | | | | 186.1 | | | | | | 200.4 | | | | | | 997.3 | | |
At 1 January 2021
|
| | |
|
87.3
|
| | | |
|
523.5
|
| | | |
|
186.1
|
| | | |
|
200.4
|
| | | |
|
997.3
|
| |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(4.0)
|
| | | |
|
(26.5)
|
| | | |
|
(8.9)
|
| | | |
|
(4.9)
|
| | | |
|
(44.3)
|
| |
Additions
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | |
|
93.8
|
| | | |
|
12.8
|
| | | |
|
18.8
|
| | | |
|
128.1
|
| |
Disposals
|
| | |
|
(2.1)
|
| | | |
|
(73.4)
|
| | | |
|
(2.6)
|
| | | |
|
(17.5)
|
| | | |
|
(95.6)
|
| |
Acquisition of companies and businesses(1)
|
| | |
|
3.6
|
| | | |
|
0.3
|
| | | |
|
0.7
|
| | | |
|
7.9
|
| | | |
|
12.5
|
| |
Reclassification from IFRS 16 ROU assets(2)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
5.5
|
| | | |
|
5.5
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 87.5 | | | | | | 517.7 | | | | | | 188.1 | | | | | | 210.2 | | | | | | 1,003.5 | | |
Accumulated depreciation and impairment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | (27.1) | | | | | | (273.2) | | | | | | (116.7) | | | | | | (115.6) | | | | | | (532.6) | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | (1.1) | | | | | | (11.9) | | | | | | (4.7) | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (17.8) | | |
Disposals
|
| | | | 1.1 | | | | | | 73.4 | | | | | | 1.6 | | | | | | 11.9 | | | | | | 88.0 | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | 0.1 | | |
Impairment charge
|
| | | | (0.1) | | | | | | (0.3) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.4) | | |
Depreciation charge
|
| | | | (3.0) | | | | | | (97.6) | | | | | | (12.3) | | | | | | (19.0) | | | | | | (131.9) | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | (30.2) | | | | | | (309.6) | | | | | | (132.1) | | | | | | (122.7) | | | | | | (594.6) | | |
At 1 January
|
| | |
|
(30.2)
|
| | | |
|
(309.6)
|
| | | |
|
(132.1)
|
| | | |
|
(122.7)
|
| | | |
|
(594.6)
|
| |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
1.6
|
| | | |
|
16.1
|
| | | |
|
6.6
|
| | | |
|
3.1
|
| | | |
|
27.4
|
| |
Disposals
|
| | |
|
0.5
|
| | | |
|
72.2
|
| | | |
|
2.2
|
| | | |
|
15.3
|
| | | |
|
90.2
|
| |
Depreciation charge
|
| | |
|
(3.0)
|
| | | |
|
(92.4)
|
| | | |
|
(11.9)
|
| | | |
|
(21.1)
|
| | | |
|
(128.4)
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | (31.1) | | | | | | (313.7) | | | | | | (135.2) | | | | | | (125.4) | | | | | | (605.4) | | |
Net book value | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 57.0 | | | | | | 212.1 | | | | | | 52.9 | | | | | | 69.7 | | | | | | 391.7 | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 57.1 | | | | | | 213.9 | | | | | | 54.0 | | | | | | 77.7 | | | | | | 402.7 | | |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 56.4 | | | | | | 204.0 | | | | | | 52.9 | | | | | | 84.8 | | | | | | 398.1 | | |
| Freehold buildings: | | | 50 to 100 years | |
| Leasehold improvements: | | |
Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life
|
|
| Vehicles: | | | 4 to 10 years | |
| Plant and equipment (including service contract equipment): | | | 3 to 10 years | |
| Office equipment, furniture and fittings: | | | 3 to 10 years | |
| | |
Land and
buildings £m |
| |
Vehicles
£m |
| |
Other
equipment £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||
Net book value | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January 2020
|
| | | | 104.6 | | | | | | 114.9 | | | | | | 1.7 | | | | | | 221.2 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | | | 0.7 | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 0.6 | | |
Additions
|
| | | | 29.1 | | | | | | 44.8 | | | | | | 1.5 | | | | | | 75.4 | | |
Disposals
|
| | | | (2.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (2.4) | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses(1)
|
| | | | 0.1 | | | | | | 4.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 4.2 | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (0.1) | | |
Impairment charge
|
| | | | (1.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (1.4) | | |
Depreciation charge
|
| | | | (35.5) | | | | | | (40.2) | | | | | | (1.0) | | | | | | (76.7) | | |
Reclassification to property, plant and equipment(2)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | (3.3) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (3.3) | | |
At 31 December 2020
|
| | | | 95.2 | | | | | | 120.1 | | | | | | 2.2 | | | | | | 217.5 | | |
At 1 January 2021
|
| | |
|
95.2
|
| | | |
|
120.1
|
| | | |
|
2.2
|
| | | |
|
217.5
|
| |
| | |
Land and
buildings £m |
| |
Vehicles
£m |
| |
Other
equipment £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| ||||||||||||
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(2.2)
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(3.7)
|
| |
Additions
|
| | |
|
33.4
|
| | | |
|
56.2
|
| | | |
|
1.6
|
| | | |
|
91.2
|
| |
Disposals
|
| | |
|
(0.8)
|
| | | |
|
(0.7)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1.5)
|
| |
Acquisition of companies and businesses(1)
|
| | |
|
4.6
|
| | | |
|
3.3
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
7.9
|
| |
Impairment charge
|
| | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.1)
|
| |
Depreciation charge
|
| | |
|
(36.9)
|
| | | |
|
(39.5)
|
| | | |
|
(1.9)
|
| | | |
|
(78.3)
|
| |
Reclassification to property, plant and equipment(2)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(5.5)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(5.5)
|
| |
At 31 December 2021
|
| | | | 93.2 | | | | | | 132.4 | | | | | | 1.9 | | | | | | 227.5 | | |
|
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Lease liabilities under IFRS 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 1 January
|
| | |
|
214.5
|
| | | | | 216.7 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(4.1)
|
| | | | | 1.1 | | |
Cash outflow
|
| | |
|
(94.1)
|
| | | | | (92.3) | | |
Interest
|
| | |
|
6.1
|
| | | | | 6.8 | | |
Additions
|
| | |
|
89.4
|
| | | | | 75.5 | | |
Acquisition of companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
5.2
|
| | | | | 6.8 | | |
Disposal of companies and businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (0.1) | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
217.0
|
| | | | | 214.5 | | |
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current
|
| | |
|
139.2
|
| | | | | 141.8 | | |
Current
|
| | |
|
77.8
|
| | | | | 72.7 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
217.0
|
| | | | | 214.5 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Pound sterling
|
| | |
|
33.0
|
| | | | | 30.7 | | |
Euro
|
| | |
|
56.7
|
| | | | | 61.1 | | |
US dollar
|
| | |
|
89.1
|
| | | | | 76.9 | | |
Other currencies
|
| | |
|
38.2
|
| | | | | 45.8 | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
217.0
|
| | | | | 214.5 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Lease liabilities under IFRS 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than one year
|
| | |
|
80.4
|
| | | | | 79.8 | | |
Between one and five years
|
| | |
|
137.7
|
| | | | | 137.0 | | |
More than five years
|
| | |
|
13.3
|
| | | | | 16.5 | | |
Future minimum payments
|
| | |
|
231.4
|
| | | | | 233.3 | | |
Effect of discounting
|
| | |
|
(14.4)
|
| | | | | (18.8) | | |
Carrying value
|
| | |
|
217.0
|
| | | | | 214.5 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Expenses relating to short-term leases
|
| | |
|
12.3
|
| | | | | 11.5 | | |
Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets
|
| | |
|
6.1
|
| | | | | 5.1 | | |
Expenses relating to variable lease payments
|
| | |
|
1.2
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
19.6
|
| | | | | 16.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Property, plant and equipment
|
| | |
|
13.5
|
| | | | | 11.7 | | |
Intangible assets
|
| | |
|
1.2
|
| | | | | 1.2 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
14.7
|
| | | | | 12.9 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Interest in Nippon Calmic Limited
|
| | |
|
28.4
|
| | | | | 27.2 | | |
Interest in individually immaterial associated undertakings
|
| | |
|
1.3
|
| | | | | — | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
29.7
|
| | | | | 27.2 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
At 1 January
|
| | |
|
27.2
|
| | | | | 29.7 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(2.8)
|
| | | | | 0.9 | | |
Share of profit(1)
|
| | |
|
8.0
|
| | | | | 8.3 | | |
Dividends received
|
| | |
|
(3.9)
|
| | | | | (11.7) | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
28.5
|
| | | | | 27.2 | | |
| | |
Assets
2021 £m |
| |
Liabilities
2021 £m |
| |
Revenue
2021 £m |
| |
Profit
2021 £m |
| |
Assets
2020 £m |
| |
Liabilities
2020 £m |
| |
Revenue
2020 £m |
| |
Profit
2020 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nippon Calmic Ltd (49%)
|
| | |
|
53.2
|
| | | |
|
(24.1)
|
| | | |
|
51.9
|
| | | |
|
8.0
|
| | | | | 55.1 | | | | | | (27.5) | | | | | | 56.3 | | | | | | 8.3 | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1) £m |
| |||||||||
Current | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
| | | | C3 | | | | |
|
668.4
|
| | | | | 1,949.5 | | |
Other investments
|
| | | | C4 | | | | |
|
1.6
|
| | | | | 172.2 | | |
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
1.5
|
| | | | | 1.9 | | |
Bank and other short-term borrowings(2)(3)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
(459.3)
|
| | | | | (1,591.5) | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | B4 | | | | |
|
(77.8)
|
| | | | | (72.7) | | |
Non-current | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
(23.7)
|
| | | | | 4.7 | | |
Bank and other long-term borrowings(4)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
(1,256.2)
|
| | | | | (1,337.6) | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | B4 | | | | |
|
(139.2)
|
| | | | | (141.8) | | |
Total net debt
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
(1,284.7)
|
| | | | | (1,015.3) | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Pound sterling
|
| | |
|
48.3
|
| | | | | 517.9 | | |
Euro
|
| | |
|
855.6
|
| | | | | 1,829.0 | | |
US dollar
|
| | |
|
783.3
|
| | | | | 530.7 | | |
Other currencies
|
| | |
|
50.5
|
| | | | | 44.9 | | |
Carrying value
|
| | |
|
1,737.7
|
| | | | | 2,922.5 | | |
Fair value component of derivatives and interest
|
| | |
|
9.0
|
| | | | | 57.5 | | |
Undiscounted value
|
| | |
|
1,746.7
|
| | | | | 2,980.0 | | |
Analysis of undiscounted cash flows of bank and other borrowings: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than one year
|
| | |
|
450.1
|
| | | | | 1,591.7 | | |
Between one and five years
|
| | |
|
787.4
|
| | | | | 393.8 | | |
Over five years
|
| | |
|
509.2
|
| | | | | 994.5 | | |
Future minimum payments
|
| | |
|
1,746.7
|
| | | | | 2,980.0 | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
As restated
Opening 2021(1)(2) £m |
| |
Cash
flows £m |
| |
Non-cash
(fair value changes and accruals) £m |
| |
Non-cash
(foreign exchange and other) £m |
| |
Closing
2021 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bank and other short-term borrowings
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
(1,591.5)
|
| | | |
|
1,134.6
|
| | | |
|
(11.0)
|
| | | |
|
8.6
|
| | | |
|
(459.3)
|
| |
Bank and other long-term borrowings
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
(1,337.6)
|
| | | |
|
14.6
|
| | | |
|
(12.0)
|
| | | |
|
78.8
|
| | | |
|
(1,256.2)
|
| |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | B4 | | | | |
|
(214.5)
|
| | | |
|
94.1
|
| | | |
|
(6.1)
|
| | | |
|
(90.5)
|
| | | |
|
(217.0)
|
| |
Other investments
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
172.2
|
| | | |
|
(170.6)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.6
|
| |
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
6.6
|
| | | |
|
31.4
|
| | | |
|
(2.9)
|
| | | |
|
(57.3)
|
| | | |
|
(22.2)
|
| |
Gross debt
|
| | | | | | | | | | (2,964.8) | | | | | | 1,104.1 | | | | | | (32.0) | | | | | | (60.4) | | | | | | (1,953.1) | | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
1,949.5
|
| | | |
|
(1,267.2)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(13.9)
|
| | | |
|
668.4
|
| |
Net debt
|
| | | | | | | | | | (1,015.3) | | | | | | (163.1) | | | | | | (32.0) | | | | | | (74.3) | | | | | | (1,284.7) | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
As restated
Opening 2020(1)(2) £m |
| |
Cash
flows £m |
| |
Non-cash
(fair value changes and accruals) £m |
| |
Non-cash
(foreign exchange and other) £m |
| |
Closing
2020 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bank and other short-term borrowings
|
| | | | | | | | | | (668.1) | | | | | | (586.3) | | | | | | (21.1) | | | | | | (316.0) | | | | | | (1,591.5) | | |
Bank and other long-term borrowings
|
| | | | | | | | | | (1,059.3) | | | | | | (537.7) | | | | | | (1.3) | | | | | | 260.7 | | | | | | (1,337.6) | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | B4 | | | | | | (216.7) | | | | | | 92.3 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (90.1) | | | | | | (214.5) | | |
Other investments
|
| | | | | | | | | | 1.8 | | | | | | 170.5 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | (0.1) | | | | | | 172.2 | | |
Fair value of debt-related derivatives
|
| | | | | | | | | | (23.8) | | | | | | 30.3 | | | | | | (39.7) | | | | | | 39.8 | | | | | | 6.6 | | |
Gross debt
|
| | | | | | | | | | (1,966.1) | | | | | | (830.9) | | | | | | (62.1) | | | | | | (105.7) | | | | | | (2,964.8) | | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
| | | | | | | | | | 893.1 | | | | | | 1,058.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | (2.5) | | | | | | 1,949.5 | | |
Net debt
|
| | | | | | | | | | (1,073.0) | | | | | | 228.0 | | | | | | (62.1) | | | | | | (108.2) | | | | | | (1,015.3) | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
Gross amount
2021 £m |
| |
Gross
amounts set off in the balance sheet 2021 £m |
| |
Net amounts
presented in the balance sheet 2021 £m |
| |
Amount
subject to master netting arrangement 2021 £m |
| |
Net amount
2021 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | C3 | | | | |
|
668.4
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
668.4
|
| | | |
|
(423.6)
|
| | | |
|
244.8
|
| |
Trade and other receivables
|
| | | | A3 | | | | |
|
541.2
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
541.2
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
541.2
|
| |
Other financial assets
|
| | | | C4 | | | | |
|
1.8
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.8
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.8
|
| |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| | | | C6 | | | | |
|
12.3
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
12.3
|
| | | |
|
(8.1)
|
| | | |
|
4.2
|
| |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 1,223.7 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,223.7 | | | | | | (431.7) | | | | | | 792.0 | | |
Financial liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | A5 | | | | |
|
(835.5)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(835.5)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(835.5)
|
| |
Provision for liabilities and charges
|
| | | | A6 | | | | |
|
(60.9)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(60.9)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(60.9)
|
| |
Borrowings
|
| | | | C2 | | | | |
|
(1,715.4)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(1,715.4)
|
| | | |
|
423.6
|
| | | |
|
(1,291.8)
|
| |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | B4 | | | | |
|
(217.0)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(217.0)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(217.0)
|
| |
Derivative financial
instruments |
| | | | C6 | | | | |
|
(34.5)
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(34.5)
|
| | | |
|
8.1
|
| | | |
|
(26.4)
|
| |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | (2,863.3) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (2,863.3) | | | | | | 431.7 | | | | | | (2,431.6) | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
Gross amount
2020 £m |
| |
Gross
amounts set off in the balance sheet 2020 £m |
| |
Net amounts
presented in the balance sheet 2020 £m |
| |
Amount
subject to master netting arrangement 2020 £m |
| |
Net amount
2020 £m |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | | C3 | | | | | | 1,949.5 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,949.5 | | | | | | (1,395.7) | | | | | | 553.8 | | |
Trade and other receivables
|
| | | | A3 | | | | | | 582.7 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 582.7 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 582.7 | | |
Other financial assets
|
| | | | C4 | | | | | | 172.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 172.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 172.4 | | |
Derivative financial
instruments |
| | | | C6 | | | | | | 42.6 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 42.6 | | | | | | (29.4) | | | | | | 13.2 | | |
Total
|
| | | | | | | | | | 2,747.2 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,747.2 | | | | | | (1,425.1) | | | | | | 1,322.1 | | |
Financial liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade and other payables
|
| | | | A5 | | | | | | (995.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (995.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (995.4) | | |
Provision for liabilities and charges
|
| | | | A6 | | | | | | (64.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (64.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (64.2) | | |
Borrowings
|
| | | | C2 | | | | | | (2,929.1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (2,929.1) | | | | | | 1,395.7 | | | | | | (1,533.4) | | |
Lease liabilities
|
| | | | B4 | | | | | | (214.5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (214.5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (214.5) | | |
Derivative financial
instruments |
| | | | C6 | | | | | | (35.8) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (35.8) | | | | | | 29.4 | | | | | | (6.4) | | |
Total
|
| | | | | | | | | | (4,239.0) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (4,239.0) | | | | | | 1,425.1 | | | | | | (2,813.9) | | |
| | |
Gross amounts
2021 £m |
| |
As restated
Gross amounts 2020(1) £m |
| ||||||
Cash at bank and in hand
|
| | |
|
553.8
|
| | | | | 1,560.3 | | |
Money market funds
|
| | |
|
52.8
|
| | | | | 383.1 | | |
Short-term bank deposits
|
| | |
|
61.8
|
| | | | | 6.1 | | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
| | |
|
668.4
|
| | | | | 1,949.5 | | |
Bank overdraft
|
| | |
|
(426.5)
|
| | | | | (1,398.7) | | |
Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
|
| | |
|
241.9
|
| | | | | 550.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Pound sterling
|
| | |
|
1.6
|
| | | | | 172.2 | | |
Other(1)
|
| | |
|
0.2
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | |
| | | |
|
1.8
|
| | | | | 172.4 | | |
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion
|
| | |
|
1.6
|
| | | | | 172.2 | | |
Non-current portion(1)
|
| | |
|
0.2
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | |
| | | |
|
1.8
|
| | | | | 172.4 | | |
| | |
2021
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedging instruments
|
| |
Currency
|
| |
Carrying
amount at year end date £m |
| |
Notional
amount £m |
| |
Maturity date
|
| |
Hedge
ratio |
| |
Change in
fair value of outstanding instrument £m |
| |
Change in
fair value of hedged item £m |
| |
Ineffectiveness
£m |
| |
Weighted
average foreign exchange rate for the year |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency swaps
|
| | | | USD | | | | | | 1.6 | | | | | | 596.4 | | | |
November 2024 –
October 2028 |
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | (15.6) | | | | | | (17.5) | | | | | | 1.9 | | | | | | 1.296 | | |
Cross-currency swaps
|
| | |
|
JPY
|
| | | |
|
1.2
|
| | | |
|
7.6
|
| | |
November 2022
|
| | |
|
1:1
|
| | | |
|
0.7
|
| | | |
|
0.7
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
134.326
|
| |
Bonds
|
| | | | EUR | | | | | | (462.7) | | | | | | (463.7) | | | |
November 2024 –
October 2028 |
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | 27.9 | | | | | | 27.9 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.147 | | |
Overdraft
|
| | |
|
AUD
|
| | | |
|
(4.9)
|
| | | |
|
(4.9)
|
| | |
n/a
|
| | |
|
1:1
|
| | | |
|
0.2
|
| | | |
|
0.2
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
1.857
|
| |
| | |
2020
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedging instruments
|
| |
Currency
|
| |
Carrying
amount at year end date £m |
| |
Notional
amount £m |
| |
Maturity date
|
| |
Hedge
ratio |
| |
Change in
fair value of outstanding instrument £m |
| |
Change in
fair value of hedged item £m |
| |
Ineffectiveness
£m |
| |
Weighted
average foreign exchange rate for the year |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency swaps
|
| | | | USD | | | | | | 13.3 | | | | | | 439.8 | | | |
November 2024 –
May 2026 |
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | 8.2 | | | | | | 7.8 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 1.268 | | |
Cross-currency swaps
|
| | | | JPY | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 8.4 | | | |
November 2022
|
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 134.326 | | |
Bonds
|
| | | | EUR | | | | | | (506.4) | | | | | | (507.2) | | | |
November 2024 –
May 2026 |
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | (26.5) | | | | | | (26.5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.152 | | |
Overdraft
|
| | | | AUD | | | | | | (5.4) | | | | | | (5.4) | | | |
n/a
|
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | (0.4) | | | | | | (0.4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.857 | | |
Overdraft
|
| | | | NZD | | | | | | (3.2) | | | | | | (3.2) | | | |
n/a
|
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2.014 | | |
FX swaps
|
| | | | USD | | | | | | 1.2 | | | | | | 41.9 | | | |
January 2021
|
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | 5.4 | | | | | | 5.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1.336 | | |
| | |
2021
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedging instruments
|
| |
Currency
|
| |
Carrying
amount at year end date £m |
| |
Notional
amount £m |
| |
Maturity date
|
| |
Hedge ratio
|
| |
Cumulative
change in fair value of outstanding instrument £m |
| |
Cumulative
change in fair value of hedged item £m |
| |
Ineffectiveness
£m |
| |
Weighted
average rate for the year |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency
swaps |
| | | | EUR | | | | | | (25.3) | | | | | | 694.5 | | | |
November 2024 –
October 2028 |
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | (23.8) | | | | | | (22.7) | | | | | | (1.1) | | | | | | 1.131 | | |
| | |
2020
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedging instruments
|
| |
Currency
|
| |
Carrying
amount at year end date £m |
| |
Notional
amount £m |
| |
Maturity date
|
| |
Hedge ratio
|
| |
Cumulative
change in fair value of outstanding instrument £m |
| |
Cumulative
change in fair value of hedged item £m |
| |
Ineffectiveness
£m |
| |
Weighted
average rate for the year |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cross-currency
swaps |
| | | | EUR | | | | | | (8.3) | | | | | | 519.5 | | | |
November 2024 –
May 2026 |
| | | | 1:1 | | | | | | 7.8 | | | | | | (7.4) | | | | | | (0.4) | | | | | | 1.115 | | |
Financial instrument
|
| |
Hierarchy
level |
| |
Valuation method
|
|
Financial assets traded in active markets | | |
1
|
| | Current bid price | |
Financial liabilities traded in active markets | | |
1
|
| | Current ask price | |
Listed bonds | | |
1
|
| | Quoted market prices | |
Money market funds | | |
1
|
| | Quoted market prices | |
Financial instrument
|
| |
Hierarchy
level |
| |
Valuation method
|
|
Interest rate/currency swaps | | |
2
|
| | Discounted cash flow based on market swap rates | |
Forward foreign exchange contracts | | |
2
|
| | Forward exchange market rates | |
Metal hedging options and non-deliverable forwards | | |
2
|
| | Discounted cash flow using quoted market prices and forward interest rates | |
Borrowings not traded in active markets (term loans and uncommitted facilities) | | |
2
|
| | Nominal value | |
Money market deposits | | |
2
|
| | Nominal value | |
Trade payables and receivables | | |
2
|
| | Nominal value less estimated credit adjustments | |
Provisions | | |
2
|
| |
Discounted cash flow using market bond rates
|
|
Contingent consideration (including put option liability) | | |
3
|
| | Discounted cash flow using WACC | |
| | |
Fair value
assets 2021 £m |
| |
Fair value
liabilities 2021 £m |
| |
Fair value
assets 2020 £m |
| |
As restated
Fair value liabilities(1) 2020 £m |
| ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps (level 2): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– non-hedge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(0.6)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (0.7) | | |
– cash flow hedge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(25.3)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (8.3) | | |
– net investment hedge
|
| | |
|
11.0
|
| | | |
|
(8.2)
|
| | | | | 37.0 | | | | | | (23.3) | | |
Foreign exchange swaps (level 2): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– non-hedge
|
| | |
|
1.3
|
| | | |
|
(0.4)
|
| | | | | 4.2 | | | | | | (3.5) | | |
– net investment hedge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 1.2 | | | | | | — | | |
Metal hedging options and non-deliverable forwards (level 2): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– non-hedge
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | — | | |
| | | |
|
12.3
|
| | | |
|
(34.5)
|
| | | | | 42.6 | | | | | | (35.8) | | |
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion
|
| | |
|
2.5
|
| | | |
|
(1.0)
|
| | | | | 5.6 | | | | | | (3.5) | | |
Non-current portion
|
| | |
|
9.8
|
| | | |
|
(33.5)
|
| | | | | 37.0 | | | | | | (32.3) | | |
Derivative financial instruments
|
| | |
|
12.3
|
| | | |
|
(34.5)
|
| | | | | 42.6 | | | | | | (35.8) | | |
Contingent consideration (including put option liability) (level 3)(1)
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(75.0)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (62.8) | | |
Analysed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(22.8)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (16.7) | | |
Non-current portion
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(52.2)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (46.1) | | |
Other payables
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | |
|
(75.0)
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | (62.8) | | |
| | |
Contingent
consideration 2021 £m |
| |
Contingent
consideration 2020 £m |
| ||||||
At 1 January
|
| | |
|
62.8
|
| | | | | 66.4 | | |
Exchange differences
|
| | |
|
(7.8)
|
| | | | | 5.1 | | |
Acquisitions
|
| | |
|
24.0
|
| | | | | 22.3 | | |
Payments
|
| | |
|
(12.0)
|
| | | | | (29.9) | | |
Revaluation of put option through equity
|
| | |
|
8.0
|
| | | | | (1.1) | | |
At 31 December
|
| | |
|
75.0
|
| | | | | 62.8 | | |
| | |
Less than
1 year £m |
| |
Between
1 and 2 years £m |
| |
Between
2 and 5 years £m |
| |
Over
5 years £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| |||||||||||||||
At 31 December 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cross-currency interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– outflow
|
| | | | (18.1) | | | | | | (13.8) | | | | | | (470.9) | | | | | | (158.2) | | | | | | (661.0) | | |
– inflow
|
| | | | 12.1 | | | | | | 4.8 | | | | | | 445.4 | | | | | | 148.5 | | | | | | 610.8 | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– outflow
|
| | | | (7.7) | | | | | | (6.5) | | | | | | (6.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (20.4) | | |
– inflow
|
| | | | 2.1 | | | | | | 3.4 | | | | | | 4.0 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 9.5 | | |
Foreign exchange swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– outflow
|
| | | | (385.2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (385.2) | | |
– inflow
|
| | | | 386.5 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 386.5 | | |
Foreign exchange forwards: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– outflow
|
| | | | (33.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (33.9) | | |
– inflow
|
| | | | 34.1 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 34.1 | | |
Net outflow
|
| | | | (10.1) | | | | | | (12.1) | | | | | | (27.7) | | | | | | (9.7) | | | | | | (59.6) | | |
At 31 December 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cross-currency interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– outflow
|
| | | | (13.2) | | | | | | (20.7) | | | | | | (322.6) | | | | | | (148.4) | | | | | | (504.9) | | |
– inflow
|
| | | | 4.3 | | | | | | 11.6 | | | | | | 313.7 | | | | | | 161.7 | | | | | | 491.3 | | |
Interest rate swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
outflow
|
| | | | (8.2) | | | | | | (8.2) | | | | | | (15.6) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (32.0) | | |
inflow
|
| | | | 1.9 | | | | | | 1.9 | | | | | | 4.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 8.2 | | |
| | |
Less than
1 year £m |
| |
Between
1 and 2 years £m |
| |
Between
2 and 5 years £m |
| |
Over
5 years £m |
| |
Total
£m |
| |||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange swaps: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– outflow
|
| | | | (619.9) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | (619.9) | | |
– inflow
|
| | | | 619.4 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 619.4 | | |
Net outflow
|
| | | | (15.7) | | | | | | (15.4) | | | | | | (20.1) | | | | | | 13.3 | | | | | | (37.9) | | |
|
| | |
Facility amount
£m |
| |
Drawn at year end
£m |
| |
Headroom
£m |
| |
Interest rate at
year end % |
| ||||||||||||
Non-current | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
£550m RCF due August 2025
|
| | | | 550.0 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 550.0 | | | | | | 0.14 | | |
| | |
Bond interest
coupon |
| |
Effective hedged
interest rate |
| ||||||
Non-current | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
€400m bond due November 2024
|
| | | | Fixed 0.95% | | | | | | Fixed 3.08% | | |
€500m bond due May 2026
|
| | | | Fixed 0.875% | | | | | | Fixed 1.54% | | |
€600m bond due October 2028
|
| | | | Fixed 0.50% | | | | | | Fixed 1.08% | | |
Average cost of bond debt at year-end rates
|
| | | | | | | | | | 1.78% | | |
| | |
Bond interest
coupon |
| |
Effective hedged
interest rate |
| ||||||
Current | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
€175m bond due October 2021
|
| | | | Fixed 3.25% | | | | | | Fixed 3.41% | | |
Non-current | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
€400m bond due November 2024
|
| | | | Fixed 0.95% | | | | | | Fixed 2.31% | | |
€500m bond due May 2026
|
| | | | Fixed 0.875% | | | | | | Fixed 1.40% | | |
€600m bond due October 2028
|
| | | | Fixed 0.50% | | | | | | Fixed 0.58% | | |
Average cost of bond debt at year-end rates
|
| | | | | | | | | | 1.72% | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| ||||||||||||
Hedged interest payable on medium-term notes issued(1)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
9.5
|
| | | | | 15.6 | | | | | | 23.8 | | |
Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts(1)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
2.6
|
| | | | | 3.0 | | | | | | 2.7 | | |
Interest payable on RCF(1)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
1.4
|
| | | | | 5.4 | | | | | | 3.6 | | |
Interest payable on foreign exchange swaps(2)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
13.7
|
| | | | | 9.5 | | | | | | 16.1 | | |
Interest payable on leases
|
| | | | B4 | | | | |
|
6.1
|
| | | | | 6.8 | | | | | | 8.1 | | |
Amortisation of discount on provisions
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
0.3
|
| | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 0.2 | | |
Fair value loss on hedge ineffectiveness(4)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
0.1
|
| | | | | 7.9 | | | | | | — | | |
Fair value adjustment on debt repayment
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 4.1 | | | | | | — | | |
Fair value loss on other derivatives(3)
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 25.9 | | | | | | 2.3 | | |
Total finance cost
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
33.7
|
| | | | | 78.5 | | | | | | 56.8 | | |
| | |
Notes
|
| |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| ||||||||||||
Bank interest received
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
0.8
|
| | | | | 2.3 | | | | | | 4.1 | | |
Interest receivable on foreign exchange swaps
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
0.2
|
| | | | | 3.4 | | | | | | 5.1 | | |
Hyperinflation accounting adjustment
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
3.2
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 0.8 | | |
Interest on net defined benefit asset
|
| | | | A10 | | | | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.5 | | | | | | 0.7 | | |
Total finance income
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
4.2
|
| | | | | 6.2 | | | | | | 10.7 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
As restated
2020(1) £m |
| |
As restated
2019(1) £m |
| |||||||||
Operating profit
|
| | |
|
346.5
|
| | | | | 293.7 | | | | | | 265.6 | | |
Net gain on disposal of businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 103.8 | | |
Adjustments for: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
|
| | |
|
128.4
|
| | | | | 132.3 | | | | | | 127.3 | | |
– Depreciation of leased assets
|
| | |
|
78.4
|
| | | | | 78.0 | | | | | | 78.9 | | |
– Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets (excluding computer software)
|
| | |
|
74.3
|
| | | | | 82.5 | | | | | | 85.2 | | |
– Amortisation and impairment of computer software
|
| | |
|
16.8
|
| | | | | 18.5 | | | | | | 13.6 | | |
– Other non-cash items
|
| | |
|
5.8
|
| | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | (4.3) | | |
Changes in working capital (excluding the effects of acquisitions and exchange
differences on consolidation): |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
– Inventories
|
| | |
|
(3.2)
|
| | | | | (23.3) | | | | | | (3.6) | | |
– Contract costs
|
| | |
|
(4.8)
|
| | | | | (1.9) | | | | | | (6.3) | | |
– Trade and other receivables(1)
|
| | |
|
58.8
|
| | | | | (19.3) | | | | | | (32.7) | | |
– Contract assets
|
| | |
|
(0.1)
|
| | | | | 2.4 | | | | | | (5.8) | | |
– Trade and other payables and provisions
|
| | |
|
(43.0)
|
| | | | | 78.2 | | | | | | 20.2 | | |
– Contract liabilities
|
| | |
|
11.1
|
| | | | | 12.7 | | | | | | 16.9 | | |
Cash generated from operating activities before special pension contributions
|
| | |
|
669.0
|
| | | | | 653.3 | | | | | | 555.0 | | |
Special pension contributions
|
| | |
|
(0.5)
|
| | | | | (0.5) | | | | | | (1.1) | | |
Cash generated from operating activities
|
| | |
|
668.5
|
| | | | | 652.8 | | | | | | 553.9 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
2018 final dividend paid – 3.16p per share
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 58.1 | | |
2019 interim dividend paid – 1.51p per share
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 27.7 | | |
2020 final dividend paid – 5.41p per share
|
| | |
|
100.0
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
2021 interim dividend paid – 2.09p per share
|
| | |
|
38.7
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | | |
|
138.7
|
| | | | | — | | | | | | 85.8 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| ||||||
Issued and fully paid | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At 31 December – 1,859,332,965 shares (2020: 1,854,332,965)
|
| | |
|
18.6
|
| | | | | 18.5 | | |
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |||||||||
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits
|
| | |
|
6.4
|
| | | | | 8.2 | | | | | | 7.0 | | |
Post-employment benefits
|
| | |
|
0.5
|
| | | | | 0.3 | | | | | | 0.3 | | |
Share-based payments
|
| | |
|
3.4
|
| | | | | 1.7 | | | | | | 1.7 | | |
| | | |
|
10.3
|
| | | | | 10.2 | | | | | | 9.0 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |
2021
% |
| |
2020
% |
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pest Control
|
| | |
|
1,953.7
|
| | | | | 1,721.9 | | | | | | 1,737.3 | | | | |
|
13.5
|
| | | | | (0.9) | | |
– Growth
|
| | |
|
1,711.4
|
| | | | | 1,497.7 | | | | | | 1,502.6 | | | | |
|
14.3
|
| | | | | (0.3) | | |
– Emerging
|
| | |
|
242.3
|
| | | | | 224.2 | | | | | | 234.7 | | | | |
|
8.1
|
| | | | | (4.5) | | |
Hygiene & Wellbeing
|
| | |
|
829.9
|
| | | | | 895.9 | | | | | | 738.7 | | | | |
|
(7.4)
|
| | | | | 21.3 | | |
– Core Hygiene & Wellbeing
|
| | |
|
717.3
|
| | | | | 674.5 | | | | | | 738.7 | | | | |
|
6.4
|
| | | | | (8.7) | | |
– Disinfection
|
| | |
|
112.6
|
| | | | | 221.4 | | | | | | — | | | | |
|
(49.1)
|
| | | | | — | | |
France Workwear
|
| | |
|
165.8
|
| | | | | 167.8 | | | | | | 186.2 | | | | |
|
(1.2)
|
| | | | | (9.9) | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | |
|
4.5
|
| | | | | 3.8 | | | | | | 3.8 | | | | |
|
18.0
|
| | | | | (1.3) | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | |
|
(80.4)
|
| | | | | (63.5) | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | | | |
|
5.5
|
| | | | | 3.7 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |
2021
% |
| |
2020
% |
| |||||||||||||||
Adjusted operating profit: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pest Control
|
| | |
|
363.7
|
| | | | | 278.7 | | | | | | 303.9 | | | | |
|
30.5
|
| | | | | (8.3) | | |
– Growth
|
| | |
|
334.9
|
| | | | | 258.9 | | | | | | 277.3 | | | | |
|
29.4
|
| | | | | (6.6) | | |
– Emerging
|
| | |
|
28.8
|
| | | | | 19.8 | | | | | | 26.6 | | | | |
|
45.3
|
| | | | | (25.5) | | |
Hygiene & Wellbeing
|
| | |
|
167.3
|
| | | | | 194.6 | | | | | | 129.4 | | | | |
|
(14.0)
|
| | | | | 50.4 | | |
France Workwear
|
| | |
|
17.0
|
| | | | | 18.2 | | | | | | 25.4 | | | | |
|
(6.6)
|
| | | | | (28.3) | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | |
|
(96.8)
|
| | | | | (94.5) | | | | | | (82.9) | | | | |
|
(2.4)
|
| | | | | (14.1) | | |
Restructuring costs
|
| | |
|
(9.7)
|
| | | | | (13.2) | | | | | | (7.7) | | | | |
|
26.7
|
| | | | | (72.5) | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
—
|
| | | | | 0.2 | | | | | | (2.7) | | | | |
|
(109.6)
|
| | | | | 107.1 | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
441.5
|
| | | | | 384.0 | | | | | | 365.4 | | | | |
|
15.0
|
| | | | | 5.1 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Percent Change
|
| |||||||||
| | |
2021
£m |
| |
2020
£m |
| |
2019
£m |
| |
2021
% |
| |
2020
% |
| |||||||||||||||
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America
|
| | |
|
1,290.5
|
| | | | | 1,196.8 | | | | | | 1,065.3 | | | | |
|
7.8
|
| | | | | 12.3 | | |
France
|
| | |
|
306.4
|
| | | | | 303.2 | | | | | | 310.4 | | | | |
|
1.1
|
| | | | | (2.3) | | |
Benelux
|
| | |
|
95.9
|
| | | | | 96.6 | | | | | | 95.3 | | | | |
|
(0.7)
|
| | | | | 1.4 | | |
Germany
|
| | |
|
113.9
|
| | | | | 120.6 | | | | | | 107.5 | | | | |
|
(5.6)
|
| | | | | 12.1 | | |
Southern Europe
|
| | |
|
148.9
|
| | | | | 143.0 | | | | | | 134.6 | | | | |
|
4.1
|
| | | | | 6.3 | | |
Nordics
|
| | |
|
72.0
|
| | | | | 68.7 | | | | | | 64.5 | | | | |
|
4.8
|
| | | | | 6.4 | | |
Latin America & Caribbean
|
| | |
|
94.9
|
| | | | | 88.5 | | | | | | 90.2 | | | | |
|
7.3
|
| | | | | (1.9) | | |
Total Europe
|
| | |
|
832.0
|
| | | | | 820.6 | | | | | | 802.5 | | | | |
|
1.4
|
| | | | | 2.3 | | |
UK, Ireland & Baltics
|
| | |
|
318.4
|
| | | | | 288.6 | | | | | | 306.6 | | | | |
|
10.3
|
| | | | | (5.9) | | |
Sub Saharan Africa
|
| | |
|
40.7
|
| | | | | 38.8 | | | | | | 41.9 | | | | |
|
4.8
|
| | | | | (7.3) | | |
Total UK & Sub Saharan Africa
|
| | |
|
359.1
|
| | | | | 327.4 | | | | | | 348.5 | | | | |
|
9.7
|
| | | | | (6.0) | | |
Asia & MENAT
|
| | |
|
271.3
|
| | | | | 263.3 | | | | | | 260.1 | | | | |
|
3.0
|
| | | | | 1.3 | | |
Pacific
|
| | |
|
196.5
|
| | | | | 177.5 | | | | | | 185.8 | | | | |
|
10.7
|
| | | | | (4.5) | | |
Central and regional overheads
|
| | |
|
4.5
|
| | | | | 3.8 | | | | | | 3.8 | | | | |
|
18.0
|
| | | | | (1.3) | | |
Disposed businesses
|
| | |
|
2.7
|
| | | | | 13.9 | | | | | | 38.2 | | | | |
|
(80.4)
|
| | | | | (63.5) | | |
Total
|
| | |
|
2,956.6
|
| | | | | 2,803.3 | | | | | | 2,704.2 | | | | |
|
5.5
|
| | | | | 3.7 | | |
| | |
Page
|
| |||
ARTICLE I
Definitions |
| ||||||
| | | | A-2 | | | |
| | | | A-16 | | | |
ARTICLE II
Closing; the Mergers |
| ||||||
| | | | A-17 | | | |
| | | | A-18 | | | |
| | | | A-18 | | | |
| | | | A-19 | | | |
| | | | A-20 | | | |
| | | | A-21 | | | |
| | | | A-23 | | | |
| | | | A-23 | | | |
| | | | A-25 | | | |
| | | | A-25 | | | |
| | | | A-25 | | | |
| | | | A-26 | | | |
| | | | A-26 | | | |
| | | | A-26 | | | |
ARTICLE III
Organizational Documents; Directors and Officers |
| ||||||
| | | | A-27 | | | |
| | | | A-27 | | | |
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
| ||||||
| | | | A-27 | | | |
| | | | A-27 | | | |
| | | | A-28 | | | |
| | | | A-28 | | | |
| | | | A-28 | | | |
| | | | A-29 | | | |
| | | | A-29 | | | |
| | | | A-31 | | | |
| | | | A-31 | | | |
| | | | A-31 | | | |
| | | | A-32 | | | |
| | | | A-32 | | | |
| | | | A-32 | | | |
| | | | A-33 | | | |
| | | | A-33 | | | |
| | | | A-35 | | | |
| | | | A-36 | | | |
| | | | A-38 | | |
| | |
Page
|
| |||
| | | | A-39 | | | |
| | | | A-40 | | | |
| | | | A-40 | | | |
| | | | A-41 | | | |
| | | | A-41 | | | |
| | | | A-41 | | | |
| | | | A-41 | | | |
| | | | A-42 | | | |
| | | | A-42 | | | |
| | | | A-42 | | | |
| | | | A-42 | | | |
ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties of Parent, Bidco and Merger Subs |
| ||||||
| | | | A-43 | | | |
| | | | A-43 | | | |
| | | | A-44 | | | |
| | | | A-44 | | | |
| | | | A-45 | | | |
| | | | A-45 | | | |
| | | | A-46 | | | |
| | | | A-46 | | | |
| | | | A-47 | | | |
| | | | A-47 | | | |
| | | | A-48 | | | |
| | | | A-48 | | | |
| | | | A-48 | | | |
| | | | A-48 | | | |
| | | | A-48 | | | |
| | | | A-49 | | | |
| | | | A-49 | | | |
| | | | A-49 | | | |
| | | | A-49 | | | |
| | | | A-50 | | | |
ARTICLE VI
Covenants of the Company |
| ||||||
| | | | A-51 | | | |
| | | | A-55 | | | |
| | | | A-57 | | | |
ARTICLE VII
Covenants of Parent, Bidco and Merger Subs |
| ||||||
| | | | A-60 | | | |
| | | | A-62 | | | |
| | | | A-64 | | | |
| | | | A-64 | | | |
| | | | A-66 | | |
| | |
Page
|
| |||
ARTICLE VIII
Covenants of Parent, Merger Subs and the Company |
| ||||||
| | | | A-67 | | | |
| | | | A-68 | | | |
| | | | A-70 | | | |
| | | | A-72 | | | |
| | | | A-74 | | | |
| | | | A-74 | | | |
| | | | A-75 | | | |
| | | | A-75 | | | |
| | | | A-75 | | | |
| | | | A-75 | | | |
| | | | A-75 | | | |
| | | | A-76 | | | |
ARTICLE IX
Conditions to the Mergers |
| ||||||
| | | | A-76 | | | |
| | | | A-77 | | | |
| | | | A-77 | | | |
ARTICLE X
Termination |
| ||||||
| | | | A-78 | | | |
| | | | A-80 | | | |
| | | | A-80 | | | |
ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous |
| ||||||
| | | | A-85 | | | |
| | | | A-86 | | | |
| | | | A-86 | | | |
| | | | A-86 | | | |
| | | | A-86 | | | |
| | | | A-87 | | | |
| | | | A-87 | | | |
| | | | A-87 | | | |
| | | | A-88 | | | |
| | | | A-88 | | | |
| | | | A-88 | | | |
| | | | A-89 | | | |
| | | | A-89 | | | |
| | | |||||
EXHIBITS | | | |||||
Exhibit A – Form of Parent Tax Certificate | | | | | | | |
Exhibit B – Form of Company Tax Certificate | | | | | | | |
Term
|
| |
Section
|
|
Actions | | | 11.08(b) | |
Adjustment Amount | | | 10.03(k)(ii)(B) | |
ADR | | | 2.13 | |
ADR Facility | | | 2.13 | |
ADS Depository | | | 2.13 | |
Affected Employees | | | 7.05(a) | |
Agreement | | | Preamble | |
Alternate Debt Financing | | | 6.03(a) | |
Assumed Option | | | 2.08(a)(ii) | |
Term
|
| |
Section
|
|
Assumed PSU Award | | | 2.08(c) | |
Assumed RSU Award | | | 2.08(b)(ii) | |
Available Cash Election Amount | | | 2.03(a)(ii) | |
Available Stock Election Amount | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions | | | 4.02(a) | |
Benefits Continuation Period | | | 7.05(a) | |
Bidco | | | Preamble | |
Burdensome Condition | | | 8.02(e) | |
Cancellation | | | 2.03(a) | |
Cash Electing Company Share | | | 2.03(a)(ii) | |
Cash Election | | | 2.03(a)(ii) | |
Cash Election Amount | | | 2.03(a)(ii) | |
Cash Election Consideration | | | 2.03(a)(ii) | |
Certificate | | | 2.03(d) | |
Claim Expenses | | | 7.04(a) | |
Closing | | | 2.01 | |
Closing Date | | | 2.01 | |
Company | | | Preamble | |
Company 401(k) Plan | | | 7.05(d) | |
Company Additional Amounts | | | 10.03(i) | |
Company Adverse Recommendation Change | | | 6.02(a) | |
Company Approval Time | | | 6.02(b) | |
Company Board Recommendation | | | 4.02(b) | |
Company DSE Award | | | 2.08(d) | |
Company Material Contract | | | 4.15(a) | |
Company No Vote Reimbursement | | | 10.03(f) | |
Company Organizational Documents | | | 4.01 | |
Company Payment | | | 10.03(h) | |
Company Permits | | | 4.13 | |
Company Preferred Stock | | | 4.05(a) | |
Company PSU Award | | | 2.08(c) | |
Company Registered IP | | | 4.19(a) | |
Company RSU Award | | | 2.08(b) | |
Company SEC Documents | | | 4.07(a) | |
Company Stock Option | | | 2.08(a) | |
Company Stockholder Approval | | | 4.02(a) | |
Company Stockholder Meeting | | | 8.04(a) | |
Company Tax Certificate | | | 8.11(b) | |
Company Tax Counsel | | | 9.03(d) | |
Company Termination Payment | | | 10.03(a) | |
Confidentiality Agreement | | | 8.01(a) | |
Copyrights | | | 1.01(a) | |
Custodian | | | 2.13 | |
D&O Claim | | | 7.04(a) | |
D&O Indemnified Parties | | | 7.04(a) | |
Term
|
| |
Section
|
|
D&O Indemnifying Parties | | | 7.04(a) | |
Debt Commitment Letter | | | 5.19(a) | |
Debt Financing | | | 5.19(a) | |
Deposit Agreement | | | 2.13 | |
Designated Director | | | 8.09 | |
DGCL | | | 2.02(a) | |
Dissenting Shares | | | 2.07 | |
Dissenting Stockholders | | | 2.07 | |
DLLCA | | | 2.02(a) | |
Election Deadline | | | 2.05(b) | |
End Date | | | 10.01(b)(i) | |
Exchange Agent | | | 2.06(a) | |
Exchange Agent Agreement | | | 2.06(a) | |
Exchange Fund | | | 2.06(a) | |
Exchange Ratio | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Excluded Shares | | | 2.03(a) | |
Existing Parent ADSs | | | 5.05(a) | |
Financing Amount | | | 5.19(b) | |
Financing Source Provisions | | | 11.03(c) | |
First Certificate of Merger | | | 2.02(a) | |
First Effective Time | | | 2.02(a) | |
First Merger | | | 2.02(b) | |
First Required Sale | | | 8.12 | |
First Surviving Corporation | | | 2.02(b) | |
Foreign Antitrust Laws | | | 4.03 | |
Form F-4 | | | 8.03(a) | |
Form F-6 | | | 8.03(a) | |
Form of Election | | | 2.05(b) | |
internal controls | | | 4.07(h) | |
Lease | | | 4.20 | |
Mailing Date | | | 2.05(b) | |
Marks | | | 1.01(a) | |
Maximum Premium | | | 7.04(b) | |
Merger Sub I | | | Preamble | |
Merger Sub II | | | Preamble | |
Merger Subs | | | Preamble | |
Mergers | | | 2.02(b) | |
New Company Plans | | | 7.05(b) | |
Non-Electing Company Share | | | 2.05(b) | |
Non-U.S. Plan | | | 4.17(i) | |
NYSE | | | 4.03 | |
Parent | | | Preamble | |
Parent 401(k) Plan | | | 7.05(d) | |
Parent Additional Amounts | | | 10.03(i) | |
Parent ADS Issuance | | | 5.02(a) | |
Term
|
| |
Section
|
|
Parent Adverse Recommendation Change | | | 7.02(a) | |
Parent Approval Time | | | 7.02(b) | |
Parent Board Recommendation | | | 5.02(b) | |
Parent Circular | | | 8.03(a) | |
Parent Deferred Bonus Awards | | | 5.05(a) | |
Parent FCA Documents | | | 5.07(a) | |
Parent No Vote Reimbursement | | | 10.03(e) | |
Parent Organizational Documents | | | 5.01 | |
Parent Payment | | | 10.03(h) | |
Parent Performance Share Awards | | | 5.05(a) | |
Parent Permits | | | 5.13 | |
Parent Shareholder Approval | | | 5.02(a) | |
Parent Shareholder Meeting | | | 8.04(b) | |
Parent Tax Certificate | | | 8.11(b) | |
Parent Termination Payment | | | 10.03(c) | |
Patents | | | 1.01(a) | |
Payment | | | 10.03(n) | |
Per Share Cash Amount | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
principal executive officer | | | 4.07(g) | |
principal financial officer | | | 4.07(g) | |
Prorated Cash Amount | | | 2.03(a)(ii) | |
Prorated Stock Amount | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Prospective Closing Date | | | 2.01 | |
Proxy Statement/Prospectus | | | 8.03(a) | |
Regulation S-K | | | 4.11 | |
Regulation S-X | | | 6.01(b)(xi) | |
Required Sales | | | 8.12 | |
Second Certificate of Merger | | | 2.02(a) | |
Second Effective Time | | | 2.02(a) | |
Second Merger | | | 2.02(b) | |
Second Required Sale | | | 8.12 | |
Senior Leadership | | | 4.18(d) | |
Specified Business | | | 8.02(e) | |
Stock Electing Company Share | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Stock Election | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Stock Election Amount | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Stock Election Consideration | | | 2.03(a)(i) | |
Surviving Company | | | 2.02(b) | |
Trade Secrets | | | 1.01(a) | |
Transaction Litigation | | | 8.07 | |
Uncertificated Share | | | 2.03(d) | |
Vested Award Consideration | | | 2.08(a)(i) | |
Vested Option Consideration | | | 2.08(a)(ii) | |
CLAUSE
|
| |
PAGE
|
| |||
| | | | D-1 | | | |
| | | | D-3 | | | |
| | | | D-5 | | | |
| | | | D-6 | | | |
| | | | D-6 | | | |
| | | | D-7 | | | |
| | | | D-8 | | | |
| | | | D-9 | | | |
| | | | D-10 | | | |
| | | | D-11 | | | |
| | | | D-11 | | | |
| | | | D-12 | | | |
| | | | D-15 | | | |
| | | | D-17 | | | |
| | | | D-20 | | | |
| | | | D-23 | | | |
| | | | D-23 | | | |
| | | | D-24 | | | |
| | | | D-25 | | | |
| | | | D-25 | | | |
| | | | D-26 | | | |
| | | | D-29 | | | |
| | | | D-29 | | | |
| | | | D-30 | | | |
| | | | D-30 | | | |
| | | | D-30 | | | |
| | | | D-32 | | | |
| | | | D-33 | | | |
| | | | D-36 | | | |
| | | | D-36 | | | |
| | | | D-36 | | | |
| | | | D-37 | | | |
| | | | D-37 | | | |
| | | | D-41 | | | |
| | | | D-42 | | | |
| | | | D-43 | | | |
| | | | D-43 | | | |
| | | | D-46 | | | |
| | | | D-46 | | | |
| | | | D-47 | | | |
| | | | D-48 | | |
|
TABLE A
|
| | 1. The regulations in Table A as in force at the date of the incorporation of the Company shall not apply of the Company. | |
|
Definitions
|
| |
2. In these Articles, except where the subject or context otherwise requires:
Act means the Companies Act 2006 including any modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force;
Articles means these articles of association as altered from time to time by special resolution;
auditors means the auditors of the Company;
the board means the directors or any of them acting as the board of directors of the Company;
certificated share means a share in the capital of the Company that is not an uncertificated share and references in these Articles to a share being held in certificated form shall be construed accordingly;
clear days in relation to the sending of a notice means the period excluding the day on which a notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;
director means a director of the Company;
dividend means dividend or bonus;
entitled by transmission mean, in relation to a share in the capital of the Company, entitled as a consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder or otherwise by operation of law;
holder in relation to a share in the capital of the Company means the member whose name is entered in the register as the holder of that share;
member means a member of the company;
office means the registered office of the Company;
paid means paid or credited as paid;
recognised person means a recognised clearing house or a nominee of a recognised clearing house or of a recognised investment exchange, each of which terms has the meaning given to it by section 778 of the Act;
register means either or both of the issuer register of members and the Operator register of members of the Company;
|
|
| | | |
Regulations means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 including any modification or re-enactment of them for the time being in force;
seal means the common seal of the Company and includes any official seal kept by the company by virtue of section 49 or 50 of the Act;
secretary means the secretary of the Company and includes a joint, assistant, deputy or temporary secretary and any other person appointed to perform the duties of the secretary;
uncertificated share means (subject to Regulation 42(11)(a) of the Regulations) a share in the capital of the Company title to which is recorded on the Operator register of members of the Company and which may, by virtue of the Regulations, be transferred by means of a relevant system and references in these Articles to a share being held in uncertificated form shall be construed accordingly; and
United Kingdom means Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
|
|
|
Construction
|
| |
3. Where, in relation to a share, these Articles refer to a relevant system, the reference is to the relevant system in which that share is a participating security at the relevant time.
References to a document or information being sent, supplied or given to or by a person mean such document or information, or a copy of such document or information being sent, supplied, given delivered, issued or made available to or by, or served on or by, or deposited with or by that person by any method authorised by these Articles, and sending, supplying and giving shall be construed accordingly.
References to writing mean the representation or reproduction of words, symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether in electronic form or otherwise, and written shall be construed accordingly.
Nothing in these Articles shall preclude the holding and conducting of a meeting in such a way that persons who are not present together at the same place may by electronic means attend and speak and vote at it.
References to a person’s participation in the business of any general meeting include without limitation and as relevant the right (including, in the case of a corporation through a duly appointed representative) to speak, vote, be represented by a proxy and have access in hard copy or electronic form to al documents which are required by the Companies Acts or these Articles to be made available at the meeting and participate and participating shall be construed accordingly.
References to electronic facility mean a device, system, procedure, method or facility providing an electronic means of attendance at or participation in (or both attendance at and participation in) a general meeting determined by the board pursuant to Article 60.
References to a meeting mean a meeting convened and held in any manner permitted by these Articles, including without limitation a genera meeting of the Company at which some or al persons entitled to be present attend and participate by means of electronic facility or facilities, and such persons shall be deemed to be present at that meeting for all proposes of the Act and these Articles and attend and participate, attending and participating shall be construed accordingly.
Words denoting the singular number include the plural number and vice versa; words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine gender; and words denoting persons include corporations.
Words or expressions contained in these Articles which are not defined in Article 2 but are defined in the Act have the same meaning as in the Act (but excluding any
|
|
| | | |
modification of the Act not in force at the date of adoption of these Articles) unless inconsistent with the subject or context.
Words or expressions contained in these Articles which are not defined in Article 2 but are defined in the Regulations have the same meaning as in the Regulation (but excluding any modification of the Regulations not in force at the date of adoption of these Articles) unless inconsistent with the subject or context.
Subject to the preceding two paragraphs, references to any provision of any enactment or of any subordinate legislation (as defined by section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978) include any modification or re-enactment of that provision for the time being in force.
Headings and marginal notes are inserted for convenience only and do not affect the construction of these Articles.
In these Articles (a) powers of delegation shall not be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given to them; (b) the word board in the context of the exercise of any power contained in these Articles included any committee consisting of one or more directors, any director, any other officer of the Company and any local or divisional board, manager or agent of the Company to which or, as the case may be, to whom the power in question has been delegated; (c) no power of delegation shall be 1imited by the existence or, except where expressly provided by the terms of delegation, the exercise of that or any other power of delegation; and (d) except where expressly provided by the terms of delegation, the delegation of a power shall no exclude the concurrent exercise of that power by any other body or person who is for the time being authorised to exercise it under these Articles or under another delegation of the power.
|
|
| | | |
into certificated form within the period specified in the notice and to hold that share in certificated form so long as required by the Company;
(b)
to require the holder of that uncertificated share by notice to give any instructions necessary to transfer title to that share by means of the relevant system within the period specified in the notice;
(c)
to require the holder of that uncertificated share by notice to appoint any person to take any step, including without limitation the giving of any instructions by means of the relevant system, necessary to transfer that share within the period specified in the notice;
(d)
to require the Operate to convert that uncertificated share into certificated form in accordance with Regulation 32(2)(c) of Regulations; and
(e)
to take any action that the board considers appropriate to achieve the sale, transfer, disposal, forfeiture re-allotment or surrender of that share or otherwise to enforce a lien in respect of that share.
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Section 551
authority |
| | 9. The board has general and unconditional authority to exercise all the powers of Company to allot shares in the Company or to grant rights to subscribe for or to Convert any security into shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the section 551 amount, for each prescribed period. | |
|
Section 561
disapplication |
| |
10. The board is empowered for each prescribed period to allot equity securities for authority conferred by Article 9 as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that its power shall be limited to:
(a)
the allotment of equity securities in connection with a pre-emptive issue; and
(b)
the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to Article 10(a)) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the section 561 amount.
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|
Allotment after
expiry |
| | 11. Before the expiry of a prescribed period the Company may make an offer or agreement which would or might require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares to be granted after such expiry. The board may allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares, in pursuance of that offer or agreement as if the prescribed period during which that offer or agreement was made had not expired. | |
|
Definitions
|
| |
12. In this Article and Articles 9, 10 and 11:
prescribed period means any period for which the authority conferred by Article 9 is given by ordinary or special resolution stating the section 551 amount and/or the power conferred by Article 10 is given by special resolution stating the section 561 amount;
pre-emptive issue means an offer of equity securities to ordinary shareholders or an invitation to ordinary shareholders to apply to subscribe for equity securities and, if in accordance with their rights the board so determines, holders of other equity securities of any class (whether by way of rights issue, open offer or otherwise) where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interests of ordinary shareholders or holders of other equity securities, if applicable are proportionate (as nearly as practicable) to the respective numbers of ordinary shares or other equity securities, as the case may be held by them, but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the board may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or any legal, regulatory or practical problems under the laws or regulations of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange;
section 551 amount means, for any prescribed period, the amount stated in the relevant ordinary or special resolution; and
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Method of varying rights
|
| |
19. Subject to provisions of the Companies Acts, if at any time capital of the Company is divided into different classes of shares the rights attached to any class may (unless otherwise prowled by the terms of allotment of the shares of that class) be varied or abrogated, whether or not the Company is being wound up, either:
(a)
with the written consent of the holders of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of the class excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares), which consent shall be in hard copy form or in electronic form sent to such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose, or in default of such specification to the office, and may consist of several documents, each executed or authenticated in such manner as the board may approve by or on behalf of one or more holders, or a combination of both; or
(b)
with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of the class,
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|
| | | | but not otherwise. | |
|
when rights deemed to be varied
|
| |
20. For the purposes of Article 19, if at any time the capital of the Company is divided into different classes of shares, unless otherwise expressly provided by the rights attached to any share or class of shares, those rights shall be deemed to be varied by:
(a)
the reduction of the capital paid up on that share or class of shares otherwise than by a purchase or redemption by the Company of its own shares; and
(b)
the allotment of another share ranking in priority for payment of a dividend or in respect of capital or which confers on its holder voting rights more favourable than those conferred by that share or class of shares,
but shall not be deemed to be varied by:
(c)
the creation or issue of another share ranking equally with, or subsequent to, that share or class of shares or by the purchase or redemption by the Company of its own shares; or
(d)
the Company permitting, in accordance with the Regulations, the holding of and transfer of title to shares of that or any other class in uncertificated form by means of a relevant system.
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Members’ rights to certificates
|
| |
21. Every member, on becoming the holder of any certificated share (except a recognised person in respect of whom the Company is not required by law to complete and have ready for delivery a certificate) shall be entitled, without payment, to one certificate for all the certificated shares of each class held by him (and, on transferring a part of his holding of certificated shares of any class, to a certificate for the balance of his holding of certificated shares). He may elect to receive one or more additional certificates for any of his certificated shares if he pays for every certificate after the first a reasonable sum determined from time to time by the board. Every certificate shall:
(a)
be executed under the seal or otherwise in accordance with Article 172 or in such other manner as the board may approve; and
(b)
specify the number, class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the shares to which it relates and the amount or respective amounts paid up on the shares.
The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for certificated share held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them. Shares of different classes may not be included in the same certificate.
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|
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Replacement certificates
|
| | 22. If a share certificate is defaced, worn out, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and payment of any exceptional out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in investigating evidence and preparing the requisite form of indemnity as the board may determine but otherwise free of charge, and (in the case of defacement or wearing out) on delivery up of the old certificate. | |
|
Company to have lien on shares
|
| | 23. The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) for all moneys payable to the Company (whether presently or not) in respect of that share. The board may at any time (generally or in a particular case) waive any lien or declare any share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions | |
| | | | of this Article. The Company’s lien on a share shall extend to any amount (including without limitation dividends) payable in respect of it. | |
|
Enforcement of lien by sale
|
| | 24. The Company may sell, in such manner as the board determines, any share on which the Company has a lien if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable and is not paid within 14 clear days after notice has been sent to the holder of the share, or to the person entitled to it by transmission, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with the share may be sold. | |
|
Giving effect to sale
|
| | 25. To give effect to that sale the board may, if the share is a certificated share, authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer in respect of the share sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. If the share is an uncertificated share, the board may exercise any of the Company’s powers under Article 8 to effect the sale of the share to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. The buyer shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money and his title to the share shall not be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings in relation to the sale. | |
|
Application of proceeds
|
| | 26. The net proceeds of the sale, after payment of the costs, shall be applied in or towards payment or satisfaction of so much of the sum in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable. Any residue shall (if the share sold is a certificated share, on surrender to the Company for cancellation of the certificate in respect of the share sold and, whether the share sold is a certificated or uncertificated share, subject to a like lien for any moneys not presently payable as existed on the share before the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the share at the date of the sale. | |
|
Power to make calls
|
| | 27. Subject to the terms of allotment, the board may from time to time make calls on the members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether in respect of nominal value or premium). Each member shall (subject to receiving at least 14 clear days’ notice specifying when and where payment is to be made) pay to the Company the amount called on his shares as required by the notice. A call may be required to be paid by instalments. A call may be revoked in whole or part and the time fixed for payment of a call may be postponed in whole or part as the board may determine. A person on whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made on him even if the shares in respect of which the call was made are subsequently transferred. | |
| Time when call made | | |
28. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the board authorising the call was passed.
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|
| Liability of joint holders | | |
29. The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of it.
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Interest payable
|
| | 30. If a call or any instalment of a call remains unpaid in whole or in part after it has become due and payable the person from whom it is due and payable shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid. Interest shall be paid at the rate fixed by the terms of allotment of the share or in the notice of the call or, if no rate is fixed, the rate determined by the board, not exceeding 15 per cent. per annum, or, if higher, the appropriate rate (as defined in the Act), but the board may in respect of any individual member waive payment of such interest wholly or in part. | |
|
Deemed calls
|
| | 31. An amount payable in respect of a share on allotment or at any fixed date, whether in respect of nominal value or premium or as an instalment of a call, shall be deemed to be a call duly made and notified and payable on the date so fixed or in | |
| | | | accordance with the terms of the allotment. If it is not paid the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. | |
|
Differentiation on calls
|
| | 32. Subject to the terms of allotment, the board may make arrangements on the issue of shares for a difference between the allottees or holders in the amounts and times of payment of calls on their shares. | |
|
Payment of calls in advance
|
| | 33. The board may, if it thinks fit, receive from any member all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid on any share held by him. Such payment in advance of calls shall extinguish the liability on the share in respect of which it is made to the extent of the payment. The Company may pay on all or any of the moneys so advanced (until they would but for such advance become presently payable) interest at such rate agreed between the board and the member not exceeding (unless the Company by ordinary resolution otherwise directs) 15 per cent. per annum or, if higher, the appropriate rate (as defined in the Act). | |
|
Notice requiring payment of cell
|
| | 34. If a call or any instalment of a call remains unpaid in whole or in part after it has become due and payable, the board may give to the person from whom it is due not less than 14 clear days’ notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and any costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment. The notice shall name the place where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with the shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. | |
|
Forfeiture for non-compliance
|
| | 35. If that notice is not complied with, any share in respect of which it was sent may, at any time before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the board. The forfeiture shall include all dividends or other moneys payable in respect of the forfeited share which have not been paid before the forfeiture. When a share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be sent to the person who was the holder of the share before the forfeiture. Where the forfeited share is held in certificated form, an entry shall be made promptly in the register opposite the entry of the share showing that notice has been sent, that the share has been forfeited and the date of forfeiture. No forfeiture shall be invalidated by the omission or neglect to send that notice or to make those entries. | |
|
Sale of forfeited shares
|
| | 36. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, a forfeited share shall be deemed to belong to the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the board determines, either to the person who was the holder before the forfeiture or to any other person. At any time before sale, re-allotment or other disposal, the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the board thinks fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited share held in certificated form is to be transferred to any person, the board may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the share to that person. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited share held in uncertificated form is to be transferred to any person, the board may exercise any of the Company’s powers under Article 8. The Company may receive the consideration given for the share on its disposal and may register the transferee as holder of the share. | |
|
Liability following forfeiture
|
| | 37. A person shall cease to be a member in respect of any share which has been forfeited and shall, if the share is a certificated share, surrender the certificate for any forfeited share to the Company for cancellation. The person shall remain liable to the Company for all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him | |
| | | | to the Company in respect of that share with interest on that amount at the rate at which interest was payable on those moneys before the forfeiture or, if no interest was so payable, at the rate determined by the board, not exceeding 15 per cent. per annum or, if higher, the appropriate rate (as defined in the Act), from the date of forfeiture until payment. The board may waive payment wholly or in part or enforce payment without any allowance for the value of the share at the time of forfeiture or for any consideration received on its disposal. | |
|
Surrender
|
| | 38. The board may accept the surrender of any share which it is in a position to forfeit on such terms and conditions as may be agreed. Subject to those terms and conditions, a surrendered share shall be treated as if it had been forfeited. | |
|
Extinction of rights
|
| | 39. The forfeiture of a share shall involve the extinction at the time of forfeiture of all interest in and all claims and demands against the Company in respect of the share and all other rights and liabilities incidental to the share as between the person whose share is forfeited and the Company, except only those rights and liabilities expressly saved by these Articles, or as are given or imposed in the case of past members by the Companies Acts. | |
|
Evidence of forfeiture or surrender
|
| | 40. A statutory declaration by a director or the secretary that a share has been duly forfeited or surrendered on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. The declaration shall (subject if necessary to the execution of an instrument of transfer or transfer by means of the relevant system, as the case may be) constitute a good title to the share. The person to whom the share is disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, and his title to the share shall not be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, surrender, sale, re-allotment or disposal of the share. | |
|
Form and execution of transfer of certificated share
|
| | 41. Without prejudice to any power of the Company to register as shareholder a person to whom the right to any share has been transmitted by operation of law, the instrument of transfer of a certificated share may be in any usual form or in any other form which the board may approve. An instrument of transfer shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and, unless the share is fully paid, by or on behalf of the transferee. An instrument of transfer need not be under seal. | |
| Transfers of partly paid certificated shares | | |
42. The board may, in its absolute discretion and without giving any reason, refuse to register the transfer of a certificated share which is not fully paid, provided that the refusal does not prevent dealings in shares in the Company from taking place on an open and proper basis.
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|
|
Invalid transfers of certificated shares
|
| |
43. The board may also refuse to register the transfer of a certificated share unless the instrument of transfer:
(a)
is lodged, duly stamped (if stampable), at the office or at another place appointed by the board accompanied by the certificate for the share 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;
(b)
is in respect of only one class of shares; and
(c)
is in favour of not more than four transferees.
|
|
| Transfers by recognised persons | | |
44. In the case of a transfer of a certificated share by a recognised person, the lodging of a share certificate will only be necessary if and to the extent that a certificate has been issued in respect of the share in question.
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|
|
Notice of refusal to register
|
| | 45. If the board refuses to register a transfer of a share in certificated form, it shall send the transferee notice of its refusal within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with the Company. | |
| No fee payable on registration | | |
46. No fee shall be charged for the registration of any instrument of transfer or other document relating to or affecting the title to a share.
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|
|
Retention of transfers
|
| | 47. The Company shall be entitled to retain an instrument of transfer which is registered, but an instrument of transfer which the board refuses to register shall be returned to the person lodging it when notice of the refusal is sent. | |
|
Transmission
|
| | 48. If a member dies, the survivor or survivors where he was a joint holder, and his personal representatives where he was a sole holder or the only survivor of joint holders, shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest. Nothing in these Articles shall release the estate of a deceased member (whether a sole or joint holder) from any liability in respect of any share held by him. | |
|
Elections permitted
|
| | 49. A person becoming entitled by transmission to a share may, on production of any evidence as to his entitlement properly required by the board, elect either to become the holder of the share or to have another person nominated by him registered as the transferee. If he elects to become the holder he shall send notice to the Company to that effect. If he elects to have another person registered and the share is a certificated share, he shall execute an instrument of transfer of the share to that person. If he elects to have himself or another person registered and the share is an uncertificated share, he shall take any action the board may require (including without limitation the execution of any document and the giving of any instruction by means of a relevant system) to enable himself or that person to be registered as the holder of the share. All the provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer of shares apply to that notice or instrument of transfer as if it were an instrument of transfer executed by the member and the death or bankruptcy of the member or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred. | |
|
Elections required
|
| | 50. The board may at any time send a notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share. If the notice is not complied with within 60 days, the board may after the expiry of that period withhold payment of all dividends or other moneys payable in respect of the share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. | |
|
Rights of persons entitled by transmission
|
| | 51. A person becoming entitled by transmission to a share shall, on production of any evidence as to his entitlement properly required by the board and subject to the requirements of Article 49, have the same rights in relation to the share as he would have had if he were the holder of the share, subject to Article 182. That person may give a discharge for all dividends and other moneys payable in respect of the share, but he shall not, before being registered as the holder of the share, be entitled in respect of it to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any meeting of the Company or to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company. | |
|
New shares subject to these Articles
|
| |
52. All shares created by increase of the Company’s share capital, by consolidation, division, or sub-division of its share capital or the conversion of stock into paid-up shares shall be:
(a)
subject to all the provisions of these Articles, including without limitation provisions relating to payment of calls, lien, forfeiture, transfer and transmission; and
(b)
unclassified, unless otherwise provided by these Articles, by the resolution creating the shares or by the terms of allotment of the shares.
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|
|
Fractions arising
|
| | 53. Whenever any fractions arise as a result of a consolidation or sub-division of shares, the board may on behalf of the members deal with the fractions as it thinks fit. In particular, without limitation, the board may sell shares representing fractions to which any members would otherwise become entitled to any person (including, subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the Company) and distribute the net proceeds of sale in due proportion among those members. Where the shares to be sold are held in certificated form the board may authorise some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. Where the shares to be sold are held in uncertificated form, the board may do all acts and things it considers necessary or expedient to effect the transfer of the shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. The buyer shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase moneys and his title to the shares shall not be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in relation to the sale. | |
| Annual general meetings | | |
54. The board shall convene and the Company shall hold general meetings as annual general meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts.
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|
|
Class meetings
|
| |
55. All provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to every separate general meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, except that:
(a)
the necessary quorum shall be two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) or, at any adjourned meeting of such holders, one holder present in person or by proxy, whatever the amount of his holding, who shall be deemed to constitute a meeting;
(b)
any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll; and
(c)
each holder of shares of the class shall, on a poll, have one vote in respect of every share of the class held by him.
For the purposes of this Article, where a person is present by proxy or proxies, he is treated only as holding the shares in respect of which those proxies are authorised to exercise voting rights.
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|
|
Convening general meetings
|
| | 56. The board may call general meetings whenever and at such times and places as it shall determine. On the requisition of members pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the board shall promptly convene a general meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acts. If there are insufficient directors in the United Kingdom to call a general meeting any director of the Company may call a general meeting, but where no director is willing or able to do so, any two members of | |
| | | | the Company may summon a meeting for the purpose of appointing one or more directors. | |
| | | | 57. The board shall determine in relation to each general meeting the means of attendance at and participation in the meeting, including whether the persons entitled to attend and participate in the general meeting shall be enabled to do so by, in addition to simultaneous attendance and participation at a physical place (or places, by way of satellite meetings in accordance with Article 63) anywhere in the world determined by it, by means of electronic facility or facilities determined by it in accordance with Article 63. | |
|
Period of notice
|
| | 58. An annual general meeting shall be called by at least 21 clear days’ notice. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, all other general meetings may be called by at least 14 clear days’ notice. | |
|
Recipients of notice
|
| | 59. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, to the provisions of these Articles and to any restrictions imposed on any shares, the notice shall be sent to every member and every director. The auditors are entitled to receive all notices of, and other communications relating to, any general meeting which any member is entitled to receive. | |
|
Contents of notice: general
|
| | 60. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the notice shall specify the time, date and place of the meeting, means, or all different means, of attendance and participation (including, without limitation, any satellite meeting places arranged for the purposes of Article 63, which shall be identified as such in the notice and any electronic facilities the board has determined be used to enable attendance and participation in the meeting in accordance with Article 63), any access, identification and security arrangements determined in accordance with Article 71 and the general nature of the business to be dealt with. | |
| Contents of notice: additional requirements | | |
61. In the case of an annual general meeting, the notice shall specify the meeting as such. In the case of a meeting to pass a special resolution, the notice shall specify the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution.
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|
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Article 65 arrangements
|
| | 62. The notice shall specify any arrangements made for the purpose of Article 65 (making clear that participation in those arrangements will not amount to attendance at the meeting to which the notice relates). | |
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General meetings at more than one place and/or by means of electronic facilities
|
| |
63. The board (or the chairman of the meeting in the case of an adjourned meeting) shall determine the means, or all different means, of attendance and participation used in relation to a general meeting and may resolve to enable persons entitled to attend and participate in a general meeting (or an adjourned general meeting, as the case may be) to do so by simultaneous attendance and participation:
(a)
at one or more satellite meeting places anywhere in the world; and/or
(b)
by means of electronic facility or facilities.
The members present in person or by proxy at satellite meeting places or by means of electronic facility or facilities shall be counted in the quorum for, and entitled to vote at, the general meeting in question. That meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chairman of the general meeting is satisfied that the facilities provided by or on behalf of the Company are available throughout the general meeting to ensure that members attending at all the meeting places and by means of electronic facility or facilities are able to:
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Quorum
|
| |
72. No business shall be dealt with at any general meeting unless a quorum is present, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the choice or appointment of a chairman, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting. Save as otherwise provided by these Articles, two qualifying persons present at a meeting and entitled to vote on the business to be dealt with are a quorum, unless.
(a)
each is a qualifying person only because he is authorised under the Companies Acts to act as a representative of a corporation in relation to the meeting, and they are representatives of the same corporation; or
(b)
each is a qualifying person only because he is appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting, and they are proxies of the same member.
For the purposes of this Article a “qualifying person” means (i) an individual who is a member of the Company, (ii) a person authorised under the Companies Acts to act as a representative of the corporation in relation to the meeting, or (iii) a person appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting.
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If quorum not present
|
| | 73. If such a quorum is not present within five minutes (or such longer time not exceeding 30 minutes as the chairman of the meeting may decide to wait) from the time appointed for the meeting, or if during a meeting such a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of members, shall be dissolved, and in any other case shall stand adjourned to such time and with such means of attendance and participation (including at such place and/or by means of such electronic facility)as the chairman of the meeting may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, determine. The adjourned meeting shall be dissolved if a quorum is not present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting. | |
|
Chairman
|
| | 74. The chairman, if any, of the board or, in his absence from the principal place of meeting, any deputy chairman of the Company or, in his absence from the principal place of meeting, some other director nominated by the board, shall preside as chairman of the meeting. If neither the chairman, deputy chairman nor such other director (if any) is present at the principal place of meeting within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is not willing to act as chairman, the directors present at the principal place of meeting shall elect one of their number to be chairman. If there is only one director present at the principal place of meeting and willing to act, he shall be chairman. If no director is willing to act as chairman, or if no director is present at the principal place of meeting within five minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members at the principal place of meeting present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall choose a member present at the principal place of meeting in person to be chairman. | |
|
Directors entitled to speak
|
| | 75. A director shall, notwithstanding that he is not a member, be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company. | |
|
Adjournment: chairman’s powers
|
| | 76. The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place. In addition (and without prejudice to the chairman’s power to adjourn a meeting conferred by Article 64), the chairman may adjourn the meeting to another time and place without such consent if it appears to him that it would facilitate the conduct of the business of the meeting to do so. | |
| Adjournment: procedures | | |
77. Any such adjournment may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, be for such time and place and with such other means of attendance and participation
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| | | | (including at such place and/or by means of such electronic facility) as the chairman may, in his absolute discretion determine, notwithstanding that by reason of such adjournment some members may be unable to attend or participate in the adjourned meeting. The discretion of the chairman shall include the discretion as to whether to make arrangements for a satellite meeting place in respect of the adjourned meeting and whether the meeting place of the adjourned meeting should be in a different country from the original principal meeting place. Any member unable to be present at the adjourned meeting may nevertheless appoint a proxy for the adjourned meeting either in accordance with Article 103 or by means of a document in hard copy form which, if delivered at the meeting which is adjourned to the chairman or the secretary or any director, shall be valid even though it is given at less notice than would otherwise be required by Article 103. When a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more or for an indefinite period, notice shall be sent at least seven clear days before the date of the adjourned meeting specifying the time of, place, and means, or all different means, of attendance and participation (including any satellite meeting place and/or electronic facility) for the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to send any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be dealt with at an adjourned meeting. No business shall be dealt with at an adjourned meeting other than business which might properly have been dealt with at the meeting had the adjournment not taken place. | |
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Amendments to resolutions
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| |
78. If an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good faith ruled out of order by the chairman, the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. With the consent of the chairman, an amendment may be withdrawn by its proposer before it is voted on. No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution may be considered or voted on (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error). No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as an ordinary resolution may be considered or voted on (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) unless either:
(a)
at least 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the ordinary resolution is to be considered (which, if the board so specifies, shall be calculated taking no account of any part of a day that is not a working day), notice of the terms of the amendment and the intention to move it has been delivered in hard copy form to the office or to such other place as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose, or received in electronic form at such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose, or
(b)
the chairman in his absolute discretion decides that the amendment may be considered and voted on.
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Methods of voting
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79. A resolution put to the vote at a general meeting held partly by means of electronic facility or facilities shall, unless the chairman of the meeting determines that it shall (subject to the remainder of this Article) be decided on a show of hands, be decided on a poll. Subject thereto, a resolution put to the vote at a general meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless before, or on the declaration of the result of, a vote on the show of hands, or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll, a poll is duly demanded. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, a poll may be demanded by:
(a)
the chairman of the meeting; or
(b)
(except on the election of the chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment) at least five members present in person or by proxy having the right to vote on the resolution; or
(c)
any member or members present in person or by proxy representing not less than
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Right to vote
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86.
Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares:
(a)
on a show of hands every member who is present in person shall have one vote and
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every proxy present who has been duly appointed by a member entitled to vote on the resolution has one vote; and
(b)
on a poll every member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder.
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Votes of joint holders
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| | 87. 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. For this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the register. | |
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Member under incapacity
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| | 88. A member in respect of whom an order has been made by a court or official having jurisdiction (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) in matters concerning mental disorder may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, curator bonis or other person authorised for that purpose appointed by that court or official. That receiver, curator bonis or other person may, on a show of hands or on a poll, vote by proxy. The right to vote shall be exercisable only if evidence satisfactory to the board of the authority of the person claiming to exercise the right to vote has been delivered to the office, or another place specified in accordance with these Articles for the delivery of proxy appointments, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the right to vote is to be exercised provided that the Company may specify, in any case, that in calculating the period of 48 hours, no account shall be taken of any part of a day that is not a working day. | |
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Calls in arrears
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| | 89. No member shall be entitled to vote at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, either personally or by proxy, in respect of any share held by him unless all moneys presently payable by him in respect of that share have been paid. | |
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Section 793 of the Act: restrictions if in default
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90. If at any time the board is satisfied that any member, or any other person appearing to be interested in shares held by such member, has been duly served with a notice under section 793 of the Act (a section 793 notice) and is in default for the prescribed period in supplying to the Company the information thereby required, or, in purported compliance with such a notice, has made a statement which is false or inadequate in a material particular, then the board may, in its absolute discretion at any time thereafter by notice (a direction notice) to such member direct that:
(a)
in respect of the shares in relation to which the default occurred (the default shares, which expression includes any shares issued after the date of the section 793 notice in respect of those shares) the member shall not be entitled to attend or vote either personally or by proxy at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of that class of shares or on a poll; and
(b)
where the default shares represent at least 1∕4 of one per cent. in nominal value of the issued shares of their class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares), the direction notice may additionally direct that in respect of the default shares:
(i)
no payment shall be made by way of dividend and no share shall be allotted pursuant to Article 180;
(ii)
no transfer of any default share shall be registered unless:
(A)
the member is not himself in default as regards supplying the information requested and the transfer when presented for registration is accompanied by a certificate by the member in such form as the board may in its absolute discretion require to the effect that after due and careful enquiry
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Appointment of proxy: form
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100. The appointment of a proxy shall be made in writing and shall be in any usual form or in any other form which the board may approve. Subject thereto, the appointment of a proxy may be:
(a)
in hard copy form; or
(b)
in electronic form, if the Company agrees.
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Execution of proxy
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| | 101. The appointment of a proxy, whether made in hard copy form or in electronic form, shall be executed in such manner as may be approved by or on behalf of the Company from time to time. Subject thereto, the appointment of a proxy shall be executed by the appointor or any person duly authorised by the appointor or, if the appointor is a corporation, executed by a duly authorised person or under its common seal or in any other manner authorised by its constitution. | |
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Proxies: other provisions
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| | 102. The board may, if it thinks fit, but subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, at the Company’s expense send hard copy forms of proxy for use at the meeting and issue invitations in electronic form to appoint a proxy in relation to the meeting in such form as may be approved by the board. The appointment of a proxy shall not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the meeting or poll concerned. A member may appoint more than one proxy to attend on the same occasion, provided that each such proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by that member. | |
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Delivery/receipt of proxy appointment
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103. Without prejudice to Article 67(b) or to the second sentence of Article 77, the appointment of a proxy shall:
(a)
if in hard copy form, be delivered by hand or by post to the office or such other place within the United Kingdom and by such time as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose:
(i)
in the notice convening the meeting, or
(ii)
in any form of proxy sent by or on behalf of the Company in relation to the meeting;
provided that:
(iii)
the time so specified may not be earlier than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting (or any postponed time appointed for holding the meeting pursuant to Article 67) at which the
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is not complied with in any respect, the appointment may be treated as invalid; and
(c)
whether or not a request under Article 104(b) has been made or complied with, the Company may determine that it has insufficient evidence of the authority of that person to make, send or supply the appointment on behalf of that holder and may treat the appointment as invalid.
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Validity of proxy appointment
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| | 105. A proxy appointment which is not delivered or received in accordance with Article 103 shall be invalid. When two or more valid proxy appointments are delivered or received in respect of the same share for use at the same meeting, the one that was last delivered or received shall be treated as replacing or revoking the others as regards that share, provided that if the Company determines that it has insufficient evidence to decide whether or not a proxy appointment is in respect of the same share, it shall be entitled to determine which proxy appointment (if any) is to be treated as valid. Subject to the Companies Acts, the Company may determine at its discretion when a proxy appointment shall be treated as delivered or received for the purposes of these Articles. | |
| | | | 106. The Company shall not be required to check that a proxy or corporate representative votes in accordance with any instructions given by the member by whom he or she is appointed. Any failure to vote as instructed shall not invalidate the proceedings on the resolution. | |
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Rights of proxy
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| | 107. A proxy appointment shall be deemed to entitle the proxy to exercise all or any of the appointing member’s rights to attend and to speak and vote at a meeting of the Company. The proxy appointment shall, unless it provides to the contrary, be valid for any adjournment of the meeting as well as for the meeting to which it relates. | |
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Corporate representatives
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| | 108. Any corporation which is a member of the Company (in this Article the grantor) may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares. A person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same power on behalf of the grantor as the grantor could exercise if it were an individual member of the Company, save that a director, the secretary or other person authorised for the purpose by the secretary may require such person to produce a certified copy of the resolution of authorisation before permitting him to exercise his powers. The grantor shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorised is present at it. | |
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Revocation of authority
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109. The termination of the authority of a person to act as a proxy or duly authorised representative of a corporation does not affect:
(a)
whether he counts in deciding whether there is a quorum at a meeting;
(b)
the validity of anything he does as chairman of a meeting;
(c)
the validity of a poll demanded by him at a meeting; or
(d)
the validity of a vote given by that person,
unless notice of the termination was either delivered or received as mentioned in the following sentence at least three hours before the start of the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) the time appointed for taking the poll. Such notice of termination shall be either by means of a document in hard copy form delivered to the office or to such other place within the United Kingdom as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 103(a)or in electronic form received at the address (if any) specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 103(b), regardless of whether any relevant proxy appointment was effected in
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| | | | hard copy form or in electronic form. | |
| Limits on number of directors | | |
110. Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the number of directors (other than alternate directors) shall be not less than three in number.
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| Number of directors to retire | | |
111. At every annual general meeting all the directors at the date of the notice convening the annual general meeting shall retire from office.
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| When director deemed to be reappointed be reappointed | | |
112. If the Company does not fill the vacancy at the meeting at which a director retires, 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 re-appointment of the director is put to the meeting and lost.
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Eligibility for election
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113. No person other than a retiring director shall be appointed a director at any general meeting unless:
(a)
he is recommended by the board; or
(b)
not less than seven nor more than 42 days before the date appointed for the meeting, notice by a member qualified to vote at the meeting (not being the person to be proposed) has been received by the Company of the intention to propose that person for appointment stating the particulars which would, if he were so appointed, be required to be included in the Company’s register of directors, together with notice by that person of his willingness to be appointed.
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Provision if insufficient directors appointed
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114. If:
(a)
any resolution or resolutions for the appointment or re-appointment of the persons eligible for appointment or re-appointment as directors are put to the annual general meeting and lost, and
(b)
at the end of that meeting the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under Article 110,
all retiring directors who stood for re-appointment at that meeting (the Retiring Directors) shall be deemed to have been re-appointed as directors and shall remain in office, but the Retiring Directors may only:
(c)
act for the purpose of filling vacancies and convening general meetings of the Company; and
(d)
perform such duties as are appropriate to maintain the Company as a going concern and to comply with the Company’s legal and regulatory obligations,
but not for any other purpose.
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Provisions for general meeting
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| | 115. The Retiring Directors shall convene a general meeting as soon as reasonably practicable following the annual general meeting referred to in Article 114, and they shall retire from office at that meeting. If at the end of any meeting convened under this Article the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under Article 110, the provisions of Article 114 and this Article shall also apply to that meeting. | |
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Separate resolutions on appointment
|
| | 116. Except as otherwise authorised by the Companies Acts, a motion for the appointment of two or more persons as directors by a single resolution shall not be made unless a resolution that it should be so made has first been agreed to by the meeting without any vote being given against it. | |
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Additional powers of the Company
|
| | 117. Subject as aforesaid, the Company may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director. The appointment of a person to fill a vacancy or as an additional director shall take effect from the end of the meeting. | |
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Appointment by board
|
| | 118. The board may appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director and in either case whether or not for a fixed term. | |
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Position of retiring directors
|
| | 119. A director who retires at an annual general meeting may, if willing to act, be re-appointed. If he is not re-appointed, he shall, unless Article 114 applies, retain office until the meeting appoints someone in his place, or if it does not do so, until the end of the meeting. | |
| No share qualification | | |
120. A director shall not be required to hold any shares in the capital of the Company by way of qualification.
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Power to appoint alternates
|
| | 121. Any director (other than an alternate director) may appoint any other director, or any other person approved by resolution of the board and willing to act, to be an alternate director and may remove from office an alternate director so appointed by him. | |
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Alternates entitled to receive notice
|
| | 122. An alternate director shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of the board and of all meetings of committees of the board of which his appointor is a member, to attend and vote at any such meeting at which his appointor is not personally present, and generally to perform all the functions of his appointor (except as regards power to appoint an alternate) as a director in his absence. It shall not be necessary to send notice of such a meeting to an alternate director who is absent from the United Kingdom. | |
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Alternates representing more than one director
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| | 123. A director or any other person may act as alternate director to represent more than one director, and an alternate director shall be entitled at meetings of the board or any committee of the board to one vote for every director whom he represents (and who is not present) in addition to his own vote (if any) as a director, but he shall count as only one for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. | |
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Expenses and remuneration of alternates
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| | 124. An alternate director may be repaid by the Company such expenses as might properly have been repaid to him if he had been a director but shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration from the Company in respect of his services as an alternate director except such part (if any) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by notice to the Company from time to time direct. An alternate director shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company to the same extent as if he were a director. | |
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Termination of appointment
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125. An alternate director shall cease to be an alternate director:
(a)
if his appointor ceases to be a director; but, if a director retires but is re-appointed or deemed to have been re-appointed at the meeting at which he retires, any appointment of an alternate director made by him which was in force immediately
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Business to be managed by board
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| | 128. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and these Articles and to any directions given by special resolution, the business of the Company shall be managed by the board which may exercise all the powers of the Company, including without limitation the power to dispose of al or any part of the undertaking of the Company. No alteration of the Articles and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the board which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. The powers given by this Article shall not be limited by any special power given to the board by these Articles. A meeting of the board at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the board. | |
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Exercise by Company of voting rights
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| | 129. The board may exercise the voting power conferred by the shares in any body corporate held or owned by the Company m such manner in all respects as it thinks fit (including without limitation the exercise of that power in favour of any resolution appointing its members or any of them directors of such body corporate, or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the directors of such body corporate). | |
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Committees of the board
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130. The board may delegate any of its powers to any committee consisting of one or more directors. The board may also delegate to any director holding any executive office such of its powers as the board considers desirable to be exercised by him. Any such delegation shall, in the absence of express provision to the contrary in the terms of delegation, be deemed to include authority to sub-delegate to one or more directors (whether or not acting as a committee) or to any employee or agent of the Company all or any of the powers delegated and may be made subject to such conditions as the board may specify, and may be revoked or altered. The board may co-opt on to any such committee persons other than directors, who may enjoy voting rights in the committee. The co-opted members shall be less than one-half of the total membership of the committee and a resolution of any committee shall be effective only if:
(a)
where the resolution is passed at a meeting of the committee, a majority of the members present are directors; and
(b)
where the resolution is passed by the committee in writing pursuant to Article 161, a majority of those who agree to the resolution are directors.
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Power to borrow
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134. (A) Subject as hereinafter provided and to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the board may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or part thereof and to issue bonds, notes or similar debt instruments and other securities.
(B) The board shall restrict the borrowings of the Company and exercise all voting and other rights or powers of control exercisable by the Company in relation to its subsidiaries so as to secure (as regards, subsidiaries, so far as by such exercise it can secure) that, save with the previous sanction of an ordinary resolution of the Company, no money shall be borrowed if the aggregate principal amount (including any premium payable on final repayment) outstanding of all moneys borrowed by the Company and its subsidiaries (the Group and member of the Group shall be construed accordingly) then exceeds or would, as a result of such borrowing, exceed the higher of:
(a)
£3,000,000,000; and
(b)
an amount equal to two times the aggregate of:
(i)
the amount paid up on the share capital of the Company; and
(ii)
the total of the capital and revenue reserves of the. Company (including any share premium account, capital redemption reserve or other reserve and debit or credit balance on its profit and loss account),
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all as shown in the then latest audited unconsolidated balance sheet of the Company, but adjusted as may be necessary in respect of any variation in the paid up share capital or share premium account of the Company since the date of its latest audited balance sheet.
(C)
A certificate or report by the auditors as to any amount required to be determined for the purpose of this Article, or to the effect that the limit imposed by this Article has not been or will not be exceeded, at any particular time times, shall be conclusive evidence of such amount or fact for the purposes of this Article. Nevertheless, for the purposes of this Article, the board may at any time act in reliance on a bona fide estimate of all or any of the amounts required to be determined for the purposes of this Article and if in consequence the limit referred to in paragraph (B) above were inadvertently to be exceeded, an amount borrowed equal to the excess may be disregarded until the expiration of three months after the date on which by reason of a determination of the auditors or otherwise the board became aware that such limit had been exceeded.
(D)
For the purposes of this Article, “moneys borrowed” or similar expression means the aggregate of the following: (i) outstanding principal amounts of all borrowings of the Group (ii) monies otherwise raised by the Group by way of acceptance credits (iii) the outstanding principal amount of the issue of any debenture, bond, note, loan stock or other security (iv) the aggregate amount of all guarantees, indemnities and other assurances against financial loss given by the Group to secure similar liabilities of any person not a member of the Group (v) the capitalised element of indebtedness under a finance lease or capital lease (vi) the outstanding principal amount of all moneys owing in connection with the sale or discounting of receivables (otherwise than on a non-recourse basis) (vii) the outstanding principal amount of any indebtedness arising from any deferred purchase agreements arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset (viii) any fixed or minimum premium payable (as shown by the then latest audited consolidated balance sheet of the Group) on the repayment or redemption at its stated maturity of any instrument referred to in paragraph (iii) above; and (ix) the outstanding principal amount of any indebtedness arising in connection with any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which has the commercial effect of a borrowing; less
(a)
any cash in hand of any member of the Group;
(b)
cash and/or deposit balances of any member of the Group with banks (whether situated in the UK or outside the UK where the remittance of the cash balances to the UK is not prohibited by any law, regulation, treaty or official directive; however, if the remittance of such cash is prohibited it shall nonetheless be deducted from amounts borrowed but only to the extent that it may be set off against or act as security for the aggregate of any outstanding principal amounts and any amounts guaranteed referred to above);
(c)
the value of any certificates of deposit or similar instruments beneficially owned by any member of the Group, in each case for a term not exceeding 12 months, with a rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., of at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s Investors Service Limited of at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof;
(d)
the market value of any government gilt, treasury bill or similar instrument beneficially owned by any member of the Group, in each case
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with a remaining maturity not exceeding fifteen years and with a rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., of at least AA or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s Investors Service Limited of at least Aa or the equivalent thereof;
(e)
cash deposited by any member of the Group as security for any borrowing or liability;
(f)
moneys borrowed by any member of the Group for the purpose of financing any contract in respect of which any part of the price receivable under the contract by the Group is guaranteed or insured by the Export Credits Guarantee Department of the Department of Trade and Industry or by any other governmental department or agency fulfilling a similar function up to an amount equal to that part of the price receivable under the contract which is so guaranteed or insured; and
(g)
moneys borrowed by any member of the Group for the purpose of repaying the whole or any part of any other moneys borrowed and then outstanding and applied for that purpose within six months of such borrowing;
(h)
moneys borrowed by any member of the Group at the time it becomes a subsidiary of the Company and for a period of six months thereafter;
(i)
moneys borrowed remaining secured on any asset acquired by a member of the Group at the time of such acquisition and for a period of six months thereafter,
all as determined in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and generally accepted accounting principles in England and Wales, as appropriate.
(E)
No debt incurred or security given in respect of moneys borrowed or to be taken into account as moneys borrowed in excess of the limit referred to in paragraph (B) shall be invalid or ineffectual except in the case of express notice to the lender or the recipient of the security at the time when the debt was incurred or security given that the limit hereby imposed had been or was thereby exceeded, but no lender or other person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire whether such limit is observed.
(F)
For the purpose of determining whether the limit imposed by this Article has been exceeded, the principal amount of any moneys borrowed expressed in a currency other than sterling shall be translated into sterling on the basis adopted for the translation of borrowings in the latest published audited consolidated accounts of the Company and no account shall be taken of subsequent fluctuations in the rates between sterling and the currency or currencies of the relevant moneys borrowed.
(G)
Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Article no account shall be taken of any amount more than once in the determination of the amount of moneys borrowed m relation to the limits set out in this Article. If, in the determination of any such amount, the provisions of this Article may be applied to produce more than one amount, that provision which produces the higher amount shall apply to the exclusion of the other or others.
(H)
Until an audited balance sheet of the Company shall have been audited and approved by the board, the restriction sub paragraph (B)(b) shal1 not apply and, until such time, the words “the higher of” after “exceed” in paragraph (B) and the word “and” in sub paragraph (B)(a) shall also to be treated as if
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they did not apply.
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Disqualification as a director
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135. A person ceases to be a director as soon as:
(a)
that person ceases to be a director by virtue of any provision of the Act or is prohibited from being a director by law;
(b)
a bankruptcy order is made against that person;
(c)
a composition is made with that person’s creditors generally in satisfaction of that person’s debts;
(d)
a registered medical practitioner who is treating that person gives a written opinion to the Company stating that that person has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director and may remain so for more than three months;
(e)
notification is received by the Company from the director that the director is resigning or retiring from office, and such resignation or retirement has taken effect in accordance with its terms, or his office as a director is vacated pursuant to Article 118;
(f)
that person receives notice signed by not less than three quarters of the other directors stating that that person should cease to be a director. In calculating the number of directors who are required to give such notice to the director, (i) an alternate director appointed by him acting in his capacity as such shall be excluded; and (ii) a director and any alternate director appointed by him and acting in his capacity as such shall constitute a single director for this purpose, so that notice by either shall be sufficient; or
(g)
that person has been absent for more than six consecutive months without permission of the board from meetings of the board he d during that period and his or her alternate director (if any) has not attended in his or her place during that period and the board resolves that his or her office be vacated.
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Power of Company to remove director
|
| | 136. The Company may, without prejudice to the provisions of the Companies Acts, by ordinary resolution remove any director from office (notwithstanding any provision of these Articles or of any agreement between the Company and such director, but without prejudice to any claim he may have for damages for breach of any such agreement). No special notice need be given of any resolution to remove a director in accordance with this Article and no director proposed to be removed in accordance with this Article has any special right to protest against his removal. The Company may, by ordinary resolution, appoint another person in place of a director removed from office in accordance with this Article. In default of such appointment the vacancy arising on the removal of a director from office may be filled as a casual vacancy. | |
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Arrangements with non-executive directors
|
| | 137. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the board may enter into, vary and terminate an agreement or arrangement with any director who does not hold executive office for the provision of his services to the Company. Subject to Article 138 and 139, any such agreement or arrangement may be made on such terms as the board determines. | |
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Ordinary remuneration
|
| | 138. The ordinary remuneration of the directors who do not hold executive office for their services (excluding amounts payable under any other provision of these Articles) shall not exceed in aggregate £1,000,000.00 per annum or such higher amount as the | |
| | | | Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution determine. Subject thereto, each such director shall be paid a fee for their services (which shall be deemed to accrue from day to day) at such rate as may from time to time be determined by the board. | |
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Additional remuneration for special services
|
| | 139. Any director who does not hold executive office and who performs special services which in the opinion of the board are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director, may (without prejudice to the provisions of Article 138) be paid such extra remuneration by way of additional fee, salary, commission or otherwise as the board may determine. | |
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Directors may be paid expenses
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| | 140. The directors may be paid all travelling, hotel, and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of the board or committees of the board, general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of their duties. | |
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Appointment to executive office
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| | 141. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the board may appoint one or more of its body to be the holder of any executive office (except that of auditor) in the Company and may enter into an agreement or arrangement with any such director for his employment by the Company or for the provision by him of any services outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director. Any such appointment, agreement or arrangement may be made on such terms, including without limitation terms as to remuneration, as the board determines. The board may revoke or vary any such appointment but without prejudice to any rights or claims which the person whose appointment is revoked or varied may have against the Company because of the revocation or variation. | |
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Termination of appointment to executive office
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| | 142. Any appointment of a director to an executive office shall terminate if he ceases to be a director but without prejudice to any rights or claims which he may have against the Company by reason of such cessation. A director appointed to an executive office shall not cease to be a director merely because his appointment to such executive office terminates. | |
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Emoluments to be determined by the board
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| | 143. The emoluments of any director holding executive office for his services as such shall be determined by the board, and may be of any description, including without limitation admission to, or continuance of, membership of any scheme (including any share acquisition scheme) or fund instituted or established or financed or contributed to by the Company for the provision of pensions, life assurance or other benefits for employees or their dependants, or the payment of a pension or other benefits to him or his dependants on or after retirement or death, apart from membership of any such scheme or fund. | |
| | | |
144.
(a)
For the purposes of section 175 of the Act, the board may authorise any matter proposed to it in accordance with these Articles which would, if not so authorised, involve a breach of duty by a director under that section, including, without limitation, any matter winch, relates to a situation in which a director has, or can have, an interest which conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the interests of the
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Company.
(b)
Any such authorisation will be effective only if:
(i)
any requirement as to quorum at the meeting at which the matter is considered is met without counting the director in question or any other interested director; and
(ii)
the matter was agreed to without their voting or would have been agreed to if their votes had not been counted.
(c)
The board may (whether at the time of the giving of the authorisation or subsequently) make any such authorisation subject to any limits or conditions it expressly imposes but such authorisation is otherwise given to the fullest extent permitted.
(d)
The board may vary or terminate any such authorisation at any time.
(e)
For the purposes of these Articles, a conflict of interest includes a conflict of interest and duty and a conflict of duties, and interest includes both direct and indirect interests.
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Directors may contract with the Company
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145. Provided that he has disclosed to the board the nature and extent of his interest (unless the circumstances referred to in section 177(5) or section 177(6) of the Act apply, in which case no such disclosure is required), a director notwithstanding his office:
(a)
may be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise (directly or indirectly) interested;
(b)
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;
(c)
may be a director or other officer of, or employed by, o a party to a transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any body corporate in which the Company is otherwise (directly or indirectly) interested.
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146. A director shall not, by reason of his office, be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefit which he derives from any office or employment or from any transaction or arrangement or from any interest in any body corporate:
(a)
the acceptance, entry into or existence of which has been approved by the board pursuant to Article 144 (subject, in any such case, to any limits or conditions to which such approval .was subject); or
(b)
winch he is permitted to hold or enter into by virtue of paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of Article 145 above,
nor shall the receipt of any such remuneration or other benefit constitute a breach of his duty under section 176 of the Act.
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Notification of interests
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147. Any disclosure required by Article 145 may be made at a meeting of the board, by notice in writing or by general notice or otherwise in accordance with section 177 of the Act.
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148. A director shall be under no duty to the Company with respect to any information which he obtains or has obtained otherwise than as a director of the Company and in respect of which he owes a duty of confidentiality to another
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person. However, to the extent that his relationship with that other person gives rise to a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest, this Article applies only if the existence of that relationship has been approved by the board pursuant to Article 144. In particular, the director shall not be in breach of the general duties he owes to the Company by virtue of sections 171 to 177 of the Act because he fails:
(a)
to disclose any such information to the board or to any director or other officer or employee of the Company; and/or
(b)
to use or apply any such information in performing his duties as a director of the Company.
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149. Where the existence of a director’s relationship with another person has been approved by the board pursuant to Article 144 and his relationship with that person gives rise to a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest, the director shall not be in breach of the general duties he owes to the Company by virtue of sections 171 to 177 of the Act because he:
(a)
absents himself from meetings of the board at which any matter relating to the conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest will or may be discussed or from the discussion of any such matter at a meeting or otherwise; and/or
(b)
makes arrangements not to receive documents and information relating to any matter which gives rise to the conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest sent or supplied by the Company and/or for such documents and information to be received and read by a professional adviser,
for so long as he reasonably believes such conflict of interest (or possible conflict of interest) subsists.
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150. The provisions of Articles 148 and 149 are without prejudice to any equitable principle or rule of law which may excuse the director from:
(a)
disclosing information m circumstances where disclosure would otherwise be required under these Articles; or
(b)
attending meetings or discussions or receiving documents and information as referred to in Article 149, in circumstances where such attendance or receiving such documents and information would otherwise be required under these Articles.
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Gratuities and pensions
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| | 151. The board may (by establishment of, or maintenance of, schemes or otherwise) provide benefits, whether by the payment of gratuities or pensions or by insurance or otherwise, for any past or present director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings or any body corporate associated with, or any business acquired by, any of them, and for any member of his family (including a spouse a civil partner, a former spouse and a former civil partner) or any person who is or was dependent on him, and may (as well before as after he ceases to hold such office or employment) contribute to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such benefit. | |
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Indemnity to directors and officers
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| | 152. Without prejudice to any indemnity to which the person concerned may otherwise be entitled, every director or other officer of the Company (other than any person, whether an officer or not, engaged by the Company as auditor) shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred by him for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company, provided that this Article shall be deemed not to provide for, or entitle any | |
| | | | such person to, indemnification to the extent that it would cause this Article, or any element of it, to be treated as void under the Companies Acts. | |
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Insurance
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153. Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 152, the board may exercise all the powers of the Company to purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any person who is or was;
(a)
a director, officer, employee or auditor of foe Company or any body which is or was the holding company or subsidiary undertaking of the Company, or in which the Company or such holding company or subsidiary undertaking has or had any interest (whether direct or indirect) or with which the Company or such holding company or subsidiary undertaking is or was in any way allied or associated; or
(b)
a trustee of any pension fund in which employees of the Company or any other body referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article is or has been interested,
including without limitation insurance against any liability incurred by such person in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution or discharge of his duties or in the exercise or purported exercise of his powers or otherwise in relation to his duties, powers or offices in relation to the relevant body or fund.
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Directors not liable to account
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| | 154. No director or former director shall be accountable to the Company or the members for any benefit provided pursuant to these Articles. The receipt of any such benefit shall not disqualify any person from being or becoming a director of the Company. | |
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Section 247 of the Companies Act
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| | 155. Pursuant to section 247 of the Act, the board is hereby authorised to make such provision as may seem appropriate for the benefit of any persons employed o formerly employed by the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings other than a director or former director or shadow director in connection with the cessation or the transfer of the whole or part of the undertaking of the Company or any subsidiary undertaking. Any such provision shall be made by a resolution of the board in accordance with section 247. | |
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Convening meetings
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| | 156. Subject to the provisions of these Articles, the board may regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit. A director may, and the secretary at the request of a director shall, call a meeting of the board by giving notice of the meeting to each director. Notice of a board meeting shall be deemed to be given to a director if it is given to him personally or by word of mouth or sent in hard copy form to him at his last known address or such other address (if any) as may for the time being be specified by him or on his behalf to the Company for that purpose, or sent in electronic form to such address (if any) for the time being specified by him or on his behalf to the Company for that purpose. A director absent or intending to be absent from the United Kingdom may request the board that notices of board meetings shall during his absence be sent in hard copy form or in electronic form to such address (if any) for the time being specified by him or on his behalf to the Company for that purpose, but such notices need not be sent any earlier than notices sent to directors not so absent and, if no such request is made to the board, it shall not be necessary to send notice of a board meeting to any director who is for the time being absent from the United Kingdom. No account is to be taken of directors absent from the United Kingdom when considering the adequacy of the period of notice of the meeting. Questions arising at a meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. Any director may waive notice of a meeting and any such waiver may be retrospective. Any notice pursuant to this Article need not be in writing if the board | |
| | | | held or (if no director is present in that place) where the largest group of those participating is assembled, or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting is. The word meeting in these Articles shall be construed accordingly. | |
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Directors’ power to vote on contracts in which they are interested
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163. Except as otherwise provided by these Articles, a director shall not vote at a meeting of the board or a committee of the board on any resolution of the board concerning a matter in which he has an interest (other than by virtue of his interests in shares or debentures or other securities of, or otherwise in or through, the Company) which can reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict with the interests of the Company, unless his interest arises only because the resolution concerns one or more of the following matters:
(a)
the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by him or any other person at the request of or for the benefit of, the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings;
(b)
the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for which the director has assumed responsibility (in whole or part and whether alone or jointly with others) under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;
(c)
a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning an offer of shares, debentures or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for subscription or purchase, in which offer he is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which he is to participate;
(d)
a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning any other body corporate in which he or any person connected with him is interested, directly or indirectly, and whether as an officer, shareholder, creditor or otherwise, if he and any persons connected with him do not to his knowledge hold an interest (as that term is used in sections 820 to 825 of the Act) representing one per cent, or more of either any class of the equity share capital (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) of such body corporate (or any other body corporate through which his interest is derived) or of the voting rights available to members of the relevant body corporate (any such interest being deemed for the purpose of this Article to be likely to give rise to a conflict with the interests of the Company in all circumstances);
(e)
a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal for the benefit of employees of the Company or of any of its subsidiary undertakings which does not award him any privilege or benefit not generally accorded to the employees to whom the arrangement relates; and
(f)
a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning any insurance which the Company is empowered to purchase or maintain for, or for the benefit of, any directors of the Company or for persons who include directors of the Company.
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| Interests of connected person and alternate director | | |
164. For the purposes of Article 163, in relation to an alternate director, an interest of his appointor shall be treated as an interest of the alternate director without prejudice to any interest which the alternate director has otherwise.
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| | | | 165. The Company may by ordinary resolution suspend or relax to any extent, either generally or in respect of any particular matter, any provision of these Articles prohibiting a director from voting at a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors. | |
| Division of | | |
166. Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including
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proposals
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| | without limitation fixing or varying the terms of appointment) of two or more directors to offices or employments with the Company or any body corporate in which the Company is interested, the proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each director separately. In such cases each of the directors concerned shall be entitled to vote in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment. | |
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Decision of chairman final and conclusive
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| | 167. If a question arises at a meeting of the board or of a committee of the board as to the entitlement of a director to vote, the question may, before the conclusion of the meeting, be referred to the chairman of the meeting and his ruling in relation to any director other than himself shall be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature or extent of the interests of the director concerned have not been fairly disclosed. If any such question arises in respect of the chairman of the meeting, it shall be decided by resolution of the board (on which the chairman shall not vote) and such resolution will be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature and extent of the interests of the chairman have not been fairly disclosed. | |
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Appointment and removal of secretary
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| | 168. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the secretary shall be appointed by the board for such term, at such remuneration and on such conditions as it may think fit. Any secretary so appointed may be removed by the board, but without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company. | |
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Minutes required to be kept
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169. The board shall cause minutes to be recorded for the purpose of:
(a)
all appointments of officers made by the board; and
(b)
all proceedings at meetings of the Company, the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, the board and committees of the board, including the names of the directors present at each such meeting.
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Conclusiveness of minutes
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| | 170. Any such minutes, if purporting to be authenticated by the chairman of the meeting to which they relate or of the next meeting, shall be sufficient evidence of the proceedings at the meeting without any further proof of the facts stated in them. | |
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Authority required for execution of deed
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| | 171. The seal shall only be used by the authority of a resolution of the board. The board may determine who shall sign any document executed under the seal. If they do not, it shall be signed by at least one director and the secretary or by at least two directors. Any document may be executed under the seal by impressing the seal by mechanical means or by printing the seal or a facsimile of it on the document or by applying the seal or a facsimile of it by any other means to the document. A document executed, with the authority of a resolution of the board, in any manner permitted by section 44(2) of the Act and expressed (in whatever form of words) to be executed by the Company has the same effect as if executed under the seal. | |
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Certificates for share and debentures
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| | 172. The board may by resolution determine either generally or in any particular case that any certificate for shares or debentures or representing any other form of security may have any signature affixed to it by some mechanical or electronic means, or printed on it or, in the case of a certificate executed under the seal, need not bear any signature. | |
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Overseas and local registers
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| | 173. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and the Regulations, the Company may keep an overseas or local or other register in any place, and the board may make, amend and revoke any regulations it thinks fit about the keeping of that register. | |
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Authentication and certification of copies and extracts
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174. Any director or the secretary or any other person appointed by the board for the purpose shall have power to authenticate and certify as true copies of and extracts from:
(a)
any document comprising or affecting the constitution of the Company, whether in hard copy form or electronic form;
(b)
any resolution passed by the Company, the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, the board or any committee of the board, whether in hard copy form or electronic form; and
(c)
any book, record and document relating to the business of the Company, whether in hard copy form or electronic form (including without limitation the accounts).
If certified in this way, a document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or the minutes or an extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Company, the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, the board or a committee of the board, whether in hard copy form or electronic form, shall be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company in reliance on it or them that the resolution was duly passed or that the minutes are, or the extract from the minutes is, a true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
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| | | | dividend is paid; but no amount paid on a share in advance of the date on which a call is payable shall be treated for the purpose of this Article as paid on the share. All dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid; but, if any share is allotted or issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date, that share shall rank for dividend accordingly. | |
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Dividends in specie
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| | 179. A general meeting declaring a dividend may, on the recommendation of the board, by ordinary resolution direct that it shall be satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, including without limitation paid up shares or debentures of another body corporate. The board may make any arrangements it thinks fit to settle any difficulty arising in connection with the distribution, including without limitation (a) the fixing of the value for distribution of any assets, (b) the payment of cash to any member on the basis of that value in order to adjust the rights of members, and (c) the vesting of any asset in a trustee. | |
| Scrip dividends: authorising resolution | | |
180. The board may, if authorised by an ordinary resolution of the Company (the Resolution), offer any holder of shares the right to elect to receive shares, credited as fully paid, instead of cash in respect of the whole (or some part, to be determined by the board) of all or any dividend specified by the Resolution. The offer shall be on the terms and conditions and be made in the manner specified in Article 181 or, subject to those provisions, specified in the Resolution.
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Scrip dividends: procedures
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181. The following provisions shall apply to the Resolution and any offer made pursuant to it and Article 180.
(a)
The Resolution may specify a particular dividend, or may specify all or any dividends declared within a specified period.
(b)
Each holder of shares shall be entitled to that number of new shares as are together as nearly as possible equal in value to (but not greater than) the cash amount (disregarding any tax credit) of the dividend that such holder elects to forgo (each a new share). For this purpose, the value of each new share shall be:
(i)
equal to the average quotation for the Company’s ordinary shares, that is, the average of the middle market quotations for those shares on the London Stock Exchange pic, as derived from the Daily Official List, on the day on which such shares are first quoted ex the relevant dividend and the four subsequent dealing days; or
(ii)
calculated in any other manner specified by the Resolution,
but shall never be less than the par value of the new share.
A certificate or report by the auditors as to the value of a new share in respect of any dividend shall be conclusive evidence of that value.
(c)
On or as soon as practicable after announcing that any dividend is to be declared or recommended, the board, if it intends to offer an election in respect of that dividend, shall also announce that intention. If, after determining the basis of allotment, the board decides to proceed with the offer, it shall notify the holders of shares of the terms and conditions of the right of election offered to them, specifying the procedure to be followed and place at which, and the latest time by which, elections or notices amending or terminating existing elections must be delivered in order to be effective.
(d)
The board shall not proceed with any election unless the board has sufficient authority to allot shares in the Company and sufficient reserves or funds that may be appropriated to give effect to it after the basis of allotment is determined.
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the facilities and requirements of the relevant system); or
(c)
by cheque or warrant or any similar financial instrument made payable to or to the order of the holder.
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Election if more than one payment method available
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184. If the board decides in accordance with Article 183 that more than one method of payment of a dividend or other moneys payable in respect of a share may be used to pay any holder or group of holders, the Company may notify the relevant holders:
(a)
of the methods of payment decided by the board; and
(b)
that the holders may nominate one of these methods of payment in writing or in such other manner as the board may decide;
and if any holder does not nominate a method of payment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Article, the dividend or other moneys may be paid by such method as the board may decide.
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Notification if one payment method available
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| | 185. If the board decides in accordance with Article 183 that only one method of payment of a dividend or other moneys payable in respect of a share may be used to pay any holder or group of holders, the Company may notify the relevant holders accordingly. | |
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Failure to nominate an account
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| | 186. If the board decides that a payment of a dividend or other moneys payable in respect of a share to any holder or group of holders shall be made to an account (of a type approved by the board) nominated by the holder, but any holder does not nominate such an account, or does not provide the details necessary to enable the Company to make a payment to the nominated account, or a payment to the nominated account is rejected or refunded, the Company shall treat the payment as an unclaimed dividend and Article 192 shall apply. | |
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Entitlement by transmission
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| | 187. Without prejudice to Article 182, if a person is entitled by transmission to a share, the Company may, for the purposes of Articles 183, 184 and 186, rely in relation to the share on his written direction, designation or agreement, or notice to the Company. | |
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Joint entitlement
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188. If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, or are entitled by transmission jointly to a share, the Company may (without prejudice to Article 182):
(a)
pay any dividend or other moneys payable in respect of the share to any one of them and any one of them may give effectual receipt for that payment; and
(b)
for the purpose of Article 183, 184 and 186, rely in relation to the share on the written direction, designation or agreement of, or notice to the Company by, any one of them.
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Payment by post
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189. A cheque or warrant or any similar financial instrument may be sent by post:
(a)
where a share is held by a sole holder, to the registered address of the holder of the share; or
(b)
if two or more persons are the holders, to the registered address of the person who is first named in the register; or
(c)
without prejudice to Article 182, if a person is entitled by transmission to the share, as if it were a notice to be sent under Article 205; or
(d)
in any case, to such person and to such address as the person entitled to payment may direct by notice to the Company.
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| Discharge to | | |
190. Payment of a cheque or warrant or any similar financial instrument by the bank
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Company and risk
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| | on which it was drawn or the transfer of funds by the bank instructed to make the transfer or, payment by electronic means or by any other means approved by the board directly to an account (of a type approved by the board), or, in respect of an uncertificated share, the making of payment in accordance with the facilities and requirements of the relevant system (which, if the relevant system is CREST, may include the sending by the Company or by any person on its behalf of an instruction to the Operator of the relevant system to credit the cash memorandum account of the holder or joint holders or, if permitted by the Company, of such person as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct) shall be a good discharge to the Company. Every cheque or warrant or similar financial instrument sent, or transfer of funds or payment made, in accordance with these Articles shall be at the risk of the holder or person entitled. The Company shall have no responsibility for any sums lost or delayed in the course of payment by any method used by the Company in accordance with Article 183. | |
| Interest not payable | | |
191. No dividend or other moneys payable in respect of a share shall bear interest against the Company unless otherwise provided by the rights attached to the share.
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Forfeiture of unclaimed dividends or amounts treated as unclaimed
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| | 192. Any dividend, or any amount treated as an unclaimed dividend pursuant to Article 186, or any other moneys payable in respect of a share, that has or have remained unclaimed for six years from the date when it became due for payment shall, if the board so resolves, be forfeited and cease to remain owing by the Company. Any such sums may (but need not) be paid by the Company into an account separate from the Company’s own account. Such payment shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect of it. The Company shall be entitled to cease sending dividend warrants, cheques and similar financial instruments by post or otherwise to a member if those instruments have been returned undelivered to, or left uncashed by, that member on at least two consecutive occasions, or, following one such occasion, reasonable enquiries have failed to establish the member’s new address. The entitlement conferred on the Company by this Article in respect of any member shall cease if the member claims a dividend or cashes a dividend warrant, cheque or similar financial instrument. | |
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Power to capitalise
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193. The board may with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company:
(a)
subject to the provisions of this Article, resolve to capitalise any undistributed profits of the Company not required for paying any preferential dividend (whether or not they are available for distribution) or any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or other fund, including without limitation the Company’s share premium account and capital redemption reserve, if any;
(b)
appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the members or any class of members on the record date specified in the relevant resolution who would have been entitled to it if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions;
(c)
apply that sum on their behalf either in or towards paying up the amounts, if any, for the time being unpaid on any shares held by them respectively, or in paying up in full unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company of a nominal amount equal to that sum but the share premium account, the capital redemption reserve, and any profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued shares to be allotted to members credited as fully paid;
(d)
allot the shares, debentures or other obligations credited as fully paid to those members, or as they may direct, in those proportions, or partly in one way and
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partly in the other;
(e)
where shares or debentures become, or would otherwise become, distributable under this Article in fractions, make such provision as they think fit for any fractional entitlements including without limitation authorising their sale and transfer to any person, resolving that the distribution be made as nearly as practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so, ignoring fractions altogether or resolving that cash payments be made to any members in order to adjust the rights of all parties;
(f)
authorise any person to enter into an agreement with the Company on behalf of all the members concerned providing for either:
(i)
the allotment to the members respectively, credited as fully paid, of any shares, debentures or other obligations to which they are entitled on the capitalisation; or
(ii)
the payment up by the Company on behalf of the members of the amounts, or any part of the amounts, remaining unpaid on their existing shares by the application of their respective proportions of the sum resolved to be capitalised,
and any agreement made under that authority shall be binding on all such members;
(g)
generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the ordinary resolution; and
(h)
for the purposes of this Article, unless the relevant resolution provides otherwise, if the Company holds treasury shares of the relevant class at the record date specified in the relevant resolution, it shall be treated as if it were entitled to receive the dividends in respect of those treasury shares which would have been payable if those treasury shares had been held by a person other than the Company.
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Record dates for dividends etc.
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194. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the Company or the board may:
(a)
fix any date as the record date for any dividend, distribution, allotment or issue, which may be on or at any time before or after any date on which the dividend, distribution, allotment or issue is declared, paid or made;
(b)
for the purpose of determining which persons are entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company, or a separate general meeting of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, and how many votes such persons may cast, specify in the notice of meeting a time, not more than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, by which a person must be entered on the register in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting; changes to the register after the time specified by virtue of this Article shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the meeting; and
(c)
for the purpose of sending notices of general meetings of the Company, or separate general meetings of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company, under these Articles, determine that persons entitled to receive such notices are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the Company or the board, which day may not be more than 21 days before the day that notices of the meeting are sent.
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Rights to inspect records
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| | 195. No member shall (as such) have any right to inspect any accounting records or other book or document of the Company except as conferred by statute or authorised by the board or by ordinary resolution of the Company or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. | |
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Sending of annual accounts
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| | 196. Subject to the Companies Acts, a copy of the Company’s annual accounts and reports for that financial year shall, at least 21 clear days before the date of the meeting at which copies of those documents are to be laid in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Acts, be sent to every member and to every holder of the Company’s debentures, and to every other person who is entitled to receive notice of meetings from the Company under the provisions of the Companies Acts or of these Articles or, in the case of joint holders of any share or debenture, to one of the joint holders. A copy need not be sent to a person for whom the Company does not have a current address. | |
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Summary financial statements
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| | 197. Subject to the Companies Acts, the requirements of Article 196 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person by sending to the person, instead of such copies, a strategic report with supplementary material which shall be in the form and containing the information prescribed by the Companies Acts and any regulations made under the Companies Acts. | |
| When notice required to be in writing | | |
198. Any notice to be sent to or by any person pursuant to these Articles (other than a notice calling a meeting of the board) shall be in writing.
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Methods of Company sending notice
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| | 199. Subject to Article 198 and unless otherwise provided by these Articles, the Company shall send or supply a document or information that is required or authorised to be sent or supplied to a member or any other person by the Company by a provision of the Companies Acts or pursuant to these Articles or to any other rules or regulations to which the Company may be subject in such form and by such means as it may in its absolute discretion determine provided that the provisions of the Act which apply to sending or supplying a document or information required or authorised to be sent or supplied by the Companies Acts shall, the necessary changes having been made, also apply to sending or supplying any document or information required or authorised to be sent by these Articles or any other rules or regulations to which the Company may be subject. | |
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Methods of member etc. sending document or information
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200. Subject to Article 198 and unless otherwise provided by these Articles, a member or a person entitled by transmission to a share shall send a document or information pursuant to these Articles to the Company in such form and by such means as it may in its absolute discretion determine provided that:
(a)
the determined form and means are permitted by the Companies Acts for the purpose of sending or supplying a document or information of that type to a company pursuant to a provision of the Companies Acts; and
(b)
unless the board otherwise permits, any applicable condition or limitation specified in the Acts, including without limitation as to the address to which the document or information may be sent, is satisfied.
Unless otherwise provided by these Articles or required by the board, such document or information shall be authenticated in the manner specified by the Companies Acts for authentication of a document or information sent in the relevant form.
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Notice to joint holders
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| | 201. In the case of joint holders of a share any document or information shall be sent to the joint holder whose name stands first in the register in respect of the joint holding and any document or information so sent shall be deemed for all purposes sent to all the joint holders. | |
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Registered address outside EEA
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| |
202. A member whose registered address is not within an EEA State and who sends to the Company an address within an EEA State at which a document or information may be sent to him shall be entitled to have the document or information sent to him at that address (provided that, in the case of a document or information sent by electronic means, including without limitation any notification required by the Companies Acts that the document or information is available on a website, the Company so agrees, which agreement the Company shall be entitled to withhold in its absolute discretion including, without limitation, in circumstances in which the Company considers that the sending of the document or information to such address using electronic means would or might infringe the laws of any other jurisdiction) but otherwise:
(a)
no such member shall be entitled to receive any document or information from the Company; and
(b)
without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any notice of a general meeting of the Company which is in fact sent or purports to be sent to such member shall be ignored for the purpose of determining the validity of the proceedings at such general meeting.
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Deemed receipt of notice
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| | 203. A member present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company or of the holders of any class of shares in the capital of the Company shall be deemed to have been sent notice of the meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which it was called. | |
| Terms and conditions for electronic communications | | |
204. The board may from time to time issue, endorse or adopt terms and conditions relating to the use of electronic means for the sending of notices, other documents and proxy appointments by the Company to members or persons entitled by transmission and by members or persons entitled by transmission to the Company.
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Notice to persons entitled by transmission
|
| | 205. A document or information may be sent or supplied by the Company to the person or persons entitled by transmission to a share by sending it in any manner the Company may choose authorised by these Articles for the sending of a document or information to a member, addressed to them by name, or by the title of representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt or by any similar description at the address (if any) in the United Kingdom as may be supplied for that purpose by or on behalf of the person or persons claiming to be so entitled. Until such an address has been supplied, a document or information may be sent in any manner in which it might have been sent if the death or bankruptcy or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred. | |
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Transferees etc. bound by prior notice
|
| | 206. Every person who becomes entitled to a share shall be bound by any notice in respect of that share which, before his name is entered in the register, has been sent to a person from whom he derives his title, provided that no person who becomes entitled by transmission to a share shall be bound by any direction notice sent under Article 90 to a person from whom he derives his title. | |
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Proof of sending/when notices etc. deemed sent by post
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| |
207. Proof that a document or information was properly addressed, prepaid and posted shall be conclusive evidence that the document or information was sent. A document or information sent by the Company to a member by post shall be deemed to have been received:
(a)
if sent by first class post or special delivery post from an address in the United
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| | | |
Kingdom to another address in the United Kingdom, or by a postal service similar to first class post or special delivery post from an address in another country to another address in that other country, on the day following that on which the document or information was posted;
(b)
if sent by airmail from an address in the United Kingdom to an address outside the United Kingdom, or from an address in another country to an address outside that country (including without limitation an address in the United Kingdom), on the third day following that on which the document or information was posted;
(c)
in any other case, on the second day following that on which the document or information was posted.
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When notices etc. deemed sent by electronic means
|
| | 208. Proof that a document or information sent or supplied by electronic means was properly addressed shall be conclusive evidence that the document or information was sent or supplied. A document or information sent or supplied by the Company to a member in electronic form shall be deemed to have been received by the member on the day following that on which the document or information was sent to the member. Such a document or information shall be deemed received by the member on that day notwithstanding that the Company becomes aware that the member has failed to receive the relevant document or information for any reason and notwithstanding that the Company subsequently sends a hard copy of such document or information by post to the member. | |
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When notices etc. deemed sent by website
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| |
209. A document or information sent or supplied by the Company to a member by means of a website shall be deemed to have been received by the member:
(a)
when the document or information was first made available on the website; or
(b)
if later, when the member is deemed by Articles 207 or 208 to have received notice of the fact that the document or information was available on the website. Such a document or information shall be deemed received by the member on that day notwithstanding that the Company becomes aware that the member has failed to receive the relevant document or information for any reason and notwithstanding that the Company subsequently sends a hard copy of such document or information by post to the member.
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| | | |
210. A member shall not be entitled to receive any document or information that is required or authorised to be sent or supplied to the member by the Company by a provision of the Companies Acts or pursuant to these Articles or to any other rules or regulations to which the Company may be subject if documents or information sent or supplied to that member by post in accordance with the Articles have been returned undelivered to the Company:
(a)
on at least two consecutive occasions; or
(b)
on one occasion and reasonable enquiries have failed to establish the member’s address.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any notice of a general meeting of the Company which is in fact sent or purports to be sent to such member shall be ignored for the purpose of determining the validity of the proceedings at such general meeting.
Subject to Article 202, a member to whom this Article applies shall become entitled to receive such documents or information when the member has given the Company an address to which they may be sent or supplied.
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| Notice during disruption of | | |
211. Subject to the Companies Acts, if at any time the Company is unable effectively to convene a general meeting by notices sent through the post in the United Kingdom
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services
|
| | as a result of the suspension or curtailment of postal services, notice of general meeting may be sufficiently given by advertisement in the United Kingdom. Any notice given by advertisement for the purpose of this Article shall be advertised in at least one newspaper having a national circulation. If advertised in more than one newspaper, the advertisements shall appear on the same date. Such notice shall be deemed to have been sent to all persons who are entitled to have notice of meetings sent to them on the day when the advertisement appears. In any such case, the Company shall send confirmatory copies of the notice by post, if at least seven days before the meeting the posting of notices to addresses throughout the United Kingdom again becomes practicable. | |
| | | | 212. Subject to the Act, the board may from time to time issue, endorse or adopt terms and conditions relating to the form and content of any notification to the Company of a nomination of a person to enjoy information rights under section 146 of the Act. | |
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Power of Company to destroy documents
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| |
213. The Company shall be entitled to destroy:
(a)
all instruments of transfer of shares which have been registered, and all other documents on the basis of which any entry is made in the register, at any time after the expiration of six years from the date of registration;
(b)
all dividend mandates, variations or cancellations of dividend mandates, and notifications of change of address at any time after the expiration of two years from the date of recording;
(c)
all share certificates which have been cancelled at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of the cancellation;
(d)
all paid dividend warrants and cheques, or similar financial instruments, at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of actual payment;
(e)
all proxy appointments which have been used for the purpose of a poll at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of use; and
(f)
all proxy appointments which have not been used for the purpose of a poll at any time after one month from the end of the meeting to which the proxy appointment relates and at which no poll was demanded.
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Presumption in relation to destroyed documents
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| |
214. It shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that:
(a)
every entry in the register purporting to have been made on the basis of an instrument of transfer or other document destroyed in accordance with Article 213 was duly and properly made;
(b)
every instrument of transfer destroyed in accordance with Article 213 was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered;
(c)
every share certificate destroyed in accordance with Article 213 was a valid and effective certificate duly and properly cancelled; and
(d)
every other document destroyed in accordance with Article 213 was a valid and effective document in accordance with its recorded particulars in the books or records of the Company,
but:
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(e)
the provisions of this Article and Article 213 apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without notice of any claim (regardless of the parties) to which the document might be relevant;
(f)
nothing in this Article or Article 213 shall be construed as imposing on the Company any liability in respect of the destruction of any document earlier than the time specified in Article 213 or in any other circumstances which would not attach to the Company in the absence of this Article or Article 213; and
(g)
any reference in this Article or Article 213 to the destruction of any document includes a reference to its disposal in any manner.
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Power to dispose of shares of untracted shareholders
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| |
215. The Company shall be entitled to sell, at the best price reasonably obtainable, the shares of a member or the shares to which a person is entitled by transmission if:
(a)
during a period of 12 years at least three dividends in respect of the shares in question have been declared and all dividend warrants and cheques which have been sent in the manner authorised by these Articles in respect of the shares in question have remained uncashed;
(b)
after expiry of the 12 year period referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article, the Company has sent a notice to the last known address of the relevant member or person entitled by transmission, stating that it intends to sell the shares. Before sending such notice to a member or person entitled by transmission, the Company must have used such efforts as it considers reasonable to trace the member or person by transmission, including engaging, if considered appropriate, a professional asset reunification company; and
(c)
during the 12 year period and for three months after sending the notice referred to in paragraph (b) of this Article, the Company has received no indication either of the whereabouts or of the existence of such member or person entitled by transmission.
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Transfer on sale
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216. To give effect to any sale pursuant to Article 215, the board may:
(a)
where the shares are held in certificated form, authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer; or
(b)
where the shares are held in uncertificated form, do all acts and things it considers necessary or expedient to effect the transfer of the shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer.
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Effectiveness of transfer
|
| | 217. An instrument of transfer executed by that person in accordance with Article 216(a) shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the shares. An exercise by the Company of its powers in accordance with Article 216(b) shall be as effective as if exercised by the registered holder of or person entitled by transmission to the shares. The transferee shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, and his title to the shares shall not be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in reference to the sale. | |
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Proceeds of sale
|
| | 218. The net proceeds of sale of any shares in the Company sold pursuant to Article 215 shall, together with any unpaid or unclaimed dividends or other moneys payable, in each case in respect of such shares and to the extent not already forfeited under Article 192, belong to the Company and the Company will not be liable in any | |
| | | | respect to the former member or person who would have been entitled to the shares by transmission for the proceeds of sale. The Company may use the proceeds for any purpose as the board may from time to time decide. | |
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Liquidator may distribute in specie
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| |
219. If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Insolvency Act 1986:
(a)
divide among the members in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the members or different classes of members;
(b)
vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees for the benefit of the members; and
(c)
determine the scope and terms of those trusts,
but no member shall be compelled to accept any asset on which there is a liability.
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| Disposal of assets by liquidator | | |
220. The power of sale of a liquidator shall include a power to sell wholly or partially for shares or debentures or other obligations of another body corporate, either then already constituted or about to be constituted for the purpose of carrying out the sale.
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10.10
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10.11
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16.1
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21.1
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23.1
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23.2
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23.3
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23.4*
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| | Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
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23.5*
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| | Consent of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (included in Exhibit 8.1) | |
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24.1
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| | Power of Attorney of Officers and Directors (included on the signature page of this registration statement) | |
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99.1
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99.2
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99.3
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| | Consent of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC | |
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107
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Richard Solomons
Richard Solomons
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| | Chairman | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ Andy Ransom
Andy Ransom
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| | Executive Director and Chief Executive (Principal Executive Officer) | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ Stuart Ingall-Tombs
Stuart Ingall-Tombs
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| | Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ Sarosh Mistry
Sarosh Mistry
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| | Non-Executive Director | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ John Pettigrew
John Pettigrew
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| | Senior Independent Director | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ Julie Southern
Julie Southern
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| | Non-Executive Director | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ Cathy Turner
Cathy Turner
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| | Non-Executive Director | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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Signature
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| |
Title
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Date
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/s/ Linda Yueh
Linda Yueh
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| | Non-Executive Director | | | June 7, 2022 | |
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/s/ Kris Hampson
Kris Hampson
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| |
Group Financial Controller (Controller)
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| | June 7, 2022 | |
Exhibit 4.1
FORM OF
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
As Depositary
AND
OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement
__________, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1. | DEFINITIONS | 2 |
SECTION 1.1. | American Depositary Shares | 2 | |
SECTION 1.2. | Commission | 2 | |
SECTION 1.3. | Company | 2 | |
SECTION 1.4. | Custodian | 2 | |
SECTION 1.5. | Deliver; Surrender | 2 | |
SECTION 1.6. | Deposit Agreement | 3 | |
SECTION 1.7. | Depositary; Depositary’s Office | 3 | |
SECTION 1.8. | Deposited Securities | 3 | |
SECTION 1.9. | Disseminate | 4 | |
SECTION 1.10. | Dollars | 4 | |
SECTION 1.11. | DTC | 4 | |
SECTION 1.12. | Foreign Registrar | 4 | |
SECTION 1.13. | Holder | 4 | |
SECTION 1.14. | Owner | 4 | |
SECTION 1.15. | Receipts | 4 | |
SECTION 1.16. | Registrar | 5 | |
SECTION 1.17. | Replacement | 5 | |
SECTION 1.18. | Restricted Securities | 5 | |
SECTION 1.19. | Securities Act of 1933 | 5 | |
SECTION 1.20. | Shares | 5 | |
SECTION 1.21. | SWIFT | 6 | |
SECTION 1.22. | Termination Option Event | 6 |
ARTICLE 2. | FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES | 7 |
SECTION 2.1. | Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares | 7 | |
SECTION 2.2. | Deposit of Shares | 8 | |
SECTION 2.3. | Delivery of American Depositary Shares | 9 |
SECTION 2.4. Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares | 9 |
SECTION 2.5. | Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities | 10 | |
SECTION 2.6. | Limitations on Delivery, Registration of Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares | 11 | |
SECTION 2.7. | Lost Receipts, etc. | 12 |
-i-
SECTION 2.8. | Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts | 12 | |
SECTION 2.9. | DTC, DTC Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System | 13 |
ARTICLE 3. | CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES | 13 |
SECTION 3.1. | Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information | 13 | |
SECTION 3.2. | Liability of Owner for Taxes | 14 | |
SECTION 3.3. | Warranties on Deposit of Shares | 14 | |
SECTION 3.4. | Disclosure of Interests | 14 | |
SECTION 3.5. | Reporting Obligations and Regulatory Approvals | 15 |
ARTICLE 4. | THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES | 15 |
SECTION 4.1. | Cash Distributions | 15 | |
SECTION 4.2. | Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights | 16 | |
SECTION 4.3. | Distributions in Shares | 17 | |
SECTION 4.4. | Rights | 18 | |
SECTION 4.5. | Conversion of Foreign Currency | 19 | |
SECTION 4.6. | Fixing of Record Date | 21 | |
SECTION 4.7. | Voting of Deposited Shares | 21 | |
SECTION 4.8. | Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities | 22 | |
SECTION 4.9. | Reports | 23 | |
SECTION 4.10. | Lists of Owners | 24 | |
SECTION 4.11. | Withholding | 24 |
ARTICLE 5. | THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY | 24 |
SECTION 5.1. | Maintenance of Office and Register by the Depositary | 24 | |
SECTION 5.2. | Prevention or Delay of Performance by the Company or the Depositary | 25 | |
SECTION 5.3. | Obligations of the Depositary and the Company | 26 | |
SECTION 5.4. | Resignation and Removal of the Depositary | 27 | |
SECTION 5.5. | The Custodians | 28 | |
SECTION 5.6. | Notices and Reports | 28 | |
SECTION 5.7. | Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc. | 29 | |
SECTION 5.8. | Indemnification | 30 | |
SECTION 5.9. | Charges of Depositary | 31 | |
SECTION 5.10. | Retention of Depositary Documents | 31 | |
SECTION 5.11. | Exclusivity | 32 |
-ii-
SECTION 5.12. | Information for Regulatory Compliance | 32 |
ARTICLE 6. | AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION | 32 |
SECTION 6.1. | Amendment | 32 | |
SECTION 6.2. | Termination | 33 |
ARTICLE 7. | MISCELLANEOUS | 34 |
SECTION 7.1. | Counterparts; Signatures; Delivery | 34 | |
SECTION 7.2. | No Third Party Beneficiaries | 34 | |
SECTION 7.3. | Severability | 34 | |
SECTION 7.4. | Owners and Holders as Parties; Binding Effect | 34 | |
SECTION 7.5. | Notices | 35 | |
SECTION 7.6. | Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver | 36 | |
SECTION 7.7. | Waiver of Immunities | 37 | |
SECTION 7.8. | Governing Law | 37 |
-iii-
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of , 2022 among RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the Company), THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners and Holders (each as hereinafter defined) from time to time of American Depositary Shares (as hereinafter defined) issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary entered into a deposit agreement dated as of August 22, 1994 for the purposes stated in that agreement and subsequently amended and restated that agreement as of May 19, 1997, and as of November 5, 2001 to, among other things, change the definition of the term “American Depositary Shares” (that deposit agreement, as so amended and restated, the “Prior Deposit Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary now wish to amend and restate the Prior Deposit Agreement in the form of this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (i) to reflect that the Company has become a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) to amend and update the Prior Deposit Agreement in various other respects; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide, as set forth in this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Company from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined) under this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed to this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as set forth in this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement.
-1- |
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that the Prior Deposit Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:
SECTION 1.1. American Depositary Shares.
The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the securities created under this Deposit Agreement representing rights with respect to and beneficial ownership interests in the Deposited Securities. American Depositary Shares may be certificated securities evidenced by Receipts or uncertificated securities. The form of Receipt annexed as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement shall be the prospectus required under the Securities Act of 1933 for sales of both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Except for those provisions of this Deposit Agreement that refer specifically to Receipts, all the provisions of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
Each American Depositary Share shall represent the number of Shares specified in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, except that, if there is a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.3, a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.8 with respect to which additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered or a sale of Deposited Securities under Section 3.2 or 4.8, each American Depositary Share shall thereafter represent the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities that are then on deposit per American Depositary Share after giving effect to that distribution, change or sale.
SECTION 1.2. Commission.
The term “Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.3. Company.
The term “Company” shall mean Rentokil Initial plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and its successors.
SECTION 1.4. Custodian.
The term “Custodian” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon, acting through an office located in the United Kingdom, as custodian for the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation the Depositary appoints under Section 5.5 as a substitute or additional custodian under this Deposit Agreement, and shall also mean all of them collectively.
SECTION 1.5. Deliver; Surrender.
(a) The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to Shares or other Deposited Securities, shall mean, as applicable, (i) book-entry transfer of those Shares or other Deposited Securities to an account maintained by an institution authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of such securities designated by the person entitled to that delivery or (ii) physical transfer of certificates evidencing those Shares or other Deposited Securities registered in the name of, or duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer to, the person entitled to that delivery.
-2- |
(b) The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) registration of those American Depositary Shares in the name of DTC or its nominee and book-entry transfer of those American Depositary Shares to an account at DTC designated by the person entitled to that delivery, (ii) registration of those American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt on the books of the Depositary in the name requested by the person entitled to that delivery and mailing to that person of a statement confirming that registration or (iii) if requested by the person entitled to that delivery, execution and delivery at the Depositary’s Office to the person entitled to that delivery of one or more Receipts evidencing those American Depositary Shares registered in the name requested by that person.
(c) The term “surrender”, when used with respect to American Depositary Shares, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the Depositary, (ii) delivery to the Depositary at its Office of an instruction to surrender American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt or (iii) surrender to the Depositary at its Office of one or more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 1.6. Deposit Agreement.
The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.7. Depositary; Depositary’s Office.
The term “Depositary” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, and any successor as depositary under this Deposit Agreement. The term “Office”, when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office at which its depositary receipts business is administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
SECTION 1.8. Deposited Securities.
The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement, including without limitation, Shares that have not been successfully delivered upon surrender of American Depositary Shares, and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect of Deposited Securities and at that time held under this Deposit Agreement.
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SECTION 1.9. Disseminate.
The term “Disseminate,” when referring to a notice or other information to be sent by the Depositary to Owners, shall mean (i) sending that information to Owners in paper form by mail or another means or (ii) with the consent of Owners, another procedure that has the effect of making the information available to Owners, which may include (A) sending the information by electronic mail or electronic messaging or (B) sending in paper form or by electronic mail or messaging a statement that the information is available and may be accessed by the Owner on an Internet website and that it will be sent in paper form upon request by the Owner, when that information is so available and is sent in paper form as promptly as practicable upon request.
SECTION 1.10. Dollars.
The term “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars.
SECTION 1.11. DTC.
The term “DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company or its successor.
SECTION 1.12. Foreign Registrar.
The term “Foreign Registrar” shall mean the entity that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares and any other agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares, including, without limitation, any securities depository for the Shares.
SECTION 1.13. Holder.
The term “Holder” shall mean any person holding a Receipt or a security entitlement or other interest in American Depositary Shares, whether for its own account or for the account of another person, but that is not the Owner of that Receipt or those American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 1.14. Owner.
The term “Owner” shall mean the person in whose name American Depositary Shares are registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for that purpose.
SECTION 1.15. Receipts.
The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued under this Deposit Agreement evidencing certificated American Depositary Shares, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
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SECTION 1.16. Registrar.
The term “Registrar” shall mean any corporation or other entity that is appointed by the Depositary to register American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares as provided in this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.17. Replacement.
The term “Replacement” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.8.
SECTION 1.18. Restricted Securities.
The term “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares that (i) are “restricted securities,” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, except for Shares that could be resold in reliance on Rule 144 without any conditions, (ii) are beneficially owned by an officer, director (or person performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Company, (iii) otherwise would require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the public offer and sale thereof in the United States or (iv) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of England and Wales, a shareholder agreement or the articles of association or similar document of the Company.
SECTION 1.19. Securities Act of 1933.
The term “Securities Act of 1933” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.20. Shares.
The term “Shares” shall mean ordinary shares of the Company that are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that were not issued in violation of any pre-emptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company; provided, however, that, if there shall occur any change in nominal or par value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.8, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares of the Company, the term “Shares” shall thereafter also mean the successor securities resulting from such change in nominal or par value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion.
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SECTION 1.21. SWIFT.
The term “SWIFT” shall mean the financial messaging network operated by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or its successor.
SECTION 1.22. Termination Option Event.
The term “Termination Option Event” shall mean any of the following events or conditions:
(i) the Company institutes proceedings to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable law in respect of bankruptcy or insolvency, consents to the filing of any petition of that kind or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or other similar official) of it or any substantial part of its property or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or if information becomes publicly available indicating, and the Company later admits publicly, that unsecured claims against the Company are not expected to be paid;
(ii) the Shares are delisted, or the Company announces its intention to delist the Shares, from a stock exchange outside the United States, and the Company has not applied to list the Shares on any other stock exchange outside the United States;
(iii) the American Depositary Shares are delisted from a stock exchange in the United States on which the American Depositary Shares were listed and, 30 days after that delisting, the American Depositary Shares have not been listed on another stock exchange in the United States, nor is there a symbol available for over-the-counter trading of the American Depositary Shares in the United States;
(iv) the Depositary has received notice of facts that indicate, or otherwise has reason to believe, that the American Depositary Shares have become, or with the passage of time will become, ineligible for registration on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933; or
(v) an event or condition that is defined as a Termination Option Event in Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.8.
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ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECTION 2.1. Form of Receipts; Registration and Transferability of American Depositary Shares.
Definitive Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as permitted under this Deposit Agreement. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless that Receipt has been (i) executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or (ii) executed by the facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar or a co-registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which (x) each Receipt so executed and delivered as provided in this Deposit Agreement and each transfer of that Receipt and (y) all American Depositary Shares delivered as provided in this Deposit Agreement and all registrations of transfer of American Depositary Shares, shall be registered. A Receipt bearing the facsimile signature of a person that was at any time a proper officer of the Depositary shall, subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, bind the Depositary, even if that person was not a proper officer of the Depositary on the date of issuance of that Receipt.
The Receipts and statements confirming registration of American Depositary Shares may have incorporated in or attached to them such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or the Company to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts and American Depositary Shares are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when the Receipt is properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. The Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Holder of American Depositary Shares (but only to the Owner of those American Depositary Shares).
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SECTION 2.2. Deposit of Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited under this Deposit Agreement by delivery thereof to any Custodian, accompanied by any appropriate instruments or instructions for transfer, or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodian.
As conditions of accepting Shares for deposit, the Depositary may require (i) any certification required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, (ii) a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in that order American Depositary Shares representing those deposited Shares, (iii) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those Shares have been re-registered in the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary, a Custodian or a nominee of the Depositary or a Custodian, (iv) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval for the transfer or deposit has been granted by any governmental body in each applicable jurisdiction and (v) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that provides for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property, that any person in whose name those Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of those Shares, or, in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
At the request and risk and expense of a person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of that person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited in certificated form, together with the other instruments specified in this Section, for the purpose of forwarding those Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit under this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall instruct each Custodian that, upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement in certificated form, together with the other documents specified in this Section, that Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present that certificate or those certificates to the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or that Custodian or its nominee.
Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine. The Depositary shall, as soon as practicable, provide written notice to the Company if Deposited Securities will be held other than by the Depositary or Custodian.
The Depositary will use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions of the Company to not accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares identified in such instructions at such time and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the securities laws in the United States.
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Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall deliver Shares (other than to the Company or its agent as contemplated by Section 4.8), or otherwise permit Shares to be withdrawn from the facility created hereby, except upon the surrender of American Depositary Shares or in connection with a sale permitted under Section 3.2, 4.3, 4.11 or 6.2.
SECTION 2.3. Delivery of American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary shall instruct each Custodian that, upon receipt by that Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.2, together with the other documents or evidence required under that Section, that Custodian shall notify the Depositary of that deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order American Depositary Shares are deliverable in respect thereof. Upon receiving a notice of a deposit from a Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares or evidence of the right to receive Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall deliver, without unreasonable delay, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, the number of American Depositary Shares issuable in respect of that deposit, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees and expenses of the Depositary for the delivery of those American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with that deposit and the transfer of the deposited Shares. However, the Depositary shall deliver only whole numbers of American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 2.4. Registration of Transfer of American Depositary Shares; Combination and Split-up of Receipts; Interchange of Certificated and Uncertificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall, without unreasonable delay, register a transfer of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of the Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares, by the Owner or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9), and, in either case, duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Upon registration of a transfer, the Depositary shall deliver the transferred American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall, without unreasonable delay, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
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The Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel the Receipt evidencing those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner, without unreasonably delay, a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated American Depositary Shares and register and deliver, without unreasonable delay, to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to American Depositary Shares and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary. The Depositary shall require each co-transfer agent that it appoints under this Section 2.4 to accept its appointment in writing and agree in writing to abide by the applicable provisions of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any appointment it makes under this paragraph.
SECTION 2.5. Surrender of American Depositary Shares and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
Upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby and payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with that surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s articles of association and any applicable laws and regulations, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to delivery (to the extent delivery can then be lawfully and practicably made), to or as instructed by that Owner, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by those American Depositary Shares, but not any money or other property as to which a record date for distribution to Owners has passed (since money or other property of that kind will be delivered or paid on the scheduled payment date to the Owner as of that record date), and except that the Depositary shall not be required to accept surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a Deposited Security. That delivery shall be made, as provided in this Section, without unreasonable delay.
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As a condition of accepting a surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities, the Depositary may require (i) to the extent evidenced by a Receipt, that each surrendered Receipt be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank and (ii) that the surrendering Owner execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in that order.
Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2, the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s articles of association, any applicable laws and regulations and local market rules and practices, to the surrendering Owner or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares. The Depositary may charge the surrendering Owner a fee and its expenses for giving that direction by cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission.
If Deposited Securities are delivered physically upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal, that delivery will be made at the Custodian’s office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares for withdrawal of Deposited Securities, and for the account of that Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title, if any, for, the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Depositary’s Office or to another address specified in the order received from the surrendering Owner.
SECTION 2.6. Limitations on Delivery, Registration of Transfer and Surrender of American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in this Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.6.
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The Depositary may refuse to accept deposits of Shares for delivery of American Depositary Shares or to register transfers of American Depositary Shares in particular instances, or may suspend deposits of Shares or registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares, whenever it or the Company considers it necessary or advisable to do so. The Depositary may refuse surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities in particular instances, or may suspend surrenders for the purpose of withdrawal generally, but, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing of the Depositary’s register or the register of holders of Shares maintained by the Company or the Foreign Registrar, or the deposit of Shares, in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities or (iv) any other reason that, at the time, is permitted under paragraph I(A)(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or any successor to that provision.
The Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
SECTION 2.7. Lost Receipts, etc.
If a Receipt is mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall deliver to the Owner the American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in uncertificated form or, if requested by the Owner, execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt, upon surrender and cancellation of that mutilated Receipt, or in lieu of and in substitution for that destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. However, before the Depositary will deliver American Depositary Shares in uncertificated form or execute and deliver a new Receipt, in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner must (a) file with the Depositary (i) a request for that replacement before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfy any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.8. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
The Depositary shall cancel all Receipts surrendered to it and is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
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SECTION 2.9. DTC, Direct Registration System and Profile Modification System.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4, the parties acknowledge that DTC’s Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) apply to the American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated securities and holding of security entitlements in those securities through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register that transfer.
(b) In connection with DRS/Profile, the parties acknowledge that the Depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting a registration of transfer and delivery as described in paragraph (a) above has the actual authority to act on behalf of that Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS/Profile. The parties agree that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile system and otherwise in accordance with this Deposit Agreement shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
SECTION 3.1. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to provide to the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem reasonably necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any American Depositary Shares, the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until that proof or other information is provided or those certificates are executed or those representations and warranties are made. Upon written request and at the expense of the Company (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary), the Depositary shall deliver to the Company copies of the documents or instruments delivered to the Depositary pursuant to this Section 3.1, to the extent that disclosure is permitted under applicable law.
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SECTION 3.2. Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to or in connection with any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares or in connection with a transaction to which Section 4.8 applies, that tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of those American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until that payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or the proceeds thereof, or may sell for the account of the Owner any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, and apply those dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds of any sale of that kind in payment of that tax or other governmental charge but, even after a sale of that kind, the Owner shall remain liable for any deficiency. The Depositary shall distribute any net proceeds of a sale made under this Section that are not used to pay taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled to them in accordance with Section 4.1. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a sale of Deposited Securities under this Section, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
SECTION 3.3. Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that those Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company and that the person making that deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every depositing person shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares, at the time of deposit, are not Restricted Securities. All representations and warranties deemed made under this Section shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 3.4. Disclosure of Interests.
When required in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations (including any rules and requirements of any stock exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed for trading) or the articles of association or similar document of the Company, the Company may from time to time request each Owner and Holder to provide to the Depositary information relating to: (a) the capacity in which it holds American Depositary Shares, (b) the identity of any Holders or other persons or entities then or previously interested in those American Depositary Shares and the nature of those interests and (c) any other matter where disclosure of such matter is required for that compliance. Each Owner and Holder agrees to provide, to the extent reasonably practicable, all information known to it in response to a request made pursuant to this Section. Each Holder consents to the disclosure by the Depositary and the Owner or any other Holder through which it holds American Depositary Shares, directly or indirectly, of all information responsive to a request made pursuant to this Section relating to that Holder that is known to that Owner or other Holder. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to comply with written instructions requesting that the Depositary forward any request authorized under this Section to the Owners and to forward to the Company any responses it receives in response to that request. The Depositary may charge the Company a fee and its expenses for complying with requests under this Section 3.4.
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SECTION 3.5. Reporting Obligations and Regulatory Approvals.
Applicable laws and regulations may require holders and beneficial owners of Shares, including the Holders and Owners, to satisfy reporting requirements and obtain regulatory approvals in certain circumstances. Holders and Owners are solely responsible for determining and complying with such reporting requirements and obtaining such approvals. Each Holder and each Owner hereby agrees to make such determination, file such reports, and obtain such approvals to the extent and in the form required by applicable laws and regulations as in effect from time to time. Neither the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company nor any of their respective agents or affiliates shall be required to take any actions whatsoever on behalf of Holders or Owners to determine or satisfy such reporting requirements or obtain such regulatory approvals under applicable laws and regulations.
ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.1. Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, if the dividend or distribution is not in Dollars, subject to the provisions of Section 4.5, convert or cause to be converted such dividend or other distribution into Dollars and shall, as promptly as practicable, distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided, however, that if the Custodian or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from that cash dividend or other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. However, the Depositary will not pay any Owner a fraction of one cent, but will round each Owner’s entitlement to the nearest whole cent.
The Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in each applicable jurisdiction all amounts withheld and owing to such agency.
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If a cash distribution would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that cash distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject cash distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the cash distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that cash distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
SECTION 4.2. Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 on Deposited Securities (but not in exchange for or in conversion or in lieu of Deposited Securities), the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary and any taxes or other governmental charges, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing that distribution (which may be a distribution of depositary shares representing the securities received); provided, however, that if, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that securities received must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or Holders) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be lawful and feasible, the Depositary may adopt such other method as it may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and distribution of the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) to the Owners entitled thereto, all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1. The Depositary may withhold any distribution of securities under this Section 4.2 if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that the distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of securities or other property it would otherwise distribute under this Section 4.2 that is sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution.
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If a distribution to be made under this Section 4.2 would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
SECTION 4.3. Distributions in Shares.
Whenever the Depositary receives any distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and if the Company so requests in writing, shall, deliver to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as that dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares, including the withholding of any tax or governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 and the payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 (and the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of the Shares received (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of those fractions (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1. If and to the extent that additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered and Shares or American Depositary Shares are not sold, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed on the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
If the Company declares a distribution in which holders of Deposited Securities have a right to elect whether to receive cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of those things, or a right to elect to have a distribution sold on their behalf, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company, make that right of election available for exercise by Owners in any manner the Depositary considers to be lawful and practical. As a condition of making a distribution election right available to Owners, the Depositary may require satisfactory assurances from the Company that doing so does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act of 1933 that has not been effected.
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SECTION 4.4. Rights.
(a) If rights are granted to the Depositary in respect of deposited Shares to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Company and the Depositary shall endeavor to consult as to the actions, if any, the Depositary should take in connection with that grant of rights. The Depositary shall, to the extent deemed by it to be lawful and practical (i) if requested in writing by the Company and the Company and the Depositary enter into a separate agreement pursuant to the obligations described in paragraph (b) below, grant to all or certain Owners rights to instruct the Depositary to purchase the securities to which the rights relate and deliver those securities or American Depositary Shares representing those securities to Owners, (ii) if requested in writing by the Company and the Company and the Depositary enter into a separate agreement pursuant to the obligations described in paragraph (c) below, deliver the rights to or to the order of certain Owners, or (iii) sell the rights and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to Owners entitled to those proceeds. To the extent rights are not exercised, delivered or disposed of under (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse unexercised.
(b) If the Company and the Depositary will act under (a)(i) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon instruction from an applicable Owner in the form the Depositary specified and upon payment by that Owner to the Depositary of an amount equal to the purchase price of the securities to be received upon the exercise of the rights, the Depositary shall, on behalf of that Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the securities. The purchased securities shall be delivered to, or as instructed by, the Depositary. The Depositary shall (i) deposit the purchased Shares under this Deposit Agreement and deliver American Depositary Shares representing those Shares to that Owner or (ii) deliver or cause the purchased Shares or other securities to be delivered to or to the order of that Owner. The Depositary will not act under (a)(i) above unless the offer and sale of the securities to which the rights relate are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Depositary has received an opinion of United States counsel that is satisfactory to it to the effect that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) If the Company and the Depositary will act under (a)(ii) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon (i) the request of an applicable Owner to deliver the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of that Owner to an account specified by that Owner to which the rights can be delivered and (ii) receipt of such documents as the Company and the Depositary agreed to require to comply with applicable law, the Depositary will deliver those rights as requested by that Owner.
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(d) If the Depositary will act under (a)(iii) above, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the applicable Owners and pay the net proceeds to the Owners otherwise entitled to the rights that were sold, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
(e) Payment or deduction of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 and payment or deduction of the expenses of the Depositary and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges shall be conditions of any delivery of securities or payment of cash proceeds under this Section 4.4.
(f) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make rights available to or exercise rights on behalf of Owners in general or any Owner in particular, or to sell rights.
SECTION 4.5. Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the reasonable judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary or one of its agents or affiliates or the Custodian shall convert or cause to be converted by sale or in any other manner that it may determine that foreign currency into Dollars, and those Dollars shall be distributed, as promptly as practicable, to the Owners entitled thereto. A cash distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners based on exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9.
If a conversion of foreign currency or the repatriation or distribution of Dollars can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may, but will not be required to, file an application for that approval or license.
If the Depositary determines that in its reasonable judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not filed or sought by the Depositary or is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
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If any conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make that conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent practicable and permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and shall distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold that balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the account of, the Owners entitled thereto.
The Depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the Custodian or the Company may convert currency and pay Dollars to the Depositary. Where the Depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the Depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under this Deposit Agreement and the rate that the Depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The Depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under this Deposit Agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, subject to the Depositary’s obligations under Section 5.3. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the Depositary is available upon request, including to any Owner. Where the Custodian converts currency, the Custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, and the Depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the Depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from the Company in Dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by or on behalf of the Company and, in such cases, the Depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor the Company makes any representation that the rate obtained or determined by the Company is the most favorable rate and neither it nor the Company will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
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SECTION 4.6. Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever a cash dividend, cash distribution or any other distribution is made on Deposited Securities or rights to purchase Shares or other securities are issued with respect to Deposited Securities (which rights will be delivered to or exercised or sold on behalf of Owners in accordance with Section 4.4) or the Depositary receives notice that a distribution or issuance of that kind will be made, or whenever the Depositary receives notice that a meeting of holders of Shares will be held in respect of which the Company has requested the Depositary to send a notice under Section 4.7, or whenever the Depositary will assess a fee or charge against the Owners, or whenever the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary otherwise finds it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall be the same as, or as near as practicable to, any corresponding record date set by the Company with respect to Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners (i) who shall be entitled to receive the benefit of that dividend or other distribution or those rights, (ii) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at that meeting, (iii) who shall be responsible for that fee or charge or (iv) for any other purpose for which the record date was set, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on a record date fixed by the Depositary shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to that dividend or other distribution or those rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, to give voting instructions or to act in respect of the other matter for which that record date was fixed, or be responsible for that fee or charge, as the case may be.
SECTION 4.7. Voting of Deposited Shares.
(a) Whenever the Company gives the Depositary notice pursuant to its obligations under Section 5.6 of a meeting of holders of Shares at which holders of Shares will be entitled to vote, the Company shall include with that notice a request that the Depositary act under this Section 4.7(a). As soon as practicable after receiving a notice and request of that kind, the Depositary shall Disseminate to the Owners a notice, the form of which shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, that shall contain (i) the information contained in the notice of meeting received by the Depositary, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of laws of England and Wales and of the articles of association or similar documents of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Shares represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, (iii) a statement as to the manner in which those instructions may be given and (iv) the last date on which the Depositary will accept instructions (the “Instruction Cutoff Date”).
(b) Upon the written request of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, as of the date of the request or, if a record date was specified by the Depositary, as of that record date, received on or before any Instruction Cutoff Date established by the Depositary, the Depositary may, and if the Depositary sent a notice under the preceding paragraph shall, endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of deposited Shares represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given by Owners and received by the Depositary.
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(c) There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in paragraph (a) above in time to enable Owners to give instructions to the Depositary prior to the Instruction Cutoff Date.
(d) In order to give Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Shares, if the Company will request the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of the meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon and copies of materials to be made available to holders of Shares in connection with the meeting not less than 40 days, or, in the case of any meeting that is not an Annual General Meeting, a number of days agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary that shall not be less than 20 days, before the meeting date.
SECTION 4.8. Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities.
(a) The Depositary shall not tender any Deposited Securities in response to any voluntary cash tender offer, exchange offer or similar offer made to holders of Deposited Securities, except when instructed in writing to do so by an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares and subject to any conditions or procedures the Depositary may require.
(b) If the Depositary receives a written notice that Deposited Securities have been redeemed for cash or otherwise purchased for cash in a transaction that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of those Deposited Securities (a “Redemption”), the Depositary, at the expense of the Company, shall (i) if required, surrender Deposited Securities that have been redeemed to the issuer of those securities or its agent on the redemption date, (ii) Disseminate a notice to Owners (A) notifying them of that Redemption, (B) calling for surrender of a corresponding number of American Depositary Shares and (C) notifying them that the called American Depositary Shares have been converted into a right only to receive the money received by the Depositary upon that Redemption and those net proceeds shall be the Deposited Securities to which Owners of those converted American Depositary Shares shall be entitled upon surrenders of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 or 6.2 and (iii) distribute the money received upon that Redemption to the Owners entitled to it upon surrender by them of called American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Owners shall not be entitled to receive that money under Section 4.1). If the Redemption affects less than all the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall call for surrender a corresponding portion of the outstanding American Depositary Shares and only those American Depositary Shares will automatically be converted into a right to receive the net proceeds of the Redemption. The Depositary shall allocate the American Depositary Shares converted under the preceding sentence among the Owners pro-rata to their respective holdings of American Depositary Shares immediately prior to the Redemption, except that the allocations may be adjusted so that no fraction of a converted American Depositary Share is allocated to any Owner. A Redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities shall be a Termination Option Event.
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(c) If the Depositary is notified of or there occurs any change in nominal or par value or any split-up, combination or any other reclassification of the Deposited Securities or any recapitalization, reorganization, sale of assets substantially as an entirety, merger or consolidation affecting the issuer of the Deposited Securities or to which it is a party that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of Deposited Securities and, as a result, securities or other property have been or will be delivered in exchange, conversion, replacement or in lieu of, Deposited Securities (a “Replacement”), the Depositary shall, if required, surrender the old Deposited Securities affected by that Replacement of Shares and hold, as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, the new securities or other property delivered to it in that Replacement. However, the Depositary may elect to sell those new Deposited Securities if in the opinion of the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, it is not lawful or not practical for it to hold those new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement because those new Deposited Securities may not be distributed to Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or for any other reason, at public or private sale, at such places and on such terms as it deems proper and proceed as if those new Deposited Securities had been Redeemed under paragraph (b) above. A Replacement shall be a Termination Option Event.
(d) In the case of a Replacement where the new Deposited Securities will continue to be held under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, may call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing the new Deposited Securities and the number of those new Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary Share. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a Replacement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
(e) If there are no Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares, including if the Deposited Securities are cancelled, or the Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares have become apparently worthless, the Depositary may call for surrender of those American Depositary Shares or may cancel those American Depositary Shares, upon notice to Owners, and that condition shall be a Termination Option Event.
SECTION 4.9. Reports.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Office any reports, notices and other communications, including any proxy solicitation material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of those Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company shall furnish reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material to which this Section applies, to the Depositary in English, to the extent those materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
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SECTION 4.10. Lists of Owners.
As promptly as practicable upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and American Depositary Share holdings of all Owners.
SECTION 4.11. Withholding.
If the Depositary determines that any distribution received or to be made by the Depositary (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any applicable tax or other governmental charge that the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, all or a portion of the distributed property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in the amounts and manner the Depositary reasonably deems necessary and practicable to pay those taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of that sale, after deduction of those taxes or charges, to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
Services for Owners and Holders that may permit them to obtain reduced rates of tax withholding at source or reclaim excess tax withheld, and the fees and costs associated with using services of that kind, are not provided under, and are outside the scope of, this Deposit Agreement.
Each Owner and Holder agrees to indemnify the Company, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless against, any claim by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced withholding at source or other tax benefit received by it.
ARTICLE 5. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1. Maintenance of Office and Register by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain facilities for the delivery, registration of transfers and surrender of American Depositary Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
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The Depositary shall keep a register of all Owners and all outstanding American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares, which shall be open for inspection by the Owners at the Depositary’s Office during regular business hours, but only for the purpose of communicating with Owners regarding the business of the Company or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
The Depositary may close the register for delivery, registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal from time to time as provided in Section 2.6.
If any American Depositary Shares are listed on one or more stock exchanges, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with any requirements of that exchange or those exchanges.
SECTION 5.2. Prevention or Delay of Performance by the Company or the Depositary.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder:
(i) if by reason of (A) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or other act of the government of the United Kingdom, the United States, any State of the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange; (B) (in the case of the Depositary only) any provision, present or future, of the articles of association or similar document of the Company, or any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof; or (C) any event or circumstance, whether natural or caused by a person or persons, that is beyond the ability of the Depositary or the Company, as the case may be, to prevent or counteract by reasonable care or effort (including, but not limited to, earthquakes, floods, severe storms, fires, explosions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes, criminal acts or outbreaks of infectious disease; interruptions or malfunctions of utility services, Internet or other communications lines or systems; unauthorized access to or attacks on computer systems or websites; or other failures or malfunctions of computer hardware or software or other systems or equipment), the Depositary or the Company is, directly or indirectly, prevented from, forbidden to or delayed in, or could be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing and therefore does not do or perform, any act or thing that, by the terms of this Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities, it is provided shall be done or performed;
(ii) for any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement (including any determination by the Depositary to take, or not take, any action that this Deposit Agreement provides the Depositary may take);
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(iii) for the inability of any Owner or Holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners or Holders; or
(iv) for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement.
Where, by the terms of a distribution to which Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 applies, or an offering to which Section 4.4 applies, or for any other reason, that distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of that distribution or offering on behalf of Owners and make the net proceeds available to Owners, then the Depositary shall not make that distribution or offering available to Owners, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
SECTION 5.3. Obligations of the Depositary and the Company.
The Company assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder, except that the Company agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that the Depositary agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Owners or Holders.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares on behalf of any Owner or Holder or any other person.
Each of the Depositary and the Company may rely, and shall be protected in relying upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or non-action by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.
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The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or otherwise.
In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote of the Deposited Securities is cast or the effect of any such vote.
The Depositary shall have no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to the tax status of the Company or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Owners or Holders as a result of owning or holding American Depositary Shares. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall be liable for the inability or failure of an Owner or Holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit.
SECTION 5.4. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, to become effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of that appointment as provided in this Section. The effect of resignation if a successor depositary is not appointed is provided for in Section 6.2.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 90 days’ prior written notice of that removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of its appointment as provided in this Section.
If the Depositary resigns or is removed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment under this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary receives notice from the Company that a successor depositary has been appointed following its resignation or removal, the Depositary, upon payment of all sums due it from the Company, shall deliver to its successor a register listing all the Owners and their respective holdings of outstanding American Depositary Shares and shall deliver the Deposited Securities to or to the order of its successor. When the Depositary has taken the actions specified in the preceding sentence (i) the successor shall become the Depositary and shall have all the rights and shall assume all the duties of the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement and (ii) the predecessor depositary shall cease to be the Depositary and shall be discharged and released from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except for its duties under Section 5.8 with respect to the time before that discharge. A successor Depositary shall notify the Owners of its appointment as soon as practical after assuming the duties of Depositary.
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Any corporation or other entity into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act. The Depositary agrees to give written notice of any such merger or consolidation to the Company.
SECTION 5.5. The Custodians.
The Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. The Depositary in its discretion may at any time appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians under this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary receives notice that a Custodian is resigning and, upon the effectiveness of that resignation there would be no Custodian acting under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, as promptly as practicable after receiving that notice, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian under this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall notify the Company of any change in custodian as promptly as practicable. The Depositary shall require any Custodian that resigns or is removed to deliver all Deposited Securities held by it to another Custodian.
SECTION 5.6. Notices and Reports.
If the Company takes or decides to take any corporate action of a kind that is addressed in Sections 4.1 to 4.4, or 4.6 to 4.8, or that effects or will effect a change of the name or legal structure of the Company, or that effects or will effect a change to the Shares, the Company shall notify the Depositary and the Custodian of that action or decision as soon as it is lawful and practical to give that notice. The notice shall be in English and shall include all details that the Company is required to include in any notice to any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or is required to make available generally to holders of Shares by publication or otherwise.
The Company will arrange for the translation into English, if not already in English, to the extent required pursuant to any regulations of the Commission, and the prompt transmittal by the Company to the Depositary and the Custodian of all notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares. If requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary will Disseminate, at the Company’s expense, those notices, reports and communications to all Owners or otherwise make them available to Owners in a manner that the Company specifies as substantially equivalent to the manner in which those communications are made available to holders of Shares and compliant with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect that Dissemination.
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The Company represents, as of the date of this Deposit Agreement and continuously thereafter until its termination, that the statements in Article 11 of the form of Receipt appearing as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement or, if applicable, most recently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the Company’s obligation to file periodic reports under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or its qualification for exemption from registration under that Act pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under that Act, as the case may be, are true and correct. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Depositary upon becoming aware of any change in the truth of any of those statements or if there is any change in the Company’s status regarding those reporting obligations or that qualification.
SECTION 5.7. Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
If the Company or any affiliate of the Company determines to make any issuance or distribution of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for such securities (each a “Distribution”), the Company shall notify the Depositary in writing in English as promptly as practicable and in any event before the Distribution starts and, if requested in writing by the Depositary, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Depositary either (i) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that the Distribution is registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or (ii) a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating that the Distribution does not require, or, if made in the United States, would not require, registration under the Securities Act of 1933. However, the Company shall not be required to notify the Depositary when the Company makes a Distribution if the Distribution is part of a standing compensation plan of the Company and the Company has previously notified the Depositary of the existence and terms of that plan.
Nothing in this Section 5.7 or elsewhere in this Deposit Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of the Company to file a registration statement with respect to a Distribution or to endeavor to have such a registration statement declared effective.
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company will at any time deposit any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
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SECTION 5.8. Indemnification.
The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and each Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or documented expense (including, but not limited to any documented fees and expenses incurred in seeking, enforcing or collecting such indemnity and the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise out of or in connection with (a) any registration with the Commission of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or the offer or sale thereof in accordance with this Deposit Agreement or (b) acts performed or omitted, pursuant to the provisions of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and the American Depositary Shares, (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence or bad faith of any of them, and except to the extent that any such liability or expense arises out of information relating to the Depositary or the Custodian, furnished in writing to the Company by the Depositary expressly for use in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus (or placement memorandum) or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement memorandum) relating to the Shares, or omissions from such information (it being understood and agreed that, as of the date of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary has not furnished any information of that kind) or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and hold them harmless from any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or any Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates due to their negligence or bad faith.
Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “Indemnified Person”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the “Indemnifying Person”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such Indemnified Person becomes aware of such commencement and shall consult in good faith with the Indemnifying Person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No Indemnified Person shall compromise or settle any such action or claim without the consent in writing of the Indemnifying Person (which shall not be unreasonably withheld).
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SECTION 5.9. Charges of Depositary.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Company or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses as are expressly provided in this Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 and the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2, (6) a fee of $0.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to this Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 and Section 4.8, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 or of rights pursuant to Section 4.4 (where the Depositary will not exercise or sell those rights on behalf of Owners), such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities under this Deposit Agreement (for purposes of this item 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) in addition to any fee charged under item 6 above, a fee of $0.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, which will be payable as provided in item 9 below, and (9) any other charges payable by the Depositary or the Custodian, any of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents or the agents of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents, in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charges shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing those Owners for those charges or by deducting those charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable, or by selling a portion of any securities to be distributed, to Owners that are obligated to pay those fees.
In performing its duties under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the Depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
SECTION 5.10. Retention of Depositary Documents.
The Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary unless the Company requests that such papers be retained for a longer period or turned over to the Company or to a successor depositary.
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SECTION 5.11. Exclusivity.
Without prejudice to the Company’s rights under Section 5.4, the Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of depositary shares, depositary receipts or any similar securities or instruments so long as The Bank of New York Mellon is acting as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.12. Information for Regulatory Compliance.
Each of the Company and the Depositary shall provide to the other, as promptly as practicable, information from its records or otherwise available to it that is reasonably requested by the other to permit the other to comply with applicable law or requirements of governmental or regulatory authorities.
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1. Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of Owners or Holders in any respect that they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment that would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that would otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners (including, without limitation, any economic, voting or other material right), shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of that amendment has been Disseminated to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner and Holder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold American Depositary Shares or any interest therein, to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by this Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Upon the effectiveness of an amendment to the form of Receipt, including a change in the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share, the Depositary may call for surrender of Receipts to be replaced with new Receipts in the amended form or call for surrender of American Depositary Shares to effect that change of ratio. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive delivery of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
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SECTION 6.2. Termination.
(a) The Company may initiate termination of this Deposit Agreement by notice to the Depositary. The Depositary may initiate termination of this Deposit Agreement if (i) at any time 60 days shall have expired after the Depositary delivered to the Company a written resignation notice and a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 or (ii) a Termination Option Event has occurred. If termination of this Deposit Agreement is initiated, the Depositary shall Disseminate a notice of termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding setting a date for termination (the “Termination Date”), which shall be at least 90 days after the date of that notice, and this Deposit Agreement shall terminate on that Termination Date.
(b) After the Termination Date, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9.
(c) At any time after the Termination Date, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under this Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that remain outstanding, and those Owners will be general creditors of the Depositary with respect to those net proceeds and that other cash. After making that sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except (i) to account for the net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and (ii) for its obligations under Section 5.8 and (iii) to act as provided in paragraph (d) below.
(d) After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall continue to receive dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities (that have not been sold), may sell rights and other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement and shall deliver Deposited Securities (or sale proceeds) upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after payment or upon deduction, in each case, of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall not accept deposits of Shares or deliver American Depositary Shares. After the Termination Date, (i) the Depositary may refuse to accept surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities (that have not been sold) or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if in its judgment the requested withdrawal would interfere with its efforts to sell the Deposited Securities, (ii) the Depositary will not be required to deliver cash proceeds of the sale of Deposited Securities until all Deposited Securities have been sold and (iii) the Depositary may discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and suspend the distribution of dividends and other distributions on Deposited Securities to the Owners and need not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement except as provided in this Section.
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ARTICLE 7. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. Counterparts; Signatures; Delivery.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of those counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any Owner or Holder during regular business hours.
The exchange of copies of this Deposit Agreement and manually-signed signature pages by facsimile, or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image, shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement as to the parties to it; copies and signature pages so exchanged may be used in lieu of the original Deposit Agreement and signature pages for all purposes and shall have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature; the parties to this Deposit Agreement hereby agree not to argue to the contrary.
SECTION 7.2. No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Company, the Depositary, the Owners and the Holders and their respective successors and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
SECTION 7.3. Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in a Receipt should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or that Receipt shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4. Owners and Holders as Parties; Binding Effect.
The Owners and Holders from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts by acceptance of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
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SECTION 7.5. Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by domestic first class or international air mail or air courier or sent by facsimile transmission or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image of a signed writing, addressed to Rentokil Initial plc, Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex RH109PY, England, Attention: Company Secretary, or any other place to which the Company may have transferred its principal office with notice to the Depositary.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if in English and personally delivered or sent by first class domestic or international air mail or air courier or sent by facsimile transmission or email attaching a pdf or similar bit-mapped image of a signed writing, addressed to The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Depositary Receipt Administration, or any other place to which the Depositary may have transferred its Office with notice to the Company.
Delivery of a notice to the Company or Depositary by mail or air courier shall be deemed effected when deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or received by an air courier service. Delivery of a notice to the Company or Depositary sent by facsimile transmission or email shall be deemed effected when the recipient acknowledges receipt of that notice.
A notice to be given to an Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given when Disseminated to that Owner. Dissemination in paper form will be effective when personally delivered or sent by first class domestic or international air mail or air courier, addressed to that Owner at the address of that Owner as it appears on the transfer books for American Depositary Shares of the Depositary, or, if that Owner has filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for that Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in that request. Dissemination in electronic form will be effective when sent in the manner consented to by the Owner to the electronic address most recently provided by the Owner for that purpose.
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SECTION 7.6. Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial Waiver.
The Company hereby (i) designates and appoints the person named in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement as the Company’s authorized agent in the United States upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement (a “Proceeding”), (ii) consents and submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any Proceeding may be instituted and (iii) agrees that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any Proceeding. The Company agrees to deliver to the Depositary, upon the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement, a written acceptance by the agent named in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement of its appointment as process agent. The Company further agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue that designation and appointment in full force and effect, or to appoint and maintain the appointment of another process agent located in the United States as required above, and to deliver to the Depositary a written acceptance by that agent of that appointment, for so long as any American Depositary Shares or Receipts remain outstanding or this Deposit Agreement remains in force. In the event the Company fails to maintain the designation and appointment of a process agent in the United States in full force and effect, the Company hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that a service of process in connection with a Proceeding may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the Company at its address last specified for notices under this Deposit Agreement, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so mailed.
EACH PARTY TO THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH OWNER AND HOLDER) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE COMPANY AND/OR THE DEPOSITARY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OR THE RECEIPTS, THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY QUESTION REGARDING EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR TERMINATION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) AND ANY CLAIM BASED ON U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
No disclaimer of liability under the United States federal securities laws or the rules and regulations thereunder is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement, inasmuch as no person is able to effectively waive the duty of any other person to comply with its obligations under those laws, rules and regulations.
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SECTION 7.7. Waiver of Immunities.
To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any duty of performance under this Deposit Agreement, claim, legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any immunity of that kind and consents to relief and enforcement as provided above.
SECTION 7.8. Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof, except with respect to its authorization and execution by the Company, which shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Deposit Agreement or any Receipt, the rights of holders of Shares and of any other Deposited Securities, as applicable, as such, and the obligations and duties of the Company in respect of the holders of Shares and other Deposited Securities, as such, shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners and Holders shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares or any interest therein.
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, | ||
as Depositary | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT A
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES | |
(Each American Depositary Share represents | |
five deposited Shares) |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR ORDINARY SHARES OF
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF ENGLAND AND WALES)
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary (hereinafter called the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that_________________________________________, or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF _____________________________
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited ordinary shares (herein called “Shares”) of Rentokil Initial plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the “Company”). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents five Shares deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as such term is hereinafter defined) with a custodian for the Depositary (herein called the “Custodian”) that, as of the date of the Deposit Agreement, was The Bank of New York Mellon, acting through an office located in the United Kingdom. The Depositary’s Office and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, N.Y. 10286.
THE DEPOSITARY’S OFFICE ADDRESS IS
240 GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10286
A-1 |
1. | THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT. |
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called “Receipts”), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated as of __________, 2022 (the “Deposit Agreement”) among the Company, the Depositary, and all Owners and Holders from time to time of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting American Depositary Shares agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Holders and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of those Shares and held thereunder (those Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called “Deposited Securities”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositary’s Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms defined in the Deposit Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
2. | SURRENDER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND WITHDRAWAL OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES. |
Upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby and payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with that surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Company’s articles of association and any applicable laws and regulations, the Owner of those American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to delivery (to the extent delivery can then be lawfully and practicably made), to or as instructed by that Owner, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by those American Depositary Shares, but not any money or other property as to which a record date for distribution to Owners has passed (since money or other property of that kind will be delivered or paid on the scheduled payment date to the Owner as of that record date), and except that the Depositary shall not be required to accept surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a Deposited Security. That delivery shall be made, as provided in the Deposit Agreement, without unreasonable delay.
As a condition of accepting a surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities, the Depositary may require (i) to the extent evidenced by a Receipt, that each surrendered Receipt be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank and (ii) that the surrendering Owner execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in that order.
A-2
Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement, the other terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Company’s articles of association, any applicable laws and regulations and local market rules and practices, to the surrendering Owner or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares, and the Depositary may charge the surrendering Owner a fee and its expenses for giving that direction by cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission.
If Deposited Securities are delivered physically upon surrender of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal, that delivery will be made at the Custodian’s office, except that, at the request, risk and expense of an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares for withdrawal of Deposited Securities, and for the account of that Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title, if any, for, the Deposited Securities represented by the surrendered American Depositary Shares to the Depositary for delivery at the Depositary’s Office or to another address specified in the order received from the surrendering Owner.
3. | REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES; COMBINATION AND SPLIT-UP OF RECEIPTS; INTERCHANGE OF CERTIFICATED AND UNCERTIFICATED AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES. |
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall, without unreasonable delay, register a transfer of American Depositary Shares on its transfer books upon (i) in the case of certificated American Depositary Shares, surrender of the Receipt evidencing those American Depositary Shares, by the Owner or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer or (ii) in the case of uncertificated American Depositary Shares, receipt from the Owner of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9 of that Agreement), and, in either case, duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Upon registration of a transfer, the Depositary shall deliver the transferred American Depositary Shares to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall, without unreasonable delay, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
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The Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel the Receipt evidencing those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of uncertificated American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.9 of the Deposit Agreement) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated American Depositary Shares and register and deliver, without unreasonable delay, to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
As a condition precedent to the delivery, registration of transfer or surrender of any American Depositary Shares or split-up or combination of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt or instruction for registration of transfer or surrender of American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in the Deposit Agreement, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 2.6 of that Agreement.
The Depositary may refuse to accept deposits of Shares for delivery of American Depositary Shares or to register transfers of American Depositary Shares in particular instances, or may suspend deposits of Shares or registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares, whenever it or the Company considers it necessary or advisable to do so. The Depositary may refuse surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities in particular instances, or may suspend surrenders for the purpose of withdrawal generally, but, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement, only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing of the Depositary’s register or the register of holders of Shares maintained by the Company or the Foreign Registrar, or the deposit of Shares, in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities or (iv) any other reason that, at the time, is permitted under paragraph I(A)(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or any successor to that provision.
The Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares that, at the time of deposit, are Restricted Securities.
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Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall deliver Shares (other than to the Company or its agent as contemplated by Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement), or otherwise permit Shares to be withdrawn from the facility created hereby, except upon the surrender of American Depositary Shares or in connection with a sale permitted under Section 3.2, 4.3, 4.11 or 6.2 of that Agreement.
4. | LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES. |
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to or in connection with any American Depositary Shares or any Deposited Securities represented by any American Depositary Shares or in connection with a transaction to which Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement applies, that tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of those American Depositary Shares to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to register any transfer of those American Depositary Shares or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares until that payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions or the proceeds thereof, or may sell for the account of the Owner any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by those American Depositary Shares, and apply those dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds of any sale of that kind in payment of that tax or other governmental charge but, even after a sale of that kind, the Owner shall remain liable for any deficiency. The Depositary shall distribute any net proceeds of a sale made under Section 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement that are not used to pay taxes or governmental charges to the Owners entitled to them in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a sale of Deposited Securities under Section 3.2 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
5. | WARRANTIES ON DEPOSIT OF SHARES. |
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that those Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding securities of the Company and that the person making that deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every depositing person shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares, at the time of deposit, are not Restricted Securities. All representations and warranties deemed made under Section 3.3 of the Deposit Agreement shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of American Depositary Shares.
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6. | FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION. |
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder may be required from time to time to provide to the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem reasonably necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any American Depositary Shares, the distribution of any dividend or other distribution or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until that proof or other information is provided or those certificates are executed or those representations and warranties are made. As conditions of accepting Shares for deposit, the Depositary may require (i) any certification required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, (ii) a written order directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in that order, American Depositary Shares representing those deposited Shares, (iii) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that those Shares have been re-registered in the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary, a Custodian or a nominee of the Depositary or a Custodian, (iv) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval for the transfer or deposit has been granted by any governmental body in each applicable jurisdiction and (v) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, that provides for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property, that any person in whose name those Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of those Shares, or, in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
7. | CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY. |
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering American Depositary Shares or to whom American Depositary Shares are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or a delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Company or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (3) such cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmission fees and expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the delivery of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement and the surrender of American Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement, (6) a fee of $0.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 and Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement or of rights pursuant to Section 4.4 of that Agreement (where the Depositary will not exercise or sell those rights on behalf of Owners), such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities under the Deposit Agreement (for purposes of this item 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) in addition to any fee charged under item 6 above, a fee of $0.05 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) per annum for depositary services, which will be payable as provided in item 9 below, and (9) any other charges payable by the Depositary or the Custodian, any of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents or the agents of the Depositary’s or Custodian’s agents, in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charges shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing those Owners for those charges or by deducting those charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
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The Depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable, or by selling a portion of any securities to be distributed, to Owners that are obligated to pay those fees.
The Depositary may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in American Depositary Shares.
From time to time, the Depositary may make payments to the Company to reimburse the Company for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the American Depositary Shares program, waive fees and expenses for services provided by the Depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from Owners or Holders. In performing its duties under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the Depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
8. | DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS; REPORTING OBLIGATIONS; REGULATORY APPROVALS. |
When required in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations (including any rules and requirements of any stock exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed for trading) or the articles of association or similar document of the Company, the Company may from time to time request each Owner and Holder to provide to the Depositary information relating to: (a) the capacity in which it holds American Depositary Shares, (b) the identity of any Holders or other persons or entities then or previously interested in those American Depositary Shares and the nature of those interests and (c) any other matter where disclosure of such matter is required for that compliance. Each Owner and Holder agrees to provide, to the extent reasonably practicable, all information known to it in response to a request made pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Deposit Agreement. Each Holder consents to the disclosure by the Depositary and the Owner or any other Holder through which it holds American Depositary Shares, directly or indirectly, of all information responsive to a request made pursuant to that Section relating to that Holder that is known to that Owner or other Holder.
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Applicable laws and regulations may require holders and beneficial owners of Shares, including the Holders and Owners, to satisfy reporting requirements and obtain regulatory approvals in certain circumstances. Holders and Owners are solely responsible for determining and complying with such reporting requirements and obtaining such approvals. Each Holder and each Owner hereby agrees to make such determination, file such reports, and obtain such approvals to the extent and in the form required by applicable laws and regulations as in effect from time to time. Neither the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company nor any of their respective agents or affiliates shall be required to take any actions whatsoever on behalf of Holders or Owners to determine or satisfy such reporting requirements or obtain such regulatory approvals under applicable laws and regulations.
9. | TITLE TO AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES. |
It is a condition of the American Depositary Shares, and every successive Owner and Holder of American Depositary Shares, by accepting or holding the same, consents and agrees that American Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt, when the Receipt is properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable as certificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York, and that American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as uncertificated registered securities under the laws of the State of New York. The Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner of American Depositary Shares as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Holder of American Depositary Shares, but only to the Owner.
10. | VALIDITY OF RECEIPT. |
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been (i) executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary or (ii) executed by the facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar or a co-registrar.
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11. | REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS. |
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Those reports will be available for inspection and copying through the Commission’s EDGAR system or at public reference facilities maintained by the Commission in Washington, D.C.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Office any reports notices and other communications, including any proxy solicitation material, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of those Deposited Securities by the Company. If requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall also Disseminate to the Owners copies of such reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Deposit Agreement. The Company shall furnish reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material to which Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement applies, to the Depositary in English, to the extent such materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
The Depositary shall keep a register of all Owners and all outstanding American Depositary Shares and transfers of American Depositary Shares, which shall be open for inspection by the Owners at the Depositary’s Office during regular business hours, but only for the purpose of communicating with Owners regarding the business of the Company or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the American Depositary Shares.
12. | DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. |
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, if the dividend or distribution is not in Dollars, subject to the provisions of Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, convert or cause to be converted such dividend or other distribution into Dollars and shall, as promptly as practicable, distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided, however, that if the Custodian or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from that cash dividend or other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. However, the Depositary will not pay any Owner a fraction of one cent, but will round each Owner’s entitlement to the nearest whole cent.
The Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in each applicable jurisdiction all amounts withheld and owing to such agency.
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If a cash distribution would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that cash distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject cash distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the cash distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that cash distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement on Deposited Securities (but not in exchange for or in conversion or in lieu of Deposited Securities), the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary and any taxes or other governmental charges, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing that distribution (which may be a distribution of depositary shares representing the securities received); provided, however, that if, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, in the opinion of the Depositary, such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that securities received must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or Holders) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be lawful and feasible, the Depositary may adopt such other method as it may reasonably deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and distribution of the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners entitled thereto all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may withhold any distribution of securities under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that the distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of securities or other property it would otherwise distribute under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement that is sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution.
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If a distribution to be made under Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement would represent a return of all or substantially all the value of the Deposited Securities underlying American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may:
(i) require payment of or deduct the fee for surrender of American Depositary Shares (whether or not it is also requiring surrender of American Depositary Shares) as a condition of making that distribution; or
(ii) sell all Deposited Securities other than the subject distribution and add any net cash proceeds of that sale to the distribution, call for surrender of all those American Depositary Shares and require that surrender as a condition of making that distribution.
If the Depositary acts under this paragraph, that action shall also be a Termination Option Event.
Whenever the Depositary receives any distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and, if the Company so requests in writing, shall, deliver to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing those Deposited Securities held by them respectively, an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as that dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and issuance of American Depositary Shares, including the withholding of any tax or governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement (and the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, an amount of Shares received (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in respect of that distribution). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary may sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of those fractions (or American Depositary Shares representing those Shares) and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If and to the extent that additional American Depositary Shares are not delivered and Shares or American Depositary Shares are not sold, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed on the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
If the Company declares a distribution in which holders of Deposited Securities have a right to elect whether to receive cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of those things, or a right to elect to have a distribution sold on their behalf, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Company, make that right of election available for exercise by Owners in any manner the Depositary considers to be lawful and practical. As a condition of making a distribution election right available to Owners, the Depositary may require satisfactory assurances from the Company that doing so does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act of 1933 that has not been effected.
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If the Depositary determines that any distribution received or to be made by the Depositary (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge that the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may sell, by public or private sale, all or a portion of the distributed property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in the amounts and manner the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay those taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of that sale, after deduction of those taxes or charges, to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
Each Owner and Holder agrees to indemnify the Company, the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless against, any claim by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced withholding at source or other tax benefit received by it. Services for Owners and Holders that may permit them to obtain reduced rates of tax withholding at source or reclaim excess tax withheld, and the fees and costs associated with using services of that kind, are not provided under, and are outside the scope of, the Deposit Agreement.
13. | RIGHTS. |
(a) If rights are granted to the Depositary in respect of deposited Shares to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Company and the Depositary shall endeavor to consult as to the actions, if any, the Depositary should take in connection with that grant of rights. The Depositary shall, to the extent deemed by it to be lawful and practical (i) if requested in writing by the Company and the Company and the Depositary enter into a separate agreement pursuant to the obligations described in paragraph (b) below, grant to all or certain Owners rights to instruct the Depositary to purchase the securities to which the rights relate and deliver those securities or American Depositary Shares representing those securities to Owners, (ii) if requested in writing by the Company and the Company and the Depositary enter into a separate agreement pursuant to the obligations described in paragraph (c) below, deliver the rights to or to the order of certain or (iii) sell the rights and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to Owners entitled to those proceeds. To the extent rights are not exercised, delivered or disposed of under (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse unexercised.
(b) If the Company and the Depositary will act under (a)(i) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon instruction from an applicable Owner in the form the Depositary specified and upon payment by that Owner to the Depositary of an amount equal to the purchase price of the securities to be received upon the exercise of the rights, the Depositary shall, on behalf of that Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the securities. The purchased securities shall be delivered to, or as instructed by, the Depositary. The Depositary shall (i) deposit the purchased Shares under the Deposit Agreement and deliver American Depositary Shares representing those Shares to that Owner or (ii) deliver or cause the purchased Shares or other securities to be delivered to or to the order of that Owner. The Depositary will not act under (a)(i) above unless the offer and sale of the securities to which the rights relate are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Depositary has received an opinion of United States counsel that is satisfactory to it to the effect that those securities may be sold and delivered to the applicable Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
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(c) If the Company and the Depositary will act under (a)(ii) above, the Company and the Depositary will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the conditions and procedures applicable to the particular offering. Upon (i) the request of an applicable Owner to deliver the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of that Owner to an account specified by that Owner to which the rights can be delivered and (ii) receipt of such documents as the Company and the Depositary agreed to require to comply with applicable law, the Depositary will deliver those rights as requested by that Owner.
(d) If the Depositary will act under (a)(iii) above, the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the applicable Owners and pay the net proceeds to the Owners otherwise entitled to the rights that were sold, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise.
(e) Payment or deduction of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and payment or deduction of the expenses of the Depositary and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges shall be conditions of any delivery of securities or payment of cash proceeds under Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement.
(f) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make rights available to or exercise rights on behalf of Owners in general or any Owner in particular , or to sell rights.
14. | CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY. |
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the reasonable judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary or one of its agents or affiliates or the Custodian shall convert or cause to be converted by sale or in any other manner that it may determine that foreign currency into Dollars, and those Dollars shall be distributed, as promptly as practicable, to the Owners entitled thereto. A cash distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners based on exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any American Depositary Shares or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement.
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If a conversion of foreign currency or the repatriation or distribution of Dollars can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may, but will not be required to, file an application for that approval or license.
If the Depositary determines that in its reasonable judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is not filed or sought by the Depositary or is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make that conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent practicable and permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and shall distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold that balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the account of, the Owners entitled thereto.
The Depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the Custodian or the Company may convert currency and pay Dollars to the Depositary. Where the Depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the Depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the Deposit Agreement and the rate that the Depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The Depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under the Deposit Agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, subject to the Depositary’s obligations under Section 5.3 of that Agreement. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the Depositary is available upon request, including to any Owner. Where the Custodian converts currency, the Custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to Owners, and the Depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the Depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from the Company in Dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by or on behalf of the Company and, in such cases, the Depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor the Company makes any representation that the rate obtained or determined by the Company is the most favorable rate and neither it nor the Company will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
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15. | RECORD DATES. |
Whenever a cash dividend, cash distribution or any other distribution is made on Deposited Securities or rights to purchase Shares or other securities are issued with respect to Deposited Securities (which rights will be delivered to or exercised or sold on behalf of Owners in accordance with Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement) or the Depositary receives notice that a distribution or issuance of that kind will be made, or whenever the Depositary receives notice that a meeting of holders of Shares will be held in respect of which the Company has requested the Depositary to send a notice under Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement, or whenever the Depositary will assess a fee or charge against the Owners, or whenever the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary otherwise finds it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date, which shall be the same as, or as near as practicable to, any corresponding record date set by the Company with respect to Shares, (a) for the determination of the Owners (i) who shall be entitled to receive the benefit of that dividend or other distribution or those rights, (ii) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at that meeting, (iii) who shall be responsible for that fee or charge or (iv) for any other purpose for which the record date was set, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement and to the other terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owners on a record date fixed by the Depositary shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to that dividend or other distribution or those rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, to give voting instructions or to act in respect of the other matter for which that record date was fixed, or be responsible for that fee or charge, as the case may be.
16. | VOTING OF DEPOSITED SHARES. |
(a) Whenever the Company gives the Depositary notice pursuant to its obligations under Section 5.6 of the Deposit Agreement of a meeting of holders of Shares at which holders of Shares will be entitled to vote, the Company shall include with that notice a request that the Depositary act under Section 4.7(a) of the Deposit Agreement. As soon as practicable after receiving a notice and request of that kind, the Depositary shall Disseminate to the Owners a notice, the form of which shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, that shall contain (i) the information contained in the notice of meeting received by the Depositary, (ii) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of laws of England and Wales and of the articles of association or similar documents of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Shares represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, (iii) a statement as to the manner in which those instructions may be given and (iv) the last date on which the Depositary will accept instructions (the “Instruction Cutoff Date”).
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(b) Upon the written request of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, as of the date of the request or, if a record date was specified by the Depositary, as of that record date, received on or before any Instruction Cutoff Date established by the Depositary, the Depositary may, and if the Depositary sent a notice under the preceding paragraph shall, endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of deposited Shares represented by those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given by Owners and received by the Depositary.
(c) There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in paragraph (a) above in time to enable Owners to give instructions to the Depositary prior to the Instruction Cutoff Date.
(d) In order to give Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Shares, if the Company will request the Depositary to Disseminate a notice under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of the meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon and copies of materials to be made available to holders of Shares in connection with the meeting not less than 40 days, or, in the case of any meeting that is not an Annual General Meeting, a number of days agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary that shall not be less than 20 days, before the meeting date.
17. | TENDER AND EXCHANGE OFFERS; REDEMPTION, REPLACEMENT OR CANCELLATION OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES. |
(a) The Depositary shall not tender any Deposited Securities in response to any voluntary cash tender offer, exchange offer or similar offer made to holders of Deposited Securities, except when instructed in writing to do so by an Owner surrendering American Depositary Shares and subject to any conditions or procedures the Depositary may require.
(b) If the Depositary receives a written notice that Deposited Securities have been redeemed for cash or otherwise purchased for cash in a transaction that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of those Deposited Securities (a “Redemption”), the Depositary, at the expense of the Company, shall (i) if required, surrender Deposited Securities that have been redeemed to the issuer of those securities or its agent on the redemption date, (ii) Disseminate a notice to Owners (A) notifying them of that Redemption, (B) calling for surrender of a corresponding number of American Depositary Shares and (C) notifying them that the called American Depositary Shares have been converted into a right only to receive the money received by the Depositary upon that Redemption and those net proceeds shall be the Deposited Securities to which Owners of those converted American Depositary Shares shall be entitled upon surrenders of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement and (iii) distribute the money received upon that Redemption to the Owners entitled to it upon surrender by them of called American Depositary Shares in accordance with Section 2.5 of that Agreement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Owners shall not be entitled to receive that money under Section 4.1 of that Agreement). If the Redemption affects less than all the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall call for surrender a corresponding portion of the outstanding American Depositary Shares and only those American Depositary Shares will automatically be converted into a right to receive the net proceeds of the Redemption. The Depositary shall allocate the American Depositary Shares converted under the preceding sentence among the Owners pro-rata to their respective holdings of American Depositary Shares immediately prior to the Redemption, except that the allocations may be adjusted so that no fraction of a converted American Depositary Share is allocated to any Owner. A Redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities shall be a Termination Option Event.
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(c) If the Depositary is notified of or there occurs any change in nominal or par value or any split-up, combination or any other reclassification of the Deposited Securities or any recapitalization, reorganization, sale of assets substantially as an entirety, merger or consolidation affecting the issuer of the Deposited Securities or to which it is a party that is mandatory and binding on the Depositary as a holder of Deposited Securities and, as a result, securities or other property have been or will be delivered in exchange, conversion, replacement or in lieu of, Deposited Securities (a “Replacement”), the Depositary shall, if required, surrender the old Deposited Securities affected by that Replacement of Shares and hold, as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, the new securities or other property delivered to it in that Replacement. However, the Depositary may elect to sell those new Deposited Securities if in the opinion of the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, it is not lawful or not practical for it to hold those new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement because those new Deposited Securities may not be distributed to Owners without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or for any other reason, at public or private sale, at such places and on such terms as it deems proper and proceed as if those new Deposited Securities had been Redeemed under paragraph (b) above. A Replacement shall be a Termination Option Event.
(d) In the case of a Replacement where the new Deposited Securities will continue to be held under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company to the extent practicable, may call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing the new Deposited Securities and the number of those new Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary Share. If the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share decreases as a result of a Replacement, the Depositary may call for surrender of the American Depositary Shares to be exchanged on a mandatory basis for a lesser number of American Depositary Shares and may sell American Depositary Shares to the extent necessary to avoid distributing fractions of American Depositary Shares in that exchange and distribute the net proceeds of that sale to the Owners entitled to them.
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(e) If there are no Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares, including if the Deposited Securities are cancelled, or the Deposited Securities with respect to American Depositary Shares have become apparently worthless, the Depositary may call for surrender of those American Depositary Shares or may cancel those American Depositary Shares, upon notice to Owners, and that condition shall be a Termination Option Event.
18. | LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY AND DEPOSITARY. |
Neither the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder:
(i) if by reason of (A) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or other act of the government of the United Kingdom, the United States, any State of the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange; (B) (in the case of the Depositary only) any provision, present or future, of the articles of association or similar document of the Company, or any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof; or (C) any event or circumstance, whether natural or caused by a person or persons, that is beyond the ability of the Depositary or the Company, as the case may be, to prevent or counteract by reasonable care or effort (including, but not limited to earthquakes, floods, severe storms, fires, explosions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes, criminal acts or outbreaks of infectious disease; interruptions or malfunctions of utility services, Internet or other communications lines or systems; unauthorized access to or attacks on computer systems or websites; or other failures or malfunctions of computer hardware or software or other systems or equipment), the Depositary or the Company is, directly or indirectly, prevented from, forbidden to or delayed in, or could be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing and therefore does not do or perform, any act or thing that, by the terms of the Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities, it is provided shall be done or performed;
(ii) for any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement (including any determination by the Depositary to take, or not take, any action that the Deposit Agreement provides the Depositary may take);
(iii) for the inability of any Owner or Holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit that is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners or Holders; or
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(iv) for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
Where, by the terms of a distribution to which Section 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement applies, or an offering to which Section 4.4 of that Agreement applies, or for any other reason, that distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of that distribution or offering on behalf of Owners and make the net proceeds available to Owners, then the Depositary shall not make that distribution or offering available to Owners, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
The Company assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder, except that the Company agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Holder (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that the Depositary agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Owners or Holders.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the American Depositary Shares on behalf of any Owner or Holder or any other person.
Each of the Depositary and the Company may rely, and shall be protected in relying upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or non-action by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
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The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or otherwise.
In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote of the Deposited Securities is cast or the effect of any such vote.
The Depositary shall have no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to the tax status of the Company or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Owners or Holders as a result of owning or holding American Depositary Shares. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall be liable for the inability or failure of an Owner or Holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit.
19. | RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN. |
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, to become effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of that appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The effect of resignation if a successor depositary is not appointed is provided for in Section 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 90 days’ prior written notice of that removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.
If the Depositary resigns or is removed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.
20. | AMENDMENT. |
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary without the consent of Owners or Holders in any respect that they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment that would impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable (including SWIFT) or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or that would otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners (including, without limitation, any economic, voting or other material right), shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding American Depositary Shares until the expiration of 30 days after notice of that amendment has been Disseminated to the Owners of outstanding American Depositary Shares. Every Owner and Holder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold American Depositary Shares or any interest therein, to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Upon the effectiveness of an amendment to the form of Receipt, including a change in the number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share, the Depositary may call for surrender of Receipts to be replaced with new Receipts in the amended form or call for surrender of American Depositary Shares to effect that change of ratio. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner to surrender American Depositary Shares and receive delivery of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
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21. | TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT. |
(a) The Company may initiate termination of the Deposit Agreement by notice to the Depositary. The Depositary may initiate termination of the Deposit Agreement if (i) at any time 60 days shall have expired after the Depositary delivered to the Company a written resignation notice and a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 of that Agreement or (ii) a Termination Option Event has occurred. If termination of the Deposit Agreement is initiated, the Depositary shall Disseminate a notice of termination to the Owners of all American Depositary Shares then outstanding setting a date for termination (the “Termination Date”), which shall be at least 90 days after the date of that notice, and the Deposit Agreement shall terminate on that Termination Date.
(b) After the Termination Date, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 of that Agreement.
(c) At any time after the Termination Date, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of American Depositary Shares that remain outstanding, and those Owners will be general creditors of the Depositary with respect to those net proceeds and that other cash. After making that sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except (i) to account for the net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges), (ii) for its obligations under Section 5.8 of that Agreement and (iii) to act as provided in paragraph (d) below.
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(d) After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall continue to receive dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities (that have not been sold), may sell rights and other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement and shall deliver Deposited Securities (or sale proceeds) upon surrender of American Depositary Shares (after payment or upon deduction, in each case, of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of American Depositary Shares, any expenses for the account of the Owner of those American Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). After the Termination Date, the Depositary shall not accept deposits of Shares or deliver American Depositary Shares. After the Termination Date, (i) the Depositary may refuse to accept surrenders of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities (that have not been sold) or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if in its judgment the requested withdrawal would interfere with its efforts to sell the Deposited Securities, (ii) the Depositary will not be required to deliver cash proceeds of the sale of Deposited Securities until all Deposited Securities have been sold and (iii) the Depositary may discontinue the registration of transfers of American Depositary Shares and suspend the distribution of dividends and other distributions on Deposited Securities to the Owners and need not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement except as provided in Section 6.2 of that Agreement.
22. | DTC DIRECT REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND PROFILE MODIFICATION SYSTEM. |
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4 of the Deposit Agreement, the parties acknowledge that DTC’s Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and Profile Modification System (“Profile”) apply to the American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated securities and holding of security entitlements in those securities through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register that transfer.
(b) In connection with DRS/Profile, the parties acknowledge that the Depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting a registration of transfer and delivery as described in paragraph (a) above has the actual authority to act on behalf of that Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement apply to the matters arising from the use of the DRS/Profile. The parties agree that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile system and otherwise in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
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23. | APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES. |
The Company has (i) appointed John Myers, Managing Director, North America, as the Company’s authorized agent in the United States upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, (ii) consented and submitted to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any such suit or proceeding may be instituted, and (iii) agreed that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding.
EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH OWNER AND HOLDER) THEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE COMPANY AND/OR THE DEPOSITARY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OR THE RECEIPTS, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY QUESTION REGARDING EXISTENCE, VALIDITY OR TERMINATION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY) AND ANY CLAIM BASED ON U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
No disclaimer of liability under the United States federal securities laws or the rules and regulations thereunder is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement, inasmuch as no person is able to effectively waive the duty of any other person to comply with its obligations under those laws, rules and regulations.
To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any duty of performance under the Deposit Agreement, claim, legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to plead or claim, any immunity of that kind and consents to relief and enforcement as provided above.
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Exhibit 4.2
EXECUTION VERSION Allen & Overy LLP 0013726-0003612 ICM:23540241.6 FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED 11 MARCH 2016 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc and HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED further modifying and restating the provisions of the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 relating to a €2,500,000,000 EURO MEDIUM TERM NOTE PROGRAMME |
THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED is made on 11 March 2016 BETWEEN: (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB (the "Issuer"); and (3) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales whose registered office is at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ (the "Trustee"), as trustee for the holders of the Notes and Coupons. WHEREAS: (A) This Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed is supplemental to: (a) the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 made between the Issuer and HSBC Trustee (C.I.) (hereinafter called the "Principal Trust Deed") relating to the €2,500,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the “Programme”) established by the Issuer; (b) the First Supplemental Trust Deed dated 19 March 2007 made between the Issuer and HSBC Trustee (C.I.) and modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the "First Supplemental Trust Deed"); the Second Supplemental Trust Deed dated 13 June 2008 made between the Issuer, HSBC Trustee (C.I.) and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Second Supplemental Trust Deed”); (c) the Third Supplemental Trust Deed dated 21 June 2013 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Third Supplemental Trust Deed”); and (d) the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 18 February 2015 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (herein after called the (Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed” and, together with the Principal Trust Deed, the First Supplemental Trust Deed the Second Supplemental Trust Deed and the Third Supplemental Trust Deed, the "Subsisting Trust Deeds"). (B) On 11 March 2016 the Issuer published a modified and updated Offering Circular relating to the Programme. NOW THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED WITNESSETH AND IT IS HEREBY DECLARED as follows: 1. Subject as hereinafter provided and unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, all words and expressions defined in the Subsisting Trust Deeds shall have the same meanings in this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed. 2. Save: (a) in relation to all Series of Notes the first Tranches of which were issued during the period up to and including the day last preceding the date of this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed; and 2 |
(b) for the purpose (where necessary) of construing the provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed, with effect on and from the date of this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed: (i) the Principal Trust Deed (as previously modified) is hereby further modified in such manner as would result in the Principal Trust Deed being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto; and (ii) the provisions of the Subsisting Trust Deeds (as previously modified) insofar as the same still have effect shall cease to have effect and in lieu thereof the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as so further modified (and being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto) shall have effect. 3. The provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as modified and restated by this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed shall be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee. 4. The Subsisting Trust Deeds shall henceforth be read and construed as one document with this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed. 5. A Memorandum of this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed shall be endorsed by the Trustee on the Principal Trust Deed and by the Issuer on its duplicate of the Principal Trust Deed. IN WITNESS whereof this Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date first stated on page 1 above. 3 |
SCHEDULE FORM OF MODIFIED PRINCIPAL TRUST DEED DATED 9 DECEMBER 2005 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc - and - HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ________________________________________ TRUST DEED relating to a €2,500,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (as modified and restated on 11 March 2016) ________________________________________ 4 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS CLAUSE PAGE 1. DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................6 2. AMOUNT AND ISSUE OF THE NOTES ..............................................................................15 3. FORMS OF THE NOTES ........................................................................................................18 4. FEES, DUTIES AND TAXES .................................................................................................20 5. COVENANT OF COMPLIANCE ...........................................................................................20 6. CANCELLATION OF NOTES AND RECORDS...................................................................20 7. NON-PAYMENT .....................................................................................................................21 8. PROCEEDINGS, ACTION AND INDEMNIFICATION .......................................................21 9. APPLICATION OF MONEYS ................................................................................................21 10. NOTICE OF PAYMENTS .......................................................................................................22 11. INVESTMENT BY TRUSTEE................................................................................................22 12. PARTIAL PAYMENTS...........................................................................................................23 13. COVENANTS BY THE ISSUER ............................................................................................23 14. REMUNERATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE ...........................................27 15. SUPPLEMENT TO TRUSTEE ACTS.....................................................................................28 16. TRUSTEE'S LIABILITY .........................................................................................................33 17. TRUSTEE CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER ................................................................33 18. WAIVER, AUTHORISATION AND DETERMINATION ....................................................34 MODIFICATION.....................................................................................................................34 BREACH ..................................................................................................................................34 SUBSTITUTION......................................................................................................................34 19. HOLDER OF DEFINITIVE NOTE ASSUMED TO BE COUPONHOLDER .......................36 NO NOTICE TO COUPONHOLDERS...................................................................................36 20. CURRENCY INDEMNITY.....................................................................................................36 21. NEW TRUSTEE.......................................................................................................................36 SEPARATE AND CO-TRUSTEES.........................................................................................37 22. TRUSTEE'S RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL .....................................................................37 23. TRUSTEE'S POWERS TO BE ADDITIONAL ......................................................................37 24. NOTICES..................................................................................................................................37 25. GOVERNING LAW.................................................................................................................38 26. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999..................................................38 27. COUNTERPARTS ...................................................................................................................38 SCHEDULES THE FIRST SCHEDULE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES........................................39 THE SECOND SCHEDULE FORM OF TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE........................................74 FORM OF PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE........................................................................................81 FORM OF DEFINITIVE NOTE ...........................................................................................................89 FORM OF COUPON.............................................................................................................................93 FORM OF TALON................................................................................................................................94 THE THIRD SCHEDULE PROVISIONS FOR MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS..........................96 5 |
THIS TRUST DEED is made on 9 December 2005 BETWEEN: (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB (the "Issuer"); and (2) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales, whose registered office is at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ (the "Trustee", which expression shall, wherever the context so admits, include such company and all other persons or companies for the time being the trustee or trustees of these presents) as trustee for the Noteholders and the Couponholders (each as defined below). WHEREAS: (1) By a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 14 July 2005 and by a resolution of the Committee of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 8 December 2005 the Issuer has resolved to establish a Euro Medium Term Note Programme pursuant to which the Issuer may from time to time issue Notes as set out herein. Notes up to a maximum nominal amount (calculated in accordance with Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement (as defined below)) from time to time outstanding of €2,500,000,000 (subject to increase as provided in the Programme Agreement) (the "Programme Limit") may be issued pursuant to the said Programme. (2) The Trustee has agreed to act as trustee of these presents for the benefit of the Noteholders and the Couponholders upon and subject to the terms and conditions of these presents. NOW THIS TRUST DEED WITNESSES AND IT IS AGREED AND DECLARED as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS (A) IN these presents unless there is anything in the subject or context inconsistent therewith the following expressions shall have the following meanings: "Agency Agreement" means the agreement dated 9 December 2005 as amended and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, pursuant to which the Issuer has appointed the Agent and the other Paying Agents in relation to all or any Series of the Notes and any other agreement for the time being in force appointing further or other Paying Agents or another Agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, or in connection with their duties, the terms of which have previously been approved in writing by the Trustee, together with any agreement for the time being in force amending or modifying with the prior written approval of the Trustee any of the aforesaid agreements; "Agent" means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, HSBC Bank plc at its office at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England or, if applicable, any Successor principal paying agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Appointee" means any attorney, manager, agent, delegate or other person appointed by the Trustee under these presents; "Auditors" means the auditors for the time being of the Issuer or, in the event of their being unable or unwilling promptly to carry out any action requested of them pursuant to the provisions of these presents, such other firm of accountants as may be nominated or approved by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents; "Calculation Agent" means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the person initially appointed as calculation agent in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency 6 |
Agreement or, if applicable, any Successor calculation agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Change of Control" has the meaning set out in Condition 6(f); "Clearstream, Luxembourg" means Clearstream Banking S.A.; "Code" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986; "Conditions" means, in relation to the Notes of any Series, the terms and conditions endorsed on or incorporated by reference into the Note or Notes constituting such Series, such terms and conditions being in or substantially in the form set out in the First Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes of the relevant Series, in each case as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions of these presents; "Coupon" means an interest coupon appertaining to a definitive Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note), such coupon being: (i) if appertaining to a Fixed Rate Note, in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part IVA of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or (ii) if appertaining to a Floating Rate Note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part IVB of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or (iii) if appertaining to a definitive Note which is neither a Fixed Rate Note nor a Floating Rate Note in such form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), and includes, where applicable, the Talon(s) appertaining thereto and any replacements for Coupons and Talons issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Couponholders" means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Coupons and includes, where applicable, the Talonholders; "Dealers" means Barclays Bank PLC, Bayerische Landesbank, BNP PARIBAS, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank N.V., J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Lloyds Bank plc, Merrill Lynch International and Mizuho International plc and any other entity which the Issuer may appoint as a Dealer and notice of whose appointment has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement but excluding any entity whose appointment has been terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and notice of such termination has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and references to a "relevant Dealer" or the "relevant Dealer(s)" mean, in relation to any Tranche or Series of Notes, the Dealer or Dealers with whom the Issuer has agreed the issue of the Notes of such Tranche or Series and "Dealer" means any one of them; "Definitive Note" means a Note in definitive form issued or, as the case may require, to be issued by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or any 7 |
other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for either a Temporary Global Note or part thereof or a Permanent Global Note (all as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement), such Note in definitive form being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part III of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and having the Conditions endorsed thereon or, if permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange, incorporating the Conditions by reference as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement and having the relevant information supplementing the Conditions appearing in the applicable Pricing Supplement endorsed thereon or attached thereto and (except in the case of a Zero Coupon Note) having Coupons and, where appropriate, Talons attached thereto on issue; "Directors" means the Board of Directors for the time being of the Issuer; "Early Redemption Amount" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Condition 6(e); "Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank SA/NV; "Event of Default" means any of the conditions, events or acts provided in Condition 9 to be events upon the happening of which the Notes of any Series would, subject only to notice by the Trustee as therein provided, become immediately due and repayable; "Extraordinary Resolution" has the meaning set out in paragraph 20 of the Third Schedule; "FATCA Withholding" means any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof) or an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement); "Fixed Rate Note" means a Note on which interest is calculated at a fixed rate payable in arrear on a fixed date or fixed dates in each year and on redemption or on such other dates as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); "Floating Rate Note" means a Note on which interest is calculated at a floating rate payable in arrear in respect of such period or on such date(s) as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); “Global Exchange Market” means the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange. "Global Note" means a Temporary Global Note and/or a Permanent Global Note as the context may require; "Interest Commencement Date" means, in the case of interest-bearing Notes, the date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement from (and including) which such Notes bear interest, which may or may not be the Issue Date; "Interest Payment Date" means, in relation to any Floating Rate Note, either: (i) the date which falls the number of months or other period specified as the "Specified Period" in the applicable Pricing Supplement after the preceding Interest Payment 8 |
Date or the Interest Commencement Date (in the case of the first Interest Payment Date); or (ii) such date or dates as are indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement; "Irish Stock Exchange" means the Irish Stock Exchange plc or such other body to which its functions have been transferred; "Issue Date" means, in respect of any Note, the date of issue and purchase of such Note pursuant to and in accordance with the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) being, in the case of any Definitive Note represented initially by a Global Note, the same date as the date of issue of the Global Note which initially represented such Note; "Issue Price" means the price, generally expressed as a percentage of the nominal amount of the Notes, at which the Notes will be issued; "Liability" means any loss, damage, cost, charge, claim, demand, expense, judgment, action, proceeding or other liability whatsoever (including, without limitation in respect of taxes, duties, levies, imposts and other charges) and including any value added tax or similar tax charged or chargeable in respect thereof and legal fees and expenses on a full indemnity basis; "London Business Day" has the meaning set out in Condition 4(b)(v); "Maturity Date" means the date on which a Note is expressed to be redeemable; "month" means calendar month; "Note" means a note issued pursuant to the Programme and denominated in such currency or currencies as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) which has such maturity and denomination as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and issued or to be issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents and which shall initially be represented by, and comprised in, either (i) a Temporary Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Temporary Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Notes or a Permanent Global Note which Permanent Global Note may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) in turn be exchanged for Definitive Notes or (ii) a Permanent Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Notes (all as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) and includes any replacements for a Note issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Noteholders" means the several persons who are for the time being holders of outstanding Notes save that, in respect of the Notes of any Series, for so long as such Notes or any part thereof are represented by a Global Note deposited with a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (other than Clearstream, Luxembourg, if Clearstream, Luxembourg shall be an accountholder of Euroclear and Euroclear, if Euroclear shall be an accountholder of Clearstream, Luxembourg) as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes of such Series shall be deemed to be the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes (and the holder of the relevant Global Note shall be deemed not to be the holder) for all purposes of these presents other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the rights to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer and the Trustee, solely in such common depositary and for which purpose such common depositary shall be deemed to be the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in 9 |
accordance with and subject to its terms and the provisions of these presents and the expressions "Noteholder", "holder" and "holder of Notes" and related expressions shall be construed accordingly; "notice" means, in respect of a notice to be given to Noteholders, a notice validly given pursuant to Condition 13; "Official List" means the official list maintained by the Irish Stock Exchange; "outstanding" means, in relation to the Notes of all or any Series, all the Notes of such Series issued other than: (a) those Notes which have been redeemed pursuant to these presents; (b) those Notes in respect of which the date (including, where applicable, any deferred date) for redemption in accordance with the Conditions has occurred and the redemption moneys (including all interest payable thereon) have been duly paid to the Trustee or to the Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement (and where appropriate notice to that effect has been given to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13) and remain available for payment against presentation of the relevant Notes and/or Coupons; (c) those Notes which have been purchased and cancelled in accordance with Conditions 6(g) and 6(h); (d) those Notes which have become void or in respect of which claims have become prescribed, in each case under Condition 8; (e) those mutilated or defaced Notes which have been surrendered and cancelled and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 10; (f) (for the purpose only of ascertaining the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding and without prejudice to the status for any other purpose of the relevant Notes) those Notes which are alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 10; and (g) any Global Note to the extent that it shall have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or another Global Note pursuant to its provisions, the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement, PROVIDED THAT for each of the following purposes, namely: (i) the right to attend and vote at any meeting of the holders of the Notes of any Series; (ii) the determination of how many and which Notes of any Series are for the time being outstanding for the purposes of Clause 8(A), Conditions 9 and 14 and paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 9 of the Third Schedule; (iii) any discretion, power or authority (whether contained in these presents or vested by operation of law) which the Trustee is required, expressly or impliedly, to exercise in or by reference to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series; and (iv) the determination by the Trustee whether any event, circumstance, matter or thing is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series, 10 |
those Notes of the relevant Series (if any) which are for the time being held by or on behalf of the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company, in each case as beneficial owner, shall (unless and until ceasing to be so held) be deemed not to remain outstanding; "Paying Agents" means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the several institutions (including, where the context permits, the Agent) at their respective specified offices initially appointed as paying agents in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement and/or, if applicable, any Successor paying agents at their respective specified offices in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Permanent Global Note" means a global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), together with the copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement annexed thereto, comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for the whole or part of any Temporary Global Note issued in respect of such Notes; "Potential Event of Default" means any condition, event or act which, with the lapse of time and/or the issue, making or giving of any notice, certification, declaration, demand, determination and/or request and/or the taking of any similar action and/or the fulfilment of any similar condition, would constitute an Event of Default; "Pricing Supplement" has the meaning set out in the Programme Agreement; "Principal Subsidiary" means at any time a Subsidiary of the Issuer: (a) whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Issuer represent (or, in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, are equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated respectively by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided that in the case of a Subsidiary of the Issuer acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, the reference to the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until consolidated accounts for the financial period in which the acquisition is made have been prepared and audited as aforesaid, be deemed to be a reference to such first-mentioned accounts as if such Subsidiary had been shown in such accounts by reference to its then latest relevant audited accounts, adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Directors; or (b) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer which immediately prior to such transfer is a Principal Subsidiary, provided that the transferor Subsidiary shall upon such transfer forthwith cease to be a Principal Subsidiary and the transferee Subsidiary shall cease to be a Principal Subsidiary pursuant to this sub-paragraph (b) on the date on which the consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the financial period current at the date of such transfer have been prepared and audited as aforesaid but so that such transferor Subsidiary or such transferee Subsidiary may be a Principal 11 |
Subsidiary on or at any time after the date on which such consolidated accounts have been prepared and audited as aforesaid by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) above or before, on or at any time after such date by virtue of the provisions of this sub-paragraph (b) or sub-paragraph (c) below or at any time by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) below; or (c) to which is transferred an undertaking or assets which, taken together with the undertaking or assets of the transferee Subsidiary, generated (or, in the case of the transferee Subsidiary being acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, generate operating profits attributable to the Issuer equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits, of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated as referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above, provided that the transferor Subsidiary (if a Principal Subsidiary) shall upon such transfer forthwith cease to be a Principal Subsidiary unless immediately following such transfer its undertaking and assets generate (or, in the case aforesaid, generate operating profits attributable to the Issuer equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profit, of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated as referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above, and the transferee Subsidiary shall cease to be a Principal Subsidiary pursuant to this sub-paragraph (c) on the date on which the consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the financial period current at the date of such transfer have been prepared and audited but so that such transferor Subsidiary or such transferee Subsidiary may be a Principal Subsidiary on or at any time after the date on which such consolidated accounts have been prepared and audited as aforesaid by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) above or before, on or at any time after such date by virtue of the provisions of this sub- paragraph (c) or sub-paragraph (b) above or at any time by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) below; or (d) which has Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (as defined in Condition 9(c)) outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency). For the purposes of this definition if there shall at any time not be any relevant audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, references thereto herein shall be deemed to be references to a consolidation by the Directors of the relevant audited accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries. A report by two Directors or one Director and the Company Secretary or the Director of Treasury and Risk of the Issuer (as referred to in Clause 13) whether or not addressed to the Trustee that in their opinion a Subsidiary of the Issuer is or is not or was or was not at any particular time or throughout any specified period a Principal Subsidiary may be relied upon by the Trustee without further enquiry or evidence and, if relied upon by the Trustee, shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties; "Programme" means the Euro Medium Term Note Programme established by, or otherwise contemplated in, the Programme Agreement; "Programme Agreement" means the agreement of even date herewith between the Issuer and the Dealers named therein (or deemed named therein) concerning the purchase of Notes to be issued pursuant to the Programme together with any agreement for the time being in force amending, replacing, novating or modifying such agreement and any accession letters and/or agreements supplemental thereto; "Put Event" has the meaning set out in Condition 6(f); 12 |
"Relevant Date" has the meaning set out in Condition 7; "repay", "redeem" and "pay" shall each include both of the others and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly; "Series" means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices and the expressions "Notes of the relevant Series", "holders of Notes of the relevant Series" and related expressions shall be construed accordingly; "Stock Exchange" means the Irish Stock Exchange or any other or further stock exchange(s) on which any Notes may from time to time be listed, and references in these presents to the "relevant Stock Exchange" shall, in relation to any Notes, be references to the Stock Exchange on which such Notes are, from time to time, or are intended to be, listed; "Subsidiary" means any company which is for the time being a subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006); "Successor" means, in relation to the Agent, the other Paying Agents and the Calculation Agent, any successor to any one or more of them in relation to the Notes which shall become such pursuant to the provisions of these presents and/or the Agency Agreement (as the case may be) and/or such other or further agent, paying agents and calculation agent (as the case may be) in relation to the Notes as may (with the prior approval of, and on terms previously approved by, the Trustee in writing) from time to time be appointed as such, and/or, if applicable, such other or further specified offices (in the case of the Agent and the other Paying Agents being within the same city as those for which it is they are substituted) as may from time to time be nominated, in each case by the Issuer, and (except in the case of the initial appointments and specified offices made under and specified in the Conditions and/or the Agency Agreement, as the case may be) notice of whose appointment or, as the case may be, nomination has been given to the Noteholders; "Talonholders" means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Talons; "Talons" means the talons (if any) appertaining to, and exchangeable in accordance with the provisions therein contained for further Coupons appertaining to, the Definitive Notes (other than Zero Coupon Notes), such talons being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part V of the Second Schedule or in such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and includes any replacements for Talons issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Temporary Global Note" means a temporary global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part I of the Second Schedule together with the copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement annexed thereto with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents; "these presents" means this Trust Deed and the Schedules and any trust deed supplemental hereto and the Schedules (if any) thereto and the Notes, the Coupons, the Talons, the 13 |
Conditions and, unless the context otherwise requires, the Pricing Supplement, all as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions herein or therein contained; "Tranche" means all Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading); "Trust Corporation" means a corporation entitled by rules made under the Public Trustee Act 1906 of Great Britain or entitled pursuant to any other comparable legislation applicable to a trustee in any other jurisdiction to carry out the functions of a custodian trustee; "Trustee Acts" means the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000; "Zero Coupon Note" means a Note on which no interest is payable; words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; words denoting one gender only shall include the other genders; and words denoting persons only shall include firms and corporations and vice versa. (B) (i) All references in these presents to principal and/or principal amount and/or interest in respect of the Notes or to any moneys payable by the Issuer under these presents shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed in accordance with Condition 5(f). (ii) All references in these presents to any statute or any provision of any statute shall be deemed also to refer to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof or any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder or under any such modification or re-enactment. (iii) All references in these presents to guarantees or to an obligation being guaranteed shall be deemed to include respectively references to indemnities or to an indemnity being given in respect thereof. (iv) All references in these presents to any action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors shall be deemed to include, in respect of any jurisdiction other than England, references to such action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors available or appropriate in such jurisdiction as shall most nearly approximate to such action, remedy or method of proceeding described or referred to in these presents. (v) All references in these presents to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include references to any additional or alternative clearing system as is approved by the Issuer, the Agent and the Trustee or as may otherwise be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (vi) Unless the context otherwise requires words or expressions used in these presents shall bear the same meanings as in the Companies Act 2006 of Great Britain. (vii) In this Trust Deed references to Schedules, Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub- paragraphs shall be construed as references to the Schedules to this Trust Deed and to the Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs of this Trust Deed respectively. (viii) In these presents tables of contents and Clause headings are included for ease of reference and shall not affect the construction of these presents. 14 |
(C) Words and expressions defined in these presents or the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Pricing Supplement shall have the same meanings where used herein unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement and these presents, these presents shall prevail and, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement or these presents and the applicable Pricing Supplement, the applicable Pricing Supplement shall prevail. (D) All references in these presents to the "relevant currency" shall be construed as references to the currency in which payments in respect of the Notes and/or Coupons of the relevant Series are to be made as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (E) As used in these presents references to Notes having a "listing" or being "listed" on a Stock Exchange shall, in relation to the Irish Stock Exchange, be construed to mean that such Notes have been admitted to the Official List of the Irish Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Irish Stock Exchange's Global Exchange Market. The Global Exchange Market is not a regulated market for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2004/39/EC). The applicable Pricing Supplement relating to each Tranche of Notes will specify whether such Notes are to be admitted to trading on the Irish Stock Exchange's Global Exchange Market. All references in these presents to "listing" and "listed" shall include references to "quotation" and "quoted" respectively. 2. AMOUNT AND ISSUE OF THE NOTES (A) Amount of the Notes, Pricing Supplement and Legal Opinions: The Notes will be issued in Series in an aggregate nominal amount from time to time outstanding not exceeding the Programme Limit from time to time and for the purpose of determining such aggregate nominal amount Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement shall apply. By not later than 3.00 p.m. (London time) on the third London Business Day preceding each proposed Issue Date, the Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and drafts of all legal opinions to be given in relation to the relevant issue and shall notify the Trustee in writing without delay of the relevant Issue Date and the nominal amount of the Notes to be issued. Upon the issue of the relevant Notes, such Notes shall become constituted by these presents without further formality. Before the first issue of Notes occurring after each anniversary of this Trust Deed and on such other occasions as the Trustee so requests (on the basis that the Trustee considers it necessary in view of a change (or proposed change) in English law affecting the Issuer, these presents, the Programme Agreement, the Agency Agreement or the Trustee has other grounds), the Issuer will procure that (a) further legal opinion(s) (relating, if applicable, to any such change or proposed change) in such form and with such content as the Trustee may require from the legal advisers specified in the Programme Agreement or such other legal advisers as the Trustee may require is/are delivered to the Trustee. Whenever such a request is made with respect to any Notes to be issued, the receipt of such opinion in a form satisfactory to the Trustee shall be a further condition precedent to the issue of those Notes. (B) Covenant to repay principal and to pay interest: The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will, as and when the Notes of any Series or any of them becomes due to be redeemed, or on such earlier as the same or any part thereof may 15 |
become due and repayable thereunder, in accordance with the Conditions, unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee in the relevant currency in immediately available funds the principal amount in respect of the Notes of such Series becoming due for redemption on that date and (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) shall in the meantime and until redemption in full of the Notes of such Series (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee as aforesaid interest (which shall accrue from day to day) on the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding of such Series at rates and/or in amounts calculated from time to time in accordance with, or specified in, and on the dates provided for in, the Conditions (subject to Clause 2(D)) PROVIDED THAT: (i) every payment of principal or interest or other sum due in respect of the Notes made to or to the order of the Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement shall be in satisfaction pro tanto of the relative covenant by the Issuer in this Clause contained in relation to the Notes of such Series except to the extent that there is a default in the subsequent payment thereof in accordance with the Conditions to the relevant Noteholders or Couponholders (as the case may be); (ii) in the case of any payment of principal which is not made to the Trustee or the Agent on or before the due date or on or after accelerated maturity following an Event of Default, interest shall continue to accrue on the nominal amount of the relevant Notes (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 6(i) shall apply) (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) up to and including the date which the Trustee determines to be the date on and after which payment is to be made in respect thereof as stated in a notice given to the holders of such Notes (such date to be not later than 30 days after the day on which the whole of such principal amount, together with an amount equal to the interest which has accrued and is to accrue pursuant to this proviso up to and including that date, has been received by the Trustee or the Agent); and (iii) in any case where payment of the whole or any part of the principal amount of any Note is improperly withheld or refused upon due presentation thereof (other than in circumstances contemplated by (ii) above) interest shall accrue on the nominal amount of such Note (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 6(i) shall apply) payment of which has been so withheld or refused (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) from the date of such withholding or refusal until the date on which, upon further presentation of the relevant Note, payment of the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency payable in respect of such Note is made or (if earlier) the seventh day after notice is given to the relevant Noteholder(s) (whether individually or in accordance with Condition 13) that the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency in respect of such Note is available for payment, PROVIDED THAT, upon further presentation thereof being duly made, such payment is made. The Trustee will hold the benefit of this covenant on trust for the Noteholders and the Couponholders and itself in accordance with these presents. 16 |
(C) Trustee's requirements regarding Paying Agents etc: At any time after an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default shall have occurred or the Notes of all or any Series shall otherwise have become due and repayable or the Trustee shall have received any money which it proposes to pay under Clause 9 to the relevant Noteholders and/or Couponholders, the Trustee may: (i) by notice in writing to the Issuer, the Agent and the other Paying Agents require the Agent and the other Paying Agents pursuant to the Agency Agreement: (a) to act thereafter as Agent and other Paying Agents respectively of the Trustee in relation to payments to be made by or on behalf of the Trustee under the terms of these presents mutatis mutandis on the terms provided in the Agency Agreement (save that the Trustee's liability under any provisions thereof for the indemnification, remuneration and payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent and the other Paying Agents shall be limited to the amounts for the time being held by the Trustee on the trusts of these presents relating to the Notes of the relevant Series and available for such purpose) and thereafter to hold all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes and Coupons on behalf of the Trustee; or (b) to deliver up all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes and Coupons to the Trustee or as the Trustee shall direct in such notice PROVIDED THAT such notice shall be deemed not to apply to any documents or records which the Agent or other Paying Agent is obliged not to release by any law or regulation; and (ii) by notice in writing to the Issuer require it to make all subsequent payments in respect of the Notes and Coupons to or to the order of the Trustee and not to the Agent and with effect from the issue of any such notice to the Issuer and until such notice is withdrawn proviso (i) to sub-clause (B) of this Clause relating to the Notes shall cease to have effect. (D) If the Floating Rate Notes of any Series become immediately due and repayable under Condition 9 the rate and/or amount of interest payable in respect of them will be calculated by the Agent or, as the case may be, the Calculation Agent at the same intervals as if such Notes had not become due and repayable, the first of which will commence on the expiry of the Interest Period during which the Notes of the relevant Series become so due and repayable mutatis mutandis in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4 except that the rates of interest need not be published. (E) Currency of payments: All payments in respect of, under and in connection with these presents and the Notes of any Series to the relevant Noteholders and Couponholders shall be made in the relevant currency. (F) Further Notes: The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time (but subject always to the provisions of these presents) without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders to create and issue further Notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes of any Series (or the same in all respects save for the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon) and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single series with the outstanding Notes of a particular Series. 17 |
(G) Separate Series: The Notes of each Series shall form a separate Series of Notes and accordingly, unless for any purpose the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, the provisions of this Clause and of Clauses 3 to 20 (both inclusive) and 21(B) and the Third Schedule shall apply mutatis mutandis separately and independently to the Notes of each Series and in such Clauses and Schedule the expressions "Notes", "Noteholders", "Coupons", "Couponholders", "Talons" and "Talonholders" shall be construed accordingly. 3. FORMS OF THE NOTES (A) Global Notes: (i) The Notes of each Tranche will initially be represented by either a single Temporary Global Note or a single Permanent Global Note, as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Each Temporary Global Note shall be exchangeable, upon a request as described therein, for either Definitive Notes together with (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached, or a Permanent Global Note in each case in accordance with the provisions of such Temporary Global Note. Each Permanent Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes together with (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached, in accordance with the provisions of such Permanent Global Note. All Global Notes shall be prepared, completed and delivered to a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or to another appropriate depositary in accordance with any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and, in each case, the Agency Agreement. (ii) Each Temporary Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part I of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Temporary Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. Each Temporary Global Note so executed and authenticated shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery. (iii) Each Permanent Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Permanent Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. Each Permanent Global Note so executed and authenticated shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery. (B) Definitive Notes: (i) The Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be to bearer in the respective forms or substantially in the respective forms set out in Parts III, IV and V, respectively, of the Second Schedule. The Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be serially numbered and, if listed or quoted, shall be security printed in accordance with the requirements (if any) from time to time of the relevant Stock Exchange and the relevant Conditions may be incorporated by reference into such 18 |
Definitive Notes unless not so permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange (if any), or the Definitive Notes shall be endorsed with or have attached thereto the relevant Conditions, and, in either such case, the Definitive Notes shall have endorsed thereon or attached thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof). Title to the Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall pass by delivery. (ii) The Definitive Notes shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. The Definitive Notes so executed and authenticated, and the Coupons and Talons, upon execution and authentication of the relevant Definitive Notes, shall be binding and valid obligations of the Issuer. The Coupons and the Talons shall not be signed. No Definitive Note and none of the Coupons or Talons appertaining to such Definitive Note shall be binding or valid until such Definitive Note shall have been executed and authenticated as aforesaid. (C) Facsimile signatures: The Issuer may use the facsimile signature of any person who at the date such signature is affixed to a Note is duly authorised by the Issuer notwithstanding that at the time of issue of any of the Notes he may have ceased for any reason to be the holder of such office or so authorised. (D) Persons to be treated as Noteholders: Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and the other Paying Agents (notwithstanding any notice to the contrary and whether or not it is overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) may (i) (a) for the purpose of making payment thereon or on account thereof deem and treat the bearer of any Global Note, Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon as the absolute owner thereof and of all rights thereunder free from all encumbrances, and shall not be required to obtain proof of such ownership or as to the identity of the bearer and (ii) for all other purposes deem and treat: (a) the bearer of any Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon; and (b) each person for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or such other additional or alternative clearing system approved by the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agent, as having a particular nominal amount of Notes credited to his securities account, as the absolute owner thereof free from all encumbrances and shall not be required to obtain proof of such ownership (other than, in the case of any person for the time being so shown in such records, a certificate or letter of confirmation signed on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other form of record made by any of them) or as to the identity of the bearer of any Global Note, Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon. (E) Certificates of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg: The Issuer and the Trustee may call for and, except in the case of manifest error, shall be at liberty to accept and place full reliance on as sufficient evidence thereof a certificate or letter of confirmation issued on behalf of Euroclear, or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any form of record made by any of them or such other form of evidence and/or information and/or 19 |
certification as it shall, in its absolute discretion, think fit to the effect that at any particular time or throughout any particular period any particular person is, was, or will be, shown in its records as the holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by a Global Note and, if it does so rely, such letter of confirmation, form of record, evidence, information or certification shall be conclusive and binding on all concerned. 4. FEES, DUTIES AND TAXES The Issuer will pay any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other fees, duties and taxes, including interest and penalties, payable on or in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of these presents, (ii) the constitution and original issue of the Notes and the Coupons and (iii) any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee or (where permitted under these presents so to do) any Noteholder or Couponholder to enforce, or to resolve any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents. 5. COVENANT OF COMPLIANCE The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will comply with and perform and observe all the provisions of these presents which are expressed to be binding on it. The Conditions shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. The Trustee shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and the Coupons as if the same were set out and contained in this Trust Deed, which shall be read and construed as one document with the Notes and the Coupons. The Trustee shall hold the benefit of this covenant upon trust for itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders according to its and their respective interests. 6. CANCELLATION OF NOTES AND RECORDS (A) The Issuer shall procure that all Notes issued by it (i) redeemed or (ii) purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or (iii) which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 10 (together in each case, in the case of Definitive Notes, with all unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or delivered therewith), and all Coupons paid in accordance with the relevant Conditions or which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 10, shall forthwith be cancelled by or on behalf of the Issuer and a certificate stating: (a) the aggregate principal amount of Notes which have been redeemed and the aggregate amounts in respect of and Coupons which have been paid; (b) the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form; (c) the total numbers (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons; (d) the aggregate amount of interest paid (and the due dates of such payments) on Global Notes; (e) the aggregate nominal amount of Notes (if any) which have been purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer and cancelled and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form and, in the case of Definitive Notes, the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith; (f) the aggregate nominal amounts of Notes and the aggregate amounts in respect of Coupons which have been so surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of such 20 |
Notes in definitive form and the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons and Talons; (g) the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the unmatured Coupons missing from Definitive Notes bearing interest at a fixed rate which have been redeemed or surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of the Definitive Notes to which such missing unmatured Coupons appertained; and (h) the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of Talons which have been exchanged for further Coupons shall be given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Issuer as soon as possible and in any event within four months after the date of such redemption, purchase, payment, exchange or replacement (as the case may be). The Trustee may accept such certificate as conclusive evidence of redemption, purchase or replacement pro tanto of the Notes or payment of interest thereon or exchange of the relative Talons respectively and of cancellation of the relative Notes and Coupons. (B) The Issuer shall procure (i) that the Agent shall keep a full and complete record of all Notes, Coupons and Talons issued by it (other than serial numbers of Coupons) and of their redemption or purchase by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any cancellation or any payment (as the case may be) and of all replacement notes, coupons or talons issued in substitution for lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed Notes, Coupons or Talons, (ii) that the Agent shall in respect of the Coupons of each maturity retain (in the case of Coupons other than Talons) until the expiry of 10 years from the Relevant Date in respect of such Coupons and (in the case of Talons indefinitely) either all paid or exchanged Coupons of that maturity or a list of the serial numbers of Coupons of that maturity still remaining unpaid or unexchanged and (iii) that such records and Coupons (if any) shall be made available to the Trustee at all reasonable times. 7. NON-PAYMENT Proof that as regards any specified Note or Coupon the Issuer has made default in paying any amount due in respect of such Note or Coupon shall (unless the contrary be proved) be sufficient evidence that the same default has been made as regards all other Notes or Coupons (as the case may be) in respect of which the relevant amount is due and payable. 8. PROCEEDINGS, ACTION AND INDEMNIFICATION (A) The Trustee shall not be bound to take any action or proceedings mentioned in Conditions 9 or any other action in relation to these presents unless respectively directed or requested to do so (i) by an Extraordinary Resolution or (ii) in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in aggregate nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding and in either case then only if it shall be indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction against all Liabilities to which it may thereby render itself liable or which it may incur by so doing. (B) Only the Trustee may enforce the provisions of these presents. No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer to enforce the performance of any of the provisions of these presents unless the Trustee having become bound as aforesaid to take proceedings fails to do so within a reasonable period and such failure is continuing. 9. APPLICATION OF MONEYS All moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer (including any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes or Coupons which have 21 |
become void or in respect of which claims have become prescribed under Condition 8) shall, unless and to the extent attributable, in the opinion of the Trustee, to a particular Series of the Notes, be apportioned pari passu and rateably between each Series of the Notes, and all moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer to the extent attributable in the opinion of the Trustee to a particular Series of the Notes or which are apportioned to such Series as aforesaid, be held by the Trustee upon trust to apply them (subject to Clause 11): FIRST in payment or satisfaction of all amounts then due and unpaid under Clauses 14 and/or 15(J) to the Trustee and/or any Appointee; SECONDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of that Series; THIRDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of each other Series; and FOURTHLY in payment of the balance (if any) to the Issuer (without prejudice to, or liability in respect of, any question as to how such payment to the Issuer shall be dealt with as between the Issuer and any other person). Without prejudice to this Clause 9, if the Trustee holds any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes which have become void or in respect of which claims have been prescribed under Condition 8, the Trustee will hold such moneys on the above trusts. 10. NOTICE OF PAYMENTS The Trustee shall give notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 of the day fixed for any payment to them under Clause 9. Such payment may be made in accordance with Condition 5 and any payment so made shall be a good discharge to the Trustee. 11. INVESTMENT BY TRUSTEE (A) The Trustee may at its discretion and pending payment invest moneys at any time available for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the Securities in some or one of the investments hereinafter authorised for such periods as it may consider expedient with power from time to time at the like discretion to vary such investments. All interest and other income deriving from such investment shall be applied first in payment or satisfaction of all amounts then due and unpaid under Clauses 14 and 15(J) to the Trustee and/or any Appointee and otherwise held for the benefit of and paid to the Holders or Couponholders, as the case may be. (B) Any moneys which under the trusts of these presents ought to or may be invested by the Trustee may be invested in the name or under the control of the Trustee in any investments or other assets in any part of the world whether or not they produce income or by placing the same on deposit in the name or under the control of the Trustee at such bank or other financial institution and in such currency as the Trustee may think fit. If that bank or institution is the Trustee or a Subsidiary, holding or associated company of the Trustee, it need only account for an amount of interest equal to the amount of interest which would, at then current rates, be payable by it on such a deposit to an independent customer. The Trustee may at any time vary any such investments for or into other investments or convert any moneys so deposited into any other currency and shall not be responsible for any loss resulting from any such investments or deposits, whether due to depreciation in value, fluctuations in exchange rates or otherwise. 22 |
12. PARTIAL PAYMENTS Upon any payment under Clause 9 (other than payment in full against surrender of a Note or Coupon) the Note or Coupon in respect of which such payment is made shall be produced to the Trustee, the Paying Agent by or through whom such payment is made and the Trustee shall or shall cause such Paying Agent to enface thereon a memorandum of the amount and the date of payment but the Trustee may in any particular case dispense with such production and enfacement upon such indemnity being given as it shall think sufficient. 13. COVENANTS BY THE ISSUER The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that, so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding (or, in the case of paragraphs (viii), (ix), (xiii), (xiv), (xvi) and (xviii) so long as any of such Notes or the relative Coupons remains liable to prescription or, in the case of paragraph (xv), until the expiry of a period of 30 days after the Relevant Date in respect of the payment of principal in respect of all such Notes remaining outstanding at such time) it shall: (i) at all times carry on and conduct its affairs and procure its Subsidiaries to carry on and conduct their respective affairs in a proper and efficient manner; (ii) give or procure to be given to the Trustee such opinions, certificates and information as it shall require and in such form as it shall require (including without limitation the procurement of all such certificates called for by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 15(C)) for the purpose of the discharge or exercise of the duties, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it under these presents or by operation of law; (iii) cause to be prepared and certified by its Auditors in respect of each financial accounting period accounts in such form as will comply with all relevant legal and accounting requirements and all requirements for the time being of the relevant Stock Exchange; (iv) at all times keep and procure its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of account and, at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or if the Trustee has reasonable grounds to believe that any such event has occurred or is about to occur, so far as permitted by applicable law, allow, and procure that any Subsidiary shall allow, the Trustee and any person appointed by the Trustee to whom the Issuer or the relevant Subsidiary shall have no reasonable objection, free access to such books of account at all reasonable times during normal business hours; (v) send to the Trustee (in addition to any copies to which it may be entitled as a holder of any securities of the Issuer) two copies in English of every balance sheet, profit and loss account, report, circular and notice of general meeting and every other document issued or sent to its shareholders together with any of the foregoing, and every document issued or sent to holders of securities other than its shareholders (including the Noteholders) as soon as practicable after the issue or publication thereof; (vi) forthwith give notice in writing to the Trustee of the coming into existence of any Security Interest (as defined in Condition 3) which would require any security to be given to the Notes pursuant to Condition 3 or of the occurrence of any Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event and without waiting for the trustee to take further action; 23 |
(vii) give to the Trustee (a) within seven days after demand by the Trustee therefor and (b) (without the necessity for any such demand) promptly after the publication of its audited accounts in respect of each financial year commencing with the financial year ending 31 December 2005 and in any event not later than 180 days after the end of each such financial year a certificate signed by two of its Directors to the effect that as at a date not more than seven days before delivering such certificate (the "relevant certification date") there did not exist and had not existed since the relevant certification date of the previous certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the date hereof) any Event of Default or any Potential Event of Default (or if such exists or existed specifying the same) and that during the period from and including the relevant certification date of the last such certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the date hereof) to and including the relevant certification date of such certificate that it has complied with all its obligations contained in these presents or (if such is not the case) specifying the respects in which it has not complied; (viii) at all times execute and do all such further documents, acts and things as may be necessary at any time or times in the opinion of the Trustee for the purpose of discharging its functions under, or giving effect to, these presents; (ix) at all times maintain an Agent and other Paying Agents in accordance with the Conditions; (x) procure the Agent to notify the Trustee forthwith in the event that it does not, on or before the due date for any payment in respect of the Notes or any of the relative Coupons, receive unconditionally pursuant to the Agency Agreement payment of the full amount in the requisite currency of the moneys payable on such due date on all such Notes or Coupons as the case may be; (xi) in the event of the unconditional payment to the Agent or the Trustee of any sum due in respect of the Notes or any of them or any of the relative Coupons being made after the due date for payment thereof forthwith give or procure to be given notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 that such payment has been made; (xii) use its reasonable endeavours to maintain the quotation or listing on the relevant Stock Exchange of those of the Notes which are quoted or listed on the relevant Stock Exchange or, if it is unable to do so having used such endeavours, use its reasonable endeavours to obtain and maintain a quotation or listing of such Notes on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets as the Issuer may (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) decide and also upon obtaining a quotation or listing of such Notes issued by it on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets enter into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed to effect such consequential amendments to these presents as the Trustee may require or as shall be requisite to comply with the requirements of any such stock exchange or securities market; (xiii) give notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 of any appointment, resignation or removal of any Agent, Calculation Agent or other Paying Agent (other than the appointment of the initial Agent, Calculation Agent and other Paying Agents) after having obtained the prior written approval of the Trustee thereto or any change of any Paying Agent's specified office and (except as provided by the Agency Agreement or the Conditions) at least 30 days prior to such event taking effect; PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Calculation Agent or so long as any of the Notes or Coupons remains liable to prescription in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Agent no such termination shall take effect until a new 24 |
Agent or Calculation Agent (as the case may be) has been appointed on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee; (xiv) obtain the prior written approval of the Trustee to, and promptly give to the Trustee two copies of, the form of every notice given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 (such approval, unless so expressed, not to constitute approval of any such notice for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") of a communication within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA); (xv) if payments by the Issuer of principal or interest in respect of the Notes or relative Coupons shall become subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of any territory or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax other than or in addition to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, immediately upon becoming aware thereof notify the Trustee of such event and (unless the Trustee otherwise agrees) enter forthwith into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed, giving to the Trustee an undertaking or covenant in form and manner satisfactory to the Trustee in terms corresponding to the terms of Condition 7 with the substitution for (or, as the case may be, the addition to) the references therein to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax of references to that other or additional territory or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax to whose taxing jurisdiction such payments shall have become subject as aforesaid; such trust deed also (where applicable) to modify Condition 6(b) so that such Condition shall make reference to the other or additional territory, any political sub-division thereof and any authority therein or thereof having power to tax; (xvi) comply with and perform all its obligations under the Agency Agreement and use its reasonable endeavours to procure that the Agent and the other Paying Agents comply with and perform all their respective obligations thereunder and any notice given by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 2(C)(i) and not make any amendment or modification to such Agreement without the prior written approval of the Trustee; (xvii) in order to enable the Trustee to ascertain the nominal amount of the Notes of each Series for the time being outstanding for any of the purposes referred to in the proviso to the definition of "outstanding" in Clause 1, deliver to the Trustee as soon as practicable upon being so requested in writing by the Trustee a certificate in writing signed by two of its Directors, setting out the total number and aggregate nominal amount of the Notes of each Series issued which: (a) up to and including the date of such certificate have been purchased by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company and cancelled; and (b) are at the date of such certificate held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company; (xviii) procure its Subsidiaries to comply with all applicable provisions of Condition 6(g); (xix) procure that each of the Paying Agents makes available for inspection by Noteholders and Couponholders at its specified office copies of these presents, the Agency Agreement and the then latest audited balance sheet and profit and loss account (consolidated if applicable) of the Issuer; 25 |
(xx) if, in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions, interest in respect of the Notes becomes payable at the specified office of any Paying Agent in the United States of America promptly give notice thereof to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13; (xxi) give prior notice to the Trustee of any proposed redemption pursuant to Condition 6(b) or 6(c) and, if it shall have given notice to the Noteholders of its intention to redeem any Notes pursuant to Condition 6(c), duly proceed to make drawings (if appropriate) and to redeem Notes accordingly; (xxii) promptly provide the Trustee with copies of all supplements and/or amendments and/or restatements of the Programme Agreement; (xxiii) give to the Trustee at the same time as sending to it the certificates referred to in paragraph (vii) above, a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer addressed to the Trustee (with a form and content satisfactory to the Trustee) listing those Subsidiaries of the Issuer which as at the last day of the most recently ended financial year of the Issuer were Principal Subsidiaries for the purposes of Condition 9; (xxiv) give to the Trustee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the acquisition or disposal of any company which thereby becomes or ceases to be a Principal Subsidiary or after any transfer is made to any Subsidiary of the Issuer which thereby becomes a Principal Subsidiary or after any Subsidiary becomes or ceases to be a Principal Subsidiary by virtue of paragraph (d) of the definition of Principal Subsidiary, a certificate by one Director and either the Company Secretary or the Director of Treasury and Risk of the Issuer addressed to the Trustee (with a form and content satisfactory to the Trustee) to such effect; (xxv) notify the Trustee of any change to the rating of the Notes or the Issuer; (xxvi) upon due surrender in accordance with the Conditions, pay the face value of all Coupons (including Coupons issued in exchange for Talons) appertaining to all Notes purchased by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer; (xxvii) use its reasonable endeavours to procure that Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (as the case may be) issue(s) any certificate or other document requested by the Trustee under Clause 3(F) as soon as practicable after such request; (xxviii) following the receipt of a request from the Trustee for a determination as to the source and character for U.S. federal income tax purposes of any payment to be made by it pursuant to this Trust Deed, the Notes or the Agency Agreement to enable the Trustee to determine whether or not it is obliged, in respect of any payments to be made by it hereunder or under the Notes or the Agency Agreement, to make any FATCA Withholding, to use reasonable efforts to make such determination and to notify the Trustee the outcome of such determination; and (xxix) upon request from the Trustee, the Issuer shall provide to the Trustee, and consents to the collection and processing by the Trustee of, any authorisations, waivers, forms, documentation and other information relating to its status (or the status of its direct or indirect owners or Noteholders) or otherwise (to the extent available to it) which in the opinion of the Trustee is required to be reported or provided under FATCA ("FATCA Information"). The Issuer further consents to the disclosure, transfer and reporting of such FATCA Information to any relevant government or taxing authority, any member of the Trustee's group, any sub-contractors, agents, service providers or associates of the 26 |
Trustee’s group, and any person making payments to the Trustee or a member of the Trustee's group, including transfers to jurisdictions which do not have strict data protection or similar laws, to the extent that the Trustee determines that such disclosure, transfer or reporting is necessary or warranted to facilitate compliance with FATCA. The Issuer agrees to inform the Trustee promptly, and in any event, within 30 calendar days in writing if there are any changes to the FATCA Information supplied to the Trustee from time to time. The Issuer warrants that each person whose FATCA Information it provides (or has provided) to the Trustee has been given such information, and has given such consent, as may be necessary to permit the collection, processing, disclosure, transfer and reporting of their information as set out in this Clause 13(xxix). 14. REMUNERATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE (A) The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee, by way of remuneration for its services as trustee of these presents, such amount as shall be agreed from time to time by exchange of letters between the Issuer and the Trustee. Such remuneration shall accrue from day to day and be payable (in priority to payments to Noteholders and Couponholders) up to and including the date when, all the Notes having become due for redemption, the redemption moneys and interest thereon to the date of redemption have been paid to the Agent or the Trustee PROVIDED THAT if upon due presentation of any Note or Coupon or any cheque payment of the moneys due in respect thereof is improperly withheld or refused, remuneration will be deemed not to have ceased to accrue and will continue to accrue until payment to such Noteholder or Couponholder is duly made. (B) In the event of the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or the Trustee considering it expedient or necessary or being requested by the Issuer to undertake duties which the Trustee and the Issuer agree to be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee such additional remuneration as shall be agreed between them. (C) The Issuer shall in addition pay to the Trustee an amount equal to the amount of any value added tax or similar tax chargeable in respect of its remuneration under these presents. (D) In the event of the Trustee and the Issuer failing to agree: (1) (in a case to which sub-clause (A) above applies) upon the amount of the remuneration; or (2) (in a case to which sub-clause (B) above applies) upon whether such duties shall be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents, or upon such additional remuneration, such matters shall be determined by a person (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Trustee and approved by the Issuer or, failing such approval, nominated (on the application of the Trustee) by the President for the time being of The Law Society of England and Wales (the expenses involved in such nomination and the fees of such person being payable by the Issuer) and the determination of any such person shall be final and binding upon the Trustee and the Issuer. (E) The Issuer shall also pay or discharge all Liabilities and fees incurred by the Trustee in relation to the preparation and execution of the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under, and in any other manner in relation to, these presents and the Agency Agreement, including but not limited to reasonable legal and travelling expenses and any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other taxes or duties paid or payable by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee for enforcing, or 27 |
resolving any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents and the Agency Agreement. (F) All amounts payable pursuant to sub-clause (E) above and/or Clause 15(J) shall be payable by the Issuer on the date specified in a demand by the Trustee and in the case of payments actually made by the Trustee prior to such demand shall (if not paid within three days after such demand and the Trustee so requires) carry interest at the rate of three per cent. per annum above the Base Rate from time to time of HSBC Bank plc from the date specified in such demand, and in all other cases shall (if not paid on the date specified in such demand or, if later, within three days after such demand and, in either case, the Trustee so requires) carry interest at such rate from the date specified in such demand. All remuneration payable to the Trustee shall carry interest at such rate from the due date therefor. (G) Unless otherwise specifically stated in any discharge of these presents the provisions of this Clause and Clause 15(J) shall continue in full force and effect in relation to the period during which the Trustee was trustee of these presents notwithstanding such discharge. (H) The Trustee shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to determine in respect of which Series of Notes any Liabilities incurred under these presents have been incurred or to allocate any such Liabilities between the Notes of any Series. 15. SUPPLEMENT TO TRUSTEE ACTS Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Trustee in relation to the trusts constituted by these presents. Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Acts and the provisions of these presents, the provisions of these presents shall, to the extent allowed by law, prevail and, in the case of any such inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of these presents shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act. The Trustee shall have all the powers conferred upon trustees by the Trustee Acts and by way of supplement thereto it is expressly declared as follows: (A) The Trustee may in relation to these presents act on the advice or opinion of or report or any information obtained from any lawyer, valuer, accountant (including the Auditors), surveyor, banker, broker, auctioneer or other expert whether obtained by the Issuer, the Trustee or otherwise whether or not addressed to the Trustee, or any engagement letter or other related document, which contains a monetary or other limit on liability or limits the scope and/or basis of such advice, opinion, report or information and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned by so acting. (B) Any such advice, opinion or information may be sent or obtained by letter, telex, telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or cable and the Trustee shall not be liable for acting on any advice, opinion or information purporting to be conveyed by any such letter, telex, telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or cable although the same shall contain some error or shall not be authentic. (C) The Trustee may call for and shall be at liberty to accept as sufficient evidence of any fact or matter or the expediency of any transaction or thing a certificate signed by two of the Directors of the Issuer or two authorised signatories of any other party and the Trustee shall not be bound in any such case to call for further evidence or be responsible for any Liability that may be occasioned by it or any other person acting on such certificate. (D) The Trustee shall be at liberty to hold these presents and any other documents relating thereto or to deposit them in any part of the world with any banker or banking 28 |
company or company whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of documents or lawyer or firm of lawyers considered by the Trustee to be of good repute and the Trustee shall not be responsible for or required to insure against any Liability incurred in connection with any such holding or deposit and may pay all sums required to be paid on account of or in respect of any such deposit. (E) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the receipt or application of the proceeds of the issue of any of the Notes by the Issuer, the exchange of any Global Note for another Global Note or Definitive Notes or the delivery of any Global Note or Definitive Notes to the person(s) entitled to it or them. (F) The Trustee shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution of any documents comprised or referred to in these presents or to take any steps to ascertain whether any Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to these presents to the contrary, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that no Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event has occurred and that the Issuer is observing and performing all its obligations under these presents. (G) Save as expressly otherwise provided in these presents, the Trustee shall have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents (the exercise or non-exercise of which as between the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders) and shall not be responsible for any Liability which may result from their exercise or non-exercise. (H) The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having acted upon any Extraordinary Resolution in writing or any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution purporting to have been passed at any meeting of the holders of Notes of all or any Series in respect whereof minutes have been made and signed or any direction or request of the holders of the Notes of all or any Series even though subsequent to its acting it may be found that there was some defect in the constitution of the meeting or the passing of the resolution, (in the case of an Extraordinary Resolution in writing) that not all such holders had signed the Extraordinary Resolution or (in the case of a direction or request) it was not signed by the requisite number of holders) or that for any reason the resolution, direction or request was not valid or binding upon such holders and the relative Couponholders. (I) The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any Note or Coupon purporting to be such and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic. (J) Without prejudice to the right of indemnity by law given to trustees, the Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee and every Appointee and keep it or him indemnified against all Liabilities to which it or he may be or become subject or which may be incurred by it or him in the negotiation and preparation of these presents and the Agency Agreement and in the execution or purported execution of any of its or his duties, rights, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents and the Agency Agreement or its or his functions under any such appointment or in respect of any other matter or thing done or omitted in any way relating to these presents or any such appointment (including, without limitation, Liabilities incurred in disputing or defending any of the foregoing). 29 |
(K) Any consent or approval given by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents may be given on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee thinks fit and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents may be given retrospectively. (L) The Trustee shall not (unless and to the extent ordered so to do by a court of competent jurisdiction) be required to disclose to any Noteholder or Couponholder any information (including, without limitation, information of a confidential, financial or price sensitive nature) made available to the Trustee by the Issuer or any other person in connection with these presents and no Holder or Couponholder shall be entitled to take any action to obtain from the Trustee any such information. (M) Where it is necessary or desirable for any purpose in connection with these presents to convert any sum from one currency to another it shall (unless otherwise provided by these presents or required by law) be converted at such rate or rates, in accordance with such method and as at such date for the determination of such rate of exchange, as may be agreed by the Trustee in consultation with the Issuer and any rate, method and date so agreed shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (N) The Trustee may certify whether or not any of the conditions, events and acts set out in paragraphs (ii) to (viii) (both inclusive) (other than (iv) in relation to the Issuer) of Condition 9(a) (each of which conditions, events and acts shall, unless in any case the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, for all the purposes of these presents be deemed to include the circumstances resulting therein and the consequences resulting therefrom) is in its opinion materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and any such certificate shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (O) The Trustee as between itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders may determine all questions and doubts arising in relation to any of the provisions of these presents. Every such determination, whether or not relating in whole or in part to the acts or proceedings of the Trustee, shall be conclusive and shall bind the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (P) In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities or discretions under these presents (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 7 and/or any undertaking given in addition thereto or in substitution therefor under these presents. (Q) Any trustee of these presents being a lawyer, accountant, broker or other person engaged in any profession or business shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual and proper professional and other charges for business transacted and acts done by him or his firm in connection with the trusts of these presents and also his reasonable charges in addition to disbursements for all other work and business done and all time 30 |
spent by him or his firm in connection with matters arising in connection with these presents. (R) The Trustee may whenever it thinks fit delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or persons or fluctuating body of persons (whether being a joint trustee of these presents or not) all or any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents. Such delegation may be made upon such terms (including power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions and regulations as the Trustee may in the interests of the Noteholders think fit. The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such delegate or sub-delegate or be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate. The Trustee shall within a reasonable time after any such delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof give notice thereof to the Issuer. (S) The Trustee may in the conduct of the trusts of these presents instead of acting personally employ and pay an agent (whether being a lawyer or other professional person) to transact or conduct, or concur in transacting or conducting, any business and to do, or concur in doing, all acts required to be done in connection with these presents (including the receipt and payment of money). The Trustee shall not be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such agent or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such agent. (T) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto and shall not be liable for any failure to obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, performance, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto. (U) Any certificate or report of the Auditors called for by or provided to the Trustee in accordance with or for the purposes of these presents may be relied upon by the Trustee as sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein whether or not such certificate or report and/or any engagement letter or other document entered into by the Trustee in connection therewith contains a monetary or other limit on the liability of the Auditors or such other person in respect thereof. (V) Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under these presents, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. (W) Nothing contained in these presents shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion hereunder if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. 31 |
(X) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by any officer or employee of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters. (Y) The Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to the Issuer, any Noteholder or Couponholder or any other person for the maintenance of or failure to maintain any rating of any of the Notes by any rating agency. (Z) Notwithstanding anything in these presents or the Agency Agreement to the contrary, the Trustee shall not do, or be authorised or required to do, anything which might constitute a regulated activity for the purpose of the FSMA, unless it is authorised under the FSMA to do so. The Trustee shall have the discretion at any time: (i) to delegate any of the functions which fall to be performed by an authorised person under the FSMA to any other agent or person which also has the necessary authorisations and licences; and (ii) to apply for authorisation under the FSMA and perform any or all such functions itself if, in its absolute discretion, it considers it necessary, desirable or appropriate to do so. (AA) Nothing in this Trust Deed shall require the Trustee to assume an obligation of the Issuer arising under any provisions of the listing, prospectus, disclosure or transparency rules (or equivalent rules of any other competent authority besides the Irish Stock Exchange). (BB) In relation to any discretion to be exercised or action to be taken by the Trustee under these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee may, at its discretion and without further notice or shall, if it has been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders then outstanding or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of such Notes, exercise such discretion or take such action, provided that, in either case, the Trustee shall not be obliged to exercise such discretion or take such action unless it shall have been indemnified, secured and/or prefunded to its satisfaction against all liabilities and provided that the Trustee shall not be held liable for the consequences of exercising its discretion or taking any such action and may do so without having regard to the effect of such action on individual Noteholders and Couponholders. (CC) Notwithstanding anything else contained in these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee may refrain from doing anything which would or might in its opinion be contrary to any law of any jurisdiction or any directive or regulation of any agency of any state or which would or might otherwise render it liable to any person and may do anything which is, in its opinion, necessary to comply with any such law, directive or regulation. (DD) The Trustee shall be entitled to deduct FATCA Withholding and shall have no obligation to gross-up any payment hereunder or to pay any additional amount as a result of such FATCA Withholding. 32 |
16. TRUSTEE'S LIABILITY (a) Subject to sections 750 and 751 of the Companies Act 2006 (if applicable) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee shall not be liable to any person for any matter or thing done or omitted in any way in connection with or in relation to theses presents or the Agency Agreement save in relation to its breach of trust having regard to the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement conferring on it any trusts, powers, authorities or discretions. (b) Any liability of the Trustee arising under these presents or the Agency Agreement shall be limited to the amount of actual loss suffered (such loss shall be determined as at the date of default of the Trustee or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Trustee at the time of entering into these presents or the Agency Agreement or at the time of accepting any relevant instructions, which increase the amount of the loss. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive or consequential damages, whether or not the Trustee has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages. 17. TRUSTEE CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER Neither the Trustee nor any director or officer or holding company, Subsidiary or associated company of a corporation acting as a trustee under these presents shall by reason of its or his fiduciary position be in any way precluded from: (i) entering into or being interested in any contract or financial or other transaction or arrangement with the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated with the Issuer (including without limitation any contract, transaction or arrangement of a banking or insurance nature or any contract, transaction or arrangement in relation to the making of loans or the provision of financial facilities or financial advice to, or the purchase, placing or underwriting of or the subscribing or procuring subscriptions for or otherwise acquiring, holding or dealing with, or acting as paying agent in respect of, the Notes or any other notes, bonds, stocks, shares, debenture stock, debentures or other securities of, the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated as aforesaid); or (ii) accepting or holding the trusteeship of any other trust deed constituting or securing any other securities issued by or relating to the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated or any other office of profit under the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated, and shall be entitled to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such contract, transaction or arrangement as is referred to in (i) above or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship or office of profit as is referred to in (ii) above without regard to the interests of the Noteholders and notwithstanding that the same may be contrary or prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned to the Noteholders thereby and shall be entitled to retain and shall not be in any way liable to account for any profit made or share of brokerage or commission or remuneration or other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. 33 |
Where any holding company, Subsidiary or associated company of the Trustee or any director or officer of the Trustee acting other than in his capacity as such a director or officer has any information, the Trustee shall not thereby be deemed also to have knowledge of such information and, unless it shall have actual knowledge of such information, shall not be responsible for any loss suffered by Noteholders resulting from the Trustee's failing to take such information into account in acting or refraining from acting under or in relation to these presents. 18. WAIVER, AUTHORISATION AND DETERMINATION (A) The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders and without prejudice to its rights in respect of any subsequent breach, Event of Default or Potential Event of Default from time to time and at any time but only if and in so far as in its opinion the interests of the Noteholders shall not be materially prejudiced thereby waive or authorise any breach or proposed breach by the Issuer of any of the covenants or provisions contained in these presents or determine that any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such for the purposes of these presents PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT the Trustee shall not exercise any powers conferred on it by this Clause in contravention of any express direction given by Extraordinary Resolution or by a request under Condition 9 but so that no such direction or request shall affect any waiver, authorisation or determination previously given or made. Any such waiver, authorisation or determination may be given or made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, if, but only if, the Trustee shall so require, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. MODIFICATION (B) The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders at any time and from time to time concur with the Issuer in making any modification (i) to these presents which in the opinion of the Trustee it may be proper to make PROVIDED THAT the Trustee is of the opinion that such modification will not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders or (ii) to these presents if in the opinion of the Trustee such modification is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or an error which is, in the opinion of the Trustee, proven. Any such modification may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding upon the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, unless the Trustee agrees otherwise, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. BREACH (C) Any breach of or failure to comply by the Issuer with any such terms and conditions as are referred to in sub-clauses (A) and (B) of this Clause shall constitute a default by the Issuer in the performance or observance of a covenant or provision binding on it under or pursuant to these presents. SUBSTITUTION (D) (1) (a) The Trustee may without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders at any time agree with the Issuer, to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) as the principal debtor under these presents of another company, being a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a parent undertaking of the Issuer (such substituted company being hereinafter called the “New Company”) provided that a trust deed is executed or some other form of undertaking is given by the New Company in form and manner 34 |
satisfactory to the Trustee, agreeing to be bound by the provisions of these presents with any consequential amendments which the Trustee may deem appropriate as fully as if the New Company had been named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) and provided further that the Issuer unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees all amounts payable under these presents to the satisfaction of the Trustee. (b) The following further conditions shall apply to (1) above: (i) the Issuer and the New Company shall comply with such other requirements as the Trustee may direct in the interests of the Noteholders; (ii) where the New Company is incorporated, domiciled or resident in, or subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of, a territory other than or in addition to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, undertakings or covenants shall be given by the New Company in terms corresponding to the provisions of Condition 7 with the substitution for (or, as the case may be, the addition to) the references to the United Kingdom of references to that other or additional territory in which the New Company is incorporated, domiciled or resident or to whose taxing jurisdiction it is subject and (where applicable) Condition 6(b) shall be modified accordingly; (iii) without prejudice to the rights of reliance of the Trustee under the immediately following paragraph (iv), the Trustee is satisfied that the relevant transaction is not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders; and (iv) if two Directors of the New Company (or other officers acceptable to the Trustee) shall certify that the New Company is solvent both at the time at which the relevant transaction is proposed to be effected and immediately thereafter (which certificate the Trustee may rely upon absolutely) the Trustee shall not be under any duty to have regard to the financial condition, profits or prospects of the New Company or to compare the same with those of the Issuer or the previous substitute under this Clause as applicable. (2) Any such trust deed or undertaking shall, if so expressed, operate to release the Issuer or the previous substitute as aforesaid from all of its obligations as principal debtor under these presents. Not later than 14 days after the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall give notice thereof in a form previously approved by the Trustee to the Noteholders in the manner provided in Condition 13. Upon the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall be deemed to be named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or in place of the previous substitute under this Clause) under these presents and these presents shall be deemed to be modified in such manner as shall be necessary to give effect to the above provisions and, without limitation, references in these presents to the Issuer shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to be or include references to the New Company. 35 |
19. HOLDER OF DEFINITIVE NOTE ASSUMED TO BE COUPONHOLDER (A) Wherever in these presents the Trustee is required or entitled to exercise a power, trust, authority or discretion under these presents, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by applicable law, the Trustee shall, notwithstanding that it may have express notice to the contrary, assume that each Noteholder is the holder of all Coupons appertaining to each Definitive Note of which he is the holder. NO NOTICE TO COUPONHOLDERS (B) Neither the Trustee nor the Issuer shall be required to give any notice to the Couponholders for any purpose under these presents and the Couponholders shall be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the holders of Notes in accordance with Condition 13. 20. CURRENCY INDEMNITY The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee, every Appointee, the Noteholders and the Couponholders and keep them indemnified against: (a) any Liability incurred by any of them arising from the non-payment by the Issuer of any amount due to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes and the relative Couponholders under these presents by reason of any variation in the rates of exchange between those used for the purposes of calculating the amount due under a judgment or order in respect thereof and those prevailing at the date of actual payment by the Issuer; and (b) any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the local currency equivalent of the amounts due or contingently due under these presents (other than this Clause) is calculated for the purposes of any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer and (ii) the final date for ascertaining the amount of claims in such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The amount of such deficiency shall be deemed not to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any distribution of assets in connection with any such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The above indemnities shall constitute obligations of the Issuer separate and independent from their other obligations under the other provisions of these presents and shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by the Trustee or the Noteholders or the Couponholders from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the judgment or filing of any proof or proofs in any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer for a liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due under these presents (other than this Clause). Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Noteholders and the Couponholders and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuer or its or their liquidator or liquidators. 21. NEW TRUSTEE (A) The power to appoint a new trustee of these presents shall be vested solely in the Issuer but no person shall be appointed who shall not previously have been approved by an Extraordinary Resolution. One or more persons may hold office as trustee or trustees of these presents but such trustee or trustees shall be or include a Trust Corporation. Whenever there shall be more than two trustees of these presents the majority of such trustees shall be competent to execute and exercise all the duties, powers, trusts, authorities and discretions vested in the Trustee by these presents PROVIDED THAT a Trust Corporation shall be included in such majority. 36 |
Any appointment of a new trustee of these presents shall as soon as practicable thereafter be notified by the Issuer to the Agent and the Noteholders. SEPARATE AND CO-TRUSTEES (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-clause (A) above, the Trustee may, upon giving prior notice to the Issuer (but without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or Couponholders), appoint any person established or resident in any jurisdiction (whether a Trust Corporation or not) to act either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with the Trustee: (i) if the Trustee considers such appointment to be in the interests of the Noteholders; (ii) for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirements, restrictions or conditions in any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts is or are to be performed; or (iii) for the purposes of obtaining a judgment in any jurisdiction or the enforcement in any jurisdiction of either a judgment already obtained or any of the provisions of these presents against the Issuer. The Issuer irrevocably appoints the Trustee to be its attorney in its name and on its behalf to execute any such instrument of appointment. Such a person shall (subject always to the provisions of these presents) have such trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those conferred on the Trustee by these presents) and such duties and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment. The Trustee shall have power in like manner to remove any such person. Such reasonable remuneration as the Trustee may pay to any such person, together with any attributable Liabilities incurred by it in performing its function as such separate trustee or co-trustee, shall for the purposes of these presents be treated as Liabilities incurred by the Trustee. 22. TRUSTEE'S RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL A trustee of these presents may retire at any time on giving not less than three months' prior written notice to the Issuer without giving any reason and without being responsible for any Liabilities incurred by reason of such retirement. The Noteholders may by Extraordinary Resolution remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. The Issuer undertakes that in the event of the only trustee of these presents which is a Trust Corporation giving notice under this Clause or being removed by Extraordinary Resolution it will use its best endeavours to procure that a new trustee of these presents being a Trust Corporation is appointed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The retiring trustee may appoint a successor trustee if the Issuer has not done so within the notice period. The retirement or removal of any such trustee shall not become effective until a successor trustee being a Trust Corporation is appointed. 23. TRUSTEE'S POWERS TO BE ADDITIONAL The powers conferred upon the Trustee by these presents shall be in addition to any powers which may from time to time be vested in the Trustee by the general law or as a holder of any of the Notes or Coupons. 24. NOTICES Any notice or demand to the Issuer or the Trustee to be given, made or served for any purposes under these presents shall be given, made or served by sending the same by pre-paid post (first class if inland, first class airmail if overseas) or facsimile transmission or by delivering it by hand as follows: 37 |
to the Issuer: Rentokil Initial plc Riverbank Meadows Business Park Blackwater Camberley Surrey GU17 9AB United Kingdom (Attention: Company Secretary) Facsimile No. (020) 7866 3803 to the Trustee: HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ (Attention: CTLA Trustee Services Administration) Facsimile No. (020) 7991 4350 or to such other address or facsimile number as shall have been notified (in accordance with this Clause) to the other party hereto and any notice or demand sent by post as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served three days in the case of inland post or seven days in the case of overseas post after despatch and any notice or demand sent by facsimile transmission as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served 24 hours after the time of despatch PROVIDED THAT in the case of a notice or demand given by facsimile transmission such notice or demand shall forthwith be confirmed by post. The failure of the addressee to receive such confirmation shall not invalidate the relevant notice or demand given by facsimile transmission. 25. GOVERNING LAW These presents and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection to them are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. 26. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 A person who is not a party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. 27. COUNTERPARTS This Trust Deed and any trust deed supplemental hereto may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same deed and any party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto may enter into the same by executing and delivering a counterpart. IN WITNESS whereof this Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date first stated on page 1. 38 |
THE FIRST SCHEDULE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES This Note is one of a Series (as defined below) of Notes issued by Rentokil Initial plc (the Issuer) constituted by a Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005, as most recently supplemented on 11 March 2016 (as further amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the Trust Deed) made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (the Trustee, which expression shall include any successor as Trustee). References herein to the Notes shall be references to the Notes of this Series only and not to all Notes that may be issued under the Programme and shall mean: (i) in relation to any Notes represented by a global Note (a Global Note), units of each Specified Denomination in the Specified Currency; (ii) any Global Note; and (iii) any definitive Notes issued in exchange for a Global Note. The Notes and the Coupons (as defined below) have the benefit of an Agency Agreement dated 9 December 2005, as most recently amended and restated on 11 March 2016 (as further amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the Agency Agreement) and made between the Issuer, HSBC Bank plc as issuing and principal paying agent and agent bank (the Agent, which expression shall include any successor agent), the Trustee and the other paying agents named therein (together with the Agent, the Paying Agents, which expression shall include any additional or successor paying agents). Interest-bearing definitive Notes have interest coupons (the Coupons) and, in the case of Notes which (when issued in definitive form) have more than 27 interest payments remaining, talons for further Coupons (the Talons) attached on issue. Any reference herein to Coupons or coupons shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to Talons or talons. Global Notes do not have Coupons or Talons attached on issue. The final terms for this Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are set out in Part A of the Pricing Supplement attached to or endorsed on this Note. References to the applicable Pricing Supplement are to Part A of the Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof) attached to or endorsed on this Note. The Trustee acts for the benefit of the holders for the time being of the Notes (the Noteholders, which expression shall, in relation to any Notes represented by a Global Note, be construed as provided below) and the holders of the Coupons (the Couponholders, which expression shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include the holders of the Talons), in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Deed. As used herein, Tranche means Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) and Series means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series; and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices. 39 |
Copies of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement are available for inspection free of charge during normal business hours at the office for the time being of the Agent. Copies of the applicable Pricing Supplement are available for viewing at, and copies may be obtained from, the registered office of the Issuer at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 9AB, United Kingdom by Noteholders holding one or more Notes provided that such Noteholders produce evidence satisfactory to the Issuer and the relevant Paying Agent as to its holding of such Notes and identity. The Noteholders and the Couponholders are deemed to have notice of, and are entitled to the benefit of, all the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement and the applicable Pricing Supplement which are applicable to them. The statements in these Terms and Conditions (the Conditions) include summaries of, and are subject to, the detailed provisions of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement. Words and expressions defined in the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Pricing Supplement shall have the same meanings where used in these Conditions unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement, the Trust Deed will prevail and, in the event of any inconsistency between the Trust Deed or the Agency Agreement and the applicable Pricing Supplement, the applicable Pricing Supplement will prevail. In these Conditions, euro means the currency introduced at the start of the third stage of European economic and monetary union as defined in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro. 1. FORM, DENOMINATION AND TITLE The Notes are in bearer form and, in the case of definitive Notes, serially numbered, in the currency (the Specified Currency) and the denomination(s) (the Specified Denomination(s)) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Notes of one Specified Denomination may not be exchanged for Notes of another Specified Denomination. This Note may be a Fixed Rate Note, a Floating Rate Note, a Zero Coupon Note or a combination of any of the foregoing, depending upon the Interest Basis shown in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Definitive Notes are issued with Coupons attached, unless they are Zero Coupon Notes in which case references to Coupons and Couponholders in these Conditions are not applicable. Subject as set out below, title to the Notes and Coupons will pass by delivery. The Issuer, the Paying Agents and the Trustee will (except as otherwise required by law) deem and treat the bearer of any Note or Coupon as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) for all purposes and shall incur no liability for so doing but, in the case of any Global Note, without prejudice to the provisions set out in the next succeeding paragraph. For so long as any of the Notes is represented by a Global Note held on behalf of Euroclear Bank SA/NV (Euroclear) and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. (Clearstream, Luxembourg), each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or of Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of such Notes (in which regard any certificate or other document 40 |
issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Paying Agents and the Trustee as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, for which purpose the bearer of the relevant Global Note shall be treated by the Issuer, any Paying Agent and the Trustee as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in accordance with and subject to the terms of the relevant Global Note and the expressions Noteholder and holder of Notes and related expressions shall be construed accordingly. In determining whether a particular person is the holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes as aforesaid, the Trustee may rely on such evidence and/or information and/or certification as it shall, in its absolute discretion, think fit and, if it does so rely, such evidence and/or information and/or certification shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all concerned. Notes which are represented by a Global Note will be transferable only in accordance with the rules and procedures for the time being of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be. References to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include a reference to any additional or alternative clearing system specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or as may otherwise be approved by the Issuer, the Agent and the Trustee. 2. STATUS OF THE NOTES The Notes (and the Coupons relating thereto) constitute direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and (subject to the provisions of Condition 3) unsecured obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu among themselves and (subject as aforesaid and save for certain obligations required to be preferred by law) equally with all other unsecured obligations (other than subordinated obligations, if any) of the Issuer, from time to time outstanding. 3. NEGATIVE PLEDGE For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer will not, and will procure that no Subsidiary (which expression shall, in these Conditions (unless the context otherwise expressly provides), mean a subsidiary as defined in Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) of the Issuer will, create or permit to subsist any mortgage, lien, pledge or other charge (each a Security Interest) upon, or with respect to, any of its present or future business, undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital) to secure any existing or future Relevant Indebtedness of any person or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect thereof, unless the Issuer shall, simultaneously with, or prior to, the creation of such Security Interest take any and all action necessary to procure that all amounts payable by the Issuer under the Notes and the Trust Deed are secured equally and rateably by such Security Interest to the satisfaction of the Trustee or such other security or other arrangement is provided as the Trustee shall in its absolute discretion deem not materially less beneficial to the Noteholders or as shall be approved by an Extraordinary Resolution (as defined in the Trust Deed) of the Noteholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer or any Subsidiary may create or have outstanding a Security Interest in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness and/or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect thereof as aforesaid (without the obligation to provide a Security Interest or such other security or other arrangement in respect of the Notes and the Trust Deed as aforesaid) where such Security Interest is provided by or in respect of a company 41 |
becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of Notes and where such Security Interest exists at the time that company becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer (provided that such Security Interest was not created in contemplation of that company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer and the principal amount secured at the time of that company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer is not subsequently increased). For the purposes of this Condition 3, Relevant Indebtedness means any of the Notes and, otherwise, any loan or other indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented by, any bonds, notes, depositary receipts or other securities having an original maturity of more than one year from its date of issue and for the time being, by agreement with the issuer thereof, quoted, listed (or capable of being quoted or listed) or dealt in on any stock exchange and/or quotation system or by any listing authority or other recognised securities market provided that such definition shall exclude any such indebtedness in existence before 14 November 2001 which has the benefit of a Security Interest created by the Issuer or any Subsidiary and which is no greater than £10,000,000 when aggregated with all other then existing such indebtedness. 4. INTEREST (a) Interest on Fixed Rate Notes Each Fixed Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date at the rate(s) per annum equal to the Rate(s) of Interest. Interest will be payable in arrear on the Interest Payment Date(s) in each year up to (and including) the Maturity Date. If the Notes are in definitive form, except as provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the amount of interest payable on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the Fixed Interest Period ending on (but excluding) such date will amount to the Fixed Coupon Amount. Payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date will, if so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, amount to the Broken Amount so specified. As used in these Conditions, Fixed Interest Period means the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date. Except in the case of Notes in definitive form where an applicable Fixed Coupon Amount or Broken Amount is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest shall be calculated in respect of any period by applying the Rate of Interest to: (A) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes represented by such Global Note; or (B) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount; and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Fixed Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Fixed Rate Note shall be the product of 42 |
the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination without any further rounding. In these Conditions: Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(a): (i) if “Actual/Actual (ICMA)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement: (a) in the case of Notes where the number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (the Accrual Period) is equal to or shorter than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the number of days in such Accrual Period divided by the product of (1) the number of days in such Determination Period and (2) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that would occur in one calendar year; or (b) in the case of Notes where the Accrual Period is longer than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the sum of: (1) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the Determination Period in which the Accrual Period begins divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that would occur in one calendar year; and (2) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the next Determination Period divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates that would occur in one calendar year; and (ii) if “30/360” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (such number of days being calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months) divided by 360. Determination Period means each period from (and including) a Determination Date to (but excluding) the next Determination Date (including, where either the Interest Commencement Date or the final Interest Payment Date is not a Determination Date, the period commencing on the first Determination Date prior to, and ending on the first Determination Date falling after, such date); and sub-unit means, with respect to any currency other than euro, the lowest amount of such currency that is available as legal tender in the country of such currency and, with respect to euro, means one cent. 43 |
(b) Interest on Floating Rate Notes (i) Interest Payment Dates Each Floating Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date and such interest will be payable in arrear on either: (A) the Specified Interest Payment Date(s) in each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; or (B) if no Specified Interest Payment Date(s) is/are specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each date (each such date, together with each Specified Interest Payment Date, an Interest Payment Date) which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement after the preceding Interest Payment Date or, in the case of the first Interest Payment Date, after the Interest Commencement Date. Such interest will be payable in respect of each Interest Period (which expression shall, in these Conditions, mean the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date). If a Business Day Convention is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement and (x) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which an Interest Payment Date should occur; or (y) if any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day, then, if the Business Day Convention specified is: (1) in any case where Specified Periods are specified in accordance with Condition 4(b)(i)(B), the Floating Rate Convention, such Interest Payment Date (i) in the case of (x) above, shall be the last day that is a Business Day in the relevant month and the provisions of (II) below shall apply mutatis mutandis or (ii) in the case of (y) above, shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event (A) such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day and (B) each subsequent Interest Payment Date shall be the last Business Day in the month which falls the Specified Period after the preceding applicable Interest Payment Date occurred; (2) the Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day; (3) the Modified Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day; or (4) the Preceding Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be brought 44 |
forward to the immediately preceding Business Day. In these Conditions, Business Day means a day which is both: (I) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London and each Additional Business Centre specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (II) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (if other than London and any Additional Business Centre and which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the Trans- European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (the TARGET2 System) is open. (ii) Rate of Interest The Rate of Interest payable from time to time in respect of Floating Rate Notes will be determined in the manner specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (A) ISDA Determination for Floating Rate Notes Where ISDA Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will be the relevant ISDA Rate plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the Margin (if any). For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(A), ISDA Rate for an Interest Period means a rate equal to the Floating Rate that would be determined by the Agent under an interest rate swap transaction if the Agent were acting as Calculation Agent for that swap transaction under the terms of an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions, as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. and as amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes (the ISDA Definitions) and under which: (1) the Floating Rate Option is as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; (2) the Designated Maturity is a period specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (3) the relevant Reset Date is, if the applicable Floating Rate Option is based on the London inter-bank offered rate (LIBOR) 45 |
or on the Euro-zone inter-bank offered rate (EURIBOR), the first day of that Interest Period. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(A), Floating Rate, Calculation Agent, Floating Rate Option, Designated Maturity and Reset Date have the meanings given to those terms in the ISDA Definitions. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Minimum Rate of Interest shall be deemed to be zero. (B) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will, subject as provided below, be either: (1) the offered quotation; or (2) the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations, (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate (being either LIBOR or EURIBOR, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) which appears or appear, as the case may be, on the Relevant Screen Page or such replacement page on that service which displays the information as at 11.00 a.m. (Relevant Financial Centre time) on the Interest Determination Date in question plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent. If five or more of such offered quotations are available on the Relevant Screen Page, the highest (or, if there is more than one such highest quotation, one only of such quotations) and the lowest (or, if there is more than one such lowest quotation, one only of such quotations) shall be disregarded by the Agent for the purpose of determining the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of such offered quotations. If the Relevant Screen Page is not available or if, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(i), no offered quotation appears or, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(ii), fewer than three offered quotations appear, in each case as at the Specified Time, the Agent shall request each of the Reference Banks to provide the Agent with its offered quotation (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate at approximately the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question. If two or more of the Reference Banks provide the Agent with offered quotations, the Rate of Interest for the Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent. 46 |
If on any Interest Determination Date one only or none of the Reference Banks provides the Agent with an offered quotation as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which the Agent determines as being the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the rates, as communicated to (and at the request of) the Agent by the Reference Banks or any two or more of them, at which such banks were offered, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate by leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any) or, if fewer than two of the Reference Banks provide the Agent with offered rates, the offered rate for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, or the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of the offered rates for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, at which, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, any one or more banks (which bank or banks is or are in the opinion of the Issuer suitable for the purpose) informs the Agent it is quoting to leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), provided that, if the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Rate of Interest shall be determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin relating to the relevant Interest Period in place of the Margin relating to that last preceding Interest Period). Reference Banks means, in the case of a determination of LIBOR, the principal London office of four major banks in the London inter- bank market and, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR, the principal Euro-zone office of four major banks in the Euro-zone inter- bank market, in each case selected by the Agent; Specified Time means 11.00 a.m. (London time, in the case of a determination of LIBOR, or Brussels time, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR). Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement the Minimum Rate of Interest shall be deemed to be zero. (iii) Minimum Rate of Interest and/or Maximum Rate of Interest If the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies a Minimum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of 47 |
Condition 4(b)(ii) is less than such Minimum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Minimum Rate of Interest. If the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies a Maximum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4(b)(ii) is greater than such Maximum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Maximum Rate of Interest. (iv) Determination of Rate of Interest and calculation of Interest Amounts The Agent, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, will at or as soon as practicable after each time at which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, determine the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period. The Agent will calculate the amount of interest (the Interest Amount) payable on the Floating Rate Notes for the relevant Interest Period by applying the Rate of Interest to: (A) in the case of Floating Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Notes represented by such Global Note; or (B) in the case of Floating Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount, and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Floating Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the Interest Amount payable in respect of such Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination, without any further rounding. Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(b): (I) if “Actual/Actual (ISDA)” or “Actual/Actual” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that Interest Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (A) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (B) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365); (II) if “Actual/365 (Fixed)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365; 48 |
[360 x (Y2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M2 - M1)] + (D2 - D1) 360 [360 x (Y2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M2 - M1)] + (D2 - D1) 360 (III) if “Actual/365 (Sterling)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 or, in the case of an Interest Payment Date falling in a leap year, 366; (IV) if “Actual/360” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360; (V) if “30/360”, “360/360” or “Bond Basis” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360 calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: “Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number is 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and “D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31 and D1 is greater than 29, in which case D2 will be 30; (VI) if “30E/360” or “Eurobond Basis” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360 calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: “Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; 49 |
[360 x (Y2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M2 - M1)] + (D2 - D1) 360 “Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and “D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D2 will be 30; and (VII) if “30E/360 (ISDA)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: “Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and “D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February but not the Maturity Date or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D2 will be 30. (v) Linear Interpolation 50 |
Where Linear Interpolation is specified as applicable in respect of an Interest Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be calculated by the Agent by straight line linear interpolation by reference to two rates based on the relevant Reference Rate (where Screen Rate Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Pricing Supplement) or the relevant Floating Rate Option (where ISDA Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Pricing Supplement), one of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the length of the relevant Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the length of the relevant Interest Period, provided however that if there is no rate available for a period of time next shorter or, as the case may be, next longer, then the Agent shall determine such rate at such time and by reference to such sources as it determines appropriate. Designated Maturity means, in relation to Screen Rate Determination, the period of time designated in the Reference Rate. (vi) Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts The Agent will cause the Rate of Interest and each Interest Amount for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date to be notified to the Issuer, the Trustee and each competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed, traded and/or quoted and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders as soon as possible after their determination but in no event later than the fourth London Business Day thereafter. Each Interest Amount and Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without prior notice in the event of an extension or shortening of the Interest Period. Any such amendment will be promptly notified to each competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any)on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed, traded and/or quoted and (in accordance with Condition 13) to the Noteholders. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(iv), the expression London Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London. (vii) Determination or Calculation by the Trustee If for any reason at any relevant time the Agent defaults in its obligations to determine the Rate of Interest or the Agent defaults in its obligation to calculate any Interest Amount in accordance with Condition 4(b)(ii)(A) or (B) (as the case may be) and in each case in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iv), the Trustee or a person appointed by the Trustee for the purpose in consultation with the Issuer (but without any liability accruing to the Trustee) shall determine the Rate of Interest at such rate as, in its absolute discretion (having such regard as it shall think fit to the foregoing provisions of this Condition 4(b), but subject always to any Minimum Rate of Interest or 51 |
Maximum Rate of Interest specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement), it shall deem fair and reasonable in all the circumstances or, as the case may be, the Trustee or a person appointed by the Trustee for the purpose in consultation with the Issuer (but without any liability accruing to the Trustee) shall calculate the Interest Amount(s) in such manner as it shall deem fair and reasonable in all the circumstances and each such determination or calculation shall be deemed to have been made by the Agent. (viii) Certificates to be final All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 4(b) and, whether by the Agent or, if applicable, the Trustee, shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith, manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Agent, the other Paying Agents and all Noteholders and Couponholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders shall attach to the Agent or, if applicable, the Trustee in connection with the exercise or non- exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provisions. (c) Accrual of interest Each Note (or in the case of the redemption of part only of a Note, that part only of such Note) will cease to bear interest (if any) from the date for its redemption unless, upon due presentation thereof, payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused. In such event, interest will continue to accrue as provided in the Trust Deed. (d) Adjustment of Rate of Interest for Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes If a Step Up Rating Change and/or Step Down Rating Change is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the following terms relating to the Rate of Interest for the Notes shall apply: (i) The Rate of Interest payable on the Notes will be subject to adjustment from time to time in the event of a Step Up Rating Change or a Step Down Rating Change, as the case may be. (ii) Subject to Conditions 4(d)(iv) and 4(d)(vii) below, from and including the first Interest Payment Date following the date of a Step Up Rating Change, if any, the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) payable on the Notes shall be increased by the Step Up Margin specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (iii) Subject to Conditions 4(d)(iv) and 4(d)(vii), in the event of a Step Down Rating Change following a Step Up Rating Change, with effect from and including the first Interest Payment Date following the date of such Step Down Rating Change, the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) payable on the Notes shall be decreased by the Step Up Margin back to the initial Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the initial Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes). 52 |
(iv) If a Step Up Rating Change and, subsequently, a Step Down Rating Change occur during the same Fixed Interest Period (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the same Interest Period (in the case of Floating Rate Notes), the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) on the Notes shall be neither increased nor decreased as a result of either such event. (v) The Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain credit ratings for its senior unsecured long-term debt from S&P. If, notwithstanding such reasonable efforts, S&P fails to or ceases to assign a credit rating to the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt, the Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain a credit rating of its senior unsecured long-term debt from a substitute rating agency that shall be a Statistical Rating Agency, and references in this Condition 4(d) to S&P or the credit ratings thereof shall be to such substitute rating agency or, as the case may be, the equivalent credit ratings thereof. (vi) The Issuer will cause the occurrence of a Step Up Rating Change or a Step Down Rating Change giving rise to an adjustment to the Rate of Interest payable on the Notes pursuant to this Condition 4(d) to be notified to the Trustee and the Agent and notice thereof to be published in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of such Step Up Rating Change or Step Down Rating Change, but in no event later than the fifth London Business Day thereafter. (vii) A Step Up Rating Change (if any) and a Step Down Rating Change (if any), may only occur once each during the term of the Notes and shall (subject to Condition 4(d)(iv)) give rise to an adjustment to the Rate of Interest payable on the Notes. (viii) If the rating designations employed by S&P are changed from those which are described in this Condition 4(d), or if a rating is procured from a Statistical Rating Agency and the rating designations employed by such Statistical Rating Agency are changed, the Issuer shall determine, with the agreement of the Trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) the rating designations of S&P or such Statistical Rating Agency as are most equivalent to the prior rating designations of S&P or such Statistical Rating Agency, as the case may be. (ix) The Trustee is under no obligation to ascertain whether a change in the rating assigned to the Notes by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency has occurred or whether there has been a failure or a ceasing by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency to assign a credit rating to the Issuer’s senior unsecured long- term debt and (until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to the Trust Deed to the contrary) the Trustee may assume that no such change to the credit rating assigned to the Notes has occurred or no such failure or ceasing by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency has occurred. In these Conditions: Additional Rating Agency means a Statistical Rating Agency that at any time provides a solicited rating to the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt obligations; 53 |
S&P means Standard and Poor’s Credit Market Services Europe Limited, or its successor, established in the European Union and registered under Regulation (EC) No. 1060/2009 (as amended); Statistical Rating Agency means Fitch Ratings Ltd. (Fitch) or Moody’s Investors Service Ltd. (Moody’s) or their respective successors or such other rating agency the Trustee may approve, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; Step Down Rating Change means the first public announcement after a Step Up Rating Change by S&P or an Additional Rating Agency of an increase in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt with the result that (following such public announcement(s)) the Issuer’s senior unsecured debt is rated BBB- or higher by S&P or a rating equivalent to BBB- or higher by an Additional Rating Agency. For the avoidance of doubt, any further increases in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt above BBB- (in the case of S&P) or above a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency) shall not constitute a Step Down Rating Change; and Step Up Rating Change means the first public announcement by S&P or an Additional Rating Agency of a decrease in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt to below BBB- (in the case of S&P) or below a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency). For the avoidance of doubt, any further decrease in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long- term debt from below BBB- (in the case of S&P) or below a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency) shall not constitute a Step Up Rating Change. 5. PAYMENTS (a) Method of payment Subject as provided below: (i) payments in a Specified Currency other than euro will be made by credit or transfer to an account in the relevant Specified Currency maintained by the payee with a bank in the principal financial centre of the country of such Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively); and (ii) payments in euro will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account (or any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) specified by the payee. Payments will be subject in all cases to (i) any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto, but without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 7 and (ii) any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, and official interpretations thereof, or (without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 7) any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto. (b) Presentation of definitive Notes and Coupons 54 |
Payments of principal in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner provided in Condition 5(a) only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of definitive Notes, and payments of interest in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made as aforesaid only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of Coupons, in each case at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside the United States (which expression, as used herein, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction)). Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form (other than Long Maturity Notes (as defined below)) should be presented for payment together with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (which expression shall for this purpose include Coupons falling to be issued on exchange of matured Talons), failing which the amount of any missing unmatured Coupon (or, in the case of payment not being made in full, the same proportion of the amount of such missing unmatured Coupon as the sum so paid bears to the sum due) will be deducted from the sum due for payment. Each amount of principal so deducted will be paid in the manner mentioned above against surrender of the relative missing Coupon at any time before the expiry of 10 years after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) in respect of such principal (whether or not such Coupon would otherwise have become void under Condition 8) or, if later, five years from the date on which such Coupon would otherwise have become due, but in no event thereafter. Upon any Fixed Rate Note in definitive form becoming due and repayable prior to its Maturity Date, all unmatured Talons (if any) appertaining thereto will become void and no further Coupons will be issued in respect thereof. Upon the date on which any Floating Rate Note or Long Maturity Note in definitive form becomes due and repayable, unmatured Coupons and Talons (if any) relating thereto (whether or not attached) shall become void and no payment or, as the case may be, exchange for further Coupons shall be made in respect thereof. A Long Maturity Note is a Fixed Rate Note (other than a Fixed Rate Note which on issue had a Talon attached) whose nominal amount on issue is less than the aggregate interest payable thereon provided that such Note shall cease to be a Long Maturity Note on the Interest Payment Date on which the aggregate amount of interest remaining to be paid after that date is less than the nominal amount of such Note. If the due date for redemption of any definitive Note is not an Interest Payment Date, interest (if any) accrued in respect of such Note from (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date or, as the case may be, the Interest Commencement Date shall be payable only against surrender of the relevant definitive Note. (c) Payments in respect of Global Notes Payments of principal and interest (if any) in respect of Notes represented by any Global Note will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner specified above in relation to definitive Notes or otherwise in the manner specified in the relevant Global Note against presentation or surrender, as the case may be, of such Global Note at the specified office of the Agent. A record of each payment made against presentation or surrender of any Global Note, distinguishing between any payment of principal and any payment of interest, will be made on such Global Note by the Agent 55 |
and such record shall be prima facie evidence that the payment in question has been made. (d) General provisions applicable to payments The holder of a Global Note shall be the only person entitled to receive payments in respect of Notes represented by such Global Note and the Issuer will be discharged by payment to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note in respect of each amount so paid. Each of the persons shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the beneficial holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note must look solely to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, for his share of each payment so made by the Issuer to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Condition 5, if any amount of principal and/or interest in respect of Notes is payable in U.S. dollars, such U.S. dollar payments of principal and/or interest in respect of such Notes will be made at the specified office of a Paying Agent in the United States if: (i) the Issuer has appointed Paying Agents with specified offices outside the United States with the reasonable expectation that such Paying Agents would be able to make payment in U.S. dollars at such specified offices outside the United States of the full amount of principal and interest on the Notes in the manner provided above when due; (ii) payment of the full amount of such principal and interest at all such specified offices outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions on the full payment or receipt of principal and interest in U.S. dollars; and (iii) such payment is then permitted under United States law without involving, in the opinion of the Issuer, adverse tax consequences to the Issuer. (e) Payment Day If the date for payment of any amount in respect of any Note or Coupon is not a Payment Day, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment until the next following Payment Day in the relevant place and shall not be entitled to further interest or other payment in respect of such delay. For these purposes, Payment Day means any day which (subject to Condition 8) is: (i) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in: (A) (in the case of Notes held in definitive form only) the relevant place of presentation; (B) each Additional Financial Centre specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (ii) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle 56 |
payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open. (f) Interpretation of principal and interest Any reference in these Conditions to principal in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable: (i) any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to principal under Condition 7 or under any undertaking or covenant given in addition thereto, or in substitution therefor, pursuant to the Trust Deed; (ii) the Final Redemption Amount of the Notes; (iii) the Early Redemption Amount of the Notes; (iv) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the Notes; (v) in relation to Zero Coupon Notes, the Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 6(e)); and (vi) any premium and any other amounts (other than interest) which may be payable by the Issuer under or in respect of the Notes. Any reference in these Conditions to interest in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable, any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to interest under Condition 7 or under any undertaking or covenant given in addition thereto, or in substitution therefor, pursuant to the Trust Deed. 6. REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE (a) Redemption at maturity Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled as specified below, each Note will be redeemed by the Issuer at its Final Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement in the relevant Specified Currency on the Maturity Date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (b) Redemption for tax reasons The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement to the Trustee, the Agent and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable), if the Issuer satisfies the Trustee as soon as practicable before the giving of such notice that: 57 |
(i) on the occasion of the next payment due under the Notes, the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay additional amounts as provided or referred to in Condition 7 as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the United Kingdom, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date on which agreement is reached to issue the first Tranche of the Notes; and (ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due. Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition 6(b), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer stating that the Issuer is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer so to redeem have occurred, and an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing to the effect that the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay such additional amounts as a result of such change or amendment. Notes redeemed pursuant to this Condition 6(b) will be redeemed at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in Condition 6(e) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption. (c) Redemption at the option of the Issuer (Issuer Call) If Issuer Call is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Issuer may, having given not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement to the Trustee, the Agent and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders (which notices shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption), redeem all or some only of the Notes then outstanding on any Optional Redemption Date(s) and at the Optional Redemption Amount(s) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Optional Redemption Date(s). Upon expiry of such notice the Issuer shall be bound to redeem the Notes accordingly. If Spens Amount is specified in the Pricing Supplement as the Optional Redemption Amount, the Optional Redemption Amount shall be an amount equal to the higher of (i) 100 per cent. of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed and (ii) the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed multiplied by the price, as reported to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Independent Financial Adviser, at which the Gross Redemption Yield on such Notes on the Reference Date is equal to the Gross Redemption Yield (determined by reference to the middle market price) at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement on the Reference Date of the Reference Bond, plus the Redemption Margin, all as determined by the Independent Financial Adviser. If Make-Whole Amount is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the Optional Redemption Amount, the Optional Redemption Amount shall be an amount 58 |
calculated by the Independent Financial Adviser equal to the higher of (i) 100 per cent. of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed and the Remaining Term Interest on such Note (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on an annual basis at the Reference Bond Rate, plus the Redemption Margin. Any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than the Maximum Redemption Amount, in each case as may be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, the Notes to be redeemed (Redeemed Notes) will be selected individually by lot (in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes) and in accordance with the rules of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by a Global Note) not more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. In the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, a list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Notes will be published in accordance with Condition 13 not less than 15 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. For the purposes of this Condition 6(c): Gross Redemption Yield means, with respect to a security, the gross redemption yield on such security, expressed as a percentage and calculated by the Independent Financial Adviser on the basis set out by the United Kingdom Debt Management Office in the paper “Formulae for Calculating Gilt Prices from Yields”, page 4, Section One: Price/Yield Formulae “Conventional Gilts”; Double dated and Undated Gilts with Assumed (or Actual) Redemption on a Quasi-Coupon Date” (published 8 June 1998, as amended or updated from time to time) on a semi-annual compounding basis (converted to an annualised yield and rounded up (if necessary) to four decimal places) or on such other basis as the Trustee may approve; IFA Selected Bond means a government security or securities selected by the Independent Financial Adviser as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable with the remaining term of the Notes that would be utilised, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities denominated in the same currency as the Notes and of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes; Independent Financial Adviser means an independent financial institution of international repute appointed by the Issuer at its own expense; Redemption Margin shall be as set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement; Reference Bond shall be as set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such bond is set out or if such bond is no longer outstanding, shall be the IFA Selected Bond; Reference Bond Price means, with respect to any date of redemption, (A) the arithmetic average of the Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations for such date of redemption, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Independent Financial Adviser obtains fewer than four such Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all such quotations; 59 |
Reference Bond Rate means, with respect to any date of redemption, the rate per annum equal to the annual or semi-annual yield (as the case may be) to maturity or interpolated yield to maturity (on the relevant day count basis) of the Reference Bond, assuming a price for the Reference Bond (expressed as a percentage of its nominal amount) equal to the Reference Bond Price for such date of redemption; Reference Date will be set out in the relevant notice of redemption; Reference Government Bond Dealer means each of five banks selected by the Issuer (or the Independent Financial Adviser on its behalf), or their affiliates, which are (A) primary government securities dealers, and their respective successors, or (B) market makers in pricing corporate bond issues; Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Government Bond Dealer and any date for redemption, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Independent Financial Adviser, of the bid and offered prices for the Reference Bond (expressed in each case as a percentage of its nominal amount) at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement on the Reference Date quoted in writing to the Independent Financial Adviser by such Reference Government Bond Dealer; and Remaining Term Interest means, with respect to any Note, the aggregate amount of scheduled payment(s) of interest on such Note for the remaining term of such Note determined on the basis of the rate of interest applicable to such Note from (and including) the date on which such Note is to be redeemed by the Issuer pursuant to this Condition 6(c). (d) Redemption at the option of the Noteholders (Investor Put) If Investor Put is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, upon the holder of any Note giving to the Issuer (in accordance with Condition 13) not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Issuer will, upon the expiry of such notice, redeem, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such Note on the Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date. It may be that before an Investor Put can be exercised, certain conditions and/or circumstances will need to be satisfied. Where relevant, the provisions will be set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement. To exercise the right to require redemption of this Note the holder of this Note under this Condition 6(d) must deliver, at the specified office of any Paying Agent at any time during normal business hours of such Paying Agent falling within the notice period, a duly completed and signed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from any specified office of any Paying Agent (a Put Notice) and in which the holder must specify a bank account to which payment is to be made under this Condition 6(d) accompanied by, if this Note is in definitive form, this Note or evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent concerned that this Note will, following delivery of the Put Notice, be held to its order or under its control. If the Notes are represented by a Global Note or are in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/ or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of the Notes held by it the Noteholder must give notice of such exercise 60 |
in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time. Any Put Notice or other notice given in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg given by a holder of any Note pursuant to this Condition 6(d) shall be irrevocable except where, prior to the due date of redemption, an Event of Default has occurred and the Trustee has declared the Notes to be due and payable pursuant to Condition 9 in which event such holder, at its option, may elect by notice to the Issuer to withdraw the notice given pursuant to this Condition 6(d). (e) Early Redemption Amounts For the purpose of Condition 6(b) above, Condition 6(f) below and Condition 9, each Note will be redeemed at its Early Redemption Amount calculated as follows: (i) in the case of a Note with a Final Redemption Amount equal to the Issue Price, at the Final Redemption Amount thereof; (ii) in the case of a Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note) with a Final Redemption Amount which is or may be less or greater than the Issue Price or which is payable in a Specified Currency other than that in which the Note is denominated, at the amount specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such amount or manner is so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, at its nominal amount; or (iii) in the case of a Zero Coupon Note, at an amount (the Amortised Face Amount) calculated in accordance with the following formula: Early Redemption Amount = RP x (1 + AY)y where: “RP” means the Reference Price; “AY” means the Accrual Yield expressed as a decimal; and “y” is the Day Count Fraction specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement which will be either (i) 30/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the number of days (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 12 months of 30 days each) from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360); (ii) Actual/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360); or (iii) Actual/365 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for 61 |
redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 365). (f) Event Risk (A) A Put Event will be deemed to occur if: (i) any person or any persons acting in concert (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers), other than a holding company (as defined in Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended) whose shareholders are or are to be substantially similar to the pre- existing shareholders of the Issuer, shall become interested (within the meaning of Part 22 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended) in (a) more than 50 per cent. of the issued or allotted ordinary share capital of the Issuer or (b) shares in the capital of the Issuer carrying more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights normally exercisable at a general meeting of the Issuer (each, a Change of Control); and (ii) at the time of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Notes carry from any Rating Agency an investment grade credit rating (Baa3/BBB- , or equivalent, or better), and such rating from any Rating Agency is within a period ending 120 days after announcement of the Change of Control having occurred (or such longer period as the Notes are under consideration, announced publicly within such 120 day period, for rating review) either downgraded to a non-investment grade credit rating (Ba1/BB+, or equivalent, or worse) or withdrawn; and (iii) in making the relevant decision(s) referred to above, the relevant Rating Agency announces publicly or confirms in writing to the Issuer or the Trustee that such decision(s) resulted, in whole or in part, from the occurrence of the Change of Control. Further, (a) if at the time of the occurrence of the Change of Control the Notes carry a non-investment grade credit rating from each Rating Agency, then assigning a credit rating to the Notes or no credit rating from any Rating Agency, a Put Event will be deemed to occur upon the occurrence of a Change of Control alone; and (b) if at the time of the occurrence of the Change of Control the Notes carry a rating from more than one Rating Agency, at least one of which is investment grade, then Condition 6(f)(ii) will apply. (B) If a Put Event occurs, each Noteholder shall have the option to require the Issuer to redeem or repay that Note on the Put Date (as defined below) at its Early Redemption Amount together with interest accrued to but excluding the date of redemption or purchase. Such option shall operate as set out below. (C) Promptly upon the Issuer becoming aware that a Put Event has occurred the Issuer shall, and at any time upon the Trustee becoming similarly so aware the Trustee may, and if so requested by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders, shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), give notice (a Put Event Notice) to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 62 |
13 specifying the nature of the Put Event and the procedure for exercising the option contained in this Condition 6(f). (D) To exercise the option to require the redemption or repayment of a Note under this Condition 6(f) the holder of the Note must, if the Notes are in definitive form and held outside Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, deliver such Note, on any Payment Day (as defined in Condition 5(e)) falling within the period (the Put Period) of 45 days after a Put Event Notice is given, at the specified office of any Paying Agent, accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from the specified office of any Paying Agent (a Change of Control Put Notice). The Note should be delivered together with all Coupons appertaining thereto maturing after the date which is seven days after the expiration of the Put Period (the Put Date), failing which (unless these Conditions provide that the relevant Coupons are to become void upon the due date for redemption of such Notes) the Paying Agent will require payment of an amount equal to the face value of any missing such Coupon. Any amount so paid will be reimbursed in the manner provided in Condition 5 against presentation and surrender of the relevant missing Coupon (or any replacement therefore issued pursuant to Condition 10) at any time after such payment, but before the expiry of the period of 10 years from the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) in respect of that Coupon. The Paying Agent to which such Note and Change of Control Put Notice are delivered will issue to the Noteholder concerned a non-transferable receipt in respect of the Note so delivered. If the Notes are represented by a Global Note or are in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/ or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of the Notes held by it the Noteholder must, within the Put Period, give notice of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time and, at the same time, present or procure the presentation of the relevant Global Note to the Agent for notation accordingly. Payment in respect of any Note so delivered will be made, if the holder duly specified a bank account in the Change of Control Put Notice to which payment is to be made, on the Put Date by transfer to that bank account and, in every other case, on or after the Put Date against presentation and surrender or (as the case may be) endorsement of such receipt at the specified office of any Paying Agent. Payment in respect of any Notes represented by a Global Note or in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg in respect of which the relevant Noteholder has exercised the option given under this Condition 6(f) will be made on the Put Date. A Change of Control Put Notice, once given, shall be irrevocable. The Issuer shall redeem or repay the relevant Notes on the Put Date unless previously redeemed and cancelled. If 80 per cent. or more in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding have been redeemed pursuant to this Condition 6(f), the Issuer may, on not less than 30 or more than 60 days’ notice to the Noteholders given within 30 days after the Put Date, redeem, at its option, the remaining Notes as a whole at a redemption price of the Early Redemption Amount thereof plus interest accrued to but excluding the date of such redemption. 63 |
(E) If the rating designations employed by any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P are changed from those which are described in Condition 6(f)(A)(ii), or if a rating is procured from an Additional Rating Agency, the Issuer shall determine, with the agreement of the Trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the rating designations of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P or such Additional Rating Agency (as appropriate) as are most equivalent to the prior rating designations of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P and Condition 6(f)(A)(ii) shall be read accordingly. (F) The Trustee is under no obligation to ascertain whether a Put Event or Change of Control or any event which could lead to the occurrence of or could constitute a Put Event or Change of Control has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to the Trust Deed to the contrary, the Trustee may assume that no Put Event or Change of Control or other such event has occurred. (G) In these Conditions, Rating Agency means Fitch, Moody’s or S&P or their respective successors or any rating agency (a Substitute Rating Agency) substituted for any of them by the Issuer from time to time with the prior written approval of the Trustee. (g) Purchases The Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer may at any time purchase Notes (provided that, in the case of definitive Notes, all unmatured Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto are purchased therewith) at any price in the open market or otherwise. Such Notes may be held, reissued, resold or, at the option of the Issuer, surrendered to any Paying Agent for cancellation. (h) Cancellation All Notes which are redeemed will forthwith be cancelled (together with all unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith at the time of redemption). All Notes so cancelled and any Notes purchased and cancelled pursuant to Condition 6(g) (together with all unmatured Coupons and Talons cancelled therewith) shall be forwarded to the Agent and cannot be reissued or resold. (i) Late payment on Zero Coupon Notes If the amount payable in respect of any Zero Coupon Note upon redemption of such Zero Coupon Note pursuant to Condition 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 6(d) or 6(f) or upon its becoming due and repayable as provided in Condition 9 is improperly withheld or refused, the amount due and repayable in respect of such Zero Coupon Note shall be the amount calculated as provided in Condition 6(e)(iii) as though the references therein to the date fixed for the redemption or the date upon which such Zero Coupon Note becomes due and payable were replaced by references to the date which is the earlier of: (i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Zero Coupon Note have been paid; and 64 |
(ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such Zero Coupon Notes has been received by the Trustee or the Agent (as the case may be) and notice to that effect has been given to the Noteholders (in accordance with Condition 13). 7. TAXATION All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes and Coupons by or on behalf of the Issuer will be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes or duties of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the United Kingdom unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer will pay such additional amounts as shall be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the holders of the Notes or Coupons after such withholding or deduction shall equal the respective amounts of principal and interest which would otherwise have been receivable in respect of the Notes or Coupons, as the case may be, in the absence of such withholding or deduction; except that no such additional amounts shall be payable with respect to any Note or Coupon: (a) presented for payment in the United Kingdom; or (b) presented for payment by or on behalf of a holder who is liable for such taxes or duties in respect of such Note or Coupon by reason of his having some connection with the United Kingdom other than the mere holding of such Note or Coupon; or (c) presented for payment more than 30 days after the Relevant Date (as defined below) except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to an additional amount on presenting the same for payment on such 30th day assuming that day to have been a Payment Day (as defined in Condition 5(e)). As used in these Conditions, the Relevant Date means the date on which such payment first becomes due, except that, if the full amount of the moneys payable has not been duly received by the Trustee or the Agent (as the case may be) on or prior to such due date, it means the date on which, the full amount of such moneys having been so received, notice to that effect is duly given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13. 8. PRESCRIPTION The Notes and Coupons will become void unless presented for payment within a period of 10 years (in the case of principal) and five years (in the case of interest) after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) therefor. There shall not be included in any Coupon sheet issued on exchange of a Talon any Coupon the claim for payment in respect of which would be void pursuant to this Condition 8 or Condition 5(b) or any Talon which would be void pursuant to Condition 5(b). 9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT (a) Events of Default The Trustee at its discretion may, and if so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), (but in the case of the 65 |
happening of any of the events described in Conditions 9(a)(ii) to 9(a)(viii) inclusive (other than Condition 9(a)(iv) in relation to the Issuer), only if the Trustee shall have certified in writing to the Issuer that such event is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders), give notice in writing to the Issuer that the Notes are, and they shall thereupon immediately become, due and repayable at their Early Redemption Amount together with accrued interest as provided in the Trust Deed if any of the following events shall occur (Events of Default): (i) if default is made in the payment of any principal or interest due in respect of the Notes or any of them and the default continues for a period of seven days (in the case of principal) or 14 days (in the case of interest); or (ii) if the Issuer fails to perform or observe any of its other obligations under these Conditions or the Trust Deed and (except in any case where, in the opinion of the Trustee, the failure is incapable of remedy when no such continuation and notice as is hereinafter mentioned will be required) the failure continues for the period of 30 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) next following the service by the Trustee on the Issuer of notice requiring the same to be remedied; or (iii) (A) if any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (as defined below) of the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries becomes due and repayable prematurely by reason of an event of default (however described); or (B) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money on the due date for payment as extended by any originally applicable grace period; or (C) if any security given by the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries for any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money becomes enforceable by reason of default; or (D) if default is made by the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries in making any payment due as extended by any originally applicable grace period under any guarantee and/or indemnity given by it in relation to any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any other person, provided that no event referred to in this Condition 9(a)(iii) shall constitute an Event of Default (I) unless the relative Indebtedness for Borrowed Money either alone or when aggregated with other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money relative to all (if any) other such events which shall have occurred shall amount to at least £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) and (II) where such event has occurred in relation to Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of a Principal Subsidiary at the time such company becomes a Principal Subsidiary through acquisition by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer, unless such event continues for a period of seven days after the date of such acquisition, if such default is in respect of interest on any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and (in any other case) 14 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) after the date of such acquisition; or (iv) if any order is made by any competent court or resolution passed for the winding up or dissolution of the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries, save for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement (A) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary not involving or arising out of the insolvency of such Principal Subsidiary and under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries; or (B) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary under which all or substantially all of its assets are 66 |
transferred to a third party or parties (whether associated or not) for full consideration received by the Issuer or a Subsidiary on an arm’s length basis; or (C) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred and the transferee is or immediately upon such transfer becomes a Principal Subsidiary; or (D) on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or (v) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries ceases or threatens to cease to carry on the whole or substantially the whole of its business, save (A) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement, (i) not involving or arising out of the insolvency of such Principal Subsidiary and under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred and the transferee is or immediately upon such transfer becomes a Principal Subsidiary or (iii) the terms of which have been previously approved by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or (B) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary where all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to a third party or parties (whether associated or not) for full consideration received by the Issuer or a Subsidiary on an arm’s length basis (save where such transfer would otherwise cause the Issuer itself to cease the whole or substantially the whole of its business); or (C) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary which is a Principal Subsidiary by virtue only of part (B) of the definition of Principal Subsidiary, provided that at the time of such cessation or threatened cessation such Principal Subsidiary is not in default in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or any guarantee and/or indemnity given by such Principal Subsidiary in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money; or (vi) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries stops or threatens to stop payment of, or is unable to, or admits inability to, pay, its debts (or any class of its debts) as they fall due, or is deemed unable to pay its debts pursuant to or for the purposes of any applicable law, or is adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent; or (vii) if (A) proceedings are initiated against the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganisation or other similar laws and, other than in respect of the Issuer or Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, such proceedings are not being contested in good faith, or an application is made for the appointment of an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official and, other than in respect of the Issuer or Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, such application is not being contested in good faith, or an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official is appointed, in relation to the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries or, as the case may be, in relation to the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking or assets of any of them, or a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other process is levied, enforced upon, sued out or put in force against the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking or assets of any of them and (B) in any case (other than the appointment of an administrator) are/is not discharged within 45 days; or 67 |
(viii) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries consents to judicial proceedings relating to itself under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganisation or other similar laws or makes a conveyance or assignment for the benefit of, or enters into any composition or other arrangement with, its creditors generally (or any class of its creditors) or any meeting is convened to consider a proposal for an arrangement or composition with its creditors generally (or any class of its creditors), save in any such case for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders. (b) Enforcement (i) The Trustee may at any time, at its discretion and without notice, take such proceedings against the Issuer as it may think fit to enforce the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Notes and the Coupons, but it shall not be bound to take any such proceedings or any other action in relation to the Trust Deed, the Notes or the Coupons unless (A) it shall have been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in aggregate nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding; and (B) it shall have been indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction. (ii) No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer unless the Trustee, having become bound so to proceed, fails so to do within a reasonable period and the failure shall be continuing. (c) Definitions For the purposes of this Condition 9: Principal Subsidiary at any time shall mean a Subsidiary of the Issuer inter alia: (A) whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Issuer represent not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or (B) which has Indebtedness for Borrowed Money outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency); or (C) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer which immediately before the transfer is a Principal Subsidiary, all as more particularly defined in the Trust Deed; and 68 |
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money means (a) any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest or other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities other than which is indebtedness owed to an entity within the Group; or (b) any borrowed money other than money borrowed by one entity within the Group from another entity within the Group; or (c) any liability under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit. 10. REPLACEMENT OF NOTES, COUPONS AND TALONS Should any Note, Coupon or Talon be lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed, it may be replaced at the specified office of the Agent upon payment by the claimant of such costs and expenses as may be incurred in connection therewith and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Issuer may reasonably require. Mutilated or defaced Notes, Coupons or Talons must be surrendered before replacements will be issued. 11. PAYING AGENTS The names of the initial Paying Agents and their initial specified offices are set out below. If any additional Paying Agents are appointed in connection with any Series, the names of such Paying Agents will be specified in Part B of the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Issuer is entitled (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) to vary or terminate the appointment of any Paying Agent and/or appoint additional or other Paying Agents and/or approve any change in the specified office through which any Paying Agent acts, provided that: (a) there will at all times be an Agent; (b) so long as the Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system which requires the appointment of a Paying Agent in a particular place, the Issuer shall maintain a Paying Agent with a specified office in such place as may be required by the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system; and (c) there will at all times be a Paying Agent within Europe, other than in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Issuer shall forthwith appoint a Paying Agent having a specified office in New York City in the circumstances described in Condition 5(d). Any variation, termination, appointment or change shall only take effect (other than in the case of insolvency, when it shall be of immediate effect) after not less than 30 nor more than 45 days’ prior notice thereof shall have been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13. In acting under the Agency Agreement, the Paying Agents act solely as agents of the Issuer and (in certain limited circumstances specified therein) of the Trustee and do not assume any obligation to, or relationship of agency or trust with, any Noteholders or Couponholders. The Agency Agreement contains provisions permitting any entity into which any Paying Agent is merged or converted or with which it is consolidated or to which it transfers all or substantially all of its assets to become the successor paying agent. 12. EXCHANGE OF TALONS 69 |
On and after the Interest Payment Date on which the final Coupon comprised in any Coupon sheet matures, the Talon (if any) forming part of such Coupon sheet may be surrendered at the specified office of the Agent or any other Paying Agent in exchange for a further Coupon sheet including (if such further Coupon sheet does not include Coupons to (and including) the final date for the payment of interest due in respect of the Note to which it appertains) a further Talon, subject to the provisions of Condition 8. 13. NOTICES All notices regarding the Notes will be deemed to be validly given if published in a leading English language daily newspaper of general circulation in London or such other English language daily newspaper with general circulation in Europe as the Trustee may approve. It is expected that such publication will be made in the Financial Times in London. For so long as the Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system, the Issuer shall also ensure that notices are duly published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system. Any such notice will be deemed to have been given on the date of the first publication or, where required to be published in more than one newspaper, on the date of the first publication in all required newspapers. If publication as provided above is not practicable, notice will be given in such other manner, and shall be deemed to have been given on such date, as the Trustee may approve. Couponholders will be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the Noteholders in accordance with this Condition 13. Until such time as any definitive Notes are issued, there may, so long as any Global Notes representing the Notes are held in their entirety on behalf of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, be substituted for such publication in such newspaper(s) the delivery of the relevant notice to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg for communication by them to the holders of the Notes and, in addition, for so long as any Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system and the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system so require, such notice will be published in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the place or places required by that competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given to the holders of the Notes on the second Business Day after the day on which the said notice was given to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg. Notices to be given by any Noteholder shall be in writing and given by lodging the same, together (in the case of any Note in definitive form) with the relative Note or Notes, with the Agent. Whilst any of the Notes are represented by a Global Note, such notice may be given by any holder of a Note to the Agent through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, in such manner as the Agent and Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, may approve for this purpose. 14. MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS, MODIFICATION, WAIVER AND SUBSTITUTION The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening meetings of the Noteholders to consider any matter affecting their interests, including the sanctioning by Extraordinary Resolution of a modification of the Notes, the Coupons or any of the provisions of the Trust Deed. Such a meeting may be convened by the Issuer or the Trustee and shall be convened by the Issuer upon the requisition of Noteholders holding not less than five per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution is one or more persons holding or representing more than 50 per 70 |
cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned meeting one or more persons being or representing Noteholders whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented, except that at any meeting the business of which includes the modification of certain provisions of the Notes or the Coupons or the Trust Deed (including (but not limited to) modifying (i) the dates of maturity or redemption of the Notes or any date for payment of interest thereon; (ii) reducing or cancelling the amount of principal or the rate of interest payable in respect of the Notes; or (iii) altering the currency of payment of the Notes or the Coupons), the quorum shall be one or more persons holding or representing not less than two-thirds in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned such meeting one or more persons holding or representing not less than 25 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. An Extraordinary Resolution passed at any meeting of the Noteholders shall be binding on all the Noteholders, whether or not they are present at the meeting, and on all Couponholders. The Trust Deed provides that a resolution, with or without notice, in writing signed by or on behalf of all Noteholders who for the time being are entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Noteholders under the Trust Deed will take effect as if it were an Extraordinary Resolution duly passed at a meeting of the Noteholders. Such a resolution in writing may be contained in one document or several documents in the same form, each signed by or on behalf of one or more Noteholders. The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening a single meeting of holders of Notes of more than one Series in certain circumstances where the Trustee so decides. The Trustee may agree, without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders, to any modification of, or to the waiver or authorisation of any breach or proposed breach of, any of the provisions of the Notes or the Trust Deed, or determine, without any such consent as aforesaid, that any Event of Default or potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such, where, in any such case, it is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders so to do or may agree, without any such consent as aforesaid, to any modification which is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or an error which is in the opinion of the Trustee, proven. In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class (but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of any such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequences of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 7 and/or any undertaking or covenant given in addition to, or in substitution for, Condition 7 pursuant to the Trust Deed. Any such modification shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and any such modification shall be notified to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. 71 |
The Trustee may, without the consent of the Noteholders, agree with the Issuer to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of any previous substitute under this Condition 14) as the principal debtor under the Notes, Coupons and the Trust Deed of another company, being a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a parent undertaking of the Issuer, subject to (a) the Trustee being satisfied that the interests of the Noteholders will not be materially prejudiced by the substitution and (b) certain other conditions set out in the Trust Deed being complied with. 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE TRUSTEE AND ITS CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER The Trust Deed contains provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and for its relief from responsibility, including provisions relieving it from taking action unless indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction. The Trust Deed also contains provisions pursuant to which the Trustee is entitled, inter alia, (i) to enter into business transactions with the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries and to act as trustee for the holders of any other securities issued or guaranteed by, or relating to, the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such transactions or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship without regard to the interests of, or consequences for, the Noteholders or Couponholders; and (iii) to retain and not be liable to account for any profit made or any other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. 16. FURTHER ISSUES The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders (and in accordance with the Trust Deed) to create and issue further notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes or the same in all respects save for the Issue Date, the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon and/or the Issue Price and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single Series with the outstanding Notes. The Issuer may (from time to time), with the consent of the Trustee, create and issue other series of notes having the benefit of the Trust Deed. 17. ROUNDING For the purposes of any calculations referred to in these Conditions (unless otherwise specified in these Conditions or the applicable Pricing Supplement), (a) all percentages resulting from such calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred- thousandth of a percentage point (with 0.000005 per cent. being rounded up to 0.00001 per cent.); (b) all United States dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one half cent being rounded up); (c) all Japanese Yen amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded downwards to the next lower whole Japanese Yen amount; and (d) all amounts denominated in any other currency used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest two decimal places in such currency, with 0.005 being rounded upwards. 18. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 No rights are conferred on any person under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the Notes but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act. 72 |
18. GOVERNING LAW The Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement, the Notes and the Coupons (and all non- contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement, the Notes and the Coupons) are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. 73 |
AGENT HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ United Kingdom PAYING AGENT HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) Limited 1 Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Harbour Dublin 2 Ireland 74 |
THE SECOND SCHEDULE FORMS OF GLOBAL AND DEFINITIVE NOTES, COUPONS AND TALONS PART I FORM OF TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE This Note is a Temporary Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the "Notes") of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes (the "Pricing Supplement"), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and the information in the Pricing Supplement, the Pricing Supplement will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Trust Deed") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject as hereinafter provided and subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Agent at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes. On any redemption or payment of interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note details of such redemption, payment, purchase and 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 75 |
cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled. The nominal amount from time to time of this Global Note and of the Notes represented by this Global Note following any such redemption or purchase and cancellation as aforesaid or any exchange as referred to below shall be the nominal amount most recently entered in the relevant column in Part II or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto. Payments of principal and interest (if any) due prior to the Exchange Date (as defined below) will only be made to the bearer hereof to the extent that there is presented to the Agent by Clearstream Banking S.A. ("Clearstream, Luxembourg") or Euroclear Bank SA/NV ("Euroclear") a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) a certificate of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. The bearer of this Global Note will not (unless upon due presentation of this Global Note for exchange, delivery of the appropriate number of Definitive Notes (together, if applicable, with the Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts III, IV and V of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed) or, as the case may be, issue and delivery (or, as the case may be, endorsement) of the Permanent Global Note is improperly withheld or refused and such withholding or refusal is continuing at the relevant payment date) be entitled to receive any payment hereon due on or after the Exchange Date. On or after the date (the "Exchange Date") which is 40 days after the Issue Date, this Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole or in part for, as specified in the Pricing Supplement, either Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information supplementing, the Conditions appearing in the Pricing Supplement has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Notes) or a Permanent Global Note in or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed (together with the Pricing Supplement attached thereto) upon notice being given by Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note and subject, in the case of Definitive Notes, to such notice period as is specified in the Pricing Supplement. If Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons have already been issued in exchange for all the Notes represented for the time being by the Permanent Global Note, then this Global Note may only thereafter be exchanged for Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons pursuant to the terms hereof. Presentation of this Global Note for exchange shall be made by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Agent specified above. The Issuer shall procure that Definitive Notes or (as the case may be) the Permanent Global Note shall be so issued and delivered in exchange for only that portion of this Global Note in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Agent by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. On an exchange of the whole of this Global Note, this Global Note shall be surrendered to the Agent. On an exchange of part only of this Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this 76 |
Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of this Global Note so exchanged. On any exchange of this Global Note for a Permanent Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two to the Permanent Global Note and the relevant space in Schedule Two thereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall (subject as provided in the next paragraph) in all respects (except as otherwise provided herein) be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Notes and the relative Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Parts III, IV and V (as applicable) of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed. Each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal and interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the right to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer, solely in the bearer of this Global Note in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Global Note and the Trust Deed. This Global Note is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. A person who is not a party to this Global Note has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer 77 |
Schedule One PART I INTEREST PAYMENTS Date made Interest Payment Date Total amount of interest payable Amount of interest paid Confirmation of payment by or on behalf of the Issuer ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ 78 |
PART II REDEMPTIONS Date made Total amount of principal payable Amount of principal paid Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such redemption* Confirmation of redemption by or on behalf of the Issuer ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III or Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. 79 |
Schedule Two EXCHANGES FOR DEFINITIVE NOTES OR PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note have been made: Date made Nominal amount of this Global Note exchanged for Definitive Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such exchange* Notation made by or on behalf of the Issuer ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule One or in this Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. 81 |
PART II FORM OF PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE This Note is a Permanent Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the "Notes") of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes (the "Pricing Supplement"), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and the information in the Pricing Supplement, the Pricing Supplement will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Trust Deed") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Agent at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes. On any redemption or payment interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note details of such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 82 |
represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled. The nominal amount from time to time of this Global Note and of the Notes represented by this Global Note following any such redemption or purchase and cancellation as aforesaid or any exchange as referred to below shall be the nominal amount most recently entered in the relevant column in Part II or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto. Where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will initially have been represented by a Temporary Global Note. On any exchange of such Temporary Global Note issued in respect of the Notes for this Global Note or any part hereof, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be increased by the nominal amount of the Temporary Global Note so exchanged. This Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole, but not in part, for Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts III, IV, V and VI of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information supplementing the Conditions appearing in the Pricing Supplement has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Notes) either, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement: (i) upon not less than 60 days' written notice being given to the Agent by Euroclear Bank SA/NV ("Euroclear") and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. ("Clearstream, Luxembourg") (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note); or (ii) upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event. An "Exchange Event" means: (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (2) the Issuer has been notified that both Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have been closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business or have in fact done so and no successor clearing system satisfactory to the Trustee is available; or (3) the Issuer has or will become subject to adverse tax consequences which would not be suffered were the Notes in definitive form and a certificate to such effect from two Directors of the Issuer has been given to the Trustee. If this Global Note represents Notes having denominations consisting of a minimum Specified Denomination and integral multiples of a smaller amount thereabove then it may only be exchanged for definitive Notes upon an Exchange Event. If this Global Note is exchangeable following the occurrence of an Exchange Event: (i) the Issuer will promptly give notice to Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 upon the occurrence of such Exchange Event; and (ii) Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note) or the Trustee may give notice to the Agent 83 |
requesting exchange and, in the event of the occurrence of an Exchange Event as described in (3) above, the Issuer may also give notice to the Agent requesting exchange. Any such exchange shall occur on a date specified in the notice not more than 45 days after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Agent. The first notice requesting exchange in accordance with the above provisions shall give rise to the issue of Definitive Notes for the total nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note. Any such exchange as aforesaid will be made upon presentation of this Global Note by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Agent specified above. The aggregate nominal amount of Definitive Notes issued upon an exchange of this Global Note will be equal to the aggregate nominal amount of this Global Note. Upon exchange of this Global Note for Definitive Notes, the Agent shall cancel it or procure that it is cancelled. Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall (subject as provided in the next paragraph) in all respects be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Notes and the relative, Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Parts III, IV and V (as applicable) of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed. Each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal and interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the right to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer, solely in the bearer of this Global Note in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Global Note and the Trust Deed. This Global Note is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. A person who is not a party to this Global Note has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. 84 |
IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer 85 |
Schedule One PART I INTEREST PAYMENTS Date made Interest Payment Date Total amount of interest payable Amount of interest paid Confirmation of payment by or on behalf of the Issuer ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ 86 |
PART II REDEMPTIONS Date made Total amount of principal payable Amount of principal paid Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such redemption* Confirmation of redemption by or on behalf of the Issuer _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III or Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. 87 |
PART III FORM OF DEFINITIVE NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] This Note is one of a Series of Notes of [Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s)] each of the Issuer ("Notes"). References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions [endorsed hereon/set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) which shall be incorporated by reference herein and have effect as if set out herein] as supplemented, by the relevant information appearing in the Pricing Supplement (the "Pricing Supplement") endorsed hereon but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and such information in the Pricing Supplement, such information will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Note. This Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Trust Deed") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as this Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable on redemption of this Note and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of this Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed. This Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 90 |
IN WITNESS whereof this Note has been executed on behalf of the Issuer. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc, as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer 91 |
[Conditions] [Conditions to be as set out in the First Schedule to this Trust Deed or such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), but shall not be endorsed if not required by the relevant Stock Exchange] 92 |
Pricing Supplement [Here to be set out the text of the relevant information supplementing the Conditions which appears in the Pricing Supplement relating to the Notes] 93 |
PART IV FORM OF COUPON [Face of Coupon] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] Series No. [ ] [Coupon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]]. 1 Part A [For Fixed Rate Notes: This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to the Terms and Conditions of the said Notes. Coupon for [ ] due on [ ], [ ]] Part B [For Floating Rate Notes: Coupon for the amount due in accordance with the Terms and Conditions endorsed on, attached to or incorporated by reference into the said Notes on [the Interest Payment Date falling in [ ] [ ]/[ ]]. This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to such Terms and Conditions, under which it may become void before its due date.] [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]2 1 Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination. 2 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 94 |
PART V FORM OF TALON [Face of Talon] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] Series No. [ ] [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 [Talon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]] 2 On and after [ ] further Coupons [and a further Talon]3 appertaining to the Note to which this Talon appertains will be issued at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents set out on the reverse hereof (and/or any other or further Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed and notified to the Noteholders) upon production and surrender of this Talon. This Talon may, in certain circumstances, become void under the Terms and Conditions endorsed on the Note to which this Talon appertains. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 2 Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination. 3 Not required on last Coupon sheet. 95 |
[Reverse of Coupons and Talons] AGENT HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ United Kingdom OTHER PAYING AGENT HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) Limited 1 Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Harbour Dublin 2 Ireland and/or such other or further Agent or other Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed by the Issuer and notice of which has been given to the Noteholders. 96 |
THE THIRD SCHEDULE PROVISIONS FOR MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS 1. (A) As used in this Schedule the following expressions shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires: (i) "voting certificate" shall mean an English language certificate issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which it is stated: (a) that on the date thereof Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Notes in respect of which a block voting instruction has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such voting certificate or any adjourned such meeting) were deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of: (1) the conclusion of the meeting specified in such certificate or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and (2) the surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent who issued the same; and (b) that the bearer thereof is entitled to attend and vote at such meeting and any adjourned such meeting in respect of the Notes represented by such certificate; (ii) "block voting instruction" shall mean an English language document issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which: (a) it is certified that Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Notes in respect of which a voting certificate has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such block voting instruction and any adjourned such meeting) have been deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of: (1) the conclusion of the meeting specified in such document or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and (2) the surrender to the Paying Agent not less than 48 hours before the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened of the receipt issued by such Paying Agent in respect of each such deposited Note which is to be released or (as the case may require) the Note or Notes ceasing with the agreement of the Paying Agent to be held to its order or under its control or so blocked and the giving of notice by the Paying Agent to the Issuer in accordance with paragraph 17 hereof of the necessary amendment to the block voting instruction; 97 |
(b) it is certified that each holder of such Notes has instructed such Paying Agent that the vote(s) attributable to the Note or Notes so deposited or held or blocked should be cast in a particular way in relation to the resolution or resolutions to be put to such meeting or any adjourned such meeting and that all such instructions are during the period commencing 48 hours prior to the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened and ending at the conclusion or adjournment thereof neither revocable nor capable of amendment; (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so deposited or held or blocked are listed distinguishing with regard to each such resolution between those in respect of which instructions have been given as aforesaid that the votes attributable thereto should be cast in favour of the resolution and those in respect of which instructions have been so given that the votes attributable thereto should be cast against the resolution; and (d) one or more persons named in such document (each hereinafter called a "proxy") is or are authorised and instructed by such Paying Agent to cast the votes attributable to the Notes so listed in accordance with the instructions referred to in (c) above as set out in such document; (iii) "Clearing System” shall mean Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg and includes in respect of any Note any clearing system on behalf of which such Note is held or which is the bearer or holder of a Note, in either case whether alone or jointly with any other Clearing System(s). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of subclause 1(B)(v) of the Trust Deed shall apply to this definition; (iv) "24 hours" shall mean a period of 24 hours including all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in both the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid; and (v) "48 hours" shall mean a period of 48 hours including all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business both in the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid. (B) A holder of a Note (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note) may obtain a voting certificate in respect of such Note from a Paying Agent or require a Paying Agent to issue a block voting instruction in respect of such Note by depositing such Note with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) by such Note being held to its order or under its control or being blocked in an account with a clearing system, in each case not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for 98 |
the relevant meeting and on the terms set out in sub-paragraph (A)(i)(a) or (A)(ii)(a) above (as the case may be), and (in the case of a block voting instruction) instructing such Paying Agent to the effect set out in sub-paragraph (A)(ii)(b) above. The holder of any voting certificate or the proxies named in any block voting instruction shall for all purposes in connection with the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting of Noteholders be deemed to be the holder of the Notes to which such voting certificate or block voting instruction relates and the Paying Agent with which such Notes have been deposited or the person holding the same to the order or under the control of such Paying Agent or the clearing system in which such Notes have been blocked shall be deemed for such purposes not to be the holder of those Notes. 2. The Issuer or the Trustee may at any time and the Issuer shall upon a requisition in writing in the English language signed by the holders of not less than one-twentieth in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding convene a meeting of the Noteholders and if the Issuer makes default for a period of seven days in convening such a meeting the same may be convened by the Trustee or the requisitionists. Every such meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Trustee may appoint or approve. 3. At least 21 days' notice (exclusive of the day on which the notice is given and the day on which the meeting is to be held) specifying the place, day and hour of meeting shall be given to the holders of the relevant Notes prior to any meeting of such holders in the manner provided by Condition 13. Such notice, which shall be in the English language, shall state generally the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting thereby convened but (except for an Extraordinary Resolution) it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the terms of any resolution to be proposed. Such notice shall include statements, if applicable, to the effect that Notes may, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, be deposited with Paying Agents or (to their satisfaction) held to their order or under their control or blocked in an account with a clearing system for the purpose of obtaining voting certificates or appointing proxies. A copy of the notice shall be sent by post to the Trustee (unless the meeting is convened by the Trustee) and to the Issuer (unless the meeting is convened by the Issuer). 4. A person (who may but need not be a Noteholder) nominated in writing by the Trustee shall be entitled to take the chair at the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting but if no such nomination is made or if at any meeting or adjourned meeting the person nominated shall not be present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting the Noteholders present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman, failing which the Issuer may appoint a Chairman. The Chairman of an adjourned meeting need not be the same person as was Chairman of the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 5. At any such meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one- twentieth of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding shall (except for the purpose of passing an Extraordinary Resolution) form a quorum for the transaction of business and no business (other than the choosing of a Chairman) shall be transacted at any meeting unless the requisite quorum be present at the commencement of the relevant business. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject as provided below) be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate more than 50 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding PROVIDED THAT at any meeting the business of which includes any of the following matters (each of which shall, subject only to Clause 18(B), only be capable of being effected after having been approved by Extraordinary Resolution) namely: (i) reduction or cancellation of the amount payable or, where applicable, modification, except where such modification is in the opinion of the Trustee bound to result in an 99 |
increase, of the method of calculating the amount payable or modification of the date of payment or, where applicable, of the method of calculating the date of payment in respect of any principal or interest in respect of the Notes; (ii) alteration of the currency in which payments under the Notes and Coupons are to be made; (iii) alteration of the majority required to pass an Extraordinary Resolution; (iv) the sanctioning of any such scheme or proposal as is described in paragraph 18(I) below; and (v) alteration of this proviso or the proviso to paragraph 6 below; the quorum shall be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than two- thirds of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 6. If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any such meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the meeting shall if convened upon the requisition of Noteholders be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week (or if such day is a public holiday the next succeeding business day) at the same time and place (except in the case of a meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be proposed in which case it shall stand adjourned for such period, being not less than 13 clear days nor more than 42 clear days, and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such meeting and approved by the Trustee). If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any adjourned meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the Chairman may either (with the approval of the Trustee) dissolve such meeting or adjourn the same for such period, being not less than 13 clear days (but without any maximum number of clear days), and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such adjourned meeting and approved by the Trustee, and the provisions of this sentence shall apply to all further adjourned such meetings. At any adjourned meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by them) shall (subject as provided below) form a quorum and shall have power to pass any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution and to decide upon all matters which could properly have been dealt with at the meeting from which the adjournment took place had the requisite quorum been present PROVIDED THAT at any adjourned meeting the quorum for the transaction of business comprising any of the matters specified in the proviso to paragraph 5 above shall be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one-third of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 7. Notice of any adjourned meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be submitted shall be given in the same manner as notice of an original meeting but as if 10 were substituted for 21 in paragraph 3 above and such notice shall state the relevant quorum. Subject as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting. 8. Every question submitted to a meeting shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands and in case of equality of votes the Chairman shall both on a show of hands and on a poll have a casting vote in addition to the vote or votes (if any) to which he may be entitled as a Noteholder or as a holder of a voting certificate or as a proxy. 100 |
9. At any meeting unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the Chairman, the Issuer, the Trustee or any person present holding a Definitive Note or a voting certificate or being a proxy (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by him) a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried by a particular majority or lost or not carried by a particular majority shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. 10. Subject to paragraph 12 below, if at any such meeting a poll is so demanded it shall be taken in such manner and subject as hereinafter provided either at once or after an adjournment as the Chairman directs and the result of such poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded as at the date of the taking of the poll. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the motion on which the poll has been demanded. 11. The Chairman may with the consent of (and shall if directed by) any such meeting adjourn the same from time to time and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully (but for lack of required quorum) have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 12. Any poll demanded at any such meeting on the election of a Chairman or on any question of adjournment shall be taken at the meeting without adjournment. 13. The Trustee and its lawyers and any director, officer or employee of a corporation being a trustee of these presents and any director or officer of the Issuer and its or their lawyers and any other person authorised so to do by the Trustee may attend and speak at any meeting. Save as aforesaid, but without prejudice to the proviso to the definition of "outstanding" in Clause 1, no person shall be entitled to attend and speak nor shall any person be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders or join with others in requesting the convening of such a meeting or to exercise the rights conferred on Noteholders by Clause 8(A) or Condition 9 unless he either produces the Definitive Note or Definitive Notes of which he is the holder or a voting certificate or is a proxy. No person shall be entitled to vote at any meeting in respect of Notes held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company. Nothing herein shall prevent any of the proxies named in any block voting instruction from being a director, officer or representative of or otherwise connected with the Issuer. 14. Subject as provided in paragraph 13 hereof at any meeting: (A) on a show of hands every person who is present in person and produces a Definitive Note or voting certificate or is a proxy shall have one vote; and (B) on a poll every person who is so present shall have one vote in respect of each €1 or such other amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate (or, in the case of meetings of holders of Notes denominated in another currency, such amount in such other currency as the Trustee in its absolute discretion may stipulate) in nominal amount of the Definitive Notes so produced or represented by the voting certificate so produced or in respect of which he is a proxy. Without prejudice to the obligations of the proxies named in any block voting instruction any person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes to which he is entitled in the same way. 15. The proxies named in any block voting instruction need not be Noteholders. 101 |
16. Each block voting instruction together (if so requested by the Trustee) with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of its due execution on behalf of the relevant Paying Agent and each form of proxy shall be deposited by the relevant Paying Agent at such place as the Trustee shall approve not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the proxies named in the block voting instruction propose to vote and in default the block voting instruction shall not be treated as valid unless the Chairman of the meeting decides otherwise before such meeting or adjourned meeting proceeds to business. A notarially certified copy of each block voting instruction shall (if the Trustee so requires) be deposited with the Trustee before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting but the Trustee shall not thereby be obliged to investigate or be concerned with the validity of or the authority of the proxies named in any such block voting instruction. 17. Any vote given in accordance with the terms of a block voting instruction shall be valid notwithstanding the previous revocation or amendment of the block voting instruction or of any of the relevant Noteholders' instructions pursuant to which it was executed provided that no intimation in writing of such revocation or amendment shall have been received from the relevant Paying Agent by the Issuer at its registered office (or such other place as may have been required or approved by the Trustee for the purpose) by the time being 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the block voting instruction is to be used. 18. The Noteholders shall in addition to the powers hereinbefore given have the following powers exercisable only by Extraordinary Resolution (subject, in the case of a meeting, to the provisions relating to quorum contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 above) namely: (A) Power to sanction any compromise or arrangement proposed to be made between the Issuer, the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders and Couponholders or any of them. (B) Power to sanction any abrogation, modification, compromise or arrangement in respect of the rights of the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders, the Couponholders or the Issuer or against any other or others of them or against any of their property whether such rights shall arise under these presents or otherwise. (C) Power to assent to any modification of the provisions of these presents which shall be proposed by the Issuer, the Trustee or any Noteholder. (D) Power to give any authority or sanction which under the provisions of these presents is required to be given by Extraordinary Resolution. (E) Power to appoint any persons (whether Noteholders or not) as a committee or committees to represent the interests of the Noteholders and to confer upon such committee or committees any powers or discretions which the Noteholders could themselves exercise by Extraordinary Resolution. (F) Power to approve of a person to be appointed a trustee and power to remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. (G) Power to discharge or exonerate the Trustee and/or any Appointee from all liability in respect of any act or omission for which the Trustee and/or such Appointee may have become responsible under these presents. (H) Power to authorise the Trustee and/or any Appointee to concur in and execute and do all such deeds, instruments, acts and things as may be necessary to carry out and give effect to any Extraordinary Resolution. 102 |
(I) Power to sanction any scheme or proposal for the exchange or sale of the Notes for or the conversion of the Notes into or the cancellation of the Notes in consideration of shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities of the Issuer or any other company formed or to be formed, or for or into or in consideration of cash, or partly for or into or in consideration of such shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities as aforesaid and partly for or into or in consideration of cash. 19. Any resolution passed by the Noteholders in accordance with these presents shall be binding upon all the Noteholders whether present or not present at any meeting and whether or not voting and upon all Couponholders and each of them shall be bound to give effect thereto accordingly and the passing of any such resolution shall be conclusive evidence that the circumstances justify the passing thereof. Notice of the result of the voting on any resolution duly considered by the Noteholders shall be published in accordance with Condition 13 by the Issuer within 14 days of such result being known PROVIDED THAT the non-publication of such notice shall not invalidate such result. 20. The expression "Extraordinary Resolution" when used in these presents means (a) a resolution passed at a meeting of the Noteholders duly convened and held in accordance with these presents by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the persons voting thereat upon a show of hands or if a poll is duly demanded by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the votes cast on such poll; or (b) a resolution in writing signed by or on behalf of all the Noteholders, which resolution in writing may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by or on behalf of one or more of the Noteholders; or (c) consent given by way of electronic consents through the relevant Clearing System(s) (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) by or on behalf of holders of not less than three-fourths in principal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 21. Minutes of all resolutions and proceedings at every meeting of the Noteholders shall be made and entered in books to be from time to time provided for that purpose by the Issuer and any such minutes as aforesaid if purporting to be signed by the Chairman of the meeting at which such resolutions were passed or proceedings transacted shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein contained and until the contrary is proved every such meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes have been made shall be deemed to have been duly held and convened and all resolutions passed or proceedings transacted thereat to have been duly passed or transacted. 22. (A) If and whenever the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes of more than one Series the foregoing provisions of this Schedule shall have effect subject to the following modifications: (i) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of only one Series shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Notes of that Series; (ii) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series but does not give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of Notes of any of the Series so affected shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a single meeting of the holders of the Notes of all the Series so affected; (iii) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series and gives or may give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of the Notes of one Series or group of Series so affected and the holders of the Notes of another Series or group of Series so affected shall be 103 |
deemed to have been duly passed only if passed at separate meetings of the holders of the Notes of each Series or group of Series so affected; and (iv) to all such meetings all the preceding provisions of this Schedule shall mutatis mutandis apply as though references therein to Notes and Noteholders were references to the Notes of the Series or group of Series in question or to the holders of such Notes, as the case may be. (B) If the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes which are not denominated in euro in the case of any meeting of holders of Notes of more than one currency the nominal amount of such Notes shall (i) for the purposes of paragraph 2 above be the equivalent in euro at the spot rate of a bank nominated by the Trustee for the conversion of the relevant currency or currencies into euro on the seventh dealing day prior to the day on which the requisition in writing is received by the Issuer and (ii) for the purposes of paragraphs 5, 6 and 14 above (whether in respect of the meeting or any adjourned such meeting or any poll resulting therefrom) be the equivalent at such spot rate on the seventh dealing day prior to the day of such meeting. In such circumstances, on any poll each person present shall have one vote for each €1 (or such other euro amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate) in nominal amount of the Notes (converted as above) which he holds or represents. 23. Subject to all other provisions of these presents the Trustee may without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders prescribe such further regulations regarding the requisitioning and/or the holding of meetings of Noteholders and attendance and voting thereat as the Trustee may in its sole discretion think fit. 104 |
EXECUTED as a deed by ) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC ) acting by ) and ) Director Secretary EXECUTED as a deed by ) ………………………………………….) as attorney for HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE ) COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ) ……………………………………………………… Attorney name Witnessed by: …………………………… Witness Name : …………………………. Witness Address : ……………………….. …………………………………………… …………………………………………… 105 |
DATED 9 DECEMBER 2005 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc - and - HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ________________________________________ TRUST DEED relating to a €2,500,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (as modified and restated on 11 March 2016) ________________________________________ 106 |
Exhibit 4.3
CONFORMED COPY Allen & Overy LLP 0013726-0004143 ICM:32105437.10 SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED 27 March 2019 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc and HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED further modifying and restating the provisions of the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 relating to a €2,500,000,000 EURO MEDIUM TERM NOTE PROGRAMME |
2 THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED is made on 27 March 2019 BETWEEN: (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB (the "Issuer"); and (3) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales whose registered office is at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ (the "Trustee"), as trustee for the holders of the Notes and Coupons. WHEREAS: (A) This Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed is supplemental to: (a) the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 made between the Issuer and HSBC Trustee (C.I.) (hereinafter called the "Principal Trust Deed") relating to the €2,500,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the “Programme”) established by the Issuer; (b) the First Supplemental Trust Deed dated 19 March 2007 made between the Issuer and HSBC Trustee (C.I.) and modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the "First Supplemental Trust Deed"); (c) the Second Supplemental Trust Deed dated 13 June 2008 made between the Issuer, HSBC Trustee (C.I.) and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Second Supplemental Trust Deed”); (d) the Third Supplemental Trust Deed dated 21 June 2013 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Third Supplemental Trust Deed”); (e) the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 18 February 2015 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed”); and (f) the Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 11 March 2016 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed” and, together with the Principal Trust Deed, the First Supplemental Trust Deed, the Second Supplemental Trust Deed, the Third Supplemental Trust Deed and the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed, the “Subsisting Trust Deeds”). (B) On 27 March 2019 the Issuer published a modified and updated Offering Circular relating to the Programme. NOW THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED WITNESSETH AND IT IS HEREBY DECLARED as follows: 1. Subject as hereinafter provided and unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, all words and expressions defined in the Subsisting Trust Deeds shall have the same meanings in this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed. 2. Save: |
3 (a) in relation to all Series of Notes the first Tranches of which were issued during the period up to and including the day last preceding the date of this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed; and (b) for the purpose (where necessary) of construing the provisions of this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed, with effect on and from the date of this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed: (i) the Principal Trust Deed (as previously modified) is hereby further modified in such manner as would result in the Principal Trust Deed being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto; and (ii) the provisions of the Subsisting Trust Deeds (as previously modified) insofar as the same still have effect shall cease to have effect and in lieu thereof the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as so further modified (and being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto) shall have effect. 3. The provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as modified and restated by this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed shall be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee. 4. The Subsisting Trust Deeds shall henceforth be read and construed as one document with this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed. 5. A Memorandum of this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed shall be endorsed by the Trustee on the Principal Trust Deed and by the Issuer on its duplicate of the Principal Trust Deed. IN WITNESS whereof this Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date first stated on page 1 above. |
4 SCHEDULE FORM OF MODIFIED PRINCIPAL TRUST DEED DATED 9 DECEMBER 2005 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc - and - HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ________________________________________ TRUST DEED relating to a €2,500,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (as modified and restated on 27 March 2019) ________________________________________ |
6 THIS TRUST DEED is made on 9 December 2005 BETWEEN: (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB (the "Issuer"); and (2) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales, whose registered office is at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ (the "Trustee", which expression shall, wherever the context so admits, include such company and all other persons or companies for the time being the trustee or trustees of these presents) as trustee for the Noteholders and the Couponholders (each as defined below). WHEREAS: (1) By a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 14 July 2005 and by a resolution of the Committee of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 8 December 2005 the Issuer has resolved to establish a Euro Medium Term Note Programme pursuant to which the Issuer may from time to time issue Notes as set out herein. Notes up to a maximum nominal amount (calculated in accordance with Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement (as defined below)) from time to time outstanding of €2,500,000,000 (subject to increase as provided in the Programme Agreement) (the "Programme Limit") may be issued pursuant to the said Programme. (2) The Trustee has agreed to act as trustee of these presents for the benefit of the Noteholders and the Couponholders upon and subject to the terms and conditions of these presents. NOW THIS TRUST DEED WITNESSES AND IT IS AGREED AND DECLARED as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS (A) IN these presents unless there is anything in the subject or context inconsistent therewith the following expressions shall have the following meanings: "Agency Agreement" means the agreement dated 9 December 2005 as amended and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, pursuant to which the Issuer has appointed the Agent and the other Paying Agents in relation to all or any Series of the Notes and any other agreement for the time being in force appointing further or other Paying Agents or another Agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, or in connection with their duties, the terms of which have previously been approved in writing by the Trustee, together with any agreement for the time being in force amending or modifying with the prior written approval of the Trustee any of the aforesaid agreements; "Agent" means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, HSBC Bank plc at its office at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England or, if applicable, any Successor principal paying agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Applicable Law" means any law or regulation including, but not limited to: (i) any statute or regulation; (ii) any rule or practice of any Authority by which the issuer is bound or with which it is accustomed to comply; (iii) any agreement between any Authorities; and (iv) any customary agreement between any Authority and any party; "Appointee" means any attorney, manager, agent, delegate or other person appointed by the Trustee under these presents; |
7 "Auditors" means the auditors for the time being of the Issuer or, in the event of their being unable or unwilling promptly to carry out any action requested of them pursuant to the provisions of these presents, such other firm of accountants as may be nominated or approved by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents; "Authority" means any competent regulatory, prosecuting, tax or governmental authority in any jurisdiction; "Calculation Agent" means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the person initially appointed as calculation agent in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement or, if applicable, any Successor calculation agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Change of Control" has the meaning set out in Condition 6(f); "Clearstream, Luxembourg" means Clearstream Banking S.A.; "Code" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986; "Conditions" means, in relation to the Notes of any Series, the terms and conditions endorsed on or incorporated by reference into the Note or Notes constituting such Series, such terms and conditions being in or substantially in the form set out in the First Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes of the relevant Series, in each case as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions of these presents; "Coupon" means an interest coupon appertaining to a definitive Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note), such coupon being: (i) if appertaining to a Fixed Rate Note, in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part IVA of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or (ii) if appertaining to a Floating Rate Note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part IVB of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or (iii) if appertaining to a definitive Note which is neither a Fixed Rate Note nor a Floating Rate Note in such form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), and includes, where applicable, the Talon(s) appertaining thereto and any replacements for Coupons and Talons issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Couponholders" means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Coupons and includes, where applicable, the Talonholders; "Dealers" means Barclays Bank PLC, Banco Santander, S.A., Bayerische Landesbank, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank N.V., Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc, Merrill Lynch International, Mizuho International plc, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) and Standard Chartered Bank and any other entity which the Issuer may appoint as a Dealer and |
8 notice of whose appointment has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement but excluding any entity whose appointment has been terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and notice of such termination has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and references to a "relevant Dealer" or the "relevant Dealer(s)" mean, in relation to any Tranche or Series of Notes, the Dealer or Dealers with whom the Issuer has agreed the issue of the Notes of such Tranche or Series and "Dealer" means any one of them; "Definitive Note" means a Note in definitive form issued or, as the case may require, to be issued by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for either a Temporary Global Note or part thereof or a Permanent Global Note (all as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement), such Note in definitive form being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part III of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and having the Conditions endorsed thereon or, if permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange, incorporating the Conditions by reference as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement and having the relevant information supplementing the Conditions appearing in the applicable Pricing Supplement endorsed thereon or attached thereto and (except in the case of a Zero Coupon Note) having Coupons and, where appropriate, Talons attached thereto on issue; "Directors" means the Board of Directors for the time being of the Issuer; "Early Redemption Amount" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Condition 6(e); "Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank SA/NV; “Euronext Dublin” means the Irish Stock Exchange plc, trading as Euronext Dublin or such other body to which its functions have been transferred; "Event of Default" means any of the conditions, events or acts provided in Condition 9 to be events upon the happening of which the Notes of any Series would, subject only to notice by the Trustee as therein provided, become immediately due and repayable; "Extraordinary Resolution" has the meaning set out in paragraph 20 of the Third Schedule; "Fixed Rate Note" means a Note on which interest is calculated at a fixed rate payable in arrear on a fixed date or fixed dates in each year and on redemption or on such other dates as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); "Floating Rate Note" means a Note on which interest is calculated at a floating rate payable in arrear in respect of such period or on such date(s) as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); “Global Exchange Market” means the Global Exchange Market of Euronext Dublin. "Global Note" means a Temporary Global Note and/or a Permanent Global Note as the context may require; |
9 "Interest Commencement Date" means, in the case of interest-bearing Notes, the date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement from (and including) which such Notes bear interest, which may or may not be the Issue Date; "Interest Payment Date" means, in relation to any Floating Rate Note, either: (i) the date which falls the number of months or other period specified as the "Specified Period" in the applicable Pricing Supplement after the preceding Interest Payment Date or the Interest Commencement Date (in the case of the first Interest Payment Date); or (ii) such date or dates as are indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement; "Issue Date" means, in respect of any Note, the date of issue and purchase of such Note pursuant to and in accordance with the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) being, in the case of any Definitive Note represented initially by a Global Note, the same date as the date of issue of the Global Note which initially represented such Note; "Issue Price" means the price, generally expressed as a percentage of the nominal amount of the Notes, at which the Notes will be issued; "Liability" means any loss, damage, cost, charge, claim, demand, expense, judgment, action, proceeding or other liability whatsoever (including, without limitation in respect of taxes, duties, levies, imposts and other charges) and including any value added tax or similar tax charged or chargeable in respect thereof and legal fees and expenses on a full indemnity basis; "London Business Day" has the meaning set out in Condition 4(b)(vii); "Maturity Date" means the date on which a Note is expressed to be redeemable; "month" means calendar month; "Note" means a note issued pursuant to the Programme and denominated in such currency or currencies as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) which has such maturity and denomination as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and issued or to be issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents and which shall initially be represented by, and comprised in, either (i) a Temporary Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Temporary Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Notes or a Permanent Global Note which Permanent Global Note may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) in turn be exchanged for Definitive Notes or (ii) a Permanent Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Notes (all as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) and includes any replacements for a Note issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Noteholders" means the several persons who are for the time being holders of outstanding Notes save that, in respect of the Notes of any Series, for so long as such Notes or any part thereof are represented by a Global Note deposited with a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (other than Clearstream, Luxembourg, if Clearstream, Luxembourg shall be an accountholder of Euroclear and Euroclear, if Euroclear shall be an accountholder of Clearstream, Luxembourg) as the holder of a particular nominal amount of |
10 the Notes of such Series shall be deemed to be the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes (and the holder of the relevant Global Note shall be deemed not to be the holder) for all purposes of these presents other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the rights to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer and the Trustee, solely in such common depositary and for which purpose such common depositary shall be deemed to be the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in accordance with and subject to its terms and the provisions of these presents and the expressions "Noteholder", "holder" and "holder of Notes" and related expressions shall be construed accordingly; "notice" means, in respect of a notice to be given to Noteholders, a notice validly given pursuant to Condition 13; "Official List" means the official list maintained by Euronext Dublin; "outstanding" means, in relation to the Notes of all or any Series, all the Notes of such Series issued other than: (a) those Notes which have been redeemed pursuant to these presents; (b) those Notes in respect of which the date (including, where applicable, any deferred date) for redemption in accordance with the Conditions has occurred and the redemption moneys (including all interest payable thereon) have been duly paid to the Trustee or to the Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement (and where appropriate notice to that effect has been given to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13) and remain available for payment against presentation of the relevant Notes and/or Coupons; (c) those Notes which have been purchased and cancelled in accordance with Conditions 6(g) and 6(h); (d) those Notes which have become void or in respect of which claims have become prescribed, in each case under Condition 8; (e) those mutilated or defaced Notes which have been surrendered and cancelled and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 10; (f) (for the purpose only of ascertaining the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding and without prejudice to the status for any other purpose of the relevant Notes) those Notes which are alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 10; and (g) any Global Note to the extent that it shall have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or another Global Note pursuant to its provisions, the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement, PROVIDED THAT for each of the following purposes, namely: (i) the right to attend and vote at any meeting of the holders of the Notes of any Series; (ii) the determination of how many and which Notes of any Series are for the time being outstanding for the purposes of Clause 8(A), Conditions 9 and 14 and paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 9 of the Third Schedule; |
11 (iii) any discretion, power or authority (whether contained in these presents or vested by operation of law) which the Trustee is required, expressly or impliedly, to exercise in or by reference to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series; and (iv) the determination by the Trustee whether any event, circumstance, matter or thing is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series, those Notes of the relevant Series (if any) which are for the time being held by or on behalf of the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company, in each case as beneficial owner, shall (unless and until ceasing to be so held) be deemed not to remain outstanding; "Paying Agents" means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the several institutions (including, where the context permits, the Agent) at their respective specified offices initially appointed as paying agents in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement and/or, if applicable, any Successor paying agents at their respective specified offices in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Permanent Global Note" means a global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), together with the copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement annexed thereto, comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for the whole or part of any Temporary Global Note issued in respect of such Notes; "Potential Event of Default" means any condition, event or act which, with the lapse of time and/or the issue, making or giving of any notice, certification, declaration, demand, determination and/or request and/or the taking of any similar action and/or the fulfilment of any similar condition, would constitute an Event of Default; "Pricing Supplement" has the meaning set out in the Programme Agreement; "Principal Subsidiary" means at any time a Subsidiary of the Issuer: (a) whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Issuer represent (or, in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, are equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated respectively by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided that in the case of a Subsidiary of the Issuer acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, the reference to the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until consolidated accounts for the financial period in which the acquisition is made have been prepared and audited as aforesaid, be deemed to be a reference to such first-mentioned accounts as if such Subsidiary had been shown in such accounts by reference to its then latest relevant audited accounts, adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Directors; or |
12 (b) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer which immediately prior to such transfer is a Principal Subsidiary, provided that the transferor Subsidiary shall upon such transfer forthwith cease to be a Principal Subsidiary and the transferee Subsidiary shall cease to be a Principal Subsidiary pursuant to this sub-paragraph (b) on the date on which the consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the financial period current at the date of such transfer have been prepared and audited as aforesaid but so that such transferor Subsidiary or such transferee Subsidiary may be a Principal Subsidiary on or at any time after the date on which such consolidated accounts have been prepared and audited as aforesaid by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) above or before, on or at any time after such date by virtue of the provisions of this sub-paragraph (b) or sub-paragraph (c) below or at any time by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) below; or (c) to which is transferred an undertaking or assets which, taken together with the undertaking or assets of the transferee Subsidiary, generated (or, in the case of the transferee Subsidiary being acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, generate operating profits attributable to the Issuer equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits, of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated as referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above, provided that the transferor Subsidiary (if a Principal Subsidiary) shall upon such transfer forthwith cease to be a Principal Subsidiary unless immediately following such transfer its undertaking and assets generate (or, in the case aforesaid, generate operating profits attributable to the Issuer equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profit, of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated as referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above, and the transferee Subsidiary shall cease to be a Principal Subsidiary pursuant to this sub-paragraph (c) on the date on which the consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the financial period current at the date of such transfer have been prepared and audited but so that such transferor Subsidiary or such transferee Subsidiary may be a Principal Subsidiary on or at any time after the date on which such consolidated accounts have been prepared and audited as aforesaid by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) above or before, on or at any time after such date by virtue of the provisions of this sub- paragraph (c) or sub-paragraph (b) above or at any time by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) below; or (d) which has Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (as defined in Condition 9(c)) outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency). For the purposes of this definition if there shall at any time not be any relevant audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, references thereto herein shall be deemed to be references to a consolidation by the Directors of the relevant audited accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries. A report by two Directors or one Director and the Company Secretary of the Issuer (as referred to in Clause 13) whether or not addressed to the Trustee that in their opinion a Subsidiary of the Issuer is or is not or was or was not at any particular time or throughout any specified period a Principal Subsidiary may be relied upon by the Trustee without further enquiry or evidence and, if relied upon by the Trustee, shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties; "Programme" means the Euro Medium Term Note Programme established by, or otherwise contemplated in, the Programme Agreement; |
13 "Programme Agreement" means the agreement of even date herewith between the Issuer and the Dealers named therein (or deemed named therein) concerning the purchase of Notes to be issued pursuant to the Programme together with any agreement for the time being in force amending, replacing, novating or modifying such agreement and any accession letters and/or agreements supplemental thereto; "Put Event" has the meaning set out in Condition 6(f); "Relevant Date" has the meaning set out in Condition 7; "repay", "redeem" and "pay" shall each include both of the others and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly; "Series" means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices and the expressions "Notes of the relevant Series", "holders of Notes of the relevant Series" and related expressions shall be construed accordingly; "Stock Exchange" means Euronext Dublin or any other or further stock exchange(s) on which any Notes may from time to time be listed, and references in these presents to the "relevant Stock Exchange" shall, in relation to any Notes, be references to the Stock Exchange on which such Notes are, from time to time, or are intended to be, listed; "Subsidiary" means any company which is for the time being a subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006); "Successor" means, in relation to the Agent, the other Paying Agents and the Calculation Agent, any successor to any one or more of them in relation to the Notes which shall become such pursuant to the provisions of these presents and/or the Agency Agreement (as the case may be) and/or such other or further agent, paying agents and calculation agent (as the case may be) in relation to the Notes as may (with the prior approval of, and on terms previously approved by, the Trustee in writing) from time to time be appointed as such, and/or, if applicable, such other or further specified offices (in the case of the Agent and the other Paying Agents being within the same city as those for which it is they are substituted) as may from time to time be nominated, in each case by the Issuer, and (except in the case of the initial appointments and specified offices made under and specified in the Conditions and/or the Agency Agreement, as the case may be) notice of whose appointment or, as the case may be, nomination has been given to the Noteholders; "Talonholders" means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Talons; "Talons" means the talons (if any) appertaining to, and exchangeable in accordance with the provisions therein contained for further Coupons appertaining to, the Definitive Notes (other than Zero Coupon Notes), such talons being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part V of the Second Schedule or in such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and includes any replacements for Talons issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Temporary Global Note" means a temporary global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part I of the Second Schedule together with the copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement annexed thereto with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), comprising some or all of the Notes |
14 of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents; "these presents" means this Trust Deed and the Schedules and any trust deed supplemental hereto and the Schedules (if any) thereto and the Notes, the Coupons, the Talons, the Conditions and, unless the context otherwise requires, the Pricing Supplement, all as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions herein or therein contained; "Tranche" means all Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading); "Trust Corporation" means a corporation entitled by rules made under the Public Trustee Act 1906 of Great Britain or entitled pursuant to any other comparable legislation applicable to a trustee in any other jurisdiction to carry out the functions of a custodian trustee; "Trustee Acts" means the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000; "Zero Coupon Note" means a Note on which no interest is payable; words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; words denoting one gender only shall include the other genders; and words denoting persons only shall include firms and corporations and vice versa. (B) (i) All references in these presents to principal and/or principal amount and/or interest in respect of the Notes or to any moneys payable by the Issuer under these presents shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed in accordance with Condition 5(f). (ii) All references in these presents to any statute or any provision of any statute shall be deemed also to refer to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof or any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder or under any such modification or re-enactment. (iii) All references in these presents to guarantees or to an obligation being guaranteed shall be deemed to include respectively references to indemnities or to an indemnity being given in respect thereof. (iv) All references in these presents to any action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors shall be deemed to include, in respect of any jurisdiction other than England, references to such action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors available or appropriate in such jurisdiction as shall most nearly approximate to such action, remedy or method of proceeding described or referred to in these presents. (v) All references in these presents to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include references to any additional or alternative clearing system as is approved by the Issuer, the Agent and the Trustee or as may otherwise be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (vi) Unless the context otherwise requires words or expressions used in these presents shall bear the same meanings as in the Companies Act 2006 of Great Britain. |
15 (vii) In this Trust Deed references to Schedules, Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub- paragraphs shall be construed as references to the Schedules to this Trust Deed and to the Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs of this Trust Deed respectively. (viii) In these presents tables of contents and Clause headings are included for ease of reference and shall not affect the construction of these presents. (C) Words and expressions defined in these presents or the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Pricing Supplement shall have the same meanings where used herein unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement and these presents, these presents shall prevail and, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement or these presents and the applicable Pricing Supplement, the applicable Pricing Supplement shall prevail. (D) All references in these presents to the "relevant currency" shall be construed as references to the currency in which payments in respect of the Notes and/or Coupons of the relevant Series are to be made as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (E) As used in these presents references to Notes having a "listing" or being "listed" on a Stock Exchange shall, in relation to Euronext Dublin, be construed to mean that such Notes have been admitted to the Official List of the Irish Stock Exchange plc trading as Euronext Dublin and admitted to trading on Euronext Dublin's Global Exchange Market. The Global Exchange Market is not a regulated market for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2014/65/EU), as amended. The applicable Pricing Supplement relating to each Tranche of Notes will specify whether such Notes are to be admitted to trading on the Euronext Dublin's Global Exchange Market. All references in these presents to "listing" and "listed" shall include references to "quotation" and "quoted" respectively. 2. AMOUNT AND ISSUE OF THE NOTES (A) Amount of the Notes, Pricing Supplement and Legal Opinions: The Notes will be issued in Series in an aggregate nominal amount from time to time outstanding not exceeding the Programme Limit from time to time and for the purpose of determining such aggregate nominal amount Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement shall apply. By not later than 3.00 p.m. (London time) on the third London Business Day preceding each proposed Issue Date, the Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and drafts of all legal opinions to be given in relation to the relevant issue and shall notify the Trustee in writing without delay of the relevant Issue Date and the nominal amount of the Notes to be issued. Upon the issue of the relevant Notes, such Notes shall become constituted by these presents without further formality. Before the first issue of Notes occurring after each anniversary of this Trust Deed and on such other occasions as the Trustee so requests (on the basis that the Trustee considers it necessary in view of a change (or proposed change) in English law affecting the Issuer, these presents, the Programme Agreement, the Agency Agreement or the Trustee has other grounds), the Issuer will procure that (a) further legal opinion(s) (relating, if applicable, to any such change or proposed change) in such form and with such content as the Trustee may require from the legal advisers specified in the Programme Agreement or such other legal advisers as the Trustee may require is/are delivered to the Trustee. Whenever such a request is made with |
16 respect to any Notes to be issued, the receipt of such opinion in a form satisfactory to the Trustee shall be a further condition precedent to the issue of those Notes. (B) Covenant to repay principal and to pay interest: The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will, as and when the Notes of any Series or any of them becomes due to be redeemed, or on such earlier as the same or any part thereof may become due and repayable thereunder, in accordance with the Conditions, unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee in the relevant currency in immediately available funds the principal amount in respect of the Notes of such Series becoming due for redemption on that date and (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) shall in the meantime and until redemption in full of the Notes of such Series (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee as aforesaid interest (which shall accrue from day to day) on the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding of such Series at rates and/or in amounts calculated from time to time in accordance with, or specified in, and on the dates provided for in, the Conditions (subject to Clause 2(D)) PROVIDED THAT: (i) every payment of principal or interest or other sum due in respect of the Notes made to or to the order of the Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement shall be in satisfaction pro tanto of the relative covenant by the Issuer in this Clause contained in relation to the Notes of such Series except to the extent that there is a default in the subsequent payment thereof in accordance with the Conditions to the relevant Noteholders or Couponholders (as the case may be); (ii) in the case of any payment of principal which is not made to the Trustee or the Agent on or before the due date or on or after accelerated maturity following an Event of Default, interest shall continue to accrue on the nominal amount of the relevant Notes (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 6(i) shall apply) (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) up to and including the date which the Trustee determines to be the date on and after which payment is to be made in respect thereof as stated in a notice given to the holders of such Notes (such date to be not later than 30 days after the day on which the whole of such principal amount, together with an amount equal to the interest which has accrued and is to accrue pursuant to this proviso up to and including that date, has been received by the Trustee or the Agent); and (iii) in any case where payment of the whole or any part of the principal amount of any Note is improperly withheld or refused upon due presentation thereof (other than in circumstances contemplated by (ii) above) interest shall accrue on the nominal amount of such Note (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 6(i) shall apply) payment of which has been so withheld or refused (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) from the date of such withholding or refusal until the date on which, upon further presentation of the relevant Note, payment of the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency payable in respect of such Note is made or (if earlier) the seventh day after notice is given to the relevant Noteholder(s) (whether individually or in accordance with Condition 13) that the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant |
17 currency in respect of such Note is available for payment, PROVIDED THAT, upon further presentation thereof being duly made, such payment is made. The Trustee will hold the benefit of this covenant on trust for the Noteholders and the Couponholders and itself in accordance with these presents. (C) Trustee's requirements regarding Paying Agents etc: At any time after an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default shall have occurred or the Notes of all or any Series shall otherwise have become due and repayable or the Trustee shall have received any money which it proposes to pay under Clause 9 to the relevant Noteholders and/or Couponholders, the Trustee may: (i) by notice in writing to the Issuer, the Agent and the other Paying Agents require the Agent and the other Paying Agents pursuant to the Agency Agreement: (a) to act thereafter as Agent and other Paying Agents respectively of the Trustee in relation to payments to be made by or on behalf of the Trustee under the terms of these presents mutatis mutandis on the terms provided in the Agency Agreement (save that the Trustee's liability under any provisions thereof for the indemnification, remuneration and payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent and the other Paying Agents shall be limited to the amounts for the time being held by the Trustee on the trusts of these presents relating to the Notes of the relevant Series and available for such purpose) and thereafter to hold all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes and Coupons on behalf of the Trustee; or (b) to deliver up all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes and Coupons to the Trustee or as the Trustee shall direct in such notice PROVIDED THAT such notice shall be deemed not to apply to any documents or records which the Agent or other Paying Agent is obliged not to release by any law or regulation; and (ii) by notice in writing to the Issuer require it to make all subsequent payments in respect of the Notes and Coupons to or to the order of the Trustee and not to the Agent and with effect from the issue of any such notice to the Issuer and until such notice is withdrawn proviso (i) to sub-clause (B) of this Clause relating to the Notes shall cease to have effect. (D) If the Floating Rate Notes of any Series become immediately due and repayable under Condition 9 the rate and/or amount of interest payable in respect of them will be calculated by the Agent or, as the case may be, the Calculation Agent at the same intervals as if such Notes had not become due and repayable, the first of which will commence on the expiry of the Interest Period during which the Notes of the relevant Series become so due and repayable mutatis mutandis in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4 except that the rates of interest need not be published. (E) Currency of payments: All payments in respect of, under and in connection with these presents and the Notes of any Series to the relevant Noteholders and Couponholders shall be made in the relevant currency. (F) Further Notes: |
18 The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time (but subject always to the provisions of these presents) without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders to create and issue further Notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes of any Series (or the same in all respects save for the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon) and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single series with the outstanding Notes of a particular Series. (G) Separate Series: The Notes of each Series shall form a separate Series of Notes and accordingly, unless for any purpose the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, the provisions of this Clause and of Clauses 3 to 20 (both inclusive) and 21(B) and the Third Schedule shall apply mutatis mutandis separately and independently to the Notes of each Series and in such Clauses and Schedule the expressions "Notes", "Noteholders", "Coupons", "Couponholders", "Talons" and "Talonholders" shall be construed accordingly. 3. FORMS OF THE NOTES (A) Global Notes: (i) The Notes of each Tranche will initially be represented by either a single Temporary Global Note or a single Permanent Global Note, as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Each Temporary Global Note shall be exchangeable, upon a request as described therein, for either Definitive Notes together with (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached, or a Permanent Global Note in each case in accordance with the provisions of such Temporary Global Note. Each Permanent Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes together with (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached, in accordance with the provisions of such Permanent Global Note. All Global Notes shall be prepared, completed and delivered to a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or to another appropriate depositary in accordance with any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and, in each case, the Agency Agreement. (ii) Each Temporary Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part I of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Temporary Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. Each Temporary Global Note so executed and authenticated shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery. (iii) Each Permanent Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Permanent Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. Each Permanent Global Note so executed and authenticated shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery. |
19 (B) Definitive Notes: (i) The Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be to bearer in the respective forms or substantially in the respective forms set out in Parts III, IV and V, respectively, of the Second Schedule. The Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be serially numbered and, if listed or quoted, shall be security printed in accordance with the requirements (if any) from time to time of the relevant Stock Exchange and the relevant Conditions may be incorporated by reference into such Definitive Notes unless not so permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange (if any), or the Definitive Notes shall be endorsed with or have attached thereto the relevant Conditions, and, in either such case, the Definitive Notes shall have endorsed thereon or attached thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof). Title to the Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall pass by delivery. (ii) The Definitive Notes shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. The Definitive Notes so executed and authenticated, and the Coupons and Talons, upon execution and authentication of the relevant Definitive Notes, shall be binding and valid obligations of the Issuer. The Coupons and the Talons shall not be signed. No Definitive Note and none of the Coupons or Talons appertaining to such Definitive Note shall be binding or valid until such Definitive Note shall have been executed and authenticated as aforesaid. (C) Facsimile signatures: The Issuer may use the facsimile signature of any person who at the date such signature is affixed to a Note is duly authorised by the Issuer notwithstanding that at the time of issue of any of the Notes he may have ceased for any reason to be the holder of such office or so authorised. (D) Persons to be treated as Noteholders: Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and the other Paying Agents (notwithstanding any notice to the contrary and whether or not it is overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) may (i) (a) for the purpose of making payment thereon or on account thereof deem and treat the bearer of any Global Note, Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon as the absolute owner thereof and of all rights thereunder free from all encumbrances, and shall not be required to obtain proof of such ownership or as to the identity of the bearer and (ii) for all other purposes deem and treat: (a) the bearer of any Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon; and (b) each person for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or such other additional or alternative clearing system approved by the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agent, as having a particular nominal amount of Notes credited to his securities account, as the absolute owner thereof free from all encumbrances and shall not be required to obtain proof of such ownership (other than, in the case of any person for the time being so shown in such records, a certificate or letter of confirmation signed on behalf of Euroclear or |
20 Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other form of record made by any of them) or as to the identity of the bearer of any Global Note, Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon. (E) Certificates of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg: The Issuer and the Trustee may call for and, except in the case of manifest error, shall be at liberty to accept and place full reliance on as sufficient evidence thereof a certificate or letter of confirmation issued on behalf of Euroclear, or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any form of record made by any of them or such other form of evidence and/or information and/or certification as it shall, in its absolute discretion, think fit to the effect that at any particular time or throughout any particular period any particular person is, was, or will be, shown in its records as the holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by a Global Note and, if it does so rely, such letter of confirmation, form of record, evidence, information or certification shall be conclusive and binding on all concerned. 4. FEES, DUTIES AND TAXES The Issuer will pay any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other fees, duties and taxes, including interest and penalties, payable on or in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of these presents, (ii) the constitution and original issue of the Notes and the Coupons and (iii) any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee or (where permitted under these presents so to do) any Noteholder or Couponholder to enforce, or to resolve any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents. 5. COVENANT OF COMPLIANCE The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will comply with and perform and observe all the provisions of these presents which are expressed to be binding on it. The Conditions shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. The Trustee shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and the Coupons as if the same were set out and contained in this Trust Deed, which shall be read and construed as one document with the Notes and the Coupons. The Trustee shall hold the benefit of this covenant upon trust for itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders according to its and their respective interests. 6. CANCELLATION OF NOTES AND RECORDS (A) The Issuer shall procure that all Notes issued by it (i) redeemed or (ii) purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or (iii) which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 10 (together in each case, in the case of Definitive Notes, with all unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or delivered therewith), and all Coupons paid in accordance with the relevant Conditions or which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 10, shall forthwith be cancelled by or on behalf of the Issuer and a certificate stating: (a) the aggregate principal amount of Notes which have been redeemed and the aggregate amounts in respect of and Coupons which have been paid; (b) the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form; (c) the total numbers (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons; |
21 (d) the aggregate amount of interest paid (and the due dates of such payments) on Global Notes; (e) the aggregate nominal amount of Notes (if any) which have been purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer and cancelled and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form and, in the case of Definitive Notes, the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith; (f) the aggregate nominal amounts of Notes and the aggregate amounts in respect of Coupons which have been so surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form and the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons and Talons; (g) the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the unmatured Coupons missing from Definitive Notes bearing interest at a fixed rate which have been redeemed or surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of the Definitive Notes to which such missing unmatured Coupons appertained; and (h) the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of Talons which have been exchanged for further Coupons shall be given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Issuer as soon as possible and in any event within four months after the date of such redemption, purchase, payment, exchange or replacement (as the case may be). The Trustee may accept such certificate as conclusive evidence of redemption, purchase or replacement pro tanto of the Notes or payment of interest thereon or exchange of the relative Talons respectively and of cancellation of the relative Notes and Coupons. (B) The Issuer shall procure (i) that the Agent shall keep a full and complete record of all Notes, Coupons and Talons issued by it (other than serial numbers of Coupons) and of their redemption or purchase by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any cancellation or any payment (as the case may be) and of all replacement notes, coupons or talons issued in substitution for lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed Notes, Coupons or Talons, (ii) that the Agent shall in respect of the Coupons of each maturity retain (in the case of Coupons other than Talons) until the expiry of 10 years from the Relevant Date in respect of such Coupons and (in the case of Talons indefinitely) either all paid or exchanged Coupons of that maturity or a list of the serial numbers of Coupons of that maturity still remaining unpaid or unexchanged and (iii) that such records and Coupons (if any) shall be made available to the Trustee at all reasonable times. 7. NON-PAYMENT Proof that as regards any specified Note or Coupon the Issuer has made default in paying any amount due in respect of such Note or Coupon shall (unless the contrary be proved) be sufficient evidence that the same default has been made as regards all other Notes or Coupons (as the case may be) in respect of which the relevant amount is due and payable. 8. PROCEEDINGS, ACTION AND INDEMNIFICATION (A) The Trustee shall not be bound to take any action or proceedings mentioned in Condition 9 or any other action in relation to these presents unless respectively directed or requested to do so (i) by an Extraordinary Resolution or (ii) in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in aggregate nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding and in either case then only if it shall be indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction against all Liabilities to which it may thereby render itself liable or which it may incur by so doing. |
22 (B) Only the Trustee may enforce the provisions of these presents. No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer to enforce the performance of any of the provisions of these presents unless the Trustee having become bound as aforesaid to take proceedings fails to do so within a reasonable period and such failure is continuing. 9. APPLICATION OF MONEYS All moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer (including any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes or Coupons which have become void or in respect of which claims have become prescribed under Condition 8) shall, unless and to the extent attributable, in the opinion of the Trustee, to a particular Series of the Notes, be apportioned pari passu and rateably between each Series of the Notes, and all moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer to the extent attributable in the opinion of the Trustee to a particular Series of the Notes or which are apportioned to such Series as aforesaid, be held by the Trustee upon trust to apply them (subject to Clause 11): FIRST in payment or satisfaction of all amounts then due and unpaid under Clauses 14 and/or 15(J) to the Trustee and/or any Appointee; SECONDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of that Series; THIRDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of each other Series; and FOURTHLY in payment of the balance (if any) to the Issuer (without prejudice to, or liability in respect of, any question as to how such payment to the Issuer shall be dealt with as between the Issuer and any other person). Without prejudice to this Clause 9, if the Trustee holds any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes which have become void or in respect of which claims have been prescribed under Condition 8, the Trustee will hold such moneys on the above trusts. 10. NOTICE OF PAYMENTS The Trustee shall give notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 of the day fixed for any payment to them under Clause 9. Such payment may be made in accordance with Condition 5 and any payment so made shall be a good discharge to the Trustee. 11. INVESTMENT BY TRUSTEE (A) If the amount of the moneys at any time available for payment in respect of the Notes under Clause 9 is less than 10 per cent of the nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding, the Trustee may, at its discretion, accumulate such moneys amount to at least 10 per cent of the nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding whereupon such accumulations (after deduction of, or provision for, any applicable taxes) shall be applied as specified in Clause 9. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall in no circumstances have any discretion to invest any moneys referred to in this Clause 11 in any investments or other assets. (B) The Trustee may deposit moneys in respect of the Notes in its name or under its control in an account at such bank or other financial institution as the Trustee may, in its absolute discretion, think fit (and for the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be required to obtain |
23 best rates, be responsible for any loss occasioned by such deposit or exercise any other form of investment discretion with regards to such deposits). If that bank or financial institution is the Trustee or a subsidiary, holding or associated company of the Trustee, the Trustee need only account for an amount of interest equal to the amount of interest which would, at then current rates, be payable by it on such a deposit to an independent customer. (C) The parties acknowledge and agree that in the event that any deposits in respect of the Notes are held by a bank or a financial institution in the name or under the control of the Trustee and the interest rate in respect of certain currencies is a negative value such that the application thereof would result in amounts being debited from funds held by such bank or financial institution (“negative interest”), the Trustee shall not be liable to make up any shortfall or be liable for any loss. 12. PARTIAL PAYMENTS Upon any payment under Clause 9 (other than payment in full against surrender of a Note or Coupon) the Note or Coupon in respect of which such payment is made shall be produced to the Trustee, the Paying Agent by or through whom such payment is made and the Trustee shall or shall cause such Paying Agent to enface thereon a memorandum of the amount and the date of payment but the Trustee may in any particular case dispense with such production and enfacement upon such indemnity being given as it shall think sufficient. 13. COVENANTS BY THE ISSUER The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that, so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding (or, in the case of paragraphs (viii), (ix), (xiii), (xiv), (xvi) and (xviii) so long as any of such Notes or the relative Coupons remains liable to prescription or, in the case of paragraph (xv), until the expiry of a period of 30 days after the Relevant Date in respect of the payment of principal in respect of all such Notes remaining outstanding at such time) it shall: (i) at all times carry on and conduct its affairs and procure its Subsidiaries to carry on and conduct their respective affairs in a proper and efficient manner; (ii) give or procure to be given to the Trustee such opinions, certificates and information as it shall require and in such form as it shall require (including without limitation the procurement of all such certificates called for by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 15(C)) for the purpose of the discharge or exercise of the duties, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it under these presents or by operation of law; (iii) cause to be prepared and certified by its Auditors in respect of each financial accounting period accounts in such form as will comply with all relevant legal and accounting requirements and all requirements for the time being of the relevant Stock Exchange; (iv) at all times keep and procure its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of account and, at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or if the Trustee has reasonable grounds to believe that any such event has occurred or is about to occur, so far as permitted by applicable law, allow, and procure that any Subsidiary shall allow, the Trustee and any person appointed by the Trustee to whom the Issuer or the relevant Subsidiary shall have no reasonable objection, free access to such books of account at all reasonable times during normal business hours; (v) send to the Trustee (in addition to any copies to which it may be entitled as a holder of any securities of the Issuer) two copies in English of every balance sheet, profit and loss account, report, circular and notice of general meeting and every other |
24 document issued or sent to its shareholders together with any of the foregoing, and every document issued or sent to holders of securities other than its shareholders (including the Noteholders) as soon as practicable after the issue or publication thereof; (vi) forthwith give notice in writing to the Trustee of the coming into existence of any Security Interest (as defined in Condition 3) which would require any security to be given to the Notes pursuant to Condition 3 or of the occurrence of any Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event and without waiting for the trustee to take further action; (vii) give to the Trustee (a) within seven days after demand by the Trustee therefor and (b) (without the necessity for any such demand) promptly after the publication of its audited accounts in respect of each financial year commencing with the financial year ending 31 December 2005 and in any event not later than 180 days after the end of each such financial year a certificate signed by two of its Directors to the effect that as at a date not more than seven days before delivering such certificate (the "relevant certification date") there did not exist and had not existed since the relevant certification date of the previous certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the date hereof) any Event of Default or any Potential Event of Default (or if such exists or existed specifying the same) and that during the period from and including the relevant certification date of the last such certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the date hereof) to and including the relevant certification date of such certificate that it has complied with all its obligations contained in these presents or (if such is not the case) specifying the respects in which it has not complied; (viii) at all times execute and do all such further documents, acts and things as may be necessary at any time or times in the opinion of the Trustee for the purpose of discharging its functions under, or giving effect to, these presents; (ix) at all times maintain an Agent and other Paying Agents in accordance with the Conditions; (x) procure the Agent to notify the Trustee forthwith in the event that it does not, on or before the due date for any payment in respect of the Notes or any of the relative Coupons, receive unconditionally pursuant to the Agency Agreement payment of the full amount in the requisite currency of the moneys payable on such due date on all such Notes or Coupons as the case may be; (xi) in the event of the unconditional payment to the Agent or the Trustee of any sum due in respect of the Notes or any of them or any of the relative Coupons being made after the due date for payment thereof forthwith give or procure to be given notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 that such payment has been made; (xii) use its reasonable endeavours to maintain the quotation or listing on the relevant Stock Exchange of those of the Notes which are quoted or listed on the relevant Stock Exchange or, if it is unable to do so having used such endeavours, use its reasonable endeavours to obtain and maintain a quotation or listing of such Notes on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets as the Issuer may (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) decide and also upon obtaining a quotation or listing of such Notes issued by it on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets enter into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed to effect such consequential amendments to these presents as the Trustee may require or |
25 as shall be requisite to comply with the requirements of any such stock exchange or securities market; (xiii) give notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 of any appointment, resignation or removal of any Agent, Calculation Agent or other Paying Agent (other than the appointment of the initial Agent, Calculation Agent and other Paying Agents) after having obtained the prior written approval of the Trustee thereto or any change of any Paying Agent's specified office and (except as provided by the Agency Agreement or the Conditions) at least 30 days prior to such event taking effect; PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Calculation Agent or so long as any of the Notes or Coupons remains liable to prescription in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Agent no such termination shall take effect until a new Agent or Calculation Agent (as the case may be) has been appointed on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee; (xiv) obtain the prior written approval of the Trustee to, and promptly give to the Trustee two copies of, the form of every notice given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 (such approval, unless so expressed, not to constitute approval of any such notice for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") of a communication within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA); (xv) if payments by the Issuer of principal or interest in respect of the Notes or relative Coupons shall become subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of any territory or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax other than or in addition to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, immediately upon becoming aware thereof notify the Trustee of such event and (unless the Trustee otherwise agrees) enter forthwith into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed, giving to the Trustee an undertaking or covenant in form and manner satisfactory to the Trustee in terms corresponding to the terms of Condition 7 with the substitution for (or, as the case may be, the addition to) the references therein to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax of references to that other or additional territory or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax to whose taxing jurisdiction such payments shall have become subject as aforesaid; such trust deed also (where applicable) to modify Condition 6(b) so that such Condition shall make reference to the other or additional territory, any political sub-division thereof and any authority therein or thereof having power to tax; (xvi) comply with and perform all its obligations under the Agency Agreement and use its reasonable endeavours to procure that the Agent and the other Paying Agents comply with and perform all their respective obligations thereunder and any notice given by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 2(C)(i) and not make any amendment or modification to such Agreement without the prior written approval of the Trustee; (xvii) in order to enable the Trustee to ascertain the nominal amount of the Notes of each Series for the time being outstanding for any of the purposes referred to in the proviso to the definition of "outstanding" in Clause 1, deliver to the Trustee as soon as practicable upon being so requested in writing by the Trustee a certificate in writing signed by two of its Directors, setting out the total number and aggregate nominal amount of the Notes of each Series issued which: |
26 (a) up to and including the date of such certificate have been purchased by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company and cancelled; and (b) are at the date of such certificate held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company; (xviii) procure its Subsidiaries to comply with all applicable provisions of Condition 6(g); (xix) procure that each of the Paying Agents makes available for inspection by Noteholders and Couponholders at its specified office copies of these presents, the Agency Agreement and the then latest audited balance sheet and profit and loss account (consolidated if applicable) of the Issuer; (xx) if, in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions, interest in respect of the Notes becomes payable at the specified office of any Paying Agent in the United States of America promptly give notice thereof to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13; (xxi) give prior notice to the Trustee of any proposed redemption pursuant to Condition 6(b) or 6(c) and, if it shall have given notice to the Noteholders of its intention to redeem any Notes pursuant to Condition 6(c), duly proceed to make drawings (if appropriate) and to redeem Notes accordingly; (xxii) promptly provide the Trustee with copies of all supplements and/or amendments and/or restatements of the Programme Agreement; (xxiii) give to the Trustee at the same time as sending to it the certificates referred to in paragraph (vii) above, a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer addressed to the Trustee (with a form and content satisfactory to the Trustee) listing those Subsidiaries of the Issuer which as at the last day of the most recently ended financial year of the Issuer were Principal Subsidiaries for the purposes of Condition 9; (xxiv) give to the Trustee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the acquisition or disposal of any company which thereby becomes or ceases to be a Principal Subsidiary or after any transfer is made to any Subsidiary of the Issuer which thereby becomes a Principal Subsidiary or after any Subsidiary becomes or ceases to be a Principal Subsidiary by virtue of paragraph (d) of the definition of Principal Subsidiary, a certificate by two Directors or one Director and the Company Secretary of the Issuer addressed to the Trustee (with a form and content satisfactory to the Trustee) to such effect; (xxv) notify the Trustee of any change to the rating of the Notes or the Issuer; (xxvi) upon due surrender in accordance with the Conditions, pay the face value of all Coupons (including Coupons issued in exchange for Talons) appertaining to all Notes purchased by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer; (xxvii) use its reasonable endeavours to procure that Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (as the case may be) issue(s) any certificate or other document requested by the Trustee under Clause 3(F) as soon as practicable after such request; and (xxviii) the Issuer shall, within ten London Business Days of a written request by the Trustee, supply to the Trustee such forms, documentation and other information relating to it, its operations, or the Notes as the Trustee reasonably requests for the purposes of the |
27 Trustee's compliance with Applicable Law and shall notify the Trustee reasonably promptly in the event that it becomes aware that any of the forms, documentation or other information provided by the Issuer is (or becomes) inaccurate in any material respect; provided, however, the Issuer shall not be required to provide any forms, documentation or other information pursuant to this Clause to the extent that: (i) any such form, documentation or other information (or the information required to be provided on such form or documentation) is not reasonably available to the Issuer and cannot be obtained by the Issuer using reasonable efforts; or (ii) doing so would or might in the reasonable opinion of the Issuer constitute a breach of any: (a) Applicable Law; (b) fiduciary duty; or (c) duty of confidentiality. 14. REMUNERATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE (A) The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee, by way of remuneration for its services as trustee of these presents, such amount as shall be agreed from time to time by exchange of letters between the Issuer and the Trustee. Such remuneration shall accrue from day to day and be payable (in priority to payments to Noteholders and Couponholders) up to and including the date when, all the Notes having become due for redemption, the redemption moneys and interest thereon to the date of redemption have been paid to the Agent or the Trustee PROVIDED THAT if upon due presentation of any Note or Coupon or any cheque payment of the moneys due in respect thereof is improperly withheld or refused, remuneration will be deemed not to have ceased to accrue and will continue to accrue until payment to such Noteholder or Couponholder is duly made. (B) In the event of the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or the Trustee considering it expedient or necessary or being requested by the Issuer to undertake duties which the Trustee and the Issuer agree to be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee such additional remuneration as shall be agreed between them. (C) The Issuer shall in addition pay to the Trustee an amount equal to the amount of any value added tax or similar tax chargeable in respect of its remuneration under these presents. (D) In the event of the Trustee and the Issuer failing to agree: (1) (in a case to which sub-clause (A) above applies) upon the amount of the remuneration; or (2) (in a case to which sub-clause (B) above applies) upon whether such duties shall be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents, or upon such additional remuneration, such matters shall be determined by a person (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Trustee and approved by the Issuer or, failing such approval, nominated (on the application of the Trustee) by the President for the time being of The Law Society of England and Wales (the expenses involved in such nomination and the fees of such person being payable by the Issuer) and the determination of any such person shall be final and binding upon the Trustee and the Issuer. (E) The Issuer shall also pay or discharge all Liabilities and fees incurred by the Trustee in relation to the preparation and execution of the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under, and in any other manner in relation to, these presents and the Agency Agreement, including but not limited to reasonable legal and travelling expenses and any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other taxes or duties paid or payable by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee for enforcing, or |
28 resolving any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents and the Agency Agreement. (F) All amounts payable pursuant to sub-clause (E) above and/or Clause 15(J) shall be payable by the Issuer on the date specified in a demand by the Trustee and shall carry interest at a rate equal to the Trustee’s costs of funds at such time from the date specified in such demand or, in the case of payments made by the Trustee prior to such demand, from the date on which the Trustee made such payment and in all other cases shall (if not paid on the date specified in such demand or if the Trustee so requires) carry interest at such rate from the date specified in such demand or, in the case of payments made by the Trustee prior to such demand, from the date on which the Trustee made such payment. All remuneration payable to the Trustee shall carry interest at such rate from the due date therefor. (G) Unless otherwise specifically stated in any discharge of these presents the provisions of this Clause and Clause 15(J) shall continue in full force and effect in relation to the period during which the Trustee was trustee of these presents notwithstanding such discharge. (H) The Trustee shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to determine in respect of which Series of Notes any Liabilities incurred under these presents have been incurred or to allocate any such Liabilities between the Notes of any Series. 15. SUPPLEMENT TO TRUSTEE ACTS Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Trustee in relation to the trusts constituted by these presents. Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Acts and the provisions of these presents, the provisions of these presents shall, to the extent allowed by law, prevail and, in the case of any such inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of these presents shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act. The Trustee shall have all the powers conferred upon trustees by the Trustee Acts and by way of supplement thereto it is expressly declared as follows: (A) The Trustee may in relation to these presents act on the advice or opinion of or report or any information obtained from any lawyer, valuer, accountant (including the Auditors), surveyor, banker, broker, auctioneer or other expert whether obtained by the Issuer, the Trustee or otherwise whether or not addressed to the Trustee, or any engagement letter or other related document, which contains a monetary or other limit on liability or limits the scope and/or basis of such advice, opinion, report or information and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned by so acting. (B) Any such advice, opinion or information may be sent or obtained by letter, telex, telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or cable and the Trustee shall not be liable for acting on any advice, opinion or information purporting to be conveyed by any such letter, telex, telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or cable although the same shall contain some error or shall not be authentic. (C) The Trustee may call for and shall be at liberty to accept as sufficient evidence of any fact or matter or the expediency of any transaction or thing a certificate signed by two of the Directors of the Issuer or two authorised signatories of any other party and the Trustee shall not be bound in any such case to call for further evidence or be responsible for any Liability that may be occasioned by it or any other person acting on such certificate. (D) The Trustee shall be at liberty to hold these presents and any other documents relating thereto or to deposit them in any part of the world with any banker or banking |
29 company or company whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of documents or lawyer or firm of lawyers considered by the Trustee to be of good repute and the Trustee shall not be responsible for or required to insure against any Liability incurred in connection with any such holding or deposit and may pay all sums required to be paid on account of or in respect of any such deposit. (E) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the receipt or application of the proceeds of the issue of any of the Notes by the Issuer, the exchange of any Global Note for another Global Note or Definitive Notes or the delivery of any Global Note or Definitive Notes to the person(s) entitled to it or them. (F) The Trustee shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution of any documents comprised or referred to in these presents or to take any steps to ascertain whether any Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to these presents to the contrary, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that no Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event has occurred and that the Issuer is observing and performing all its obligations under these presents. (G) Save as expressly otherwise provided in these presents, the Trustee shall have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents (the exercise or non-exercise of which as between the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders) and shall not be responsible for any Liability which may result from their exercise or non-exercise. (H) The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having acted upon any Extraordinary Resolution in writing or any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution purporting to have been passed at any meeting of the holders of Notes of all or any Series in respect whereof minutes have been made and signed or any direction or request of the holders of the Notes of all or any Series even though subsequent to its acting it may be found that there was some defect in the constitution of the meeting or the passing of the resolution, (in the case of an Extraordinary Resolution in writing) that not all such holders had signed the Extraordinary Resolution or (in the case of a direction or request) it was not signed by the requisite number of holders) or that for any reason the resolution, direction or request was not valid or binding upon such holders and the relative Couponholders. (I) The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any Note or Coupon purporting to be such and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic. (J) Without prejudice to the right of indemnity by law given to trustees, the Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee and every Appointee and keep it or him indemnified against all Liabilities to which it or he may be or become subject or which may be incurred by it or him in the negotiation and preparation of these presents and the Agency Agreement and in the execution or purported execution of any of its or his duties, rights, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents and the Agency Agreement or its or his functions under any such appointment or in respect of any other matter or thing done or omitted in any way relating to these presents or any such appointment (including, without limitation, Liabilities incurred in disputing or defending any of the foregoing). |
30 (K) Any consent or approval given by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents may be given on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee thinks fit and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents may be given retrospectively. (L) The Trustee shall not (unless and to the extent ordered so to do by a court of competent jurisdiction) be required to disclose to any Noteholder or Couponholder any information (including, without limitation, information of a confidential, financial or price sensitive nature) made available to the Trustee by the Issuer or any other person in connection with these presents and no Holder or Couponholder shall be entitled to take any action to obtain from the Trustee any such information. (M) Where it is necessary or desirable for any purpose in connection with these presents to convert any sum from one currency to another it shall (unless otherwise provided by these presents or required by law) be converted at such rate or rates, in accordance with such method and as at such date for the determination of such rate of exchange, as may be agreed by the Trustee in consultation with the Issuer and any rate, method and date so agreed shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (N) The Trustee may certify whether or not any of the conditions, events and acts set out in paragraphs (ii) to (viii) (both inclusive) (other than (iv) in relation to the Issuer) of Condition 9(a) (each of which conditions, events and acts shall, unless in any case the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, for all the purposes of these presents be deemed to include the circumstances resulting therein and the consequences resulting therefrom) is in its opinion materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and any such certificate shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (O) The Trustee as between itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders may determine all questions and doubts arising in relation to any of the provisions of these presents. Every such determination, whether or not relating in whole or in part to the acts or proceedings of the Trustee, shall be conclusive and shall bind the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (P) In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities or discretions under these presents (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 7 and/or any undertaking given in addition thereto or in substitution therefor under these presents. (Q) Any trustee of these presents being a lawyer, accountant, broker or other person engaged in any profession or business shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual and proper professional and other charges for business transacted and acts done by him or his firm in connection with the trusts of these presents and also his reasonable charges in addition to disbursements for all other work and business done and all time |
31 spent by him or his firm in connection with matters arising in connection with these presents. (R) The Trustee may whenever it thinks fit delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or persons or fluctuating body of persons (whether being a joint trustee of these presents or not) all or any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents. Such delegation may be made upon such terms (including power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions and regulations as the Trustee may in the interests of the Noteholders think fit. The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such delegate or sub-delegate or be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate. The Trustee shall within a reasonable time after any such delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof give notice thereof to the Issuer. (S) The Trustee may in the conduct of the trusts of these presents instead of acting personally employ and pay an agent (whether being a lawyer or other professional person) to transact or conduct, or concur in transacting or conducting, any business and to do, or concur in doing, all acts required to be done in connection with these presents (including the receipt and payment of money). The Trustee shall not be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such agent or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such agent. (T) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto and shall not be liable for any failure to obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, performance, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto. (U) Any certificate or report of the Auditors called for by or provided to the Trustee in accordance with or for the purposes of these presents may be relied upon by the Trustee as sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein whether or not such certificate or report and/or any engagement letter or other document entered into by the Trustee in connection therewith contains a monetary or other limit on the liability of the Auditors or such other person in respect thereof. (V) Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under these presents, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. (W) Nothing contained in these presents shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion hereunder if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. |
32 (X) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by any officer or employee of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters. (Y) The Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to the Issuer, any Noteholder or Couponholder or any other person for the maintenance of or failure to maintain any rating of any of the Notes by any rating agency. (Z) Notwithstanding anything in these presents or the Agency Agreement to the contrary, the Trustee shall not do, or be authorised or required to do, anything which might constitute a regulated activity for the purpose of the FSMA, unless it is authorised under the FSMA to do so. The Trustee shall have the discretion at any time: (i) to delegate any of the functions which fall to be performed by an authorised person under the FSMA to any other agent or person which also has the necessary authorisations and licences; and (ii) to apply for authorisation under the FSMA and perform any or all such functions itself if, in its absolute discretion, it considers it necessary, desirable or appropriate to do so. (AA) Nothing in this Trust Deed shall require the Trustee to assume an obligation of the Issuer arising under any provisions of the listing, prospectus, disclosure or transparency rules (or equivalent rules of any other competent authority besides the Euronext Dublin). (BB) In relation to any discretion to be exercised or action to be taken by the Trustee under these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee may, at its discretion and without further notice or shall, if it has been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders then outstanding or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of such Notes, exercise such discretion or take such action, provided that, in either case, the Trustee shall not be obliged to exercise such discretion or take such action unless it shall have been indemnified, secured and/or prefunded to its satisfaction against all liabilities and provided that the Trustee shall not be held liable for the consequences of exercising its discretion or taking any such action and may do so without having regard to the effect of such action on individual Noteholders and Couponholders. (CC) Notwithstanding anything else contained in these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee may refrain from doing anything which would or might in its opinion be contrary to any law of any jurisdiction or any directive or regulation of any agency of any state or which would or might otherwise render it liable to any person and may do anything which is, in its opinion, necessary to comply with any such law, directive or regulation. (DD) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Deed, the Trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under the Notes for or on account of any tax, if and only to the extent so required by Applicable Law, in which event the Trustee shall make such payment after such deduction or withholding has been made and shall account to the relevant Authority within the time allowed for the amount so deducted or withheld or, at its option, shall reasonably promptly after making such payment return to the Issuer the amount so deducted or |
33 withheld, in which case, the Issuer shall so account to the relevant Authority for such amount. 16. TRUSTEE'S LIABILITY (a) Subject to sections 750 and 751 of the Companies Act 2006 (if applicable) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee shall not be liable to any person for any matter or thing done or omitted in any way in connection with or in relation to theses presents or the Agency Agreement save in relation to its breach of trust having regard to the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement conferring on it any trusts, powers, authorities or discretions. (b) Any liability of the Trustee arising under these presents or the Agency Agreement shall be limited to the amount of actual loss suffered (such loss shall be determined as at the date of default of the Trustee or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Trustee at the time of entering into these presents or the Agency Agreement or at the time of accepting any relevant instructions, which increase the amount of the loss. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive or consequential damages, whether or not the Trustee has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages. 17. TRUSTEE CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER Neither the Trustee nor any director or officer or holding company, Subsidiary or associated company of a corporation acting as a trustee under these presents shall by reason of its or his fiduciary position be in any way precluded from: (i) entering into or being interested in any contract or financial or other transaction or arrangement with the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated with the Issuer (including without limitation any contract, transaction or arrangement of a banking or insurance nature or any contract, transaction or arrangement in relation to the making of loans or the provision of financial facilities or financial advice to, or the purchase, placing or underwriting of or the subscribing or procuring subscriptions for or otherwise acquiring, holding or dealing with, or acting as paying agent in respect of, the Notes or any other notes, bonds, stocks, shares, debenture stock, debentures or other securities of, the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated as aforesaid); or (ii) accepting or holding the trusteeship of any other trust deed constituting or securing any other securities issued by or relating to the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated or any other office of profit under the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated, and shall be entitled to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such contract, transaction or arrangement as is referred to in (i) above or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship or office of profit as is referred to in (ii) above without regard to the interests of the Noteholders and notwithstanding that the same may be contrary or prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned to the Noteholders thereby and shall be entitled to retain and shall not be in any way liable to account for any profit made or share of brokerage |
34 or commission or remuneration or other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. Where any holding company, Subsidiary or associated company of the Trustee or any director or officer of the Trustee acting other than in his capacity as such a director or officer has any information, the Trustee shall not thereby be deemed also to have knowledge of such information and, unless it shall have actual knowledge of such information, shall not be responsible for any loss suffered by Noteholders resulting from the Trustee's failing to take such information into account in acting or refraining from acting under or in relation to these presents. 18. WAIVER, AUTHORISATION AND DETERMINATION (A) The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders and without prejudice to its rights in respect of any subsequent breach, Event of Default or Potential Event of Default from time to time and at any time but only if and in so far as in its opinion the interests of the Noteholders shall not be materially prejudiced thereby waive or authorise any breach or proposed breach by the Issuer of any of the covenants or provisions contained in these presents or determine that any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such for the purposes of these presents PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT the Trustee shall not exercise any powers conferred on it by this Clause in contravention of any express direction given by Extraordinary Resolution or by a request under Condition 9 but so that no such direction or request shall affect any waiver, authorisation or determination previously given or made. Any such waiver, authorisation or determination may be given or made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, if, but only if, the Trustee shall so require, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. MODIFICATION (B) The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders at any time and from time to time concur with the Issuer in making any modification (i) to these presents which in the opinion of the Trustee it may be proper to make PROVIDED THAT the Trustee is of the opinion that such modification will not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders or (ii) to these presents if in the opinion of the Trustee such modification is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or an error which is, in the opinion of the Trustee, proven. Any such modification may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding upon the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, unless the Trustee agrees otherwise, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. BREACH (C) Any breach of or failure to comply by the Issuer with any such terms and conditions as are referred to in sub-clauses (A) and (B) of this Clause shall constitute a default by the Issuer in the performance or observance of a covenant or provision binding on it under or pursuant to these presents. SUBSTITUTION (D) (1) (a) The Trustee may without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders at any time agree with the Issuer, to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) as the principal debtor under these presents of another company, being a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a parent |
35 undertaking of the Issuer (such substituted company being hereinafter called the “New Company”) provided that a trust deed is executed or some other form of undertaking is given by the New Company in form and manner satisfactory to the Trustee, agreeing to be bound by the provisions of these presents with any consequential amendments which the Trustee may deem appropriate as fully as if the New Company had been named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) and provided further that the Issuer unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees all amounts payable under these presents to the satisfaction of the Trustee. (b) The following further conditions shall apply to (1) above: (i) the Issuer and the New Company shall comply with such other requirements as the Trustee may direct in the interests of the Noteholders; (ii) where the New Company is incorporated, domiciled or resident in, or subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of, a territory other than or in addition to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, undertakings or covenants shall be given by the New Company in terms corresponding to the provisions of Condition 7 with the substitution for (or, as the case may be, the addition to) the references to the United Kingdom of references to that other or additional territory in which the New Company is incorporated, domiciled or resident or to whose taxing jurisdiction it is subject and (where applicable) Condition 6(b) shall be modified accordingly; (iii) without prejudice to the rights of reliance of the Trustee under the immediately following paragraph (iv), the Trustee is satisfied that the relevant transaction is not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders; and (iv) if two Directors of the New Company (or other officers acceptable to the Trustee) shall certify that the New Company is solvent both at the time at which the relevant transaction is proposed to be effected and immediately thereafter (which certificate the Trustee may rely upon absolutely) the Trustee shall not be under any duty to have regard to the financial condition, profits or prospects of the New Company or to compare the same with those of the Issuer or the previous substitute under this Clause as applicable. (2) Any such trust deed or undertaking shall, if so expressed, operate to release the Issuer or the previous substitute as aforesaid from all of its obligations as principal debtor under these presents. Not later than 14 days after the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall give notice thereof in a form previously approved by the Trustee to the Noteholders in the manner provided in Condition 13. Upon the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall be deemed to be named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or in place of the previous substitute under this Clause) under these presents and these presents shall be deemed to be modified in such manner as shall be necessary to give effect to the above provisions and, without |
36 limitation, references in these presents to the Issuer shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to be or include references to the New Company. 19. HOLDER OF DEFINITIVE NOTE ASSUMED TO BE COUPONHOLDER (A) Wherever in these presents the Trustee is required or entitled to exercise a power, trust, authority or discretion under these presents, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by applicable law, the Trustee shall, notwithstanding that it may have express notice to the contrary, assume that each Noteholder is the holder of all Coupons appertaining to each Definitive Note of which he is the holder. NO NOTICE TO COUPONHOLDERS (B) Neither the Trustee nor the Issuer shall be required to give any notice to the Couponholders for any purpose under these presents and the Couponholders shall be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the holders of Notes in accordance with Condition 13. 20. CURRENCY INDEMNITY The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee, every Appointee, the Noteholders and the Couponholders and keep them indemnified against: (a) any Liability incurred by any of them arising from the non-payment by the Issuer of any amount due to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes and the relative Couponholders under these presents by reason of any variation in the rates of exchange between those used for the purposes of calculating the amount due under a judgment or order in respect thereof and those prevailing at the date of actual payment by the Issuer; and (b) any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the local currency equivalent of the amounts due or contingently due under these presents (other than this Clause) is calculated for the purposes of any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer and (ii) the final date for ascertaining the amount of claims in such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The amount of such deficiency shall be deemed not to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any distribution of assets in connection with any such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The above indemnities shall constitute obligations of the Issuer separate and independent from their other obligations under the other provisions of these presents and shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by the Trustee or the Noteholders or the Couponholders from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the judgment or filing of any proof or proofs in any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer for a liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due under these presents (other than this Clause). Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Noteholders and the Couponholders and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuer or its or their liquidator or liquidators. 21. NEW TRUSTEE (A) The power to appoint a new trustee of these presents shall be vested solely in the Issuer but no person shall be appointed who shall not previously have been approved by an Extraordinary Resolution. One or more persons may hold office as trustee or trustees of these presents but |
37 such trustee or trustees shall be or include a Trust Corporation. Whenever there shall be more than two trustees of these presents the majority of such trustees shall be competent to execute and exercise all the duties, powers, trusts, authorities and discretions vested in the Trustee by these presents PROVIDED THAT a Trust Corporation shall be included in such majority. Any appointment of a new trustee of these presents shall as soon as practicable thereafter be notified by the Issuer to the Agent and the Noteholders. SEPARATE AND CO-TRUSTEES (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-clause (A) above, the Trustee may, upon giving prior notice to the Issuer (but without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or Couponholders), appoint any person established or resident in any jurisdiction (whether a Trust Corporation or not) to act either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with the Trustee: (i) if the Trustee considers such appointment to be in the interests of the Noteholders; (ii) for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirements, restrictions or conditions in any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts is or are to be performed; or (iii) for the purposes of obtaining a judgment in any jurisdiction or the enforcement in any jurisdiction of either a judgment already obtained or any of the provisions of these presents against the Issuer. The Issuer irrevocably appoints the Trustee to be its attorney in its name and on its behalf to execute any such instrument of appointment. Such a person shall (subject always to the provisions of these presents) have such trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those conferred on the Trustee by these presents) and such duties and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment. The Trustee shall have power in like manner to remove any such person. Such reasonable remuneration as the Trustee may pay to any such person, together with any attributable Liabilities incurred by it in performing its function as such separate trustee or co-trustee, shall for the purposes of these presents be treated as Liabilities incurred by the Trustee. 22. TRUSTEE'S RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL A trustee of these presents may retire at any time on giving not less than three months' prior written notice to the Issuer without giving any reason and without being responsible for any Liabilities incurred by reason of such retirement. The Noteholders may by Extraordinary Resolution remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. The Issuer undertakes that in the event of the only trustee of these presents which is a Trust Corporation giving notice under this Clause or being removed by Extraordinary Resolution it will use its best endeavours to procure that a new trustee of these presents being a Trust Corporation is appointed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The retiring trustee may appoint a successor trustee if the Issuer has not done so within the notice period. The retirement or removal of any such trustee shall not become effective until a successor trustee being a Trust Corporation is appointed. 23. TRUSTEE'S POWERS TO BE ADDITIONAL The powers conferred upon the Trustee by these presents shall be in addition to any powers which may from time to time be vested in the Trustee by the general law or as a holder of any of the Notes or Coupons. |
38 24. NOTICES Any notice or demand to the Issuer or the Trustee to be given, made or served for any purposes under these presents shall be given, made or served by sending the same by pre-paid post (first class if inland, first class airmail if overseas) or facsimile transmission or by delivering it by hand as follows: to the Issuer: Rentokil Initial plc Riverbank Meadows Business Park Blackwater Camberley Surrey GU17 9AB United Kingdom (Attention: Company Secretary) Facsimile No. 01276 34343 to the Trustee: HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited Level 28 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ (Attention: Issuer Services Trustee Administration) Facsimile No. (020) 7991 4350 or to such other address or facsimile number as shall have been notified (in accordance with this Clause) to the other party hereto and any notice or demand sent by post as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served three days in the case of inland post or seven days in the case of overseas post after despatch and any notice or demand sent by facsimile transmission as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served 24 hours after the time of despatch PROVIDED THAT in the case of a notice or demand given by facsimile transmission such notice or demand shall forthwith be confirmed by post. The failure of the addressee to receive such confirmation shall not invalidate the relevant notice or demand given by facsimile transmission. 25. GOVERNING LAW These presents and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection to them are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. 26. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 A person who is not a party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. |
39 27. COUNTERPARTS This Trust Deed and any trust deed supplemental hereto may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same deed and any party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto may enter into the same by executing and delivering a counterpart. IN WITNESS whereof this Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date first stated on page 1. |
40 THE FIRST SCHEDULE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES The following are the Terms and Conditions of the Notes which will be incorporated by reference into each Global Note (as defined below) and each definitive Note, in the latter case only if permitted by the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) and agreed by the Issuer and the relevant Dealer at the time of issue but, if not so permitted and agreed, such definitive Note will have endorsed thereon or attached thereto such Terms and Conditions. The provisions of Part A of the applicable Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof) will be endorsed upon, or attached to, each Global Note and definitive Note. Reference should be made to the “Form of Pricing Supplement” for a description of the content of Pricing Supplement which will specify which of such terms and conditions are to apply to the relevant Notes. This Note is one of a Series (as defined below) of Notes issued by Rentokil Initial plc (the Issuer) constituted by a Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005, as most recently supplemented on 27 March 2019 (as further amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the Trust Deed) made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (the Trustee, which expression shall include any successor as Trustee). References herein to the Notes shall be references to the Notes of this Series only and not to all Notes that may be issued under the Programme and shall mean: (i) in relation to any Notes represented by a global Note (a Global Note), units of each Specified Denomination in the Specified Currency; (ii) any Global Note; and (iii) any definitive Notes issued in exchange for a Global Note. The Notes and the Coupons (as defined below) have the benefit of an Agency Agreement dated 9 December 2005, as most recently amended and restated on 27 March 2019 (as further amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the Agency Agreement) and made between the Issuer, HSBC Bank plc as issuing and principal paying agent and agent bank (the Agent, which expression shall include any successor agent), the Trustee and the other paying agents named therein (together with the Agent, the Paying Agents, which expression shall include any additional or successor paying agents). Interest-bearing definitive Notes have interest coupons (the Coupons) and, in the case of Notes which (when issued in definitive form) have more than 27 interest payments remaining, talons for further Coupons (the Talons) attached on issue. Any reference herein to Coupons or coupons shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to Talons or talons. Global Notes do not have Coupons or Talons attached on issue. The final terms for this Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are set out in Part A of the Pricing Supplement attached to or endorsed on this Note. References to the applicable Pricing Supplement are to Part A of the Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof) attached to or endorsed on this Note. |
41 The Trustee acts for the benefit of the holders for the time being of the Notes (the Noteholders, which expression shall, in relation to any Notes represented by a Global Note, be construed as provided below) and the holders of the Coupons (the Couponholders, which expression shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include the holders of the Talons), in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Deed. As used herein, Tranche means Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) and Series means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series; and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices. Copies of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement are available for inspection free of charge during normal business hours at the office for the time being of the Agent. Copies of the applicable Pricing Supplement are available for viewing at, and copies may be obtained from, the registered office of the Issuer at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 9AB, United Kingdom by Noteholders holding one or more Notes provided that such Noteholders produce evidence satisfactory to the Issuer and the relevant Paying Agent as to its holding of such Notes and identity. The Noteholders and the Couponholders are deemed to have notice of, and are entitled to the benefit of, all the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement and the applicable Pricing Supplement which are applicable to them. The statements in these Terms and Conditions (the Conditions) include summaries of, and are subject to, the detailed provisions of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement. Words and expressions defined in the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Pricing Supplement shall have the same meanings where used in these Conditions unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement, the Trust Deed will prevail and, in the event of any inconsistency between the Trust Deed or the Agency Agreement and the applicable Pricing Supplement, the applicable Pricing Supplement will prevail. In these Conditions, euro means the currency pursuant to the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, as amended introduced at the start of the third stage of European economic and monetary union. 1. FORM, DENOMINATION AND TITLE The Notes are in bearer form and, in the case of definitive Notes, serially numbered, in the currency (the Specified Currency) and the denomination(s) (the Specified Denomination(s)) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Notes of one Specified Denomination may not be exchanged for Notes of another Specified Denomination. This Note may be a Fixed Rate Note, a Floating Rate Note, a Zero Coupon Note or a combination of any of the foregoing, depending upon the Interest Basis shown in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Definitive Notes are issued with Coupons attached, unless they are Zero Coupon Notes in which case references to Coupons and Couponholders in these Conditions are not applicable. |
42 Subject as set out below, title to the Notes and Coupons will pass by delivery. The Issuer, the Paying Agents and the Trustee will (except as otherwise required by law) deem and treat the bearer of any Note or Coupon as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) for all purposes and shall incur no liability for so doing but, in the case of any Global Note, without prejudice to the provisions set out in the next succeeding paragraph. For so long as any of the Notes is represented by a Global Note held on behalf of Euroclear Bank SA/NV (Euroclear) and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. (Clearstream, Luxembourg), each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or of Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of such Notes (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Paying Agents and the Trustee as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, for which purpose the bearer of the relevant Global Note shall be treated by the Issuer, any Paying Agent and the Trustee as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in accordance with and subject to the terms of the relevant Global Note and the expressions Noteholder and holder of Notes and related expressions shall be construed accordingly. In determining whether a particular person is the holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes as aforesaid, the Trustee may rely on such evidence and/or information and/or certification as it shall, in its absolute discretion, think fit and, if it does so rely, such evidence and/or information and/or certification shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all concerned. Notes which are represented by a Global Note will be transferable only in accordance with the rules and procedures for the time being of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be. References to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include a reference to any additional or alternative clearing system specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or as may otherwise be approved by the Issuer, the Agent and the Trustee. 2. STATUS OF THE NOTES The Notes (and the Coupons relating thereto) constitute direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and (subject to the provisions of Condition 3) unsecured obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu among themselves and (subject as aforesaid and save for certain obligations required to be preferred by law) equally with all other unsecured obligations (other than subordinated obligations, if any) of the Issuer, from time to time outstanding. 3. NEGATIVE PLEDGE For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer will not, and will procure that no Subsidiary (which expression shall, in these Conditions (unless the context otherwise expressly provides), mean a subsidiary as defined in Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) of the Issuer will, create or permit to subsist any mortgage, lien, pledge or other charge (each a Security Interest) upon, or with respect to, any of its present or future business, undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital) to secure any existing or future Relevant Indebtedness of any person or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect thereof, unless the Issuer shall, simultaneously with, or prior to, the creation of |
43 such Security Interest take any and all action necessary to procure that all amounts payable by the Issuer under the Notes and the Trust Deed are secured equally and rateably by such Security Interest to the satisfaction of the Trustee or such other security or other arrangement is provided as the Trustee shall in its absolute discretion deem not materially less beneficial to the Noteholders or as shall be approved by an Extraordinary Resolution (as defined in the Trust Deed) of the Noteholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer or any Subsidiary may create or have outstanding a Security Interest in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness and/or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect thereof as aforesaid (without the obligation to provide a Security Interest or such other security or other arrangement in respect of the Notes and the Trust Deed as aforesaid) where such Security Interest is provided by or in respect of a company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of Notes and where such Security Interest exists at the time that company becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer (provided that such Security Interest was not created in contemplation of that company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer and the principal amount secured at the time of that company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer is not subsequently increased). For the purposes of this Condition 3, Relevant Indebtedness means any of the Notes and, otherwise, any loan or other indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented by, any bonds, notes, depositary receipts or other securities having an original maturity of more than one year from its date of issue and for the time being, by agreement with the issuer thereof, quoted, listed (or capable of being quoted or listed) or dealt in on any stock exchange and/or quotation system or by any listing authority or other recognised securities market provided that such definition shall exclude any such indebtedness in existence before 14 November 2001 which has the benefit of a Security Interest created by the Issuer or any Subsidiary and which is no greater than £10,000,000 when aggregated with all other then existing such indebtedness. 4. INTEREST (a) Interest on Fixed Rate Notes Each Fixed Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date at the rate(s) per annum equal to the Rate(s) of Interest. Interest will be payable in arrear on the Interest Payment Date(s) in each year up to (and including) the Maturity Date. If the Notes are in definitive form, except as provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the amount of interest payable on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the Fixed Interest Period ending on (but excluding) such date will amount to the Fixed Coupon Amount. Payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date will, if so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, amount to the Broken Amount so specified. As used in these Conditions, Fixed Interest Period means the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date. Except in the case of Notes in definitive form where an applicable Fixed Coupon Amount or Broken Amount is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest shall be calculated in respect of any period by applying the Rate of Interest to: |
44 (A) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes represented by such Global Note; or (B) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount; and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Fixed Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Fixed Rate Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination without any further rounding. In these Conditions: Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(a): (i) if “Actual/Actual (ICMA)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement: (a) in the case of Notes where the number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (the Accrual Period) is equal to or shorter than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the number of days in such Accrual Period divided by the product of (1) the number of days in such Determination Period and (2) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that would occur in one calendar year; or (b) in the case of Notes where the Accrual Period is longer than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the sum of: (1) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the Determination Period in which the Accrual Period begins divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that would occur in one calendar year; and (2) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the next Determination Period divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates that would occur in one calendar year; and (ii) if “30/360” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant |
45 payment date (such number of days being calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months) divided by 360. Determination Period means each period from (and including) a Determination Date to (but excluding) the next Determination Date (including, where either the Interest Commencement Date or the final Interest Payment Date is not a Determination Date, the period commencing on the first Determination Date prior to, and ending on the first Determination Date falling after, such date); and sub-unit means, with respect to any currency other than euro, the lowest amount of such currency that is available as legal tender in the country of such currency and, with respect to euro, means one cent. (b) Interest on Floating Rate Notes (i) Interest Payment Dates Each Floating Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date and such interest will be payable in arrear on either: (A) the Specified Interest Payment Date(s) in each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; or (B) if no Specified Interest Payment Date(s) is/are specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each date (each such date, together with each Specified Interest Payment Date, an Interest Payment Date) which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement after the preceding Interest Payment Date or, in the case of the first Interest Payment Date, after the Interest Commencement Date. Such interest will be payable in respect of each Interest Period (which expression shall, in these Conditions, mean the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date). If a Business Day Convention is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement and (x) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which an Interest Payment Date should occur; or (y) if any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day, then, if the Business Day Convention specified is: (1) in any case where Specified Periods are specified in accordance with Condition 4(b)(i)(B), the Floating Rate Convention, such Interest Payment Date (i) in the case of (x) above, shall be the last day that is a Business Day in the relevant month and the provisions of (II) below shall apply mutatis mutandis or (ii) in the case of (y) above, shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event (A) such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day and (B) each subsequent Interest Payment Date shall be the last Business Day in the month which falls the |
46 Specified Period after the preceding applicable Interest Payment Date occurred; (2) the Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day; (3) the Modified Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day; or (4) the Preceding Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day. In these Conditions, Business Day means a day which is both: (I) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London and each Additional Business Centre specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (II) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (if other than London and any Additional Business Centre and which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the Trans- European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (the TARGET2 System) is open. (ii) Rate of Interest The Rate of Interest payable from time to time in respect of Floating Rate Notes will be determined in the manner specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (A) ISDA Determination for Floating Rate Notes Where ISDA Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will be the relevant ISDA Rate plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the Margin (if any). For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(A), ISDA Rate for an Interest Period means a rate equal to the Floating Rate that would be determined by the Agent under an interest rate swap transaction if the Agent were acting as Calculation Agent for that swap transaction under the terms of an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions, as published by |
47 the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. and as amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes (the ISDA Definitions) and under which: (1) the Floating Rate Option is as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; (2) the Designated Maturity is a period specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (3) the relevant Reset Date is, if the applicable Floating Rate Option is based on the London inter-bank offered rate (LIBOR) or on the Euro-zone inter-bank offered rate (EURIBOR), the first day of that Interest Period. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(A), Floating Rate, Calculation Agent, Floating Rate Option, Designated Maturity and Reset Date have the meanings given to those terms in the ISDA Definitions. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Minimum Rate of Interest shall be deemed to be zero. (B) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes – if the Reference Rate is not Compounded Daily SONIA Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, and if the Reference Rate is not specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as being Compounded Daily SONIA, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will, subject as provided below, be either: (1) the offered quotation; or (2) the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations, (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate (being either LIBOR or EURIBOR, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) which appears or appear, as the case may be, on the Relevant Screen Page or such replacement page on that service which displays the information as at 11.00 a.m. (Relevant Financial Centre time) on the Interest Determination Date in question plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent. If five or more of such offered quotations are available on the Relevant Screen Page, the highest (or, if there is more than one such highest quotation, one only of such quotations) and the lowest (or, if there is more than one such lowest quotation, one only of such quotations) shall be disregarded by the Agent for the purpose of determining the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of such offered quotations. |
48 If the Relevant Screen Page is not available or if, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(i), no offered quotation appears or, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(ii), fewer than three offered quotations appear, in each case as at the Specified Time, the Agent shall request each of the Reference Banks to provide the Agent with its offered quotation (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate at approximately the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question. If two or more of the Reference Banks provide the Agent with offered quotations, the Rate of Interest for the Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent. If on any Interest Determination Date one only or none of the Reference Banks provides the Agent with an offered quotation as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which the Agent determines as being the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the rates, as communicated to (and at the request of) the Agent by the Reference Banks or any two or more of them, at which such banks were offered, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate by leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any) or, if fewer than two of the Reference Banks provide the Agent with offered rates, the offered rate for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, or the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of the offered rates for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, at which, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, any one or more banks (which bank or banks is or are in the opinion of the Issuer suitable for the purpose) informs the Agent it is quoting to leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), provided that, if the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Rate of Interest shall be determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin relating to the relevant Interest Period in place of the Margin relating to that last preceding Interest Period). Reference Banks means, in the case of a determination of LIBOR, the principal London office of four major banks in the London inter- bank market and, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR, the principal Euro-zone office of four major banks in the Euro-zone inter- |
49 bank market, in each case selected by the Agent in consultation with the Issuer. Specified Time means 11.00 a.m. (London time, in the case of a determination of LIBOR or SONIA, or Brussels time, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR). Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement the Minimum Rate of Interest shall be deemed to be zero. (C) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes – if the Reference Rate is Compounded Daily SONIA Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, and if the Reference Rate is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as being Compounded Daily SONIA, then the Rate of Interest applicable to the Notes for each Interest Period will be Compounded Daily SONIA plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the applicable Margin, all as determined by the Agent (or such other party responsible for the calculation of the Rate of Interest, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) on the Interest Determination Date for such Interest Period. If, in respect of any London Banking Day in the relevant Observation Period, the SONIA rate is not available on the Relevant Screen Page or has not otherwise been published by the relevant authorised distributors, such SONIA rate shall be the sum of: (i) the Bank of England’s Bank Rate (the Bank Rate) prevailing at close of business on such London Banking Day; plus (ii) the mean of the spread of the SONIA rate to the Bank Rate over the previous five days on which a SONIA rate has been published, excluding the highest spread (or, if there is more than one highest spread, one only of those highest spreads) and lowest spread (or, if there is more than one lowest spread, one only of those lowest spreads). If the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Rate of Interest shall be (i) that determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin or Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin or Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to the relevant Interest Period, in place of the Margin or Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to that last preceding Interest Period) or (ii) if there is no such preceding Interest Determination Date, the initial Rate of Interest which would have been applicable to the Notes for the first Interest Period had the Notes been in issue for a period equal in duration to the scheduled first Interest Period but ending on (and excluding) the Interest Commencement Date (but applying the Margin and any Maximum |
50 Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest applicable to the first Interest Period). If the Notes become due and payable as a result of an Event of Default under Condition 9, or are otherwise redeemed early on a date other than an Interest Payment Date in accordance with Condition 6, the final Interest Determination Date shall, notwithstanding any Interest Determination Date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, be deemed to be the date on which such Notes became due and payable or are to be redeemed, as applicable, and the Rate of Interest applicable to such Notes shall, for so long as any such Note remains outstanding, be that determined on such date. For the purposes of this Condition 4(ii)(C): Compounded Daily SONIA means, in relation to any Interest Period, the rate of return of a daily compound interest investment (with the daily Sterling overnight reference rate as the reference rate for the calculation of interest) and will be calculated by the Agent (or such other party responsible for the calculation of the Rate of Interest, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement), as follows, and the resulting percentage will be rounded (if necessary) to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards: “d” means, in relation to any Interest Period, the number of calendar days in such Interest Period. “d0” means, in relation to any Interest Period, the number of London Banking Days in such Interest Period. “i” means, in relation to any Interest Period, a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant London Banking Day in chronological order from, and including, the first London Banking Day in such Interest Period to (but excluding) the last London Banking Day in such Interest Period. “ni”, means, in relation to any London Banking Day “i”, the number of calendar days from and including such London Banking Day “i” up to but excluding the following London Banking Day. “p” means the whole number specified as the Observation Look-back Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such number representing a number of London Banking Days, which shall in any event be no less than five, or if no such number is specified, five London Banking Days. London Banking Day or LBD means any day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London. |
51 Observation Period means, in relation to an Interest Period, the period from and including the date which is “p” London Banking Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period and ending on, but excluding, the date which is “p” London Banking Days prior to the Interest Payment Date for such Interest Period (or the date falling “p” London Banking Days prior to such earlier date, if any, on which the Notes become due and payable). SONIA means the Sterling Overnight Index Average. SONIA rate means, in respect of any London Banking Day, a reference rate equal to the daily SONIA rate for such London Banking Day as provided by the administrator of SONIA to authorised distributors and as then published on the Relevant Screen Page (or, if the Relevant Screen Page is unavailable, as otherwise published by such authorised distributors) on the London Banking Day immediately following such London Banking Day. SONIAi-pLBD means, in respect of any London Banking Day “i” falling in the relevant Interest Period, the SONIA rate for the London Banking Day falling “p” London Banking Days prior to such London Banking Day “i”. (iii) Benchmark Discontinuation This Condition 4(b)(iii) applies only where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined. (A) Independent Adviser Notwithstanding Condition 4(b)(ii)(B) and Condition 4(b)(ii)(C), if a Benchmark Event occurs in relation to an Original Reference Rate when any Rate of Interest (or any component part thereof) remains to be determined by reference to such Original Reference Rate, then the Issuer shall use its reasonable endeavours to appoint and consult with an Independent Adviser, as soon as reasonably practicable, with a view to the Issuer determining a Successor Rate, failing which an Alternative Rate (in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(B)) and, in either case, an Adjustment Spread (if any) (in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(C)) and any Benchmark Amendments (in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(D)). An Independent Adviser appointed pursuant to this Condition 4(b)(iii) shall act in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and in consultation with the Issuer. In the absence of bad faith or fraud, the Independent Adviser shall have no liability whatsoever to the Trustee, the Paying Agents or the Noteholders for any advice given to the Issuer in connection with any determination made by the Issuer pursuant to this Condition 4(b)(iii). If (i) the Issuer is unable to appoint an Independent Adviser; or (ii) the Issuer fails to determine a Successor Rate or, failing which, an |
52 Alternative Rate in accordance with this Condition 4(b)(iii)(A) prior to the relevant Interest Determination Date, the Rate of Interest applicable to the next succeeding Interest Period shall be equal to the Rate of Interest last determined in relation to the Notes in respect of the immediately preceding Interest Period. If there has not been a first Interest Payment Date, the Rate of Interest shall be the initial Rate of Interest. Where a different Margin (if any) or Maximum or Minimum Rate of Interest is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin (if any) or Maximum or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to the relevant Interest Period shall be substituted in place of the Margin (if any) or Maximum or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to that last preceding Interest Period. For the avoidance of doubt, this sub-paragraph shall apply to the relevant next succeeding Interest Period only and any subsequent Interest Periods are subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 4(b)(iii). (B) Successor Rate or Alternative Rate If the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines that: (i) there is a Successor Rate, then such Successor Rate shall (subject to adjustment as provided in Condition 4(b)(iii)(C)) subsequently be used in place of the Original Reference Rate to determine the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component part thereof) for all future payments of interest on the Notes (subject to the operation of this Condition 4(b)(iii)); or (ii) there is no Successor Rate but that there is an Alternative Rate, then such Alternative Rate shall (subject to adjustment as provided in Condition 4(b)(iii)(C)) subsequently be used in place of the Original Reference Rate to determine the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component part thereof) for all future payments of interest on the Notes (subject to the operation of this Condition 4(b)(iii)). (C) Adjustment Spread If the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines (i) that an Adjustment Spread is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be) and (ii) the quantum of, or a formula or methodology for determining, such Adjustment Spread, then such Adjustment Spread shall be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be). (D) Benchmark Amendments If any Successor Rate, Alternative Rate or Adjustment Spread is determined in accordance with this Condition 4(b)(iii) and the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good |
53 faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines (i) that amendments to these Conditions, the Agency Agreement and/or the Trust Deed are necessary to ensure the proper operation of such Successor Rate, Alternative Rate and/or Adjustment Spread (such amendments, the Benchmark Amendments) and (ii) the terms of the Benchmark Amendments, then the Issuer shall, subject to giving notice thereof in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(E), without any requirement for the consent or approval of Noteholders, vary these Conditions, the Agency Agreement and/or the Trust Deed to give effect to such Benchmark Amendments with effect from the date specified in such notice. At the request of the Issuer, but subject to receipt by the Trustee of a certificate signed by two directors of the Issuer pursuant to Condition 4(b)(iii)(E), the Trustee shall (at the expense and direction of the Issuer), without any requirement for the consent or approval of the Noteholders, be obliged to use its reasonable endeavours to concur with the Issuer in effecting any Benchmark Amendments (including, inter alia, by the execution of a deed supplemental to or amending the Trust Deed) and the Trustee shall not be liable to any party for any consequences thereof, provided that the Trustee shall not be obliged so to concur if in the sole opinion of the Trustee doing so would impose more onerous obligations upon it or expose it to any additional duties, responsibilities or liabilities or reduce or amend rights and/or the protective provisions afforded to the Trustee in these Conditions and/or any documents to which it is a party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any supplemental trust deed) in any way. In connection with any such variation in accordance with this Condition 4(b)(iii)(D), the Issuer shall comply with the rules of any stock exchange on which the Notes are for the time being listed or admitted to trading. (E) Notices, etc. Any Successor Rate, Alternative Rate, Adjustment Spread and the specific terms of any Benchmark Amendments, determined under this Condition 4(b)(iii) will be notified promptly by the Issuer to the Trustee, the Agent, the Paying Agents and, in accordance with Condition 13, the Noteholders. Such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the effective date of the Benchmark Amendments (if any). No later than notifying the Trustee of the same, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two directors of the Issuer: (i) confirming (a) that a Benchmark Event has occurred, (b) the Successor Rate or, as the case may be, the Alternative Rate, (c) where applicable, any Adjustment Spread and (d) the specific terms of any Benchmark Amendments, in each case as determined in accordance with the provisions of this Condition 4(b)(iii); and |
54 (ii) certifying that the Benchmark Amendments are necessary to ensure the proper operation of such Successor Rate, Alternative Rate and/or Adjustment Spread. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on such certificate (without enquiry or liability to any person and without any obligation to verify or investigate the accuracy thereof) as sufficient evidence thereof. The Successor Rate or Alternative Rate and the Adjustment Spread (if any) and the Benchmark Amendments (if any) specified in such certificate will (in the absence of manifest error in the determination of the Successor Rate or Alternative Rate and the Adjustment Spread (if any) and the Benchmark Amendments (if any) and without prejudice to the Trustee’s ability to rely on such certificate as aforesaid) be binding on the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent, the Paying Agents and the Noteholders. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be liable to the Noteholders or any other person for so acting or relying on such certificate, irrespective of whether any such modification is or may be materially prejudicial to the interests of any such person. (F) Survival of Original Reference Rate Without prejudice to the obligations of the Issuer under Condition 4(b)(iii)(A), 4(b)(iii)(B), 4(b)(iii)(C) and 4(b)(iii)(D), the Original Reference Rate and the fallback provisions provided for in Condition 4(b)(ii) will continue to apply unless and until a Benchmark Event has occurred and the Agent has been notified of the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be), and any Adjustment Spread and Benchmark Amendments, in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(E). (G) Definitions As used in this Condition 4(b)(iii): Adjustment Spread means either a spread (which may be positive or negative), or the formula or methodology for calculating a spread, in either case, which the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be) to reduce or eliminate, to the fullest extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, any economic prejudice or benefit (as the case may be) to Noteholders as a result of the replacement of the Original Reference Rate with the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be) and is the spread, formula or methodology which: (i) in the case of a Successor Rate, is formally recommended in relation to the replacement of the Original Reference Rate with the Successor Rate by any Relevant Nominating Body; or (ii) (if no such recommendation has been made, or in the case of an Alternative Rate) the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a |
55 commercially reasonable manner determines, is recognised or acknowledged as being the industry standard for over-the- counter derivative transactions which reference the Original Reference Rate, where such rate has been replaced by the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be); or (iii) (if the Issuer determines that no such industry standard is recognised or acknowledged) the Issuer, in its discretion, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines to be appropriate; Alternative Rate means an alternative benchmark or screen rate which the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(B) has replaced the Original Reference Rate in customary market usage in the international debt capital markets for the purposes of determining floating rates of interest (or the relevant component part thereof) in the same Specified Currency as the Notes; Benchmark Amendments has the meaning given to it in Condition 4(b)(iii)(D); Benchmark Event means: (i) the Original Reference Rate ceasing be published for a period of at least 5 Business Days or ceasing to exist; or (ii) a public statement by the administrator of the Original Reference Rate that it will, by a specified date within the following six months, cease publishing the Original Reference Rate permanently or indefinitely (in circumstances where no successor administrator has been appointed that will continue publication of the Original Reference Rate); or (iii) a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of the Original Reference Rate, that the Original Reference Rate has been or will, by a specified date within the following six months, be permanently or indefinitely discontinued; or (iv) a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of the Original Reference Rate as a consequence of which the Original Reference Rate will be prohibited from being used either generally, or in respect of the Notes, in each case within the following six months; or (v) it has or will become unlawful for the Agent or the Issuer to calculate any payments due to be made to any Noteholders using the Original Reference Rate; |
56 Independent Adviser means an independent financial institution of international repute or an independent financial adviser with appropriate expertise appointed by the Issuer at its own expense under Condition 4(b)(iii)(A) and notified in writing to the Trustee; Original Reference Rate means the originally-specified benchmark or screen rate (as applicable) used to determine the Rate of Interest (or any component part thereof) on the Notes; Relevant Nominating Body means, in respect of a benchmark or screen rate (as applicable): (i) the central bank for the currency to which the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable) relates, or any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable); or (ii) any working group or committee sponsored by, chaired or co- chaired by or constituted at the request of (a) the central bank for the currency to which the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable) relates, (b) any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable), (c) a group of the aforementioned central banks or other supervisory authorities or (d) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof; and Successor Rate means a successor to or replacement of the Original Reference Rate which is formally recommended by any Relevant Nominating Body. (iv) Minimum Rate of Interest and/or Maximum Rate of Interest If the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies a Minimum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4(b)(ii) is less than such Minimum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Minimum Rate of Interest. If the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies a Maximum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4(b)(ii) is greater than such Maximum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Maximum Rate of Interest. (v) Determination of Rate of Interest and calculation of Interest Amounts The Agent, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, will at or as soon as practicable after each time at which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, determine the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period. |
57 [360 x (Y2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M2 - M1)] + (D2 - D1) 360 The Agent will calculate the amount of interest (the Interest Amount) payable on the Floating Rate Notes for the relevant Interest Period by applying the Rate of Interest to: (A) in the case of Floating Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Notes represented by such Global Note; or (B) in the case of Floating Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount, and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Floating Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the Interest Amount payable in respect of such Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination, without any further rounding. Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(b): (I) if “Actual/Actual (ISDA)” or “Actual/Actual” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that Interest Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (A) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (B) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365); (II) if “Actual/365 (Fixed)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365; (III) if “Actual/365 (Sterling)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 or, in the case of an Interest Payment Date falling in a leap year, 366; (IV) if “Actual/360” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360; (V) if “30/360”, “360/360” or “Bond Basis” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360 calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: |
58 [360 x (Y2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M2 - M1)] + (D2 - D1) 360 “Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number is 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and “D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31 and D1 is greater than 29, in which case D2 will be 30; (VI) if “30E/360” or “Eurobond Basis” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360 calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: “Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and “D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D2 will be 30; and |
59 [360 x (Y2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M2 - M1)] + (D2 - D1) 360 (VII) if “30E/360 (ISDA)” is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: “Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; “M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; “D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and “D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February but not the Maturity Date or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D2 will be 30. (vi) Linear Interpolation Where Linear Interpolation is specified as applicable in respect of an Interest Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be calculated by the Agent by straight line linear interpolation by reference to two rates based on the relevant Reference Rate (where Screen Rate Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Pricing Supplement) or the relevant Floating Rate Option (where ISDA Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Pricing Supplement), one of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the length of the relevant Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the length of the relevant Interest Period, provided however that if there is no rate available for a period of time next shorter or, as the case may be, next longer, then the Agent shall determine such rate at such time and by reference to such sources as it determines appropriate. |
60 Designated Maturity means, in relation to Screen Rate Determination, the period of time designated in the Reference Rate. (vii) Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts The Agent will cause the Rate of Interest and each Interest Amount for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date to be notified to the Issuer, the Trustee and each competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed, traded and/or quoted and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders as soon as possible after their determination but in no event later than the fourth London Business Day thereafter. Each Interest Amount and Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without prior notice in the event of an extension or shortening of the Interest Period. Any such amendment will be promptly notified to each competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed, traded and/or quoted and (in accordance with Condition 13) to the Noteholders. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(vii), the expression London Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London. (viii) Certificates to be final All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 4(b) and, whether by the Agent or, if applicable, the Trustee, shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith, manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Agent, the other Paying Agents and all Noteholders and Couponholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders shall attach to the Agent or, if applicable, the Trustee in connection with the exercise or non- exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provisions. (c) Accrual of interest Each Note (or in the case of the redemption of part only of a Note, that part only of such Note) will cease to bear interest (if any) from the date for its redemption unless, upon due presentation thereof, payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused. In such event, interest will continue to accrue as provided in the Trust Deed. (d) Adjustment of Rate of Interest for Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes If a Step Up Rating Change and/or Step Down Rating Change is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the following terms relating to the Rate of Interest for the Notes shall apply: |
61 (i) The Rate of Interest payable on the Notes will be subject to adjustment from time to time in the event of a Step Up Rating Change or a Step Down Rating Change, as the case may be. (ii) Subject to Conditions 4(d)(iv) and 4(d)(vii) below, from and including the first Interest Payment Date following the date of a Step Up Rating Change, if any, the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) payable on the Notes shall be increased by the Step Up Margin specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (iii) Subject to Conditions 4(d)(iv) and 4(d)(vii), in the event of a Step Down Rating Change following a Step Up Rating Change, with effect from and including the first Interest Payment Date following the date of such Step Down Rating Change, the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) payable on the Notes shall be decreased by the Step Up Margin back to the initial Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the initial Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes). (iv) If a Step Up Rating Change and, subsequently, a Step Down Rating Change occur during the same Fixed Interest Period (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the same Interest Period (in the case of Floating Rate Notes), the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) on the Notes shall be neither increased nor decreased as a result of either such event. (v) The Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain credit ratings for its senior unsecured long-term debt from S&P. If, notwithstanding such reasonable efforts, S&P fails to or ceases to assign a credit rating to the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt, the Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain a credit rating of its senior unsecured long-term debt from a substitute rating agency that shall be a Statistical Rating Agency, and references in this Condition 4(d) to S&P or the credit ratings thereof shall be to such substitute rating agency or, as the case may be, the equivalent credit ratings thereof. (vi) The Issuer will cause the occurrence of a Step Up Rating Change or a Step Down Rating Change giving rise to an adjustment to the Rate of Interest payable on the Notes pursuant to this Condition 4(d) to be notified to the Trustee and the Agent and notice thereof to be published in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of such Step Up Rating Change or Step Down Rating Change, but in no event later than the fifth London Business Day thereafter. (vii) A Step Up Rating Change (if any) and a Step Down Rating Change (if any), may only occur once each during the term of the Notes and shall (subject to Condition 4(d)(iv)) give rise to an adjustment to the Rate of Interest payable on the Notes. (viii) If the rating designations employed by S&P are changed from those which are described in this Condition 4(d), or if a rating is procured from a Statistical Rating Agency and the rating designations employed by such Statistical Rating Agency are changed, the Issuer shall determine, with the agreement of the Trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) the rating |
62 designations of S&P or such Statistical Rating Agency as are most equivalent to the prior rating designations of S&P or such Statistical Rating Agency, as the case may be. (ix) The Trustee is under no obligation to ascertain whether a change in the rating assigned to the Notes by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency has occurred or whether there has been a failure or a ceasing by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency to assign a credit rating to the Issuer’s senior unsecured long- term debt and (until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to the Trust Deed to the contrary) the Trustee may assume that no such change to the credit rating assigned to the Notes has occurred or no such failure or ceasing by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency has occurred. In these Conditions: Additional Rating Agency means a Statistical Rating Agency that at any time provides a solicited rating to the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt obligations; S&P means S&P Global Ratings Europe Limited, or its successor, established in the European Union and registered under Regulation (EC) No. 1060/2009 (as amended); Statistical Rating Agency means Fitch Ratings Ltd. (Fitch) or Moody’s Investors Service Ltd. (Moody’s) or their respective successors or such other rating agency the Trustee may approve, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; Step Down Rating Change means the first public announcement after a Step Up Rating Change by S&P or an Additional Rating Agency of an increase in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt with the result that (following such public announcement(s)) the Issuer’s senior unsecured debt is rated BBB- or higher by S&P or a rating equivalent to BBB- or higher by an Additional Rating Agency. For the avoidance of doubt, any further increases in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt above BBB- (in the case of S&P) or above a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency) shall not constitute a Step Down Rating Change; and Step Up Rating Change means the first public announcement by S&P or an Additional Rating Agency of a decrease in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long-term debt to below BBB- (in the case of S&P) or below a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency). For the avoidance of doubt, any further decrease in the credit rating of the Issuer’s senior unsecured long- term debt from below BBB- (in the case of S&P) or below a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency) shall not constitute a Step Up Rating Change. 5. PAYMENTS (a) Method of payment Subject as provided below: (i) payments in a Specified Currency other than euro will be made by credit or transfer to an account in the relevant Specified Currency maintained by the |
63 payee with a bank in the principal financial centre of the country of such Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively); and (ii) payments in euro will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account (or any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) specified by the payee. Payments will be subject in all cases to (i) any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto, but without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 7 and (ii) any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, and official interpretations thereof, or (without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 7) any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto. (b) Presentation of definitive Notes and Coupons Payments of principal in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner provided in Condition 5(a) only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of definitive Notes, and payments of interest in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made as aforesaid only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of Coupons, in each case at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside the United States (which expression, as used herein, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction)). Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form (other than Long Maturity Notes (as defined below)) should be presented for payment together with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (which expression shall for this purpose include Coupons falling to be issued on exchange of matured Talons), failing which the amount of any missing unmatured Coupon (or, in the case of payment not being made in full, the same proportion of the amount of such missing unmatured Coupon as the sum so paid bears to the sum due) will be deducted from the sum due for payment. Each amount of principal so deducted will be paid in the manner mentioned above against surrender of the relative missing Coupon at any time before the expiry of 10 years after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) in respect of such principal (whether or not such Coupon would otherwise have become void under Condition 8) or, if later, five years from the date on which such Coupon would otherwise have become due, but in no event thereafter. Upon any Fixed Rate Note in definitive form becoming due and repayable prior to its Maturity Date, all unmatured Talons (if any) appertaining thereto will become void and no further Coupons will be issued in respect thereof. Upon the date on which any Floating Rate Note or Long Maturity Note in definitive form becomes due and repayable, unmatured Coupons and Talons (if any) relating thereto (whether or not attached) shall become void and no payment or, as the case may be, exchange for further Coupons shall be made in respect thereof. A Long Maturity Note is a Fixed Rate Note (other than a Fixed Rate Note which on issue had a Talon attached) whose nominal amount on issue is less than the aggregate |
64 interest payable thereon provided that such Note shall cease to be a Long Maturity Note on the Interest Payment Date on which the aggregate amount of interest remaining to be paid after that date is less than the nominal amount of such Note. If the due date for redemption of any definitive Note is not an Interest Payment Date, interest (if any) accrued in respect of such Note from (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date or, as the case may be, the Interest Commencement Date shall be payable only against surrender of the relevant definitive Note. (c) Payments in respect of Global Notes Payments of principal and interest (if any) in respect of Notes represented by any Global Note will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner specified above in relation to definitive Notes or otherwise in the manner specified in the relevant Global Note against presentation or surrender, as the case may be, of such Global Note at the specified office of the Agent. A record of each payment made against presentation or surrender of any Global Note, distinguishing between any payment of principal and any payment of interest, will be made on such Global Note by the Agent and such record shall be prima facie evidence that the payment in question has been made. (d) General provisions applicable to payments The holder of a Global Note shall be the only person entitled to receive payments in respect of Notes represented by such Global Note and the Issuer will be discharged by payment to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note in respect of each amount so paid. Each of the persons shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the beneficial holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note must look solely to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, for his share of each payment so made by the Issuer to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Condition 5, if any amount of principal and/or interest in respect of Notes is payable in U.S. dollars, such U.S. dollar payments of principal and/or interest in respect of such Notes will be made at the specified office of a Paying Agent in the United States if: (i) the Issuer has appointed Paying Agents with specified offices outside the United States with the reasonable expectation that such Paying Agents would be able to make payment in U.S. dollars at such specified offices outside the United States of the full amount of principal and interest on the Notes in the manner provided above when due; (ii) payment of the full amount of such principal and interest at all such specified offices outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions on the full payment or receipt of principal and interest in U.S. dollars; and (iii) such payment is then permitted under United States law without involving, in the opinion of the Issuer, adverse tax consequences to the Issuer. (e) Payment Day |
65 If the date for payment of any amount in respect of any Note or Coupon is not a Payment Day, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment until the next following Payment Day in the relevant place and shall not be entitled to further interest or other payment in respect of such delay. For these purposes, Payment Day means any day which (subject to Condition 8) is: (i) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in: (A) (in the case of Notes held in definitive form only) the relevant place of presentation; (B) each Additional Financial Centre specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (ii) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open. (f) Interpretation of principal and interest Any reference in these Conditions to principal in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable: (i) any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to principal under Condition 7 or under any undertaking or covenant given in addition thereto, or in substitution therefor, pursuant to the Trust Deed; (ii) the Final Redemption Amount of the Notes; (iii) the Early Redemption Amount of the Notes; (iv) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the Notes; (v) in relation to Zero Coupon Notes, the Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 6(e)); and (vi) any premium and any other amounts (other than interest) which may be payable by the Issuer under or in respect of the Notes. Any reference in these Conditions to interest in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable, any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to interest under Condition 7 or under any undertaking or covenant given in addition thereto, or in substitution therefor, pursuant to the Trust Deed. 6. REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE |
66 (a) Redemption at maturity Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled as specified below, each Note will be redeemed by the Issuer at its Final Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement in the relevant Specified Currency on the Maturity Date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (b) Redemption for tax reasons The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement to the Trustee, the Agent and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable), if the Issuer satisfies the Trustee as soon as practicable before the giving of such notice that: (i) on the occasion of the next payment due under the Notes, the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay additional amounts as provided or referred to in Condition 7 as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the United Kingdom, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date on which agreement is reached to issue the first Tranche of the Notes; and (ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due. Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition 6(b), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer stating that the Issuer is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer so to redeem have occurred, and an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing to the effect that the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay such additional amounts as a result of such change or amendment. Notes redeemed pursuant to this Condition 6(b) will be redeemed at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in Condition 6(e) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption. (c) Redemption at the option of the Issuer (Issuer Call) If Issuer Call is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Issuer may, having given not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement to the Trustee, the Agent and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders (which notices shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption), redeem all or some only of the Notes then outstanding on any Optional Redemption Date(s) and at the Optional Redemption Amount(s) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement |
67 together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Optional Redemption Date(s). Upon expiry of such notice the Issuer shall be bound to redeem the Notes accordingly. If Spens Amount is specified in the Pricing Supplement as the Optional Redemption Amount, the Optional Redemption Amount shall be an amount equal to the higher of (i) 100 per cent. of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed and (ii) the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed multiplied by the price, as reported to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Independent Financial Adviser, at which the Gross Redemption Yield on such Notes on the Reference Date is equal to the Gross Redemption Yield (determined by reference to the middle market price) at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement on the Reference Date of the Reference Bond, plus the Redemption Margin, all as determined by the Independent Financial Adviser. If Make-Whole Amount is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the Optional Redemption Amount, the Optional Redemption Amount shall be an amount calculated by the Independent Financial Adviser equal to the higher of (i) 100 per cent. of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed and the Remaining Term Interest on such Note (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on an annual basis at the Reference Bond Rate, plus the Redemption Margin. Any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than the Maximum Redemption Amount, in each case as may be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, the Notes to be redeemed (Redeemed Notes) will be selected individually by lot (in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes) and in accordance with the rules of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by a Global Note) not more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. In the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, a list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Notes will be published in accordance with Condition 13 not less than 15 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. For the purposes of this Condition 6(c): Gross Redemption Yield means, with respect to a security, the gross redemption yield on such security, expressed as a percentage and calculated by the Independent Financial Adviser on the basis set out by the United Kingdom Debt Management Office in the paper “Formulae for Calculating Gilt Prices from Yields”, page 4, Section One: Price/Yield Formulae “Conventional Gilts”; Double dated and Undated Gilts with Assumed (or Actual) Redemption on a Quasi-Coupon Date” (published 8 June 1998, as amended or updated from time to time) on a semi-annual compounding basis (converted to an annualised yield and rounded up (if necessary) to four decimal places) or on such other basis as the Trustee may approve; IFA Selected Bond means a government security or securities selected by the Independent Financial Adviser as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable with the remaining term of the Notes that would be utilised, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues |
68 of corporate debt securities denominated in the same currency as the Notes and of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes; Independent Financial Adviser means an independent financial institution of international repute appointed by the Issuer at its own expense; Redemption Margin shall be as set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement; Reference Bond shall be as set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such bond is set out or if such bond is no longer outstanding, shall be the IFA Selected Bond; Reference Bond Price means, with respect to any date of redemption, (A) the arithmetic average of the Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations for such date of redemption, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Independent Financial Adviser obtains fewer than four such Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all such quotations; Reference Bond Rate means, with respect to any date of redemption, the rate per annum equal to the annual or semi-annual yield (as the case may be) to maturity or interpolated yield to maturity (on the relevant day count basis) of the Reference Bond, assuming a price for the Reference Bond (expressed as a percentage of its nominal amount) equal to the Reference Bond Price for such date of redemption; Reference Date will be set out in the relevant notice of redemption; Reference Government Bond Dealer means each of five banks selected by the Issuer (or the Independent Financial Adviser on its behalf), or their affiliates, which are (A) primary government securities dealers, and their respective successors, or (B) market makers in pricing corporate bond issues; Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Government Bond Dealer and any date for redemption, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Independent Financial Adviser, of the bid and offered prices for the Reference Bond (expressed in each case as a percentage of its nominal amount) at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement on the Reference Date quoted in writing to the Independent Financial Adviser by such Reference Government Bond Dealer; and Remaining Term Interest means, with respect to any Note, the aggregate amount of scheduled payment(s) of interest on such Note for the remaining term of such Note determined on the basis of the rate of interest applicable to such Note from (and including) the date on which such Note is to be redeemed by the Issuer pursuant to this Condition 6(c). (d) Redemption at the option of the Noteholders (Investor Put) If Investor Put is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, upon the holder of any Note giving to the Issuer (in accordance with Condition 13) not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Issuer will, upon the expiry of such notice, redeem, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms specified in the applicable |
69 Pricing Supplement, such Note on the Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date. It may be that before an Investor Put can be exercised, certain conditions and/or circumstances will need to be satisfied. Where relevant, the provisions will be set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement. To exercise the right to require redemption of this Note the holder of this Note under this Condition 6(d) must deliver, at the specified office of any Paying Agent at any time during normal business hours of such Paying Agent falling within the notice period, a duly completed and signed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from any specified office of any Paying Agent (a Put Notice) and in which the holder must specify a bank account to which payment is to be made under this Condition 6(d) accompanied by, if this Note is in definitive form, this Note or evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent concerned that this Note will, following delivery of the Put Notice, be held to its order or under its control. If the Notes are represented by a Global Note or are in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/ or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of the Notes held by it the Noteholder must give notice of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time. Any Put Notice or other notice given in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg given by a holder of any Note pursuant to this Condition 6(d) shall be irrevocable except where, prior to the due date of redemption, an Event of Default has occurred and the Trustee has declared the Notes to be due and payable pursuant to Condition 9 in which event such holder, at its option, may elect by notice to the Issuer to withdraw the notice given pursuant to this Condition 6(d). (e) Early Redemption Amounts For the purpose of Condition 6(b) above, Condition 6(f) below and Condition 9, each Note will be redeemed at its Early Redemption Amount calculated as follows: (i) in the case of a Note with a Final Redemption Amount equal to the Issue Price, at the Final Redemption Amount thereof; (ii) in the case of a Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note) with a Final Redemption Amount which is or may be less or greater than the Issue Price or which is payable in a Specified Currency other than that in which the Note is denominated, at the amount specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such amount or manner is so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, at its nominal amount; or (iii) in the case of a Zero Coupon Note, at an amount (the Amortised Face Amount) calculated in accordance with the following formula: Early Redemption Amount = RP x (1 + AY)y where: |
70 “RP” means the Reference Price; “AY” means the Accrual Yield expressed as a decimal; and “y” is the Day Count Fraction specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement which will be either (i) 30/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the number of days (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 12 months of 30 days each) from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360); (ii) Actual/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360); or (iii) Actual/365 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 365). (f) Event Risk (A) A Put Event will be deemed to occur if: (i) any person or any persons acting in concert (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers), other than a holding company (as defined in Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended) whose shareholders are or are to be substantially similar to the pre- existing shareholders of the Issuer, shall become interested (within the meaning of Part 22 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended) in (a) more than 50 per cent. of the issued or allotted ordinary share capital of the Issuer or (b) shares in the capital of the Issuer carrying more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights normally exercisable at a general meeting of the Issuer (each, a Change of Control); and (ii) at the time of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Notes carry from any Rating Agency an investment grade credit rating (Baa3/BBB- , or equivalent, or better), and such rating from any Rating Agency is within a period ending 120 days after announcement of the Change of Control having occurred (or such longer period as the Notes are under consideration, announced publicly within such 120 day period, for rating review) either downgraded to a non-investment grade credit rating (Ba1/BB+, or equivalent, or worse) or withdrawn; and (iii) in making the relevant decision(s) referred to above, the relevant Rating Agency announces publicly or confirms in writing to the Issuer or the Trustee that such decision(s) resulted, in whole or in part, from the occurrence of the Change of Control. Further, (a) if at the time of the occurrence of the Change of Control the Notes carry a non-investment grade credit rating from each Rating Agency, then |
71 assigning a credit rating to the Notes or no credit rating from any Rating Agency, a Put Event will be deemed to occur upon the occurrence of a Change of Control alone; and (b) if at the time of the occurrence of the Change of Control the Notes carry a rating from more than one Rating Agency, at least one of which is investment grade, then Condition 6(f)(ii) will apply. (B) If a Put Event occurs, each Noteholder shall have the option to require the Issuer to redeem or repay that Note on the Put Date (as defined below) at its Early Redemption Amount together with interest accrued to but excluding the date of redemption or purchase. Such option shall operate as set out below. (C) Promptly upon the Issuer becoming aware that a Put Event has occurred the Issuer shall, and at any time upon the Trustee becoming similarly so aware the Trustee may, and if so requested by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders, shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), give notice (a Put Event Notice) to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 specifying the nature of the Put Event and the procedure for exercising the option contained in this Condition 6(f). (D) To exercise the option to require the redemption or repayment of a Note under this Condition 6(f) the holder of the Note must, if the Notes are in definitive form and held outside Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, deliver such Note, on any Payment Day (as defined in Condition 5(e)) falling within the period (the Put Period) of 45 days after a Put Event Notice is given, at the specified office of any Paying Agent, accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from the specified office of any Paying Agent (a Change of Control Put Notice). The Note should be delivered together with all Coupons appertaining thereto maturing after the date which is seven days after the expiration of the Put Period (the Put Date), failing which (unless these Conditions provide that the relevant Coupons are to become void upon the due date for redemption of such Notes) the Paying Agent will require payment of an amount equal to the face value of any missing such Coupon. Any amount so paid will be reimbursed in the manner provided in Condition 5 against presentation and surrender of the relevant missing Coupon (or any replacement therefore issued pursuant to Condition 10) at any time after such payment, but before the expiry of the period of 10 years from the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) in respect of that Coupon. The Paying Agent to which such Note and Change of Control Put Notice are delivered will issue to the Noteholder concerned a non-transferable receipt in respect of the Note so delivered. If the Notes are represented by a Global Note or are in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/ or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of the Notes held by it the Noteholder must, within the Put Period, give notice of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time and, at the same time, present or procure the presentation of the relevant Global Note to the Agent for notation accordingly. |
72 Payment in respect of any Note so delivered will be made, if the holder duly specified a bank account in the Change of Control Put Notice to which payment is to be made, on the Put Date by transfer to that bank account and, in every other case, on or after the Put Date against presentation and surrender or (as the case may be) endorsement of such receipt at the specified office of any Paying Agent. Payment in respect of any Notes represented by a Global Note or in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg in respect of which the relevant Noteholder has exercised the option given under this Condition 6(f) will be made on the Put Date. A Change of Control Put Notice, once given, shall be irrevocable. The Issuer shall redeem or repay the relevant Notes on the Put Date unless previously redeemed and cancelled. If 80 per cent. or more in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding have been redeemed pursuant to this Condition 6(f), the Issuer may, on not less than 30 or more than 60 days’ notice to the Noteholders given within 30 days after the Put Date, redeem, at its option, the remaining Notes as a whole at a redemption price of the Early Redemption Amount thereof plus interest accrued to but excluding the date of such redemption. (E) If the rating designations employed by any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P are changed from those which are described in Condition 6(f)(A)(ii), or if a rating is procured from an Additional Rating Agency, the Issuer shall determine, with the agreement of the Trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the rating designations of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P or such Additional Rating Agency (as appropriate) as are most equivalent to the prior rating designations of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P and Condition 6(f)(A)(ii) shall be read accordingly. (F) The Trustee is under no obligation to ascertain whether a Put Event or Change of Control or any event which could lead to the occurrence of or could constitute a Put Event or Change of Control has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to the Trust Deed to the contrary, the Trustee may assume that no Put Event or Change of Control or other such event has occurred. (G) In these Conditions, Rating Agency means Fitch, Moody’s or S&P or their respective successors or any rating agency (a Substitute Rating Agency) substituted for any of them by the Issuer from time to time with the prior written approval of the Trustee. (g) Purchases The Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer may at any time purchase Notes (provided that, in the case of definitive Notes, all unmatured Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto are purchased therewith) at any price in the open market or otherwise. Such Notes may be held, reissued, resold or, at the option of the Issuer, surrendered to any Paying Agent for cancellation. (h) Cancellation All Notes which are redeemed will forthwith be cancelled (together with all unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith at the time of |
73 redemption). All Notes so cancelled and any Notes purchased and cancelled pursuant to Condition 6(g) (together with all unmatured Coupons and Talons cancelled therewith) shall be forwarded to the Agent and cannot be reissued or resold. (i) Late payment on Zero Coupon Notes If the amount payable in respect of any Zero Coupon Note upon redemption of such Zero Coupon Note pursuant to Condition 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 6(d) or 6(f) or upon its becoming due and repayable as provided in Condition 9 is improperly withheld or refused, the amount due and repayable in respect of such Zero Coupon Note shall be the amount calculated as provided in Condition 6(e)(iii) as though the references therein to the date fixed for the redemption or the date upon which such Zero Coupon Note becomes due and payable were replaced by references to the date which is the earlier of: (i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Zero Coupon Note have been paid; and (ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such Zero Coupon Notes has been received by the Trustee or the Agent (as the case may be) and notice to that effect has been given to the Noteholders (in accordance with Condition 13). 7. TAXATION All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes and Coupons by or on behalf of the Issuer will be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes or duties of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the United Kingdom unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer will pay such additional amounts as shall be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the holders of the Notes or Coupons after such withholding or deduction shall equal the respective amounts of principal and interest which would otherwise have been receivable in respect of the Notes or Coupons, as the case may be, in the absence of such withholding or deduction; except that no such additional amounts shall be payable with respect to any Note or Coupon: (a) presented for payment in the United Kingdom; or (b) presented for payment by or on behalf of a holder who is liable for such taxes or duties in respect of such Note or Coupon by reason of his having some connection with the United Kingdom other than the mere holding of such Note or Coupon; or (c) presented for payment more than 30 days after the Relevant Date (as defined below) except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to an additional amount on presenting the same for payment on such 30th day assuming that day to have been a Payment Day (as defined in Condition 5(e)). As used in these Conditions, the Relevant Date means the date on which such payment first becomes due, except that, if the full amount of the moneys payable has not been duly received by the Trustee or the Agent (as the case may be) on or prior to such due date, it means the date on which, the full amount of such moneys having been so received, notice to that effect is duly given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13. |
74 8. PRESCRIPTION The Notes and Coupons will become void unless presented for payment within a period of 10 years (in the case of principal) and five years (in the case of interest) after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) therefor. There shall not be included in any Coupon sheet issued on exchange of a Talon any Coupon the claim for payment in respect of which would be void pursuant to this Condition 8 or Condition 5(b) or any Talon which would be void pursuant to Condition 5(b). 9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT (a) Events of Default The Trustee at its discretion may, and if so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), (but in the case of the happening of any of the events described in Conditions 9(a)(ii) to 9(a)(viii) inclusive (other than Condition 9(a)(iv) in relation to the Issuer), only if the Trustee shall have certified in writing to the Issuer that such event is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders), give notice in writing to the Issuer that the Notes are, and they shall thereupon immediately become, due and repayable at their Early Redemption Amount together with accrued interest as provided in the Trust Deed if any of the following events shall occur (Events of Default): (i) if default is made in the payment of any principal or interest due in respect of the Notes or any of them and the default continues for a period of seven days (in the case of principal) or 14 days (in the case of interest); or (ii) if the Issuer fails to perform or observe any of its other obligations under these Conditions or the Trust Deed and (except in any case where, in the opinion of the Trustee, the failure is incapable of remedy when no such continuation and notice as is hereinafter mentioned will be required) the failure continues for the period of 30 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) next following the service by the Trustee on the Issuer of notice requiring the same to be remedied; or (iii) (A) if any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (as defined below) of the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries becomes due and repayable prematurely by reason of an event of default (however described); or (B) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money on the due date for payment as extended by any originally applicable grace period; or (C) if any security given by the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries for any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money becomes enforceable by reason of default; or (D) if default is made by the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries in making any payment due as extended by any originally applicable grace period under any guarantee and/or indemnity given by it in relation to any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any other person, provided that no event referred to in this Condition 9(a)(iii) shall constitute an Event of Default (I) unless the relative Indebtedness for Borrowed Money either alone or when aggregated with other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money relative to all (if any) other such |
75 events which shall have occurred shall amount to at least £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) and (II) where such event has occurred in relation to Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of a Principal Subsidiary at the time such company becomes a Principal Subsidiary through acquisition by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer, unless such event continues for a period of seven days after the date of such acquisition, if such default is in respect of interest on any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and (in any other case) 14 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) after the date of such acquisition; or (iv) if any order is made by any competent court or resolution passed for the winding up or dissolution of the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries, save for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement (A) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary not involving or arising out of the insolvency of such Principal Subsidiary and under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries; or (B) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to a third party or parties (whether associated or not) for full consideration received by the Issuer or a Subsidiary on an arm’s length basis; or (C) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred and the transferee is or immediately upon such transfer becomes a Principal Subsidiary; or (D) on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or (v) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries ceases or threatens to cease to carry on the whole or substantially the whole of its business, save (A) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement, (i) not involving or arising out of the insolvency of such Principal Subsidiary and under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred and the transferee is or immediately upon such transfer becomes a Principal Subsidiary or (iii) the terms of which have been previously approved by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or (B) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary where all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to a third party or parties (whether associated or not) for full consideration received by the Issuer or a Subsidiary on an arm’s length basis (save where such transfer would otherwise cause the Issuer itself to cease the whole or substantially the whole of its business); or (C) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary which is a Principal Subsidiary by virtue only of part (B) of the definition of Principal Subsidiary, provided that at the time of such cessation or threatened cessation such Principal Subsidiary is not in default in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or any guarantee and/or indemnity given by such Principal Subsidiary in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money; or (vi) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries stops or threatens to stop payment of, or is unable to, or admits inability to, pay, its debts (or any class of its debts) as they fall due, or is deemed unable to pay its debts pursuant to or for the purposes of any applicable law, or is adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent; or |
76 (vii) if (A) proceedings are initiated against the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganisation or other similar laws and, other than in respect of the Issuer or Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, such proceedings are not being contested in good faith, or an application is made for the appointment of an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official and, other than in respect of the Issuer or Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, such application is not being contested in good faith, or an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official is appointed, in relation to the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries or, as the case may be, in relation to the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking or assets of any of them, or a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other process is levied, enforced upon, sued out or put in force against the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking or assets of any of them and (B) in any case (other than the appointment of an administrator) are/is not discharged within 45 days; or (viii) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries consents to judicial proceedings relating to itself under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganisation or other similar laws or makes a conveyance or assignment for the benefit of, or enters into any composition or other arrangement with, its creditors generally (or any class of its creditors) or any meeting is convened to consider a proposal for an arrangement or composition with its creditors generally (or any class of its creditors), save in any such case for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders. (b) Enforcement (i) The Trustee may at any time, at its discretion and without notice, take such proceedings against the Issuer as it may think fit to enforce the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Notes and the Coupons, but it shall not be bound to take any such proceedings or any other action in relation to the Trust Deed, the Notes or the Coupons unless (A) it shall have been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in aggregate nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding; and (B) it shall have been indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction. (ii) No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer unless the Trustee, having become bound so to proceed, fails so to do within a reasonable period and the failure shall be continuing. (c) Definitions For the purposes of this Condition 9: Principal Subsidiary at any time shall mean a Subsidiary of the Issuer inter alia: (A) whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable |
77 to the Issuer represent not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or (B) which has Indebtedness for Borrowed Money outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency); or (C) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer which immediately before the transfer is a Principal Subsidiary, all as more particularly defined in the Trust Deed; and Indebtedness for Borrowed Money means (a) any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest or other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities other than which is indebtedness owed to an entity within the Group; or (b) any borrowed money other than money borrowed by one entity within the Group from another entity within the Group; or (c) any liability under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit. 10. REPLACEMENT OF NOTES, COUPONS AND TALONS Should any Note, Coupon or Talon be lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed, it may be replaced at the specified office of the Agent upon payment by the claimant of such costs and expenses as may be incurred in connection therewith and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Issuer may reasonably require. Mutilated or defaced Notes, Coupons or Talons must be surrendered before replacements will be issued. 11. PAYING AGENTS The names of the initial Paying Agents and their initial specified offices are set out below. If any additional Paying Agents are appointed in connection with any Series, the names of such Paying Agents will be specified in Part B of the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Issuer is entitled (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) to vary or terminate the appointment of any Paying Agent and/or appoint additional or other Paying Agents and/or approve any change in the specified office through which any Paying Agent acts, provided that: (a) there will at all times be an Agent; (b) so long as the Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system which requires the appointment of a Paying Agent in a particular place, the Issuer shall maintain a Paying Agent with a specified office in such place as may be required by the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system; and (c) there will at all times be a Paying Agent within Europe, other than in the United Kingdom. |
78 In addition, the Issuer shall forthwith appoint a Paying Agent having a specified office in New York City in the circumstances described in Condition 5(d). Any variation, termination, appointment or change shall only take effect (other than in the case of insolvency, when it shall be of immediate effect) after not less than 30 nor more than 45 days’ prior notice thereof shall have been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13. In acting under the Agency Agreement, the Paying Agents act solely as agents of the Issuer and (in certain limited circumstances specified therein) of the Trustee and do not assume any obligation to, or relationship of agency or trust with, any Noteholders or Couponholders. The Agency Agreement contains provisions permitting any entity into which any Paying Agent is merged or converted or with which it is consolidated or to which it transfers all or substantially all of its assets to become the successor paying agent. 12. EXCHANGE OF TALONS On and after the Interest Payment Date on which the final Coupon comprised in any Coupon sheet matures, the Talon (if any) forming part of such Coupon sheet may be surrendered at the specified office of the Agent or any other Paying Agent in exchange for a further Coupon sheet including (if such further Coupon sheet does not include Coupons to (and including) the final date for the payment of interest due in respect of the Note to which it appertains) a further Talon, subject to the provisions of Condition 8. 13. NOTICES All notices regarding the Notes will be deemed to be validly given if published in a leading English language daily newspaper of general circulation in London or such other English language daily newspaper with general circulation in Europe as the Trustee may approve. It is expected that such publication will be made in the Financial Times in London. For so long as the Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system, the Issuer shall also ensure that notices are duly published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system. Any such notice will be deemed to have been given on the date of the first publication or, where required to be published in more than one newspaper, on the date of the first publication in all required newspapers. If publication as provided above is not practicable, notice will be given in such other manner, and shall be deemed to have been given on such date, as the Trustee may approve. Couponholders will be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the Noteholders in accordance with this Condition 13. Until such time as any definitive Notes are issued, there may, so long as any Global Notes representing the Notes are held in their entirety on behalf of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, be substituted for such publication in such newspaper(s) the delivery of the relevant notice to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg for communication by them to the holders of the Notes and, in addition, for so long as any Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system and the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system so require, such notice will be published in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the place or places required by that competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given to the holders of the Notes on the second Business Day after the day on which the said notice was given to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg. |
79 Notices to be given by any Noteholder shall be in writing and given by lodging the same, together (in the case of any Note in definitive form) with the relative Note or Notes, with the Agent. Whilst any of the Notes are represented by a Global Note, such notice may be given by any holder of a Note to the Agent through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, in such manner as the Agent and Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, may approve for this purpose. 14. MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS, MODIFICATION, WAIVER AND SUBSTITUTION The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening meetings of the Noteholders to consider any matter affecting their interests, including the sanctioning by Extraordinary Resolution of a modification of the Notes, the Coupons or any of the provisions of the Trust Deed. Such a meeting may be convened by the Issuer or the Trustee and shall be convened by the Issuer upon the requisition of Noteholders holding not less than five per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution is one or more persons holding or representing more than 50 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned meeting one or more persons being or representing Noteholders whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented, except that at any meeting the business of which includes the modification of certain provisions of the Notes or the Coupons or the Trust Deed (including (but not limited to) modifying (i) the dates of maturity or redemption of the Notes or any date for payment of interest thereon; (ii) reducing or cancelling the amount of principal or the rate of interest payable in respect of the Notes; or (iii) altering the currency of payment of the Notes or the Coupons), the quorum shall be one or more persons holding or representing not less than two-thirds in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned such meeting one or more persons holding or representing not less than 25 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. An Extraordinary Resolution passed at any meeting of the Noteholders shall be binding on all the Noteholders, whether or not they are present at the meeting, and on all Couponholders. The Trust Deed provides that a resolution, with or without notice, in writing signed by or on behalf of all Noteholders who for the time being are entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Noteholders under the Trust Deed will take effect as if it were an Extraordinary Resolution duly passed at a meeting of the Noteholders. Such a resolution in writing may be contained in one document or several documents in the same form, each signed by or on behalf of one or more Noteholders. The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening a single meeting of holders of Notes of more than one Series in certain circumstances where the Trustee so decides. The Trustee may agree, without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders, to any modification of, or to the waiver or authorisation of any breach or proposed breach of, any of the provisions of the Notes or the Trust Deed, or determine, without any such consent as aforesaid, that any Event of Default or potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such, where, in any such case, it is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders so to do or may agree, without any such consent as aforesaid, to any modification which is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or an error which is in the opinion of the Trustee, proven. In addition, the Trustee shall be obliged to concur with the Issuer in effecting any Benchmark Amendments in the circumstances and as otherwise set out in Condition 4(b)(iii) without the consent of the Noteholders. |
80 In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class (but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of any such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequences of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 7 and/or any undertaking or covenant given in addition to, or in substitution for, Condition 7 pursuant to the Trust Deed. Any such modification shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and any such modification shall be notified to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. The Trustee may, without the consent of the Noteholders, agree with the Issuer to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of any previous substitute under this Condition 14) as the principal debtor under the Notes, Coupons and the Trust Deed of another company, being a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a parent undertaking of the Issuer, subject to (a) the Trustee being satisfied that the interests of the Noteholders will not be materially prejudiced by the substitution and (b) certain other conditions set out in the Trust Deed being complied with. 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE TRUSTEE AND ITS CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER The Trust Deed contains provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and for its relief from responsibility, including provisions relieving it from taking action unless indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction. The Trust Deed also contains provisions pursuant to which the Trustee is entitled, inter alia, (i) to enter into business transactions with the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries and to act as trustee for the holders of any other securities issued or guaranteed by, or relating to, the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such transactions or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship without regard to the interests of, or consequences for, the Noteholders or Couponholders; and (iii) to retain and not be liable to account for any profit made or any other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. 16. FURTHER ISSUES The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders (and in accordance with the Trust Deed) to create and issue further notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes or the same in all respects save for the Issue Date, the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon and/or the Issue Price and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single Series with the outstanding Notes. The Issuer may (from time to time), with the consent of the Trustee, create and issue other series of notes having the benefit of the Trust Deed. |
81 17. ROUNDING For the purposes of any calculations referred to in these Conditions (unless otherwise specified in these Conditions or the applicable Pricing Supplement), (a) all percentages resulting from such calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred- thousandth of a percentage point (with 0.000005 per cent. being rounded up to 0.00001 per cent.); (b) all United States dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one half cent being rounded up); (c) all Japanese Yen amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded downwards to the next lower whole Japanese Yen amount; and (d) all amounts denominated in any other currency used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest two decimal places in such currency, with 0.005 being rounded upwards. 18. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 No rights are conferred on any person under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the Notes but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act. 19. GOVERNING LAW The Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement, the Notes and the Coupons (and all non- contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement, the Notes and the Coupons) are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. AGENT HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ United Kingdom PAYING AGENT HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) Limited 1 Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Harbour Dublin 2 Ireland |
82 THE SECOND SCHEDULE FORMS OF GLOBAL AND DEFINITIVE NOTES, COUPONS AND TALONS PART I FORM OF TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE This Note is a Temporary Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the "Notes") of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes (the "Pricing Supplement"), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and the information in the Pricing Supplement, the Pricing Supplement will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Trust Deed") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject as hereinafter provided and subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Agent at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes. On any redemption or payment of interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note details of such redemption, payment, purchase and 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
83 cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled. The nominal amount from time to time of this Global Note and of the Notes represented by this Global Note following any such redemption or purchase and cancellation as aforesaid or any exchange as referred to below shall be the nominal amount most recently entered in the relevant column in Part II or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto. Payments of principal and interest (if any) due prior to the Exchange Date (as defined below) will only be made to the bearer hereof to the extent that there is presented to the Agent by Clearstream Banking S.A. ("Clearstream, Luxembourg") or Euroclear Bank SA/NV ("Euroclear") a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) a certificate of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. The bearer of this Global Note will not (unless upon due presentation of this Global Note for exchange, delivery of the appropriate number of Definitive Notes (together, if applicable, with the Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts III, IV and V of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed) or, as the case may be, issue and delivery (or, as the case may be, endorsement) of the Permanent Global Note is improperly withheld or refused and such withholding or refusal is continuing at the relevant payment date) be entitled to receive any payment hereon due on or after the Exchange Date. On or after the date (the "Exchange Date") which is 40 days after the Issue Date, this Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole or in part for, as specified in the Pricing Supplement, either Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information supplementing, the Conditions appearing in the Pricing Supplement has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Notes) or a Permanent Global Note in or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed (together with the Pricing Supplement attached thereto) upon notice being given by Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note and subject, in the case of Definitive Notes, to such notice period as is specified in the Pricing Supplement. If Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons have already been issued in exchange for all the Notes represented for the time being by the Permanent Global Note, then this Global Note may only thereafter be exchanged for Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons pursuant to the terms hereof. Presentation of this Global Note for exchange shall be made by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Agent specified above. The Issuer shall procure that Definitive Notes or (as the case may be) the Permanent Global Note shall be so issued and delivered in exchange for only that portion of this Global Note in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Agent by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. On an exchange of the whole of this Global Note, this Global Note shall be surrendered to the Agent. On an exchange of part only of this Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this |
84 Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of this Global Note so exchanged. On any exchange of this Global Note for a Permanent Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two to the Permanent Global Note and the relevant space in Schedule Two thereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall (subject as provided in the next paragraph) in all respects (except as otherwise provided herein) be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Notes and the relative Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Parts III, IV and V (as applicable) of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed. Each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal and interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the right to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer, solely in the bearer of this Global Note in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Global Note and the Trust Deed. This Global Note is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. A person who is not a party to this Global Note has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer |
85 Schedule One PART I INTEREST PAYMENTS Date made Interest Payment Date Total amount of interest payable Amount of interest paid Confirmation of payment by or on behalf of the Issuer ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ |
86 PART II REDEMPTIONS Date made Total amount of principal payable Amount of principal paid Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such redemption* Confirmation of redemption by or on behalf of the Issuer ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III or Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. |
88 Schedule Two EXCHANGES FOR DEFINITIVE NOTES OR PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note have been made: Date made Nominal amount of this Global Note exchanged for Definitive Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such exchange* Notation made by or on behalf of the Issuer ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule One or in this Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. |
89 PART II FORM OF PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE This Note is a Permanent Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the "Notes") of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes (the "Pricing Supplement"), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and the information in the Pricing Supplement, the Pricing Supplement will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Trust Deed") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Agent at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes. On any redemption or payment interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note details of such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
90 represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled. The nominal amount from time to time of this Global Note and of the Notes represented by this Global Note following any such redemption or purchase and cancellation as aforesaid or any exchange as referred to below shall be the nominal amount most recently entered in the relevant column in Part II or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto. Where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will initially have been represented by a Temporary Global Note. On any exchange of such Temporary Global Note issued in respect of the Notes for this Global Note or any part hereof, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be increased by the nominal amount of the Temporary Global Note so exchanged. This Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole, but not in part, for Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts III, IV, V and VI of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information supplementing the Conditions appearing in the Pricing Supplement has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Notes) either, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement: (i) upon not less than 60 days' written notice being given to the Agent by Euroclear Bank SA/NV ("Euroclear") and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. ("Clearstream, Luxembourg") (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note); or (ii) upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event. An "Exchange Event" means: (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (2) the Issuer has been notified that both Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have been closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business or have in fact done so and no successor clearing system satisfactory to the Trustee is available; or (3) the Issuer has or will become subject to adverse tax consequences which would not be suffered were the Notes in definitive form and a certificate to such effect from two Directors of the Issuer has been given to the Trustee. If this Global Note represents Notes having denominations consisting of a minimum Specified Denomination and integral multiples of a smaller amount thereabove then it may only be exchanged for definitive Notes upon an Exchange Event. If this Global Note is exchangeable following the occurrence of an Exchange Event: (i) the Issuer will promptly give notice to Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 upon the occurrence of such Exchange Event; and (ii) Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note) or the Trustee may give notice to the Agent |
91 requesting exchange and, in the event of the occurrence of an Exchange Event as described in (3) above, the Issuer may also give notice to the Agent requesting exchange. Any such exchange shall occur on a date specified in the notice not more than 45 days after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Agent. The first notice requesting exchange in accordance with the above provisions shall give rise to the issue of Definitive Notes for the total nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note. Any such exchange as aforesaid will be made upon presentation of this Global Note by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Agent specified above. The aggregate nominal amount of Definitive Notes issued upon an exchange of this Global Note will be equal to the aggregate nominal amount of this Global Note. Upon exchange of this Global Note for Definitive Notes, the Agent shall cancel it or procure that it is cancelled. Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall (subject as provided in the next paragraph) in all respects be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Notes and the relative, Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Parts III, IV and V (as applicable) of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed. Each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal and interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the right to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer, solely in the bearer of this Global Note in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Global Note and the Trust Deed. This Global Note is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. A person who is not a party to this Global Note has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. |
92 IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer |
93 Schedule One PART I INTEREST PAYMENTS Date made Interest Payment Date Total amount of interest payable Amount of interest paid Confirmation of payment by or on behalf of the Issuer ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ |
94 PART II REDEMPTIONS Date made Total amount of principal payable Amount of principal paid Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such redemption* Confirmation of redemption by or on behalf of the Issuer _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III or Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. |
97 PART III FORM OF DEFINITIVE NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] This Note is one of a Series of Notes of [Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s)] each of the Issuer ("Notes"). References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions [endorsed hereon/set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) which shall be incorporated by reference herein and have effect as if set out herein] as supplemented, by the relevant information appearing in the Pricing Supplement (the "Pricing Supplement") endorsed hereon but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and such information in the Pricing Supplement, such information will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Note. This Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the "Trust Deed") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as this Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable on redemption of this Note and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of this Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed. This Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
98 IN WITNESS whereof this Note has been executed on behalf of the Issuer. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc, as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer |
99 [Conditions] [Conditions to be as set out in the First Schedule to this Trust Deed or such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), but shall not be endorsed if not required by the relevant Stock Exchange] |
100 Pricing Supplement [Here to be set out the text of the relevant information supplementing the Conditions which appears in the Pricing Supplement relating to the Notes] |
101 PART IV FORM OF COUPON [Face of Coupon] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] Series No. [ ] [Coupon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]]. 1 Part A [For Fixed Rate Notes: This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to the Terms and Conditions of the said Notes. Coupon for [ ] due on [ ], [ ]] Part B [For Floating Rate Notes: Coupon for the amount due in accordance with the Terms and Conditions endorsed on, attached to or incorporated by reference into the said Notes on [the Interest Payment Date falling in [ ] [ ]/[ ]]. This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to such Terms and Conditions, under which it may become void before its due date.] [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]2 1 Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination. 2 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
102 PART V FORM OF TALON [Face of Talon] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] Series No. [ ] [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.]1 [Talon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]] 2 On and after [ ] further Coupons [and a further Talon]3 appertaining to the Note to which this Talon appertains will be issued at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents set out on the reverse hereof (and/or any other or further Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed and notified to the Noteholders) upon production and surrender of this Talon. This Talon may, in certain circumstances, become void under the Terms and Conditions endorsed on the Note to which this Talon appertains. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 2 Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination. 3 Not required on last Coupon sheet. |
103 [Reverse of Coupons and Talons] AGENT HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ United Kingdom OTHER PAYING AGENT HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) Limited 1 Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Harbour Dublin 2 Ireland and/or such other or further Agent or other Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed by the Issuer and notice of which has been given to the Noteholders. |
104 THE THIRD SCHEDULE PROVISIONS FOR MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS 1. (A) As used in this Schedule the following expressions shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires: (i) "voting certificate" shall mean an English language certificate issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which it is stated: (a) that on the date thereof Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Notes in respect of which a block voting instruction has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such voting certificate or any adjourned such meeting) were deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of: (1) the conclusion of the meeting specified in such certificate or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and (2) the surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent who issued the same; and (b) that the bearer thereof is entitled to attend and vote at such meeting and any adjourned such meeting in respect of the Notes represented by such certificate; (ii) "block voting instruction" shall mean an English language document issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which: (a) it is certified that Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Notes in respect of which a voting certificate has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such block voting instruction and any adjourned such meeting) have been deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of: (1) the conclusion of the meeting specified in such document or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and (2) the surrender to the Paying Agent not less than 48 hours before the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened of the receipt issued by such Paying Agent in respect of each such deposited Note which is to be released or (as the case may require) the Note or Notes ceasing with the agreement of the Paying Agent to be held to its order or under its control or so blocked and the giving of notice by the Paying Agent to the Issuer in accordance with paragraph 17 hereof of the necessary amendment to the block voting instruction; |
105 (b) it is certified that each holder of such Notes has instructed such Paying Agent that the vote(s) attributable to the Note or Notes so deposited or held or blocked should be cast in a particular way in relation to the resolution or resolutions to be put to such meeting or any adjourned such meeting and that all such instructions are during the period commencing 48 hours prior to the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened and ending at the conclusion or adjournment thereof neither revocable nor capable of amendment; (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so deposited or held or blocked are listed distinguishing with regard to each such resolution between those in respect of which instructions have been given as aforesaid that the votes attributable thereto should be cast in favour of the resolution and those in respect of which instructions have been so given that the votes attributable thereto should be cast against the resolution; and (d) one or more persons named in such document (each hereinafter called a "proxy") is or are authorised and instructed by such Paying Agent to cast the votes attributable to the Notes so listed in accordance with the instructions referred to in (c) above as set out in such document; (iii) "Clearing System” shall mean Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg and includes in respect of any Note any clearing system on behalf of which such Note is held or which is the bearer or holder of a Note, in either case whether alone or jointly with any other Clearing System(s). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of subclause 1(B)(v) of the Trust Deed shall apply to this definition; (iv) "24 hours" shall mean a period of 24 hours including all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in both the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid; and (v) "48 hours" shall mean a period of 48 hours including all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business both in the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid. (B) A holder of a Note (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note) may obtain a voting certificate in respect of such Note from a Paying Agent or require a Paying Agent to issue a block voting instruction in respect of such Note by depositing such Note with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) by such Note being held to its order or under its control or being blocked in an account with a clearing system, in each case not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for |
106 the relevant meeting and on the terms set out in sub-paragraph (A)(i)(a) or (A)(ii)(a) above (as the case may be), and (in the case of a block voting instruction) instructing such Paying Agent to the effect set out in sub-paragraph (A)(ii)(b) above. The holder of any voting certificate or the proxies named in any block voting instruction shall for all purposes in connection with the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting of Noteholders be deemed to be the holder of the Notes to which such voting certificate or block voting instruction relates and the Paying Agent with which such Notes have been deposited or the person holding the same to the order or under the control of such Paying Agent or the clearing system in which such Notes have been blocked shall be deemed for such purposes not to be the holder of those Notes. 2. The Issuer or the Trustee may at any time and the Issuer shall upon a requisition in writing in the English language signed by the holders of not less than one-twentieth in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding convene a meeting of the Noteholders and if the Issuer makes default for a period of seven days in convening such a meeting the same may be convened by the Trustee or the requisitionists. Every such meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Trustee may appoint or approve. 3. At least 21 days' notice (exclusive of the day on which the notice is given and the day on which the meeting is to be held) specifying the place, day and hour of meeting shall be given to the holders of the relevant Notes prior to any meeting of such holders in the manner provided by Condition 13. Such notice, which shall be in the English language, shall state generally the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting thereby convened but (except for an Extraordinary Resolution) it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the terms of any resolution to be proposed. Such notice shall include statements, if applicable, to the effect that Notes may, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, be deposited with Paying Agents or (to their satisfaction) held to their order or under their control or blocked in an account with a clearing system for the purpose of obtaining voting certificates or appointing proxies. A copy of the notice shall be sent by post to the Trustee (unless the meeting is convened by the Trustee) and to the Issuer (unless the meeting is convened by the Issuer). 4. A person (who may but need not be a Noteholder) nominated in writing by the Trustee shall be entitled to take the chair at the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting but if no such nomination is made or if at any meeting or adjourned meeting the person nominated shall not be present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting the Noteholders present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman, failing which the Issuer may appoint a Chairman. The Chairman of an adjourned meeting need not be the same person as was Chairman of the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 5. At any such meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one- twentieth of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding shall (except for the purpose of passing an Extraordinary Resolution) form a quorum for the transaction of business and no business (other than the choosing of a Chairman) shall be transacted at any meeting unless the requisite quorum be present at the commencement of the relevant business. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject as provided below) be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate more than 50 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding PROVIDED THAT at any meeting the business of which includes any of the following matters (each of which shall, subject only to Clause 18(B), only be capable of being effected after having been approved by Extraordinary Resolution) namely: (i) reduction or cancellation of the amount payable or, where applicable, modification, except where such modification is in the opinion of the Trustee bound to result in an |
107 increase, of the method of calculating the amount payable or modification of the date of payment or, where applicable, of the method of calculating the date of payment in respect of any principal or interest in respect of the Notes; (ii) alteration of the currency in which payments under the Notes and Coupons are to be made; (iii) alteration of the majority required to pass an Extraordinary Resolution; (iv) the sanctioning of any such scheme or proposal as is described in paragraph 18(I) below; and (v) alteration of this proviso or the proviso to paragraph 6 below; the quorum shall be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than two- thirds of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 6. If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any such meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the meeting shall if convened upon the requisition of Noteholders be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week (or if such day is a public holiday the next succeeding business day) at the same time and place (except in the case of a meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be proposed in which case it shall stand adjourned for such period, being not less than 13 clear days nor more than 42 clear days, and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such meeting and approved by the Trustee). If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any adjourned meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the Chairman may either (with the approval of the Trustee) dissolve such meeting or adjourn the same for such period, being not less than 13 clear days (but without any maximum number of clear days), and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such adjourned meeting and approved by the Trustee, and the provisions of this sentence shall apply to all further adjourned such meetings. At any adjourned meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by them) shall (subject as provided below) form a quorum and shall have power to pass any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution and to decide upon all matters which could properly have been dealt with at the meeting from which the adjournment took place had the requisite quorum been present PROVIDED THAT at any adjourned meeting the quorum for the transaction of business comprising any of the matters specified in the proviso to paragraph 5 above shall be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one-third of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 7. Notice of any adjourned meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be submitted shall be given in the same manner as notice of an original meeting but as if 10 were substituted for 21 in paragraph 3 above and such notice shall state the relevant quorum. Subject as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting. 8. Every question submitted to a meeting shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands and in case of equality of votes the Chairman shall both on a show of hands and on a poll have a casting vote in addition to the vote or votes (if any) to which he may be entitled as a Noteholder or as a holder of a voting certificate or as a proxy. |
108 9. At any meeting unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the Chairman, the Issuer, the Trustee or any person present holding a Definitive Note or a voting certificate or being a proxy (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by him) a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried by a particular majority or lost or not carried by a particular majority shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. 10. Subject to paragraph 12 below, if at any such meeting a poll is so demanded it shall be taken in such manner and subject as hereinafter provided either at once or after an adjournment as the Chairman directs and the result of such poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded as at the date of the taking of the poll. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the motion on which the poll has been demanded. 11. The Chairman may with the consent of (and shall if directed by) any such meeting adjourn the same from time to time and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully (but for lack of required quorum) have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 12. Any poll demanded at any such meeting on the election of a Chairman or on any question of adjournment shall be taken at the meeting without adjournment. 13. The Trustee and its lawyers and any director, officer or employee of a corporation being a trustee of these presents and any director or officer of the Issuer and its or their lawyers and any other person authorised so to do by the Trustee may attend and speak at any meeting. Save as aforesaid, but without prejudice to the proviso to the definition of "outstanding" in Clause 1, no person shall be entitled to attend and speak nor shall any person be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders or join with others in requesting the convening of such a meeting or to exercise the rights conferred on Noteholders by Clause 8(A) or Condition 9 unless he either produces the Definitive Note or Definitive Notes of which he is the holder or a voting certificate or is a proxy. No person shall be entitled to vote at any meeting in respect of Notes held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company. Nothing herein shall prevent any of the proxies named in any block voting instruction from being a director, officer or representative of or otherwise connected with the Issuer. 14. Subject as provided in paragraph 13 hereof at any meeting: (A) on a show of hands every person who is present in person and produces a Definitive Note or voting certificate or is a proxy shall have one vote; and (B) on a poll every person who is so present shall have one vote in respect of each €1 or such other amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate (or, in the case of meetings of holders of Notes denominated in another currency, such amount in such other currency as the Trustee in its absolute discretion may stipulate) in nominal amount of the Definitive Notes so produced or represented by the voting certificate so produced or in respect of which he is a proxy. Without prejudice to the obligations of the proxies named in any block voting instruction any person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes to which he is entitled in the same way. 15. The proxies named in any block voting instruction need not be Noteholders. |
109 16. Each block voting instruction together (if so requested by the Trustee) with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of its due execution on behalf of the relevant Paying Agent and each form of proxy shall be deposited by the relevant Paying Agent at such place as the Trustee shall approve not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the proxies named in the block voting instruction propose to vote and in default the block voting instruction shall not be treated as valid unless the Chairman of the meeting decides otherwise before such meeting or adjourned meeting proceeds to business. A notarially certified copy of each block voting instruction shall (if the Trustee so requires) be deposited with the Trustee before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting but the Trustee shall not thereby be obliged to investigate or be concerned with the validity of or the authority of the proxies named in any such block voting instruction. 17. Any vote given in accordance with the terms of a block voting instruction shall be valid notwithstanding the previous revocation or amendment of the block voting instruction or of any of the relevant Noteholders' instructions pursuant to which it was executed provided that no intimation in writing of such revocation or amendment shall have been received from the relevant Paying Agent by the Issuer at its registered office (or such other place as may have been required or approved by the Trustee for the purpose) by the time being 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the block voting instruction is to be used. 18. The Noteholders shall in addition to the powers hereinbefore given have the following powers exercisable only by Extraordinary Resolution (subject, in the case of a meeting, to the provisions relating to quorum contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 above) namely: (A) Power to sanction any compromise or arrangement proposed to be made between the Issuer, the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders and Couponholders or any of them. (B) Power to sanction any abrogation, modification, compromise or arrangement in respect of the rights of the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders, the Couponholders or the Issuer or against any other or others of them or against any of their property whether such rights shall arise under these presents or otherwise. (C) Power to assent to any modification of the provisions of these presents which shall be proposed by the Issuer, the Trustee or any Noteholder. (D) Power to give any authority or sanction which under the provisions of these presents is required to be given by Extraordinary Resolution. (E) Power to appoint any persons (whether Noteholders or not) as a committee or committees to represent the interests of the Noteholders and to confer upon such committee or committees any powers or discretions which the Noteholders could themselves exercise by Extraordinary Resolution. (F) Power to approve of a person to be appointed a trustee and power to remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. (G) Power to discharge or exonerate the Trustee and/or any Appointee from all liability in respect of any act or omission for which the Trustee and/or such Appointee may have become responsible under these presents. (H) Power to authorise the Trustee and/or any Appointee to concur in and execute and do all such deeds, instruments, acts and things as may be necessary to carry out and give effect to any Extraordinary Resolution. |
110 (I) Power to sanction any scheme or proposal for the exchange or sale of the Notes for or the conversion of the Notes into or the cancellation of the Notes in consideration of shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities of the Issuer or any other company formed or to be formed, or for or into or in consideration of cash, or partly for or into or in consideration of such shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities as aforesaid and partly for or into or in consideration of cash. 19. Any resolution passed by the Noteholders in accordance with these presents shall be binding upon all the Noteholders whether present or not present at any meeting and whether or not voting and upon all Couponholders and each of them shall be bound to give effect thereto accordingly and the passing of any such resolution shall be conclusive evidence that the circumstances justify the passing thereof. Notice of the result of the voting on any resolution duly considered by the Noteholders shall be published in accordance with Condition 13 by the Issuer within 14 days of such result being known PROVIDED THAT the non-publication of such notice shall not invalidate such result. 20. The expression "Extraordinary Resolution" when used in these presents means (a) a resolution passed at a meeting of the Noteholders duly convened and held in accordance with these presents by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the persons voting thereat upon a show of hands or if a poll is duly demanded by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the votes cast on such poll; or (b) a resolution in writing signed by or on behalf of all the Noteholders, which resolution in writing may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by or on behalf of one or more of the Noteholders; or (c) consent given by way of electronic consents through the relevant Clearing System(s) (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) by or on behalf of holders of not less than three-fourths in principal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 21. Minutes of all resolutions and proceedings at every meeting of the Noteholders shall be made and entered in books to be from time to time provided for that purpose by the Issuer and any such minutes as aforesaid if purporting to be signed by the Chairman of the meeting at which such resolutions were passed or proceedings transacted shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein contained and until the contrary is proved every such meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes have been made shall be deemed to have been duly held and convened and all resolutions passed or proceedings transacted thereat to have been duly passed or transacted. 22. (A) If and whenever the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes of more than one Series the foregoing provisions of this Schedule shall have effect subject to the following modifications: (i) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of only one Series shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Notes of that Series; (ii) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series but does not give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of Notes of any of the Series so affected shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a single meeting of the holders of the Notes of all the Series so affected; (iii) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series and gives or may give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of the Notes of one Series or group of Series so affected and the holders of the Notes of another Series or group of Series so affected shall be |
111 deemed to have been duly passed only if passed at separate meetings of the holders of the Notes of each Series or group of Series so affected; and (iv) to all such meetings all the preceding provisions of this Schedule shall mutatis mutandis apply as though references therein to Notes and Noteholders were references to the Notes of the Series or group of Series in question or to the holders of such Notes, as the case may be. (B) If the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes which are not denominated in euro in the case of any meeting of holders of Notes of more than one currency the nominal amount of such Notes shall (i) for the purposes of paragraph 2 above be the equivalent in euro at the spot rate of a bank nominated by the Trustee for the conversion of the relevant currency or currencies into euro on the seventh dealing day prior to the day on which the requisition in writing is received by the Issuer and (ii) for the purposes of paragraphs 5, 6 and 14 above (whether in respect of the meeting or any adjourned such meeting or any poll resulting therefrom) be the equivalent at such spot rate on the seventh dealing day prior to the day of such meeting. In such circumstances, on any poll each person present shall have one vote for each €1 (or such other euro amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate) in nominal amount of the Notes (converted as above) which he holds or represents. 23. Subject to all other provisions of these presents the Trustee may without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders prescribe such further regulations regarding the requisitioning and/or the holding of meetings of Noteholders and attendance and voting thereat as the Trustee may in its sole discretion think fit. |
112 EXECUTED as a deed by ) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC ) acting by ) and ) Director Secretary EXECUTED as a deed by ) ………………………………………….) as attorney for HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE ) COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ) ……………………………………………………… Attorney name Witnessed by: …………………………… Witness Name : …………………………. Witness Address : ……………………….. …………………………………………… …………………………………………… |
(Signature Page to the Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed) SIGNATORIES EXECUTED as a DEED by ) RENTOKIL INITIAL plc ) Director JEREMY TOWNSEND acting by ) and ) Secretary DARAH FAGAN EXECUTED as a deed by ) as attorney for HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE ) JAMES MCCOMB COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ) Attorney name Witnessed by: CHARLOTTE DAVIDSON Witness Name : CHARLOTTE DAVIDSON Witness Address : HSBC BANK PLC, 8 CANADA SQUARE, LONDON E14 5HQ |
Allen & Overy LLP 0013726-0004143 ICM:32105437.10 SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED 27 March 2019 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc and HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED further modifying and restating the provisions of the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 relating to a €2,500,000,000 EURO MEDIUM TERM NOTE PROGRAMME |
Exhibit 4.4
EXECUTION VERSION Allen & Overy LLP 0013726-0004321 UKO2: 1185041825.7 SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED 11 SEPTEMBER 2020 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc and HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED further modifying and restating the provisions of the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 relating to a €4,000,000,000 EURO MEDIUM TERM NOTE PROGRAMME |
2 THIS SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED is made on 11 September 2020 BETWEEN : (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC , a company incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB (the " Issuer "); and (2) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED , a company incorporated in England and Wales whose registered office is at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ (the "Trustee "), as trustee for the holders of the Notes and Coupons. WHEREAS : (A) This Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed is supplemental to: (a) the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 made between the Issuer and HSBC Trustee (C.I.) (hereinafter called the "Principal Trust Deed ") relating to the € 4,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the “ Programme ”) established by the Issuer; (b) the First Supplemental Trust Deed dated 19 March 2007 made between the Issuer and HSBC Trustee (C.I.) and modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the " First Supplemental Trust Deed "); (c) the Second Supplemental Trust Deed dated 13 June 2008 made between the Issuer, HSBC Trustee (C.I.) and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “ Second Supplemental Trust Deed ”); (d) the Third Supplemental Trust Deed dated 21 June 2013 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “ Third Supplemental Trust Deed ”); (e) the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 18 February 2015 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed ”); (f) the Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 11 March 2016 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed ”); and (g) the Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 27 March 2019 made between the Issuer and the Trustee and further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (hereinafter called the “ Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed ” and , together with the Principal Trust Deed, the First Supplemental Trust Deed, the Second Supplemental Trust Deed, the Third Supplemental Trust Deed, the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed and the Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed, the “ Subsisting Trust Deeds ”). (B) On 11 September 2020 the Issuer published a modified and updated Offering Circular relating to the Programme. NOW THIS SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED WITNESSETH AND IT IS HEREBY DECLARED as follows: |
3 1. Subject as hereinafter provided and unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, all words and expressions defined in the Subsisting Trust Deeds shall have the same meanings in this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed. 2. Save: (a) in relation to all Series of Notes the first Tranches of which were issued during the period up to and including the day last preceding the date of this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed; and (b) for the purpose (where necessary) of construing the provisions of this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed, with effect on and from the date of this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed: (i) the Principal Trust Deed (as previously modified) is hereby further modified in such manner as would result in the Principal Trust Deed being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto; and (ii) the provisions of the Subsisting Trust Deeds (as previously modified) insofar as the same still have effect shall cease to have effect and in lieu thereof the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as so further modified (and being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto) shall have effect. 3. The provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as modified and restated by this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed shall be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee. 4. The Subsisting Trust Deeds shall henceforth be read and construed as one document with this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed. 5. A Memorandum of this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed shall be endorsed by the Trustee on the Principal Trust Deed and by the Issuer on its duplicate of the Principal Trust Deed. 6. This Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed and any non-contractual obligations arising out of in connection with it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. 7. This Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed may be executed in counterparts, all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same deed and any party may enter into this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed by executing a counterpart. IN WITNESS whereof this Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date first stated on page 1 above. |
4 SCHEDULE FORM OF MODIFIED PRINCIPAL TRUST DEED DATED 9 DECEMBER 2005 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc - and - HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ________________________________________ TRUST DEED relating to a €4,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (as modified and restated on 11 September 2020) ________________________________________ |
6 THIS TRUST DEED is made on 9 December 2005 BETWEEN : (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC , a company incorporated under the laws of England, whose registered office is at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB (the " Issuer"); and (2) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED , a company incorporated in England and Wales, whose registered office is at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ (the "Trustee ", which expression shall, wherever the context so admits, include such company and all other persons or companies for the time being the trustee or trustees of these presents) as trustee for the Noteholders and the Couponholders (each as defined below). WHEREAS : (1) By a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 14 July 2005 and by a resolution of the Committee of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 8 December 2005 the Issuer has resolved to establish a Euro Medium Term Note Programme pursuant to which the Issuer may from time to time issue Notes as set out herein. By a resolution of the Committee of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 4 September 2020, Notes up to a maximum nominal amount (calculated in accordance with Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement (as defined below)) from time t o time outstanding of € 4,000,000,000 (subject to increase as provided in the Programme Agreement) (the " Programme Limit ") may be issued pursuant to the said Programme. (2) The Trustee has agreed to act as trustee of these presents for the benefit of the Noteholders and the Couponholders upon and subject to the terms and conditions of these presents. NOW THIS TRUST DEED WITNESSES AND IT IS AGREED AND DECLARED as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS (A) IN these presents unless there is anything in the subject or context inconsistent therewith the following expressions shall have the following meanings: "Agency Agreement " means the agreement dated 9 December 2005 as amended and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, pursuant to which the Issuer has appointed the Agent and the other Paying Agents in relation to all or any Series of the Notes and any other agreement for the time being in force appointing further or other Paying Agents or another Agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, or in connection with their duties, the terms of which have previously been approved in writing by the Trustee, together with any agreement for the time being in force amending or modifying with the prior written approval of the Trustee any of the aforesaid agreements; "Agent " means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, HSBC Bank plc at its office at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England or, if applicable, any Successor principal paying agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Applicable Law " means any law or regulation including, but not limited to: (i) any statute or regulation; (ii) any rule or practice of any Authority by which the issuer is bound or with which it is accustomed to comply; (iii) any agreement between any Authorities; and (iv) any customary agreement between any Authority and any party; "Appointee " means any attorney, manager, agent, delegate or other person appointed by the Trustee under these presents; |
7 "Auditors " means the auditors for the time being of the Issuer or, in the event of their being unable or unwilling promptly to carry out any action requested of them pursuant to the provisions of these presents, such other firm of accountants as may be nominated or approved by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents; "Authority " means any competent regulatory, prosecuting, tax or governmental authority in any jurisdiction; "Calculation Agent " means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the person initially appointed as calculation agent in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement or, if applicable, any Successor calculation agent in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Change of Control " has the meaning set out in Condition 6(f); "Clearstream, Luxembourg " means Clearstream Banking S.A.; "Code " means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986; "Conditions " means, in relation to the Notes of any Series, the terms and conditions endorsed on or incorporated by reference into the Note or Notes constituting such Series, such terms and conditions being in or substantially in the form set out in the First Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes of the relevant Series, in each case as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions of these presents; "Coupon " means an interest coupon appertaining to a definitive Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note), such coupon being: (i) if appertaining to a Fixed Rate Note, in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part IVA of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or (ii) if appertaining to a Floating Rate Note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part IVB of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or (iii) if appertaining to a definitive Note which is neither a Fixed Rate Note nor a Floating Rate Note in such form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), and includes, where applicable, the Talon(s) appertaining thereto and any replacements for Coupons and Talons issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Couponholders " means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Coupons and includes, where applicable, the Talonholders; |
8 "Dealers " means Barclays Bank PLC, Banco Santander, S.A., Bayerische Landesbank, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank N.V., Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc, Merrill Lynch International, Mizuho International plc, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) and Standard Chartered Bank and any other entity which the Issuer may appoint as a Dealer and notice of whose appointment has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement but excluding any entity whose appointment has been terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and notice of such termination has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and references to a "relevant Dealer " or the " relevant Dealer(s) " mean, in relation to any Tranche or Series of Notes, the Dealer or Dealers with whom the Issuer has agreed the issue of the Notes of such Tranche or Series and " Dealer " means any one of them; "Definitive Note " means a Note in definitive form issued or, as the case may require, to be issued by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for either a Temporary Global Note or part thereof or a Permanent Global Note (all as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement), such Note in definitive form being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part III of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and having the Conditions endorsed thereon or, if permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange, incorporating the Conditions by reference as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement and having the relevant information supplementing the Conditions appearing in the applicable Pricing Supplement endorsed thereon or attached thereto and (except in the case of a Zero Coupon Note) having Coupons and, where appropriate, Talons attached thereto on issue; "Directors " means the Board of Directors for the time being of the Issuer; "Early Redemption Amount " has the meaning ascribed thereto in Condition 6(e); "Euroclear " means Euroclear Bank SA/NV; “Euronext Dublin ” means the Irish Stock Exchange plc, trading as E uronext Dublin or such other body to which its functions have been transferred; "Event of Default " means any of the conditions, events or acts provided in Condition 9 to be events upon the happening of which the Notes of any Series would, subject only to notice by the Trustee as therein provided, become immediately due and repayable; "Extraordinary Resolution " has the meaning set out in paragraph 20 of the Third Schedule; "Fixed Rate Note " means a Note on which interest is calculated at a fixed rate payable in arrear on a fixed date or fixed dates in each year and on redemption or on such other dates as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); "Floating Rate Note " means a Note on which interest is calculated at a floating rate payable in arrear in respect of such period or on such date(s) as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement); “Global Exchange Market” means the Global Exchange Market of Euronext Dublin. |
9 "Global Note " means a Temporary Global Note and/or a Permanent Global Note as the context may require; "Interest Commencement Date " means, in the case of interest-bearing Notes, the date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement from (and including) which such Notes bear interest, which may or may not be the Issue Date; "Interest Payment Date " means, in relation to any Floating Rate Note, either: (i) the date which falls the number of months or other period specified as the " Specified Period " in the applicable Pricing Supplement after the preceding Interest Payment Date or the Interest Commencement Date (in the case of the first Interest Payment Date); or (ii) such date or dates as are indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement; "Issue Date " means, in respect of any Note, the date of issue and purchase of such Note pursuant to and in accordance with the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) being, in the case of any Definitive Note represented initially by a Global Note, the same date as the date of issue of the Global Note which initially represented such Note; "Issue Price " means the price, generally expressed as a percentage of the nominal amount of the Notes, at which the Notes will be issued; "Liability " means any loss, damage, cost, charge, claim, demand, expense, judgment, action, proceeding or other liability whatsoever (including, without limitation in respect of taxes, duties, levies, imposts and other charges) and including any value added tax or similar tax charged or chargeable in respect thereof and legal fees and expenses on a full indemnity basis; "London Business Day " has the meaning set out in Condition 4(b)(vii); "Maturity Date " means the date on which a Note is expressed to be redeemable; "month " means calendar month; "Note " means a note issued pursuant to the Programme and denominated in such currency or currencies as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) which has such maturity and denomination as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and issued or to be issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents and which shall initially be represented by, and comprised in, either (i) a Temporary Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Temporary Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Notes or a Permanent Global Note which Permanent Global Note may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) in turn be exchanged for Definitive Notes or (ii) a Permanent Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Notes (all as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) and includes any replacements for a Note issued pursuant to Condition 10; |
10 "Noteholders " means the several persons who are for the time being holders of outstanding Notes save that, in respect of the Notes of any Series, for so long as such Notes or any part thereof are represented by a Global Note deposited with a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (other than Clearstream, Luxembourg, if Clearstream, Luxembourg shall be an accountholder of Euroclear and Euroclear, if Euroclear shall be an accountholder of Clearstream, Luxembourg) as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes of such Series shall be deemed to be the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes (and the holder of the relevant Global Note shall be deemed not to be the holder) for all purposes of these presents other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the rights to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer and the Trustee, solely in such common depositary and for which purpose such common depositary shall be deemed to be the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in accordance with and subject to its terms and the provisions of these presents and the expressions " Noteholder ", " holder " and " holder of Notes " and related expressions shall be construed accordingly; "notice " means, in respect of a notice to be given to Noteholders, a notice validly given pursuant to Condition 13; "Official List " means the official list maintained by Euronext Dublin; "outstanding " means, in relation to the Notes of all or any Series, all the Notes of such Series issued other than: (a) those Notes which have been redeemed pursuant to these presents; (b) those Notes in respect of which the date (including, where applicable, any deferred date) for redemption in accordance with the Conditions has occurred and the redemption moneys (including all interest payable thereon) have been duly paid to the Trustee or to the Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement (and where appropriate notice to that effect has been given to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13) and remain available for payment against presentation of the relevant Notes and/or Coupons; (c) those Notes which have been purchased and cancelled in accordance with Conditions 6(g) and 6(h); (d) those Notes which have become void or in respect of which claims have become prescribed, in each case under Condition 8; (e) those mutilated or defaced Notes which have been surrendered and cancelled and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 10; (f) (for the purpose only of ascertaining the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding and without prejudice to the status for any other purpose of the relevant Notes) those Notes which are alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 10; and (g) any Global Note to the extent that it shall have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or another Global Note pursuant to its provisions, the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement, |
11 PROVIDED THAT for each of the following purposes, namely: (i) the right to attend and vote at any meeting of the holders of the Notes of any Series; (ii) the determination of how many and which Notes of any Series are for the time being outstanding for the purposes of Clause 8(A), Conditions 9 and 14 and paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 9 of the Third Schedule; (iii) any discretion, power or authority (whether contained in these presents or vested by operation of law) which the Trustee is required, expressly or impliedly, to exercise in or by reference to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series; and (iv) the determination by the Trustee whether any event, circumstance, matter or thing is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series, those Notes of the relevant Series (if any) which are for the time being held by or on behalf of the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company, in each case as beneficial owner, shall (unless and until ceasing to be so held) be deemed not to remain outstanding; "Paying Agents " means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the several institutions (including, where the context permits, the Agent) at their respective specified offices initially appointed as paying agents in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement and/or, if applicable, any Successor paying agents at their respective specified offices in relation to all or any Series of the Notes; "Permanent Global Note " means a global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), together with the copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement annexed thereto, comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for the whole or part of any Temporary Global Note issued in respect of such Notes; "Potential Event of Default " means any condition, event or act which, with the lapse of time and/or the issue, making or giving of any notice, certification, declaration, demand, determination and/or request and/or the taking of any similar action and/or the fulfilment of any similar condition, would constitute an Event of Default; "Pricing Supplement " has the meaning set out in the Programme Agreement; "Principal Subsidiary " means at any time a Subsidiary of the Issuer: (a) whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Issuer represent (or, in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, are equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated respectively by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided that in the case of a Subsidiary |
12 of the Issuer acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, the reference to the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until consolidated accounts for the financial period in which the acquisition is made have been prepared and audited as aforesaid, be deemed to be a reference to such first-mentioned accounts as if such Subsidiary had been shown in such accounts by reference to its then latest relevant audited accounts, adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Directors; or (b) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer which immediately prior to such transfer is a Principal Subsidiary, provided that the transferor Subsidiary shall upon such transfer forthwith cease to be a Principal Subsidiary and the transferee Subsidiary shall cease to be a Principal Subsidiary pursuant to this sub-paragraph (b) on the date on which the consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the financial period current at the date of such transfer have been prepared and audited as aforesaid but so that such transferor Subsidiary or such transferee Subsidiary may be a Principal Subsidiary on or at any time after the date on which such consolidated accounts have been prepared and audited as aforesaid by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) above or before, on or at any time after such date by virtue of the provisions of this sub-paragraph (b) or sub-paragraph (c) below or at any time by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) below; or (c) to which is transferred an undertaking or assets which, taken together with the undertaking or assets of the transferee Subsidiary, generated (or, in the case of the transferee Subsidiary being acquired after the end of the financial period to which the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries relate, generate operating profits attributable to the Issuer equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits, of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated as referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above, provided that the transferor Subsidiary (if a Principal Subsidiary) shall upon such transfer forthwith cease to be a Principal Subsidiary unless immediately following such transfer its undertaking and assets generate (or, in the case aforesaid, generate operating profits attributable to the Issuer equal to) not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profit, of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated as referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above, and the transferee Subsidiary shall cease to be a Principal Subsidiary pursuant to this sub-paragraph (c) on the date on which the consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the financial period current at the date of such transfer have been prepared and audited but so that such transferor Subsidiary or such transferee Subsidiary may be a Principal Subsidiary on or at any time after the date on which such consolidated accounts have been prepared and audited as aforesaid by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) above or before, on or at any time after such date by virtue of the provisions of this sub- paragraph (c) or sub-paragraph (b) above or at any time by virtue of the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) below; or (d) which has Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (as defined in Condition 9(c)) outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency). For the purposes of this definition if there shall at any time not be any relevant audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, references thereto herein shall be deemed to be references to a consolidation by the Directors of the relevant audited accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries. |
13 A report by two Directors or one Director and the Company Secretary of the Issuer (as referred to in Clause 13) whether or not addressed to the Trustee that in their opinion a Subsidiary of the Issuer is or is not or was or was not at any particular time or throughout any specified period a Principal Subsidiary may be relied upon by the Trustee without further enquiry or evidence and, if relied upon by the Trustee, shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties; "Programme " means the Euro Medium Term Note Programme established by, or otherwise contemplated in, the Programme Agreement; "Programme Agreement " means the agreement of even date herewith between the Issuer and the Dealers named therein (or deemed named therein) concerning the purchase of Notes to be issued pursuant to the Programme together with any agreement for the time being in force amending, replacing, novating or modifying such agreement and any accession letters and/or agreements supplemental thereto; "Put Event " has the meaning set out in Condition 6(f); "Relevant Date " has the meaning set out in Condition 7; "repay ", " redeem " and " pay " shall each include both of the others and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly; "Series " means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices and the expressions " Notes of the relevant Series ", " holders of Notes of the relevant Series " and related expressions shall be construed accordingly; "Stock Exchange " means Euronext Dublin or any other or further stock exchange(s) on which any Notes may from time to time be listed, and references in these presents to the "relevant Stock Exchange " shall, in relation to any Notes, be references to the Stock Exchange on which such Notes are, from time to time, or are intended to be, listed; "Subsidiary " means any company which is for the time being a subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006); "Successor " means, in relation to the Agent, the other Paying Agents and the Calculation Agent, any successor to any one or more of them in relation to the Notes which shall become such pursuant to the provisions of these presents and/or the Agency Agreement (as the case may be) and/or such other or further agent, paying agents and calculation agent (as the case may be) in relation to the Notes as may (with the prior approval of, and on terms previously approved by, the Trustee in writing) from time to time be appointed as such, and/or, if applicable, such other or further specified offices (in the case of the Agent and the other Paying Agents being within the same city as those for which it is they are substituted) as may from time to time be nominated, in each case by the Issuer, and (except in the case of the initial appointments and specified offices made under and specified in the Conditions and/or the Agency Agreement, as the case may be) notice of whose appointment or, as the case may be, nomination has been given to the Noteholders; "Talonholders " means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Talons; |
14 "Talons " means the talons (if any) appertaining to, and exchangeable in accordance with the provisions therein contained for further Coupons appertaining to, the Definitive Notes (other than Zero Coupon Notes), such talons being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part V of the Second Schedule or in such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and includes any replacements for Talons issued pursuant to Condition 10; "Temporary Global Note " means a temporary global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part I of the Second Schedule together with the copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement annexed thereto with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) relating to the Programme, the Agency Agreement and these presents; "these presents " means this Trust Deed and the Schedules and any trust deed supplemental hereto and the Schedules (if any) thereto and the Notes, the Coupons, the Talons, the Conditions and, unless the context otherwise requires, the Pricing Supplement, all as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions herein or therein contained; "Tranche " means all Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading); "Trust Corporation " means a corporation entitled by rules made under the Public Trustee Act 1906 of Great Britain or entitled pursuant to any other comparable legislation applicable to a trustee in any other jurisdiction to carry out the functions of a custodian trustee; "Trustee Acts " means the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000; "Zero Coupon Note " means a Note on which no interest is payable; words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa ; words denoting one gender only shall include the other genders; and words denoting persons only shall include firms and corporations and vice versa . (B) (i) All references in these presents to principal and/or principal amount and/or interest in respect of the Notes or to any moneys payable by the Issuer under these presents shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed in accordance with Condition 5(f). (ii) All references in these presents to any statute or any provision of any statute shall be deemed also to refer to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof or any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder or under any such modification or re-enactment. (iii) All references in these presents to guarantees or to an obligation being guaranteed shall be deemed to include respectively references to indemnities or to an indemnity being given in respect thereof. |
15 (iv) All references in these presents to any action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors shall be deemed to include, in respect of any jurisdiction other than England, references to such action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors available or appropriate in such jurisdiction as shall most nearly approximate to such action, remedy or method of proceeding described or referred to in these presents. (v) All references in these presents to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include references to any additional or alternative clearing system as is approved by the Issuer, the Agent and the Trustee or as may otherwise be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (vi) Unless the context otherwise requires words or expressions used in these presents shall bear the same meanings as in the Companies Act 2006 of Great Britain. (vii) In this Trust Deed references to Schedules, Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub- paragraphs shall be construed as references to the Schedules to this Trust Deed and to the Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs of this Trust Deed respectively. (viii) In these presents tables of contents and Clause headings are included for ease of reference and shall not affect the construction of these presents. (C) Words and expressions defined in these presents or the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Pricing Supplement shall have the same meanings where used herein unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement and these presents, these presents shall prevail and, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement or these presents and the applicable Pricing Supplement, the applicable Pricing Supplement shall prevail. (D) All references in these presents to the " relevant currency " shall be construed as references to the currency in which payments in respect of the Notes and/or Coupons of the relevant Series are to be made as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (E) As used in these presents references to Notes having a " listing " or being " listed " on a Stock Exchange shall, in relation to Euronext Dublin, be construed to mean that such Notes have been admitted to the Official List of the Irish Stock Exchange plc trading as Euronext Dublin and admitted to trading on Euronext Dublin's Global Exchange Market. The Global Exchange Market is not a regulated market for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2014/65/EU), as amended. The applicable Pricing Supplement relating to each Tranche of Notes will specify whether such Notes are to be admitted to trading on the Euronext Dublin's Global Exchange Market. All references in these presents to "listing" and "listed" shall include references to "quotation" and "quoted" respectively. 2. AMOUNT AND ISSUE OF THE NOTES (A) Amount of the Notes, Pricing Supplement and Legal Opinions : The Notes will be issued in Series in an aggregate nominal amount from time to time outstanding not exceeding the Programme Limit from time to time and for the purpose of determining such aggregate nominal amount Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement shall apply. |
16 By not later than 3.00 p.m. (London time) on the third London Business Day preceding each proposed Issue Date, the Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and drafts of all legal opinions to be given in relation to the relevant issue and shall notify the Trustee in writing without delay of the relevant Issue Date and the nominal amount of the Notes to be issued. Upon the issue of the relevant Notes, such Notes shall become constituted by these presents without further formality. Before the first issue of Notes occurring after each anniversary of this Trust Deed and on such other occasions as the Trustee so requests (on the basis that the Trustee considers it necessary in view of a change (or proposed change) in English law affecting the Issuer, these presents, the Programme Agreement, the Agency Agreement or the Trustee has other grounds), the Issuer will procure that (a) further legal opinion(s) (relating, if applicable, to any such change or proposed change) in such form and with such content as the Trustee may require from the legal advisers specified in the Programme Agreement or such other legal advisers as the Trustee may require is/are delivered to the Trustee. Whenever such a request is made with respect to any Notes to be issued, the receipt of such opinion in a form satisfactory to the Trustee shall be a further condition precedent to the issue of those Notes. (B) Covenant to repay principal and to pay interest : The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will, as and when the Notes of any Series or any of them becomes due to be redeemed, or on such earlier as the same or any part thereof may become due and repayable thereunder, in accordance with the Conditions, unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee in the relevant currency in immediately available funds the principal amount in respect of the Notes of such Series becoming due for redemption on that date and (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) shall in the meantime and until redemption in full of the Notes of such Series (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee as aforesaid interest (which shall accrue from day to day) on the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding of such Series at rates and/or in amounts calculated from time to time in accordance with, or specified in, and on the dates provided for in, the Conditions (subject to Clause 2(D)) PROVIDED THAT: (i) every payment of principal or interest or other sum due in respect of the Notes made to or to the order of the Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement shall be in satisfaction pro tanto of the relative covenant by the Issuer in this Clause contained in relation to the Notes of such Series except to the extent that there is a default in the subsequent payment thereof in accordance with the Conditions to the relevant Noteholders or Couponholders (as the case may be); (ii) in the case of any payment of principal which is not made to the Trustee or the Agent on or before the due date or on or after accelerated maturity following an Event of Default, interest shall continue to accrue on the nominal amount of the relevant Notes (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 6(i) shall apply) (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) up to and including the date which the Trustee determines to be the date on and after which payment is to be made in respect thereof as stated in a notice given to the holders of such Notes (such date to be not later than 30 days after the day on which the whole of such principal amount, together with an amount equal to the interest which has accrued and is to |
17 accrue pursuant to this proviso up to and including that date, has been received by the Trustee or the Agent); and (iii) in any case where payment of the whole or any part of the principal amount of any Note is improperly withheld or refused upon due presentation thereof (other than in circumstances contemplated by (ii) above) interest shall accrue on the nominal amount of such Note (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 6(i) shall apply) payment of which has been so withheld or refused (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) from the date of such withholding or refusal until the date on which, upon further presentation of the relevant Note, payment of the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency payable in respect of such Note is made or (if earlier) the seventh day after notice is given to the relevant Noteholder(s) (whether individually or in accordance with Condition 13) that the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency in respect of such Note is available for payment, PROVIDED THAT, upon further presentation thereof being duly made, such payment is made. The Trustee will hold the benefit of this covenant on trust for the Noteholders and the Couponholders and itself in accordance with these presents. (C) Trustee's requirements regarding Paying Agents etc : At any time after an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default shall have occurred or the Notes of all or any Series shall otherwise have become due and repayable or the Trustee shall have received any money which it proposes to pay under Clause 9 to the relevant Noteholders and/or Couponholders, the Trustee may: (i) by notice in writing to the Issuer, the Agent and the other Paying Agents require the Agent and the other Paying Agents pursuant to the Agency Agreement: (a) to act thereafter as Agent and other Paying Agents respectively of the Trustee in relation to payments to be made by or on behalf of the Trustee under the terms of these presents mutatis mutandis on the terms provided in the Agency Agreement (save that the Trustee's liability under any provisions thereof for the indemnification, remuneration and payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent and the other Paying Agents shall be limited to the amounts for the time being held by the Trustee on the trusts of these presents relating to the Notes of the relevant Series and available for such purpose) and thereafter to hold all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes and Coupons on behalf of the Trustee; or (b) to deliver up all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes and Coupons to the Trustee or as the Trustee shall direct in such notice PROVIDED THAT such notice shall be deemed not to apply to any documents or records which the Agent or other Paying Agent is obliged not to release by any law or regulation; and (ii) by notice in writing to the Issuer require it to make all subsequent payments in respect of the Notes and Coupons to or to the order of the Trustee and not to the Agent and with effect from the issue of any such notice to the Issuer and until such notice is |
18 withdrawn proviso (i) to sub-clause (B) of this Clause relating to the Notes shall cease to have effect. (D) If the Floating Rate Notes of any Series become immediately due and repayable under Condition 9 the rate and/or amount of interest payable in respect of them will be calculated by the Agent or, as the case may be, the Calculation Agent at the same intervals as if such Notes had not become due and repayable, the first of which will commence on the expiry of the Interest Period during which the Notes of the relevant Series become so due and repayable mutatis mutandis in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4 except that the rates of interest need not be published. (E) Currency of payments : All payments in respect of, under and in connection with these presents and the Notes of any Series to the relevant Noteholders and Couponholders shall be made in the relevant currency. (F) Further Notes : The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time (but subject always to the provisions of these presents) without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders to create and issue further Notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes of any Series (or the same in all respects save for the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon) and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single series with the outstanding Notes of a particular Series. (G) Separate Series : The Notes of each Series shall form a separate Series of Notes and accordingly, unless for any purpose the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, the provisions of this Clause and of Clauses 3 to 20 (both inclusive) and 21(B) and the Third Schedule shall apply mutatis mutandis separately and independently to the Notes of each Series and in such Clauses and Schedule the expressions " Notes ", " Noteholders ", " Coupons ", "Couponholders ", " Talons " and " Talonholders " shall be construed accordingly. |
19 3. FORMS OF THE NOTES (A) Global Notes : (i) The Notes of each Tranche will initially be represented by either a single Temporary Global Note or a single Permanent Global Note, as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Each Temporary Global Note shall be exchangeable, upon a request as described therein, for either Definitive Notes together with (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached, or a Permanent Global Note in each case in accordance with the provisions of such Temporary Global Note. Each Permanent Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes together with (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached, in accordance with the provisions of such Permanent Global Note. All Global Notes shall be prepared, completed and delivered to a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or to another appropriate depositary in accordance with any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and, in each case, the Agency Agreement. (ii) Each Temporary Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part I of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Temporary Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. Each Temporary Global Note so executed and authenticated shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery. (iii) Each Permanent Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Permanent Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Agent. Each Permanent Global Note so executed and authenticated shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery. (B) Definitive Notes : (i) The Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be to bearer in the respective forms or substantially in the respective forms set out in Parts III, IV and V, respectively, of the Second Schedule. The Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be serially numbered and, if listed or quoted, shall be security printed in accordance with the requirements (if any) from time to time of the relevant Stock Exchange and the relevant Conditions may be incorporated by reference into such Definitive Notes unless not so permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange (if any), or the Definitive Notes shall be endorsed with or have attached thereto the relevant Conditions, and, in either such case, the Definitive Notes shall have endorsed thereon or attached thereto a copy of the applicable Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof). Title to the Definitive Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall pass by delivery. (ii) The Definitive Notes shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on |
20 behalf of the Agent. The Definitive Notes so executed and authenticated, and the Coupons and Talons, upon execution and authentication of the relevant Definitive Notes, shall be binding and valid obligations of the Issuer. The Coupons and the Talons shall not be signed. No Definitive Note and none of the Coupons or Talons appertaining to such Definitive Note shall be binding or valid until such Definitive Note shall have been executed and authenticated as aforesaid. (C) Facsimile signatures : The Issuer may use the facsimile signature of any person who at the date such signature is affixed to a Note is duly authorised by the Issuer notwithstanding that at the time of issue of any of the Notes he may have ceased for any reason to be the holder of such office or so authorised. (D) Persons to be treated as Noteholders : Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and the other Paying Agents (notwithstanding any notice to the contrary and whether or not it is overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) may (i) (a) for the purpose of making payment thereon or on account thereof deem and treat the bearer of any Global Note, Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon as the absolute owner thereof and of all rights thereunder free from all encumbrances, and shall not be required to obtain proof of such ownership or as to the identity of the bearer and (ii) for all other purposes deem and treat: (a) the bearer of any Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon; and (b) each person for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or such other additional or alternative clearing system approved by the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agent, as having a particular nominal amount of Notes credited to his securities account, as the absolute owner thereof free from all encumbrances and shall not be required to obtain proof of such ownership (other than, in the case of any person for the time being so shown in such records, a certificate or letter of confirmation signed on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other form of record made by any of them) or as to the identity of the bearer of any Global Note, Definitive Note, Coupon or Talon. (E) Certificates of Euroclear , Clearstream, Luxembourg : The Issuer and the Trustee may call for and, except in the case of manifest error, shall be at liberty to accept and place full reliance on as sufficient evidence thereof a certificate or letter of confirmation issued on behalf of Euroclear, or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any form of record made by any of them or such other form of evidence and/or information and/or certification as it shall, in its absolute discretion, think fit to the effect that at any particular time or throughout any particular period any particular person is, was, or will be, shown in its records as the holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by a Global Note and, if it does so rely, such letter of confirmation, form of record, evidence, information or certification shall be conclusive and binding on all concerned. |
21 4. FEES, DUTIES AND TAXES The Issuer will pay any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other fees, duties and taxes, including interest and penalties, payable on or in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of these presents, (ii) the constitution and original issue of the Notes and the Coupons and (iii) any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee or (where permitted under these presents so to do) any Noteholder or Couponholder to enforce, or to resolve any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents. 5. COVENANT OF COMPLIANCE The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will comply with and perform and observe all the provisions of these presents which are expressed to be binding on it. The Conditions shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. The Trustee shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and the Coupons as if the same were set out and contained in this Trust Deed, which shall be read and construed as one document with the Notes and the Coupons. The Trustee shall hold the benefit of this covenant upon trust for itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders according to its and their respective interests. 6. CANCELLATION OF NOTES AND RECORDS (A) The Issuer shall procure that all Notes issued by it (i) redeemed or (ii) purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or (iii) which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 10 (together in each case, in the case of Definitive Notes, with all unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or delivered therewith), and all Coupons paid in accordance with the relevant Conditions or which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 10, shall forthwith be cancelled by or on behalf of the Issuer and a certificate stating: (a) the aggregate principal amount of Notes which have been redeemed and the aggregate amounts in respect of and Coupons which have been paid; (b) the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form; (c) the total numbers (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons; (d) the aggregate amount of interest paid (and the due dates of such payments) on Global Notes; (e) the aggregate nominal amount of Notes (if any) which have been purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer and cancelled and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form and, in the case of Definitive Notes, the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith; (f) the aggregate nominal amounts of Notes and the aggregate amounts in respect of Coupons which have been so surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form and the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons and Talons; |
22 (g) the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the unmatured Coupons missing from Definitive Notes bearing interest at a fixed rate which have been redeemed or surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of the Definitive Notes to which such missing unmatured Coupons appertained; and (h) the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of Talons which have been exchanged for further Coupons shall be given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Issuer as soon as possible and in any event within four months after the date of such redemption, purchase, payment, exchange or replacement (as the case may be). The Trustee may accept such certificate as conclusive evidence of redemption, purchase or replacement pro tanto of the Notes or payment of interest thereon or exchange of the relative Talons respectively and of cancellation of the relative Notes and Coupons. (B) The Issuer shall procure (i) that the Agent shall keep a full and complete record of all Notes, Coupons and Talons issued by it (other than serial numbers of Coupons) and of their redemption or purchase by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any cancellation or any payment (as the case may be) and of all replacement notes, coupons or talons issued in substitution for lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed Notes, Coupons or Talons, (ii) that the Agent shall in respect of the Coupons of each maturity retain (in the case of Coupons other than Talons) until the expiry of 10 years from the Relevant Date in respect of such Coupons and (in the case of Talons indefinitely) either all paid or exchanged Coupons of that maturity or a list of the serial numbers of Coupons of that maturity still remaining unpaid or unexchanged and (iii) that such records and Coupons (if any) shall be made available to the Trustee at all reasonable times. 7. NON-PAYMENT Proof that as regards any specified Note or Coupon the Issuer has made default in paying any amount due in respect of such Note or Coupon shall (unless the contrary be proved) be sufficient evidence that the same default has been made as regards all other Notes or Coupons (as the case may be) in respect of which the relevant amount is due and payable. 8. PROCEEDINGS, ACTION AND INDEMNIFICATION (A) The Trustee shall not be bound to take any action or proceedings mentioned in Condition 9 or any other action in relation to these presents unless respectively directed or requested to do so (i) by an Extraordinary Resolution or (ii) in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in aggregate nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding and in either case then only if it shall be indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction against all Liabilities to which it may thereby render itself liable or which it may incur by so doing. (B) Only the Trustee may enforce the provisions of these presents. No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer to enforce the performance of any of the provisions of these presents unless the Trustee having become bound as aforesaid to take proceedings fails to do so within a reasonable period and such failure is continuing. 9. APPLICATION OF MONEYS All moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer (including any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes or Coupons which have become void or in respect of which claims have become prescribed under Condition 8) shall, |
23 unless and to the extent attributable, in the opinion of the Trustee, to a particular Series of the Notes, be apportioned pari passu and rateably between each Series of the Notes, and all moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer to the extent attributable in the opinion of the Trustee to a particular Series of the Notes or which are apportioned to such Series as aforesaid, be held by the Trustee upon trust to apply them (subject to Clause 11): FIRST in payment or satisfaction of all amounts then due and unpaid under Clauses 14 and/or 15(J) to the Trustee and/or any Appointee; SECONDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of that Series; THIRDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of each other Series; and FOURTHLY in payment of the balance (if any) to the Issuer (without prejudice to, or liability in respect of, any question as to how such payment to the Issuer shall be dealt with as between the Issuer and any other person). Without prejudice to this Clause 9, if the Trustee holds any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes which have become void or in respect of which claims have been prescribed under Condition 8, the Trustee will hold such moneys on the above trusts. 10. NOTICE OF PAYMENTS The Trustee shall give notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 of the day fixed for any payment to them under Clause 9. Such payment may be made in accordance with Condition 5 and any payment so made shall be a good discharge to the Trustee. 11. INVESTMENT BY TRUSTEE (A) If the amount of the moneys at any time available for payment in respect of the Notes under Clause 9 is less than 10 per cent of the nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding, the Trustee may, at its discretion, accumulate such moneys amount to at least 10 per cent of the nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding whereupon such accumulations (after deduction of, or provision for, any applicable taxes) shall be applied as specified in Clause 9. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall in no circumstances have any discretion to invest any moneys referred to in this Clause 11 in any investments or other assets. (B) The Trustee may deposit moneys in respect of the Notes in its name or under its control in an account at such bank or other financial institution as the Trustee may, in its absolute discretion, think fit (and for the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be required to obtain best rates, be responsible for any loss occasioned by such deposit or exercise any other form of investment discretion with regards to such deposits). If that bank or financial institution is the Trustee or a subsidiary, holding or associated company of the Trustee, the Trustee need only account for an amount of interest equal to the amount of interest which would, at then current rates, be payable by it on such a deposit to an independent customer. (C) The parties acknowledge and agree that in the event that any deposits in respect of the Notes are held by a bank or a financial institution in the name or under the control of the Trustee and the interest rate in respect of certain currencies is a negative value such that the application thereof would result in amounts being debited from funds held by such bank or financial |
24 institution (“negative interest”), the Trustee shall not be liable to make up any shortfall or be liable for any loss. 12. PARTIAL PAYMENTS Upon any payment under Clause 9 (other than payment in full against surrender of a Note or Coupon) the Note or Coupon in respect of which such payment is made shall be produced to the Trustee, the Paying Agent by or through whom such payment is made and the Trustee shall or shall cause such Paying Agent to enface thereon a memorandum of the amount and the date of payment but the Trustee may in any particular case dispense with such production and enfacement upon such indemnity being given as it shall think sufficient. 13. COVENANTS BY THE ISSUER The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that, so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding (or, in the case of paragraphs (viii), (ix), (xiii), (xiv), (xvi) and (xviii) so long as any of such Notes or the relative Coupons remains liable to prescription or, in the case of paragraph (xv), until the expiry of a period of 30 days after the Relevant Date in respect of the payment of principal in respect of all such Notes remaining outstanding at such time) it shall: (i) at all times carry on and conduct its affairs and procure its Subsidiaries to carry on and conduct their respective affairs in a proper and efficient manner; (ii) give or procure to be given to the Trustee such opinions, certificates and information as it shall require and in such form as it shall require (including without limitation the procurement of all such certificates called for by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 15(C)) for the purpose of the discharge or exercise of the duties, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it under these presents or by operation of law; (iii) cause to be prepared and certified by its Auditors in respect of each financial accounting period accounts in such form as will comply with all relevant legal and accounting requirements and all requirements for the time being of the relevant Stock Exchange; (iv) at all times keep and procure its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of account and, at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or if the Trustee has reasonable grounds to believe that any such event has occurred or is about to occur, so far as permitted by applicable law, allow, and procure that any Subsidiary shall allow, the Trustee and any person appointed by the Trustee to whom the Issuer or the relevant Subsidiary shall have no reasonable objection, free access to such books of account at all reasonable times during normal business hours; (v) send to the Trustee (in addition to any copies to which it may be entitled as a holder of any securities of the Issuer) two copies in English of every balance sheet, profit and loss account, report, circular and notice of general meeting and every other document issued or sent to its shareholders together with any of the foregoing, and every document issued or sent to holders of securities other than its shareholders (including the Noteholders) as soon as practicable after the issue or publication thereof; (vi) forthwith give notice in writing to the Trustee of the coming into existence of any Security Interest (as defined in Condition 3) which would require any security to be given to the Notes pursuant to Condition 3 or of the occurrence of any Event of |
25 Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event and without waiting for the trustee to take further action; (vii) give to the Trustee (a) within seven days after demand by the Trustee therefor and (b) (without the necessity for any such demand) promptly after the publication of its audited accounts in respect of each financial year commencing with the financial year ending 31 December 2005 and in any event not later than 180 days after the end of each such financial year a certificate signed by two of its Directors to the effect that as at a date not more than seven days before delivering such certificate (the " relevant certification date ") there did not exist and had not existed since the relevant certification date of the previous certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the date hereof) any Event of Default or any Potential Event of Default (or if such exists or existed specifying the same) and that during the period from and including the relevant certification date of the last such certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the date hereof) to and including the relevant certification date of such certificate that it has complied with all its obligations contained in these presents or (if such is not the case) specifying the respects in which it has not complied; (viii) at all times execute and do all such further documents, acts and things as may be necessary at any time or times in the opinion of the Trustee for the purpose of discharging its functions under, or giving effect to, these presents; (ix) at all times maintain an Agent and other Paying Agents in accordance with the Conditions; (x) procure the Agent to notify the Trustee forthwith in the event that it does not, on or before the due date for any payment in respect of the Notes or any of the relative Coupons, receive unconditionally pursuant to the Agency Agreement payment of the full amount in the requisite currency of the moneys payable on such due date on all such Notes or Coupons as the case may be; (xi) in the event of the unconditional payment to the Agent or the Trustee of any sum due in respect of the Notes or any of them or any of the relative Coupons being made after the due date for payment thereof forthwith give or procure to be given notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 that such payment has been made; (xii) use its reasonable endeavours to maintain the quotation or listing on the relevant Stock Exchange of those of the Notes which are quoted or listed on the relevant Stock Exchange or, if it is unable to do so having used such endeavours, use its reasonable endeavours to obtain and maintain a quotation or listing of such Notes on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets as the Issuer may (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) decide and also upon obtaining a quotation or listing of such Notes issued by it on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets enter into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed to effect such consequential amendments to these presents as the Trustee may require or as shall be requisite to comply with the requirements of any such stock exchange or securities market; (xiii) give notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 of any appointment, resignation or removal of any Agent, Calculation Agent or other Paying Agent (other than the appointment of the initial Agent, Calculation Agent and other Paying Agents) after having obtained the prior written approval of the Trustee thereto or any |
26 change of any Paying Agent's specified office and (except as provided by the Agency Agreement or the Conditions) at least 30 days prior to such event taking effect; PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Calculation Agent or so long as any of the Notes or Coupons remains liable to prescription in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Agent no such termination shall take effect until a new Agent or Calculation Agent (as the case may be) has been appointed on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee; (xiv) obtain the prior written approval of the Trustee to, and promptly give to the Trustee two copies of, the form of every notice given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 (such approval, unless so expressed, not to constitute approval of any such notice for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the " FSMA ") of a communication within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA); (xv) if payments by the Issuer of principal or interest in respect of the Notes or relative Coupons shall become subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of any territory or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax other than or in addition to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, immediately upon becoming aware thereof notify the Trustee of such event and (unless the Trustee otherwise agrees) enter forthwith into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed, giving to the Trustee an undertaking or covenant in form and manner satisfactory to the Trustee in terms corresponding to the terms of Condition 7 with the substitution for (or, as the case may be, the addition to) the references therein to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax of references to that other or additional territory or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax to whose taxing jurisdiction such payments shall have become subject as aforesaid; such trust deed also (where applicable) to modify Condition 6(b) so that such Condition shall make reference to the other or additional territory, any political sub-division thereof and any authority therein or thereof having power to tax; (xvi) comply with and perform all its obligations under the Agency Agreement and use its reasonable endeavours to procure that the Agent and the other Paying Agents comply with and perform all their respective obligations thereunder and any notice given by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 2(C)(i) and not make any amendment or modification to such Agreement without the prior written approval of the Trustee; (xvii) in order to enable the Trustee to ascertain the nominal amount of the Notes of each Series for the time being outstanding for any of the purposes referred to in the proviso to the definition of " outstanding " in Clause 1, deliver to the Trustee as soon as practicable upon being so requested in writing by the Trustee a certificate in writing signed by two of its Directors, setting out the total number and aggregate nominal amount of the Notes of each Series issued which: (a) up to and including the date of such certificate have been purchased by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company and cancelled; and (b) are at the date of such certificate held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company; |
27 (xviii) procure its Subsidiaries to comply with all applicable provisions of Condition 6(g); (xix) procure that each of the Paying Agents makes available for inspection by Noteholders and Couponholders at its specified office copies of these presents, the Agency Agreement and the then latest audited balance sheet and profit and loss account (consolidated if applicable) of the Issuer; (xx) if, in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions, interest in respect of the Notes becomes payable at the specified office of any Paying Agent in the United States of America promptly give notice thereof to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13; (xxi) give prior notice to the Trustee of any proposed redemption pursuant to Condition 6(b) or 6(c) and, if it shall have given notice to the Noteholders of its intention to redeem any Notes pursuant to Condition 6(c), duly proceed to make drawings (if appropriate) and to redeem Notes accordingly; (xxii) promptly provide the Trustee with copies of all supplements and/or amendments and/or restatements of the Programme Agreement; (xxiii) give to the Trustee at the same time as sending to it the certificates referred to in paragraph (vii) above, a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer addressed to the Trustee (with a form and content satisfactory to the Trustee) listing those Subsidiaries of the Issuer which as at the last day of the most recently ended financial year of the Issuer were Principal Subsidiaries for the purposes of Condition 9; (xxiv) give to the Trustee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the acquisition or disposal of any company which thereby becomes or ceases to be a Principal Subsidiary or after any transfer is made to any Subsidiary of the Issuer which thereby becomes a Principal Subsidiary or after any Subsidiary becomes or ceases to be a Principal Subsidiary by virtue of paragraph (d) of the definition of Principal Subsidiary, a certificate by two Directors or one Director and the Company Secretary of the Issuer addressed to the Trustee (with a form and content satisfactory to the Trustee) to such effect; (xxv) notify the Trustee of any change to the rating of the Notes or the Issuer; (xxvi) upon due surrender in accordance with the Conditions, pay the face value of all Coupons (including Coupons issued in exchange for Talons) appertaining to all Notes purchased by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer; (xxvii) use its reasonable endeavours to procure that Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (as the case may be) issue(s) any certificate or other document requested by the Trustee under Clause 3(F) as soon as practicable after such request; and (xxviii) the Issuer shall, within ten London Business Days of a written request by the Trustee, supply to the Trustee such forms, documentation and other information relating to it, its operations, or the Notes as the Trustee reasonably requests for the purposes of the Trustee's compliance with Applicable Law and shall notify the Trustee reasonably promptly in the event that it becomes aware that any of the forms, documentation or other information provided by the Issuer is (or becomes) inaccurate in any material respect; provided, however, the Issuer shall not be required to provide any forms, documentation or other information pursuant to this Clause to the extent that: (i) any |
28 such form, documentation or other information (or the information required to be provided on such form or documentation) is not reasonably available to the Issuer and cannot be obtained by the Issuer using reasonable efforts; or (ii) doing so would or might in the reasonable opinion of the Issuer constitute a breach of any: (a) Applicable Law; (b) fiduciary duty; or (c) duty of confidentiality. 14. REMUNERATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE (A) The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee, by way of remuneration for its services as trustee of these presents, such amount as shall be agreed from time to time by exchange of letters between the Issuer and the Trustee. Such remuneration shall accrue from day to day and be payable (in priority to payments to Noteholders and Couponholders) up to and including the date when, all the Notes having become due for redemption, the redemption moneys and interest thereon to the date of redemption have been paid to the Agent or the Trustee PROVIDED THAT if upon due presentation of any Note or Coupon or any cheque payment of the moneys due in respect thereof is improperly withheld or refused, remuneration will be deemed not to have ceased to accrue and will continue to accrue until payment to such Noteholder or Couponholder is duly made. (B) In the event of the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or the Trustee considering it expedient or necessary or being requested by the Issuer to undertake duties which the Trustee and the Issuer agree to be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee such additional remuneration as shall be agreed between them. (C) The Issuer shall in addition pay to the Trustee an amount equal to the amount of any value added tax or similar tax chargeable in respect of its remuneration under these presents. (D) In the event of the Trustee and the Issuer failing to agree: (1) (in a case to which sub-clause (A) above applies) upon the amount of the remuneration; or (2) (in a case to which sub-clause (B) above applies) upon whether such duties shall be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents, or upon such additional remuneration, such matters shall be determined by a person (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Trustee and approved by the Issuer or, failing such approval, nominated (on the application of the Trustee) by the President for the time being of The Law Society of England and Wales (the expenses involved in such nomination and the fees of such person being payable by the Issuer) and the determination of any such person shall be final and binding upon the Trustee and the Issuer. (E) The Issuer shall also pay or discharge all Liabilities and fees incurred by the Trustee in relation to the preparation and execution of the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under, and in any other manner in relation to, these presents and the Agency Agreement, including but not limited to reasonable legal and travelling expenses and any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other taxes or duties paid or payable by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee for enforcing, or resolving any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents and the Agency Agreement. |
29 (F) All amounts payable pursuant to sub-clause (E) above and/or Clause 15(J) shall be payable by the Issuer on the date specified in a demand by the Trustee and shall carry interest at a rate equal to the Trustee’s costs of funds at such time from the date specified in such demand or, in the case of payments made by the Trustee prior to such demand, from the date on which the Trustee made such payment and in all other cases shall (if not paid on the date specified in such demand or if the Trustee so requires) carry interest at such rate from the date specified in such demand or, in the case of payments made by the Trustee prior to such demand, from the date on which the Trustee made such payment. All remuneration payable to the Trustee shall carry interest at such rate from the due date therefor. (G) Unless otherwise specifically stated in any discharge of these presents the provisions of this Clause and Clause 15(J) shall continue in full force and effect in relation to the period during which the Trustee was trustee of these presents notwithstanding such discharge. (H) The Trustee shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to determine in respect of which Series of Notes any Liabilities incurred under these presents have been incurred or to allocate any such Liabilities between the Notes of any Series. 15. SUPPLEMENT TO TRUSTEE ACTS Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Trustee in relation to the trusts constituted by these presents. Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Acts and the provisions of these presents, the provisions of these presents shall, to the extent allowed by law, prevail and, in the case of any such inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of these presents shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act. The Trustee shall have all the powers conferred upon trustees by the Trustee Acts and by way of supplement thereto it is expressly declared as follows: (A) The Trustee may in relation to these presents act on the advice or opinion of or report or any information obtained from any lawyer, valuer, accountant (including the Auditors), surveyor, banker, broker, auctioneer or other expert whether obtained by the Issuer, the Trustee or otherwise whether or not addressed to the Trustee, or any engagement letter or other related document, which contains a monetary or other limit on liability or limits the scope and/or basis of such advice, opinion, report or information and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned by so acting. (B) Any such advice, opinion or information may be sent or obtained by letter, telex, telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or cable and the Trustee shall not be liable for acting on any advice, opinion or information purporting to be conveyed by any such letter, telex, telegram, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or cable although the same shall contain some error or shall not be authentic. (C) The Trustee may call for and shall be at liberty to accept as sufficient evidence of any fact or matter or the expediency of any transaction or thing a certificate signed by two of the Directors of the Issuer or two authorised signatories of any other party and the Trustee shall not be bound in any such case to call for further evidence or be responsible for any Liability that may be occasioned by it or any other person acting on such certificate. (D) The Trustee shall be at liberty to hold these presents and any other documents relating thereto or to deposit them in any part of the world with any banker or banking company or company whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of |
30 documents or lawyer or firm of lawyers considered by the Trustee to be of good repute and the Trustee shall not be responsible for or required to insure against any Liability incurred in connection with any such holding or deposit and may pay all sums required to be paid on account of or in respect of any such deposit. (E) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the receipt or application of the proceeds of the issue of any of the Notes by the Issuer, the exchange of any Global Note for another Global Note or Definitive Notes or the delivery of any Global Note or Definitive Notes to the person(s) entitled to it or them. (F) The Trustee shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution of any documents comprised or referred to in these presents or to take any steps to ascertain whether any Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to these presents to the contrary, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that no Event of Default, Potential Event of Default, Change of Control, Step Up Rating Change, Step Down Rating Change or Put Event has occurred and that the Issuer is observing and performing all its obligations under these presents. (G) Save as expressly otherwise provided in these presents, the Trustee shall have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents (the exercise or non-exercise of which as between the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders) and shall not be responsible for any Liability which may result from their exercise or non-exercise. (H) The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having acted upon any Extraordinary Resolution in writing or any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution purporting to have been passed at any meeting of the holders of Notes of all or any Series in respect whereof minutes have been made and signed or any direction or request of the holders of the Notes of all or any Series even though subsequent to its acting it may be found that there was some defect in the constitution of the meeting or the passing of the resolution, (in the case of an Extraordinary Resolution in writing) that not all such holders had signed the Extraordinary Resolution or (in the case of a direction or request) it was not signed by the requisite number of holders) or that for any reason the resolution, direction or request was not valid or binding upon such holders and the relative Couponholders. (I) The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any Note or Coupon purporting to be such and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic. (J) Without prejudice to the right of indemnity by law given to trustees, the Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee and every Appointee and keep it or him indemnified against all Liabilities to which it or he may be or become subject or which may be incurred by it or him in the negotiation and preparation of these presents and the Agency Agreement and in the execution or purported execution of any of its or his duties, rights, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents and the Agency Agreement or its or his functions under any such appointment or in respect of any other matter or thing done or omitted in any way relating to these presents or any such appointment (including, without limitation, Liabilities incurred in disputing or defending any of the foregoing). |
31 (K) Any consent or approval given by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents may be given on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee thinks fit and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents may be given retrospectively. (L) The Trustee shall not (unless and to the extent ordered so to do by a court of competent jurisdiction) be required to disclose to any Noteholder or Couponholder any information (including, without limitation, information of a confidential, financial or price sensitive nature) made available to the Trustee by the Issuer or any other person in connection with these presents and no Holder or Couponholder shall be entitled to take any action to obtain from the Trustee any such information. (M) Where it is necessary or desirable for any purpose in connection with these presents to convert any sum from one currency to another it shall (unless otherwise provided by these presents or required by law) be converted at such rate or rates, in accordance with such method and as at such date for the determination of such rate of exchange, as may be agreed by the Trustee in consultation with the Issuer and any rate, method and date so agreed shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (N) The Trustee may certify whether or not any of the conditions, events and acts set out in paragraphs (ii) to (viii) (both inclusive) (other than (iv) in relation to the Issuer) of Condition 9(a) (each of which conditions, events and acts shall, unless in any case the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, for all the purposes of these presents be deemed to include the circumstances resulting therein and the consequences resulting therefrom) is in its opinion materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and any such certificate shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (O) The Trustee as between itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders may determine all questions and doubts arising in relation to any of the provisions of these presents. Every such determination, whether or not relating in whole or in part to the acts or proceedings of the Trustee, shall be conclusive and shall bind the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders. (P) In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities or discretions under these presents (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 7 and/or any undertaking given in addition thereto or in substitution therefor under these presents. (Q) Any trustee of these presents being a lawyer, accountant, broker or other person engaged in any profession or business shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual and proper professional and other charges for business transacted and acts done by |
32 him or his firm in connection with the trusts of these presents and also his reasonable charges in addition to disbursements for all other work and business done and all time spent by him or his firm in connection with matters arising in connection with these presents. (R) The Trustee may whenever it thinks fit delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or persons or fluctuating body of persons (whether being a joint trustee of these presents or not) all or any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents. Such delegation may be made upon such terms (including power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions and regulations as the Trustee may in the interests of the Noteholders think fit. The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such delegate or sub-delegate or be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate. The Trustee shall within a reasonable time after any such delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof give notice thereof to the Issuer. (S) The Trustee may in the conduct of the trusts of these presents instead of acting personally employ and pay an agent (whether being a lawyer or other professional person) to transact or conduct, or concur in transacting or conducting, any business and to do, or concur in doing, all acts required to be done in connection with these presents (including the receipt and payment of money). The Trustee shall not be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such agent or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such agent. (T) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto and shall not be liable for any failure to obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, performance, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto. (U) Any certificate or report of the Auditors called for by or provided to the Trustee in accordance with or for the purposes of these presents may be relied upon by the Trustee as sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein whether or not such certificate or report and/or any engagement letter or other document entered into by the Trustee in connection therewith contains a monetary or other limit on the liability of the Auditors or such other person in respect thereof. (V) Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under these presents, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. (W) Nothing contained in these presents shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion hereunder if it has grounds for |
33 believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. (X) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by any officer or employee of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters. (Y) The Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to the Issuer, any Noteholder or Couponholder or any other person for the maintenance of or failure to maintain any rating of any of the Notes by any rating agency. (Z) Notwithstanding anything in these presents or the Agency Agreement to the contrary, the Trustee shall not do, or be authorised or required to do, anything which might constitute a regulated activity for the purpose of the FSMA, unless it is authorised under the FSMA to do so. The Trustee shall have the discretion at any time: (i) to delegate any of the functions which fall to be performed by an authorised person under the FSMA to any other agent or person which also has the necessary authorisations and licences; and (ii) to apply for authorisation under the FSMA and perform any or all such functions itself if, in its absolute discretion, it considers it necessary, desirable or appropriate to do so. (AA) Nothing in this Trust Deed shall require the Trustee to assume an obligation of the Issuer arising under any provisions of the listing, prospectus, disclosure or transparency rules (or equivalent rules of any other competent authority besides the Euronext Dublin). (BB) In relation to any discretion to be exercised or action to be taken by the Trustee under these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee may, at its discretion and without further notice or shall, if it has been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders then outstanding or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of such Notes, exercise such discretion or take such action, provided that, in either case, the Trustee shall not be obliged to exercise such discretion or take such action unless it shall have been indemnified, secured and/or prefunded to its satisfaction against all liabilities and provided that the Trustee shall not be held liable for the consequences of exercising its discretion or taking any such action and may do so without having regard to the effect of such action on individual Noteholders and Couponholders. (CC) Notwithstanding anything else contained in these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee may refrain from doing anything which would or might in its opinion be contrary to any law of any jurisdiction or any directive or regulation of any agency of any state or which would or might otherwise render it liable to any person and may do anything which is, in its opinion, necessary to comply with any such law, directive or regulation. (DD) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Deed, the Trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under the Notes for or on account of any tax, if and only to the extent so required by Applicable |
34 Law, in which event the Trustee shall make such payment after such deduction or withholding has been made and shall account to the relevant Authority within the time allowed for the amount so deducted or withheld or, at its option, shall reasonably promptly after making such payment return to the Issuer the amount so deducted or withheld, in which case, the Issuer shall so account to the relevant Authority for such amount. 16. TRUSTEE'S LIABILITY (a) Subject to sections 750 and 751 of the Companies Act 2006 (if applicable) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents or the Agency Agreement, the Trustee shall not be liable to any person for any matter or thing done or omitted in any way in connection with or in relation to theses presents or the Agency Agreement save in relation to its breach of trust having regard to the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement conferring on it any trusts, powers, authorities or discretions. (b) Any liability of the Trustee arising under these presents or the Agency Agreement shall be limited to the amount of actual loss suffered (such loss shall be determined as at the date of default of the Trustee or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) ! but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Trustee at the time of entering into these presents or the Agency Agreement or at the time of accepting any relevant instructions, which increase the amount of the loss. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive or consequential damages, whether or not the Trustee has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages. 17. TRUSTEE CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER Neither the Trustee nor any director or officer or holding company, Subsidiary or associated company of a corporation acting as a trustee under these presents shall by reason of its or his fiduciary position be in any way precluded from: (i) entering into or being interested in any contract or financial or other transaction or arrangement with the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated with the Issuer (including without limitation any contract, transaction or arrangement of a banking or insurance nature or any contract, transaction or arrangement in relation to the making of loans or the provision of financial facilities or financial advice to, or the purchase, placing or underwriting of or the subscribing or procuring subscriptions for or otherwise acquiring, holding or dealing with, or acting as paying agent in respect of, the Notes or any other notes, bonds, stocks, shares, debenture stock, debentures or other securities of, the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated as aforesaid); or (ii) accepting or holding the trusteeship of any other trust deed constituting or securing any other securities issued by or relating to the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated or any other office of profit under the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated, |
35 and shall be entitled to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such contract, transaction or arrangement as is referred to in (i) above or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship or office of profit as is referred to in (ii) above without regard to the interests of the Noteholders and notwithstanding that the same may be contrary or prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned to the Noteholders thereby and shall be entitled to retain and shall not be in any way liable to account for any profit made or share of brokerage or commission or remuneration or other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. Where any holding company, Subsidiary or associated company of the Trustee or any director or officer of the Trustee acting other than in his capacity as such a director or officer has any information, the Trustee shall not thereby be deemed also to have knowledge of such information and, unless it shall have actual knowledge of such information, shall not be responsible for any loss suffered by Noteholders resulting from the Trustee's failing to take such information into account in acting or refraining from acting under or in relation to these presents. 18. WAIVER, AUTHORISATION AND DETERMINATION (A) The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders and without prejudice to its rights in respect of any subsequent breach, Event of Default or Potential Event of Default from time to time and at any time but only if and in so far as in its opinion the interests of the Noteholders shall not be materially prejudiced thereby waive or authorise any breach or proposed breach by the Issuer of any of the covenants or provisions contained in these presents or determine that any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such for the purposes of these presents PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT the Trustee shall not exercise any powers conferred on it by this Clause in contravention of any express direction given by Extraordinary Resolution or by a request under Condition 9 but so that no such direction or request shall affect any waiver, authorisation or determination previously given or made. Any such waiver, authorisation or determination may be given or made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, if, but only if, the Trustee shall so require, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. MODIFICATION (B) The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders at any time and from time to time concur with the Issuer in making any modification (i) to these presents which in the opinion of the Trustee it may be proper to make PROVIDED THAT the Trustee is of the opinion that such modification will not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders or (ii) to these presents if in the opinion of the Trustee such modification is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or an error which is, in the opinion of the Trustee, proven. Any such modification may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding upon the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, unless the Trustee agrees otherwise, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. BREACH (C) Any breach of or failure to comply by the Issuer with any such terms and conditions as are referred to in sub-clauses (A) and (B) of this Clause shall constitute a default by the Issuer in |
36 the performance or observance of a covenant or provision binding on it under or pursuant to these presents. SUBSTITUTION (D) (1) (a) The Trustee may without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders at any time agree with the Issuer, to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) as the principal debtor under these presents of another company, being a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a parent undertaking of the Issuer (such substituted company being hereinafter called the “New Company ”) provided that a trust deed is executed or some other form of undertaking is given by the New Company in form and manner satisfactory to the Trustee, agreeing to be bound by the provisions of these presents with any consequential amendments which the Trustee may deem appropriate as fully as if the New Company had been named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) and provided further that the Issuer unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees all amounts payable under these presents to the satisfaction of the Trustee. (b) The following further conditions shall apply to (1) above: (i) the Issuer and the New Company shall comply with such other requirements as the Trustee may direct in the interests of the Noteholders; (ii) where the New Company is incorporated, domiciled or resident in, or subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of, a territory other than or in addition to the United Kingdom or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, undertakings or covenants shall be given by the New Company in terms corresponding to the provisions of Condition 7 with the substitution for (or, as the case may be, the addition to) the references to the United Kingdom of references to that other or additional territory in which the New Company is incorporated, domiciled or resident or to whose taxing jurisdiction it is subject and (where applicable) Condition 6(b) shall be modified accordingly; (iii) without prejudice to the rights of reliance of the Trustee under the immediately following paragraph (iv), the Trustee is satisfied that the relevant transaction is not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders; and (iv) if two Directors of the New Company (or other officers acceptable to the Trustee) shall certify that the New Company is solvent both at the time at which the relevant transaction is proposed to be effected and immediately thereafter (which certificate the Trustee may rely upon absolutely) the Trustee shall not be under any duty to have regard to the financial condition, profits or prospects of the New Company or to compare the same with those of the Issuer or the previous substitute under this Clause as applicable. |
37 (2) Any such trust deed or undertaking shall, if so expressed, operate to release the Issuer or the previous substitute as aforesaid from all of its obligations as principal debtor under these presents. Not later than 14 days after the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall give notice thereof in a form previously approved by the Trustee to the Noteholders in the manner provided in Condition 13. Upon the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall be deemed to be named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or in place of the previous substitute under this Clause) under these presents and these presents shall be deemed to be modified in such manner as shall be necessary to give effect to the above provisions and, without limitation, references in these presents to the Issuer shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to be or include references to the New Company. 19. HOLDER OF DEFINITIVE NOTE ASSUMED TO BE COUPONHOLDER (A) Wherever in these presents the Trustee is required or entitled to exercise a power, trust, authority or discretion under these presents, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by applicable law, the Trustee shall, notwithstanding that it may have express notice to the contrary, assume that each Noteholder is the holder of all Coupons appertaining to each Definitive Note of which he is the holder. NO NOTICE TO COUPONHOLDERS (B) Neither the Trustee nor the Issuer shall be required to give any notice to the Couponholders for any purpose under these presents and the Couponholders shall be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the holders of Notes in accordance with Condition 13. 20. CURRENCY INDEMNITY The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee, every Appointee, the Noteholders and the Couponholders and keep them indemnified against: (a) any Liability incurred by any of them arising from the non-payment by the Issuer of any amount due to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes and the relative Couponholders under these presents by reason of any variation in the rates of exchange between those used for the purposes of calculating the amount due under a judgment or order in respect thereof and those prevailing at the date of actual payment by the Issuer; and (b) any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the local currency equivalent of the amounts due or contingently due under these presents (other than this Clause) is calculated for the purposes of any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer and (ii) the final date for ascertaining the amount of claims in such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The amount of such deficiency shall be deemed not to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any distribution of assets in connection with any such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The above indemnities shall constitute obligations of the Issuer separate and independent from their other obligations under the other provisions of these presents and shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by the Trustee or the Noteholders or the |
38 Couponholders from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the judgment or filing of any proof or proofs in any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer for a liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due under these presents (other than this Clause). Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Noteholders and the Couponholders and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuer or its or their liquidator or liquidators. 21. NEW TRUSTEE (A) The power to appoint a new trustee of these presents shall be vested solely in the Issuer but no person shall be appointed who shall not previously have been approved by an Extraordinary Resolution. One or more persons may hold office as trustee or trustees of these presents but such trustee or trustees shall be or include a Trust Corporation. Whenever there shall be more than two trustees of these presents the majority of such trustees shall be competent to execute and exercise all the duties, powers, trusts, authorities and discretions vested in the Trustee by these presents PROVIDED THAT a Trust Corporation shall be included in such majority. Any appointment of a new trustee of these presents shall as soon as practicable thereafter be notified by the Issuer to the Agent and the Noteholders. SEPARATE AND CO-TRUSTEES (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-clause (A) above, the Trustee may, upon giving prior notice to the Issuer (but without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or Couponholders), appoint any person established or resident in any jurisdiction (whether a Trust Corporation or not) to act either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with the Trustee: (i) if the Trustee considers such appointment to be in the interests of the Noteholders; (ii) for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirements, restrictions or conditions in any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts is or are to be performed; or (iii) for the purposes of obtaining a judgment in any jurisdiction or the enforcement in any jurisdiction of either a judgment already obtained or any of the provisions of these presents against the Issuer. The Issuer irrevocably appoints the Trustee to be its attorney in its name and on its behalf to execute any such instrument of appointment. Such a person shall (subject always to the provisions of these presents) have such trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those conferred on the Trustee by these presents) and such duties and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment. The Trustee shall have power in like manner to remove any such person. Such reasonable remuneration as the Trustee may pay to any such person, together with any attributable Liabilities incurred by it in performing its function as such separate trustee or co-trustee, shall for the purposes of these presents be treated as Liabilities incurred by the Trustee. 22. TRUSTEE'S RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL A trustee of these presents may retire at any time on giving not less than three months' prior written notice to the Issuer without giving any reason and without being responsible for any Liabilities incurred by reason of such retirement. The Noteholders may by Extraordinary Resolution remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. The Issuer undertakes that in the event of the only trustee of these presents which is a Trust Corporation giving notice under this Clause or being removed by Extraordinary Resolution it will use its best endeavours to procure that a new trustee of these presents being a Trust Corporation is |
39 appointed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The retiring trustee may appoint a successor trustee if the Issuer has not done so within the notice period. The retirement or removal of any such trustee shall not become effective until a successor trustee being a Trust Corporation is appointed. 23. TRUSTEE'S POWERS TO BE ADDITIONAL The powers conferred upon the Trustee by these presents shall be in addition to any powers which may from time to time be vested in the Trustee by the general law or as a holder of any of the Notes or Coupons. 24. NOTICES Any notice or demand to the Issuer or the Trustee to be given, made or served for any purposes under these presents shall be given, made or served by sending the same by pre-paid post (first class if inland, first class airmail if overseas) or facsimile transmission or by delivering it by hand as follows: to the Issuer: Rentokil Initial plc Riverbank Meadows Business Park Blackwater Camberley Surrey GU17 9AB United Kingdom (Attention: Company Secretary) Facsimile No. 01276 34343 Email: secretariat@rentokil-initial.com to the Trustee: HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited Level 28 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ (Attention: Issuer Services Trustee Administration) Tel: (020) 7991 4350 Email: ctla.trustee.admin@hsbc.com or to such other address or facsimile number as shall have been notified (in accordance with this Clause) to the other party hereto and any notice or demand sent by post as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served three days in the case of inland post or seven days in the case of overseas post after despatch and any notice or demand sent by facsimile transmission as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served 24 hours after the time of despatch PROVIDED THAT in the case of a notice or demand given by facsimile transmission such notice or demand shall forthwith be confirmed by post. The failure of the addressee to receive such confirmation shall not invalidate the relevant notice or demand given by facsimile transmission. |
40 25. GOVERNING LAW These presents and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection to them are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. 26. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 A person who is not a party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. 27. COUNTERPARTS This Trust Deed and any trust deed supplemental hereto may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same deed and any party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto may enter into the same by executing and delivering a counterpart. IN WITNESS whereof this Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date first stated on page 1. |
41 THE FIRST SCHEDULE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES The following are the Terms and Conditions of the Notes which will be incorporated by reference into each Global Note (as defined below) and each definitive Note, in the latter case only if permitted by the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) and agreed by the Issuer and the relevant Dealer at the time of issue but, if not so permitted and agreed, such definitive Note will have endorsed thereon or attached thereto such Terms and Conditions. The provisions of Part A of the applicable Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof) will be endorsed upon, or attached to, each Global Note and definitive Note. Reference should be made to the "Form of Pricing Supplement" for a description of the content of Pricing Supplement which will specify which of such terms and conditions are to apply to the relevant Notes. This Note is one of a Series (as defined below) of Notes issued by Rentokil Initial plc (the Issuer ) constituted by a Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005, as most recently supplemented on 11 September 2020 (as further amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (the Trustee , which expression shall include any successor as Trustee). References herein to the Notes shall be references to the Notes of this Series only and not to all Notes that may be issued under the Programme and shall mean: (i) in relation to any Notes represented by a global Note (a Global Note ), units of each Specified Denomination in the Specified Currency; (ii) any Global Note; and (iii) any definitive Notes issued in exchange for a Global Note. The Notes and the Coupons (as defined below) have the benefit of an Agency Agreement dated 9 December 2005, as most recently amended and restated on 11 September 2020 (as further amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the Agency Agreement ) and made between the Issuer, HSBC Bank plc as issuing and principal paying agent and agent bank (the Agent , which expression shall include any successor agent), the Trustee and the other paying agents named therein (together with the Agent, the Paying Agents , which expression shall include any additional or successor paying agents). Interest-bearing definitive Notes have interest coupons (the Coupons ) and, in the case of Notes which (when issued in definitive form) have more than 27 interest payments remaining, talons for further Coupons (the Talons ) attached on issue. Any reference herein to Coupons or coupons shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to Talons or talons. Global Notes do not have Coupons or Talons attached on issue. The final terms for this Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are set out in Part A of the Pricing Supplement attached to or endorsed on this Note. References to the applicable Pricing Supplement are to Part A of the Pricing Supplement (or the relevant provisions thereof) attached to or endorsed on this Note. |
42 The Trustee acts for the benefit of the holders for the time being of the Notes (the Noteholders , which expression shall, in relation to any Notes represented by a Global Note, be construed as provided below) and the holders of the Coupons (the Couponholders , which expression shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include the holders of the Talons), in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Deed. As used herein, Tranche means Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) and Series means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series; and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices. Copies of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement are available for inspection free of charge during normal business hours at the office for the time being of the Agent. Copies of the applicable Pricing Supplement are available for viewing at, and copies may be obtained from, the registered office of the Issuer at Riverbank, Meadows Business Park, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey GU17 9AB, United Kingdom by Noteholders holding one or more Notes provided that such Noteholders produce evidence satisfactory to the Issuer and the relevant Paying Agent as to its holding of such Notes and identity. The Noteholders and the Couponholders are deemed to have notice of, and are entitled to the benefit of, all the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement and the applicable Pricing Supplement which are applicable to them. The statements in these Terms and Conditions (the Conditions ) include summaries of, and are subject to, the detailed provisions of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement. Words and expressions defined in the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Pricing Supplement shall have the same meanings where used in these Conditions unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement, the Trust Deed will prevail and, in the event of any inconsistency between the Trust Deed or the Agency Agreement and the applicable Pricing Supplement, the applicable Pricing Supplement will prevail. In these Conditions, euro means the currency pursuant to the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, as amended introduced at the start of the third stage of European economic and monetary union. 1. FORM, DENOMINATION AND TITLE The Notes are in bearer form and, in the case of definitive Notes, serially numbered, in the currency (the Specified Currency ) and the denomination(s) (the Specified Denomination(s) ) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Notes of one Specified Denomination may not be exchanged for Notes of another Specified Denomination. This Note may be a Fixed Rate Note, a Floating Rate Note, a Zero Coupon Note or a combination of any of the foregoing, depending upon the Interest Basis shown in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Definitive Notes are issued with Coupons attached, unless they are Zero Coupon Notes in which case references to Coupons and Couponholders in these Conditions are not applicable. |
43 Subject as set out below, title to the Notes and Coupons will pass by delivery. The Issuer, the Paying Agents and the Trustee will (except as otherwise required by law) deem and treat the bearer of any Note or Coupon as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) for all purposes and shall incur no liability for so doing but, in the case of any Global Note, without prejudice to the provisions set out in the next succeeding paragraph. For so long as any of the Notes is represented by a Global Note held on behalf of Euroclear Bank SA/NV ( Euroclear ) and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. ( Clearstream, Luxembourg ), each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or of Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of such Notes (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Paying Agents and the Trustee as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, for which purpose the bearer of the relevant Global Note shall be treated by the Issuer, any Paying Agent and the Trustee as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in accordance with and subject to the terms of the relevant Global Note and the expressions Noteholder and holder of Notes and related expressions shall be construed accordingly. In determining whether a particular person is the holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes as aforesaid, the Trustee may rely on such evidence and/or information and/or certification as it shall, in its absolute discretion, think fit and, if it does so rely, such evidence and/or information and/or certification shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all concerned. Notes which are represented by a Global Note will be transferable only in accordance with the rules and procedures for the time being of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be. References to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include a reference to any additional or alternative clearing system specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or as may otherwise be approved by the Issuer, the Agent and the Trustee. 2. STATUS OF THE NOTES The Notes (and the Coupons relating thereto) constitute direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and (subject to the provisions of Condition 3) unsecured obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu among themselves and (subject as aforesaid and save for certain obligations required to be preferred by law) equally with all other unsecured obligations (other than subordinated obligations, if any) of the Issuer, from time to time outstanding. 3. NEGATIVE PLEDGE For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer will not, and will procure that no Subsidiary (which expression shall, in these Conditions (unless the context otherwise expressly provides), mean a subsidiary as defined in Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) of the Issuer will, create or permit to subsist any mortgage, lien, pledge or other charge (each a Security Interest ) upon, or with respect to, any of its present or future business, undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital) to secure any existing or future Relevant Indebtedness of any person or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect thereof, unless the Issuer shall, simultaneously with, or prior to, the creation of such Security Interest take any and all action necessary to procure that all amounts payable by the Issuer under the Notes and the Trust Deed are secured equally and rateably by |
44 such Security Interest to the satisfaction of the Trustee or such other security or other arrangement is provided as the Trustee shall in its absolute discretion deem not materially less beneficial to the Noteholders or as shall be approved by an Extraordinary Resolution (as defined in the Trust Deed) of the Noteholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer or any Subsidiary may create or have outstanding a Security Interest in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness and/or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect thereof as aforesaid (without the obligation to provide a Security Interest or such other security or other arrangement in respect of the Notes and the Trust Deed as aforesaid) where such Security Interest is provided by or in respect of a company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of Notes and where such Security Interest exists at the time that company becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer (provided that such Security Interest was not created in contemplation of that company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer and the principal amount secured at the time of that company becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer is not subsequently increased). For the purposes of this Condition 3, Relevant Indebtedness means any of the Notes and, otherwise, any loan or other indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented by, any bonds, notes, depositary receipts or other securities having an original maturity of more than one year from its date of issue and for the time being, by agreement with the issuer thereof, quoted, listed (or capable of being quoted or listed) or dealt in on any stock exchange and/or quotation system or by any listing authority or other recognised securities market provided that such definition shall exclude any such indebtedness in existence before 14 November 2001 which has the benefit of a Security Interest created by the Issuer or any Subsidiary and which is no greater than £10,000,000 when aggregated with all other then existing such indebtedness. 4. INTEREST (a) Interest on Fixed Rate Notes Each Fixed Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date at the rate(s) per annum equal to the Rate(s) of Interest. Interest will be payable in arrear on the Interest Payment Date(s) in each year up to (and including) the Maturity Date. If the Notes are in definitive form, except as provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the amount of interest payable on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the Fixed Interest Period ending on (but excluding) such date will amount to the Fixed Coupon Amount. Payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date will, if so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, amount to the Broken Amount so specified. As used in these Conditions, Fixed Interest Period means the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date. Except in the case of Notes in definitive form where an applicable Fixed Coupon Amount or Broken Amount is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest shall be calculated in respect of any period by applying the Rate of Interest to: (A) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes represented by such Global Note; or |
45 (B) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount; and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Fixed Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Fixed Rate Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination without any further rounding. In these Conditions: Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(a): (i) if "Actual/Actual (ICMA)" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement: (a) in the case of Notes where the number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (the Accrual Period ) is equal to or shorter than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the number of days in such Accrual Period divided by the product of (1) the number of days in such Determination Period and (2) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that would occur in one calendar year; or (b) in the case of Notes where the Accrual Period is longer than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the sum of: (1) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the Determination Period in which the Accrual Period begins divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) that would occur in one calendar year; and (2) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the next Determination Period divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates that would occur in one calendar year; and (ii) if "30/360" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (such number of days being calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months) divided by 360. Determination Period means each period from (and including) a Determination Date to (but excluding) the next Determination Date (including, where either the Interest Commencement |
46 Date or the final Interest Payment Date is not a Determination Date, the period commencing on the first Determination Date prior to, and ending on the first Determination Date falling after, such date); and sub-unit means, with respect to any currency other than euro, the lowest amount of such currency that is available as legal tender in the country of such currency and, with respect to euro, means one cent. (b) Interest on Floating Rate Notes (i) Interest Payment Dates Each Floating Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date and such interest will be payable in arrear on either: (A) the Specified Interest Payment Date(s) in each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; or (B) if no Specified Interest Payment Date(s) is/are specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each date (each such date, together with each Specified Interest Payment Date, an Interest Payment Date ) which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement after the preceding Interest Payment Date or, in the case of the first Interest Payment Date, after the Interest Commencement Date. Such interest will be payable in respect of each Interest Period (which expression shall, in these Conditions, mean the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date). If a Business Day Convention is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement and (x) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which an Interest Payment Date should occur; or (y) if any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day, then, if the Business Day Convention specified is: (1) in any case where Specified Periods are specified in accordance with Condition 4(b)(i)(B), the Floating Rate Convention, such Interest Payment Date (i) in the case of (x) above, shall be the last day that is a Business Day in the relevant month and the provisions of (II) below shall apply mutatis mutandis or (ii) in the case of (y) above, shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event (A) such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day and (B) each subsequent Interest Payment Date shall be the last Business Day in the month which falls the Specified Period after the preceding applicable Interest Payment Date occurred; (2) the Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day; |
47 (3) the Modified Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day; or (4) the Preceding Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day. In these Conditions, Business Day means a day which is both: (I) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London and each Additional Business Centre specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (II) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (if other than London and any Additional Business Centre and which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (the TARGET2 System ) is open. (ii) Rate of Interest The Rate of Interest payable from time to time in respect of Floating Rate Notes will be determined in the manner specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (A) ISDA Determination for Floating Rate Notes Where ISDA Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will be the relevant ISDA Rate plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the Margin (if any). For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(A), ISDA Rate for an Interest Period means a rate equal to the Floating Rate that would be determined by the Agent under an interest rate swap transaction if the Agent were acting as Calculation Agent for that swap transaction under the terms of an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions, as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. and as amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes (the ISDA Definitions ) and under which: (1) the Floating Rate Option is as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; |
48 (2) the Designated Maturity is a period specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (3) the relevant Reset Date is, if the applicable Floating Rate Option is based on the London inter-bank offered rate ( LIBOR ) or on the Euro-zone inter-bank offered rate ( EURIBOR ), the first day of that Interest Period. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(A), Floating Rate , Calculation Agent , Floating Rate Option , Designated Maturity and Reset Date have the meanings given to those terms in the ISDA Definitions. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Minimum Rate of Interest shall be deemed to be zero. (B) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes – if the Reference Rate is not Compounded Daily SONIA Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, and if the Reference Rate is not specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as being Compounded Daily SONIA, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will, subject as provided below, be either: (1) the offered quotation; or (2) the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations, (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate (being either LIBOR or EURIBOR, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) which appears or appear, as the case may be, on the Relevant Screen Page or such replacement page on that service which displays the information as at 11.00 a.m. ( Relevant Financial Centre time ) on the Interest Determination Date in question plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent. If five or more of such offered quotations are available on the Relevant Screen Page, the highest (or, if there is more than one such highest quotation, one only of such quotations) and the lowest (or, if there is more than one such lowest quotation, one only of such quotations) shall be disregarded by the Agent for the purpose of determining the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of such offered quotations. If the Relevant Screen Page is not available or if, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(1), no offered quotation appears or, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(2), fewer than three offered quotations appear, in each case as at the Specified Time, the Agent shall request each of the Reference Banks to provide the Agent with its offered quotation (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate at approximately the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question. If two or more of the Reference Banks provide the Agent with offered quotations, the Rate of Interest for the |
49 Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent. If on any Interest Determination Date one only or none of the Reference Banks provides the Agent with an offered quotation as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which the Agent determines as being the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the rates, as communicated to (and at the request of) the Agent by the Reference Banks or any two or more of them, at which such banks were offered, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate by leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any) or, if fewer than two of the Reference Banks provide the Agent with offered rates, the offered rate for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, or the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of the offered rates for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, at which, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, any one or more banks (which bank or banks is or are in the opinion of the Issuer suitable for the purpose) informs the Agent it is quoting to leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), provided that, if the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Rate of Interest shall be determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin relating to the relevant Interest Period in place of the Margin relating to that last preceding Interest Period). Reference Banks means, in the case of a determination of LIBOR, the principal London office of four major banks in the London inter-bank market and, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR, the principal Euro-zone office of four major banks in the Euro-zone inter-bank market, in each case selected by the Agent in consultation with the Issuer. Specified Time means 11.00 a.m. (London time, in the case of a determination of LIBOR or SONIA, or Brussels time, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR). Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Pricing Supplement the Minimum Rate of Interest shall be deemed to be zero. |
50 (C) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes – if the Reference Rate is Compounded Daily SONIA Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, and if the Reference Rate is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as being Compounded Daily SONIA, then the Rate of Interest applicable to the Notes for each Interest Period will be Compounded Daily SONIA plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement) the applicable Margin, all as determined by the Agent (or such other party responsible for the calculation of the Rate of Interest, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement) on the Interest Determination Date for such Interest Period. If, in respect of any London Banking Day in the relevant Observation Period, the SONIA rate is not available on the Relevant Screen Page or has not otherwise been published by the relevant authorised distributors, such SONIA rate shall be the sum of: (i) the Bank of England's Bank Rate (the Bank Rate ) prevailing at close of business on such London Banking Day; plus (ii) the mean of the spread of the SONIA rate to the Bank Rate over the previous five days on which a SONIA rate has been published, excluding the highest spread (or, if there is more than one highest spread, one only of those highest spreads) and lowest spread (or, if there is more than one lowest spread, one only of those lowest spreads). If the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Rate of Interest shall be (i) that determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin or Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin or Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to the relevant Interest Period, in place of the Margin or Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to that last preceding Interest Period) or (ii) if there is no such preceding Interest Determination Date, the initial Rate of Interest which would have been applicable to the Notes for the first Interest Period had the Notes been in issue for a period equal in duration to the scheduled first Interest Period but ending on (and excluding) the Interest Commencement Date (but applying the Margin and any Maximum Rate of Interest or Minimum Rate of Interest applicable to the first Interest Period). If the Notes become due and payable as a result of an Event of Default under Condition 9, or are otherwise redeemed early on a date other than an Interest Payment Date in accordance with Condition 6, the final Interest Determination Date shall, notwithstanding any Interest Determination Date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, be deemed to be the date on which such Notes became due and payable or are to be redeemed, as applicable, and the Rate of Interest applicable to such Notes shall, for so long as any such Note remains outstanding, be that determined on such date. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(ii)(C): |
51 Compounded Daily SONIA means, in relation to any Interest Period, the rate of return of a daily compound interest investment (with the daily Sterling overnight reference rate as the reference rate for the calculation of interest) and will be calculated by the Agent (or such other party responsible for the calculation of the Rate of Interest, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement), as follows, and the resulting percentage will be rounded (if necessary) to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards: "d" means, in relation to any Interest Period, the number of calendar days in such Interest Period. "d 0" means, in relation to any Interest Period, the number of London Banking Days in such Interest Period. "i" means, in relation to any Interest Period, a series of whole numbers from one to d 0, each representing the relevant London Banking Day in chronological order from, and including, the first London Banking Day in such Interest Period to (and including) the last London Banking Day in such Interest Period. "n i", means, in relation to any London Banking Day "i", the number of calendar days from and including such London Banking Day "i" up to but excluding the following London Banking Day. "p" means the whole number specified as the Observation Look-back Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such number representing a number of London Banking Days, which shall in any event be no less than five, or if no such number is specified, five London Banking Days. London Banking Day or LBD means any day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London. Observation Period means, in relation to an Interest Period, the period from and including the date which is "p" London Banking Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period and ending on, but excluding, the date which is "p" London Banking Days prior to the Interest Payment Date for such Interest Period (or the date falling "p" London Banking Days prior to such earlier date, if any, on which the Notes become due and payable). SONIA means the Sterling Overnight Index Average. SONIA rate means, in respect of any London Banking Day, a reference rate equal to the daily SONIA rate for such London Banking Day as provided by the administrator of SONIA to authorised distributors and as then published on the Relevant Screen Page (or, if the Relevant Screen Page is unavailable, as otherwise published by such authorised distributors) on the London Banking Day immediately following such London Banking Day. |
52 SONIA i-pLBD means, in respect of any London Banking Day "i" falling in the relevant Interest Period, the SONIA rate for the London Banking Day falling "p" London Banking Days prior to such London Banking Day "i". (iii) Benchmark Discontinuation This Condition 4(b)(iii) applies only where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined. (A) Independent Adviser Notwithstanding Condition 4(b)(ii)(B) and Condition 4(b)(ii)(C), if a Benchmark Event occurs in relation to an Original Reference Rate when any Rate of Interest (or any component part thereof) remains to be determined by reference to such Original Reference Rate, then the Issuer shall use its reasonable endeavours to appoint and consult with an Independent Adviser, as soon as reasonably practicable, with a view to the Issuer determining a Successor Rate, failing which an Alternative Rate (in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(B)) and, in either case, an Adjustment Spread (if any) (in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(C)) and any Benchmark Amendments (in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(D)). An Independent Adviser appointed pursuant to this Condition 4(b)(iii) shall act in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and in consultation with the Issuer. In the absence of bad faith or fraud, the Independent Adviser shall have no liability whatsoever to the Trustee, the Paying Agents or the Noteholders for any advice given to the Issuer in connection with any determination made by the Issuer pursuant to this Condition 4(b)(iii). If (i) the Issuer is unable to appoint an Independent Adviser; or (ii) the Issuer fails to determine a Successor Rate or, failing which, an Alternative Rate in accordance with this Condition 4(b)(iii)(A) prior to the relevant Interest Determination Date, the Rate of Interest applicable to the next succeeding Interest Period shall be equal to the Rate of Interest last determined in relation to the Notes in respect of the immediately preceding Interest Period. If there has not been a first Interest Payment Date, the Rate of Interest shall be the initial Rate of Interest. Where a different Margin (if any) or Maximum or Minimum Rate of Interest is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin (if any) or Maximum or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to the relevant Interest Period shall be substituted in place of the Margin (if any) or Maximum or Minimum Rate of Interest relating to that last preceding Interest Period. For the avoidance of doubt, this sub-paragraph shall apply to the relevant next succeeding Interest Period only and any subsequent Interest Periods are subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 4(b)(iii). (B) Successor Rate or Alternative Rate |
53 If the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines that: (i) there is a Successor Rate, then such Successor Rate shall (subject to adjustment as provided in Condition 4(b)(iii)(C)) subsequently be used in place of the Original Reference Rate to determine the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component part thereof) for all future payments of interest on the Notes (subject to the operation of this Condition 4(b)(iii)); or (ii) there is no Successor Rate but that there is an Alternative Rate, then such Alternative Rate shall (subject to adjustment as provided in Condition 4(b)(iii)(C)) subsequently be used in place of the Original Reference Rate to determine the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component part thereof) for all future payments of interest on the Notes (subject to the operation of this Condition 4(b)(iii)). (C) Adjustment Spread If the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines (i) that an Adjustment Spread is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be) and (ii) the quantum of, or a formula or methodology for determining, such Adjustment Spread, then such Adjustment Spread shall be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be). (D) Benchmark Amendments If any Successor Rate, Alternative Rate or Adjustment Spread is determined in accordance with this Condition 4(b)(iii) and the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines (i) that amendments to these Conditions, the Agency Agreement and/or the Trust Deed are necessary to ensure the proper operation of such Successor Rate, Alternative Rate and/or Adjustment Spread (such amendments, the Benchmark Amendments ) and (ii) the terms of the Benchmark Amendments, then the Issuer shall, subject to giving notice thereof in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(E), without any requirement for the consent or approval of Noteholders, vary these Conditions, the Agency Agreement and/or the Trust Deed to give effect to such Benchmark Amendments with effect from the date specified in such notice. At the request of the Issuer, but subject to receipt by the Trustee of a certificate signed by two directors of the Issuer pursuant to Condition 4(b)(iii)(E), the Trustee shall (at the expense and direction of the Issuer), without any requirement for the consent or approval of the Noteholders, be obliged to use its reasonable endeavours to concur with the Issuer in effecting any Benchmark Amendments (including, inter alia , by the execution of a deed supplemental to or amending the Trust Deed) and the Trustee shall not be liable to any party for any consequences thereof, provided that the Trustee |
54 shall not be obliged so to concur if in the sole opinion of the Trustee doing so would impose more onerous obligations upon it or expose it to any additional duties, responsibilities or liabilities or reduce or amend rights and/or the protective provisions afforded to the Trustee in these Conditions and/or any documents to which it is a party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any supplemental trust deed) in any way. In connection with any such variation in accordance with this Condition 4(b)(iii)(D), the Issuer shall comply with the rules of any stock exchange on which the Notes are for the time being listed or admitted to trading. (E) Notices, etc. Any Successor Rate, Alternative Rate, Adjustment Spread and the specific terms of any Benchmark Amendments, determined under this Condition 4(b)(iii) will be notified promptly by the Issuer to the Trustee, the Agent, the Paying Agents and, in accordance with Condition 13, the Noteholders. Such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the effective date of the Benchmark Amendments (if any). No later than notifying the Trustee of the same, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two directors of the Issuer: (i) confirming (a) that a Benchmark Event has occurred, (b) the Successor Rate or, as the case may be, the Alternative Rate, (c) where applicable, any Adjustment Spread and (d) the specific terms of any Benchmark Amendments, in each case as determined in accordance with the provisions of this Condition 4(b)(iii); and (ii) certifying that the Benchmark Amendments are necessary to ensure the proper operation of such Successor Rate, Alternative Rate and/or Adjustment Spread. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on such certificate (without enquiry or liability to any person and without any obligation to verify or investigate the accuracy thereof) as sufficient evidence thereof. The Successor Rate or Alternative Rate and the Adjustment Spread (if any) and the Benchmark Amendments (if any) specified in such certificate will (in the absence of manifest error in the determination of the Successor Rate or Alternative Rate and the Adjustment Spread (if any) and the Benchmark Amendments (if any) and without prejudice to the Trustee's ability to rely on such certificate as aforesaid) be binding on the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent, the Paying Agents and the Noteholders. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be liable to the Noteholders or any other person for so acting or relying on such certificate, irrespective of whether any such modification is or may be materially prejudicial to the interests of any such person. (F) Survival of Original Reference Rate Without prejudice to the obligations of the Issuer under Condition 4(b)(iii)(A), 4(b)(iii)(B), 4(b)(iii)(C) and 4(b)(iii)(D), the Original Reference |
55 Rate and the fallback provisions provided for in Condition 4(b)(ii) will continue to apply unless and until a Benchmark Event has occurred and the Agent has been notified of the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be), and any Adjustment Spread and Benchmark Amendments, in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(E). (G) Definitions As used in this Condition 4(b)(iii): Adjustment Spread means either a spread (which may be positive or negative), or the formula or methodology for calculating a spread, in either case, which the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be) and is the spread, formula or methodology which: (i) in the case of a Successor Rate, is formally recommended in relation to the replacement of the Original Reference Rate with the Successor Rate by any Relevant Nominating Body; or (ii) (if no such recommendation has been made, or in the case of an Alternative Rate) the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner determines, is recognised or acknowledged as being the industry standard for over-the-counter derivative transactions which reference the Original Reference Rate, where such rate has been replaced by the Successor Rate or the Alternative Rate (as the case may be); or (iii) (if the Issuer determines that no such industry standard is recognised or acknowledged) the Issuer, in its discretion, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines to be appropriate; Alternative Rate means an alternative benchmark or screen rate which the Issuer, following consultation with the Independent Adviser and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines in accordance with Condition 4(b)(iii)(B) has replaced the Original Reference Rate in customary market usage in the international debt capital markets for the purposes of determining floating rates of interest (or the relevant component part thereof) in the same Specified Currency as the Notes; Benchmark Amendments has the meaning given to it in Condition 4(b)(iii)(D); Benchmark Event means: (i) the Original Reference Rate ceasing be published for a period of at least 5 Business Days or ceasing to exist; or |
56 (ii) the later of (a) the making of a public statement by the administrator of the Original Reference Rate that it has ceased or will (on or before a specified date) cease publishing the Original Reference Rate permanently or indefinitely (in circumstances where no successor administrator has been appointed that will continue publication of the Original Reference Rate) and (b) the date falling six months prior to the date specified in (a); or (iii) the later of (a) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of the Original Reference Rate, that the Original Reference Rate has been or will (on or before a specified date) be permanently or indefinitely discontinued and (b) the date falling six months prior to the date specified in (a); or (iv) the later of (a) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of the Original Reference Rate as a consequence of which the Original Reference Rate will (on or before a specified date) be prohibited from being used either generally, or in respect of the Notes and (b) the date falling six months prior to the date specified in (a); or (v) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of the Original Reference Rate that the Original Reference Rate is no longer representative of an underlying market; or (vi) it has or will become unlawful for the Agent or the Issuer to calculate any payments due to be made to any Noteholders using the Original Reference Rate; Independent Adviser means an independent financial institution of international repute or an independent financial adviser with appropriate expertise appointed by the Issuer at its own expense under Condition 4(b)(iii)(A) and notified in writing to the Trustee; Original Reference Rate means the originally-specified benchmark or screen rate (as applicable) used to determine the Rate of Interest (or any component part thereof) on the Notes or, if applicable, any other successor or alternative rate (or any component part thereof) determined and applicable to the Notes pursuant to the earlier operation of this Condition 4(b)(iii); Relevant Nominating Body means, in respect of a benchmark or screen rate (as applicable): (i) the central bank for the currency to which the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable) relates, or any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable); or (ii) any working group or committee sponsored by, chaired or co-chaired by or constituted at the request of (a) the central bank for the |
57 currency to which the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable) relates, (b) any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the benchmark or screen rate (as applicable), (c) a group of the aforementioned central banks or other supervisory authorities or (d) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof; and Successor Rate means a successor to or replacement of the Original Reference Rate which is formally recommended by any Relevant Nominating Body. (iv) Minimum Rate of Interest and/or Maximum Rate of Interest If the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies a Minimum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4(b)(ii) is less than such Minimum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Minimum Rate of Interest. If the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies a Maximum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4(b)(ii) is greater than such Maximum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Maximum Rate of Interest. (v) Determination of Rate of Interest and calculation of Interest Amounts The Agent, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, will at or as soon as practicable after each time at which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, determine the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period. The Agent will calculate the amount of interest (the Interest Amount ) payable on the Floating Rate Notes for the relevant Interest Period by applying the Rate of Interest to: (A) in the case of Floating Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Notes represented by such Global Note; or (B) in the case of Floating Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount, and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Floating Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the Interest Amount payable in respect of such Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination, without any further rounding. |
58 [360 x (Y 2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M 2 - M1)] + (D 2 - D1) 360 Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(b): (I) if "Actual/Actual (ISDA)" or "Actual/Actual" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that Interest Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (A) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (B) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365); (II) if "Actual/365 (Fixed)" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365; (III) if "Actual/365 (Sterling)" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 or, in the case of an Interest Payment Date falling in a leap year, 366; (IV) if "Actual/360" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360; (V) if "30/360", "360/360" or "Bond Basis" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360 calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: "Y 1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; "Y 2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; "M 1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; "M 2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; "D 1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number is 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and "D 2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31 and D 1 is greater than 29, in which case D 2 will be 30; |
59 [360 x (Y 2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M 2 - M1)] + (D 2 - D1) 360 [360 x (Y 2 - Y1)] + [30 x (M 2 - M1)] + (D 2 - D1) 360 (VI) if "30E/360" or "Eurobond Basis" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360 calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: "Y 1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; "Y 2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; "M 1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; "M 2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; "D 1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D 1 will be 30; and "D 2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D 2 will be 30; and (VII) if "30E/360 (ISDA)" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows: Day Count Fraction = where: "Y 1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; "Y 2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; "M 1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls; "M 2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period falls; |
60 "D 1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D 1 will be 30; and "D 2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February but not the Maturity Date or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D 2 will be 30. (vi) Linear Interpolation Where Linear Interpolation is specified as applicable in respect of an Interest Period in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be calculated by the Agent by straight line linear interpolation by reference to two rates based on the relevant Reference Rate (where Screen Rate Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Pricing Supplement) or the relevant Floating Rate Option (where ISDA Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Pricing Supplement), one of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the length of the relevant Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the length of the relevant Interest Period, provided however that if there is no rate available for a period of time next shorter or, as the case may be, next longer, then the Agent shall determine such rate at such time and by reference to such sources as it determines appropriate. Designated Maturity means, in relation to Screen Rate Determination, the period of time designated in the Reference Rate. (vii) Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts The Agent will cause the Rate of Interest and each Interest Amount for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date to be notified to the Issuer, the Trustee and each competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed, traded and/or quoted and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders as soon as possible after their determination but in no event later than the fourth London Business Day thereafter. Each Interest Amount and Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without prior notice in the event of an extension or shortening of the Interest Period. Any such amendment will be promptly notified to each competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system (if any) on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed, traded and/or quoted and (in accordance with Condition 13) to the Noteholders. For the purposes of this Condition 4(b)(vii), the expression London Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London. (viii) Certificates to be final |
61 All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 4(b) and, whether by the Agent or, if applicable, the Trustee, shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith, manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Agent, the other Paying Agents and all Noteholders and Couponholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders shall attach to the Agent or, if applicable, the Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provisions. (c) Accrual of interest Each Note (or in the case of the redemption of part only of a Note, that part only of such Note) will cease to bear interest (if any) from the date for its redemption unless, upon due presentation thereof, payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused. In such event, interest will continue to accrue as provided in the Trust Deed. (d) Adjustment of Rate of Interest for Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes If a Step Up Rating Change and/or Step Down Rating Change is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the following terms relating to the Rate of Interest for the Notes shall apply: (i) The Rate of Interest payable on the Notes will be subject to adjustment from time to time in the event of a Step Up Rating Change or a Step Down Rating Change, as the case may be. (ii) Subject to Conditions 4(d)(iv) and 4(d)(vii) below, from and including the first Interest Payment Date following the date of a Step Up Rating Change, if any, the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) payable on the Notes shall be increased by the Step Up Margin specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (iii) Subject to Conditions 4(d)(iv) and 4(d)(vii), in the event of a Step Down Rating Change following a Step Up Rating Change, with effect from and including the first Interest Payment Date following the date of such Step Down Rating Change, the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) payable on the Notes shall be decreased by the Step Up Margin back to the initial Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the initial Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes). (iv) If a Step Up Rating Change and, subsequently, a Step Down Rating Change occur during the same Fixed Interest Period (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the same Interest Period (in the case of Floating Rate Notes), the Rate of Interest (in the case of Fixed Rate Notes) or the Margin (in the case of Floating Rate Notes) on the Notes shall be neither increased nor decreased as a result of either such event. (v) The Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain credit ratings for its senior unsecured long-term debt from S&P. If, notwithstanding such reasonable efforts, S&P fails to or ceases to assign a credit rating to the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt, the Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain a credit rating of its senior |
62 unsecured long-term debt from a substitute rating agency that shall be a Statistical Rating Agency, and references in this Condition 4(d) to S&P or the credit ratings thereof shall be to such substitute rating agency or, as the case may be, the equivalent credit ratings thereof. (vi) The Issuer will cause the occurrence of a Step Up Rating Change or a Step Down Rating Change giving rise to an adjustment to the Rate of Interest payable on the Notes pursuant to this Condition 4(d) to be notified to the Trustee and the Agent and notice thereof to be published in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of such Step Up Rating Change or Step Down Rating Change, but in no event later than the fifth London Business Day thereafter. (vii) A Step Up Rating Change (if any) and a Step Down Rating Change (if any), may only occur once each during the term of the Notes and shall (subject to Condition 4(d)(iv)) give rise to an adjustment to the Rate of Interest payable on the Notes. (viii) If the rating designations employed by S&P are changed from those which are described in this Condition 4(d), or if a rating is procured from a Statistical Rating Agency and the rating designations employed by such Statistical Rating Agency are changed, the Issuer shall determine, with the agreement of the Trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) the rating designations of S&P or such Statistical Rating Agency as are most equivalent to the prior rating designations of S&P or such Statistical Rating Agency, as the case may be. (ix) The Trustee is under no obligation to ascertain whether a change in the rating assigned to the Notes by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency has occurred or whether there has been a failure or a ceasing by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency to assign a credit rating to the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt and (until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to the Trust Deed to the contrary) the Trustee may assume that no such change to the credit rating assigned to the Notes has occurred or no such failure or ceasing by S&P or any Additional Rating Agency has occurred. In these Conditions: Additional Rating Agency means a Statistical Rating Agency that at any time provides a solicited rating to the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt obligations; S&P means S&P Global Ratings Europe Limited, or its successor, established in the European Union and registered under Regulation (EC) No. 1060/2009 (as amended); Statistical Rating Agency means Fitch Ratings Ltd. ( Fitch ) or Moody's Investors Service Ltd. ( Moody's ) or their respective successors or such other rating agency the Trustee may approve, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; Step Down Rating Change means the first public announcement after a Step Up Rating Change by S&P or an Additional Rating Agency of an increase in the credit rating of the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt with the result that (following such public announcement(s)) the Issuer's senior unsecured debt is rated BBB- or higher by S&P or a rating equivalent to BBB- or higher by an Additional Rating Agency. For the avoidance of doubt, any further increases in the credit rating of the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt |
63 above BBB- (in the case of S&P) or above a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency) shall not constitute a Step Down Rating Change; and Step Up Rating Change means the first public announcement by S&P or an Additional Rating Agency of a decrease in the credit rating of the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt to below BBB- (in the case of S&P) or below a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency). For the avoidance of doubt, any further decrease in the credit rating of the Issuer's senior unsecured long-term debt from below BBB- (in the case of S&P) or below a rating equivalent to BBB- (in the case of an Additional Rating Agency) shall not constitute a Step Up Rating Change. 5. PAYMENTS (a) Method of payment Subject as provided below: (i) payments in a Specified Currency other than euro will be made by credit or transfer to an account in the relevant Specified Currency maintained by the payee with a bank in the principal financial centre of the country of such Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively); and (ii) payments in euro will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account (or any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) specified by the payee. Payments will be subject in all cases to (i) any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto, but without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 7 and (ii) any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code ) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, and official interpretations thereof, or (without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 7) any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto. (b) Presentation of definitive Notes and Coupons Payments of principal in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner provided in Condition 5(a) only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of definitive Notes, and payments of interest in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made as aforesaid only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of Coupons, in each case at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside the United States (which expression, as used herein, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction)). Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form (other than Long Maturity Notes (as defined below)) should be presented for payment together with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (which expression shall for this purpose include Coupons falling to be issued on exchange of matured Talons), failing which the amount of any missing unmatured Coupon (or, in the case of payment not being made in full, the same proportion of the amount of such missing |
64 unmatured Coupon as the sum so paid bears to the sum due) will be deducted from the sum due for payment. Each amount of principal so deducted will be paid in the manner mentioned above against surrender of the relative missing Coupon at any time before the expiry of 10 years after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) in respect of such principal (whether or not such Coupon would otherwise have become void under Condition 8) or, if later, five years from the date on which such Coupon would otherwise have become due, but in no event thereafter. Upon any Fixed Rate Note in definitive form becoming due and repayable prior to its Maturity Date, all unmatured Talons (if any) appertaining thereto will become void and no further Coupons will be issued in respect thereof. Upon the date on which any Floating Rate Note or Long Maturity Note in definitive form becomes due and repayable, unmatured Coupons and Talons (if any) relating thereto (whether or not attached) shall become void and no payment or, as the case may be, exchange for further Coupons shall be made in respect thereof. A Long Maturity Note is a Fixed Rate Note (other than a Fixed Rate Note which on issue had a Talon attached) whose nominal amount on issue is less than the aggregate interest payable thereon provided that such Note shall cease to be a Long Maturity Note on the Interest Payment Date on which the aggregate amount of interest remaining to be paid after that date is less than the nominal amount of such Note. If the due date for redemption of any definitive Note is not an Interest Payment Date, interest (if any) accrued in respect of such Note from (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date or, as the case may be, the Interest Commencement Date shall be payable only against surrender of the relevant definitive Note. (c) Payments in respect of Global Notes Payments of principal and interest (if any) in respect of Notes represented by any Global Note will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner specified above in relation to definitive Notes or otherwise in the manner specified in the relevant Global Note against presentation or surrender, as the case may be, of such Global Note at the specified office of the Agent. A record of each payment made against presentation or surrender of any Global Note, distinguishing between any payment of principal and any payment of interest, will be made on such Global Note by the Agent and such record shall be prima facie evidence that the payment in question has been made. (d) General provisions applicable to payments The holder of a Global Note shall be the only person entitled to receive payments in respect of Notes represented by such Global Note and the Issuer will be discharged by payment to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note in respect of each amount so paid. Each of the persons shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the beneficial holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note must look solely to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, for his share of each payment so made by the Issuer to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Condition 5, if any amount of principal and/or interest in respect of Notes is payable in U.S. dollars, such U.S. dollar payments of |
65 principal and/or interest in respect of such Notes will be made at the specified office of a Paying Agent in the United States if: (i) the Issuer has appointed Paying Agents with specified offices outside the United States with the reasonable expectation that such Paying Agents would be able to make payment in U.S. dollars at such specified offices outside the United States of the full amount of principal and interest on the Notes in the manner provided above when due; (ii) payment of the full amount of such principal and interest at all such specified offices outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions on the full payment or receipt of principal and interest in U.S. dollars; and (iii) such payment is then permitted under United States law without involving, in the opinion of the Issuer, adverse tax consequences to the Issuer. (e) Payment Day If the date for payment of any amount in respect of any Note or Coupon is not a Payment Day, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment until the next following Payment Day in the relevant place and shall not be entitled to further interest or other payment in respect of such delay. For these purposes, Payment Day means any day which (subject to Condition 8) is: (i) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in: (A) (in the case of Notes held in definitive form only) the relevant place of presentation; (B) each Additional Financial Centre specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (ii) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars shall be Sydney or Auckland, respectively) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open. (f) Interpretation of principal and interest Any reference in these Conditions to principal in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable: (i) any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to principal under Condition 7 or under any undertaking or covenant given in addition thereto, or in substitution therefor, pursuant to the Trust Deed; |
66 (ii) the Final Redemption Amount of the Notes; (iii) the Early Redemption Amount of the Notes; (iv) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the Notes; (v) in relation to Zero Coupon Notes, the Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 6(e)); and (vi) any premium and any other amounts (other than interest) which may be payable by the Issuer under or in respect of the Notes. Any reference in these Conditions to interest in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable, any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to interest under Condition 7 or under any undertaking or covenant given in addition thereto, or in substitution therefor, pursuant to the Trust Deed. 6. REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE (a) Redemption at maturity Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled as specified below, each Note will be redeemed by the Issuer at its Final Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement in the relevant Specified Currency on the Maturity Date specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. (b) Redemption for tax reasons The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement to the Trustee, the Agent and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable), if the Issuer satisfies the Trustee as soon as practicable before the giving of such notice that: (i) on the occasion of the next payment due under the Notes, the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay additional amounts as provided or referred to in Condition 7 as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the United Kingdom, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date on which agreement is reached to issue the first Tranche of the Notes; and (ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due. |
67 Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition 6(b), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer stating that the Issuer is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer so to redeem have occurred, and an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing to the effect that the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay such additional amounts as a result of such change or amendment. Notes redeemed pursuant to this Condition 6(b) will be redeemed at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in Condition 6(e) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption. (c) Redemption at the option of the Issuer (Issuer Call) If Issuer Call is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Issuer may, having given not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement to the Trustee, the Agent and (in accordance with Condition 13) the Noteholders (which notices shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption), redeem all or some only of the Notes then outstanding on any Optional Redemption Date(s) and at the Optional Redemption Amount(s) specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Optional Redemption Date(s). Upon expiry of such notice the Issuer shall be bound to redeem the Notes accordingly. If Spens Amount is specified in the Pricing Supplement as the Optional Redemption Amount, the Optional Redemption Amount shall be an amount equal to the higher of (i) 100 per cent. of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed and (ii) the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed multiplied by the price, as reported to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Independent Financial Adviser, at which the Gross Redemption Yield on such Notes on the Reference Date is equal to the Gross Redemption Yield (determined by reference to the middle market price) at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement on the Reference Date of the Reference Bond, plus the Redemption Margin, all as determined by the Independent Financial Adviser. If Make-Whole Amount is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the Optional Redemption Amount, the Optional Redemption Amount shall be an amount calculated by the Independent Financial Adviser equal to the higher of (i) 100 per cent. of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present values of the nominal amount outstanding of the Notes to be redeemed and the Remaining Term Interest on such Note (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on an annual basis at the Reference Bond Rate, plus the Redemption Margin. Any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than the Maximum Redemption Amount, in each case as may be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, the Notes to be redeemed ( Redeemed Notes ) will be selected individually by lot (in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes) and in accordance with the rules of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by a Global Note) not more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. In the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, a list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Notes will be published in accordance with Condition 13 not less than 15 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. |
68 For the purposes of this Condition 6(c): Gross Redemption Yield means, with respect to a security, the gross redemption yield on such security, expressed as a percentage and calculated by the Independent Financial Adviser on the basis set out by the United Kingdom Debt Management Office in the paper "Formulae for Calculating Gilt Prices from Yields", page 5, Section One: Price/Yield Formulae "Conventional Gilts"; Double dated and Undated Gilts with Assumed (or Actual) Redemption on a Quasi-Coupon Date" (published 8 June 1998, as amended or updated from time to time) on a semi-annual compounding basis (converted to an annualised yield and rounded up (if necessary) to four decimal places) or on such other basis as the Trustee may approve; IFA Selected Bond means a government security or securities selected by the Independent Financial Adviser as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable with the remaining term of the Notes that would be utilised, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities denominated in the same currency as the Notes and of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes; Independent Financial Adviser means an independent financial institution of international repute appointed by the Issuer at its own expense; Redemption Margin shall be as set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement; Reference Bond shall be as set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such bond is set out or if such bond is no longer outstanding, shall be the IFA Selected Bond; Reference Bond Price means, with respect to any date of redemption, (A) the arithmetic average of the Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations for such date of redemption, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Independent Financial Adviser obtains fewer than four such Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all such quotations; Reference Bond Rate means, with respect to any date of redemption, the rate per annum equal to the annual or semi-annual yield (as the case may be) to maturity or interpolated yield to maturity (on the relevant day count basis) of the Reference Bond, assuming a price for the Reference Bond (expressed as a percentage of its nominal amount) equal to the Reference Bond Price for such date of redemption; Reference Date will be set out in the relevant notice of redemption; Reference Government Bond Dealer means each of five banks selected by the Issuer (or the Independent Financial Adviser on its behalf), or their affiliates, which are (A) primary government securities dealers, and their respective successors, or (B) market makers in pricing corporate bond issues; Reference Government Bond Dealer Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Government Bond Dealer and any date for redemption, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Independent Financial Adviser, of the bid and offered prices for the Reference Bond (expressed in each case as a percentage of its nominal amount) at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement on the Reference Date quoted in writing to the Independent Financial Adviser by such Reference Government Bond Dealer; and |
69 Remaining Term Interest means, with respect to any Note, the aggregate amount of scheduled payment(s) of interest on such Note for the remaining term of such Note determined on the basis of the rate of interest applicable to such Note from (and including) the date on which such Note is to be redeemed by the Issuer pursuant to this Condition 6(c). (d) Redemption at the option of the Noteholders (Investor Put) If Investor Put is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, upon the holder of any Note giving to the Issuer (in accordance with Condition 13) not less than the minimum period and not more than the maximum period of notice specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Issuer will, upon the expiry of such notice, redeem, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, such Note on the Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date. It may be that before an Investor Put can be exercised, certain conditions and/or circumstances will need to be satisfied. Where relevant, the provisions will be set out in the applicable Pricing Supplement. To exercise the right to require redemption of this Note the holder of this Note under this Condition 6(d) must deliver, at the specified office of any Paying Agent at any time during normal business hours of such Paying Agent falling within the notice period, a duly completed and signed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from any specified office of any Paying Agent (a Put Notice ) and in which the holder must specify a bank account to which payment is to be made under this Condition 6(d) accompanied by, if this Note is in definitive form, this Note or evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent concerned that this Note will, following delivery of the Put Notice, be held to its order or under its control. If the Notes are represented by a Global Note or are in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/ or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of the Notes held by it the Noteholder must give notice of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time. Any Put Notice or other notice given in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg given by a holder of any Note pursuant to this Condition 6(d) shall be irrevocable except where, prior to the due date of redemption, an Event of Default has occurred and the Trustee has declared the Notes to be due and payable pursuant to Condition 9 in which event such holder, at its option, may elect by notice to the Issuer to withdraw the notice given pursuant to this Condition 6(d). (e) Early Redemption Amounts For the purpose of Condition 6(b) above, Condition 6(f) below and Condition 9, each Note will be redeemed at its Early Redemption Amount calculated as follows: (i) in the case of a Note with a Final Redemption Amount equal to the Issue Price, at the Final Redemption Amount thereof; (ii) in the case of a Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note) with a Final Redemption Amount which is or may be less or greater than the Issue Price or which is payable in |
70 a Specified Currency other than that in which the Note is denominated, at the amount specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such amount or manner is so specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, at its nominal amount; or (iii) in the case of a Zero Coupon Note, at an amount (the Amortised Face Amount ) calculated in accordance with the following formula: Early Redemption Amount = RP x (1 + AY) y where: "RP" means the Reference Price; "AY" means the Accrual Yield expressed as a decimal; and "y" is the Day Count Fraction specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement which will be either (i) 30/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the number of days (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 12 months of 30 days each) from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360); (ii) Actual/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360); or (iii) Actual/365 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 365). (f) Event Risk (A) A Put Event will be deemed to occur if: (i) any person or any persons acting in concert (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers), other than a holding company (as defined in Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended) whose shareholders are or are to be substantially similar to the pre-existing shareholders of the Issuer, shall become interested (within the meaning of Part 22 of the Companies Act 2006 as amended) in (a) more than 50 per cent. of the issued or allotted ordinary share capital of the Issuer or (b) shares in the capital of the Issuer carrying more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights normally exercisable at a general meeting of the Issuer (each, a Change of Control ); and (ii) at the time of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Notes carry from any Rating Agency an investment grade credit rating ( Baa3/BBB-, or equivalent, or better ), and such rating from any Rating Agency is within a period ending 120 days after announcement of the Change of Control having occurred (or such longer period as the Notes are under consideration, |
71 announced publicly within such 120 day period, for rating review) either downgraded to a non-investment grade credit rating ( Ba1/BB+, or equivalent, or worse ) or withdrawn; and (iii) in making the relevant decision(s) referred to above, the relevant Rating Agency announces publicly or confirms in writing to the Issuer or the Trustee that such decision(s) resulted, in whole or in part, from the occurrence of the Change of Control. Further, (a) if at the time of the occurrence of the Change of Control the Notes carry a non-investment grade credit rating from each Rating Agency, then assigning a credit rating to the Notes or no credit rating from any Rating Agency, a Put Event will be deemed to occur upon the occurrence of a Change of Control alone; and (b) if at the time of the occurrence of the Change of Control the Notes carry a rating from more than one Rating Agency, at least one of which is investment grade, then Condition 6(f)(A)(ii) will apply. (B) If a Put Event occurs, each Noteholder shall have the option to require the Issuer to redeem or repay that Note on the Put Date (as defined below) at its Early Redemption Amount together with interest accrued to but excluding the date of redemption or purchase. Such option shall operate as set out below. (C) Promptly upon the Issuer becoming aware that a Put Event has occurred the Issuer shall, and at any time upon the Trustee becoming similarly so aware the Trustee may, and if so requested by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders, shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), give notice (a Put Event Notice ) to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 specifying the nature of the Put Event and the procedure for exercising the option contained in this Condition 6(f). (D) To exercise the option to require the redemption or repayment of a Note under this Condition 6(f) the holder of the Note must, if the Notes are in definitive form and held outside Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, deliver such Note, on any Payment Day (as defined in Condition 5(e)) falling within the period (the Put Period ) of 45 days after a Put Event Notice is given, at the specified office of any Paying Agent, accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from the specified office of any Paying Agent (a Change of Control Put Notice ). The Note should be delivered together with all Coupons appertaining thereto maturing after the date which is seven days after the expiration of the Put Period (the Put Date ), failing which (unless these Conditions provide that the relevant Coupons are to become void upon the due date for redemption of such Notes) the Paying Agent will require payment of an amount equal to the face value of any missing such Coupon. Any amount so paid will be reimbursed in the manner provided in Condition 5 against presentation and surrender of the relevant missing Coupon (or any replacement therefore issued pursuant to Condition 10) at any time after such payment, but before the expiry of the period of 10 years from the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) in respect of that Coupon. The Paying Agent to which such Note and Change of Control Put Notice are delivered will issue to the Noteholder concerned a non-transferable receipt in respect of the Note so delivered. If the Notes are represented by a Global Note or are in |
72 definitive form and held through Euroclear and/ or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of the Notes held by it the Noteholder must, within the Put Period, give notice of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time and, at the same time, present or procure the presentation of the relevant Global Note to the Agent for notation accordingly. Payment in respect of any Note so delivered will be made, if the holder duly specified a bank account in the Change of Control Put Notice to which payment is to be made, on the Put Date by transfer to that bank account and, in every other case, on or after the Put Date against presentation and surrender or (as the case may be) endorsement of such receipt at the specified office of any Paying Agent. Payment in respect of any Notes represented by a Global Note or in definitive form and held through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg in respect of which the relevant Noteholder has exercised the option given under this Condition 6(f) will be made on the Put Date. A Change of Control Put Notice, once given, shall be irrevocable. The Issuer shall redeem or repay the relevant Notes on the Put Date unless previously redeemed and cancelled. If 80 per cent. or more in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding have been redeemed pursuant to this Condition 6(f), the Issuer may, on not less than 30 or more than 60 days' notice to the Noteholders given within 30 days after the Put Date, redeem, at its option, the remaining Notes as a whole at a redemption price of the Early Redemption Amount thereof plus interest accrued to but excluding the date of such redemption. (E) If the rating designations employed by any of Fitch, Moody's or S&P are changed from those which are described in Condition 6(f)(A)(ii), or if a rating is procured from an Additional Rating Agency, the Issuer shall determine, with the agreement of the Trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the rating designations of Fitch, Moody's or S&P or such Additional Rating Agency (as appropriate) as are most equivalent to the prior rating designations of Fitch, Moody's or S&P and Condition 6(f)(A)(ii) shall be read accordingly. (F) The Trustee is under no obligation to ascertain whether a Put Event or Change of Control or any event which could lead to the occurrence of or could constitute a Put Event or Change of Control has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to the Trust Deed to the contrary, the Trustee may assume that no Put Event or Change of Control or other such event has occurred. (G) In these Conditions, Rating Agency means Fitch, Moody's or S&P or their respective successors or any rating agency (a Substitute Rating Agency ) substituted for any of them by the Issuer from time to time with the prior written approval of the Trustee. (g) Purchases The Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer may at any time purchase Notes (provided that, in the case of definitive Notes, all unmatured Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto are purchased therewith) at any price in the open market or otherwise. Such Notes may be held, |
73 reissued, resold or, at the option of the Issuer, surrendered to any Paying Agent for cancellation. (h) Cancellation All Notes which are redeemed will forthwith be cancelled (together with all unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith at the time of redemption). All Notes so cancelled and any Notes purchased and cancelled pursuant to Condition 6(g) (together with all unmatured Coupons and Talons cancelled therewith) shall be forwarded to the Agent and cannot be reissued or resold. (i) Late payment on Zero Coupon Notes If the amount payable in respect of any Zero Coupon Note upon redemption of such Zero Coupon Note pursuant to Condition 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 6(d) or 6(f) or upon its becoming due and repayable as provided in Condition 9 is improperly withheld or refused, the amount due and repayable in respect of such Zero Coupon Note shall be the amount calculated as provided in Condition 6(e)(iii) as though the references therein to the date fixed for the redemption or the date upon which such Zero Coupon Note becomes due and payable were replaced by references to the date which is the earlier of: (i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Zero Coupon Note have been paid; and (ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such Zero Coupon Notes has been received by the Trustee or the Agent (as the case may be) and notice to that effect has been given to the Noteholders (in accordance with Condition 13). 7. TAXATION All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes and Coupons by or on behalf of the Issuer will be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes or duties of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the United Kingdom unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer will pay such additional amounts as shall be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the holders of the Notes or Coupons after such withholding or deduction shall equal the respective amounts of principal and interest which would otherwise have been receivable in respect of the Notes or Coupons, as the case may be, in the absence of such withholding or deduction; except that no such additional amounts shall be payable with respect to any Note or Coupon: (a) presented for payment in the United Kingdom; or (b) presented for payment by or on behalf of a holder who is liable for such taxes or duties in respect of such Note or Coupon by reason of his having some connection with the United Kingdom other than the mere holding of such Note or Coupon; or (c) presented for payment more than 30 days after the Relevant Date (as defined below) except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to an additional amount on presenting the same for payment on such 30th day assuming that day to have been a Payment Day (as defined in Condition 5(e)). |
74 As used in these Conditions, the Relevant Date means the date on which such payment first becomes due, except that, if the full amount of the moneys payable has not been duly received by the Trustee or the Agent (as the case may be) on or prior to such due date, it means the date on which, the full amount of such moneys having been so received, notice to that effect is duly given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13. 8. PRESCRIPTION The Notes and Coupons will become void unless presented for payment within a period of 10 years (in the case of principal) and five years (in the case of interest) after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 7) therefor. There shall not be included in any Coupon sheet issued on exchange of a Talon any Coupon the claim for payment in respect of which would be void pursuant to this Condition 8 or Condition 5(b) or any Talon which would be void pursuant to Condition 5(b). 9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT (a) Events of Default The Trustee at its discretion may, and if so requested in writing by the holders of at least one- quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), (but in the case of the happening of any of the events described in Conditions 9(a)(ii) to 9(a)(viii) inclusive (other than Condition 9(a)(iv) in relation to the Issuer), only if the Trustee shall have certified in writing to the Issuer that such event is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders), give notice in writing to the Issuer that the Notes are, and they shall thereupon immediately become, due and repayable at their Early Redemption Amount together with accrued interest as provided in the Trust Deed if any of the following events shall occur ( Events of Default ): (i) if default is made in the payment of any principal or interest due in respect of the Notes or any of them and the default continues for a period of seven days (in the case of principal) or 14 days (in the case of interest); or (ii) if the Issuer fails to perform or observe any of its other obligations under these Conditions or the Trust Deed and (except in any case where, in the opinion of the Trustee, the failure is incapable of remedy when no such continuation and notice as is hereinafter mentioned will be required) the failure continues for the period of 30 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) next following the service by the Trustee on the Issuer of notice requiring the same to be remedied; or (iii) (A) if any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money (as defined below) of the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries becomes due and repayable prematurely by reason of an event of default (however described); or (B) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money on the due date for payment as extended by any originally applicable grace period; or (C) if any security given by the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries for any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money becomes enforceable by reason of default; or (D) if default is made by the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries in making any payment due as extended by any originally applicable grace period under any |
75 guarantee and/or indemnity given by it in relation to any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any other person, provided that no event referred to in this Condition 9(a)(iii) shall constitute an Event of Default (I) unless the relative Indebtedness for Borrowed Money either alone or when aggregated with other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money relative to all (if any) other such events which shall have occurred shall amount to at least £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) and (II) where such event has occurred in relation to Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of a Principal Subsidiary at the time such company becomes a Principal Subsidiary through acquisition by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer, unless such event continues for a period of seven days after the date of such acquisition, if such default is in respect of interest on any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and (in any other case) 14 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) after the date of such acquisition; or (iv) if any order is made by any competent court or resolution passed for the winding up or dissolution of the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries, save for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement (A) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary not involving or arising out of the insolvency of such Principal Subsidiary and under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries; or (B) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to a third party or parties (whether associated or not) for full consideration received by the Issuer or a Subsidiary on an arm's length basis; or (C) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred and the transferee is or immediately upon such transfer becomes a Principal Subsidiary; or (D) on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or (v) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries ceases or threatens to cease to carry on the whole or substantially the whole of its business, save (A) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement, (i) not involving or arising out of the insolvency of such Principal Subsidiary and under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) under which all or substantially all of its assets are transferred and the transferee is or immediately upon such transfer becomes a Principal Subsidiary or (iii) the terms of which have been previously approved by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or (B) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary where all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to a third party or parties (whether associated or not) for full consideration received by the Issuer or a Subsidiary on an arm's length basis (save where such transfer would otherwise cause the Issuer itself to cease the whole or substantially the whole of its business); or (C) in the case of a Principal Subsidiary which is a Principal Subsidiary by virtue only of part (B) of the definition of Principal Subsidiary, provided that at the time of such cessation or threatened cessation such Principal Subsidiary is not in default in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or any guarantee and/or indemnity given by such Principal Subsidiary in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money; or (vi) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries stops or threatens to stop payment of, or is unable to, or admits inability to, pay, its debts (or any class of its debts) as they |
76 fall due, or is deemed unable to pay its debts pursuant to or for the purposes of any applicable law, or is adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent; or (vii) if (A) proceedings are initiated against the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganisation or other similar laws and, other than in respect of the Issuer or Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, such proceedings are not being contested in good faith, or an application is made for the appointment of an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official and, other than in respect of the Issuer or Rentokil Initial 1927 plc, such application is not being contested in good faith, or an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official is appointed, in relation to the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries or, as the case may be, in relation to the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking or assets of any of them, or a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other process is levied, enforced upon, sued out or put in force against the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking or assets of any of them and (B) in any case (other than the appointment of an administrator) are/is not discharged within 45 days; or (viii) if the Issuer or any of its Principal Subsidiaries consents to judicial proceedings relating to itself under any applicable liquidation, insolvency, composition, reorganisation or other similar laws or makes a conveyance or assignment for the benefit of, or enters into any composition or other arrangement with, its creditors generally (or any class of its creditors) or any meeting is convened to consider a proposal for an arrangement or composition with its creditors generally (or any class of its creditors), save in any such case for the purposes of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganisation, reconstruction or other similar arrangement on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee or by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders. (b) Enforcement (i) The Trustee may at any time, at its discretion and without notice, take such proceedings against the Issuer as it may think fit to enforce the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Notes and the Coupons, but it shall not be bound to take any such proceedings or any other action in relation to the Trust Deed, the Notes or the Coupons unless (A) it shall have been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in aggregate nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding; and (B) it shall have been indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction. (ii) No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer unless the Trustee, having become bound so to proceed, fails so to do within a reasonable period and the failure shall be continuing. (c) Definitions For the purposes of this Condition 9: Principal Subsidiary at any time shall mean a Subsidiary of the Issuer inter alia : |
77 (A) whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Issuer represent not less than 10 per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or (B) which has Indebtedness for Borrowed Money outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency); or (C) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer which immediately before the transfer is a Principal Subsidiary, all as more particularly defined in the Trust Deed; and Indebtedness for Borrowed Money means (a) any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest or other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities other than which is indebtedness owed to an entity within the Group; or (b) any borrowed money other than money borrowed by one entity within the Group from another entity within the Group; or (c) any liability under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit. 10. REPLACEMENT OF NOTES, COUPONS AND TALONS Should any Note, Coupon or Talon be lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed, it may be replaced at the specified office of the Agent upon payment by the claimant of such costs and expenses as may be incurred in connection therewith and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Issuer may reasonably require. Mutilated or defaced Notes, Coupons or Talons must be surrendered before replacements will be issued. 11. PAYING AGENTS The names of the initial Paying Agents and their initial specified offices are set out below. If any additional Paying Agents are appointed in connection with any Series, the names of such Paying Agents will be specified in Part B of the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Issuer is entitled (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) to vary or terminate the appointment of any Paying Agent and/or appoint additional or other Paying Agents and/or approve any change in the specified office through which any Paying Agent acts, provided that: (a) there will at all times be an Agent; (b) so long as the Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system which requires the appointment of a Paying Agent in a particular place, the Issuer shall maintain a Paying Agent with a specified office in such place as may be required by the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system; and |
78 (c) there will at all times be a Paying Agent within Europe, other than in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Issuer shall forthwith appoint a Paying Agent having a specified office in New York City in the circumstances described in Condition 5(d). Any variation, termination, appointment or change shall only take effect (other than in the case of insolvency, when it shall be of immediate effect) after not less than 30 nor more than 45 days' prior notice thereof shall have been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13. In acting under the Agency Agreement, the Paying Agents act solely as agents of the Issuer and (in certain limited circumstances specified therein) of the Trustee and do not assume any obligation to, or relationship of agency or trust with, any Noteholders or Couponholders. The Agency Agreement contains provisions permitting any entity into which any Paying Agent is merged or converted or with which it is consolidated or to which it transfers all or substantially all of its assets to become the successor paying agent. 12. EXCHANGE OF TALONS On and after the Interest Payment Date on which the final Coupon comprised in any Coupon sheet matures, the Talon (if any) forming part of such Coupon sheet may be surrendered at the specified office of the Agent or any other Paying Agent in exchange for a further Coupon sheet including (if such further Coupon sheet does not include Coupons to (and including) the final date for the payment of interest due in respect of the Note to which it appertains) a further Talon, subject to the provisions of Condition 8. 13. NOTICES All notices regarding the Notes will be deemed to be validly given if published in a leading English language daily newspaper of general circulation in London or such other English language daily newspaper with general circulation in Europe as the Trustee may approve. It is expected that such publication will be made in the Financial Times in London. For so long as the Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system, the Issuer shall also ensure that notices are duly published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system. Any such notice will be deemed to have been given on the date of the first publication or, where required to be published in more than one newspaper, on the date of the first publication in all required newspapers. If publication as provided above is not practicable, notice will be given in such other manner, and shall be deemed to have been given on such date, as the Trustee may approve. Couponholders will be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the Noteholders in accordance with this Condition 13. Until such time as any definitive Notes are issued, there may, so long as any Global Notes representing the Notes are held in their entirety on behalf of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, be substituted for such publication in such newspaper(s) the delivery of the relevant notice to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg for communication by them to the holders of the Notes and, in addition, for so long as any Notes are admitted to listing, trading and/or quotation by any competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system and the rules and regulations of the relevant competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system so require, such notice will be published in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the place or places required by that competent authority, stock exchange and/or quotation system. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given to the holders of the Notes on the second Business Day after the day on which the said notice was given to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg. |
79 Notices to be given by any Noteholder shall be in writing and given by lodging the same, together (in the case of any Note in definitive form) with the relative Note or Notes, with the Agent. Whilst any of the Notes are represented by a Global Note, such notice may be given by any holder of a Note to the Agent through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, in such manner as the Agent and Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, may approve for this purpose. 14. MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS, MODIFICATION, WAIVER AND SUBSTITUTION The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening meetings of the Noteholders to consider any matter affecting their interests, including the sanctioning by Extraordinary Resolution of a modification of the Notes, the Coupons or any of the provisions of the Trust Deed. Such a meeting may be convened by the Issuer or the Trustee and shall be convened by the Issuer upon the requisition of Noteholders holding not less than five per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution is one or more persons holding or representing more than 50 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned meeting one or more persons being or representing Noteholders whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented, except that at any meeting the business of which includes the modification of certain provisions of the Notes or the Coupons or the Trust Deed (including (but not limited to) modifying (i) the dates of maturity or redemption of the Notes or any date for payment of interest thereon; (ii) reducing or cancelling the amount of principal or the rate of interest payable in respect of the Notes; or (iii) altering the currency of payment of the Notes or the Coupons), the quorum shall be one or more persons holding or representing not less than two-thirds in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned such meeting one or more persons holding or representing not less than 25 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. An Extraordinary Resolution passed at any meeting of the Noteholders shall be binding on all the Noteholders, whether or not they are present at the meeting, and on all Couponholders. The Trust Deed provides that a resolution, with or without notice, in writing signed by or on behalf of all Noteholders who for the time being are entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Noteholders under the Trust Deed will take effect as if it were an Extraordinary Resolution duly passed at a meeting of the Noteholders. Such a resolution in writing may be contained in one document or several documents in the same form, each signed by or on behalf of one or more Noteholders. The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening a single meeting of holders of Notes of more than one Series in certain circumstances where the Trustee so decides. The Trustee may agree, without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders, to any modification of, or to the waiver or authorisation of any breach or proposed breach of, any of the provisions of the Notes or the Trust Deed, or determine, without any such consent as aforesaid, that any Event of Default or potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such, where, in any such case, it is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders so to do or may agree, without any such consent as aforesaid, to any modification which is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or an error which is in the opinion of the Trustee, proven. In addition, the Trustee shall be obliged to concur with the Issuer in effecting any Benchmark Amendments in the circumstances and as otherwise set out in Condition 4(b)(iii) without the consent of the Noteholders. |
80 In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class (but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of any such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequences of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 7 and/or any undertaking or covenant given in addition to, or in substitution for, Condition 7 pursuant to the Trust Deed. Any such modification shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and any such modification shall be notified to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable thereafter. The Trustee may, without the consent of the Noteholders, agree with the Issuer to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of any previous substitute under this Condition 14) as the principal debtor under the Notes, Coupons and the Trust Deed of another company, being a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a parent undertaking of the Issuer, subject to (a) the Trustee being satisfied that the interests of the Noteholders will not be materially prejudiced by the substitution and (b) certain other conditions set out in the Trust Deed being complied with. 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE TRUSTEE AND ITS CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER The Trust Deed contains provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and for its relief from responsibility, including provisions relieving it from taking action unless indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction. The Trust Deed also contains provisions pursuant to which the Trustee is entitled, inter alia , (i) to enter into business transactions with the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries and to act as trustee for the holders of any other securities issued or guaranteed by, or relating to, the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such transactions or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship without regard to the interests of, or consequences for, the Noteholders or Couponholders; and (iii) to retain and not be liable to account for any profit made or any other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. 16. FURTHER ISSUES The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders (and in accordance with the Trust Deed) to create and issue further notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes or the same in all respects save for the Issue Date, the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon and/or the Issue Price and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single Series with the outstanding Notes. The Issuer may (from time to time), with the consent of the Trustee, create and issue other series of notes having the benefit of the Trust Deed. |
81 17. ROUNDING For the purposes of any calculations referred to in these Conditions (unless otherwise specified in these Conditions or the applicable Pricing Supplement), (a) all percentages resulting from such calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point (with 0.000005 per cent. being rounded up to 0.00001 per cent.); (b) all United States dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one half cent being rounded up); (c) all Japanese Yen amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded downwards to the next lower whole Japanese Yen amount; and (d) all amounts denominated in any other currency used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest two decimal places in such currency, with 0.005 being rounded upwards. 18. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 No rights are conferred on any person under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the Notes but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act. 19. GOVERNING LAW The Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement, the Notes and the Coupons (and all non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement, the Notes and the Coupons) are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
82 AGENT HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ United Kingdom PAYING AGENT HSBC France, Dublin Branch 1 Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Harbour Dublin 2 D02 P820 Ireland |
83 THE SECOND SCHEDULE FORMS OF GLOBAL AND DEFINITIVE NOTES, COUPONS AND TALONS PART I FORM OF TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] 1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE This Note is a Temporary Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the "Notes ") of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes (the " Pricing Supplement "), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and the information in the Pricing Supplement, the Pricing Supplement will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the " Trust Deed ") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject as hereinafter provided and subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Agent at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
84 On any redemption or payment of interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note details of such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled. The nominal amount from time to time of this Global Note and of the Notes represented by this Global Note following any such redemption or purchase and cancellation as aforesaid or any exchange as referred to below shall be the nominal amount most recently entered in the relevant column in Part II or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto. Payments of principal and interest (if any) due prior to the Exchange Date (as defined below) will only be made to the bearer hereof to the extent that there is presented to the Agent by Clearstream Banking S.A. (" Clearstream, Luxembourg ") or Euroclear Bank SA/NV (" Euroclear ") a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) a certificate of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. The bearer of this Global Note will not (unless upon due presentation of this Global Note for exchange, delivery of the appropriate number of Definitive Notes (together, if applicable, with the Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts III, IV and V of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed) or, as the case may be, issue and delivery (or, as the case may be, endorsement) of the Permanent Global Note is improperly withheld or refused and such withholding or refusal is continuing at the relevant payment date) be entitled to receive any payment hereon due on or after the Exchange Date. On or after the date (the " Exchange Date ") which is 40 days after the Issue Date, this Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole or in part for, as specified in the Pricing Supplement, either Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information supplementing, the Conditions appearing in the Pricing Supplement has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Notes) or a Permanent Global Note in or substantially in the form set out in Part II of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed (together with the Pricing Supplement attached thereto) upon notice being given by Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note and subject, in the case of Definitive Notes, to such notice period as is specified in the Pricing Supplement. If Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons have already been issued in exchange for all the Notes represented for the time being by the Permanent Global Note, then this Global Note may only thereafter be exchanged for Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons pursuant to the terms hereof. Presentation of this Global Note for exchange shall be made by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Agent specified above. The Issuer shall procure that Definitive Notes or (as the case may be) the Permanent Global Note shall be so issued and delivered in exchange for only that portion of this Global Note in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Agent by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. |
85 On an exchange of the whole of this Global Note, this Global Note shall be surrendered to the Agent. On an exchange of part only of this Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of this Global Note so exchanged. On any exchange of this Global Note for a Permanent Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two to the Permanent Global Note and the relevant space in Schedule Two thereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall (subject as provided in the next paragraph) in all respects (except as otherwise provided herein) be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Notes and the relative Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Parts III, IV and V (as applicable) of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed. Each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal and interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the right to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer, solely in the bearer of this Global Note in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Global Note and the Trust Deed. This Global Note is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. A person who is not a party to this Global Note has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. |
86 IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer |
87 Schedule One PART I INTEREST PAYMENTS Date made Interest Payment Date Total amount of interest payable Amount of interest paid Confirmation of payment by or on behalf of the Issuer ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ |
88 PART II REDEMPTIONS Date made Total amount of principal payable Amount of principal paid Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such redemption * Confirmation of redemption by or on behalf of the Issuer ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ______ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III or Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. |
90 Schedule Two EXCHANGES FOR DEFINITIVE NOTES OR PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note have been made: Date made Nominal amount of this Global Note exchanged for Definitive Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such exchange* Notation made by or on behalf of the Issuer ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ ________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule One or in this Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. |
91 PART II FORM OF PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] 1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE This Note is a Permanent Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the "Notes ") of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Pricing Supplement applicable to the Notes (the " Pricing Supplement "), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as supplemented by the Pricing Supplement but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and the information in the Pricing Supplement, the Pricing Supplement will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the " Trust Deed ") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Agent at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes. On any redemption or payment interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note details of such redemption, payment, purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment, purchase and 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
92 cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled. The nominal amount from time to time of this Global Note and of the Notes represented by this Global Note following any such redemption or purchase and cancellation as aforesaid or any exchange as referred to below shall be the nominal amount most recently entered in the relevant column in Part II or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto. Where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes will initially have been represented by a Temporary Global Note. On any exchange of such Temporary Global Note issued in respect of the Notes for this Global Note or any part hereof, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be increased by the nominal amount of the Temporary Global Note so exchanged. This Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole, but not in part, for Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts III, IV, V and VI of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information supplementing the Conditions appearing in the Pricing Supplement has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Notes) either, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement: (i) upon not less than 60 days' written notice being given to the Agent by Euroclear Bank SA/NV (" Euroclear ") and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. (" Clearstream, Luxembourg ") (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note); or (ii) upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event. An " Exchange Event " means: (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (2) the Issuer has been notified that both Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have been closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business or have in fact done so and no successor clearing system satisfactory to the Trustee is available; or (3) the Issuer has or will become subject to adverse tax consequences which would not be suffered were the Notes in definitive form and a certificate to such effect from two Directors of the Issuer has been given to the Trustee. If this Global Note represents Notes having denominations consisting of a minimum Specified Denomination and integral multiples of a smaller amount thereabove then it may only be exchanged for definitive Notes upon an Exchange Event. If this Global Note is exchangeable following the occurrence of an Exchange Event: (i) the Issuer will promptly give notice to Noteholders in accordance with Condition 13 upon the occurrence of such Exchange Event; and |
93 (ii) Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note) or the Trustee may give notice to the Agent requesting exchange and, in the event of the occurrence of an Exchange Event as described in (3) above, the Issuer may also give notice to the Agent requesting exchange. Any such exchange shall occur on a date specified in the notice not more than 45 days after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Agent. The first notice requesting exchange in accordance with the above provisions shall give rise to the issue of Definitive Notes for the total nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note. Any such exchange as aforesaid will be made upon presentation of this Global Note by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Agent specified above. The aggregate nominal amount of Definitive Notes issued upon an exchange of this Global Note will be equal to the aggregate nominal amount of this Global Note. Upon exchange of this Global Note for Definitive Notes, the Agent shall cancel it or procure that it is cancelled. Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall (subject as provided in the next paragraph) in all respects be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Notes and the relative, Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Parts III, IV and V (as applicable) of the Second Schedule to the Trust Deed. Each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal and interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, the right to which shall be vested, as against the Issuer, solely in the bearer of this Global Note in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Global Note and the Trust Deed. This Global Note is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. A person who is not a party to this Global Note has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. |
94 IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer |
95 Schedule One PART I INTEREST PAYMENTS Date made Interest Payment Date Total amount of interest payable Amount of interest paid Confirmation of payment by or on behalf of the Issuer ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ |
96 PART II REDEMPTIONS Date made Total amount of principal payable Amount of principal paid Remaining nominal amount of this Global Note following such redemption* Confirmation of redemption by or on behalf of the Issuer _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ _____ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ * See most recent entry in Part II or III or Schedule Two in order to determine this amount. |
99 PART III FORM OF DEFINITIVE NOTE [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] 1 RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the "Issuer") (incorporated with limited liability under the laws of England with registration number 5393279) [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] This Note is one of a Series of Notes of [Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s)] each of the Issuer (" Notes "). References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions [endorsed hereon/set out in the First Schedule to the Trust Deed (as defined below) which shall be incorporated by reference herein and have effect as if set out herein] as supplemented, by the relevant information appearing in the Pricing Supplement (the " Pricing Supplement ") endorsed hereon but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and such information in the Pricing Supplement, such information will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Note. This Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the " Trust Deed ") dated 9 December 2005 and made between the Issuer and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (as successor to HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited) as trustee for the holders of the Notes. For value received, the Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as this Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable on redemption of this Note and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of this Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed. This Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Agent. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
100 IN WITNESS whereof this Note has been executed on behalf of the Issuer. Issued as of [ ]. RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC By: ..................................................... Duly Authorised Authenticated by HSBC Bank plc, as Agent. By: ..................................................... Authorised Officer |
101 [Conditions] [Conditions to be as set out in the First Schedule to this Trust Deed or such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), but shall not be endorsed if not required by the relevant Stock Exchange] |
102 Pricing Supplement [Here to be set out the text of the relevant information supplementing the Conditions which appears in the Pricing Supplement relating to the Notes] |
103 PART IV FORM OF COUPON [Face of Coupon ] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] Series No. [ ] [Coupon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]]. 1 Part A [For Fixed Rate Notes: This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to the Terms and Conditions of the said Notes. Coupon for [ ] due on [ ], [ ]] Part B [For Floating Rate Notes: Coupon for the amount due in accordance with the Terms and Conditions endorsed on, attached to or incorporated by reference into the said Notes on [the Interest Payment Date falling in [ ] [ ]/[ ]]. This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to such Terms and Conditions, under which it may become void before its due date.] [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] 2 1 Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination. 2 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. |
104 PART V FORM OF TALON [Face of Talon ] RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC [Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche] NOTES DUE [Year of Maturity] Series No. [ ] [ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] 1 [Talon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]] 2 On and after [ ] further Coupons [and a further Talon] 3 appertaining to the Note to which this Talon appertains will be issued at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents set out on the reverse hereof (and/or any other or further Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed and notified to the Noteholders) upon production and surrender of this Talon. This Talon may, in certain circumstances, become void under the Terms and Conditions endorsed on the Note to which this Talon appertains. 1 Delete where the original maturity of the Notes is 365 days or less. 2 Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination. 3 Not required on last Coupon sheet. |
105 [Reverse of Coupons and Talons ] AGENT HSBC Bank plc 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ United Kingdom OTHER PAYING AGENT HSBC France, Dublin Branch 1 Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Harbour Dublin 2 D02 P820 Ireland and/or such other or further Agent or other Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed by the Issuer and notice of which has been given to the Noteholders. |
106 THE THIRD SCHEDULE PROVISIONS FOR MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS 1. (A) As used in this Schedule the following expressions shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires: (i) "voting certificate " shall mean an English language certificate issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which it is stated: (a) that on the date thereof Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Notes in respect of which a block voting instruction has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such voting certificate or any adjourned such meeting) were deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of: (1) the conclusion of the meeting specified in such certificate or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and (2) the surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent who issued the same; and (b) that the bearer thereof is entitled to attend and vote at such meeting and any adjourned such meeting in respect of the Notes represented by such certificate; (ii) "block voting instruction " shall mean an English language document issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which: (a) it is certified that Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Notes in respect of which a voting certificate has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such block voting instruction and any adjourned such meeting) have been deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of: (1) the conclusion of the meeting specified in such document or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and (2) the surrender to the Paying Agent not less than 48 hours before the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened of the receipt issued by such Paying Agent in respect of each such deposited Note which is to be released or (as the case may require) the Note or Notes ceasing with the agreement of the Paying Agent to be held to its order or under its control or so blocked and the giving of notice by the Paying Agent to the Issuer in |
107 accordance with paragraph 17 hereof of the necessary amendment to the block voting instruction; (b) it is certified that each holder of such Notes has instructed such Paying Agent that the vote(s) attributable to the Note or Notes so deposited or held or blocked should be cast in a particular way in relation to the resolution or resolutions to be put to such meeting or any adjourned such meeting and that all such instructions are during the period commencing 48 hours prior to the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened and ending at the conclusion or adjournment thereof neither revocable nor capable of amendment; (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so deposited or held or blocked are listed distinguishing with regard to each such resolution between those in respect of which instructions have been given as aforesaid that the votes attributable thereto should be cast in favour of the resolution and those in respect of which instructions have been so given that the votes attributable thereto should be cast against the resolution; and (d) one or more persons named in such document (each hereinafter called a " proxy ") is or are authorised and instructed by such Paying Agent to cast the votes attributable to the Notes so listed in accordance with the instructions referred to in (c) above as set out in such document; (iii) "Clearing System ” shall mean Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg and includes in respect of any Note any clearing system on behalf of which such Note is held or which is the bearer or holder of a Note, in either case whether alone or jointly with any other Clearing System(s). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of subclause 1(B)(v) of the Trust Deed shall apply to this definition; (iv) "24 hours " shall mean a period of 24 hours including all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in both the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid; and (v) "48 hours " shall mean a period of 48 hours including all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business both in the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid. (B) A holder of a Note (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note) may obtain a voting certificate in respect of such Note from a Paying Agent or require a |
108 Paying Agent to issue a block voting instruction in respect of such Note by depositing such Note with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) by such Note being held to its order or under its control or being blocked in an account with a clearing system, in each case not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the relevant meeting and on the terms set out in sub-paragraph (A)(i)(a) or (A)(ii)(a) above (as the case may be), and (in the case of a block voting instruction) instructing such Paying Agent to the effect set out in sub-paragraph (A)(ii)(b) above. The holder of any voting certificate or the proxies named in any block voting instruction shall for all purposes in connection with the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting of Noteholders be deemed to be the holder of the Notes to which such voting certificate or block voting instruction relates and the Paying Agent with which such Notes have been deposited or the person holding the same to the order or under the control of such Paying Agent or the clearing system in which such Notes have been blocked shall be deemed for such purposes not to be the holder of those Notes. 2. The Issuer or the Trustee may at any time and the Issuer shall upon a requisition in writing in the English language signed by the holders of not less than one-twentieth in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding convene a meeting of the Noteholders and if the Issuer makes default for a period of seven days in convening such a meeting the same may be convened by the Trustee or the requisitionists. Every such meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Trustee may appoint or approve. 3. At least 21 days' notice (exclusive of the day on which the notice is given and the day on which the meeting is to be held) specifying the place, day and hour of meeting shall be given to the holders of the relevant Notes prior to any meeting of such holders in the manner provided by Condition 13. Such notice, which shall be in the English language, shall state generally the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting thereby convened but (except for an Extraordinary Resolution) it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the terms of any resolution to be proposed. Such notice shall include statements, if applicable, to the effect that Notes may, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, be deposited with Paying Agents or (to their satisfaction) held to their order or under their control or blocked in an account with a clearing system for the purpose of obtaining voting certificates or appointing proxies. A copy of the notice shall be sent by post to the Trustee (unless the meeting is convened by the Trustee) and to the Issuer (unless the meeting is convened by the Issuer). 4. A person (who may but need not be a Noteholder) nominated in writing by the Trustee shall be entitled to take the chair at the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting but if no such nomination is made or if at any meeting or adjourned meeting the person nominated shall not be present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting the Noteholders present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman, failing which the Issuer may appoint a Chairman. The Chairman of an adjourned meeting need not be the same person as was Chairman of the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 5. At any such meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one- twentieth of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding shall (except for the purpose of passing an Extraordinary Resolution) form a quorum for the transaction of business and no business (other than the choosing of a Chairman) shall be transacted at any meeting unless the requisite quorum be present at the commencement of the relevant business. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject as provided below) be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate more than 50 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding PROVIDED THAT at |
109 any meeting the business of which includes any of the following matters (each of which shall, subject only to Clause 18(B), only be capable of being effected after having been approved by Extraordinary Resolution) namely: (i) reduction or cancellation of the amount payable or, where applicable, modification, except where such modification is in the opinion of the Trustee bound to result in an increase, of the method of calculating the amount payable or modification of the date of payment or, where applicable, of the method of calculating the date of payment in respect of any principal or interest in respect of the Notes; (ii) alteration of the currency in which payments under the Notes and Coupons are to be made; (iii) alteration of the majority required to pass an Extraordinary Resolution; (iv) the sanctioning of any such scheme or proposal as is described in paragraph 18(I) below; and (v) alteration of this proviso or the proviso to paragraph 6 below; the quorum shall be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than two- thirds of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 6. If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any such meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the meeting shall if convened upon the requisition of Noteholders be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week (or if such day is a public holiday the next succeeding business day) at the same time and place (except in the case of a meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be proposed in which case it shall stand adjourned for such period, being not less than 13 clear days nor more than 42 clear days, and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such meeting and approved by the Trustee). If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any adjourned meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the Chairman may either (with the approval of the Trustee) dissolve such meeting or adjourn the same for such period, being not less than 13 clear days (but without any maximum number of clear days), and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such adjourned meeting and approved by the Trustee, and the provisions of this sentence shall apply to all further adjourned such meetings. At any adjourned meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by them) shall (subject as provided below) form a quorum and shall have power to pass any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution and to decide upon all matters which could properly have been dealt with at the meeting from which the adjournment took place had the requisite quorum been present PROVIDED THAT at any adjourned meeting the quorum for the transaction of business comprising any of the matters specified in the proviso to paragraph 5 above shall be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one-third of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. |
110 7. Notice of any adjourned meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be submitted shall be given in the same manner as notice of an original meeting but as if 10 were substituted for 21 in paragraph 3 above and such notice shall state the relevant quorum. Subject as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting. 8. Every question submitted to a meeting shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands and in case of equality of votes the Chairman shall both on a show of hands and on a poll have a casting vote in addition to the vote or votes (if any) to which he may be entitled as a Noteholder or as a holder of a voting certificate or as a proxy. 9. At any meeting unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the Chairman, the Issuer, the Trustee or any person present holding a Definitive Note or a voting certificate or being a proxy (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by him) a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried by a particular majority or lost or not carried by a particular majority shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. 10. Subject to paragraph 12 below, if at any such meeting a poll is so demanded it shall be taken in such manner and subject as hereinafter provided either at once or after an adjournment as the Chairman directs and the result of such poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded as at the date of the taking of the poll. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the motion on which the poll has been demanded. 11. The Chairman may with the consent of (and shall if directed by) any such meeting adjourn the same from time to time and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully (but for lack of required quorum) have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. 12. Any poll demanded at any such meeting on the election of a Chairman or on any question of adjournment shall be taken at the meeting without adjournment. 13. The Trustee and its lawyers and any director, officer or employee of a corporation being a trustee of these presents and any director or officer of the Issuer and its or their lawyers and any other person authorised so to do by the Trustee may attend and speak at any meeting. Save as aforesaid, but without prejudice to the proviso to the definition of "outstanding" in Clause 1, no person shall be entitled to attend and speak nor shall any person be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders or join with others in requesting the convening of such a meeting or to exercise the rights conferred on Noteholders by Clause 8(A) or Condition 9 unless he either produces the Definitive Note or Definitive Notes of which he is the holder or a voting certificate or is a proxy. No person shall be entitled to vote at any meeting in respect of Notes held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, any holding company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of such holding company. Nothing herein shall prevent any of the proxies named in any block voting instruction from being a director, officer or representative of or otherwise connected with the Issuer. 14. Subject as provided in paragraph 13 hereof at any meeting: (A) on a show of hands every person who is present in person and produces a Definitive Note or voting certificate or is a proxy shall have one vote; and (B) on a poll every person who is so present s hall have one vote in respect of each €1 or such other amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate (or, in the |
111 case of meetings of holders of Notes denominated in another currency, such amount in such other currency as the Trustee in its absolute discretion may stipulate) in nominal amount of the Definitive Notes so produced or represented by the voting certificate so produced or in respect of which he is a proxy. Without prejudice to the obligations of the proxies named in any block voting instruction any person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes to which he is entitled in the same way. 15. The proxies named in any block voting instruction need not be Noteholders. 16. Each block voting instruction together (if so requested by the Trustee) with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of its due execution on behalf of the relevant Paying Agent and each form of proxy shall be deposited by the relevant Paying Agent at such place as the Trustee shall approve not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the proxies named in the block voting instruction propose to vote and in default the block voting instruction shall not be treated as valid unless the Chairman of the meeting decides otherwise before such meeting or adjourned meeting proceeds to business. A notarially certified copy of each block voting instruction shall (if the Trustee so requires) be deposited with the Trustee before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting but the Trustee shall not thereby be obliged to investigate or be concerned with the validity of or the authority of the proxies named in any such block voting instruction. 17. Any vote given in accordance with the terms of a block voting instruction shall be valid notwithstanding the previous revocation or amendment of the block voting instruction or of any of the relevant Noteholders' instructions pursuant to which it was executed provided that no intimation in writing of such revocation or amendment shall have been received from the relevant Paying Agent by the Issuer at its registered office (or such other place as may have been required or approved by the Trustee for the purpose) by the time being 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the block voting instruction is to be used. 18. The Noteholders shall in addition to the powers hereinbefore given have the following powers exercisable only by Extraordinary Resolution (subject, in the case of a meeting, to the provisions relating to quorum contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 above) namely: (A) Power to sanction any compromise or arrangement proposed to be made between the Issuer, the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders and Couponholders or any of them. (B) Power to sanction any abrogation, modification, compromise or arrangement in respect of the rights of the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders, the Couponholders or the Issuer or against any other or others of them or against any of their property whether such rights shall arise under these presents or otherwise. (C) Power to assent to any modification of the provisions of these presents which shall be proposed by the Issuer, the Trustee or any Noteholder. (D) Power to give any authority or sanction which under the provisions of these presents is required to be given by Extraordinary Resolution. (E) Power to appoint any persons (whether Noteholders or not) as a committee or committees to represent the interests of the Noteholders and to confer upon such |
112 committee or committees any powers or discretions which the Noteholders could themselves exercise by Extraordinary Resolution. (F) Power to approve of a person to be appointed a trustee and power to remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. (G) Power to discharge or exonerate the Trustee and/or any Appointee from all liability in respect of any act or omission for which the Trustee and/or such Appointee may have become responsible under these presents. (H) Power to authorise the Trustee and/or any Appointee to concur in and execute and do all such deeds, instruments, acts and things as may be necessary to carry out and give effect to any Extraordinary Resolution. (I) Power to sanction any scheme or proposal for the exchange or sale of the Notes for or the conversion of the Notes into or the cancellation of the Notes in consideration of shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities of the Issuer or any other company formed or to be formed, or for or into or in consideration of cash, or partly for or into or in consideration of such shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities as aforesaid and partly for or into or in consideration of cash. 19. Any resolution passed by the Noteholders in accordance with these presents shall be binding upon all the Noteholders whether present or not present at any meeting and whether or not voting and upon all Couponholders and each of them shall be bound to give effect thereto accordingly and the passing of any such resolution shall be conclusive evidence that the circumstances justify the passing thereof. Notice of the result of the voting on any resolution duly considered by the Noteholders shall be published in accordance with Condition 13 by the Issuer within 14 days of such result being known PROVIDED THAT the non-publication of such notice shall not invalidate such result. 20. The expression " Extraordinary Resolution " when used in these presents means (a) a resolution passed at a meeting of the Noteholders duly convened and held in accordance with these presents by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the persons voting thereat upon a show of hands or if a poll is duly demanded by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the votes cast on such poll; or (b) a resolution in writing signed by or on behalf of all the Noteholders, which resolution in writing may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by or on behalf of one or more of the Noteholders; or (c) consent given by way of electronic consents through the relevant Clearing System(s) (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) by or on behalf of holders of not less than three-fourths in principal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. 21. Minutes of all resolutions and proceedings at every meeting of the Noteholders shall be made and entered in books to be from time to time provided for that purpose by the Issuer and any such minutes as aforesaid if purporting to be signed by the Chairman of the meeting at which such resolutions were passed or proceedings transacted shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein contained and until the contrary is proved every such meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes have been made shall be deemed to have been duly held and convened and all resolutions passed or proceedings transacted thereat to have been duly passed or transacted. 22. (A) If and whenever the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes of more than one Series the foregoing provisions of this Schedule shall have effect subject to the following modifications: |
113 (i) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of only one Series shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Notes of that Series; (ii) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series but does not give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of Notes of any of the Series so affected shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a single meeting of the holders of the Notes of all the Series so affected; (iii) a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series and gives or may give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of the Notes of one Series or group of Series so affected and the holders of the Notes of another Series or group of Series so affected shall be deemed to have been duly passed only if passed at separate meetings of the holders of the Notes of each Series or group of Series so affected; and (iv) to all such meetings all the preceding provisions of this Schedule shall mutatis mutandis apply as though references therein to Notes and Noteholders were references to the Notes of the Series or group of Series in question or to the holders of such Notes, as the case may be. (B) If the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes which are not denominated in euro in the case of any meeting of holders of Notes of more than one currency the nominal amount of such Notes shall (i) for the purposes of paragraph 2 above be the equivalent in euro at the spot rate of a bank nominated by the Trustee for the conversion of the relevant currency or currencies into euro on the seventh dealing day prior to the day on which the requisition in writing is received by the Issuer and (ii) for the purposes of paragraphs 5, 6 and 14 above (whether in respect of the meeting or any adjourned such meeting or any poll resulting therefrom) be the equivalent at such spot rate on the seventh dealing day prior to the day of such meeting. In such ci rcumstances, on any poll each person present shall have one vote for each €1 (or such other euro amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate) in nominal amount of the Notes (converted as above) which he holds or represents. 23. Subject to all other provisions of these presents the Trustee may without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders prescribe such further regulations regarding the requisitioning and/or the holding of meetings of Noteholders and attendance and voting thereat as the Trustee may in its sole discretion think fit. |
114 EXECUTED as a deed by ) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC ) acting by ) and ) Director Secretary EXECUTED as a DEED by ) ………………………………………… .) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE ) COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ) ……………………………………………………… acting by its attorney Attorney name Witnessed by: …………………………… Witness Name : …………………………. Witness Address : ……………………….. …………………………………………… …………………………………………… |
(Signature Page to the Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed ) SIGNATORIES EXECUTED as a DEED by ) RENTOKIL INITIAL plc ) Director acting by ) and ) Secretary EXECUTED as a DEED by ) HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE ) COMPANY (UK) LIMITED ) acting by its attorney Attorney name Witnessed by: Witness Name: Witness Address: HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED, 8 CANADA SQUARE, LONDON E14 5HQ |
Allen & Overy LLP 0013726-0004321 UKO2: 1185041825.7 SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED 11 September 2020 RENTOKIL INITIAL plc and HSBC CORPORATE TRUSTEE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED further modifying and restating the provisions of the Trust Deed dated 9 December 2005 relating to a €4,000,000,000 EURO MEDIUM TERM NOTE PROGRAMME |
Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is (i) not material and (ii) the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that has been omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION | ||
Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement |
dated 8 September | 2021 |
between
Rentokil Initial plc
as Borrower
The Financial Institutions listed in Schedule 1
as Lenders
and
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
as Agent
relating to a multicurrency revolving facility agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended on 9 June 2016, amended and restated on 26 January 2017, amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018 and amended by a resignation, appointment and amendment agreement dated 24 December 2019
Simmons & Simmons LLP Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street London, EC2Y 9SS United Kingdom |
T +44 207 628 2020 F +44 207 628 2070 |
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CONTENTS
1. | Definitions and Interpretation | 1 |
2. | Conditions Precedent | 2 |
3. | Representations | 2 |
4. | Amendment and Restatement | 2 |
5. | Lenders | 3 |
6. | Qualifying Lender Status | 3 |
7. | Fees | 3 |
8. | Costs and Expenses | 3 |
9. | Miscellaneous | 4 |
10. | Governing Law | 4 |
Schedule 1 | 5 | |
Part 1 : The Lenders | 5 | |
Part 2 : Effective Date Commitments | 7 | |
Schedule 2 : Conditions Precedent | 8 | |
Schedule 3 : Amended and Restated Facility Agreement | 9 |
i
THIS AGREEMENT is dated 8 September | 2021 and made |
BETWEEN:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (registration number 5393279) (the “Borrower”); |
(2) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in part 1 of schedule 1 (The Lenders) (the “Lenders”); and |
(3) | SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL) as agent for and on behalf of the other Finance Parties (the “Agent”). |
Background:
(A) | This Agreement is supplemental to and amends a £315,000,000 multicurrency revolving facility agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 (as amended on 9 June 2016, as amended and restated on 26 January 2017, as amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018 and amended by a resignation, appointment and amendment agreement dated 24 December 2019), made between, amongst others, the Borrower and Lloyds Bank plc as the agent, subsequently replaced by Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) (the “Original Facility Agreement”). |
(B) | Under an appointment, resignation and amendment agreement dated 24 December 2019, the Agent was appointed in place of the former Agent, Lloyds Bank plc. |
(C) | The Finance Parties and the Borrower have agreed, subject to the terms of this Agreement, to make certain amendments to, and to restate, the Original Facility Agreement. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | Definitions and Interpretation |
1.1 | Definitions |
In this Agreement:
“Amended Facility Agreement” means the Original Facility Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement on the Effective Date.
“Amendment Fee Letter” means the fee letter dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Borrower and the Agent in respect of the fees payable to the Lenders in connection with this Agreement.
“Effective Date” means the date on which the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that it has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied.
“Party” means a party to this Agreement.
1.2 | Incorporation of defined terms |
(A) | Unless a contrary indication appears, a term defined in the Original Facility Agreement has the same meaning in this Agreement. |
1
(B) | The principles of construction set out in the Original Facility Agreement shall have effect as if set out in full and referring to this Agreement, except that references to the Original Facility Agreement are to be construed as references to this Agreement. |
1.3 | Third party rights |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.
2. | Conditions Precedent |
2.1 | Effective Date |
(A) | The provisions of this Agreement shall take effect on and from the Effective Date. |
(B) | Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders (as defined in the Amended Facility Agreement) notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in the definition of “Effective Date”, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification. |
3. | Representations |
The Borrower makes the representations and warranties set out in clause 20 (Representations) of the Original Facility Agreement, in each case by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the:
(A) | date of this Agreement as if references to “this Agreement” and “the Finance Documents” are references to this Agreement; and |
(B) | Effective Date as if references to “this Agreement” and “the Finance Documents” are references to the Amended Facility Agreement, |
and provided that, in the case of clause 20.11 (Financial Statements) of the Original Facility Agreement, the reference therein to “Original Financial Statements” is construed as a reference to the last set of financial statements delivered to the Agent under clause 21.1 (Financial statements) of the Original Facility Agreement.
4. | Amendment and Restatement |
4.1 | Amendment and restatement |
With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Original Facility Agreement shall be amended and restated in the form set out in schedule 3 (Amended and Restated Facility Agreement).
4.2 | Continuing obligations |
(A) | The provisions of the Original Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents shall, save as amended and restated by this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. |
(B) | With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Borrower: |
(1) | confirms its acceptance of the Amended Facility Agreement; and |
2
(2) | agrees to be bound as the Borrower by the terms of the Amended Facility Agreement. |
4.3 | Finance Document cross referencing |
Clause references in any Finance Document which cross refer to a clause of the Original Facility Agreement shall, where applicable, be deemed to be, as from the occurrence of the Effective Date, updated to cross refer to the corresponding provision in the Amended Facility Agreement.
5. | Lenders |
5.1 | Effective Date Commitments |
With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Commitment of each Lender will be as set out opposite its name in part 2 of schedule 1 (Effective Date Commitments) to this Agreement.
6. | Qualifying Lender Status |
(A) | Each Lender confirms in part 1 of schedule 1 (The Lenders) which of the following categories it falls in: |
(1) | not a Qualifying Lender; |
(2) | a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or |
(3) | a Treaty Lender. |
7. | Fees |
No later than three Business Days after the Effective Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in an amount set out in the Amendment Fee Letter.
8. | Costs and Expenses |
Subject to any pre-agreed cap on such cost and expenses, the Borrower shall within three Business Days of demand reimburse the Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement.
9. | Miscellaneous |
9.1 | Designation |
Each of the Borrower and the Agent designate this Agreement and the Amendment Fee Letter as a Finance Document.
3
9.2 | Incorporation of terms |
The provisions of clause 32 (Notices), clause 34 (Partial Invalidity), clause 35 (Remedies and Waivers) and clause 41 (Jurisdiction) of the Original Facility Agreement shall be incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full in this Agreement and as if reference to those clauses to “this Agreement” are references to this Agreement.
9.3 | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
10. | Governing Law |
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement
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schedule 1
part 1: The Lenders
Lender | Description of Lender | ||
Legal Name | Entity Description | Treaty Lender/Qualifying Lender (other than a treaty lender)/ Not a Qualifying Lender | |
BAML | Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Europe | UK Bank | Qualifying Lender |
Barclays | Barclays Bank PLC | UK Bank | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
BLB | Bayerische Landesbank | Non-UK Bank using a double tax treaty passport | Treaty Lender – passport scheme reference number is 07/B/70350/DTTP GERMANY |
BNPP | BNP Paribas, London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
BoC | Bank of China Limited, London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch (permanent UK establishment) | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
DBS | DBS Bank Ltd, London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
GS | Goldman Sachs Bank USA | Non-UK Bank using a double tax treaty passport | Treaty Lender – passport scheme reference number is 13/G/351779/DTTP |
HSBC | HSBC UK Bank plc | UK Bank | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
ING | ING Bank N.V., London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
JPM | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch. | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
Mizuho | Mizuho Bank, Ltd. | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
Santander | Banco Santander S.A., London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
SCB | Standard Chartered Bank | UK Bank | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
Scotia | Scotiabank Europe plc | UK registered bank | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
SEB | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) | Non-UK Bank using a double tax treaty passport | Treaty Lender – passport scheme reference number is 73/S/42621/DTTP SWEDEN |
UOB | United Overseas Bank Limited, London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
Wells | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch | Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch | Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
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part 2: Effective Date Commitments
[Reserved]
6
schedule 2 : Conditions Precedent
1. | Borrower |
1.1 | A copy of the constitutional documents of the Borrower or a certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower certifying that the constitutional documents last delivered to the Agent under the Original Facility Agreement are still correct, complete and in full force and effect and have not been amended as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement. |
1.2 | A copy of a resolution of the treasury committee of the Borrower: |
(A) | approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Amended Facility Agreement and resolving that it execute and perform this Agreement and the Amendment Fee Letter; |
(B) | authorising a specified person or persons to execute this Agreement and the Amendment Fee Letter on its behalf; and |
(C) | authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement and the Amended Facility Agreement. |
1.3 | A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above. |
1.4 | A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower: |
(A) | confirming that borrowing the Total Commitments and the maximum amount permitted to be borrowed under any Accordion Facilities in full (as defined in the Amended Facility Agreement) would not cause any borrowing, guaranteeing or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded; and |
(B) | certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this schedule is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement. |
2. | Finance Documents |
(A) | This Agreement duly executed by the Parties. |
(B) | The duly executed Amendment Fee Letter. |
3. | Legal Opinions |
A legal opinion of Allen & Overy LLP, legal advisers to the Agent in England, substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders prior to signing this Agreement.
7
schedule 3 : Amended and Restated Facility Agreement
8
SCHEDULE 3 TO THE THIRD AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT
Multicurrency Revolving Facilities Agreement
(originally dated 27 January 2015, as amended on 9 June 2016, amended and restated on 26 January 2017, amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018, amended on 24 December 2019 and as further amended and restated on the 2021 Effective Date)
between
Rentokil Initial plc
as Borrower
The Financial Institutions identified in this Agreement
as Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders
and
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
as Agent
relating to a £550,000,000 committed working capital facility and £200,000,000 uncommitted working capital facilities
Simmons & Simmons LLP | ![]() | |
Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street | ||
London, EC2Y 9SS | T +44 207 628 2020 | |
United Kingdom | F +44 207 628 2070 |
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CONTENTS
1. | Definitions and Interpretation | 1 |
2. | The Facilities | 24 |
3. | Accordion Option | 27 |
4. | Purpose | 30 |
5. | Conditions of Utilisation | 31 |
6. | Utilisation | 32 |
7. | Optional Currencies | 33 |
8. | Repayment of Loans | 34 |
9. | Prepayment and Cancellation | 35 |
10A | Rate Switch | 39 |
10. | Interest | 42 |
11. | Interest Periods | 43 |
12. | Changes to the Calculation of Interest | 44 |
13. | Fees | 46 |
14. | Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities | 47 |
15. | Increased Costs | 57 |
16. | Other Indemnities | 60 |
17. | Mitigation by the Lenders | 61 |
18. | Costs and Expenses | 61 |
19. | [Clause not used] | 62 |
20. | Representations | 62 |
21. | Information Undertakings | 65 |
22. | [Clause not used] | 68 |
23. | General Undertakings | 68 |
24. | Events of Default | 72 |
25. | Changes to the Lenders | 75 |
26. | Changes to the Borrower | 80 |
27. | Role of the Agent and the Arrangers | 80 |
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28. | Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties | 88 |
29. | Sharing Among the Finance Parties | 89 |
30. | Payment Mechanics | 90 |
31. | Set-Off | 94 |
32. | Notices | 94 |
33. | Calculations and Certificates | 96 |
34. | Partial Invalidity | 97 |
35. | Remedies and Waivers | 97 |
36. | Amendments and Waivers | 97 |
37. | Confidential Information | 105 |
38. | Confidentiality of Funding Rates | 109 |
39. | Counterparts | 110 |
40. | Governing Law | 110 |
41. | Jurisdiction | 110 |
SCHEDULE 1 : The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders | 111 |
PART 1 : The Original Lenders | 111 |
PART 2 : The Acceding Lenders | 112 |
SCHEDULE 2 : Conditions Precedent to Initial Utilisation | 113 |
SCHEDULE 3 : Form of Utilisation Request | 114 |
SCHEDULE 4 : Form of Transfer Certificate | 115 |
SCHEDULE 5 : Form of Assignment Agreement | 118 |
SCHEDULE 6 : [Schedule not used] | 121 |
SCHEDULE 7 : Form of Compliance Certificate | 122 |
SCHEDULE 8 : Form of Margin Certificate | 123 |
SCHEDULE 9 : Timetables | 124 |
SCHEDULE 10 : Form of Increase Confirmation | 125 |
SCHEDULE 11 : [Schedule not used] | 128 |
SCHEDULE 12 : Accordion Facility Notices and Accordion Facility Lender Certificates | 129 |
PART 1 : Form of Accordion Facility Notice | 129 |
PART 2 : Form of Accordion Facility Lender Certificate | 133 |
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iv
THIS Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015, as amended on 9 June 2016, amended and restated on 26 January 2017, amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018, amended on 24 December 2019 and as further amended and restated on the 2021 Effective Date and made |
BETWEEN:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (registration number 5393279) (the “Borrower”); |
(2) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) as original lenders (the “Original Lenders”); |
(3) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) as acceding lenders (the “Acceding Lenders”); and |
(4) | SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL) as agent of the other Finance Parties (the “Agent”). |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | Definitions and Interpretation |
1.1 | Definitions |
In this Agreement:
“2021 Effective Date” has the meaning given to the definition of “Effective Date” in the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Acceptable Bank” means:
(A) | a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations of BBB or higher by S&P or Fitch or Baa2 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency; or |
(B) | any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent. |
“Accordion Facility” means each facility that may be established and made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 3 (Accordion Option).
“Accordion Facility Commitment” means:
(A) | in relation to a Lender which is an Accordion Facility Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Accordion Facility Commitment” in the relevant Accordion Facility Notice and the amount of any other Accordion Facility Commitment relating to the relevant Accordion Facility transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); and |
(B) | in relation to an Accordion Facility and any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Accordion Facility Commitment relating to that Accordion Facility transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase), to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement. |
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“Accordion Facility Establishment Date” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, the later of:
(A) | the proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date specified in the relevant Accordion Facility Notice; and |
(B) | the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Accordion Facility Notice. |
“Accordion Facility Lender” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, any entity which is listed as such in the relevant Accordion Facility Notice.
“Accordion Facility Lender Certificate” means a document substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 12 (Form of Accordion Facility Lender Certificate).
“Accordion Facility Loan” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, a loan made or to be made under that Accordion Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
“Accordion Facility Notice” means a notice substantially in the form set out in the form of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (Form of Accordion Facility Notice).
“Accordion Facility Participating Lender” has the meaning given to it in Clause 3.1(B) (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders).
“Accordion Facility Proposal” means a notice from the Borrower addressed to each applicable Lender (in accordance with Clause 3.1(A) (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders)) which:
(A) | invites that Lender to participate in a proposed Accordion Facility; and |
(B) | sets out the Accordion Facility Proposed Size. |
“Accordion Facility Proposed Size” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility Proposal, the proposed Total Accordion Facility Commitments for the relevant Accordion Facility set out in that Accordion Facility Proposal which shall be, in each case, no less than £50,000,000.
“Accordion Facility Tender Period” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility Proposal, the period of time starting on the date of delivery of that Accordion Facility Proposal and ending on the date which falls 20 Business Days after the date of delivery of that Accordion Facility Proposal or on such other date as the Borrower and the Agent may otherwise agree.
“Accordion Option A Lender” means each Lender with an Effective Date Facility Commitment of more than £25,000,000.
“Accordion Option B Lender” means each Lender with an Effective Date Facility Commitment of £25,000,000 or less.
“Additional Business Day” means any day specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Affiliate” means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
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“Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange” means the Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of the relevant currency with the Base Currency in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. on a particular day.
“Aggregate Total Accordion Facility Commitments” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Total Accordion Facility Commitments relating to each Accordion Facility.
“Article 55 BRRD” means Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.
“Alternative Term Rate” means any rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Alternative Term Rate Adjustment” means any rate which is either:
(A) | specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms; or |
(B) | determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology specified in the applicable Reference Rate Terms. |
“Assignment Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form set out in schedule 5 (Form of Assignment Agreement) or any other form agreed between the relevant assignor and assignee.
“Authorisation” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
“Availability Period” means:
(A) | in relation to the Effective Date Facility, the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date falling one month before the Termination Date for the Effective Date Facility; |
(B) | in relation to an Accordion Facility, the period from and including the Accordion Facility Establishment Date of that Accordion Facility to and including the date falling one month before the Termination Date applicable to that Accordion Facility. |
“Available Commitment” means, in relation to a Facility, a Lender’s Commitment under that Facility minus:
(A) | the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any outstanding Utilisations under that Facility; and |
(B) | in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any Utilisations that are due to be made under that Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation Date, |
other than that Lender’s participation in any Utilisations under that Facility that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Utilisation Date.
“Available Facility” means, in relation to a Facility, the aggregate for the time being of each Lender’s Available Commitment in respect of that Facility.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
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“Bail-In Legislation” means:
(A) | in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 BRRD, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; |
(B) | in relation to the United Kingdom, the UK Bail-In Legislation; and |
(C) | in relation to any state other than such an EEA Member Country and the United Kingdom, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation. |
“Base Currency” means sterling.
“Base Currency Amount” means, in relation to a Utilisation, the amount specified in the Utilisation Request delivered by the Borrower for that Utilisation (or, if the amount requested is not denominated in the Base Currency, that amount converted into the Base Currency at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date which is three Business Days before the Utilisation Date or, if later, on the date the Agent receives the Utilisation Request) as adjusted to reflect any repayment or prepayment of a Utilisation.
“Break Costs” means any amount specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Stockholm and:
(A) | (in relation to any date for payment or purchase of a currency other than euro) the principal financial centre of the country of that currency; or |
(B) | (in relation to any date for payment or purchase of euro) any TARGET Day; and |
(C) | (in relation to: |
(i) | the fixing of an interest rate in relation to a Term Rate Loan; |
(ii) | any date for payment or purchase of an amount relating to a Compounded Rate Loan; or |
(iii) | the determination of the first day or the last day of an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan, or otherwise in relation to the determination of the length of such an Interest Period), |
which is an Additional Business Day relating to that Loan or Unpaid Sum.
“Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments” means, at any time:
(A) | cash in hand or on deposit with any Acceptable Bank (irrespective of the duration of that deposit with any Acceptable Bank); |
(B) | certificates of deposit, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation, issued by an Acceptable Bank or a trust company which falls within the criteria set out in the definition of “Acceptable Bank”; |
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(C) | any investment in marketable obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America, the U.K., any Participating Member State or any member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development with a rating of at least A+ from S&P or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them having an equivalent credit rating which is: |
(1) | maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation; and |
(2) | not convertible to any other security; |
(D) | open market commercial paper not convertible to any other security: |
(1) | for which a recognised trading market exists; |
(2) | issued in the United States of America, the U.K., any Participating Member State or any member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and |
(3) | which has a credit rating of either A-1 by S&P or Fitch or P-1 by Moody’s; |
(E) | sterling bills of exchange eligible for rediscount at the Bank of England and accepted by an Acceptable Bank or a trust company which falls within the criteria set out in the definition of “Acceptable Bank” (or any dematerialised equivalent); |
(F) | investments accessible within 30 days in money market funds which: |
(1) | have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch or P-1 or higher by Moody’s; and |
(2) | invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in paragraphs (B) to (E) above; or |
(G) | any other debt, security or investment approved by the Majority Lenders, |
in each case, to which any member of the Group is beneficially entitled at that time.
“Cash Pooling Balance” means any debit balance in respect of any account of any member of the Group in connection with the Group’s notional cash pooling arrangements provided that if such balances were netted-off at any time, the aggregate amount of such balances would be zero or greater.
“Central Bank Rate” has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Central Bank Rate Adjustment” has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Code” means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Commitment” means an Effective Date Facility Commitment or an Accordion Facility Commitment.
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Compliance Certificate).
“Compounded Rate Currency” means any currency which is not a Term Rate Currency.
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“Compounded Rate Interest Payment” means the aggregate amount of interest that:
(A) | is, or is scheduled to become, payable under any Finance Document; and |
(B) | relates to a Compounded Rate Loan. |
“Compounded Rate Loan” means any Loan or, if applicable, Unpaid Sum which is not a Term Rate Loan.
“Compounded Reference Rate” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during the Interest Period of a Compounded Rate Loan, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of:
(A) | the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for that RFR Banking Day; and |
(B) | the applicable Credit Adjustment Spread (if any). |
“Compounding Methodology Supplement” means, in relation to the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate or the Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate, a document which:
(A) | is agreed in writing by the Borrower, the Agent (in its own capacity) and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); |
(B) | specifies a calculation methodology for that rate; and |
(C) | has been made available to the Borrower and each Finance Party. |
“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Borrower, the Group, the Finance Documents or a Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or a Facility from either:
(A) | any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(B) | another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers, |
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:
(1) | information that: |
(a) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of Clause 37 (Confidential Information); or |
(b) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(c) | is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (A) or (B) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and |
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(2) | any Funding Rate. |
“Confidentiality Undertaking” means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the LMA as set out in Schedule 13 (LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking) or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.
“Credit Adjustment Spread” means, in relation to any Loan or Unpaid Sum in a Rate Switch Currency which is or becomes a “Compounded Rate Loan” pursuant to Clause 10A (Rate Switch), any rate which is either:
(A) | specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms; or |
(B) | determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology specified in the applicable Reference Rate Terms. |
“Credit Rating” means a notification to the Borrower or a public announcement by a Credit Rating Agency of a long-term credit rating of the Borrower which has been solicited by the Borrower, from time to time.
“Credit Rating Agency” means S&P, Fitch and/or Moody’s.
“CTA” means the Corporation Tax Act 2009.
“Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” means, in relation to an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 16 (Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or in any relevant Compounding Methodology Supplement.
“Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 15 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or in any relevant Compounding Methodology Supplement.
“Daily Rate” means the rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Default” means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 24 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period or the giving of notice) be an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender:
(A) | which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available (or has notified the Agent or the Borrower (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in a Loan available) by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation); |
(B) | which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or |
(C) | with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, unless, in the case of paragraph (A) above: |
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(1) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(a) | administrative or technical error; or |
(b) | a Disruption Event; and |
payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or
(2) | the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
“Discontinued Tenor” means, in relation to dollar LIBOR, each of:
(A) | a Quoted Tenor of 1 week; and |
(B) | a Quoted Tenor of 2 months. |
“Disruption Event” means either or both of:
(A) | a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with a Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or |
(B) | the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party: |
(1) | from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or |
(2) | from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents, |
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
“EEA Member Country” means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
“Effective Date” has the meaning given to the definition “Effective Date” in the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Effective Date Facility” means the revolving loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2.1(A) (The Facilities).
“Effective Date Facility Commitment” means:
(A) | in relation to an Original Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) and the amount of any other Effective Date Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); |
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(B) | in relation to an Acceding Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) and the amount of any other Effective Date Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); and |
(C) | in relation to any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Effective Date Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with either Clause 2.2 (Increase), |
in each case to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
“Eligible Institution” means any Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
“Event of Default” means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 24 (Events of Default).
“Facility” means the Effective Date Facility or any Accordion Facility.
“Facility Office” means, in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“FATCA” means:
(A) | sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations; |
(B) | any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (A) above; or |
(C) | any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (A) or (B) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction. |
“FATCA Application Date” means:
(A) | in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 01 July 2014; or |
(B) | in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraph (A) above, the first date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA. |
“FATCA Deduction” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
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“FATCA Exempt Party” means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
“Fee Letter” means:
(A) | any letter or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement or the Effective Date between each of the Arrangers and the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 13 (Fees); |
(B) | each First Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; |
(C) | each Second Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; |
(D) | the Third Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; and |
(D) | any letter or letters setting out the fees payable to a Finance Party referred to in Clause 2.2(F) (Increase). |
“Finance Document” means this Agreement, the First Amendment Letter, the Second Amendment Letter, the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement, any Accordion Facility Notice, any Fee Letter, any Increase Confirmation, any Reference Rate Supplement, any Compounding Methodology Supplement and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
“Finance Lease” means any lease or hire purchase contract, a liability under which would, in accordance with IFRS, be treated as a balance sheet liability (other than a lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, prior to 1 January 2019, have been treated as an operating lease).
“Finance Party” means the Agent, each of the Arrangers or a Lender.
“Financial Indebtedness” means (without double counting) any indebtedness for or in respect of:
(A) | moneys borrowed; |
(B) | any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent; |
(C) | any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument; |
(D) | the amount of any liability in respect of Finance Leases; |
(E) | receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold or discounted on a non-recourse basis); |
(F) | any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which is required, in accordance with IFRS, to be shown as indebtedness or borrowing in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group (other than a lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, prior to 1 January 2019, have been treated as an operating lease); |
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(G) | for the purposes of Clause 24.5 (Cross default) only, any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account); |
(H) | any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution (but not, in any case, Trade Instruments); and |
(I) | the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (A) to (H) above, |
and, in any event, excluding:
(1) | indebtedness owing by one member of the Group to another member of the Group; |
(2) | (for the purposes of Clause 24.5 (Cross default)) indebtedness in respect of self-insurance liabilities except to the extent of such liability as shown in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group; |
(3) | indebtedness relating to the supply of goods and services to any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business provided the amount of any indebtedness is not outstanding for more than 150 days after its customary date of payment; and |
(4) | any accrual deficit of any member of the Group in respect of defined benefit pension schemes other than where such deficit is funded by any moneys borrowed. |
“First Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated 26 January 2017 and made between, among others, the Borrower, Rentokil Initial 1927 plc and the Agent.
“First Amendment and Restatement Fee Letters” means each Fee Letter under and as defined in the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“First Amendment Letter” means the amendment letter dated 9 June 2016 and made between the Borrower and the Agent.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd or any successor to its rating business.
“Funding Rate” means any individual rate notified by a Lender to the Agent pursuant to Clause 12.4(A)(2) (Cost of funds).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in England and Wales including IFRS.
“Group” means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the time being.
“Holding Company” means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
“IFRS” means UK-adopted international accounting standards within the meaning of the section 474(1) of the Companies Act 2006 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.
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“Impaired Agent” means the Agent at any time when:
(A) | it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment; |
(B) | the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document; |
(C) | (if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraph (A) or (B) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”; or |
(D) | an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent; |
unless, in the case of paragraph (A) above:
(1) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(a) | administrative or technical error; or |
(b) | a Disruption Event; and |
payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or
(2) | the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
“Increase Confirmation” means a confirmation substantially in the form of Schedule 10 (Form of Increase Confirmation).
“Increase Lender” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.2 (Increase).
“Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed” means:
(A) | any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest of other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities other than indebtedness which is owed to an entity within the Group; |
(B) | any borrowed money other than money borrowed by one entity within the Group from another entity within the Group; or |
(C) | any liability under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit, |
provided that Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed shall not include any Cash Pooling Balance.
“Insolvency Event” means, in relation to a Finance Party, that the Finance Party:
(A) | is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(B) | becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; |
(C) | makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; |
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(D) | has exercised in respect of it one or more of the stabilisation powers pursuant to Part 1 of the Banking Act 2009 and/or has instituted against it a bank insolvency proceeding pursuant to Part 2 of the Banking Act 2009 or a bank administration proceeding pursuant to Part 3 of the Banking Act 2009; |
(E) | has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(F) | seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed); |
(G) | has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; |
(H) | causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (A) to (G) above; or |
(I) | takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts. |
“Interest Period” means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 11 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 10.4 (Default interest).
“Interpolated Alternative Term Rate” means, in relation to any Term Rate Loan, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Alternative Term Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:
(A) | the applicable Alternative Term Rate for the longest period (for which that Alternative Term Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(B) | the applicable Alternative Term Rate for the shortest period (for which that Alternative Term Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan, |
each as of the Quotation Time.
“Interpolated Primary Term Rate” means, in relation to any Term Rate Loan, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Primary Term Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:
(A) | the applicable Primary Term Rate for the longest period (for which that Primary Term Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(B) | the applicable Primary Term Rate for the shortest period (for which that Primary Term Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan, |
each as of the Quotation Time.
“ITA” means the Income Tax Act 2007.
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“Legal Opinions” means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under Clause 5.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or pursuant to the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement or the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Legal Reservations” means:
(A) | the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court; |
(B) | the limitation on enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria and administration and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors; |
(C) | the time barring of claims, |
(D) | the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void; |
(E) | defences of set-off or counterclaim; |
(F) | similar principles and similar matters under the laws of any jurisdiction in which relevant obligations may have to be performed; and |
(G) | any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions. |
“Lender” means:
(A) | any Original Lender; |
(B) | any Acceding Lender; and |
(B) | any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a “Lender” in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase), Clause 3 (Accordion Option) or Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), |
which in each case has not ceased to be a Party as such in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“LMA” means the Loan Market Association.
“Loan” means a loan made or to be made under a Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
“Lookback Period” means the number of days specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Majority Lenders” means a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 662/3% of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 662/3% of the Total Commitments immediately prior to the reduction).
“Margin” means:
[***] |
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“Margin Certificate” means a certificate from the Borrower (signed by two authorised signatories of the Borrower) substantially in the form of Schedule 8 (Form of Margin Certificate) which confirms the then current Credit Rating of the Borrower.
“Market Disruption Rate” means the rate (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on:
(A) | the ability of the Borrower to perform its payment obligations under any Finance Document; or |
(B) | the validity or enforceability of any Finance Document. |
“Material Subsidiary” means, at any time, a Subsidiary of the Borrower:
(A) | whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares audited consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Borrower represent not less than ten per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided that in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the end of the financial period to which the latest relevant financial statements relate, the reference to the latest financial statements for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until financial statements for the financial period in which the acquisition is made are published, be deemed to be a reference to such first-mentioned financial statements as if such Subsidiary had been shown in such statements by reference to its own latest financial statements, adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Borrower; |
(B) | any Subsidiary which has Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency); or |
(C) | to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Borrower which immediately before the transfer is a Material Subsidiary. |
“Month” means, in relation to an Interest Period (or any other period for the accrual of commission or fees in a currency), a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, subject to adjustment in accordance with the rules specified as Business Day Conventions in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Limited or any successor to its rating business.
“Net Debt” means, at any time for the purposes of Clause 23.4 (Disposals), Total Borrowings (at that time) less any Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments (at that time).
“Net Disposal Proceeds” means any amount of Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments received by the Group as consideration for a Restricted Disposal (whether by way of share or asset sale) after deducting:
(A) | any fees and transaction costs properly incurred in connection with that Restricted Disposal; |
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(B) | any Taxes paid as a result of that Restricted Disposal; and |
(C) | any Taxes reasonably estimated by the directors of the Borrower to be payable as a result of that Restricted Disposal. |
“New Lender” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders).
“Optional Currency” means a currency (other than the Base Currency) which complies with the conditions set out in Clause 5.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies).
“Original Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.
“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“Party” means a party to this Agreement.
“Permitted Guarantee” means any guarantee or guarantees issued by Rentokil Initial 1927 plc in an amount not exceeding £10,000,000 in aggregate.
“Permitted Reorganisation” means a solvent re-organisation or restructuring of the Group which results in the Borrower becoming a Subsidiary of a new Holding Company which has substantially the same shareholders as the Borrower had prior to the relevant re-organisation or restructuring.
“Permitted Transaction” means:
(A) | an intra-Group re-organisation on a solvent basis; or |
(B) | any other transaction agreed by the Majority Lenders. |
“Primary Term Rate” means the rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Qualifying Lender” has the meaning given to it in Clause 14 (Tax gross-up and indemnities).
“Quotation Day” means the day specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Quotation Time” means the relevant time (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Quoted Tenor” means, in relation to a Primary Term Rate or an Alternative Term Rate, any period for which that rate is customarily displayed on the relevant page or screen of an information service.
“Reference Rate Supplement” means, in relation to any currency, a document which:
(A) | is agreed in writing by the Borrower, the Agent (in its own capacity) and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); |
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(B) | specifies for that currency the relevant terms which are expressed in this Agreement to be determined by reference to Reference Rate Terms; |
(C) | specifies whether that currency is a Compounded Rate Currency or a Term Rate Currency; and |
(D) | has been made available to the Borrower and each Finance Party. |
“Reference Rate Terms” means, in relation to:
(A) | a currency; |
(B) | a Loan or an Unpaid Sum in that currency; |
(C) | an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum (or other period for the accrual of commission or fees in a currency); or |
(D) | any term of this Agreement relating to the determination of a rate of interest in relation to such a Loan or Unpaid Sum, |
the terms set out for that currency, and (where such terms are set out for different categories of Loan, Unpaid Sum or accrual of commission or fees in that currency) for the category of that Loan, Unpaid Sum or accrual, in Schedule 14 (Reference Rate Terms) or in any Reference Rate Supplement.
“Related Fund” in relation to a fund (the “first fund”), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
“Relevant Market” means the market specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Relevant Nominating Body” means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of them or the Financial Stability Board.
“Relevant Testing Date” means 31 December and 30 June of each year.
“Repeating Representations” means each of the representations set out in Clause 20 (Representations) other than Clause 20.5 (Authorisations), Clause 20.7 (Deduction of Tax), Clause 20.8 (No filing or stamp taxes), Clause 20.9 (No default), Clause 20.10 (No misleading information) and Clause 20.11(C) (Financial statements).
“Reporting Day” means the day (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Reporting Time” means the relevant time (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Representative” means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
“Resolution Authority” means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
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“Restricted Disposal” means any disposal where the nature of the business or asset being disposed of would result in the relevant transaction being a Class 1 Transaction (as such term is defined in the U.K. Listing Rules).
“RFR” means the rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“RFR Banking Day” means any day specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Rollover Loan” means, with respect to any Facility, one or more Loans under that Facility:
(A) | made or to be made on the same day that a maturing Loan under that Facility is due to be repaid; |
(B) | the aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the amount of the maturing Loan; |
(C) | in the same currency as the maturing Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency)); and |
(D) | made or to be made for the purpose of refinancing a maturing Loan. |
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings UK Limited or any successor to its rating business.
“Sanctions” means:
(A) | United Nations sanctions imposed pursuant to any United Nations Security Council Resolution; |
(B) | US sanctions administered or enforced by the US, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury and the Department of State; |
(C) | EU restrictive measures implemented pursuant to any EU Council or Commission regulation or decision adopted pursuant to a common position in furtherance of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy; and |
(D) | UK sanctions (i) enacted by statutory instrument pursuant to the United Nations Act 1946 or the European Communities Act 1972; and/or (ii) administered or enforced by the UK, including Her Majesty’s Treasury. |
“Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated 23 August 2018 and made between, among others, the Borrower, Rentokil Initial 1927 plc and the Agent.
“Second Amendment and Restatement Fee Letters” means each Fee Letter under and as defined in the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Second Amendment Letter” means the amendment letter dated 9 June 2017 and made between the Borrower and the Agent.
“Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
“Specified Time” means a day or time determined in accordance with Schedule 9 (Timetables).
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“Subsidiary” means:
(A) | a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006; and |
(B) | in relation to the financial statements of the Borrower, a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006. |
“TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
“TARGET Day” means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in euro.
“Tax” means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
“Term Rate Currency” means:
(A) | euro and US dollars; and |
(B) | any currency specified as such in a Reference Rate Supplement relating to that currency, |
to the extent, in any case, not specified otherwise in a subsequent Reference Rate Supplement.
“Term Rate Loan” means any Loan or, if applicable, Unpaid Sum in a Term Rate Currency to the extent that it is not, or has not become, either:
(A) | a “Compounded Rate Loan” for its then current Interest Period pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate); or |
(B) | a “Compounded Rate Loan” pursuant to Clause 10A (Rate Switch) . |
“Term Reference Rate” means, in relation to a Term Rate Loan:
(A) | the applicable Primary Term Rate as of the Quotation Time for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan ; or |
(B) | as otherwise determined pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate), |
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, the Term Reference Rate shall be deemed to be zero.
“Termination Date” means:
(A) | in relation to the Effective Date Facility, 20 August 2025; |
(B) | in relation to each Accordion Facility, the date which is the earlier of: |
(1) | 364 days from the Accordion Facility Establishment Date in respect of that Accordion Facility; and |
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(2) | 20 August 2025. |
“Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated ……………….. 2021 and made between, among others, the Borrower and the Agent.
“Third Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter” means the Fee Letter under and as defined in the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Total Borrowings” means, in respect of the Group, at any time, the aggregate of the following liabilities calculated at the nominal, principal or other amount at which the liabilities would be carried in a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower drawn up at that time:
(A) | any moneys borrowed; |
(B) | any acceptance under any acceptance credit (including any dematerialised equivalent); |
(C) | any bond, note, debenture, loan stock or similar instrument; |
(D) | any Finance Lease; |
(E) | any moneys owing in connection with the sale or discounting of receivables (except to the extent that there is no recourse); |
(F) | any indebtedness arising from any deferred payment agreements arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset; |
(G) | any indebtedness arising in connection with any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which is required, in accordance with IFRS, to be shown as an indebtedness or borrowing in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group; and |
(H) | any indebtedness of any person of a type referred to in paragraphs (A) to (G), above, which is the subject of a guarantee, indemnity or similar assurance against financial loss given by a member of the Group, |
and, in any event, excluding any accrual deficit of any member of the Group in respect of defined benefit pension schemes other than where such deficit is funded by any moneys borrowed.
“Total Accordion Facility Commitments” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, the aggregate of the Accordion Facility Commitments relating to that Accordion Facility.
“Total Commitments” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Total Effective Date Facility Commitments and the Aggregate Total Accordion Facility Commitments, being £550,000,000 on the 2021 Effective Date.
“Total Effective Date Facility Commitments” means the aggregate of the Effective Date Facility Commitments being £550,000,000 on the 2021 Effective Date.
“Trade Instruments” means any performance bonds, or advance payment bonds or documentary letters of credit issued in respect of the obligations of any member of the Group arising in the ordinary course of trading of that member of the Group (and which does not have the commercial effect of borrowing).
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“Transfer Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.
“Transfer Date” means, in relation to an assignment or a transfer, the later of:
(A) | the proposed Transfer Date specified in the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate; and |
(B) | the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate. |
“UK Bail-In Legislation” means Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 and any other law or regulation applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (otherwise than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Unpaid Sum” means any sum due and payable but unpaid by the Borrower under the Finance Documents.
“US” means the United States of America.
“US Tax Obligor” means the Borrower at any time when some or all of its payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
“Utilisation” means a utilisation of a Facility.
“Utilisation Date” means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan under a Facility is to be made.
“Utilisation Request” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Form of Utilisation Request).
“VAT” means:
(A) | any value added tax imposed by the Value Added Tax Act 1994; and |
(B) | any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and |
(C) | any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in the United Kingdom or in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraphs (A) or (B) above, or imposed elsewhere. |
“Write-down and Conversion Powers” means:
(A) | in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and |
(B) | in relation to the UK Bail-In Legislation, any powers under that UK Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that UK Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
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(C) | in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation: |
(1) | any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
(2) | any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation. |
1.2 | Construction |
(A) | Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in any Finance Document to: |
(1) | the “Agent”, any “Arranger”, any “Finance Party”, any “Lender”, or any “Party” shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents; |
(2) | “assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
(3) | a Lender’s “cost of funds” in relation to its participation in a Loan is a reference to the average cost (determined either on an actual or a notional basis) which that Lender would incur if it were to fund, from whatever source(s) it may reasonably select, an amount equal to the amount of that participation in that Loan for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; |
(4) | a “Finance Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated; |
(5) | a “group of Lenders” includes all the Lenders; |
(6) | “indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
(7) | a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality); |
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(8) | a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but, if not having the force of law, being of a type with which any person to which it applies is accustomed to comply) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or of any regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; |
(9) | a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; |
(10) | a time of day is a reference to London time; and |
(11) | the date of this Agreement means 27 January 2015. |
(B) | There is no Arranger, and any references to an Arranger should be ignored when construing the Finance Documents. |
(C) | Clause and schedule headings are for ease of reference only. |
(D) | Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement. |
(E) | A Default is “continuing” if it has not been remedied or waived. |
(F) | Except as provided to the contrary in this Agreement, an accounting term used in this Agreement is to be construed in accordance with the principles applied in connection with the Original Financial Statements. |
(G) | A reference in this Agreement to a page or screen of an information service displaying a rate shall include: |
(1) | any replacement page of that information service which displays that rate; and |
(2) | the appropriate page of such other information service which displays that rate from time to time in place of that information service, |
and, if such page or service ceases to be available, shall include any other page or service displaying that rate specified by the Agent after consultation with the Borrower.
(H) | A reference in this Agreement to a Central Bank Rate shall include any successor rate to, or replacement rate for, that rate. |
(I) | Any Reference Rate Supplement relating to a currency overrides anything relating to that currency in: |
(1) | Schedule 14 (Reference Rate Terms); or |
(2) | any earlier Reference Rate Supplement. |
(J) | A Compounding Methodology Supplement relating to the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate or the Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate overrides anything relating to that rate in: |
(1) | Schedule 15 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or Schedule 16 (Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate), as the case may be; or |
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(2) | any earlier Compounding Methodology Supplement. |
(K) | The determination of the extent to which a rate is “for a period equal in length” to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. |
1.3 | Currency symbols and definitions |
“$”, “USD” and “dollars” denote the lawful currency of the United States of America. “£”, “GBP” and “sterling” denote the lawful currency of the United Kingdom. “€”, “EUR” and “euro” denote the single currency of the Participating Member States.
1.4 | Third party rights |
(A) | Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document a person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement. |
(B) | Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Agreement at any time. |
2. | The Facilities |
2.1 | The Facilities |
(A) | Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower a multicurrency revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Effective Date Facility Commitments. |
(B) | In addition, up to (at any time) four Accordion Facilities may be made available to the Borrower in accordance with Clause 3 (Accordion Option) in an aggregate amount of no more than £200,000,000. |
2.2 | Increase |
(A) | The Borrower may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling five Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of: |
(1) | the Available Commitments of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with Clause 9.8 (Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender); or |
(2) | the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with: |
(a) | Clause 9.1 (Illegality); or |
(b) | Clause 9.5 (Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), |
request that the Commitments relating to any Facility be increased (and the Commitments relating to that Facility shall be so increased) in an aggregate amount in the Base Currency of up to the amount of the Available Commitments or Commitments relating to that Facility so cancelled as follows:
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(3) | the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Eligible Institutions (each an “Increase Lender”) each of which confirms in writing (whether in the relevant Increase Confirmation or otherwise) its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume, as if it had been an Original Lender in respect of those Commitments; |
(4) | the Borrower and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Borrower and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender in respect of that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume; |
(5) | each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender in respect of that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume; |
(6) | the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and |
(7) | any increase in the Commitments relating to a Facility shall take effect on the date specified by the Borrower in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in Clause 2.2(B) are satisfied. |
(B) | An increase in the Commitments relating to a Facility will only be effective on: |
(1) | the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender; and |
(2) | in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase the Agent being satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Increase Lender upon being so satisfied. |
(C) | Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as it would have been had it been an Original Lender. |
(D) | The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably and properly incurred by it in connection with any increase in Commitments under this Clause 2.2 (Increase). |
(E) | The Increase Lender shall, on the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee in an amount equal to the fee which would be payable under Clause 25.4 (Assignment or transfer fee) if the increase was a transfer pursuant to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer) and if the Increase Lender was a New Lender. |
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(F) | The Borrower may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Borrower and the Increase Lender in a Fee Letter. |
(G) | Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find an Increase Lender and in no event shall any Lender whose Commitment is replaced by an Increase Lender be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents. |
(H) | Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.2 (Increase) in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) to: |
(1) | an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase; |
(2) | the “New Lender” were references to that “Increase Lender”; and |
(3) | a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references to respectively a “transfer” and “assignment”. |
2.3 | Finance Parties’ rights and obligations |
(A) | The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents. |
(B) | The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from the Borrower is a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (C) below. The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of a Loan or any other amount owed by the Borrower which relates to a Finance Party’s participation in a Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by the Borrower. |
(C) | A Finance Party may, except as specifically stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under or in connection with the Finance Documents. |
3. | Accordion Option |
3.1 | Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders |
(A) | Subject to the provisions of this Clause 3 (Accordion Option) and provided that: |
(1) | no Default is then continuing or would occur as a result of the establishment of the relevant Accordion Facility; |
(2) | the Accordion Facility Proposed Size the subject of the relevant Accordion Facility Proposal is no less than £50,000,000 and no more than, when aggregated with any existing Accordion Facility Commitments under any already existing Accordion Facility which have not otherwise been repaid and/or cancelled pursuant to this Agreement and the amounts of the Accordion Facility Proposed Size under any other Accordion Facilities that have been requested but are not yet effective, £200,000,000, |
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the Borrower may solicit participations in any proposed Accordion Facility by delivery of an Accordion Facility Proposal to the Agent and:
(3) | each Accordion Option A Lender; and |
(4) | any Accordion Option B Lender(s) which the Borrower may select in its sole discretion, |
such Lenders being, with respect to each Accordion Facility Proposal, the “Invited Lenders”.
(B) | Upon receipt of an Accordion Facility Proposal under Clause 3.1(A), each Invited Lender shall have the right (but not the obligation) by no later than 5 pm on the last day of the Accordion Facility Tender Period to notify the Borrower and the Agent of the proposed Accordion Facility Commitment that it unconditionally offers to make available in respect of the proposed Accordion Facility (each Lender who exercises such right being, with respect to that Accordion Facility Proposal, an “Accordion Facility Participating Lender”). Any Invited Lender which has not responded by 5 pm on the last day of the Accordion Facility Tender Period shall be deemed to have declined the invitation to participate in the Accordion Facility the subject of the relevant Accordion Facility Proposal. |
(C) | the aggregate amount of the proposed Accordion Facility Commitments offered by the Accordion Facility Participating Lenders pursuant to Clause 3.1(B) above in respect of an Accordion Facility Proposal exceeds the Accordion Facility Proposed Size set out in that Accordion Facility Proposal, those proposed Accordion Facility Commitments shall be reduced to the extent necessary such that each such Accordion Facility Participating Lender’s Accordion Facility Commitments are no greater than the proportion borne by the aggregate of its Commitments to the aggregate of the Commitments of all of the Accordion Facility Participating Lenders in respect of that Accordion Facility Proposal (such proportion being, in respect of each Accordion Facility Participating Lender, its “Pro Rata Share”). |
(D) | If at the end of the relevant Accordion Facility Tender Period (or earlier if all of the Lenders have responded prior to the end of that Accordion Facility Tender Period) the amount of the proposed Accordion Facility Commitments requested by the Borrower in the relevant Accordion Facility Proposal are not fully (or not at all) subscribed for by the Invited Lenders (the difference between the Accordion Facility Proposed Size and the Accordion Facility Commitments subscribed for by any Invited Lenders being the “Accordion Facility Shortfall”), the Borrower may invite (in it sole discretion): |
(1) | any Accordion Facility Participating Lender in respect of that Accordion Facility Proposal to further increase its Accordion Facility Commitment to an amount in excess of its Pro Rata Share; and/or |
(2) |
(a) | any Accordion Option B Lender which was not otherwise selected as an Invited Lender pursuant to Clause 3.1(A)(4) above; and/or |
(b) | any other banks, financial institutions, trusts, funds or other entities selected by the Borrower, |
to participate in the proposed Accordion Facility,
in each case in such amounts, by reference to the Accordion Facility Shortfall, as the Borrower may determine in its sole discretion and provided that, in the case of Clause 3.1(D)(2)(b) above, such person(s) sign and deliver to the Agent prior to the relevant Accordion Facility Establishment Date an Accordion Facility Lender Certificate.
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(E) | For the avoidance of doubt no Lender shall have any obligation to become an Accordion Facility Lender and any decision by a Lender to become an Accordion Facility Lender in accordance with this Clause 3 shall be made in its sole discretion. |
3.2 | Delivery of Accordion Facility Notice |
On completion of the process set out in Clause 3.1 (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders), the Borrower may request the establishment of an Accordion Facility by delivering the Agent a duly completed Accordion Facility Notice signed by the Borrower and each of the applicable Accordion Facility Lenders not later than 5 Business Days prior to the proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date specified in that Accordion Facility Notice (or such other later prior to the proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date as the Agent may otherwise agree).
3.3 | Completion of an Accordion Facility Notice |
(A) | Each Accordion Facility Notice is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
(1) | it sets out, with respect to the proposed Accordion Facility, the full legal names of the Accordion Facility Lenders and the amount of each of their Accordion Facility Commitments with respect to the proposed Accordion Facility; and |
(2) | the Accordion Facility Lenders and the Accordion Facility Commitments set out in that Accordion Facility Notice have been selected and allocated in accordance with Clause 3.1 (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders). |
(B) | Only one Accordion Facility may be requested in an Accordion Facility Notice. |
3.4 | Maximum number of Accordion Facilities |
The Borrower may not deliver an Accordion Facility Notice if as a result of the establishment of the proposed Accordion Facility there would be more than four Accordion Facilities in existence under this Agreement (and for the avoidance of doubt any Accordion Facility previously established in respect of which all Accordion Facility Commitments have been cancelled and/or repaid shall no longer be in existence for these purposes).
3.5 | Accordion Facility Terms |
Each Accordion Facility established under the provisions of this Clause 3 (Accordion Option) shall, other than to the extent expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower by the relevant Accordion Facility Lender(s) on the same terms as the Effective Date Facility.
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3.6 | Conditions to establishment |
The establishment of an Accordion Facility will only be effected in accordance with Clause 3.7 (Establishment of Accordion Facility) if:
(A) | on the date of the Accordion Facility Notice and on the Accordion Facility Establishment Date no Default is continuing or would result from the establishment of the proposed Accordion Facility; and |
(B) | each Accordion Facility Lender which is not already a Lender hereunder has delivered an Accordion Facility Lender Certificate to the Agent and the Borrower on or before the Accordion Facility Establishment Date. |
3.7 | Establishment of Accordion Facility |
(A) | If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met the establishment of an Accordion Facility is effected in accordance with Clause 3.7(C) when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Accordion Facility Notice. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 3.7(B), as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Accordion Facility Notice appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Accordion Facility Notice. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Accordion Facility Notice delivered to it by the Borrower once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the establishment of the relevant Accordion Facility. |
(C) | On the Accordion Facility Establishment Date: |
(1) | subject to the terms of this Agreement, the relevant Accordion Facility Lenders make available to the Borrower a multicurrency revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Accordion Facility Commitments specified in the Accordion Facility Notice; |
(2) | each Accordion Facility Lender shall assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to the Accordion Facility Commitment (the “Assumed Accordion Facility Commitment”) specified opposite its name in the Accordion Facility Notice as if it was an Original Lender with respect to that Accordion Facility Commitment; |
(3) | the Borrower and each Accordion Facility Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Borrower and that Accordion Facility Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had that Accordion Facility Lender been an Original Lender with respect to the Assumed Accordion Facility Commitment; |
(4) | each Accordion Facility Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Accordion Facility Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Accordion Facility Lender been an Original Lender with respect to the Assumed Accordion Facility Commitment; and |
(5) | each Accordion Facility Lender (if not already a Lender) shall become a Party as a Lender. |
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3.8 | Notification of establishment |
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the establishment of an Accordion Facility notify the Borrower and the Lenders of that establishment and the applicable Accordion Facility Establishment Date.
3.9 | Accordion Facility fees |
The Borrower shall, on the Accordion Facility Establishment Date becomes effective, pay to the Agent (for the account of the relevant Accordion Facility Lenders) a fee equal to 0.05 per cent. of the Total Accordion Facility Commitments.
3.10 | Prior amendments binding |
Each Accordion Facility Lender, by executing an Accordion Facility Notice, confirms for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the establishment of the Accordion Facility requested in that Accordion Facility Notice became effective.
3.11 | Limitation of responsibility |
Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 3 (Accordion Option) in relation to each Accordion Facility Lender as if references in that Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) to:
(A) | an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant Accordion Facility Establishment Date; |
(B) | the “New Lender” were references to that Accordion Facility Lender; and |
(C) | a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references respectively to a “transfer” and “assignment”. |
4. | Purpose |
4.1 | Purpose |
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Facilities for the general corporate purposes of the Group (which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the refinancing of any Accordion Facility).
4.2 | Monitoring |
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
5. | Conditions of Utilisation |
5.1 | Initial conditions precedent |
(A) | The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request unless the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent to Initial Utilisation) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied. |
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(B) | Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in Clause 5.1(A), the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification. |
5.2 | Further conditions precedent |
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation) if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:
(A) | in the case of a Rollover Loan, no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan and, in the case of any other Loan, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan; and |
(B) | the Repeating Representations to be made by the Borrower are correct in all material respects. |
5.3 | Conditions relating to Optional Currencies |
(A) | A currency will constitute an Optional Currency in relation to a Utilisation if: |
(1) | it is readily available in the amount required and freely convertible into the Base Currency in the wholesale market for that currency at the Specified Time and on the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation; |
(2) | it is dollars or euros or has been approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders under the applicable Facility) on or prior to receipt by the Agent of the relevant Utilisation Request for that Utilisation under the applicable Facility; and |
(3) | there are Reference Rate Terms for that currency. |
(B) | If the Agent has received a written request from the Borrower for a currency to be approved under Clause 5.3(A)(2), the Agent will confirm to the Borrower by the Specified Time: |
(1) | whether or not the Lenders in respect of the applicable Facility have granted their approval; and |
(2) | if approval has been granted, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiples) for any subsequent Utilisation in that currency. |
5.4 | Maximum number of Loans |
(A) | The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request if as a result of the proposed Utilisation more than 20 Loans would be outstanding. |
(B) | Any Loan made by a single Lender under Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) shall not be taken into account in this Clause 5.4 (Maximum number of Utilisations). |
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6. | Utilisation |
6.1 | Delivery of a Utilisation Request |
The Borrower may utilise a Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request in relation to that Facility not later than the Specified Time.
6.2 | Completion of a Utilisation Request |
(A) | Each Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
(1) | it identifies the Facility to be utilised; |
(2) | the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period for that Facility; |
(3) | the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 6.3 (Currency and amount); and |
(4) | the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 11 (Interest Periods). |
(B) | Only one Loan may be requested in each Utilisation Request. |
6.3 | Currency and amount |
(A) | The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be the Base Currency or an Optional Currency. |
(B) | The amount of the proposed Loan under a Facility must be: |
(1) | if the currency selected is the Base Currency, a minimum of £5,000,000 or, if less, the Available Facility for that Facility; or |
(2) | if the currency selected is dollars or euros, an amount in that currency with an equivalent minimum Base Currency Amount of £5,000,000 or if less, the Available Facility for that Facility; or |
(3) | if the currency selected is an Optional Currency other than dollars or euros, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiple) specified by the Agent pursuant to Clause 5.3(B)(2) or, if less, the Available Facility for that Facility; and |
(4) | in any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility for that Facility. |
(C) | The maximum aggregate Base Currency Amount of all Loans shall not exceed the Total Commitments. |
6.4 | Lenders’ participation |
(A) | If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met and subject to Clause 8 (Repayment of Loans), each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office. |
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(B) | The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan. |
(C) | The Agent shall determine the Base Currency Amount of each Loan which is to be made in an Optional Currency and shall notify each Lender of the amount, currency and the Base Currency Amount of each Loan, the amount of its participation in that Loan and, if different, the amount of that participation to be made available in accordance with Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent), in each case by the Specified Time. |
6.5 | Cancellation of Commitments |
The Commitments under a Facility which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period for that Facility.
7. | Optional Currencies |
7.1 | Selection of currency |
The Borrower shall select the currency of a Utilisation in a Utilisation Request.
7.2 | Unavailability of a currency |
If before the Specified Time:
(A) | a Lender notifies the Agent that the Optional Currency requested is not readily available to it in the amount required; or |
(B) | a Lender notifies the Agent that compliance with its obligation to participate in a Loan in the proposed Optional Currency would contravene a law or regulation applicable to it, |
the Agent will give notice to the Borrower to that effect by the Specified Time. In this event, any Lender that gives notice pursuant to this Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) will be required to participate in the Loan in the Base Currency (in an amount equal to that Lender’s proportion of the Base Currency Amount or, in respect of a Rollover Loan, an amount equal to that Lender’s proportion of the Base Currency Amount of the Rollover Loan that is due to be made) and its participation will be treated as a separate Loan denominated in the Base Currency during that Interest Period.
7.3 | Participation in a Loan |
Each Lender’s participation in a Loan will be determined in accordance with Clause 6.4(B) (Lenders’ participation).
8. | Repayment of Loans |
(A) | The Borrower shall repay each Loan on the last day of its Interest Period. |
(B) | Without prejudice to the Borrower’s obligation under Clause 8(A), if: |
(1) | one or more Loans under the same Facility are to be made available to the Borrower: |
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(a) | on the same day that a maturing Loan under that Facility is due to be repaid by the Borrower; |
(b) | in the same currency as the maturing Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency)); and |
(c) | in whole or in part for the purpose of refinancing the maturing Loan; and |
(2) | the proportion borne by each Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan to the amount of that maturing Loan is the same as the proportion borne by that Lender’s participation in the new Loans to the aggregate amount of those new Loans, |
the aggregate amount of the new Loans shall, unless the Borrower notifies the Agent to the contrary in the relevant Utilisation Request, be treated as if applied in or towards repayment of the maturing Loan so that:
(a) | if the amount of the maturing Loan exceeds the aggregate amount of the new Loans: |
(i) | the Borrower will only be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) in an amount in the relevant currency equal to that excess; and |
(ii) | each Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and that Lender will not be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) in respect of its participation in the new Loans; and |
(b) | if the amount of the maturing Loan is equal to or less than the aggregate amount of the new Loans: |
(i) | the Borrower will not be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent); and |
(ii) | each Lender will be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) in respect of its participation in the new Loans only to the extent that its participation in the new Loans exceeds that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and the remainder of that Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan. |
(C) | At any time when a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the maturity date of each of the participations of that Lender in the Loans then outstanding will be automatically extended to the Termination Date for the Facility in respect of which those Loans are outstanding and will be treated as separate Loans (the “Separate Loans”) denominated in the currency in which the relevant participations are outstanding. |
(D) | If the Borrower makes a prepayment of a Utilisation pursuant to Clause 9.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Loans), the Borrower may prepay a Separate Loan by giving not less than five Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent. The Agent will forward a copy of a prepayment notice received in accordance with this Clause 8(D) to the Defaulting Lender concerned as soon as practicable on receipt. |
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(E) | Interest in respect of a Separate Loan will accrue for successive Interest Periods selected by the Borrower by the time and date specified by the Agent (acting reasonably) and will be payable by the Borrower to the Agent (for the account of that Defaulting Lender) on the last day of each Interest Period of that Loan. |
(F) | The terms of this Agreement relating to Loans generally shall continue to apply to Separate Loans other than to the extent inconsistent with Clause 8(C) to Clause 8(E), in which case those Clauses shall prevail in respect of any Separate Loan. |
9. | Prepayment and Cancellation |
9.1 | Illegality |
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for any Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in any Utilisation or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so:
(A) | that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
(B) | upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, each Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and |
(C) | to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been transferred pursuant to Clause 9.5(D) (Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations made to the Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period for each Utilisation occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s corresponding Commitments shall be cancelled in the amount of the participations repaid. |
9.2 | Change of control |
(A) | If any person or group of persons acting in concert gains control of the Borrower other than by way of a Permitted Reorganisation the Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event. |
(B) | After the delivery of a notification under Clause 9.2(A): |
(1) | a Lender shall not be obliged to fund a Utilisation (except for a Rollover Loan); and |
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(2) | the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders) and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith for a period of not less than 45 days with a view to resolving any concerns of the Lenders arising from that change of control and the continuation of the Facilities (on the same or alternative terms). If, at the expiry of that 45 day period, the concerns of the Lenders arising from the change of control have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Lenders, then, if a Lender so requires, the Agent shall, within five days after the end of the 45 day period, by notice to the Borrower: |
(a) | cancel the Commitments of that Lender; and |
(b) | declare that Lender’s share in all outstanding Utilisations, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents in respect of that Lender’s share, to be immediately due and payable. |
Any such notice shall take effect in accordance with its terms.
(C) | For the purpose of Clause 9.2(A) “control” has the meaning given to it section 450 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. |
(D) | For the purpose of Clause 9.2(A) “acting in concert” has the meaning given to it in the City Code on Takeover and Mergers. |
9.3 | Voluntary cancellation |
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of £1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any Optional Currency)) of any Available Facility. Any cancellation under this Clause 9.3 (Voluntary cancellation) shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders under that Facility rateably.
9.4 | Voluntary prepayment of Loans |
(A) | The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than: |
(1) | in the case of a Term Rate Loan, three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice; or |
(2) | in the case of a Compounded Rate Loan, five RFR Banking Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, |
prepay the whole or any part of a Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the Base Currency Amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of £1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any Optional Currency)).
(B) | The Borrower may not prepay the whole or any part of a Compounded Rate Loan more than four times in any 12 Month period (or otherwise agreed with the Agent and the Majority Lenders). |
9.5 | Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender |
(A) | If: |
(1) | any sum payable to any Lender by the Borrower is required to be increased under Clause 12.3 (Market disruption) or Clause 14.2(C) (Tax gross-up); or |
(2) | any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity) or Clause 15.1 (Increased costs), |
the Borrower may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment(s) of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations or give the Agent notice of its intention to replace that Lender in accordance with Clause 9.5(D).
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(B) | On receipt of a notice of cancellation referred to in Clause 9.5(A), the Commitment(s) of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
(C) | On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice of cancellation under Clause 9.5(A) (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in that Utilisation. |
(D) | If: |
(1) | any of the circumstances set out in Clause 9.5(A) apply to a Lender; or |
(2) | the Borrower becomes obliged to pay any amount in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Illegality) to any Lender, |
the Borrower may, on five Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and that Lender, replace that Lender by requiring that Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, that Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Institution which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of the transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations, all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.
(E) | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to Clause 9.5(D) shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a replacement Lender; |
(3) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under Clause 9.5(D) be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(4) | the Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 9.5(D) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer. |
(F) | A Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 9.5(E)(4) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 9.5(D) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
9.6 | Restrictions |
(A) | Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this Clause 9 (Prepayment and Cancellation) shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. |
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(B) | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty. |
(C) | Unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of a Facility which is prepaid or repaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(D) | The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Utilisations or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement. |
(E) | Subject to Clause 2.2 (Increase) and without prejudice to the establishment of any Accordion Facility as permitted by Clause 3 (Accordion Option), no amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated. |
(F) | If the Agent receives a notice under this Clause 9 (Prepayment and Cancellation) it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate. |
(G) | If all or part of any Lender’s participation in a Loan is repaid or prepaid and is not available for redrawing (other than by operation of Clause 5.2 (Further conditions precedent)), an amount of that Lender’s Commitments (equal to the Base Currency Amount of the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid) under the Facility to which that Loan relates will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment. |
(H) | For the avoidance of doubt, any Commitments cancelled or repaid under any Accordion Facility will not preclude the establishment of another Accordion Facility in accordance with Clause 3 (Accordion Option) provided that the Aggregate Total Accordion Facility Commitments at any one time are no greater than £200,000,000. |
9.7 | Application of prepayments |
Any prepayment of a Utilisation pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Change of control) or Clause 9.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Loans) shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in that Utilisation.
9.8 | Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender |
(A) | If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent five Business Days’ notice of cancellation of each Available Commitment of that Lender. |
(B) | On the notice referred to in Clause 9.8(A) becoming effective, each Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
(C) | The Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of a notice referred to in Clause 9.8(A), notify all the Lenders. |
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10A Rate Switch
10A.1 Switch to Compounded Reference Rate
Subject to Clause 10A.2 (Delayed switch for existing Term Rate Loans), on and from the Rate Switch Date for a Rate Switch Currency:
(A) | use of the Compounded Reference Rate will replace the use of the Term Reference Rate for the calculation of interest for Loans in that Rate Switch Currency; and |
(B) | any Loan or Unpaid Sum in that Rate Switch Currency shall be a “Compounded Rate Loan” and Clause 10.2 (Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans) shall apply to each such Loan or Unpaid Sum. |
10A.2 Delayed switch for existing Term Rate Loans
If the Rate Switch Date for a Rate Switch Currency falls before the last day of an Interest Period for a Term Rate Loan in that currency:
(A) | that Loan shall continue to be a Term Rate Loan for that Interest Period and Clause 10.1 (Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans) shall continue to apply to that Loan for that Interest Period; and |
(B) | on and from the first day of the next Interest Period (if any) for that Loan: |
(1) | that Loan shall be a “Compounded Rate Loan”; and |
(2) | Clause 10.2 (Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans) shall apply to that Loan. |
10A.3 Notifications by Agent
(A) | Following the occurrence of a Rate Switch Trigger Event for a Rate Switch Currency, the Agent shall: |
(1) | promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of that Rate Switch Trigger Event, notify the Borrower and the Lenders of that occurrence ; and |
(2) | promptly upon becoming aware of the date of the Rate Switch Trigger Event Date applicable to that Rate Switch Trigger Event, notify the Borrower and the Lenders of that date. |
(B) | The Agent shall, promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of the Rate Switch Date for a Rate Switch Currency, notify the Borrower and the Lenders of that occurrence. |
(C) | The Parties agree that the announcement on 5 March 2021 by the UK Financial Conduct Authority as to the future cessation or loss of representativeness of the 35 LIBOR benchmark settings constitutes a Rate Switch Trigger Event for Dollars and the Rate Switch Trigger Event Date applicable to that Rate Switch Trigger Event is 1 July 2023. The Agent shall not be required to notify any Party under paragraph (A) above in respect of that Rate Switch Trigger Event or Rate Switch Trigger Event Date. |
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10A.4 Rate switch definitions
In this Agreement:
“Backstop Rate Switch Date” means in relation to a Rate Switch Currency:
(A) | the date (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms; or |
(B) | any other date agreed as such between the Agent, the Majority Lenders and the Borrower in relation to that currency. |
“Rate Switch Currency” means a Term Rate Currency:
(A) | which is specified as a “Rate Switch Currency” in the applicable Reference Rate Terms; and |
(B) | for which there are Reference Rate Terms applicable to Compounded Rate Loans. |
“Rate Switch Date” means:
(A) | in relation to a Rate Switch Currency, the earlier of: |
(i) | the Backstop Rate Switch Date; and |
(ii) | any Rate Switch Trigger Event Date, |
for that Rate Switch Currency; or
(B) | in relation to a Rate Switch Currency which: |
(i) | becomes a Rate Switch Currency after the 2021 Effective Date; and |
(ii) | for which there is a date specified as the “Rate Switch Date” in the applicable Reference Rate Terms, |
that date.
“Rate Switch Trigger Event” means:
(A) | in relation to any Rate Switch Currency and the Primary Term Rate applicable to Loans in that Rate Switch Currency: |
(i)
(a) | the administrator of that Primary Term Rate or its supervisor publicly announces that such administrator is insolvent; or |
(b) | information is published in any order, decree, notice, petition or filing, however described, of or filed with a court, tribunal, exchange, regulatory authority or similar administrative, regulatory or judicial body which reasonably confirms that the administrator of that Primary Term Rate is insolvent, |
provided that, in each case, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Primary Term Rate;
(ii) | the administrator of that Primary Term Rate publicly announces that it has ceased or will cease to provide that Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor permanently or indefinitely and, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Primary Term Rate for that Quoted Tenor; |
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(iii) | the supervisor of the administrator of that Primary Term Rate publicly announces that such Primary Term Rate has been or will be permanently or indefinitely discontinued for any Quoted Tenor; or |
(iv) | the administrator of that Primary Term Rate or its supervisor publicly announces that that Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor may no longer be used; and |
(B) | in relation to the Primary Term Rate for any Rate Switch Currency, the supervisor of the administrator of that Primary Term Rate publicly announces or publishes information stating that that Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor is no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative of the underlying market and the economic reality that it is intended to measure and that such representativeness will not be restored (as determined by such supervisor). |
(C) | For the avoidance of doubt, neither the cessation nor the announcement of “non-representativeness” of a Discontinued Tenor shall constitute a Rate Switch Trigger Event. |
“Rate Switch Trigger Event Date” means, in relation to a Rate Switch Currency:
(A) | in the case of an occurrence of a Rate Switch Trigger Event for that Rate Switch Currency described in paragraph (A)(i) of the definition of “Rate Switch Trigger Event”, the date on which the relevant Primary Term Rate ceases to be published or otherwise becomes unavailable; |
(B) | in the case of an occurrence of a Rate Switch Trigger Event for that Rate Switch Currency described in paragraphs (A)(ii), (A)(iii) or (A)(iv) of the definition of “Rate Switch Trigger Event”, the date on which the relevant Primary Term Rate for the relevant Quoted Tenor ceases to be published or otherwise becomes unavailable; and |
(C) | in the case of an occurrence of a Rate Switch Trigger Event for that Rate Switch Currency described in paragraph (B) of the definition of “Rate Switch Trigger Event”, the date on which the relevant Primary Term Rate for the relevant Quoted Tenor ceases to be representative of the underlying market and the economic reality that it is intended to measure (as determined by the supervisor of the administrator of such Primary Term Rate). |
10. | Interest |
10.1 | Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans |
The rate of interest on each Term Rate Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:
(A) | Margin; and |
(B) | Term Reference Rate. |
10.2 | Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans |
(A) | The rate of interest on each Compounded Rate Loan for any day during an Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable: |
(1) | Margin; and |
(2) | Compounded Reference Rate for that day. |
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(B) | If any day during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan is not an RFR Banking Day, the rate of interest on that Compounded Rate Loan for that day will be the rate applicable to the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day. |
10.3 | Payment of interest |
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on each Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than six Months, on the dates falling at six-monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).
10.4 | Default interest |
(A) | If the Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to Clause 10.4(B), is one per cent, per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 10.4 (Default interest) shall be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the Agent. |
(B) | If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Term Rate Loan and which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan: |
(1) | the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Loan; and |
(2) | the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be one per cent. per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due. |
(C) | Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable. |
10.5 | Notification |
(A) | The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest relating to a Term Rate Loan. |
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(B) | The Agent shall promptly upon a Compounded Rate Interest Payment being determinable notify: |
(1) | the Borrower of that Compounded Rate Interest Payment; |
(2) | each relevant Lender of the proportion of that Compounded Rate Interest Payment which relates to that Lender’s participation in the relevant Compounded Rate Loan; and |
(3) | the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of: |
(a) | each applicable rate of interest relating to the determination of that Compounded Rate Interest Payment; and |
(b) | to the extent it is then determinable, the Market Disruption Rate (if any) relating to the relevant Compounded Rate Loan. |
This paragraph (B) shall not apply to any Compounded Rate Interest Payment determined pursuant to Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) .
(C) | The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to a Loan. |
(D) | The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest relating to a Compounded Rate Loan to which Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) applies. |
(E) | This Clause 10.5 shall not require the Agent to make any notification to any Party on a day which is not a Business Day. |
11. | Interest Periods |
11.1 | Selection of Interest Periods |
(A) | The Borrower may select an Interest Period for a Loan in the Utilisation Request for that Loan. |
(B) | Subject to this Clause 11 (Interest Periods), the Borrower may select an Interest Period of any period specified in the applicable Reference Rate Terms or of any other period agreed between the Borrower, the Agent and all of the Lenders in relation to the relevant Loan. |
(C) | With respect to the first utilisation of any Accordion Facility, the Borrower may select an Interest Period for an Accordion Facility Loan so that it ends on the last day of an Interest Period for any Loan outstanding as at the date that Accordion Facility Loan is first utilised. |
(D) | An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date for the Facility under which that Loan was borrowed. |
(E) | Each Interest Period for a Loan shall start on the Utilisation Date for that Loan. |
(F) | A Loan has one Interest Period only. |
(G) | No Interest Period shall be longer than six Months. |
(H) | The length of an Interest Period of a Term Rate Loan shall not be affected by that Term Rate Loan becoming a “Compounded Rate Loan” for that Interest Period pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate) |
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11.2 | Non-Business Days |
Any rules specified as “Business Day Conventions” in the applicable Reference Rate Terms for a Loan or Unpaid Sum shall apply to each Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.
12. | Changes to the Calculation of Interest |
12.1 | Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate |
(A) | Interpolated Primary Term Rate: If no Primary Term Rate is available for the Interest Period of a Term Rate Loan, the applicable Term Reference Rate shall be the Interpolated Primary Term Rate for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan. |
(B) | Alternative Term Rate: If paragraph (A) above applies but it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Primary Term Rate, the applicable Term Reference Rate shall be the aggregate of: |
(1) | the Alternative Term Rate as of the Quotation Time for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(2) | any applicable Alternative Term Rate Adjustment. |
(C) | Interpolated Alternative Term Rate: If paragraph (B) above applies but no Alternative Term Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan, the applicable Term Reference Rate shall be the aggregate of: |
(1) | the Interpolated Alternative Term Rate for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(2) | any applicable Alternative Term Rate Adjustment. |
(D) | Compounded Reference Rate or cost of funds: If paragraph (C) above applies but it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Alternative Term Rate then: |
(1) | if “Compounded Reference Rate will apply as a fallback” is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for that Loan and there are Reference Rate Terms applicable to Compounded Rate Loans in the relevant currency: |
(a) | there shall be no Term Reference Rate for that Loan for that Interest Period and Clause 10.1 (Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans) will not apply to that Loan for that Interest Period; and |
(b) | that Loan shall be a “Compounded Rate Loan” for that Interest Period and Clause 10.2 (Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period; and |
(2) | if: |
(a) | “Compounded Reference Rate will not apply as a fallback” and |
(b) | “Cost of funds will apply as a fallback”, |
are specified in the Reference Rate Terms for that Loan, Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period.
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12.2 | Interest calculation if no RFR or Central Bank Rate |
If:
(A) | there is no applicable RFR or Central Bank Rate for the purposes of calculating the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for an RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan; and |
(B) | “Cost of funds will apply as a fallback” is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for that Loan, |
Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period.
12.3 | Market disruption |
If:
(A) | a Market Disruption Rate is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan; and |
(B) | before the Reporting Time for that Loan the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in that Loan exceed 35 per cent. of that Loan) that its cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan would be in excess of that Market Disruption Rate, |
then Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for the relevant Interest Period.
12.4 | Cost of funds |
(A) | If this Clause 12.4 applies to a Loan for an Interest Period neither Clause 10.1 (Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans) nor Clause 10.2 (Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period and the rate of interest on that Loan for that Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of: |
(1) | the applicable Margin; and |
(2) | the weighted average of the rates notified to the Agent by each Lender as soon as practicable and in any event by the Reporting Time for that Loan, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum its cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan. |
(B) | If this Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) applies and the Agent or the Borrower so requires, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest. |
(C) | Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (B) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties. |
(D) | If this Clause 12.4 applies pursuant to Clause 12.3 (Market disruption) and: |
(1) | a Lender's Funding Rate is less than the relevant Market Disruption Rate; or |
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(2) | a Lender does not notify a rate to the Agent by the relevant Reporting Time, |
that Lender's cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (A) above, to be the Market Disruption Rate for that Loan.
(E) | Subject to paragraph (D) above if this Clause 12.4 applies but any Lender does not notify a rate to the Agent by the Reporting Time for the relevant Loan the rate of interest shall be calculated on the basis of the rates notified by the remaining Lenders. |
12.5 | Notification to the Borrower |
If Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) applies the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrower.
12.6 | Break Costs |
(A) | If an amount is specified as Break Costs in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan or Unpaid Sum, the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs (if any) attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day prior to the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum. |
(B) | Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in respect of which they become, or may become, payable. |
13. | Fees |
13.1 | Commitment fee |
(A) | The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in the Base Currency computed at the rate per annum equal to 35 per cent. of the applicable Margin on that Lender’s Available Commitment in respect of a Facility for the Availability Period for that Facility. |
(B) | The accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three Months which ends during the Availability Period, on the last day of the Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective. |
(C) | No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender. |
13.2 | Arrangement fee |
The Borrower shall pay to each of the Arrangers an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
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13.3 | Agency fee |
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for its own account) an agency fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
13.4 | Utilisation Fee |
(A) | The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee computed at a rate of: |
(1) | 0.075 per cent. per annum on the amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loans for each day on which the aggregate amount of the Loans is less than 33⅓ per cent. of the aggregate of the Total Commitments; |
(2) | 0.15 per cent. per annum on the amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loans for each day on which the aggregate amount of the Loans is equal to or greater than 33⅓ per cent. but is less than 66⅔ per cent. of the aggregate of the Total Commitments; and |
(3) | 0.30 per cent. per annum on the amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loans for each day on which the aggregate amount of the Loans is equal to or greater than 66⅔ per cent. of the aggregate of the Total Commitments. |
(B) | Such utilisation fee is payable on the amount of each Lender’s share in the Loans. |
(C) | The accrued utilisation fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three months. The accrued utilisation fee is also payable to the Agent for a Lender on the date that its Commitment is cancelled and its share in the Loans are prepaid or repaid in full. |
14. | Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities |
14.1 | Definitions |
(A) | In this Agreement: |
“Borrower DTTP Filing” means an H.M. Revenue & Customs’ Form DTTP2 duly completed and filed by the Borrower, which:
(1) | where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is an Original Lender or an Acceding Lender, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated opposite that Lender’s name in, as applicable, Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders), or |
(2) | where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is a New Lender, an Increase Lender or an acceding Accordion Facility Lender contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated in respect of that Lender in the relevant documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender. |
“Form DTTP2” means HM Revenue & Customs Form DTTP2, Form DTTP2A or such other prescribed form of notification as HM Revenue & Customs specifies from time to time shall be used pursuant to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme.
“Protected Party” means a Finance Party which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
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“Qualifying Lender” means:
(1) | a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document and is: |
(a) | a Lender: |
(i) | which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document and is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance or would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA; or |
(ii) | in respect of an advance made under a Finance Document by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) at the time that that advance was made and within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance; or |
(b) | a Lender which is: |
(i) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(ii) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(aa) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(ab) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of part 17 of the CTA; |
(iii) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company; or |
(c) | a Treaty Lender; or |
(2) | a Lender which is a building society (as defined for the purpose of section 880 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document. |
“Tax Confirmation” means a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:
(1) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
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(2) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(a) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(b) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of part 17 of the CTA; or |
(3) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company. |
“Tax Credit” means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of any Tax.
“Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document, other than a FATCA Deduction.
“Tax Payment” means either the increase in a payment made by the Borrower to a Finance Party under Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity).
“Treaty Lender” means a Lender which:
(1) | is treated as a resident of a Treaty State for the purposes of the Treaty; |
(2) | does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in the Loan is effectively connected; and |
(3) | fulfils any conditions or requirements for full exemption from Tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest pursuant to such Treaty (subject to completion of any necessary procedural formalities). |
“Treaty State” means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a “Treaty”) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest.
“UK Non-Bank Lender” means, where a Lender becomes a Party after the Effective Date, a Lender which gives a Tax Confirmation in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender.
(B) | Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 14 (Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities) a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination. |
14.2 | Tax gross-up |
(A) | The Borrower shall make all payments to be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law. |
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(B) | The Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower. |
(C) | If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by the Borrower, the amount of the payment due from the Borrower shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required. |
(D) | A payment shall not be increased under Clause 14.2(C) by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Tax imposed by the United Kingdom, if on the date on which the payment falls due: |
(1) | the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Qualifying Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or Treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority; or |
(2) | the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and: |
(a) | an officer of HM Revenue & Customs has given (and not revoked) a direction (a “Direction”) under section 931 of the ITA which relates to the payment and that Lender has received from the Borrower a certified copy of that Direction; and |
(b) | the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if that Direction had not been made; or |
(3) | the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and: |
(a) | the relevant Lender has not given a Tax Confirmation to the Borrower; and |
(b) | the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if the Lender had given a Tax Confirmation to the Borrower, on the basis that the Tax Confirmation would have enabled the Borrower to have formed a reasonable belief that the payment was an “excepted payment” for the purpose of section 930 of the ITA; or |
(4) | the relevant Lender is a Treaty Lender and the Borrower is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without the Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under Clause 14.2(G). |
(E) | If the Borrower is required to make a Tax Deduction, it shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law. |
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(F) | Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment a statement under section 975 of the ITA or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority. |
(G) |
(1) | Subject to Clause 14.2(G)(2) and Clause 14.2(G)(3), a Treaty Lender and the Borrower which makes a payment to which that Treaty Lender is entitled shall co-operate in completing any procedural formalities necessary for the Borrower to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction. |
(2) | Nothing in Clause 14.2(G)(1) shall require a Treaty Lender to: |
(a) | register under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme; or |
(b) | apply the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to any Utilisation if it has so registered. |
(3) |
(a) | A Treaty Lender which becomes a Party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into (or, in the case of an Acceding Lender, on the Effective Date) that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence opposite its name in, as applicable, Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders); and |
(b) | a New Lender, an Increase Lender or an acceding Accordion Facility Lender that is a Treaty Lender which holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender, |
and, having done so, that Lender shall automatically be deemed to have discharged all its obligations and responsibilities pursuant to Clause 14.2(G)(1).
(H) | If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3): |
(1) | such confirmation shall constitute notification by such Lender to the Borrower that the Lender wishes the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to apply to this Agreement and that pursuant to such scheme the Borrower must comply with its obligations under Clause 14.2(H)(2); and |
(2) | the Borrower shall file a duly completed Form DTTP2 in respect of such Lender with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of, as applicable, (i) the date of this Agreement, (ii) the Effective Date (in the case of an Acceding Lender), or (iii) the date on which that Treaty Lender becomes a Party as a Lender in the case of a New Lender, Increase Lender or Accordion Facility Lender. |
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(I) | If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3) and the Borrower making a payment to that Lender has made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender but: |
(1) | such Borrower DTTP Filing has been rejected by H.M. Revenue & Customs; or |
(2) | H.M. Revenue & Customs has not issued to the Borrower a direction pursuant to Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations (SI 1970/488) that interest under the Facilities can be paid without a Tax Deduction pursuant to the relevant Treaty within 30 Business Days of the date of the Borrower DTTP Filing, |
and in each case, the Borrower has notified that Lender in writing, then that Lender and the Borrower shall co-operate in completing any additional procedural formalities necessary for that Borrower to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction.
(J) | If a Lender has not confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3), the Borrower shall not make the Borrower DTTP Filing or file any other form relating to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme in respect of that Lender’s Commitment(s) or its participation in any Loan unless the Lender otherwise agrees in writing. |
(K) | The Borrower shall, promptly on making the Borrower DTTP Filing, deliver a copy of the Borrower DTTP Filing to the Agent for delivery to the relevant Lender. |
(L) | A UK Non-Bank Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent if there is any change in the position from that set out in the Tax Confirmation. |
14.3 | Tax indemnity |
(A) | The Borrower shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document. |
(B) | Clause 14.3(A) shall not apply: |
(1) | with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party: |
(a) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or |
(b) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction, |
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or
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(2) | to the extent a loss, liability or cost: |
(a) | is compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up); |
(b) | would have been compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in Clause 14.2(D) applied; or |
(c) | relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party. |
(C) | A Protected Party making, or intending to make, a claim under Clause 14.3(A) shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower. |
(D) | A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from the Borrower under this Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity), notify the Agent. |
14.4 | Tax Credit |
If the Borrower makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:
(A) | a Tax Credit is attributable to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, to that Tax Payment or to a Tax Deduction in consequence of which that Tax Payment was required; and |
(B) | that Finance Party has obtained and utilised that Tax Credit, |
the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Borrower which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the Borrower.
14.5 | Lender status confirmation |
Each Lender which becomes a Party to this Agreement after the Effective Date shall indicate, in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender, and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, which of the following categories it falls in:
(A) | not a Qualifying Lender; |
(B) | a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or |
(C) | a Treaty Lender. |
If a New Lender, an Increase Lender or an acceding Accordion Facility Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this Clause 14.5 (Lender status confirmation) then such New Lender, Increase Lender or acceding Accordion Facility Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by the Borrower) as if it is not a Qualifying Lender until such time as it notifies the Agent which category applies (and the Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, any documentation executed by a Lender on becoming a Party as a Lender shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this Clause 14.5 (Lender status confirmation).
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14.6 | Stamp taxes |
The Borrower shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
14.7 | VAT |
(A) | All amounts expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is or becomes chargeable on that supply and, accordingly, subject to Clause 14.7(B), if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that Party). |
(B) | If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the “Supplier”) to any other Finance Party (the “Recipient”) under a Finance Document, and any Party other than the Recipient (the “Relevant Party”) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration): |
(1) | (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this Clause 14.7(B)(1) applies) promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and |
(2) | (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT. |
(C) | Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority. |
(D) | Any reference in this Clause 14.7 (VAT) to any Party shall, at any time when such Party is treated as a member of a group or unity (or fiscal unity) for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to any member of such group at such time which is responsible for, or paying VAT on behalf of such group, or on behalf of any or all of the members thereof (including, in a UK context, the “representative member” as defined in the Value Added Tax Act 1994). |
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(E) | In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that Party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that Party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply. |
14.8 | FATCA Information |
(A) | Subject to Clause 14.8(C), each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party: |
(1) | confirm to that other Party whether it is: |
(a) | a FATCA Exempt Party; or |
(b) | not a FATCA Exempt Party; |
(2) | supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and |
(3) | supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime. |
(B) | If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to Clause 14.8(A)(1) that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly. |
(C) | Clause 14.8(A) shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and Clause 14.8(A)(3) shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of: |
(1) | any law or regulation; |
(2) | any fiduciary duty; or |
(3) | any duty of confidentiality. |
(D) | If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with Clause 14.8(A)(1) or 14.8(A)(2) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where Clause 14.8(C) applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information. |
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(E) | If the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of: |
(1) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement; |
(2) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Acceding Lender, the Effective Date; |
(3) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a Transfer Date and the relevant Lender is a New Lender, the relevant Transfer Date; |
(4) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which an increase in Commitments takes effect and the relevant Lender is an Increase Lender, that date; |
(5) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on an Accordion Facility Establishment Date and the relevant Lender is an acceding Accordion Facility Lender, that Accordion Facility Establishment Date; or |
(6) | where the Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent, |
supply to the Agent:
(a) | a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or |
(b) | any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation. |
(F) | The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to Clause 14.8(E) to the Borrower. |
(G) | If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to Clause 14.8(E) is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify the Agent). The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Borrower. |
(H) | The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to Clause 14.8(E) or Clause 14.8(G) without further verification. The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with Clause 14.8(E), Clause 14.8(F) or Clause 14.8(G). |
14.9 | FATCA Deduction |
(A) | Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction. |
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(B) | Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties. |
15. | Increased Costs |
15.1 | Increased Costs |
(A) | Subject to Clause 15.3 (Exceptions) the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of: |
(1) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation after the Effective Date or, in the case of any New Lender, Accordion Facility Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the Effective Date, after the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender; |
(2) | compliance with any law or regulation made after the Effective Date or, in the case of any New Lender, Accordion Facility Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the Effective Date, after the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender; or |
(3) | the implementation or application of, or compliance with, Basel III or any law or regulation which implements Basel III including, for the avoidance of doubt, and without prejudice to the foregoing, CRD IV, but only insofar as it relates to the implementation of Basel III, (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator or a Finance Party) but only to the extent the relevant Finance Party did not know (and could not reasonably have known) about the relevant Basel III or CRD IV Increased Costs at the Effective Date or, in the case of any New Lender, Accordion Facility Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the Effective Date, at the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender. |
(B) | In this Agreement: |
(1) | “Basel III” means: |
(a) | the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated; |
(b) | the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement – Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and |
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(c) | any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”; |
(2) | “CRD IV” means EU CRD IV and UK CRD IV; |
(3) | “EU CRD IV” means: |
(a) | Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012; and |
(b) | Directive 2013/36EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directive 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC; |
(4) | “Increased Costs” means: |
(a) | a reduction in the rate of return from a Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital; |
(b) | an additional or increased cost; or |
(c) | a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document, |
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document;
(5) | “UK CRD IV” means: |
(a) | Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “Withdrawal Act”); |
(b) | the law of the United Kingdom or any part of it, which immediately before IP completion day (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) implemented Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC and its implementing measures; and |
(c) | direct EU legislation (as defined in the Withdrawal Act), which immediately before IP completion day (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) implemented EU CRD IV as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the Withdrawal Act. |
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15.2 | Increased cost claims |
(A) | A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 15.1 (Increased costs) shall, promptly upon becoming aware of the same, notify the Agent of the circumstances giving rise to the claim and the amount of the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
(B) | Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide to the Borrower a certificate confirming the amount and (other than in respect of any Increased Cost attributable to Basel III) the basis of calculation (in reasonable detail) of its Increased Cost, provided that, if so requested by any Finance Party, the Borrower shall enter into a Confidentiality Undertaking with that Finance Party on terms mutually acceptable to the Borrower and that Finance Party in respect of the information contained in that certificate. For the avoidance of doubt, the certificate shall not include any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by law, regulation or court order or any information which is price-sensitive in relation to listed shares or instruments issued by that Lender or any of its Affiliates. |
15.3 | Exceptions |
(A) | Clause 15.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is: |
(1) | attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by the Borrower; |
(2) | attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party; |
(3) | compensated for by Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in Clause 14.3(B) applied); |
(4) | attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation; |
(5) | attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement (but excluding any amendment arising out of Basel III) (“Basel II”) or any other law or regulation which implements Basel II (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates); or |
(6) | attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance by a Finance Party and/or its Affiliates with the bank levy imposed by the United Kingdom government under the Finance Act 2011 or any other levy or Tax of a similar nature in any jurisdiction in force as at the date of this Agreement. |
(B) | In this Clause 15.3 (Exceptions), a reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to that term in Clause 14.1 (Definitions). |
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16. | Other Indemnities |
16.1 | Currency indemnity |
(A) | If any sum due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of: |
(1) | making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower; |
(2) | obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings, |
the Borrower shall as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
(B) | The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable. |
16.2 | Other indemnities |
The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:
(A) | the occurrence of any Event of Default; |
(B) | a failure by it to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 29 (Sharing among the Finance Parties); |
(C) | funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or |
(D) | a Utilisation (or part of a Utilisation) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower. |
16.3 | Indemnity to the Agent |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly, following a written demand from the Agent, indemnify the Agent against any cost, loss or liability properly incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of: |
(1) | investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default; |
(2) | acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; or |
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(3) | instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement. |
(B) | The Agent shall notify the Borrower promptly of any of the events in Clause 16.3(A) taking place. |
17. | Mitigation by the Lenders |
17.1 | Mitigation |
(A) | Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 9.1 (Illegality), Clause 14 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or Clause 15 (Increased costs) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office. |
(B) | Clause 17.1(A) does not in any way limit the obligations of the Borrower under the Finance Documents. |
(C) | Each Finance Party shall notify the Agent, as soon as reasonably practicable if it becomes aware that any circumstances of the kind described in Clause 17.1(A) have arisen following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
17.2 | Limitation of liability |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 17.1 (Mitigation). |
(B) | A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 17.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it. |
18. | Costs and Expenses |
18.1 | Transaction expenses |
The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent and each of the Arrangers the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal fees on and subject to the terms agreed with the relevant Party’s legal advisers) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of:
(A) | this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement; and |
(B) | any other Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement. |
18.2 | Amendment costs |
If:
(A) | it requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or |
(B) | an amendment is required pursuant to Clause 30.10 (Change of currency), |
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the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the Agent for the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Agent in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
18.3 | Enforcement costs |
The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document.
19. | [Clause not used] |
20. | Representations |
The Borrower makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 20 (Representations) to each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement.
20.1 | Status |
(A) | It is duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
(B) | It and each of its Material Subsidiaries has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted. |
20.2 | Binding obligations |
Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document to which it is a party are, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.
20.3 | Non-conflict with other obligations |
The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents do not conflict with:
(A) | any law or regulation applicable to it; |
(B) | its constitutional documents; or |
(C) | any document which is binding upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets, the breach of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. |
20.4 | Power and authority |
It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.
20.5 | Authorisations |
All Authorisations required by it to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.
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20.6 | Governing law and enforcement |
(A) | The choice of English law as the governing law of the Finance Documents will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
(B) | Subject to the Legal Reservations, any judgment obtained in England in relation to a Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
20.7 | Deduction of Tax |
It is not required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in Clause 14.1 (Definitions)) from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to a Lender which is:
(A) | a Qualifying Lender: |
(1) | falling within paragraph (1)(a) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender”; or |
(2) | except where a Direction has been given under section 931 of the ITA in relation to the payment concerned, falling within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender”; or |
(3) | falling within paragraph (2) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender” or; |
(B) | a Treaty Lender and the payment is one specified in a direction given by the Commissioners of Revenue & Customs under Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations 1970 (SI 1970/488). |
20.8 | No filing or stamp taxes |
As at the date of this Agreement and under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents.
20.9 | No default |
(A) | No Event of Default is continuing or will result from the entry into of, or the performance of any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document. |
(B) | No other event is continuing which constitutes a default under any other document which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or its Subsidiaries’ assets to an extent or in a manner which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
20.10 | No misleading information |
(A) | Any written factual information provided by or on behalf of any member of the Group in relation to any Finance Document was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated. |
(B) | Nothing has occurred or been omitted from the written factual information referred to in Clause 20.10(A) and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information being untrue or misleading in any material respect. |
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20.11 | Financial statements |
In the case of the Borrower:
(A) | the Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement; |
(B) | the Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of its financial condition as at the end of the relevant financial year and operations during the relevant financial year (consolidated in the case of the Borrower) unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement; and |
(C) | there has been no material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower since the date of the Original Financial Statements. |
20.12 | Pari passu ranking |
Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
20.13 | No proceedings pending or threatened |
No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings are current or, to its knowledge, pending or threatened in writing, which are reasonably likely to be determined against it (taking into account the likelihood of success of those proceedings) and which, if they were so adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
20.14 | Sanctions |
(A) | Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or, to its knowledge, any of its directors are: |
(1) | a designated target of, or is controlled by or a Subsidiary of, directly or indirectly, any person which is currently a designated target of any Sanctions; |
(2) | located or organised under the laws of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria or Sudan, in each case only where, as at the date of this Agreement, that country is the subject of Sanctions; or |
(3) | subject to any claim, proceeding, formal notice or investigation with respect to Sanctions. |
(B) | In relation to each Lender that notifies the Agent to this effect (each a “Restricted Bank”) this Clause 20.14 (Sanctions) shall only apply for the benefit of that Restricted Bank to the extent that this Clause 20.14 (Sanctions) would not result in any violation of or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or §7 of the German Aussenwirtschaftsverordnung. In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of this Clause 20.14 (Sanctions) of which a Restricted Bank does not have the benefit, the participation in any Commitment of that Restricted Bank will be excluded for the purpose of determining whether the consent of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been obtained or whether the determination or direction by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been made. |
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20.15 | Anti-corruption law |
Each member of the Group has conducted its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws in all material respects. The Group has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
20.16 | Repetition |
(A) | The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period. |
(B) | The Repeating Representations apply to the circumstances existing at the time such Repeating Representation is made. |
21. | Information Undertakings |
The undertakings in this Clause 21 (Information Undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
21.1 | Financial statements |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders:
(A) | as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each financial year, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year; and |
(B) | as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first half year of each of its financial years, its interim consolidated financial statements for that financial half year. |
21.2 | Compliance Certificate |
(A) | The Borrower shall supply to the Agent, with each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 21.1(A) or Clause 21.1(B), a Compliance Certificate setting out a list of the Material Subsidiaries as at the date of that Compliance Certificate. |
(B) | Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a director of the Borrower. |
21.3 | Requirements as to financial statements |
(A) | Each set of financial statements delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Clause 21.1 (Financial statements) shall be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
(B) | The Borrower shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 21.1 (Financial statements) is prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements. The Borrower must notify the Agent of any change to the manner in which any set of audited consolidated financial statements are prepared other than in respect of any general change to IFRS or any other change in accounting principles applicable to companies generally. |
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(C) | If requested by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent: |
(1) | a description of any change notified to the Agent in accordance with Clause 21.3(B); |
(2) | sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Finance Parties to make an accurate comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent audited consolidated financial statements delivered to the Agent under this Agreement; and |
(3) | in respect of any change to the manner in which operating leases are treated under IFRS, a reconciliation to enable the Finance Parties to make an accurate comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent financial statements delivered to the Agent immediately prior to such change in IFRS. |
(D) | If notified under Clause 21.3(B), the Agent may request the Borrower to enter into discussions for a period of not more than 30 days with a view to agreeing any amendments required to be made to this Agreement to place the Borrower and the Lenders in the same position as they would have been in if the change notified under Clause 21.3(B) had not happened. Any agreement between the Borrower and the Agent will be, with the prior consent of the Majority Lenders, binding on all the Parties. |
(E) | If no agreement is reached under Clause 21.3(D) on the required amendments to this Agreement, the Borrower must ensure that its auditors certify those amendments. The certificate of the auditors will be, in the absence of manifest error, binding on all the Parties. |
21.4 | Information: miscellaneous |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):
(A) | copies of all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched; |
(B) | promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any member of the Group, and which are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; |
(C) | with each Compliance Certificate and, in any event, upon the Agent’s reasonable request, a list of the then current Material Subsidiaries; and |
(D) | promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any member of the Group as any Finance Party (through the Agent) may reasonably request. |
Any document to be supplied by the Borrower to the Agent under this Clause 21.4 (Information: miscellaneous) may be delivered by electronic mail.
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21.5 | Notification of default |
(A) | The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. |
(B) | Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its authorised signatories on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it). |
21.6 | Credit Rating |
The Borrower shall notify the Agent, in writing, of any change in its Credit Rating within five Business Days of any such change by delivery to the Agent of a Margin Certificate.
21.7 | Use of websites |
(A) | The Borrower may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrower and the Agent (the “Designated Website”) if: |
(1) | the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method; |
(2) | both the Borrower and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and |
(3) | the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrower and the Agent. |
(B) | The Agent shall supply each Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Borrower and the Agent. |
(C) | The Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if: |
(1) | the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure; |
(2) | the password specifications for the Designated Website change; |
(3) | any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website; |
(4) | any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or |
(5) | the Borrower becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software. |
If the Borrower notifies the Agent under Clause 21.7(C)(1) or Clause 21.7(C)(5), all information to be provided by the Borrower under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.
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(D) | Any Lender may request, through the Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Borrower shall comply with any such request within ten Business Days. |
21.8 | “Know your customer” checks |
(A) | If: |
(1) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; |
(2) | any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or |
(3) | a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer, |
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of Clause 21.8(A)(3), any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in Clause 21.8(A)(3), on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in Clause 21.8(A)(3), any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
(B) | Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents. |
22. | [Clause not used] |
23. | General Undertakings |
The undertakings in this Clause 23 (General Undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
23.1 | Authorisations |
The Borrower shall promptly:
(A) | obtain, maintain and comply with the terms; and |
(B) | supply certified copies to the Agent, |
of any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to perform its obligations under any Finance Document and to ensure the validity or enforceability in its jurisdiction of incorporation of any Finance Document.
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23.2 | Compliance with laws |
The Borrower shall ensure that each member of the Group complies in all respects with all laws to which it is subject where failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.
23.3 | Negative pledge |
In this Clause 23.3 (Negative pledge), “Quasi-Security” means an arrangement or transaction described in Clause 23.3(B).
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall ensure that no Material Subsidiary will) create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets. |
(B) | The Borrower shall not (and shall ensure that no Material Subsidiary will): |
(1) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired or acquired by a member of the Group or any of its related entities; |
(2) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms; |
(3) | enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or |
(4) | enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect, |
in circumstances where the transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.
(C) | Clause 23.3(A) and Clause 23.3(B) do not apply to any Security or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, listed below: |
(1) | any Security or Quasi-Security comprising or pursuant to any cash management or pooling, netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking or cash management or pooling arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances or any guarantees given in respect of the same; |
(2) | any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of business; |
(3) | any Security or Quasi-Security over goods, documents of title to goods and/or related documents to secure liabilities of any member of the Group in respect of a letter of credit or other similar instrument issued by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business; |
(4) | any lease or sale and lease back arrangements in respect of the vehicle fleet of the Group where the payment obligations by any member of the Group in respect of such arrangements does not, in aggregate, exceed £200,000,000 or its equivalent at any time; |
(5) | any Security arising out of title retention provisions, hire purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having a similar effect in respect of goods acquired by the relevant member of the Group in the ordinary course of trade; |
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(6) | any Security or Quasi-Security arising under any finance or capital lease entered into by a member of the Group primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business; |
(7) | any Security or Quasi-Security on an asset, or an asset of any person, acquired by a member of the Group after the date of this Agreement but only for the period of six months from the date of acquisition and to the extent that the maximum principal amount secured by that Security or Quasi-Security has not been incurred or increased in contemplation of, or since, the acquisition; or |
(8) | any Security or Quasi-Security securing indebtedness the principal amount of which (when aggregated with the amount of any other indebtedness which has the benefit of a Security or Quasi-Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under Clause 23.3(C)(1) to Clause 23.3(C)(8)) does not exceed an amount of £100,000,000 or its equivalent at any time. |
23.4 | Disposals |
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no other member of the Group will) make a Restricted Disposal without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders. |
(B) | Clause 23.4(A) shall not apply: |
(1) | to any non-cash disposal on arm’s length terms provided the Borrower repays or prepays and cancels the Facilities by the same percentage as the percentage reduction in Net Debt of the Borrower resulting from such disposal; or |
(2) | if the Borrower ensures that, subject to Clause 23.4(C), 50 per cent. of the Net Disposal Proceeds of any Restricted Disposal (when received, in the case of any deferred consideration) are placed in an account with, or invested in Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments held with, an Acceptable Bank and within 18 months of the date of the relevant Restricted Disposal: |
(a) | re-invested in the operations or business of the Group; |
(b) | used to refinance any investment in the operations or business of the Group that was made in the 12 month period prior to the date of the relevant Restricted Disposal; or |
(c) | used to prepay and cancel (in an amount equal to the amount prepaid) the Facilities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
23.5 | Financial Indebtedness |
(A) | The Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group (other than the Borrower) will incur, or allow to remain outstanding, any Financial Indebtedness. |
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(B) | Clause 23.5(A) does not apply to: |
(1) | any Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents or otherwise with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; |
(2) | any Financial Indebtedness of any person acquired by a member of the Group which is incurred under arrangements in existence at the date of acquisition, but only for a period of six Months from the date of acquisition; |
(3) | any netting or set-off arrangement (or any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any of those arrangements) entered into by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking or cash management or pooling arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances; |
(4) | any derivative transaction entered into in the ordinary course of its trade in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate, currency or price (and not for speculative purposes); |
(5) | any Financial Indebtedness in connection with any Permitted Guarantee; or |
(6) | any other Financial Indebtedness (other than any Cash Pooling Balance and excluding any Financial Indebtedness in respect of any Finance Lease) outstanding from time to time which in aggregate does not exceed £200,000,000 or its equivalent at any time in respect of all members of the Group (other than the Borrower) taken as a whole. |
23.6 | Trade Instruments |
The Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group will enter into or issue, or incur or allow to remain outstanding any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of, any Trade Instruments in excess of (at any time) £200,000,000 in aggregate for the Group as a whole.
23.7 | Pari Passu |
The Borrower must ensure that its payment obligations under the Finance Documents at all times rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
23.8 | Merger |
The Borrower shall not enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or reconstruction other than a Permitted Transaction.
23.9 | Change of business |
The Borrower shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Borrower or the Group (taken as a whole) from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
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23.10 | Sanctions |
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no member of the Group will), directly or, to its knowledge indirectly, use the proceeds of a Facility or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary or other person: |
(1) | specifically to fund any activities or business of or participate in any prohibited transaction with any person who is, or is controlled by or a subsidiary of a person that, at the time of such funding, is a designated target of Sanctions; or |
(2) | in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions. |
(B) | In relation to each Lender that notifies the Agent to this effect (each a “Restricted Bank”) this Clause 23.10 (Sanctions) shall only apply for the benefit of that Restricted Bank to the extent that this Clause 23.10 (Sanctions) would not result in any violation of or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or §7 of the German Aussenwirtschaftsverordnung. In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of this Clause 23.10 (Sanctions) of which a Restricted Bank does not have the benefit, the participation in any Commitment of that Restricted Bank will be excluded for the purpose of determining whether the consent of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been obtained or whether the determination or direction by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been made. |
24. | Events of Default |
Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 24 (Events of Default) is an Event of Default (save for Clause 24.13 (Acceleration)).
24.1 | Non-payment |
The Borrower does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:
(A) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(1) | administrative or technical error; or |
(2) | a Disruption Event; and |
(B) | payment is made within three Business Days of the Agent giving notice to the Borrower that payment has not been made on the due date. |
24.2 | [Clause Not Used] |
24.3 | Other obligations |
(A) | The Borrower does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 24.1 (Non-payment)). |
(B) | No Event of Default under Clause 24.3(A) will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within 20 Business Days of the earlier of: |
(1) | the Agent giving notice of the breach to the Borrower; and |
(2) | the Borrower becoming aware of the failure to comply. |
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24.4 | Misrepresentation |
(A) | Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower under any Finance Document is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made, unless the circumstances giving rise to the misrepresentation: |
(1) | are capable of remedy; and |
(2) | are remedied within 20 Business Days of the earlier of: |
(a) | the Agent giving notice to the Borrower; and |
(b) | the Borrower becoming aware of the misrepresentation. |
24.5 | Cross default |
(A) | Any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period. |
(B) | Any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(C) | Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of any member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(D) | Any creditor of any member of the Group becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(E) | No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 24.5 (Cross default) if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of any Trade Instrument or commitment for Financial Indebtedness or indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of any Trade Instrument falling within Clause 24.5(A) to Clause 24.5(D) is less than £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) in respect of any one member of the Group or £50,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) for the Group as a whole. |
24.6 | Insolvency |
(A) | The Borrower or a Material Subsidiary: |
(1) | is, or is deemed for the purposes of any applicable law to be (including under Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 but as, for this purpose (and any equivalent provisions of applicable law) the figure in Section 123(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986 was £500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency)), unable to pay its debts as they fall due or insolvent; |
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(2) | admits publicly or in writing its inability to pay its debts as they fall due; |
(3) | suspends making payments on all or any class of its debts or announces an intention to do so; or |
(4) | by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, begins negotiations with any creditors other than the Lenders (in their capacity as such) for the rescheduling any of its indebtedness. |
(B) | A moratorium is declared in respect of all or any class of the indebtedness of the Borrower or Material Subsidiary. |
If a moratorium occurs in respect of any member of the Group, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by the moratorium.
24.7 | Insolvency proceedings |
(A) | Except as provided below, any of the following occurs in relation to the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary: |
(1) | a shareholders’ or directors’ resolution is passed, or an order is made for, its winding-up, administration or dissolution other than for its solvent winding-up, dissolution or liquidation; |
(2) | any person presents a petition for, or files documents with a court or any registrar, requesting its winding-up, administration, dissolution or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise); |
(3) | any Security is enforced over any of its assets having an aggregate value of and in respect of indebtedness aggregating not less than the amount specified in Clause 24.5(E); |
(4) | any liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not the Borrower), trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of it or any of its assets; |
(5) | its shareholders (having passed a resolution to that effect), directors or other officers request the appointment of, or give notice of their intention to appoint, a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not the Borrower), trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer; or |
(6) | or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction. |
(B) | Clause 24.7(A) does not apply to: |
(1) | any step or procedure which is part of a Permitted Transaction; or |
(2) | a petition for winding-up presented by a creditor which is being contested in good faith and with due diligence and is discharged or struck out within 28 days and in any event before any creditor other than the petitioning creditor is able to adopt the relevant petition under applicable law |
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24.8 | Creditors’ process |
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary and is not discharged within 21 days.
24.9 | [Clause not used] |
24.10 | Unlawfulness |
It is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents.
24.11 | Repudiation |
(A) | The Borrower repudiates a Finance Document or evidences an intention to repudiate a Finance Document. |
(B) | Any Finance Document is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by the Borrower to be ineffective in accordance with its terms for any reason. |
24.12 | Material adverse change |
Any event or series of events occurs which has a Material Adverse Effect.
24.13 | Acceleration |
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower:
(A) | cancel the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled; |
(B) | declare that all or part of the Utilisations, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable; and |
(C) | declare that all or part of the Utilisations be payable on demand, whereupon they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders. |
25. | Changes to the Lenders |
25.1 | Assignments and transfers by the Lenders |
Subject to this Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), a Lender (the “Existing Lender”) may:
(A) | assign any of its rights; or |
(B) | transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations, |
to another bank or financial institution which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the “New Lender”).
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25.2 | Borrower consent |
(A) | The consent of the Borrower is required for an assignment or transfer by an Existing Lender, unless the assignment or transfer is: |
(1) | to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender; or |
(2) | made at a time when an Event of Default is continuing. |
(B) | The consent of the Borrower to an assignment or transfer must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Borrower will be deemed to have given its consent five Business Days after the Existing Lender has requested it unless consent is expressly refused by the Borrower within that time. |
25.3 | Other conditions of assignment or transfer |
(A) | An assignment will only be effective on: |
(1) | receipt by the Agent (whether in the Assignment Agreement or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it had been an Original Lender; and |
(2) | performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender. |
(B) | A transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with. |
(C) | If: |
(1) | a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and |
(2) | as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, the Borrower would be obliged to make a Tax Payment or a payment under Clause 15 (Increased Costs) to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office, |
then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive such Tax Payment or payment to the extent that the relevant Tax liability or Increased Cost would have arisen and the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been entitled to receive such Tax Payment or payment in respect of such Tax liability or Increased Cost if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.
This Clause 25.3(C) shall not apply to in relation to a Tax Payment pursuant to Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) to a Treaty Lender that has included a confirmation of its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3)(b) if the Borrower making the payment has not complied with its obligations under Clause 14.2(H)(2) to file a form DTTP2 in respect of that Treaty Lender within 30 days of the date of the relevant assignment or transfer, and the relevant Tax Deduction would not have arisen if the Borrower had so complied with its obligations under Clause 14.2(H)(2).
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(D) | Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender. |
25.4 | Assignment or transfer fee |
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of £3,000.
25.5 | Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders |
(A) | Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for: |
(1) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents; |
(2) | the financial condition of the Borrower; |
(3) | the performance and observance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; or |
(4) | the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document, |
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.
(B) | Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it: |
(1) | has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document; and |
(2) | will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
(C) | Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to: |
(1) | accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders); or |
(2) | support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Documents or otherwise. |
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25.6 | Procedure for transfer |
(A) | Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Company consent) and 25.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer), a transfer is effected in accordance with Clause 25.6(C) when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 25.6(B), as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender. |
(C) | Subject to Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date: |
(1) | to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents each of the Borrower and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be cancelled (being the “Discharged Rights and Obligations”); |
(2) | each of the Borrower and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as the Borrower and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of the Borrower and the Existing Lender; |
(3) | the Agent, each of the Arrangers, the New Lender and other Lenders shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Agent, each of the Arrangers, and the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and |
(4) | the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender”. |
25.7 | Procedure for assignment |
(A) | Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Company consent) and 25.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer), an assignment may be effected in accordance with Clause 25.7(C) when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 25.7(B), as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Assignment Agreement appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Assignment Agreement. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender. |
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(C) | Subject to Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date: |
(1) | the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement; |
(2) | the Existing Lender will be released by the Borrower and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the “Relevant Obligations”) and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement; and |
(3) | the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations. |
(D) | Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 25.7 (Procedure for assignment) to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the Borrower or unless in accordance with Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer), to obtain a release by the Borrower from the obligations owed to it by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Borrower consent) and 25.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer). |
25.8 | Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower |
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate, an Assignment Agreement or an Increase Confirmation, send to the Borrower a copy of that Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation.
25.9 | Security over Lenders’ rights |
In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from the Borrower, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:
(A) | any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and |
(B) | in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities, |
except that no such charge, assignment or Security shall:
(1) | release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or |
(2) | require any payments to be made by the Borrower other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents. |
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25.10 | Pro rata interest settlement |
(A) | If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is able to distribute interest payments on a “pro rata basis” to Existing Lenders and New Lenders then (in respect of any transfer pursuant to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer) or any assignment pursuant to Clause 25.7 (Procedure for assignment) the Transfer Date of which, in each case, is after the date of such notification and is not on the last day of an Interest Period): |
(1) | any interest or fees in respect of the relevant participation which are expressed to accrue by reference to the lapse of time shall continue to accrue in favour of the Existing Lender up to but excluding the Transfer Date (“Accrued Amounts”) and shall become due and payable to the Existing Lender (without further interest accruing on them) on the last day of the current Interest Period; and |
(2) | the rights assigned or transferred by the Existing Lender will not include the right to the Accrued Amounts, so that, for the avoidance of doubt: |
(a) | when the Accrued Amounts become payable, those Accrued Amounts will be payable to the Existing Lender; and |
(b) | the amount payable to the New Lender on that date will be the amount which would, but for the application of this Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts. |
(B) | In this Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement) references to “Interest Period” shall be construed to include a reference to any other period for accrual of fees. |
(C) | An Existing Lender which retains the right to the Accrued Amounts pursuant to this Clause 25.10 but which does not have a Commitment shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents. |
26. | Changes to the Borrower |
26.1 | Assignment and transfers by the Borrower |
The Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.
26.2 | [Clause not used] |
27. | Role of the Agent and the Arrangers |
27.1 | Appointment of the Agent |
(A) | Each of the Arrangers and the Lenders appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents. |
(B) | Each of the Arrangers and the Lenders authorise the Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions. |
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27.2 | Instructions |
(A) | The Agent shall: |
(1) | unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by: |
(a) | all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and |
(b) | in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and |
(2) | not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with Clause 27.2(A)(1). |
(B) | The Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Lender or group of Lenders, from that Lender or group of Lenders) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion. The Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives any such instructions or clarification that it has requested. |
(C) | Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Lender or group of Lenders under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties. |
(D) | The Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Lender or group of Lenders until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability which it may incur in complying with those instructions. |
(E) | In the absence of instructions, the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders. |
(F) | The Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. |
27.3 | Duties of the Agent |
(A) | The Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature. |
(B) | Subject to Clause 27.3(C), the Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent for that Party by any other Party. |
(C) | Without prejudice to Clause 25.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower), Clause 27.3(B) shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate, any Assignment Agreement or any Increase Confirmation. |
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(D) | Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party. |
(E) | If the Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
(F) | If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or any of the Arrangers) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
(G) | The Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied). |
27.4 | Role of the Arrangers |
Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, none of the Arrangers have any obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document.
27.5 | No fiduciary duties |
(A) | Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent or any of the Arrangers as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person. |
(B) | Neither the Agent, nor any of the Arrangers shall be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account. |
27.6 | Business with the Group |
The Agent and each of the Arrangers may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.
27.7 | Rights and discretions |
(A) | The Agent may: |
(1) | rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; |
(2) | assume that: |
(a) | any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or any group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and |
(b) | unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and |
(3) | rely on a certificate from any person: |
(a) | as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or |
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(b) | to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing, |
as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of Clause 27.7(A)(3)(a), may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.
(B) | The Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that: |
(1) | no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 24.1 (Non-payment)); |
(2) | any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Lenders has not been exercised; and |
(3) | any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of the Borrower. |
(C) | The Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts. |
(D) | Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 27.7(C) or 27.7(E), the Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be necessary. |
(E) | The Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying. |
(F) | The Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its officers, employees and agents. |
(G) | Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise the Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement. |
(H) | Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 27.7(G), the Agent: |
(1) | may disclose; and |
(2) | on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose, |
the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the Borrower and to the other Finance Parties.
(I) | Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor any of the Arrangers are not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality. |
(J) | Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. |
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27.8 | Responsibility for documentation |
None of the Agent or any of the Arrangers is responsible or liable for:
(A) | the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, any of the Arrangers, the Borrower or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; |
(B) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; or |
(C) | any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise. |
27.9 | No duty to monitor |
The Agent shall not be bound to enquire:
(A) | whether or not any Default has occurred; |
(B) | as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or |
(C) | whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred. |
27.10 | Exclusion of liability |
(A) | Without limiting Clause 27.10(B) (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent), the Agent will not be liable for: |
(1) | any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; |
(2) | exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document, other than by reason of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; or |
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(3) | without prejudice to the generality of Clause 27.10(A)(1) and Clause 27.10(A)(2), any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of: |
(a) | any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or |
(b) | the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction, |
including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.
(B) | No Party (other than the Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent may rely on this Clause 27.10 (Exclusion of liability) subject to Clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
(C) | The Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Agent if the Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the Agent for that purpose. |
(D) | Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or any of the Arrangers to carry out: |
(1) | any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or |
(2) | any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Lender, |
on behalf of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent and each of the Arrangers that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent or an Arranger.
(E) | Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Agent’s liability, any liability of the Agent arising under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages. |
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27.11 | Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent |
Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 30.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.), notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Agent has been reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to a Finance Document).
27.12 | Resignation of the Agent |
(A) | The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the United Kingdom as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. |
(B) | Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom). |
(C) | If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 27.12(B) within 30 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom). |
(D) | If the Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as Agent and the Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent under Clause 27.12(C), the Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this Clause 27 (Role of the Agent and the Arrangers) and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the agency fee payable under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties. |
(E) | The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents. |
(F) | The Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor. |
(G) | Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under Clause 27.12(E)) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 16.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 27 (Role of the Agent and the Arrangers) (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party. |
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(H) | After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders), require it to resign in accordance with Clause 27.12(B). In this event, the Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 27.12(B). |
(I) | The Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 27.12(B) (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to Clause 27.12(B)) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either: |
(1) | the Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 14.8 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; |
(2) | the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to Clause 14.8 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or |
(3) | the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; |
and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.
(J) | Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been a party to the Agreement on the date of the Agreement. |
27.13 | Confidentiality |
(A) | In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments. |
(B) | If information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it. |
27.14 | Relationship with the Lenders |
(A) | Subject to Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), the Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office: |
(1) | entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and |
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(2) | entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day, |
unless it has received not less than five Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(B) | Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address, fax number and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under Clause 32.5 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, fax number, electronic mail address (or such other information), department and officer by that Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) and Clause 32.6(A)(2) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender. |
27.15 | Agent’s management time |
If the Agent requires, any amount payable to the Agent by any Party under any indemnity or in respect of any costs or expenses incurred by the Agent under the Finance Documents after the date of this Agreement may include the cost of using its management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Agent may notify to the relevant Party. This is in addition to any amount in respect of fees or expenses paid or payable to the Agent under any terms of the Finance Documents.
27.16 | Credit appraisal by the Lenders |
Without affecting the responsibility of the Borrower for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Agent and each of the Arrangers that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:
(A) | the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group; |
(B) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; |
(C) | whether that Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and |
(D) | the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any other information provided by the Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document. |
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27.17 | Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent |
If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.
28. | Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties |
No provision of this Agreement will:
(A) | interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit; |
(B) | oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or |
(C) | oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax. |
29. | Sharing Among the Finance Parties |
29.1 | Payments to Finance Parties |
If a Finance Party (a “Recovering Finance Party”) receives or recovers any amount from the Borrower other than in accordance with Clause 30 (Payment mechanics) (a “Recovered Amount”) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:
(A) | the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery to the Agent; |
(B) | the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 30 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and |
(C) | the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “Sharing Payment”) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 30.6 (Partial payments). |
29.2 | Redistribution of payments |
The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the Borrower and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the “Sharing Finance Parties”) in accordance with Clause 30.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of the Borrower to the Sharing Finance Parties.
29.3 | Recovering Finance Party’s rights |
On a distribution by the Agent under Clause 29.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from the Borrower, as between the Borrower and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by the Borrower.
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29.4 | Reversal of redistribution |
If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:
(A) | each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the “Redistributed Amount”); and |
(B) | as between the Borrower and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by the Borrower. |
29.5 | Exceptions |
(A) | This Clause 29 (Sharing Among the Finance Parties) shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause 29.5 (Exceptions), have a valid and enforceable claim against the Borrower. |
(B) | A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if: |
(1) | it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and |
(2) | that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings. |
30. | Payment Mechanics |
30.1 | Payments to the Agent |
(A) | On each date on which the Borrower or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, the Borrower or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment. |
(B) | Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies. |
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30.2 | Distributions by the Agent |
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 30.3 (Distributions to the Borrower) and Clause 30.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).
30.3 | Distributions to the Borrower |
The Agent may (with the consent of the Borrower or in accordance with Clause 31 (Set-off)) apply any amount received by it for the Borrower in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.
30.4 | Clawback and pre-funding |
(A) | Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum. |
(B) | Unless Clause 30.4(C) applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds. |
(C) | If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to the Borrower: |
(1) | the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower to whom that sum was made available shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and |
(2) | the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrower to whom that sum was made available, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender. |
30.5 | Impaired Agent |
(A) | If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, the Borrower or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either: |
(1) | pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or |
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(2) | if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (A) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender making the payment (the “Paying Party”) and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the “Recipient Party” or “Recipient Parties”). |
In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.
(B) | All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements. |
(C) | A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 30.5 (Impaired Agent) shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account. |
(D) | Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 27.12 (Resignation of the Agent), each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to Clause 30.5(E)) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with Clause 30.2 (Distributions by the Agent). |
(E) | A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent: |
(1) | that it has not given an instruction pursuant to Clause 30.5(D); and |
(2) | that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party, |
give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.
30.6 | Partial payments |
(A) | If the Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by the Borrower under the Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of the Borrower under the Finance Documents in the following order: |
(1) | first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent under the Finance Documents; |
(2) | secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due but unpaid under this Agreement; |
(3) | thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and |
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(4) | fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents. |
(B) | The Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set out in Clause 30.6(A)(2) to Clause 30.6(A)(4). |
(C) | Clause 30.6(A) and Clause 30.6(B) will override any appropriation made by the Borrower. |
30.7 | No set-off by the Borrower |
All payments to be made by the Borrower under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
30.8 | Business Days |
(A) | Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). |
(B) | During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date. |
30.9 | Currency of account |
(A) | Subject to Clause 30.9(B) to Clause 30.9(E), the Base Currency is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from the Borrower under any Finance Document. |
(B) | A repayment of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum or a part of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum shall be made in the currency in which that Utilisation or Unpaid Sum is denominated, pursuant to this Agreement, on its due date. |
(C) | Each payment of interest shall be made in the currency in which the sum in respect of which the interest is payable was denominated, pursuant to this Agreement, when that interest accrued. |
(D) | Each payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are incurred. |
(E) | Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than the Base Currency shall be paid in that other currency. |
30.10 | Change of currency |
(A) | Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then: |
(1) | any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower); and |
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(2) | any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably). |
(B) | If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Relevant Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency. |
30.11 | Disruption to payment systems etc. |
If either the Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:
(A) | the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facilities as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances; |
(B) | the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 30.11(A) if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes; |
(C) | the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 30.11(A) but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; |
(D) | any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 36 (Amendments and Waivers); |
(E) | the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this Clause 30.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.); and |
(F) | the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to Clause 30.11(D). |
31. | Set-Off |
While an Event of Default is continuing, a Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to the Borrower, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
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32. | Notices |
32.1 | Communications in writing |
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter.
32.2 | Addresses |
The address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:
(A) | in the case of the Borrower, that identified with its name in its signature to the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement; |
(B) | in the case of each Lender, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party; and |
(C) | in the case of the Agent, that identified with its name in its signature to the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement, |
or any substitute address or fax number or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.
32.3 | Delivery |
(A) | Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective: |
(1) | if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or |
(2) | if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address, |
and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 32.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.
(B) | Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent shall specify for this purpose). |
(C) | All notices from or to the Borrower shall be sent through the Agent. |
(D) | Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this Clause 32.3 (Delivery) will be deemed to have been made or delivered to the Borrower. |
(E) | Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 32.3(A) to Clause 32.3(D), after 5.00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day. |
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32.4 | Notification of address and fax number |
Promptly upon changing its address or fax number, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
32.5 | Communication when Agent is an Impaired Agent |
If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.
32.6 | Electronic communication |
(A) | Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties: |
(1) | notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and |
(2) | notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice. |
(B) | Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 32.6(A) to be made between the Borrower and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication. |
(C) | Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 32.6(A) made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent shall specify for this purpose. |
(D) | Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 32.6(C), after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day. |
(E) | Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this Clause 32.5 (Electronic communication). |
32.7 | English language |
(A) | Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English. |
(B) | All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be: |
(1) | in English; or |
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(2) | if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document. |
33. | Calculations and Certificates |
33.1 | Accounts |
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
33.2 | Certificates and determinations |
Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
33.3 | Day count convention and interest calculation |
(A) | Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and the amount of any such interest, commission or fee is calculated: |
(1) | on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days (or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant Market differs, in accordance with that market practice); and |
(2) | subject to paragraph (B) below, without rounding. |
(B) | The aggregate amount of any accrued interest, commission or fee which is, or becomes, payable by the Borrower under a Finance Document shall be rounded to 2 decimal places. |
34. | Partial Invalidity |
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
35. | Remedies and Waivers |
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any of the Finance Documents. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
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36. | Amendments and Waivers |
36.1 | Required consents |
(A) | Subject to Clause 36.2 (All Lenders matters) and Clause 36.3 (Other exceptions) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties. |
(B) | The Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 36 (Amendments and Waivers). |
(C) | Clause 25.10(C) (Pro rata interest settlement) shall apply to this Clause 36. |
36.2 | All Lender matters |
Subject to Clause 36.4 (Changes to reference rates) an amendment or waiver of any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:
(A) | the definition of “Majority Lenders” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); |
(B) | an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents; |
(C) | a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable; |
(D) | an increase in any Commitment (other than pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Increase) or Clause 3 (Accordion Option)), an extension of any Availability Period or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the relevant Facility; |
(E) | a change to the Borrower other than in accordance with Clause 26 (Changes to the Borrower); |
(F) | any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders; or |
(G) | Clause 2.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), Clause 9.2 (Change of control), Clause 9.7 (Application of prepayments), Clause 20.14 (Sanctions), Clause 23.10 (Sanctions), Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), Clause 29 (Sharing among the Finance Parties), this Clause 36 (Amendments and Waiver), Clause 40 (Governing law) or Clause 41 (Jurisdiction), |
shall not be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders.
36.3 | Other exceptions |
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent or each of the Arrangers (each in their capacity as such) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent or each of the Arrangers, as the case may be.
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36.4 | Changes to reference rates |
(A) | Subject to Clause 36.3 (Other exceptions), if a Published Rate Replacement Event has occurred in relation to any Published Rate for a currency which can be selected for a Loan, any amendment or waiver which relates to: |
(1) | providing for the use of a Replacement Reference Rate in relation to that currency in place of that Published Rate ; and |
(2) |
(a) | aligning any provision of any Finance Document to the use of that Replacement Reference Rate; |
(b) | enabling that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for the calculation of interest under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any consequential changes required to enable that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for the purposes of this Agreement); |
(c) | implementing market conventions applicable to that Replacement Reference Rate; |
(d) | providing for appropriate fallback (and market disruption) provisions for that Replacement Reference Rate; or |
(e) | adjusting the pricing to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable, any transfer of economic value from one Party to another as a result of the application of that Replacement Reference Rate (and if any adjustment or method for calculating any adjustment has been formally designated, nominated or recommended by the Relevant Nominating Body, the adjustment shall be determined on the basis of that designation, nomination or recommendation), |
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower.
(B) | An amendment or waiver that relates to, or has the effect of, aligning the means of calculation of interest on a Compounded Rate Loan in any currency under this Agreement to any recommendation of a Relevant Nominating Body which: |
(1) | relates to the use of the RFR for that currency on a compounded basis in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets; and |
(2) | is issued on or after the date of this Agreement, |
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower.
(C) | If any Lender fails to respond to a request for an amendment or waiver described in paragraph (A) or paragraph (B) above within 10 Business Days (or such longer time period in relation to any request which the Borrower and the Agent may agree) of that request being made: |
(1) | its Commitment(s) shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and |
(2) | its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request. |
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(D) | In this Clause 36.4: |
“Published Rate” means:
(A) | the Alternative Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor; |
(B) | the Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor; or |
(C) | an RFR. |
“Published Rate Replacement Event” means, in relation to a Published Rate:
(A) | the methodology, formula or other means of determining that Published Rate has, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, and the Borrower materially changed; |
(B) |
(1) |
(a) | the administrator of that Published Rate or its supervisor publicly announces that such administrator is insolvent; or |
(b) | information is published in any order, decree, notice, petition or filing, however described, of or filed with a court, tribunal, exchange, regulatory authority or similar administrative, regulatory or judicial body which reasonably confirms that the administrator of that Published Rate is insolvent, |
provided that, in each case, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Published Rate;
(2) | the administrator of that Published Rate publicly announces that it has ceased or will cease to provide that Published Rate permanently or indefinitely and, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Published Rate; |
(3) | the supervisor of the administrator of that Published Rate publicly announces that such Published Rate has been or will be permanently or indefinitely discontinued; |
(4) | the administrator of that Published Rate or its supervisor announces that that Published Rate may no longer be used; or |
(5) | in the case of the Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor for euro, the supervisor of the administrator of that Primary Term Rate makes a public announcement or publishes information stating that that Primary Term Rate for that Quoted Tenor is no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative of the underlying market or economic reality that it is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored (as determined by such supervisor);or |
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(C) | the administrator of that Published Rate (or the administrator of an interest rate which is a constituent element of that Published Rate) determines that that Published Rate should be calculated in accordance with its reduced submissions or other contingency or fallback policies or arrangements and either: |
(1) | the circumstance(s) or event(s) leading to such determination are not (in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower) temporary; or |
(2) | that Published Rate is calculated in accordance with any such policy or arrangement for a period no less than the period specified as the “Published Rate Contingency Period” in the Reference Rate Terms relating to that Published Rate; or |
(D) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, that Published Rate is otherwise no longer appropriate for the purposes of calculating interest under this Agreement. |
“Relevant Nominating Body” means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of them or the Financial Stability Board.
“Replacement Reference Rate” means a reference rate which is:
(A) | formally designated, nominated or recommended as the replacement for a Published Rate by: |
(i) | the administrator of that Published Rate (provided that the market or economic reality that such reference rate measures is the same as that measured by that Published Rate); or |
(ii) | any Relevant Nominating Body, |
and if replacements have, at the relevant time, been formally designated, nominated or recommended under both paragraphs, the “Replacement Reference Rate” will be the replacement under paragraph (ii) above;
(B) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, generally accepted in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets as the appropriate successor to a Published Rate; or |
(C) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, an appropriate successor to a Published Rate. |
36.5 | Excluded Commitments |
If:
(A) | any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within five Business Days of that request being made; or |
(B) | any Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender fails to respond to such a request (other than an amendment, waiver or consent referred to in Clause 36.2(C), Clause 36.2(E) or Clause 36.2(F)) or such a vote within ten Business Days of that request being made, |
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(unless, in either case, the Borrower and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request):
(1) | its Commitment(s) shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and |
(2) | its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request. |
36.6 | Replacement of Lender |
(A) | If: |
(1) | any Lender becomes a Non-Consenting Lender (as defined in Clause 36.6(D)); or |
(2) | the Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Illegality) or to pay additional amounts pursuant to Clause 15.1 (Increased costs), Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) or Clause 14.3 (Tax Indemnity) to any Lender, |
then the Borrower may, on five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender, replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower, which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.
(B) | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to this Clause 36.6 (Replacement of Lender) shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor the Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; |
(3) | in the event of a replacement of a Non-Consenting Lender such replacement must take place no later than five Business Days after the date on which that Lender is deemed a Non-Consenting Lender; |
(4) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under this Clause 36.6 (Replacement of Lender) be required to pay or surrender to such Replacement Lender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(5) | the Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 36.6(A) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer. |
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(C) | A Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 36.6(B)(5) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 36.6(A) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
(D) | In the event that: |
(1) | the Borrower or the Agent (at the request of the Borrower) has requested the Lenders to give a consent in relation to, or to agree to a waiver or amendment of, any provisions of the Finance Documents; |
(2) | the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the approval of all the Lenders; and |
(3) | Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 75 per cent. of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 75 per cent. of the Total Commitments prior to that reduction), have consented or agreed to such waiver or amendment, |
then any Lender who does not and continues not to consent or agree to such waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “Non-Consenting Lender”.
36.7 | Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders |
(A) | For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining: |
(1) | the Majority Lenders; or |
(2) | whether: |
(a) | any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies; or |
(b) | the agreement of any specified group of Lenders, |
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents,
that Defaulting Lender’s Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies and, to the extent that that reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Total Commitments being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of Clause 36.7(A)(1) and Clause 36.7(A)(2).
(B) | For the purposes of this Clause 36.7 (Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders), the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders: |
(1) | any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; |
(2) | any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (A), (B), (C) or (D) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred, |
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unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.
36.8 | Replacement of a Defaulting Lender |
(A) | The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender: |
(1) | replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement; |
(2) | require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of the undrawn Commitment of the Lender; or |
(3) | require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations in respect of the Facilities, |
to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations, or all the relevant obligations, of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:
(a) | in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents; or |
(b) | in an amount agreed between that Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in Clause 36.8(A)(3)(a). |
(B) | Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Clause 36.8 (Replacement of a Defaulting Lender) shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; |
(3) | the transfer must take place no later than five Business Days after the notice referred to in Clause 36.8(A); |
(4) | in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
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(5) | the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 36.8(A) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer to the Replacement Lender. |
(C) | The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 36.8(B)(5) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 36.8(A) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
36.9 | Contractual recognition of bail-in |
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:
(A) | any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation): |
(1) | a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability; |
(2) | a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and |
(3) | a cancellation of any such liability; and |
(B) | a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability. |
37. | Confidential Information |
37.1 | Confidentiality |
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 37.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) and Clause 37.3 (Disclosure to numbering service providers), and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.
37.2 | Disclosure of Confidential Information |
Any Finance Party may disclose:
(A) | to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this Clause 37.2(A) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information; |
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(B) | to any person: |
(1) | to (or through) whom it assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers; |
(2) | with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or the Borrower and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers; |
(3) | appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 37.2(B)(1) or Clause 37.2(B)(2) applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under Clause 27.14(B) (Relationship with the Lenders)); |
(4) | who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in Clause 37.2(B)(1) or Clause 37.2(B)(2); |
(5) | to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation; |
(6) | to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes; |
(7) | to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 25.9 (Security over Lenders’ rights); |
(8) | who is a Party; or |
(9) | with the consent of the Borrower, |
in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if:
(a) | in relation to Clause 37.2(B)(1), Clause 37.2(B)(2) and Clause 37.2(B)(3), the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking except that there shall be no requirement for a Confidentiality Undertaking if the recipient is a professional adviser and is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information; |
(b) | in relation to Clause 37.2(B)(4), the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information they receive and is informed that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information; |
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(c) | in relation to Clause 37.2(B)(5), Clause 37.2(B)(6) and Clause 37.2(B)(7), the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of that Finance Party, it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances; and |
(C) | to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 37.2(B)(1) or Clause 37.2(B)(2) applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this Clause 37.2(C) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party; and |
(D) | to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Borrower if the rating agency to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information. |
37.3 | Disclosure to numbering service providers |
(A) | Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower the following information: |
(1) | name of the Borrower; |
(2) | country of domicile of the Borrower; |
(3) | place of incorporation of the Borrower; |
(4) | date of this Agreement; |
(5) | Clause 40 (Governing law) |
(6) | the name of the Agent and each of the Arrangers; |
(7) | date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement; |
(8) | amounts of, and names of, the Facilities (and any tranches) |
(9) | amount of Total Commitments; |
(10) | currencies of the Facilities; |
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(11) | type of Facilities; |
(12) | ranking of the Facilities; |
(13) | Termination Date for the Facilities; |
(14) | changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to Clause 37.3(A)(1) to Clause 37.3(A)(13); and |
(15) | such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Borrower, |
to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.
(B) | The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider. |
(C) | The Borrower represents that none of the information set out in Clause 37.3(A)(1) to Clause 37.3(A)(15) is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information. |
(D) | The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the other Finance Parties of: |
(1) | the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower; and |
(2) | the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower by such numbering service provider. |
37.4 | Entire agreement |
This Clause 37 (Confidential Information) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.
37.5 | Inside information |
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
37.6 | Notification of disclosure |
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:
(A) | of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to Clause 37.2(B)(5) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in Clause 37.2(B)(5) during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
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(B) | upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 37 (Confidential Information). |
37.7 | Continuing obligations |
The obligations in this Clause 37 (Confidential Information) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twelve months from the earlier of:
(A) | the date on which all amounts payable by the Borrower under or in connection with this Agreement have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and |
(B) | the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party. |
38. | Confidentiality of Funding Rates |
38.1 | Confidentiality and disclosure |
(A) | The Agent and the Borrower agree to keep each Funding Rate confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 38.1(B) and Clause 38.1(C). |
(B) | The Agent may disclose: |
(1) | any Funding Rate to the Borrower pursuant to Clause 10.5 (Notification of rates of interest); and |
(2) | any Funding Rate to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender. |
(C) | The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate, and the Borrower may disclose any Funding Rate, to: |
(1) | any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given pursuant to this Clause 38.1(C)(1) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it; |
(2) | any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; |
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(3) | any person to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and |
(4) | any person with the consent of the relevant Lender. |
38.2 | Related obligations |
(A) | The Agent and the Borrower acknowledge that each Funding Rate is or may be price-sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and the Borrower undertake not to use any Funding Rate for any unlawful purpose. |
(B) | The Agent and the Borrower agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender e: |
(1) | of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to Clause 38.1(C)(1) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
(2) | upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 38 (Confidentiality of Funding Rates). |
38.3 | No Event of Default |
No Event of Default will occur under Clause 24.2 (Other obligations) by reason only of the Borrower’s failure to comply with this Clause 38 (Confidentiality of Funding Rates).
39. | Counterparts |
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
40. | Governing Law |
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
41. | Jurisdiction |
(A) | The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “Dispute”). |
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(B) | The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary. |
(C) | Notwithstanding Clause 41(A), no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
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Schedule 1: The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders
[Reserved]
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Schedule 2: Conditions Precedent to Initial Utilisation
Intentionally deleted - the conditions precedent listed in this Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent to initial utilisation) have been satisfied and/or waived before the Effective Date.
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Schedule 3: Form of Utilisation Request
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
Dated: [·]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request. |
2. | We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms: |
Proposed Utilisation Date: | [·] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) | ||
Facility to be utilised: | [The Effective Date Facility] [Accordion Facility with an Accordion Facility Establishment Date of [·] | ||
Currency of Loan: | [·] | ||
Amount: | [·] or, if less, the Available Facility | ||
Interest Period: | [·] |
3. | We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 5.2 (Further conditions precedent) of the Facilities Agreement is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request. |
4. | [This Loan is to be made in [whole]/[part] for the purpose of refinancing [identify maturing Loan]] / [The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]]. |
5. | This Utilisation Request is irrevocable. |
Yours faithfully
authorised signatory for |
|
authorised signatory for |
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Schedule 4: Form of Transfer Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”) |
Dated: [·]
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Transfer Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Transfer Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Transfer Certificate. |
2. | We refer to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer): |
(A) | The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation, and in accordance with Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer), all of the Existing Lender’s rights and obligations under the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the schedule. |
(B) | The proposed Transfer Date is [·]. |
(C) | The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the schedule. |
3. | The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 25.5 (Limitation of Responsibility of Existing Lenders). |
4. | The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender].1 |
5. | [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
1 | Delete as applicable – each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
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(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]2 |
6. | [The New Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [·]), is tax resident in [·]3 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Transfer Date4.] |
7. | This Transfer Certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Transfer Certificate. |
8. | This Transfer Certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
9. | This Transfer Certificate has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Transfer Certificate. |
2 | Include if New Lender comes within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 14.1 (Definitions). |
3 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
4 | This confirmation must be included if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement |
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THE SCHEDULE
Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Existing Lender] | [New Lender] |
By: | By: |
This Transfer Certificate is accepted by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [·].
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
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Schedule 5: Form of Assignment Agreement
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
From: | [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”) |
Dated: | [·] |
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000
Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as
amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Assignment Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Assignment Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Assignment Agreement. |
2. | We refer to Clause 25.7 (Procedure for assignment): |
(A) | The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the Schedule. |
(B) | The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement specified in the Schedule. |
(C) | The New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph 2(B).5 |
3. | The proposed Transfer Date is [·]. |
4. | On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes Party to the Finance Documents as a Lender. |
5. | The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule. |
6. | The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 25.5 (Limitation of Responsibility of Existing Lenders). |
7. | The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender].6 |
5 If the Assignment Agreement is used in place of a Transfer Certificate in order to avoid a novation of rights/obligations for reasons relevant to a civil jurisdiction, local law advice should be sought to check the suitability of the Assignment Agreement due to the assumption of obligations contained in paragraph 2(C). This issue should be addressed at primary documentation stage.
118
8. | [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]7 |
9. | [The New Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [·]), is tax resident in [·]8 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Transfer Date9.] |
10. | This Assignment Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with Clause 25.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower), to the Borrower of the assignment referred to in this Assignment Agreement. |
11. | This Assignment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Assignment Agreement. |
12. | This Assignment Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
13. | This Assignment Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Assignment Agreement. |
6 | Delete as applicable – each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
7 | Include only if New Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender – i.e. falls within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 14.1 (Definitions). |
8 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
9 | This confirmation must be included if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
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THE SCHEDULE
Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Existing Lender] | [New Lender] | |
By: | By: |
This Assignment Agreement is accepted by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [·].
Signature of this Assignment Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
120
Schedule 6: [Schedule not used]
121
Schedule 7: Form of Compliance Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
Dated: [·]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000
Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as
amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate. |
2. | The following entities are the Material Subsidiaries as at the date of this Compliance Certificate: |
(A) | [ ]; |
(B) | [ ]; and |
(C) | [ ]. |
3. | [We confirm that no Default is continuing as at the Relevant Testing Date10.] |
Signed: | ||
Director | ||
for and on behalf of | ||
Rentokil Initial plc |
10 | If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it. |
122
Schedule 8: Form of Margin Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
Dated: [·]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000
Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as
amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is the Margin Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Margin Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Margin Certificate. |
2. | We confirm that as at the Relevant Testing Date, the Credit Rating of the Borrower was [·]. |
3. | The applicable Margin is therefore [·]. |
Signed: | ||
Authorised signatory | ||
for and on behalf of | ||
Rentokil Initial plc | ||
By: |
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Schedule 9: Timetables
Loans in euro | Loans in sterling |
Loans in other currencies | ||||
Agent notifies the Borrower if a currency is approved as an Optional Currency in accordance with Clause 5.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) | U-4 10:00 a.m. |
U-3 10:00 a.m. |
U-4 9:30 a.m. | |||
Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 6.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request)) | U-3 11:00 a.m. |
U-1 11:00 a.m. |
U-3 11:00 a.m. | |||
Agent determines (in relation to a Utilisation) the Base Currency Amount of the Loan, if required under Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation) and notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance with Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation) | U-3 4.00 p.m. |
U-1 4:00 p.m. |
U-3 4:00 p.m. | |||
Agent receives a notification from a Lender under Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) | U-3 5:00 p.m. |
U-1 5:00 p.m. |
U-3 5:00 p.m. | |||
Agent gives notice in accordance with Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) | U-2 10:00 a.m. |
U 10:00 a.m. |
U-2 10:00 a.m. | |||
LIBOR or EURIBOR is fixed | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. in respect of LIBOR and 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) in respect of EURIBOR | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. |
“U” = date of utilisation
“U – X” = X Business Days prior to date of utilisation
124
Schedule 10: Form of Increase Confirmation
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
From: | [the Increase Lender] (the “Increase Lender”) |
Dated: | [·] |
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000
Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as
amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement. |
2. | We refer to Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement. |
3. | The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “Relevant Commitment”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Facilities Agreement. |
4. | The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “Increase Date”) is [·]. |
5. | On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender. |
6. | The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule. |
7. | The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement. |
8. | The Increase Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender11]. |
9. | [The Increase Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
11 Delete as applicable - each Increase Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within.
125
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.12] |
9. | [The Increase Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [·]), is tax resident in [·]13 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Increase Date.]14 |
[9/10].This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
[10/11].This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
[11/12].This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
12 | Include only if Increase Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender i.e. falls within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender. |
13 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
14 | This confirmation must be included if the Increase Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
126
THE SCHEDULE
Relevant Commitment/rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender
[insert relevant details]
[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Increase Lender]
By:
This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent, and the Increase Date is confirmed as [ ].
Agent: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) |
By: |
127
Schedule 11: [Schedule not used]
128
Schedule 12: Accordion Facility Notices and Accordion Facility Lender Certificates
Part 1: Form of Accordion Facility Notice
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | Rentokil Initial plc and each of the Accordion Facility Lenders specified below |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Accordion Facility Notice for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Accordion Facility Notice unless given a different meaning in this Accordion Facility Notice. |
2. | We refer to Clause 3 (Accordion Option) of the Facilities Agreement. |
3. | We request the establishment of an Accordion Facility with Total Accordion Facility Commitments of [●]. |
4. | The proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date is [●] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day). |
5. | The Borrower confirms that the Accordion Facility Lenders and the Accordion Facility Commitments set out in this Accordion Facility Notice have been selected and allocated in accordance with Clause 3.1 (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders) of the Facilities Agreement. |
6. | Each Accordion Facility Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Accordion Facility Commitment set opposite its name in the Schedule as if it was an Original Lender in respect of that Accordion Facility Commitment under the Facilities Agreement. |
7. | On the Accordion Facility Establishment Date each Accordion Facility Lender becomes, to the extent not already a Lender, party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender and as an Accordion Facility Lender with respect to the Accordion Facility the subject of this Accordion Facility Notice. |
8. | Each Accordion Facility Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in Clause 3.11 (Limitation of responsibility) of the Facilities Agreement. |
9. | This Accordion Facility Notice is irrevocable. |
10. | This Accordion Facility Notice may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Accordion Facility Notice. |
11. | This Accordion Facility Notice and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
12. | This Accordion Facility Notice has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Accordion Facility Notice. |
129
THE SCHEDULE
Full Legal Name of Accordion Facility Lender | Accordion Facility Commitment |
130
The Borrower
By: |
The Accordion Facility Lenders
[●]
This document is accepted as an Accordion Facility Notice for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and the Accordion Facility Establishment Date is confirmed as [●].
The Agent
By: |
131
Part 2: Form of Accordion Facility Lender Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | [Insert name of acceding Accordion Facility Lender] |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – £550,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Accordion Facility Notice dated [●]. This is an Accordion Facility Lender Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Accordion Facility Lender Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Accordion Facility Lender Certificate. |
2. | We confirm, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that we are: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender.]15 |
3. | [We confirm that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to us in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]16 |
15 | Delete as applicable – the acceding Accordion Facility Lender is required to confirm which of these categories it falls within. |
16 | Include if the acceding Accordion Facility Lender comes within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender. |
132
4. | [We confirm (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that we hold a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [●]), are tax resident in [●]17 and wish such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to us by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax and notify the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Accordion Facility Establishment Date.]18 |
5. | The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices to us for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) of the Facilities Agreement are: |
[●].
Accordion Facility Lender
[Insert name of acceding Accordion Facility Lender]
By:
17 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
18 | This confirmation must be included if the acceding Accordion Facility Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
133
Schedule 13: LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking
[Letterhead of Seller]
Date: [●]
To: | [insert name of Potential Purchaser] |
Re: | The Agreement |
Company: | [●] | (the “Company”) |
Date: | [●] |
Amount: | [●] |
Agent: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
Dear Sirs
We understand that you are considering acquiring an interest in the Agreement which, subject to the Agreement, may be by way of novation, assignment, the entering into, whether directly or indirectly, of a sub-participation or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to one or more Finance Documents or by way of investing in or otherwise financing, directly or indirectly, any such novation, assignment, sub-participation or other transaction (the “Acquisition”). In consideration of us agreeing to make available to you certain information, by your signature of a copy of this letter you agree as follows:
1. | CONFIDENTIALITY UNDERTAKING |
You undertake (a) to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to your own confidential information, and (b) until the Acquisition is completed to use the Confidential Information only for the Permitted Purpose19.
2. | PERMITTED DISCLOSURE |
We agree that you may disclose:
2.1 | to any of your Affiliates and any of your or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers and auditors such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph 2.1 is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information, except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information; |
19 | Please note that the Permitted Purpose ceases to apply on completion of the Acquisition however if the Acquisition does not complete, the prospective purchaser is not permitted to use any Confidential Information it has acquired for any purpose other than the Permitted Purpose. |
134
2.2 | subject to the requirements of the Agreement, to any person: |
(a) | to (or through) whom you assign or transfer (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of your rights and/or obligations which you may acquire under the Agreement such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 2.2 has delivered a letter to you in equivalent form to this letter; |
(b) | with (or through) whom you enter into (or may potentially enter into) any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to the Agreement or the Company such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 2.2 has delivered a letter to you in equivalent form to this letter; |
(c) | to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate; and |
2.3 | notwithstanding paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2. above, Confidential Information to such persons to whom, and on the same terms as, a Finance Party is permitted to disclose Confidential Information under the Agreement, as if such permissions were set out in full in this letter and as if references in those permissions to Finance Party were references to you20. |
3. | NOTIFICATION OF DISCLOSURE |
You agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform us:
3.1 | of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 2.2 above except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
3.2 | upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this letter. |
4. | RETURN OF COPIES |
If you do not enter into the Acquisition and we so request in writing, you shall return or destroy all Confidential Information supplied to you by us and destroy or permanently erase (to the extent technically practicable) all copies of Confidential Information made by you and use your reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom you have supplied any Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases (to the extent technically practicable) such Confidential Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent that you or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential Information by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body or in accordance with internal policy, or where the Confidential Information has been disclosed under sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph 2.2 above.
20 | The intention of this paragraph is to ensure that (i) any permitted disclosures in the Facilities Agreement which are subject to less onerous disclosure requirements and (ii) any additional permitted disclosures in the Facilities Agreement are also permitted under this letter. |
135
5. | CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS |
The obligations in this letter are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on you until (a) if you become a party to the Agreement as a lender of record, the date on which you become such a party to the Agreement; (b) if you enter into the Acquisition but it does not result in you becoming a party to the Agreement as a lender of record, the date falling [twelve] months after the date on which all of your rights and obligations contained in the documentation entered into to implement that Acquisition have terminated21; or (c) in any other case the date falling [twelve] months after the date of your final receipt (in whatever manner) of any Confidential Information.
6. | NO REPRESENTATION; CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH, ETC |
You acknowledge and agree that:
6.1 | neither we, nor any member of the Group nor any of our or their respective officers, employees or advisers (each a “Relevant Person”) (i) make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, or assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any of the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or the assumptions on which it is based or (ii) shall be under any obligation to update or correct any inaccuracy in the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or be otherwise liable to you or any other person in respect of the Confidential Information or any such information; and |
6.2 | we or members of the Group may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms of this letter and damages may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may be granted an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions of this letter by you. |
7. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT: NO WAIVER; AMENDMENTS, ETC |
7.1 | This letter constitutes the entire agreement between us in relation to your obligations regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information. |
7.2 | No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, any right or remedy under this letter will operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm this letter. No election to affirm this letter will be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy will prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy under this letter. |
7.3 | The terms of this letter and your obligations under this letter may only be amended or modified by written agreement between us. |
8. | INSIDE INFORMATION |
You acknowledge that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and you undertake not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
21 | The purpose of this paragraph (b) is to ensure that if the Acquisition does not result in the Purchaser becoming a lender of record under the Agreement, the confidentiality obligations imposed on the Purchaser in this letter will continue until the expiry of an agreed period after termination of the sub-participation, assignment or other transaction. |
136
9. | NATURE OF UNDERTAKINGS |
The undertakings given by you under this letter are given to us and are also given for the benefit of the Company and each other member of the Group.
10. | THIRD PARTY RIGHTS |
10.1 | Subject to this paragraph 10 and to paragraphs 6 and 9, a person who is not a party to this letter has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this letter. |
10.2 | The Relevant Persons may enjoy the benefit of the terms of paragraphs 6 and 9 subject to and in accordance with this paragraph 10 and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
10.3 | Notwithstanding any provisions of this letter, the parties to this letter do not require the consent of any Relevant Person to rescind or vary this letter at any time. |
11. | GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION |
11.1 | This letter (including the agreement constituted by your acknowledgement of its terms) (the “Letter”) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it (including any non-contractual obligations arising out of the negotiation of the transaction contemplated by this Letter)22 are governed by English law. |
11.2 | The courts of England have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Letter (including a dispute relating to any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with either this Letter or the negotiation of the transaction contemplated by this Letter). |
12. | DEFINITIONS |
In this letter (including the acknowledgement set out below) terms defined in the Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning and:
“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Company, the Group, the Finance Documents, [the/a] Facility and/or the Acquisition which is provided to you in relation to the Finance Documents or [the/a] Facility by us or any of our affiliates or advisers, in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that:
(a) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by you of this letter; or |
(b) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by us or our advisers; or |
(c) | is known by you before the date the information is disclosed to you by us or any of our affiliates or advisers or is lawfully obtained by you after that date, from a source which is, as far as you are aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as you are aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality. |
22 | The reference to non-contractual obligations arising out of the negotiation of the contemplated transaction is intended to specifically apply the governing law (and jurisdiction) clause to any non-contractual obligations arising out of negotiations where the transaction breaks down before the documentation documenting the debt trade is entered into. |
137
“Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries for the time being (as such term is defined in the Companies Act 2006).
“Permitted Purpose” means considering and evaluating whether to enter into the Acquisition.
Please acknowledge your agreement to the above by signing and returning the enclosed copy.
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of
[Seller]
To: | [Seller] |
The Company and each other member of the Group
We acknowledge and agree to the above:
For and on behalf of
[Potential Purchaser]
138
Schedule 14: Reference Rate Terms
Part 1A: Dollars – Term Rate Loans
CURRENCY AND CATEGORY OF LOAN/UNPAID SUM/ACCRUAL: Dollars – Term Rate Loans and, prior to the Rate Switch Date for Dollars, accrual of commission or fees. |
Rate Switch Currency |
Dollars is a Rate Switch Currency. |
Compounded Reference Rate as a fallback |
Compounded Reference Rate will apply as a fallback. |
Cost of funds as a fallback |
Cost of funds will apply as a fallback. |
(i) | subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day; | ||
(ii) | if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and | ||
(iii) | if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. |
(b) | If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | |
Market Disruption Rate: | The Term Reference Rate. | |
Primary Term Rate: | The London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for Dollars and the period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen. | |
Quotation Day: | Two Business Days before the first day of the relevant Interest Period (unless market practice differs in the Relevant Market, in which case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Relevant Market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days)). | |
Quotation Time: | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. | |
Relevant Market: | The London interbank market. | |
Reporting Day: | The Quotation Day. | |
Interest Periods | ||
Periods capable of selection as Interest Periods (Clause 11.1(B) (Selection of Interest Periods)): | One, three or six Months. |
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Part 1B: Dollars – Compounded Rate Loans
CURRENCY AND CATEGORY OF LOAN/UNPAID SUM/ACCRUAL: Dollars – Compounded Rate Loans and, on and from the Rate Switch Date for Dollars, accrual of commission or fees. |
Cost of funds as a fallback |
Cost of funds will not apply as a fallback. |
Definitions | |||
Additional Business Days: | An RFR Banking Day. | ||
Break Costs: | None specified. | ||
Business Day Conventions (definition of “Month” and Clause 11.2 (Non-Business Days)): | (a) | If any period is expressed to accrue by reference to a Month or any number of Months then, in respect of the last Month of that period: | |
(i) | subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day; | ||
(ii) | if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and | ||
(iii) | if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. | ||
(b) | If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | ||
Central Bank Rate: | (a) | The short-term interest rate target set by the US Federal Open Market Committee as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from time to time; or | |
(b) | if that target is not a single figure, the arithmetic mean of: | ||
(i) | the upper bound of the short-term interest rate target range set by the US Federal Open Market Committee and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; and | ||
(ii) | the lower bound of that target range. | ||
Central Bank Rate Adjustment: | In relation to the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on any RFR Banking Day, the 20 per cent. trimmed arithmetic mean (calculated by the Agent, or by any other Finance Party which agrees to do so in place of the Agent) of the Central Bank Rate Spreads for the five most immediately preceding RFR Banking Days for which the RFR is available. |
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For this purpose, “Central Bank Rate Spread” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day, the difference (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) calculated by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to do so in place of the Agent) between: | |||
(a) | the RFR for that RFR Banking Day; and | ||
(b) | the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on that RFR Banking Day. |
Credit Adjustment Spread: | Length of Interest Period | Applicable CAS |
Less than or equal to one week | 0.03839 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than one week but less than or equal to one Month | 0.11448 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than one Month but less than or equal to two Months | 0.18456 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than two Months but less than or equal to three Months | 0.26161 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than three Months but less than or equal to six Months | 0.42826 per cent. per annum |
Daily Rate: | The “Daily Rate” for any RFR Banking Day is: | ||
(a) | the RFR for that RFR Banking Day; or | ||
(b) | if the RFR is not available for that RFR Banking Day, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of: | ||
(i) | the Central Bank Rate for that RFR Banking Day; and | ||
(ii) | the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment; or | ||
(c) | if paragraph (b) above applies but the Central Bank Rate for that RFR Banking Day is not available, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of: | ||
(i) | the most recent Central Bank Rate for a day which is no more than five RFR Banking Days before that RFR Banking Day; and | ||
(ii) | the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment, | ||
rounded, in each case, to five decimal places and if, in each case, the aggregate of that rate and the Credit Adjustment Spread is less than zero, the Daily Rate shall be deemed to be such a rate that the aggregate of the Daily Rate and the Credit Adjustment Spread is zero. | |||
Lookback Period: | Five RFR Banking Days. | ||
Market Disruption Rate: | The percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of: | ||
(a) | The Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for the Interest Period of the relevant Loan; and | ||
(b) | the applicable Credit Adjustment Spread (if any). |
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Part 2: Sterling
CURRENCY: | Sterling. | ||
Cost of funds as a fallback | |||
Cost of funds will not apply as a fallback. | |||
Definitions | |||
Additional Business Days: | An RFR Banking Day. | ||
Break Costs: | None specified. | ||
Business Day Conventions (definition of “Month” and Clause 11.2 (Non-Business Days)): | (a) | If any period is expressed to accrue by reference to a Month or any number of Months then, in respect of the last Month of that period: | |
(i) | subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day; | ||
(ii) | if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and | ||
(iii) | if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. | ||
(b) | If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | ||
Central Bank Rate: | The Bank of England’s Bank Rate as published by the Bank of England from time to time. | ||
Central Bank Rate Adjustment: | In relation to the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on any RFR Banking Day, the 20 per cent. trimmed arithmetic mean (calculated by the Agent, or by any other Finance Party which agrees to do so in place of the Agent) of the Central Bank Rate Spreads for the five most immediately preceding RFR Banking Days for which the RFR is available. | ||
For this purpose, “Central Bank Rate Spread” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day, the difference (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) calculated by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to do so in place of the Agent) between: | |||
(a) | the RFR for that RFR Banking Day; and | ||
(b) | the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on that RFR Banking Day. |
Credit Adjustment Spread: | Length of Interest Period | Credit Adjustment Spread |
Less than or equal to one week | 0.0168 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than one week but less than or equal to one Month | 0.0326 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than one Month but less than or equal to two Months | 0.0633 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than two Months but less than or equal to three Months | 0.1193 per cent. per annum | |
Greater than three Months but less than or equal to six Months | 0.2766 per cent. per annum |
Daily Rate: | The “Daily Rate” for any RFR Banking Day is: | ||
(a) | the RFR for that RFR Banking Day; or | ||
(b) | if the RFR is not available for that RFR Banking Day, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of: | ||
(i) | the Central Bank Rate for that RFR Banking Day; and | ||
(ii) | the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment; or | ||
(c) | if paragraph (b) above applies but the Central Bank Rate for that RFR Banking Day is not available, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of: | ||
(i) | the most recent Central Bank Rate for a day which is no more than five RFR Banking Days before that RFR Banking Day; and | ||
(ii) | the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment, | ||
rounded, in each case, to four decimal places and if, in each case, the aggregate of that rate and the Credit Adjustment Spread is less than zero, the Daily Rate shall be deemed to be such a rate that the aggregate of the Daily Rate and the Credit Adjustment Spread is zero. | |||
Lookback Period: | Five RFR Banking Days. | ||
Market Disruption Rate | The percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of: | ||
(a) | The Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for the Interest Period of the relevant Loan; and | ||
(b) | the applicable Credit Adjustment Spread (if any). | ||
Relevant Market: | The sterling wholesale market. | ||
Reporting Day: | The day which is the Lookback Period prior to the last day of the Interest Period or, if that day is not a Business Day, the immediately following Business Day. | ||
RFR: | The SONIA (sterling overnight index average) reference rate displayed on the relevant screen of any authorised distributor of that reference rate. | ||
RFR Banking Day: | A day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London. | ||
Published Rate Contingency Period | 20 RFR Banking Days | ||
Interest Periods | |||
Periods capable of selection as Interest Periods (Clause 11.1(B) (Selection of Interest Periods)): | One, three or six Months. | ||
Reporting Times | |||
Deadline for Lenders to report market disruption in accordance with Clause 12.3 (Market disruption): | Close of business in London on the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan. | ||
Deadline for Lenders to report their cost of funds in accordance with Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds): | Close of business on the date falling two Business Days after the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan (or, if earlier, on the date falling two Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of the Interest Period for that Loan). |
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Part 3: Euro
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Schedule 15: Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate
The “Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” for any RFR Banking Day “i” during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan is the percentage rate per annum (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Finance Party performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose) calculated as set out below:
where:
“UCCDRi” means the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“UCCDRi-1” means, in relation to that RFR Banking Day “i”, the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day (if any) during that Interest Period;
“dcc” means 360 or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number;
“ni” means the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day; and
the “Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” for any RFR Banking Day (the “Cumulated RFR Banking Day”) during that Interest Period is the result of the below calculation (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Finance Party performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose):
where:
“ACCDR” means the Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
“tni” means the number of calendar days from, and including, the first day of the Cumulation Period to, but excluding, the RFR Banking Day which immediately follows the last day of the Cumulation Period;
“Cumulation Period” means the period from, and including, the first RFR Banking Day of that Interest Period to, and including, that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” has the meaning given to that term above; and
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the “Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as is specified in the relevant definition of “Daily Rate”) calculated as set out below:
where:
“d0” means the number of RFR Banking Days in the Cumulation Period;
“Cumulation Period” has the meaning given to that term above;
“i” means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order in the Cumulation Period;
“DailyRatei-LP” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i” in the Cumulation Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the applicable Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“ni” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i” in the Cumulation Period, the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” has the meaning given to that term above; and
“tni” has the meaning given to that term above.
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Schedule 16: Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate
The “Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” for any Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as is specified in the definition of “Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” in Schedule 15 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate)) calculated as set out below:
where:
“d0” means the number of RFR Banking Days during the Interest Period;
“i” means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order during the Interest Period;
“DailyRatei-LP” means for any RFR Banking Day “i” during the Interest Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the applicable Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“ni” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i”, the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” means 360 or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number; and
“d” means the number of calendar days during that Interest Period.
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AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT EXECUTION PAGES
The Borrower | ||||
SIGNED by | ) | |||
Please print name of signatory | ) | |||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||
Rentokil Initial plc | ) | Signature | ||
Address: | Rentokil Initial plc | |||
Compass House | ||||
Manor Royal | ||||
Crawley | ||||
RH10 9PY | ||||
Attention: Treasury |
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The Agent | ||||
SIGNED by | ) | |||
Please print name of signatory | ) | |||
for and on behalf of | ) | |||
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken | ) | Signature | ||
AB (publ) | ) | |||
Signature |
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Simmons & Simmons LLP Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street London EC2Y 9SS United Kingdom T: +44 20 7628 2020 F: +44 20 7628 2070 EXECUTION VERSION Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement between Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower The Financial Institutions listed in schedule 1 as Continuing Lenders The Financial Institutions listed in schedule 1 as New Lenders The Financial Institutions listed in schedule 1 as Outgoing Lenders and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent relating to a multicurrency revolving facility agreement originally dated 27 January 2015, as amended on 9 June 2016, amended and restated on 26 January 2017, amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018, as amended by a resignation, appointment and amendment agreement dated 24 December 2019, and as amended and restated on 8 September 2021 Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is (i) not material and (ii) the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that has been omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”. Exhibit 10.2 |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH i L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 CONTENTS 1. Definitions and Interpretation ............................................................................................. 1 2. Conditions Precedent ........................................................................................................ 2 3. Representations ................................................................................................................ 3 4. Amendment and Restatement ........................................................................................... 3 5. The Outgoing Lenders ....................................................................................................... 3 6. Prepayments ..................................................................................................................... 4 7. The New Lenders .............................................................................................................. 4 8. Lenders ............................................................................................................................. 5 9. Fees .................................................................................................................................. 5 10. Costs and Expenses .......................................................................................................... 5 11. Miscellaneous .................................................................................................................... 5 12. Governing Law .................................................................................................................. 6 SCHEDULE 1 : THE LENDERS .................................................................................................... 7 : THE CONTINUING LENDERS ...................................................................................... 7 : THE NEW LENDERS .................................................................................................... 9 : EFFECTIVE DATE COMMITMENTS ........................................................................... 10 : THE OUTGOING LENDERS ....................................................................................... 11 SCHEDULE 2 : CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SIGNING ........................................................ 12 SCHEDULE 3 : CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE ................................. 13 SCHEDULE 4 : AMENDED AND RESTATED FACILITY AGREEMENT ..................................... 14 |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH 1 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 THIS AGREEMENT is dated and made BETWEEN: (1) RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (registration number 5393279) (the “Borrower”); (2) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in part 1 (The Continuing Lenders) of schedule 1 (The Lenders) (the “Continuing Lenders”); (3) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in part 2 (The New Lenders) of schedule 1 (The Lenders) (the “New Lenders”) (4) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in part 4 (The Outgoing Lenders) of schedule 1 (The Lenders) (the “Outgoing Lenders”); (5) SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL) as agent for and on behalf of the other Finance Parties (the “Agent”); BACKGROUND: (A) This Agreement is supplemental to and amends a £550,000,000 multicurrency revolving facility agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 (as amended on 9 June 2016, as amended and restated on 26 January 2017, as amended on 9 June 2017, as amended and restated on 23 August 2018, as amended by a resignation, appointment and amendment agreement dated 24 December 2019, and as amended and restated on 8 September 2021), made between, amongst others, the Borrower and Lloyds Bank plc as the agent, subsequently replaced by Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) (the “Original Facility Agreement”). (B) Under an appointment, resignation and amendment agreement dated 24 December 2019, the Agent was appointed in place of the former Agent, Lloyds Bank plc. (C) The Finance Parties and the Borrower have agreed, subject to the terms of this Agreement, to make certain amendments to, and to restate, the Original Facility Agreement. IT IS AGREED as follows: 1. Definitions and Interpretation 1.1 Definitions In this Agreement: “Amended Facility Agreement” means the Original Facility Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement on the Effective Date. “Amendment Fee Letter” means the fee letter dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Borrower and the Agent in respect of the fees payable to the Continuing Lenders and the New Lenders in connection with this Agreement. “Continuing Party” means each party to the Original Facility Agreement other than the Outgoing Lenders. 25 February 2022 |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH 2 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 “Effective Date” means the date on which the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that it has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in schedule 3 (Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. “Finance Party” has the meaning given to that term in the form of Amended Facility Agreement, provided that, until the occurrence of the Effective Date, it shall also be deemed to include the Outgoing Lenders. “Lender” means a Continuing Lender, a New Lender and, until the occurrence of the Effective Date, an Outgoing Lender. “Party” means a party to this Agreement. 1.2 Incorporation of defined terms (A) Unless a contrary indication appears, a term defined in the Original Facility Agreement has the same meaning in this Agreement. (B) The principles of construction set out in the Original Facility Agreement shall have effect as if set out in full and referring to this Agreement, except that references to the Original Facility Agreement are to be construed as references to this Agreement. 1.3 Third party rights A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement. 2. Conditions Precedent 2.1 Notice The Borrower shall notify the Agent three Business Days in advance of the date on which Closing (as defined in schedule 3) is due to occur. 2.2 Effective Date (A) Subject to paragraph (D) below, on and from the Effective Date the Original Facility Agreement will be amended in the manner contemplated in this Agreement. (B) The Agent shall make the notification described in the definition of “Effective Date” to the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied. (C) Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders (as defined in the Original Facility Agreement) notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in the definition of “Effective Date”, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification. (D) If the Effective Date has not occurred by 11.59pm (New York City time) on 13 March 2023 (or such later date as the Borrower and the Agent, acting on the instructions of all the Lenders, may agree), the Original Facility Agreement will not be amended in the manner contemplated by this Agreement. |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH 3 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 3. Representations The Borrower makes the representations and warranties set out in clause 20 (Representations) of the Original Facility Agreement, in each case by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the: (A) date of this Agreement as if references to “this Agreement” and “the Finance Documents” are references to this Agreement; and (B) Effective Date as if references to “this Agreement” and “the Finance Documents” are references to the Amended Facility Agreement, and provided that, in the case of clause 20.11 (Financial Statements) of the Original Facility Agreement, the reference therein to “Original Financial Statements” is construed as a reference to the last set of financial statements delivered to the Agent under clause 21.1 (Financial statements) of the Original Facility Agreement. 4. Amendment and Restatement 4.1 Amendment and restatement With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Original Facility Agreement shall be amended and restated in the form set out in schedule 4 (Amended and Restated Facility Agreement). 4.2 Continuing obligations (A) The provisions of the Original Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents shall, save as amended and restated by this Agreement, continue in full force and effect. (B) With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Borrower: (1) confirms its acceptance of the Amended Facility Agreement; and (2) agrees to be bound as the Borrower by the terms of the Amended Facility Agreement. 4.3 Finance Document cross referencing Clause references in any Finance Document which cross refer to a clause of the Original Facility Agreement shall, where applicable, be deemed to be, as from the occurrence of the Effective Date, updated to cross refer to the corresponding provision in the Amended Facility Agreement. 5. The Outgoing Lenders 5.1 With effect on and from the Effective Date: (A) each Outgoing Lender shall cease, for all purposes, to be a party to the Amended Facility Agreement as a Lender and none of the Continuing Parties shall have any claims against any Outgoing Lender whatsoever arising under or in connection with the Amended Facility Agreement; and (B) each of (i) the Continuing Parties and (ii) the Outgoing Lenders shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH 4 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 cancelled (provided that the Borrower shall not be released from its repayment obligation pursuant to Clause 6.2 below until such time as the Agent has confirmed to the Borrower and the Outgoing Lenders that such payments have been made to the Outgoing Lenders). 6. Prepayments 6.1 If any Loans are due to be outstanding on the Effective Date, the Borrower must, no later than three Business Days before the Effective Date, submit to the Agent a prepayment request in respect of those Loans. 6.2 The Borrower will: (A) on the Effective Date, repay each Continuing Lender’s and each Outgoing Lender’s participation (if any) in any outstanding Loans (together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents but excluding Break Costs); and (B) within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Continuing Lender and each Outgoing Lender its Break Costs, if any, attributable to its participation in the Loans repaid pursuant to paragraph (A) above, and each other Lender and Outgoing Lender consents to such payments being made to, and retained by, each such Continuing Lender and Outgoing Lender for its own account, notwithstanding the provisions of clause 29 (Sharing Among the Finance Parties) of the Original Facility Agreement. 7. The New Lenders 7.1 On the Effective Date, each New Lender: (A) will become (and each Continuing Party consents to such New Lender becoming) a party to the Amended Facility Agreement as a Lender (as defined therein) and its Commitment shall be as set out in part 3 (Effective Date Commitments) of schedule 1 (The Lenders) of the Amended Facility Agreement; and (B) confirms to the Finance Parties and the Borrower that it undertakes to be bound by the terms of the Amended Facility Agreement as a Lender on and from that date. 7.2 Each New Lender confirms to the other Finance Parties that it: (A) has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its related entities in connection with its participation in the Amended Facility Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by any Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document; and (B) will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. 7.3 On and from the Effective Date, each New Lender appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents on the terms set out in clause 27.1 (Appointment of the Agent) of the Amended Facility Agreement |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH 5 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 8. Lenders 8.1 Effective Date Commitments With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Commitment of each Lender will be as set out opposite its name in part 3 (Effective Date Commitments) of schedule 1 (The Lenders) to this Agreement. 8.2 Qualifying Lender Status Each Continuing Lender confirms in part 1 (The Continuing Lenders) of schedule 1 (The Lenders), and each New Lender confirms in part 2 (The New Lenders) of schedule 1 (The Lenders), which of the following categories it falls in: (A) not a Qualifying Lender; (B) a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or (C) a Treaty Lender. 9. Fees No later than one Business Day after the Effective Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Continuing Lender and each New Lender) a fee in an amount set out in the Amendment Fee Letter. 10. Costs and Expenses Subject to any pre-agreed cap on such cost and expenses, the Borrower shall within three Business Days of demand reimburse the Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement. 11. Miscellaneous 11.1 Designation Each of the Borrower and the Agent designate this Agreement and the Amendment Fee Letter as a Finance Document. 11.2 Incorporation of terms The provisions of clause 32 (Notices), clause 34 (Partial Invalidity), clause 35 (Remedies and Waivers) and clause 41 (Jurisdiction) of the Original Facility Agreement shall be incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full in this Agreement and as if reference to those clauses to “this Agreement” are references to this Agreement. 11.3 Counterparts This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement. |
FMBK/077541-00031/ELBE/ECTH 6 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53517381v7 12. Governing Law This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement |
FMBK/077541-00031 7 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 SCHEDULE 1: THE LENDERS : THE CONTINUING LENDERS Lender Description of Lender Legal Name Entity Description Treaty Lender/Qualifying Lender (other than a treaty lender)/ Not a Qualifying Lender BAML Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Europe UK Bank Qualifying Lender Barclays Barclays Bank PLC UK Bank Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) BNPP BNP Paribas, London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) BoC Bank of China Limited, London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch (permanent UK establishment) Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) GS Goldman Sachs Bank USA Non-UK Bank using a double tax treaty passport Treaty Lender – passport scheme reference number is 13/G/351779/DTTP HSBC HSBC UK Bank plc UK Bank Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) ING ING Bank N.V., London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
FMBK/077541-00031 8 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 JPM JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch. Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) Mizuho Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) Santand er Banco Santander, S.A., London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) SCB Standard Chartered Bank UK Bank Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) SEB Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) Non-UK Bank using a double tax treaty passport Treaty Lender – passport scheme reference number is 73/S/42621/DTTP SWEDEN UOB United Overseas Bank Limited, London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) Wells Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK subsidiary or UK branch Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender) |
FMBK/077541-00031 9 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 : THE NEW LENDERS Lender Description of Lender Legal Name Entity Description Treaty Lender/Qualifying Lender (other than a treaty lender)/ Not a Qualifying Lender Fifth Third Bank, National Associati on Fifth Third Bank, National Association Non-UK Bank using a double tax treaty passport Treaty Lender – passport scheme reference number is 13/F/24267/DTTP Scotia The Bank of Nova Scotia, London Branch Non-UK Bank lending through a UK permanent establishment Qualifying Lender (other than a treaty lender) |
PART 3: EFFECTIVE DATE COMMITMENTS
[Reserved]
FMBK/077541-00031 | 10 | L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 |
FMBK/077541-00031 11 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 : THE OUTGOING LENDERS Bayerische Landesbank DBS Bank Ltd, London Branch Scotiabank Europe plc |
FMBK/077541-00031 12 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 SCHEDULE 2: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SIGNING 1. Borrower 1.1 A copy of the constitutional documents of the Borrower or a certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower certifying that the constitutional documents last delivered to the Agent under the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement are still correct, complete and in full force and effect and have not been amended as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement. 1.2 A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Borrower: (A) approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Amended Facility Agreement and resolving that it execute and perform this Agreement and the Amendment Fee Letter; (B) authorising a specified person or persons to execute this Agreement and the Amendment Fee Letter on its behalf; and (C) authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement and the Amended Facility Agreement. 1.3 A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above. 1.4 A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower: (A) confirming that borrowing the Total Commitments and the maximum amount permitted to be borrowed under any Accordion Facilities in full (as defined in the Amended Facility Agreement) would not cause any borrowing, guaranteeing or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded; and (B) certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this schedule is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement. 2. Finance Documents (A) This Agreement duly executed by the Parties. (B) The duly executed Amendment Fee Letter. 3. Legal Opinions A legal opinion of Allen & Overy LLP, legal advisers to the Agent in England, substantially in the form distributed to the Continuing Lenders and the New Lenders prior to signing this Agreement. |
FMBK/077541-00031 13 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 SCHEDULE 3: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE 2. Definitions 2.1 In this Schedule 3: (A) “Acquisition” means the acquisition of the Target pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement; (B) “Acquisition Agreement” means the agreement and plan of merger between Rentokil Initial plc, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc. as bidco, the Target, Leto Holdings I, Inc. and Leto Holdings II, LLC dated 13 December 2021; (C) “Closing” means the closing of the Acquisition in accordance with section 2.01 (Closing) of the Acquisition Agreement; and (D) “Target” means Terminix Global Holdings, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware. 3. Borrower 3.1 Confirmation from the Borrower that it has received all required consents pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement in relation to the Acquisition, including shareholder approval from the Borrower’s shareholders, and all conditions to Closing have been satisfied or waived (except any waiver that could reasonably be expected to affect the Lenders’ interests materially and adversely) and that the Acquisition will be consummated substantially simultaneously with the Effective Date under this Agreement. 3.2 Confirmation from the Borrower that it has the funds available to the Group in order to meet the cash requirements in the Acquisition Agreement. 3.3 A certificate of an authorised signatory or the secretary or other officer of the Borrower confirming that: (A) the shareholders of the Borrower have approved, by way of an ordinary resolution, an increase in the £3,000,000,000 borrowing limit included at section 134 (Borrowing powers) of the Borrower’s articles; and (B) the confirmations included in the directors certificate provided to the Agent under schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent to Signing) remain true and correct up to and including the Effective Date. |
FMBK/077541-00031 14 L_LIVE_EMEA1:53439922v2 SCHEDULE 4: AMENDED AND RESTATED FACILITY AGREEMENT |
EXECUTION VERSION
Multicurrency Revolving Facilities Agreement
(originally dated 27 January 2015, as amended on 9 June 2016, amended and restated on 26 January 2017, amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018, amended on 24 December 2019, amended and restated on 8 September 2021 and as further amended and restated on the 2022 Effective Date)
Between
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
The Financial Institutions identified in this Agreement as Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders
and
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (PUBL) as Agent |
relating to
relating to a $1,000,000,000 committed working capital facility and $250,000,000 uncommitted working capital facilities |
Simmons & Simmons LLP Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street London EC2Y 9SS United Kingdom |
T: +44 20 7628 2020 F: +44 20 7628 2070 |
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Contents
1. | Definitions and Interpretation | 1 |
2. | The Facilities | 26 |
3. | Accordion Option | 30 |
4. | Purpose | 34 |
5. | Conditions of Utilisation | 35 |
6. | Utilisation | 36 |
7. | Optional Currencies | 37 |
8. | Repayment of Loans | 38 |
9. | Prepayment and Cancellation | 39 |
10. | Interest | 43 |
11. | Interest Periods | 44 |
12. | Changes to the Calculation of Interest | 45 |
13. | Fees | 47 |
14. | Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities | 48 |
15. | Increased Costs | 58 |
16. | Other Indemnities | 61 |
17. | Mitigation by the Lenders | 62 |
18. | Costs and Expenses | 62 |
19. | [Clause not used] | 63 |
20. | Representations | 63 |
21. | Information Undertakings | 66 |
22. | [Clause not used] | 70 |
23. | General Undertakings | 70 |
24. | Events of Default | 74 |
25. | Changes to the Lenders | 77 |
26. | Changes to the Borrower | 82 |
27. | Role of the Agent and the Arrangers | 83 |
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28. | Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties | 91 |
29. | Sharing Among the Finance Parties | 91 |
30. | Payment Mechanics | 93 |
31. | Set-Off | 97 |
32. | Notices | 97 |
33. | Calculations and Certificates | 99 |
34. | Partial Invalidity | 100 |
35. | Remedies and Waivers | 100 |
36. | Amendments and Waivers | 100 |
37. | Confidential Information | 108 |
38. | Confidentiality of Funding Rates | 111 |
39. | Counterparts | 113 |
40. | Governing Law | 113 |
41. | Jurisdiction | 113 |
ii
Schedule 11 : [Schedule not used] | 131 |
Schedule 12 : Accordion Facility Notices and Accordion Facility Lender Certificates | 132 |
Part 1 : Form of Accordion Facility Notice | 132 |
Part 2 : Form of Accordion Facility Lender Certificate | 136 |
Schedule 13 : LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking | 138 |
Schedule 14 : Reference Rate Terms | 143 |
Part 1 : Dollars | 143 |
Part 2 : Sterling | 147 |
Part 3 : Euro | 150 |
Schedule 15 : Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate | 153 |
Schedule 16 : Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate | 155 |
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This Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015, as amended on 9 June 2016, amended and restated on 26 January 2017, amended on 9 June 2017, amended and restated on 23 August 2018, amended on 24 December 2019, amended and restated on 8 September 2021 and as further amended and restated on the 2022 Effective Date and made
between:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, (the “Borrower”), (registration number 5393279); |
(2) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) as original lenders (the “Original Lenders”); |
(3) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) as acceding lenders (the “Acceding Lenders”); and |
(4) | SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL), (the “Agent”), as agent of the other Finance Parties. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | Definitions and Interpretation |
1.1 | Definitions |
In this Agreement:
“2018 Effective Date” has the meaning given to the definition “Effective Date” in the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“2021 Effective Date” has the meaning given to the definition of “Effective Date” in the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“2022 Effective Date” has the meaning given to the definition of “Effective Date” in the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Acceptable Bank” means:
(A) | a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations of BBB or higher by S&P or Fitch or Baa2 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency; or |
(B) | any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent. |
“Accordion Facility” means each facility that may be established and made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 3 (Accordion Option).
“Accordion Facility Commitment” means:
(A) | in relation to a Lender which is an Accordion Facility Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Accordion Facility Commitment” in the relevant Accordion Facility Notice and the amount of any other Accordion Facility Commitment relating to the relevant Accordion Facility transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); and |
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(B) | in relation to an Accordion Facility and any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Accordion Facility Commitment relating to that Accordion Facility transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase), |
to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
“Accordion Facility Establishment Date” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, the later of:
(A) | the proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date specified in the relevant Accordion Facility Notice; and |
(B) | the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Accordion Facility Notice. |
“Accordion Facility Lender” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, any entity which is listed as such in the relevant Accordion Facility Notice.
“Accordion Facility Lender Certificate” means a document substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 12 (Form of Accordion Facility Lender Certificate).
“Accordion Facility Loan” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, a loan made or to be made under that Accordion Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
“Accordion Facility Notice” means a notice substantially in the form set out in the form of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (Form of Accordion Facility Notice).
“Accordion Facility Participating Lender” has the meaning given to it in Clause 3.1(B) (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders).
“Accordion Facility Proposal” means a notice from the Borrower addressed to each applicable Lender (in accordance with Clause 3.1(A) (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders)) which:
(A) | invites that Lender to participate in a proposed Accordion Facility; and |
(B) | sets out the Accordion Facility Proposed Size. |
“Accordion Facility Proposed Size” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility Proposal, the proposed Total Accordion Facility Commitments for the relevant Accordion Facility set out in that Accordion Facility Proposal which shall be, in each case, no less than $50,000,000.
“Accordion Facility Tender Period” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility Proposal, the period of time starting on the date of delivery of that Accordion Facility Proposal and ending on the date which falls 20 Business Days after the date of delivery of that Accordion Facility Proposal or on such other date as the Borrower and the Agent may otherwise agree.
“Accordion Option A Lender” means each Lender with an Effective Date Facility Commitment of more than $25,000,000.
“Accordion Option B Lender” means each Lender with an Effective Date Facility Commitment of $25,000,000 or less.
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“Acquisition” means the acquisition of the Target pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement.
“Acquisition Agreement” means the agreement and plan of merger between the Borrower, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc. as bidco, the Target, Leto Holdings I, Inc. and Leto Holdings II, LLC dated 13 December 2021.
“Additional Business Day” means any day specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Affiliate” means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
“Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange” means the Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of the relevant currency with the Base Currency in the Stockholm foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. on a particular day.
“Aggregate Total Accordion Facility Commitments” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Total Accordion Facility Commitments relating to each Accordion Facility.
“Article 55 BRRD” means Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.
“Alternative Term Rate” means any rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Alternative Term Rate Adjustment” means any rate which is either:
(A) | specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms; or |
(B) | determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology specified in the applicable Reference Rate Terms. |
“Assignment Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Assignment Agreement) or any other form agreed between the relevant assignor and assignee.
“Authorisation” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
“Availability Period” means:
(A) | in relation to the Effective Date Facility, the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date falling one month before the Termination Date for the Effective Date Facility; |
(B) | in relation to an Accordion Facility, the period from and including the Accordion Facility Establishment Date of that Accordion Facility to and including the date falling one month before the Termination Date applicable to that Accordion Facility. |
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“Available Commitment” means, in relation to a Facility, a Lender’s Commitment under that Facility minus:
(A) | the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any outstanding Utilisations under that Facility; and |
(B) | in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any Utilisations that are due to be made under that Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation Date, |
other than that Lender’s participation in any Utilisations under that Facility that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Utilisation Date.
“Available Facility” means, in relation to a Facility, the aggregate for the time being of each Lender’s Available Commitment in respect of that Facility.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
“Bail-In Legislation” means:
(A) | in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 BRRD, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; |
(B) | in relation to the United Kingdom, the UK Bail-In Legislation; and |
(C) | in relation to any state other than such an EEA Member Country and the United Kingdom, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation. |
“Base Currency” means dollars.
“Base Currency Amount” means, in relation to a Utilisation, the amount specified in the Utilisation Request delivered by the Borrower for that Utilisation (or, if the amount requested is not denominated in the Base Currency, that amount converted into the Base Currency at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date which is three Business Days before the Utilisation Date or, if later, on the date the Agent receives the Utilisation Request) as adjusted to reflect any repayment or prepayment of a Utilisation.
“Break Costs” means any amount specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement” means the $2,700,000,000 acquisition finance bridge and term facilities agreement between, amongst others, the Borrower as borrower, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as agent and the lenders named therein dated 25 February 2022.
“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Stockholm, New York and:
(A) | (in relation to any date for payment or purchase of a currency other than euro) the principal financial centre of the country of that currency; or |
(B) | (in relation to any date for payment or purchase of euro) any TARGET Day; and |
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(C) | (in relation to: |
(1) | the fixing of an interest rate in relation to a Term Rate Loan; |
(2) | any date for payment or purchase of an amount relating to a Compounded Rate Loan; or |
(3) | the determination of the first day or the last day of an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan, or otherwise in relation to the determination of the length of such an Interest Period), |
which is an Additional Business Day relating to that Loan or Unpaid Sum.
“Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments” means, at any time:
(A) | cash in hand or on deposit with any Acceptable Bank (irrespective of the duration of that deposit with any Acceptable Bank); |
(B) | certificates of deposit, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation, issued by an Acceptable Bank or a trust company which falls within the criteria set out in the definition of “Acceptable Bank”; |
(C) | any investment in marketable obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America, the U.K., any Participating Member State or any member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development with a rating of at least A+ from S&P or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them having an equivalent credit rating which is: |
(1) | maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation; and |
(2) | not convertible to any other security; |
(D) | open market commercial paper not convertible to any other security: |
(1) | for which a recognised trading market exists; |
(2) | issued in the United States of America, the U.K., any Participating Member State or any member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and |
(3) | which has a credit rating of either A-1 by S&P or Fitch or P-1 by Moody’s; |
(E) | sterling bills of exchange eligible for rediscount at the Bank of England and accepted by an Acceptable Bank or a trust company which falls within the criteria set out in the definition of “Acceptable Bank” (or any dematerialised equivalent); |
(F) | investments accessible within 30 days in money market funds which: |
(1) | have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch or P-1 or higher by Moody’s; and |
(2) | invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in paragraphs (B) to (E) above; or |
(G) | any other debt, security or investment approved by the Majority Lenders, |
in each case, to which any member of the Group is beneficially entitled at that time.
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“Cash Pooling Balance” means any debit balance in respect of any account of any member of the Group in connection with the Group’s notional cash pooling arrangements provided that if such balances were netted-off at any time, the aggregate amount of such balances would be zero or greater.
“Central Bank Rate” has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Central Bank Rate Adjustment” has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Closing” means the closing of the Acquisition in accordance with section 2.01 (Closing) of the Acquisition Agreement.
“Closing Date” means the date on which Closing occurs.
“Code” means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Commitment” means an Effective Date Facility Commitment or an Accordion Facility Commitment.
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Compliance Certificate).
“Compounded Rate Currency” means any currency which is not a Term Rate Currency.
“Compounded Rate Interest Payment” means the aggregate amount of interest that:
(A) | is, or is scheduled to become, payable under any Finance Document; and |
(B) | relates to a Compounded Rate Loan. |
“Compounded Rate Loan” means any Loan or, if applicable, Unpaid Sum which is not a Term Rate Loan.
“Compounded Reference Rate” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during the Interest Period of a Compounded Rate Loan, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of:
(A) | the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for that RFR Banking Day; and |
(B) | the applicable Credit Adjustment Spread (if any). |
“Compounding Methodology Supplement” means, in relation to the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate or the Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate, a document which:
(A) | is agreed in writing by the Borrower, the Agent (in its own capacity) and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); |
(B) | specifies a calculation methodology for that rate; and |
(C) | has been made available to the Borrower and each Finance Party. |
“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Borrower, the Group, the Finance Documents or a Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or a Facility from either:
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(A) | any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(B) | another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers, |
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:
(1) | information that: |
(a) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of Clause 37 (Confidential Information); or |
(b) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(c) | is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (A) or (B) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and |
(2) | any Funding Rate. |
“Confidentiality Undertaking” means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the LMA as set out in Schedule 13 (LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking) or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.
“Coterminous Accordion Facility” means an Accordion Facility in respect of which the Termination Date is specified in the applicable Accordion Facility Notice as being the Termination Date for the Effective Date Facility.
“Credit Adjustment Spread” means, in relation to a Compounded Rate Loan, any rate which is either:
(A) | specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms; or |
(B) | determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology specified in the applicable Reference Rate Terms. |
“Credit Rating” means a notification to the Borrower or a public announcement by a Credit Rating Agency of a long-term credit rating of the Borrower which has been solicited by the Borrower, from time to time.
“Credit Rating Agency” means S&P, Fitch and/or Moody’s.
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“CSPP Eligible Issuer” means a member of the Group which is a special purpose vehicle which complies with the eligibility criteria for the European Central Bank’s corporate sector purchase programme.
“CTA” means the Corporation Tax Act 2009.
“Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” means, in relation to an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 16 (Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or in any relevant Compounding Methodology Supplement.
“Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 15 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or in any relevant Compounding Methodology Supplement.
“Daily Rate” means the rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Debt Capital Markets Issue” means the issuance, sale or borrowing by any member of the Group to or from any person that is not a member of the Group from and including the 2022 Effective Date to and including the Termination Date applicable to the Effective Date Facility of:
(A) | any bond (whether public or private), schuldschein, notes, debentures, loan stock, debt securities, public and private placements (or any similar hybrid instruments) or other similar debt security (including, without limitation, debt securities which are convertible into equity); and |
(B) | any committed bank facility comprising loans or other credit facilties (whether bilateral or syndicated but excluding any overdraft facilities), |
excluding debt or cash raised:
(1) | under the terms of this Agreement including, but not limited to, pursuant to any exercise of the accordion option referred to in Clause 3 (Accordion Option); |
(2) | for the purposes of refinancing any existing Financial Indebtedness of the Group and paying associated fees and costs provided that such refinancing is for the same or for a lower aggregate principal amount and on substantially the same terms, as such existing Financial Indebtedness; |
(3) | pursuant to the Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement; |
(4) | in the ordinary course of business and having a maturity of less than 12 Months; |
(5) | in connection with any acquisition by a member of the Group of the issued share capital of a limited liability company or a business or undertaking, provided that such debt or cash does not, exceed £200,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) for the period from the 2022 Effective Date to and including the Termination Date applicable to the Effective Date Facility; |
8 |
(6) | in connection with any working capital facility of any member of the Group; |
(7) | in connection with any uncommitted money market facilities drawn in the ordinary course of treasury and cash management operations; |
(8) | or constituted by any Cash Pooling Balance; and |
(9) | any non-recourse debt raised for the purpose of financing certain projects. |
“Default” means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 24 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period or the giving of notice) be an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender:
(A) | which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available (or has notified the Agent or the Borrower (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in a Loan available) by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation); |
(B) | which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or |
(C) | with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, |
unless, in the case of paragraph (A) above:
(1) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(a) | administrative or technical error; or |
(b) | a Disruption Event; and |
payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or
(2) | the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
“Disruption Event” means either or both of:
(A) | a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with a Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or |
(B) | the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party: |
(1) | from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or |
(2) | from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents, |
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and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
“EEA Member Country” means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
“Effective Date Facility” means the revolving loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2.1(A) (The Facilities).
“Effective Date Facility Commitment” means:
(A) | in relation to an Original Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) and the amount of any other Effective Date Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); |
(B) | in relation to an Acceding Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders) and the amount of any other Effective Date Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); and |
(C) | in relation to any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Effective Date Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with either Clause 2.2 (Increase), |
in each case to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
“Eligible Institution” means any Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
“Event of Default” means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 24 (Events of Default).
“Extension Notice” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Requests).
“Extension Notice Effective Date” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.4(G) (Extension option).
“Facility” means the Effective Date Facility or any Accordion Facility.
“Facility Office” means, in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“FATCA” means:
(A) | sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations; |
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(B) | any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (A) above; or |
(C) | any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (A) or (B) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction. |
“FATCA Application Date” means:
(A) | in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 01 July 2014; or |
(B) | in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraph (A) above, the first date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA. |
“FATCA Deduction” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
“FATCA Exempt Party” means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
“Fee Letter” means:
(A) | any letter or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement, the 2018 Effective Date or the date of the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement between each of the Arrangers and the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 13 (Fees); |
(B) | each First Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; |
(C) | each Second Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; |
(D) | the Third Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; |
(E) | the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter; and |
(F) | any letter or letters setting out the fees payable to a Finance Party referred to in Clause 2.2(F) (Increase). |
“Finance Document” means this Agreement, the First Amendment Letter, the Second Amendment Letter, the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, any Accordion Facility Notice, any Fee Letter, any Increase Confirmation, any Reference Rate Supplement, any Compounding Methodology Supplement, any Extension Notice and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
“Finance Lease” means any lease or hire purchase contract, a liability under which would, in accordance with IFRS, be treated as a balance sheet liability (other than a lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, prior to 1 January 2019, have been treated as an operating lease).
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“Finance Party” means the Agent, each of the Arrangers or a Lender.
“Financial Indebtedness” means (without double counting) any indebtedness for or in respect of:
(A) | moneys borrowed; |
(B) | any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent; |
(C) | any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument; |
(D) | the amount of any liability in respect of Finance Leases; |
(E) | receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold or discounted on a non-recourse basis); |
(F) | any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which is required, in accordance with IFRS, to be shown as indebtedness or borrowing in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group (other than a lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, prior to 1 January 2019, have been treated as an operating lease); |
(G) | for the purposes of Clause 24.5 (Cross default) only, any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account); |
(H) | any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution (but not, in any case, Trade Instruments); and |
(I) | the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (A) to (H) above, |
and, in any event, excluding:
(1) | indebtedness owing by one member of the Group to another member of the Group; |
(2) | (for the purposes of Clause 24.5 (Cross default)) indebtedness in respect of self-insurance liabilities except to the extent of such liability as shown in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group; |
(3) | indebtedness relating to the supply of goods and services to any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business provided the amount of any indebtedness is not outstanding for more than 150 days after its customary date of payment; and |
(4) | any accrual deficit of any member of the Group in respect of defined benefit pension schemes other than where such deficit is funded by any moneys borrowed. |
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“First Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated 26 January 2017 and made between, among others, the Borrower, Rentokil Initial 1927 plc and the Agent.
“First Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter” means each Fee Letter under and as defined in the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“First Amendment Letter” means the amendment letter dated 9 June 2016 and made between the Borrower and the Agent.
“First Anniversary Extension Notice” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.4(C)(1) (Extension option).
“First Extension Termination Date” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.4(D)(1) (Extension option).
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd or any successor to its rating business.
“Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated 25 February 2022 and made between, among others, the Borrower and the Agent.
“Fourth Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter” means the Fee Letter under and as defined in the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Funding Rate” means any individual rate notified by a Lender to the Agent pursuant to Clause 12.4(A)(2) (Cost of funds).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in England and Wales including IFRS.
“Group” means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the time being.
“Holding Company” means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
“IFRS” means UK-adopted international accounting standards within the meaning of the section 474(1) of the Companies Act 2006 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.
“Impaired Agent” means the Agent at any time when:
(A) | it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment; |
(B) | the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document; |
(C) | (if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraph (A) or (B) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”; or |
(D) | an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent; |
unless, in the case of paragraph (A) above:
(1) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(c) | administrative or technical error; or |
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(d) | a Disruption Event; and | |
payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or |
(2) | the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
“Increase Confirmation” means a confirmation substantially in the form of Schedule 10 (Form of Increase Confirmation).
“Increase Lender” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.2 (Increase).
“Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed” means:
(A) | any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest of other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities other than indebtedness which is owed to an entity within the Group; |
(B) | any borrowed money other than money borrowed by one entity within the Group from another entity within the Group; or |
(C) | any liability under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit, |
provided that Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed shall not include any Cash Pooling Balance.
“Initial Termination Date” means the initial termination date of the Effective Date Facility, being the fifth anniversary of the 2022 Effective Date.
“Insolvency Event” means, in relation to a Finance Party, that the Finance Party:
(A) | is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(B) | becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; |
(C) | makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; |
(D) | has exercised in respect of it one or more of the stabilisation powers pursuant to Part 1 of the Banking Act 2009 and/or has instituted against it a bank insolvency proceeding pursuant to Part 2 of the Banking Act 2009 or a bank administration proceeding pursuant to Part 3 of the Banking Act 2009; |
(E) | has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(F) | seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed); |
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(G) | has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; |
(H) | causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (A) to (G) above; or |
(I) | takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts. |
“Interest Period” means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 11 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 10.4 (Default interest).
“Interpolated Alternative Term Rate” means, in relation to any Term Rate Loan, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Alternative Term Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:
(A) | the applicable Alternative Term Rate for the longest period (for which that Alternative Term Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(B) | the applicable Alternative Term Rate for the shortest period (for which that Alternative Term Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan, |
each as of the Quotation Time.
“Interpolated Primary Term Rate” means, in relation to any Term Rate Loan, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Primary Term Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:
(A) | the applicable Primary Term Rate for the longest period (for which that Primary Term Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(B) | the applicable Primary Term Rate for the shortest period (for which that Primary Term Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan, |
each as of the Quotation Time.
“ITA” means the Income Tax Act 2007.
“Legal Opinions” means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under Clause 5.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or pursuant to the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement or the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Legal Reservations” means:
(A) | the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court; |
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(B) | the limitation on enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria and administration and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors; |
(C) | the time barring of claims, |
(D) | the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void; |
(E) | defences of set-off or counterclaim; |
(F) | similar principles and similar matters under the laws of any jurisdiction in which relevant obligations may have to be performed; and |
(G) | any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions. |
“Lender” means:
(A) | any Original Lender; |
(B) | any Acceding Lender; and |
(C) | any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a “Lender” in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase), Clause 3 (Accordion Option) or Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), |
which in each case has not ceased to be a Party as such in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“LMA” means the Loan Market Association.
“Loan” means a loan made or to be made under a Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
“Lookback Period” means the number of days specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Majority Lenders” means a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 662/3% of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 662/3% of the Total Commitments immediately prior to the reduction).
“Margin” means:
[***]
“Margin Certificate” means a certificate from the Borrower (signed by two authorised signatories of the Borrower) substantially in the form of Schedule 8 (Form of Margin Certificate) which confirms the then current Credit Rating of the Borrower.
“Market Disruption Rate” means the rate (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
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“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on:
(A) | the ability of the Borrower to perform its payment obligations under any Finance Document; or |
(B) | the validity or enforceability of any Finance Document. |
“Material Subsidiary” means, at any time, a Subsidiary of the Borrower:
(A) | whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares audited consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Borrower represent not less than ten per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided that in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the end of the financial period to which the latest relevant financial statements relate, the reference to the latest financial statements for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until financial statements for the financial period in which the acquisition is made are published, be deemed to be a reference to such first-mentioned financial statements as if such Subsidiary had been shown in such statements by reference to its own latest financial statements, adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Borrower; |
(B) | any Subsidiary which has Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency); or |
(C) | to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Borrower which immediately before the transfer is a Material Subsidiary, |
provided that no member of the Target Group shall be a Material Subsidiary for the period of three Months following the Closing Date.
“Month” means, in relation to an Interest Period (or any other period for the accrual of commission or fees in a currency), a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, subject to adjustment in accordance with the rules specified as Business Day Conventions in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Limited or any successor to its rating business.
“Net Debt” means, at any time for the purposes of Clause 23.4 (Disposals), Total Borrowings (at that time) less any Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments (at that time).
“Net Disposal Proceeds” means any amount of Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments received by the Group as consideration for a Restricted Disposal (whether by way of share or asset sale) after deducting:
(A) | any fees and transaction costs properly incurred in connection with that Restricted Disposal; |
(B) | any Taxes paid as a result of that Restricted Disposal; and |
(C) | any Taxes reasonably estimated by the directors of the Borrower to be payable as a result of that Restricted Disposal. |
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“New Lender” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders).
“Optional Currency” means a currency (other than the Base Currency) which complies with the conditions set out in Clause 5.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies).
“Original Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.
“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“Party” means a party to this Agreement.
“Permitted Guarantee” means any guarantee or guarantees issued by Rentokil Initial 1927 plc in an amount not exceeding £10,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.
“Permitted Reorganisation” means a solvent re-organisation or restructuring of the Group which results in the Borrower becoming a Subsidiary of a new Holding Company which has substantially the same shareholders as the Borrower had prior to the relevant re-organisation or restructuring.
“Permitted Transaction” means:
(A) | an intra-Group re-organisation on a solvent basis; or |
(B) | any other transaction agreed by the Majority Lenders. |
“Primary Term Rate” means the rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Qualifying Lender” has the meaning given to it in Clause 14 (Tax gross-up and indemnities).
“Quotation Day” means the day specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Quotation Time” means the relevant time (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Quoted Tenor” means, in relation to a Primary Term Rate or an Alternative Term Rate, any period for which that rate is customarily displayed on the relevant page or screen of an information service.
“Reference Rate Supplement” means, in relation to any currency, a document which:
(A) | is agreed in writing by the Borrower, the Agent (in its own capacity) and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); |
(B) | specifies for that currency the relevant terms which are expressed in this Agreement to be determined by reference to Reference Rate Terms; |
(C) | specifies whether that currency is a Compounded Rate Currency or a Term Rate Currency; and |
(D) | has been made available to the Borrower and each Finance Party. |
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“Reference Rate Terms” means, in relation to:
(A) | a currency; |
(B) | a Loan or an Unpaid Sum in that currency; |
(C) | an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum (or other period for the accrual of commission or fees in a currency); or |
(D) | any term of this Agreement relating to the determination of a rate of interest in relation to such a Loan or Unpaid Sum, |
the terms set out for that currency, and (where such terms are set out for different categories of Loan, Unpaid Sum or accrual of commission or fees in that currency) for the category of that Loan, Unpaid Sum or accrual, in Schedule 14 (Reference Rate Terms) or in any Reference Rate Supplement.
“Related Fund” in relation to a fund (the “first fund”), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
“Relevant Market” means the market specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Relevant Nominating Body” means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of them or the Financial Stability Board.
“Relevant Testing Date” means 31 December and 30 June of each year.
“Repeating Representations” means each of the representations set out in Clause 20 (Representations) other than Clause 20.5 (Authorisations), Clause 20.7 (Deduction of Tax), Clause 20.8 (No filing or stamp taxes), Clause 20.9 (No default), Clause 20.10 (No misleading information) and Clause 20.11(C) (Financial statements).
“Reporting Day” means the day (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Reporting Time” means the relevant time (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Representative” means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
“Resolution Authority” means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
“Restricted Disposal” means any disposal where the nature of the business or asset being disposed of would result in the relevant transaction being a Class 1 Transaction (as such term is defined in the U.K. Listing Rules).
“RFR” means the rate specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
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“RFR Banking Day” means any day specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Rollover Loan” means, with respect to any Facility, one or more Loans under that Facility:
(A) | made or to be made on the same day that a maturing Loan under that Facility is due to be repaid; |
(B) | the aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the amount of the maturing Loan; |
(C) | in the same currency as the maturing Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency)); and |
(D) | made or to be made for the purpose of refinancing a maturing Loan. |
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings UK Limited or any successor to its rating business.
“Sanctions” means:
(A) | United Nations sanctions imposed pursuant to any United Nations Security Council Resolution; |
(B) | US sanctions administered or enforced by the US, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury and the Department of State; |
(C) | EU restrictive measures implemented pursuant to any EU Council or Commission regulation or decision adopted pursuant to a common position in furtherance of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy; and |
(D) | UK sanctions (i) enacted by statutory instrument pursuant to the United Nations Act 1946 or the European Communities Act 1972; and/or (ii) administered or enforced by the UK, including Her Majesty’s Treasury. |
“Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated 23 August 2018 and made between, among others, the Borrower, Rentokil Initial 1927 plc and the Agent.
“Second Amendment and Restatement Fee Letters” means each Fee Letter under and as defined in the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Second Amendment Letter” means the amendment letter dated 9 June 2017 and made between the Borrower and the Agent.
“Second Anniversary Extension Notice” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.4(C)(2) (Extension option).
“Second Extension Termination Date” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.4(D)(2) (Extension option).
“Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
“Specified Time” means a day or time determined in accordance with Schedule 9 (Timetables).
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“Subsidiary” means:
(A) | a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006; and |
(B) | in relation to the financial statements of the Borrower, a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006. |
“TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
“Target” means Terminix Global Holdings, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
“TARGET Day” means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in euro.
“Target Group” means the Target and its subsidiaries for the time being.
“Tax” means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
“Term Rate Currency” means:
(A) | euro; and |
(B) | any currency specified as such in a Reference Rate Supplement relating to that currency, |
to the extent, in any case, not specified otherwise in a subsequent Reference Rate Supplement.
“Term Rate Loan” means any Loan or, if applicable, Unpaid Sum in a Term Rate Currency to the extent that it is not, or has not become a “Compounded Rate Loan” for its then current Interest Period pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate).
“Term Reference Rate” means, in relation to a Term Rate Loan:
(A) | the applicable Primary Term Rate as of the Quotation Time for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; or |
(B) | as otherwise determined pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate), |
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, the Term Reference Rate shall be deemed to be zero.
“Termination Date” means:
(A) | in relation to the Effective Date Facility, and subject to Clause 2.4 (Extension option), the Initial Termination Date; |
(B) | in relation to each Accordion Facility, the date which is the earlier of: |
(1) | the Termination Date applicable to the Effective Date Facility; and |
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(2) | such earlier date, if any, specified as such in the Accordion Facility Notice in respect of that Accordion Facility, |
or if, in each case, that date is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day.
“Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement relating to this Agreement dated 8 September 2021 and made between, among others, the Borrower and the Agent.
“Third Amendment and Restatement Fee Letter” means the Fee Letter under and as defined in the Third Amendment and Restatement Agreement.
“Total Borrowings” means, in respect of the Group, at any time, the aggregate of the following liabilities calculated at the nominal, principal or other amount at which the liabilities would be carried in a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower drawn up at that time:
(A) | any moneys borrowed; |
(B) | any acceptance under any acceptance credit (including any dematerialised equivalent); |
(C) | any bond, note, debenture, loan stock or similar instrument; |
(D) | any Finance Lease; |
(E) | any moneys owing in connection with the sale or discounting of receivables (except to the extent that there is no recourse); |
(F) | any indebtedness arising from any deferred payment agreements arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset; |
(G) | any indebtedness arising in connection with any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which is required, in accordance with IFRS, to be shown as an indebtedness or borrowing in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group; and |
(H) | any indebtedness of any person of a type referred to in paragraphs (A) to (G), above, which is the subject of a guarantee, indemnity or similar assurance against financial loss given by a member of the Group, |
and, in any event, excluding any accrual deficit of any member of the Group in respect of defined benefit pension schemes other than where such deficit is funded by any moneys borrowed.
“Total Accordion Facility Commitments” means, in relation to an Accordion Facility, the aggregate of the Accordion Facility Commitments relating to that Accordion Facility.
“Total Commitments” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Total Effective Date Facility Commitments and the Aggregate Total Accordion Facility Commitments, being $1,000,000,000 on the 2022 Effective Date.
“Total Effective Date Facility Commitments” means the aggregate of the Effective Date Facility Commitments being $1,000,000,000 on the 2022 Effective Date.
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“Trade Instruments” means any performance bonds, or advance payment bonds or documentary letters of credit issued in respect of the obligations of any member of the Group arising in the ordinary course of trading of that member of the Group (and which does not have the commercial effect of borrowing).
“Transfer Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.
“Transfer Date” means, in relation to an assignment or a transfer, the later of:
(A) | the proposed Transfer Date specified in the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate; and |
(B) | the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate. |
“UK Bail-In Legislation” means Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 and any other law or regulation applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (otherwise than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Unpaid Sum” means any sum due and payable but unpaid by the Borrower under the Finance Documents.
“US” means the United States of America.
“US Tax Obligor” means the Borrower at any time when some or all of its payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
“Utilisation” means a utilisation of a Facility.
“Utilisation Date” means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan under a Facility is to be made.
“Utilisation Request” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Form of Utilisation Request).
“VAT” means:
(A) | any value added tax imposed by the Value Added Tax Act 1994; and |
(B) | any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and |
(C) | any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in the United Kingdom or in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraphs (A) or (B) above, or imposed elsewhere. |
“Write-down and Conversion Powers” means:
(A) | in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and |
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(B) | in relation to the UK Bail-In Legislation, any powers under that UK Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that UK Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
(C) | in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation: |
(1) | any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
(2) | any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation. |
1.2 | Construction |
(A) | Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in any Finance Document to: |
(1) | the “Agent”, any “Arranger”, any “Finance Party”, any “Lender”, or any “Party” shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents; |
(2) | “assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
(3) | a Lender’s “cost of funds” in relation to its participation in a Loan is a reference to the average cost (determined either on an actual or a notional basis) which that Lender would incur if it were to fund, from whatever source(s) it may reasonably select, an amount equal to the amount of that participation in that Loan for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; |
(4) | a “Finance Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated; |
(5) | a “group of Lenders” includes all the Lenders; |
(6) | “indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
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(7) | a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality); |
(8) | a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but, if not having the force of law, being of a type with which any person to which it applies is accustomed to comply) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or of any regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; |
(9) | a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; |
(10) | a time of day is a reference to London time; and |
(11) | the date of this Agreement means 27 January 2015. |
(B) | There is no Arranger, and any references to an Arranger should be ignored when construing the Finance Documents. |
(C) | Clause and schedule headings are for ease of reference only. |
(D) | Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement. |
(E) | A Default is “continuing” if it has not been remedied or waived. |
(F) | Except as provided to the contrary in this Agreement, an accounting term used in this Agreement is to be construed in accordance with the principles applied in connection with the Original Financial Statements. |
(G) | A reference in this Agreement to a page or screen of an information service displaying a rate shall include: |
(1) | any replacement page of that information service which displays that rate; and |
(2) | the appropriate page of such other information service which displays that rate from time to time in place of that information service, |
and, if such page or service ceases to be available, shall include any other page or service displaying that rate specified by the Agent after consultation with the Borrower.
(H) | A reference in this Agreement to a Central Bank Rate shall include any successor rate to, or replacement rate for, that rate. |
(I) | Any Reference Rate Supplement relating to a currency overrides anything relating to that currency in: |
(1) | Schedule 14 (Reference Rate Terms); or |
(2) | any earlier Reference Rate Supplement. |
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(J) | A Compounding Methodology Supplement relating to the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate or the Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate overrides anything relating to that rate in: |
(1) | Schedule 15 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or Schedule 16 (Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate), as the case may be; or |
(2) | any earlier Compounding Methodology Supplement. |
(K) | The determination of the extent to which a rate is “for a period equal in length” to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. |
1.3 | Currency symbols and definitions |
“$”, “USD” and “dollars” denote the lawful currency of the United States of America. “£” and “sterling” denote the lawful currency of the United Kingdom. “€”, “EUR” and “euro” denote the single currency of the Participating Member States.
1.4 | Third party rights |
(A) | Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document a person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement. |
(B) | Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Agreement at any time. |
2. | The Facilities |
2.1 | The Facilities |
(A) | Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower a multicurrency revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Effective Date Facility Commitments. |
(B) | In addition, up to (at any time) four Accordion Facilities may be made available to the Borrower in accordance with Clause 3 (Accordion Option) in an aggregate amount of no more than $250,000,000. |
2.2 | Increase |
(A) | The Borrower may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling five Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of: |
(1) | the Available Commitments of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with Clause 9.8 (Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender); or |
(2) | the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with: |
(a) | Clause 9.1 (Illegality); or |
(b) | Clause 9.5 (Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), |
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request that the Commitments relating to any Facility be increased (and the Commitments relating to that Facility shall be so increased) in an aggregate amount in the Base Currency of up to the amount of the Available Commitments or Commitments relating to that Facility so cancelled as follows:
(3) | the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Eligible Institutions (each an “Increase Lender”) each of which confirms in writing (whether in the relevant Increase Confirmation or otherwise) its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume, as if it had been an Original Lender in respect of those Commitments; |
(4) | the Borrower and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Borrower and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender in respect of that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume; |
(5) | each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender in respect of that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume; |
(6) | the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and |
(7) | any increase in the Commitments relating to a Facility shall take effect on the date specified by the Borrower in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in Clause 2.2(B) are satisfied. |
(B) | An increase in the Commitments relating to a Facility will only be effective on: |
(1) | the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender; and |
(2) | in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase the Agent being satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Increase Lender upon being so satisfied. |
(C) | Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as it would have been had it been an Original Lender. |
(D) | The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably and properly incurred by it in connection with any increase in Commitments under this Clause 2.2 (Increase). |
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(E) | The Increase Lender shall, on the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee in an amount equal to the fee which would be payable under Clause 25.4 (Assignment or transfer fee) if the increase was a transfer pursuant to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer) and if the Increase Lender was a New Lender. |
(F) | The Borrower may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Borrower and the Increase Lender in a Fee Letter. |
(G) | Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find an Increase Lender and in no event shall any Lender whose Commitment is replaced by an Increase Lender be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents. |
(H) | Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.2 (Increase) in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) to: |
(1) | an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase; |
(2) | the “New Lender” were references to that “Increase Lender”; and |
(3) | a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references to respectively a “transfer” and “assignment”. |
2.3 | Finance Parties’ rights and obligations |
(A) | The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents. |
(B) | The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from the Borrower is a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (C) below. The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of a Loan or any other amount owed by the Borrower which relates to a Finance Party’s participation in a Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by the Borrower. |
(C) | A Finance Party may, except as specifically stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under or in connection with the Finance Documents. |
2.4 | Extension option |
(A) | In this clause 2.4: |
“Extending Lender” means a Lender which notifies the Agent, within the timeframe set out in paragraph (F) below, that it accepts the extension request set out in an Extension Notice.
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“Extension Notice Effective Date” means:
(1) | in respect of an extension requested pursuant to a First Anniversary Extension Notice, the first anniversary of the 2022 Effective Date; and |
(2) | in respect of an extension requested pursuant to a Second Anniversary Extension Notice, the second anniversary of the 2022 Effective Date. |
(B) | The Borrower may, by giving an Extension Notice to the Agent, request to extend the Termination Date of the Effective Date Facility and each Coterminous Accordion Facility, on up to two occasions. |
(C) | An Extension Notice may only be given by the Borrower: |
(1) | not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days before the first anniversary of the 2022 Effective Date (such notice, the “First Anniversary Extension Notice”); and |
(2) | not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days before the second anniversary of the 2022 Effective Date (such notice, the “Second Anniversary Extension Notice”). |
(D) | The Borrower may request: |
(1) | in the First Anniversary Extension Notice, an extension to the date falling twelve Months after the Initial Termination Date, or if that extended date is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day (such date being the “First Extension Termination Date”); and |
(2) | in the Second Anniversary Extension Notice: |
(a) | in respect of any Lender who agreed to an extension requested in a First Anniversary Extension Notice, an extension to the date falling 12 Months after the First Extension Termination Date; and |
(b) | in respect of any Lender who did not agree to an extension requested in a First Anniversary Extension Notice (including where the Borrower had not submitted a First Anniversary Extension Notice), an extension to the date falling either 12 Months or 24 Months (at the Borrower’s election) after the Initial Termination Date, |
or, in each case, if that extended date is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day (such date, in each case, being the “Second Extension Termination Date”).
(E) | The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of receipt by it of an Extension Notice. Each Lender shall have the right, in its absolute discretion to accept or reject the extension request set out in any Extension Notice. |
(F) | Any Lender that wishes to accept the extension request set out in an Extension Notice shall notify the Agent no later than 10 Business Days prior to the relevant Extension Notice Effective Date. The Agent shall notify the Borrower of the identity of each such Extending Lender and of the amount of Commitments which are to be extended. |
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(G) | On the relevant Extension Notice Effective Date, the Termination Date in respect of the participations and Commitments of each Extending Lender under the Effective Date Facility and each Coterminous Accordion Facility shall be extended to the First Extension Termination Date or the Second Extension Termination Date, as the case may be, provided that: |
(1) | on the date of the relevant Extension Notice and on the Extension Notice Effective Date: |
(a) | no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; |
(b) | the Repeating Representations (other than the representation set out in Clause 20.14 (Sanctions)) are true in all material respects; and |
(c) | the representation set out in Clause 20.14 (Sanctions)) is true; and |
(2) | the fee payable pursuant to paragraph (H) below has been paid. |
(H) | On or before the relevant Extension Notice Effective Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Extending Lenders) an extension fee: |
(1) | (in relation to the First Anniversary Extension Notice) in an amount equal to 0.05 per cent. of the aggregate of the Extending Lenders’ Commitments under the Effective Date Facility and each Coterminous Accordion Facility as at the Extension Notice Effective Date; and |
(2) | (in relation to the Second Anniversary Extension Notice) in an amount equal to: |
(a) | (in the case of an extension of 12 Months from the First Extension Termination Date) 0.05 per cent.; |
(b) | (in the case of an extension of 12 Months from the Initial Termination Date) 0.05 per cent.; or |
(c) | (in the case of an extension of 24 Months from the Initial Termination Date) 0.10 per cent., |
of the aggregate of the Extending Lenders’ Commitments under the Effective Date Facility and each Coterminous Accordion Facility as at the Extension Notice Effective Date.
3. | Accordion Option |
3.1 | Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders |
(A) | Subject to the provisions of this Clause 3 (Accordion Option) and provided that: |
(1) | no Default is then continuing or would occur as a result of the establishment of the relevant Accordion Facility; |
(2) | the Accordion Facility Proposed Size the subject of the relevant Accordion Facility Proposal is no less than $50,000,000 and no more than, when aggregated with any existing Accordion Facility Commitments under any already existing Accordion Facility which have not otherwise been repaid and/or cancelled pursuant to this Agreement and the amounts of the Accordion Facility Proposed Size under any other Accordion Facilities that have been requested but are not yet effective, $250,000,000, |
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the Borrower may solicit participations in any proposed Accordion Facility by delivery of an Accordion Facility Proposal to the Agent and:
(3) | each Accordion Option A Lender; and |
(4) | any Accordion Option B Lender(s) which the Borrower may select in its sole discretion, |
such Lenders being, with respect to each Accordion Facility Proposal, the “Invited Lenders”.
(B) | Upon receipt of an Accordion Facility Proposal under Clause 3.1(A), each Invited Lender shall have the right (but not the obligation) by no later than 5 pm on the last day of the Accordion Facility Tender Period to notify the Borrower and the Agent of the proposed Accordion Facility Commitment that it unconditionally offers to make available in respect of the proposed Accordion Facility (each Lender who exercises such right being, with respect to that Accordion Facility Proposal, an “Accordion Facility Participating Lender”). Any Invited Lender which has not responded by 5 pm on the last day of the Accordion Facility Tender Period shall be deemed to have declined the invitation to participate in the Accordion Facility the subject of the relevant Accordion Facility Proposal. |
(C) | If the aggregate amount of the proposed Accordion Facility Commitments offered by the Accordion Facility Participating Lenders pursuant to Clause 3.1(B) above in respect of an Accordion Facility Proposal exceeds the Accordion Facility Proposed Size set out in that Accordion Facility Proposal, those proposed Accordion Facility Commitments shall be reduced to the extent necessary such that each such Accordion Facility Participating Lender’s Accordion Facility Commitments are no greater than the proportion borne by the aggregate of its Commitments to the aggregate of the Commitments of all of the Accordion Facility Participating Lenders in respect of that Accordion Facility Proposal (such proportion being, in respect of each Accordion Facility Participating Lender, its “Pro Rata Share”). |
(D) | If at the end of the relevant Accordion Facility Tender Period (or earlier if all of the Lenders have responded prior to the end of that Accordion Facility Tender Period) the amount of the proposed Accordion Facility Commitments requested by the Borrower in the relevant Accordion Facility Proposal are not fully (or not at all) subscribed for by the Invited Lenders (the difference between the Accordion Facility Proposed Size and the Accordion Facility Commitments subscribed for by any Invited Lenders being the “Accordion Facility Shortfall”), the Borrower may invite (in its sole discretion): |
(1) | any Accordion Facility Participating Lender in respect of that Accordion Facility Proposal to further increase its Accordion Facility Commitment to an amount in excess of its Pro Rata Share; and/or |
(2) |
(a) | any Accordion Option B Lender which was not otherwise selected as an Invited Lender pursuant to Clause 3.1(A)(4) above; and/or |
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(b) | any other banks, financial institutions, trusts, funds or other entities selected by the Borrower, |
to participate in the proposed Accordion Facility,
in each case in such amounts, by reference to the Accordion Facility Shortfall, as the Borrower may determine in its sole discretion and provided that, in the case of Clause 3.1(D)(2)(b) above, such person(s) sign and deliver to the Agent prior to the relevant Accordion Facility Establishment Date an Accordion Facility Lender Certificate.
(E) | For the avoidance of doubt no Lender shall have any obligation to become an Accordion Facility Lender and any decision by a Lender to become an Accordion Facility Lender in accordance with this Clause 3 shall be made in its sole discretion. |
3.2 | Delivery of Accordion Facility Notice |
On completion of the process set out in Clause 3.1 (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders), the Borrower may request the establishment of an Accordion Facility by delivering the Agent a duly completed Accordion Facility Notice signed by the Borrower and each of the applicable Accordion Facility Lenders not later than 5 Business Days prior to the proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date specified in that Accordion Facility Notice (or such other later prior to the proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date as the Agent may otherwise agree).
3.3 | Completion of an Accordion Facility Notice |
(A) | Each Accordion Facility Notice is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
(1) | it sets out, in respect of the proposed Accordion Facility: |
(a) | the full legal names of the Accordion Facility Lenders and the amount of each of their Accordion Facility Commitments; and |
(b) | the Termination Date; and |
(2) | the Accordion Facility Lenders and the Accordion Facility Commitments set out in that Accordion Facility Notice have been selected and allocated in accordance with Clause 3.1 (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders). |
(B) | Only one Accordion Facility may be requested in an Accordion Facility Notice. |
3.4 | Maximum number of Accordion Facilities |
The Borrower may not deliver an Accordion Facility Notice if as a result of the establishment of the proposed Accordion Facility there would be more than four Accordion Facilities in existence under this Agreement (and for the avoidance of doubt any Accordion Facility previously established in respect of which all Accordion Facility Commitments have been cancelled and/or repaid shall no longer be in existence for these purposes).
3.5 | Accordion Facility Terms |
(A) | Each Accordion Facility established under the provisions of this Clause 3 (Accordion Option) shall, other than to the extent expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower by the relevant Accordion Facility Lender(s) on the same terms as the Effective Date Facility. |
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(B) | The Termination Date for each Accordion Facility must be no later than than the Termination Date for the Effective Date Facility. |
3.6 | Conditions to establishment |
The establishment of an Accordion Facility will only be effected in accordance with Clause 3.7 (Establishment of Accordion Facility) if:
(A) | on the date of the Accordion Facility Notice and on the Accordion Facility Establishment Date no Default is continuing or would result from the establishment of the proposed Accordion Facility; and |
(B) | each Accordion Facility Lender which is not already a Lender hereunder has delivered an Accordion Facility Lender Certificate to the Agent and the Borrower on or before the Accordion Facility Establishment Date. |
3.7 | Establishment of Accordion Facility |
(A) | If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, the establishment of an Accordion Facility is effected in accordance with Clause 3.7(C) when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Accordion Facility Notice. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 3.7(B), as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Accordion Facility Notice appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Accordion Facility Notice. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Accordion Facility Notice delivered to it by the Borrower once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the establishment of the relevant Accordion Facility. |
(C) | On the Accordion Facility Establishment Date: |
(1) | subject to the terms of this Agreement, the relevant Accordion Facility Lenders make available to the Borrower a multicurrency revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Accordion Facility Commitments specified in the Accordion Facility Notice; |
(2) | each Accordion Facility Lender shall assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to the Accordion Facility Commitment (the “Assumed Accordion Facility Commitment”) specified opposite its name in the Accordion Facility Notice as if it was an Original Lender with respect to that Accordion Facility Commitment; |
(3) | the Borrower and each Accordion Facility Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Borrower and that Accordion Facility Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had that Accordion Facility Lender been an Original Lender with respect to the Assumed Accordion Facility Commitment; |
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(4) | each Accordion Facility Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Accordion Facility Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Accordion Facility Lender been an Original Lender with respect to the Assumed Accordion Facility Commitment; and |
(5) | each Accordion Facility Lender (if not already a Lender) shall become a Party as a Lender. |
3.8 | Notification of establishment |
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the establishment of an Accordion Facility notify the Borrower and the Lenders of that establishment and the applicable Accordion Facility Establishment Date.
3.9 | Accordion Facility fees |
The Borrower shall, on the Accordion Facility Establishment Date in relation to an Accordion Facility, pay to the Agent (for the account of the relevant Accordion Facility Lenders) a fee equal to 0.05 per cent. of the Total Accordion Facility Commitments under that Accordion Facility.
3.10 | Prior amendments binding |
Each Accordion Facility Lender, by executing an Accordion Facility Notice, confirms for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the establishment of the Accordion Facility requested in that Accordion Facility Notice became effective.
3.11 | Limitation of responsibility |
Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 3 (Accordion Option) in relation to each Accordion Facility Lender as if references in that Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) to:
(A) | an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant Accordion Facility Establishment Date; |
(B) | the “New Lender” were references to that Accordion Facility Lender; and |
(C) | a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references respectively to a “transfer” and “assignment”. |
4. | Purpose |
4.1 | Purpose |
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Facilities for the general corporate purposes of the Group (which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the refinancing of any Accordion Facility).
4.2 | Monitoring |
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
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5. | Conditions of Utilisation |
5.1 | Initial conditions precedent |
(A) | The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request unless the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent to Initial Utilisation) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied. |
(B) | Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in Clause 5.1(A), the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification. |
5.2 | Further conditions precedent |
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation) if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:
(A) | in the case of a Rollover Loan, no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan and, in the case of any other Loan, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan; and |
(B) | the Repeating Representations to be made by the Borrower are correct in all material respects. |
5.3 | Conditions relating to Optional Currencies |
(A) | A currency will constitute an Optional Currency in relation to a Utilisation if: |
(1) | it is readily available in the amount required and freely convertible into the Base Currency in the wholesale market for that currency at the Specified Time and on the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation; |
(2) | it is sterling or euros or has been approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders under the applicable Facility) on or prior to receipt by the Agent of the relevant Utilisation Request for that Utilisation under the applicable Facility; and |
(3) | there are Reference Rate Terms for that currency. |
(B) | If the Agent has received a written request from the Borrower for a currency to be approved under Clause 5.3(A)(2), the Agent will confirm to the Borrower by the Specified Time: |
(1) | whether or not the Lenders in respect of the applicable Facility have granted their approval; and |
(2) | if approval has been granted, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiples) for any subsequent Utilisation in that currency. |
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5.4 | Maximum number of Loans |
(A) | The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request if as a result of the proposed Utilisation more than 15 Loans would be outstanding. |
(B) | Any Loan made by a single Lender under Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) shall not be taken into account in this Clause 5.4 (Maximum number of Utilisations). |
6. | Utilisation |
6.1 | Delivery of a Utilisation Request |
The Borrower may utilise a Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request in relation to that Facility not later than the Specified Time.
6.2 | Completion of a Utilisation Request |
(A) | Each Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
(1) | it identifies the Facility to be utilised; |
(2) | the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period for that Facility; |
(3) | the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 6.3 (Currency and amount); and |
(4) | the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 11 (Interest Periods). |
(B) | Only one Loan may be requested in each Utilisation Request. |
6.3 | Currency and amount |
(A) | The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be the Base Currency or an Optional Currency. |
(B) | The amount of the proposed Loan under a Facility must be: |
(1) | if the currency selected is the Base Currency, a minimum of $5,000,000 or, if less, the Available Facility for that Facility; or |
(2) | if the currency selected is sterling or euros, an amount in that currency with an equivalent minimum Base Currency Amount of $5,000,000 or if less, the Available Facility for that Facility; or |
(3) | if the currency selected is an Optional Currency other than sterling or euros, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiple) specified by the Agent pursuant to Clause 5.3(B)(2) or, if less, the Available Facility for that Facility; and |
(4) | in any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility for that Facility. |
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(C) | The maximum aggregate Base Currency Amount of all Loans shall not exceed the Total Commitments. |
6.4 | Lenders’ participation |
(A) | If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met and subject to Clause 8 (Repayment of Loans), each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office. |
(B) | The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan. |
(C) | The Agent shall determine the Base Currency Amount of each Loan which is to be made in an Optional Currency and shall notify each Lender of the amount, currency and the Base Currency Amount of each Loan, the amount of its participation in that Loan and, if different, the amount of that participation to be made available in accordance with Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent), in each case by the Specified Time. |
6.5 | Cancellation of Commitments |
The Commitments under a Facility which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period for that Facility.
7. | Optional Currencies |
7.1 | Selection of currency |
The Borrower shall select the currency of a Utilisation in a Utilisation Request.
7.2 | Unavailability of a currency |
If before the Specified Time:
(A) | a Lender notifies the Agent that the Optional Currency requested is not readily available to it in the amount required; or |
(B) | a Lender notifies the Agent that compliance with its obligation to participate in a Loan in the proposed Optional Currency would contravene a law or regulation applicable to it, |
the Agent will give notice to the Borrower to that effect by the Specified Time. In this event, any Lender that gives notice pursuant to this Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) will be required to participate in the Loan in the Base Currency (in an amount equal to that Lender’s proportion of the Base Currency Amount or, in respect of a Rollover Loan, an amount equal to that Lender’s proportion of the Base Currency Amount of the Rollover Loan that is due to be made) and its participation will be treated as a separate Loan denominated in the Base Currency during that Interest Period.
7.3 | Participation in a Loan |
Each Lender’s participation in a Loan will be determined in accordance with Clause 6.4(B) (Lenders’ participation).
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8. | Repayment of Loans |
8.1 | The Borrower shall repay each Loan on the last day of its Interest Period. |
8.2 | Without prejudice to the Borrower’s obligation under Clause 8.1, if: |
(A) | one or more Loans under the same Facility are to be made available to the Borrower: |
(1) | on the same day that a maturing Loan under that Facility is due to be repaid by the Borrower; |
(2) | in the same currency as the maturing Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency)); and |
(3) | in whole or in part for the purpose of refinancing the maturing Loan; and |
(B) | the proportion borne by each Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan to the amount of that maturing Loan is the same as the proportion borne by that Lender’s participation in the new Loans to the aggregate amount of those new Loans, |
the aggregate amount of the new Loans shall, unless the Borrower notifies the Agent to the contrary in the relevant Utilisation Request, be treated as if applied in or towards repayment of the maturing Loan so that:
(1) | if the amount of the maturing Loan exceeds the aggregate amount of the new Loans: |
(a) | the Borrower will only be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) in an amount in the relevant currency equal to that excess; and |
(b) | each Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and that Lender will not be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) in respect of its participation in the new Loans; and |
(2) | if the amount of the maturing Loan is equal to or less than the aggregate amount of the new Loans: |
(a) | the Borrower will not be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent); and |
(b) | each Lender will be required to make a payment under Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) in respect of its participation in the new Loans only to the extent that its participation in the new Loans exceeds that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and the remainder of that Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan. |
8.3 | At any time when a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the maturity date of each of the participations of that Lender in the Loans then outstanding will be automatically extended to the Termination Date for the Facility in respect of which those Loans are outstanding and will be treated as separate Loans (the “Separate Loans”) denominated in the currency in which the relevant participations are outstanding. |
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8.4 | If the Borrower makes a prepayment of a Utilisation pursuant to Clause 9.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Loans), the Borrower may prepay a Separate Loan by giving not less than five Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent. The Agent will forward a copy of a prepayment notice received in accordance with this Clause 8.4 to the Defaulting Lender concerned as soon as practicable on receipt. |
8.5 | Interest in respect of a Separate Loan will accrue for successive Interest Periods selected by the Borrower by the time and date specified by the Agent (acting reasonably) and will be payable by the Borrower to the Agent (for the account of that Defaulting Lender) on the last day of each Interest Period of that Loan. |
8.6 | The terms of this Agreement relating to Loans generally shall continue to apply to Separate Loans other than to the extent inconsistent with Clause 8.3 to Clause 8.5, in which case those Clauses shall prevail in respect of any Separate Loan. |
9. | Prepayment and Cancellation |
9.1 | Illegality |
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for any Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in any Utilisation or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so:
(A) | that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
(B) | upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, each Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and |
(C) | to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been transferred pursuant to Clause 9.5(D) (Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations made to the Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period for each Utilisation occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s corresponding Commitments shall be cancelled in the amount of the participations repaid. |
9.2 | Change of control |
(A) | If any person or group of persons acting in concert gains control of the Borrower other than by way of a Permitted Reorganisation the Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event. |
(B) | After the delivery of a notification under Clause 9.2(A): |
(1) | a Lender shall not be obliged to fund a Utilisation (except for a Rollover Loan); and |
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(2) | the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders) and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith for a period of not less than 45 days with a view to resolving any concerns of the Lenders arising from that change of control and the continuation of the Facilities (on the same or alternative terms). If, at the expiry of that 45 day period, the concerns of the Lenders arising from the change of control have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Lenders, then, if a Lender so requires, the Agent shall, within five days after the end of the 45 day period, by notice to the Borrower: |
(a) | cancel the Commitments of that Lender; and |
(b) | declare that Lender’s share in all outstanding Utilisations, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents in respect of that Lender’s share, to be immediately due and payable. |
Any such notice shall take effect in accordance with its terms.
(C) | For the purpose of Clause 9.2(A) “control” has the meaning given to it section 450 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. |
(D) | For the purpose of Clause 9.2(A) “acting in concert” has the meaning given to it in the City Code on Takeover and Mergers. |
9.3 | Voluntary cancellation |
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of $1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any Optional Currency)) of any Available Facility. Any cancellation under this Clause 9.3 (Voluntary cancellation) shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders under that Facility rateably.
9.4 | Voluntary prepayment of Loans |
(A) | The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than: |
(1) | in the case of a Term Rate Loan, three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice; or |
(2) | in the case of a Compounded Rate Loan, five RFR Banking Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, |
prepay the whole or any part of a Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the Base Currency Amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of $1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any Optional Currency)).
(B) | The Borrower may not prepay the whole or any part of a Compounded Rate Loan more than four times in any 12 Month period (or otherwise agreed with the Agent and the Majority Lenders). |
9.5 | Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender |
(A) | If: |
(1) | any sum payable to any Lender by the Borrower is required to be increased under Clause 12.3 (Market disruption) or Clause 14.2(C) (Tax gross-up); or |
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(2) | any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity) or Clause 15.1 (Increased costs), |
the Borrower may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment(s) of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations or give the Agent notice of its intention to replace that Lender in accordance with Clause 9.5(D).
(B) | On receipt of a notice of cancellation referred to in Clause 9.5(A), the Commitment(s) of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
(C) | On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice of cancellation under Clause 9.5(A) (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in that Utilisation. |
(D) | If: |
(1) | any of the circumstances set out in Clause 9.5(A) apply to a Lender; or |
(2) | the Borrower becomes obliged to pay any amount in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Illegality) to any Lender, |
the Borrower may, on five Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and that Lender, replace that Lender by requiring that Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, that Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Institution which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of the transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations, all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.
(E) | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to Clause 9.5(D) shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a replacement Lender; |
(3) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under Clause 9.5(D) be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(4) | the Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 9.5(D) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer. |
(F) | A Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 9.5(E)(4) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 9.5(D) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
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9.6 | Restrictions |
(A) | Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this Clause 9 (Prepayment and Cancellation) shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. |
(B) | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty. |
(C) | Unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of a Facility which is prepaid or repaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(D) | The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Utilisations or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement. |
(E) | Subject to Clause 2.2 (Increase) and without prejudice to the establishment of any Accordion Facility as permitted by Clause 3 (Accordion Option), no amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated. |
(F) | If the Agent receives a notice under this Clause 9 (Prepayment and Cancellation) it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate. |
(G) | If all or part of any Lender’s participation in a Loan is repaid or prepaid and is not available for redrawing (other than by operation of Clause 5.2 (Further conditions precedent)), an amount of that Lender’s Commitments (equal to the Base Currency Amount of the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid) under the Facility to which that Loan relates will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment. |
(H) | For the avoidance of doubt, any Commitments cancelled or repaid under any Accordion Facility will not preclude the establishment of another Accordion Facility in accordance with Clause 3 (Accordion Option) provided that the Aggregate Total Accordion Facility Commitments at any one time are no greater than $250,000,000. |
9.7 | Application of prepayments |
Any prepayment of a Utilisation pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Change of control) or Clause 9.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Loans) shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in that Utilisation.
9.8 | Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender |
(A) | If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent five Business Days’ notice of cancellation of each Available Commitment of that Lender. |
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(B) | On the notice referred to in Clause 9.8(A) becoming effective, each Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
(C) | The Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of a notice referred to in Clause 9.8(A), notify all the Lenders. |
10. | Interest |
10.1 | Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans |
The rate of interest on each Term Rate Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:
(A) | Margin; and |
(B) | Term Reference Rate. |
10.2 | Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans |
(A) | The rate of interest on each Compounded Rate Loan for any day during an Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable: |
(1) | Margin; and |
(2) | Compounded Reference Rate for that day. |
(B) | If any day during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan is not an RFR Banking Day, the rate of interest on that Compounded Rate Loan for that day will be the rate applicable to the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day. |
10.3 | Payment of interest |
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on each Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than six Months, on the dates falling at six-monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).
10.4 | Default interest |
(A) | If the Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to Clause 10.4(B), is one per cent, per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 10.4 (Default interest) shall be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the Agent. |
(B) | If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Term Rate Loan and which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan: |
(1) | the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Loan; and |
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(2) | the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be one per cent. per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due. |
(C) | Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable. |
10.5 | Notification |
(A) | The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest relating to a Term Rate Loan. |
(B) | The Agent shall promptly upon a Compounded Rate Interest Payment being determinable notify: |
(1) | the Borrower of that Compounded Rate Interest Payment; |
(2) | each relevant Lender of the proportion of that Compounded Rate Interest Payment which relates to that Lender’s participation in the relevant Compounded Rate Loan; and |
(3) | the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of: |
(a) | each applicable rate of interest relating to the determination of that Compounded Rate Interest Payment; and |
(b) | to the extent it is then determinable, the Market Disruption Rate (if any) relating to the relevant Compounded Rate Loan. |
This paragraph (B) shall not apply to any Compounded Rate Interest Payment determined pursuant to Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds).
(C) | The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to a Loan. |
(D) | The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest relating to a Compounded Rate Loan to which Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) applies. |
(E) | This Clause 10.5 shall not require the Agent to make any notification to any Party on a day which is not a Business Day. |
11. | Interest Periods |
11.1 | Selection of Interest Periods |
(A) | The Borrower may select an Interest Period for a Loan in the Utilisation Request for that Loan. |
(B) | Subject to this Clause 11 (Interest Periods), the Borrower may select an Interest Period of any period specified in the applicable Reference Rate Terms or of any other period agreed between the Borrower, the Agent and all of the Lenders in relation to the relevant Loan. |
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(C) | With respect to the first utilisation of any Accordion Facility, the Borrower may select an Interest Period for an Accordion Facility Loan so that it ends on the last day of an Interest Period for any Loan outstanding as at the date that Accordion Facility Loan is first utilised. |
(D) | An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date for the Facility under which that Loan was borrowed. |
(E) | Each Interest Period for a Loan shall start on the Utilisation Date for that Loan. |
(F) | A Loan has one Interest Period only. |
(G) | No Interest Period shall be longer than six Months. |
(H) | The length of an Interest Period of a Term Rate Loan shall not be affected by that Term Rate Loan becoming a “Compounded Rate Loan” for that Interest Period pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate) |
11.2 | Non-Business Days |
Any rules specified as “Business Day Conventions” in the applicable Reference Rate Terms for a Loan or Unpaid Sum shall apply to each Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.
12. | Changes to the Calculation of Interest |
12.1 | Interest calculation if no Primary Term Rate |
(A) | Interpolated Primary Term Rate: If no Primary Term Rate is available for the Interest Period of a Term Rate Loan, the applicable Term Reference Rate shall be the Interpolated Primary Term Rate for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan. |
(B) | Alternative Term Rate: If paragraph (A) above applies but it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Primary Term Rate, the applicable Term Reference Rate shall be the aggregate of: |
(1) | the Alternative Term Rate as of the Quotation Time for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(2) | any applicable Alternative Term Rate Adjustment. |
(C) | Interpolated Alternative Term Rate: If paragraph (B) above applies but no Alternative Term Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan, the applicable Term Reference Rate shall be the aggregate of: |
(1) | the Interpolated Alternative Term Rate for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; and |
(2) | any applicable Alternative Term Rate Adjustment. |
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(D) | Compounded Reference Rate or cost of funds: If paragraph (C) above applies but it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Alternative Term Rate then: |
(1) | if “Compounded Reference Rate will apply as a fallback” is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for that Loan and there are Reference Rate Terms applicable to Compounded Rate Loans in the relevant currency: |
(a) | there shall be no Term Reference Rate for that Loan for that Interest Period and Clause 10.1 (Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans) will not apply to that Loan for that Interest Period; and |
(b) | that Loan shall be a “Compounded Rate Loan” for that Interest Period and Clause 10.2 (Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period; and |
(2) | if: |
(a) | “Compounded Reference Rate will not apply as a fallback” and |
(b) | “Cost of funds will apply as a fallback”, |
are specified in the Reference Rate Terms for that Loan, Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period.
12.2 | Interest calculation if no RFR or Central Bank Rate |
If:
(A) | there is no applicable RFR or Central Bank Rate for the purposes of calculating the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for an RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan; and |
(B) | “Cost of funds will apply as a fallback” is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for that Loan, |
Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period.
12.3 | Market disruption |
If:
(A) | a Market Disruption Rate is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan; and |
(B) | before the Reporting Time for that Loan the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in that Loan exceed 35 per cent. of that Loan) that its cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan would be in excess of that Market Disruption Rate, |
then Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for the relevant Interest Period.
12.4 | Cost of funds |
(A) | If this Clause 12.4 applies to a Loan for an Interest Period neither Clause 10.1 (Calculation of interest – Term Rate Loans) nor Clause 10.2 (Calculation of interest – Compounded Rate Loans) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period and the rate of interest on that Loan for that Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of: |
(1) | the applicable Margin; and |
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(2) | the weighted average of the rates notified to the Agent by each Lender as soon as practicable and in any event by the Reporting Time for that Loan, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum its cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan. |
(B) | If this Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) applies and the Agent or the Borrower so requires, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest. |
(C) | Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (B) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties. |
(D) | If this Clause 12.4 applies pursuant to Clause 12.3 (Market disruption) and: |
(1) | a Lender's Funding Rate is less than the relevant Market Disruption Rate; or |
(2) | a Lender does not notify a rate to the Agent by the relevant Reporting Time, |
that Lender's cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (A) above, to be the Market Disruption Rate for that Loan.
(E) | Subject to paragraph (D) above if this Clause 12.4 applies but any Lender does not notify a rate to the Agent by the Reporting Time for the relevant Loan the rate of interest shall be calculated on the basis of the rates notified by the remaining Lenders. |
12.5 | Notification to the Borrower |
If Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds) applies the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrower.
12.6 | Break Costs |
(A) | If an amount is specified as Break Costs in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan or Unpaid Sum, the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs (if any) attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day prior to the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum. |
(B) | Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in respect of which they become, or may become, payable. |
13. | Fees |
13.1 | Commitment fee |
(A) | The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in the Base Currency computed at the rate per annum equal to 35 per cent. of the applicable Margin on that Lender’s Available Commitment in respect of a Facility for the Availability Period for that Facility. |
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(B) | The accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three Months which ends during the Availability Period, on the last day of the Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective. |
(C) | No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender. |
13.2 | Arrangement fee |
The Borrower shall pay to each of the Arrangers an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
13.3 | Agency fee |
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for its own account) an agency fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
13.4 | Utilisation Fee |
(A) | The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee computed at a rate of: |
(1) | 0.075 per cent. per annum on the amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loans for each day on which the aggregate amount of the Loans is less than 33⅓ per cent. of the aggregate of the Total Commitments; |
(2) | 0.15 per cent. per annum on the amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loans for each day on which the aggregate amount of the Loans is equal to or greater than 33⅓ per cent. but is less than 66⅔ per cent. of the aggregate of the Total Commitments; and |
(3) | 0.30 per cent. per annum on the amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loans for each day on which the aggregate amount of the Loans is equal to or greater than 66⅔ per cent. of the aggregate of the Total Commitments. |
(B) | Such utilisation fee is payable on the amount of each Lender’s share in the Loans. |
(C) | The accrued utilisation fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three months. The accrued utilisation fee is also payable to the Agent for a Lender on the date that its Commitment is cancelled and its share in the Loans are prepaid or repaid in full. |
14. | Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities |
14.1 | Definitions |
(A) | In this Agreement: |
“Borrower DTTP Filing” means an HM Revenue & Customs’ Form DTTP2 duly completed and filed by the Borrower, which:
(1) | where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is an Original Lender or an Acceding Lender, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated opposite that Lender’s name in, as applicable, Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders), or |
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(2) | where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is a New Lender, an Increase Lender or an acceding Accordion Facility Lender contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated in respect of that Lender in the relevant documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender. |
“Form DTTP2” means HM Revenue & Customs Form DTTP2, Form DTTP2A or such other prescribed form of notification as HM Revenue & Customs specifies from time to time shall be used pursuant to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme.
“Protected Party” means a Finance Party which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
“Qualifying Lender” means:
(1) | a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document and is: |
(a) | a Lender: |
(i) | which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document and is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance or would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA; or |
(ii) | in respect of an advance made under a Finance Document by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) at the time that that advance was made and within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance; or |
(b) | a Lender which is: |
(i) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(ii) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(aa) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(bb) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of part 17 of the CTA; |
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(iii) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company; or |
(c) | a Treaty Lender; or |
(2) | a Lender which is a building society (as defined for the purpose of section 880 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document. |
“Tax Confirmation” means a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:
(1) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(2) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(a) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(b) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of part 17 of the CTA; or |
(3) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company. |
“Tax Credit” means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of any Tax.
“Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document, other than a FATCA Deduction.
“Tax Payment” means either the increase in a payment made by the Borrower to a Finance Party under Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity).
“Treaty Lender” means a Lender which:
(1) | is treated as a resident of a Treaty State for the purposes of the Treaty; |
(2) | does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in the Loan is effectively connected; and |
(3) | fulfils any conditions or requirements for full exemption from Tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest pursuant to such Treaty (subject to completion of any necessary procedural formalities). |
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“Treaty State” means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a “Treaty”) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest.
“UK Non-Bank Lender” means, where a Lender becomes a Party after the 2018 Effective Date, a Lender which gives a Tax Confirmation in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender.
(B) | Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 14 (Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities) a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination. |
14.2 | Tax gross-up |
(A) | The Borrower shall make all payments to be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law. |
(B) | The Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower. |
(C) | If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by the Borrower, the amount of the payment due from the Borrower shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required. |
(D) | A payment shall not be increased under Clause 14.2(C) by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Tax imposed by the United Kingdom, if on the date on which the payment falls due: |
(1) | the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Qualifying Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or Treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority; or |
(2) | the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and: |
(a) | an officer of HM Revenue & Customs has given (and not revoked) a direction (a “Direction”) under section 931 of the ITA which relates to the payment and that Lender has received from the Borrower a certified copy of that Direction; and |
(b) | the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if that Direction had not been made; or |
(3) | the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and: |
(a) | the relevant Lender has not given a Tax Confirmation to the Borrower; and |
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(b) | the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if the Lender had given a Tax Confirmation to the Borrower, on the basis that the Tax Confirmation would have enabled the Borrower to have formed a reasonable belief that the payment was an “excepted payment” for the purpose of section 930 of the ITA; or |
(4) | the relevant Lender is a Treaty Lender and the Borrower is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without the Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under Clause 14.2(G). |
(E) | If the Borrower is required to make a Tax Deduction, it shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law. |
(F) | Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment a statement under section 975 of the ITA or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority. |
(G) |
(1) | Subject to Clause 14.2(G)(2) and Clause 14.2(G)(3), a Treaty Lender and the Borrower which makes a payment to which that Treaty Lender is entitled shall co-operate in completing any procedural formalities necessary for the Borrower to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction. |
(2) | Nothing in Clause 14.2(G)(1) shall require a Treaty Lender to: |
(a) | register under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme; or |
(b) | apply the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to any Utilisation if it has so registered. |
(3) |
(a) | A Treaty Lender which becomes a Party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into (or, in the case of an Acceding Lender, on the 2018 Effective Date) that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence opposite its name in, as applicable, Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders); and |
(b) | a New Lender, an Increase Lender or an acceding Accordion Facility Lender that is a Treaty Lender which holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender, |
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and, having done so, that Lender shall automatically be deemed to have discharged all its obligations and responsibilities pursuant to Clause 14.2(G)(1).
(H) | If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3): |
(1) | such confirmation shall constitute notification by such Lender to the Borrower that the Lender wishes the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to apply to this Agreement and that pursuant to such scheme the Borrower must comply with its obligations under Clause 14.2(H)(2); and |
(2) | the Borrower shall file a duly completed Form DTTP2 in respect of such Lender with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of, as applicable, (i) the date of this Agreement, (ii) the 2018 Effective Date (in the case of an Acceding Lender), or (iii) the date on which that Treaty Lender becomes a Party as a Lender in the case of a New Lender, Increase Lender or Accordion Facility Lender. |
(I) | If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3) and the Borrower making a payment to that Lender has made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender but: |
(1) | such Borrower DTTP Filing has been rejected by HM Revenue & Customs; or |
(2) | HM Revenue & Customs has not issued to the Borrower a direction pursuant to Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations (SI 1970/488) that interest under the Facilities can be paid without a Tax Deduction pursuant to the relevant Treaty within 30 Business Days of the date of the Borrower DTTP Filing, |
and in each case, the Borrower has notified that Lender in writing, then that Lender and the Borrower shall co-operate in completing any additional procedural formalities necessary for that Borrower to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction. |
(J) | If a Lender has not confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3), the Borrower shall not make the Borrower DTTP Filing or file any other form relating to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme in respect of that Lender’s Commitment(s) or its participation in any Loan unless the Lender otherwise agrees in writing. |
(K) | The Borrower shall, promptly on making the Borrower DTTP Filing, deliver a copy of the Borrower DTTP Filing to the Agent for delivery to the relevant Lender. |
(L) | A UK Non-Bank Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent if there is any change in the position from that set out in the Tax Confirmation. |
14.3 | Tax indemnity |
(A) | The Borrower shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document. |
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(B) | Clause 14.3(A) shall not apply: |
(1) | with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party: |
(a) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or |
(b) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction, |
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or
(2) | to the extent a loss, liability or cost: |
(a) | is compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up); |
(b) | would have been compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in Clause 14.2(D) applied; or |
(c) | relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party. |
(C) | A Protected Party making, or intending to make, a claim under Clause 14.3(A) shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower. |
(D) | A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from the Borrower under this Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity), notify the Agent. |
14.4 | Tax Credit |
If the Borrower makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:
(A) | a Tax Credit is attributable to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, to that Tax Payment or to a Tax Deduction in consequence of which that Tax Payment was required; and |
(B) | that Finance Party has obtained and utilised that Tax Credit, |
the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Borrower which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the Borrower.
14.5 | Lender status confirmation |
Each Lender which becomes a Party to this Agreement after the 2018 Effective Date shall indicate, in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender, and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, which of the following categories it falls in:
(A) | not a Qualifying Lender; |
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(B) | a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or |
(C) | a Treaty Lender. |
If a New Lender, an Increase Lender or an acceding Accordion Facility Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this Clause 14.5 (Lender status confirmation) then such New Lender, Increase Lender or acceding Accordion Facility Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by the Borrower) as if it is not a Qualifying Lender until such time as it notifies the Agent which category applies (and the Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, any documentation executed by a Lender on becoming a Party as a Lender shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this Clause 14.5 (Lender status confirmation).
14.6 | Stamp taxes |
The Borrower shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
14.7 | VAT |
(A) | All amounts expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is or becomes chargeable on that supply and, accordingly, subject to Clause 14.7(B), if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that Party). |
(B) | If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the “Supplier”) to any other Finance Party (the “Recipient”) under a Finance Document, and any Party other than the Recipient (the “Relevant Party”) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration): |
(1) | (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this Clause 14.7(B)(1) applies) promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and |
(2) | (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT. |
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(C) | Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority. |
(D) | Any reference in this Clause 14.7 (VAT) to any Party shall, at any time when such Party is treated as a member of a group or unity (or fiscal unity) for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to any member of such group at such time which is responsible for, or paying VAT on behalf of such group, or on behalf of any or all of the members thereof (including, in a UK context, the “representative member” as defined in the Value Added Tax Act 1994). |
(E) | In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that Party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that Party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply. |
14.8 | FATCA Information |
(A) | Subject to Clause 14.8(C), each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party: |
(1) | confirm to that other Party whether it is: |
(a) | a FATCA Exempt Party; or |
(b) | not a FATCA Exempt Party; |
(2) | supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and |
(3) | supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime. |
(B) | If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to Clause 14.8(A)(1) that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly. |
(C) | Clause 14.8(A) shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and Clause 14.8(A)(3) shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of: |
(1) | any law or regulation; |
(2) | any fiduciary duty; or |
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(3) | any duty of confidentiality. |
(D) | If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with Clause 14.8(A)(1) or 14.8(A)(2) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where Clause 14.8(C) applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information. |
(E) | If the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of: |
(1) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement; |
(2) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Acceding Lender, the 2018 Effective Date; |
(3) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a Transfer Date and the relevant Lender is a New Lender, the relevant Transfer Date; |
(4) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which an increase in Commitments takes effect and the relevant Lender is an Increase Lender, that date; |
(5) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on an Accordion Facility Establishment Date and the relevant Lender is an acceding Accordion Facility Lender, that Accordion Facility Establishment Date; or |
(6) | where the Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent, |
supply to the Agent:
(a) | a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or |
(b) | any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation. |
(F) | The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to Clause 14.8(E) to the Borrower. |
(G) | If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to Clause 14.8(E) is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify the Agent). The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Borrower. |
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(H) | The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to Clause 14.8(E) or Clause 14.8(G) without further verification. The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with Clause 14.8(E), Clause 14.8(F) or Clause 14.8(G). |
14.9 | FATCA Deduction |
(A) | Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction. |
(B) | Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties. |
15. | Increased Costs |
15.1 | Increased Costs |
(A) | Subject to Clause 15.3 (Exceptions) the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of: |
(1) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation after the 2018 Effective Date or, in the case of any New Lender, Accordion Facility Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the 2018 Effective Date, after the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender; |
(2) | compliance with any law or regulation made after the 2018 Effective Date or, in the case of any New Lender, Accordion Facility Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the 2018 Effective Date, after the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender; or |
(3) | the implementation or application of, or compliance with, Basel III or any law or regulation which implements Basel III including, for the avoidance of doubt, and without prejudice to the foregoing, CRD IV, but only insofar as it relates to the implementation of Basel III, (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator or a Finance Party) but only to the extent the relevant Finance Party did not know (and could not reasonably have known) about the relevant Basel III or CRD IV Increased Costs at the 2018 Effective Date or, in the case of any New Lender, Accordion Facility Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the 2018 Effective Date, at the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender. |
(B) | In this Agreement: |
(1) | “Basel III” means: |
(a) | the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated; |
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(b) | the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement – Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and |
(c) | any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”; |
(2) | “CRD IV” means EU CRD IV and UK CRD IV; |
(3) | “EU CRD IV” means: |
(a) | Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012; and |
(b) | Directive 2013/36EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directive 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC; |
(4) | “Increased Costs” means: |
(a) | a reduction in the rate of return from a Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital; |
(b) | an additional or increased cost; or |
(c) | a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document, |
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document;
(5) | “UK CRD IV” means: |
(a) | Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “Withdrawal Act”); |
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(b) | the law of the United Kingdom or any part of it, which immediately before IP completion day (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) implemented Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC and its implementing measures; and |
(c) | direct EU legislation (as defined in the Withdrawal Act), which immediately before IP completion day (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) implemented EU CRD IV as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the Withdrawal Act. |
15.2 | Increased cost claims |
(A) | A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 15.1 (Increased costs) shall, promptly upon becoming aware of the same, notify the Agent of the circumstances giving rise to the claim and the amount of the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
(B) | Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide to the Borrower a certificate confirming the amount and (other than in respect of any Increased Cost attributable to Basel III) the basis of calculation (in reasonable detail) of its Increased Cost, provided that, if so requested by any Finance Party, the Borrower shall enter into a Confidentiality Undertaking with that Finance Party on terms mutually acceptable to the Borrower and that Finance Party in respect of the information contained in that certificate. For the avoidance of doubt, the certificate shall not include any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by law, regulation or court order or any information which is price-sensitive in relation to listed shares or instruments issued by that Lender or any of its Affiliates. |
15.3 | Exceptions |
(A) | Clause 15.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is: |
(1) | attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by the Borrower; |
(2) | attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party; |
(3) | compensated for by Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under Clause 14.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in Clause 14.3(B) applied); |
(4) | attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation; |
(5) | attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement (but excluding any amendment arising out of Basel III) (“Basel II”) or any other law or regulation which implements Basel II (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates); or |
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(6) | attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance by a Finance Party and/or its Affiliates with the bank levy imposed by the United Kingdom government under the Finance Act 2011 or any other levy or Tax of a similar nature in any jurisdiction in force as at the date of this Agreement. |
(B) | In this Clause 15.3 (Exceptions), a reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to that term in Clause 14.1 (Definitions). |
16. | Other Indemnities |
16.1 | Currency indemnity |
(A) | If any sum due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of: |
(1) | making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower; |
(2) | obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings, |
the Borrower shall as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
(B) | The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable. |
16.2 | Other indemnities |
The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:
(A) | the occurrence of any Event of Default; |
(B) | a failure by it to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 29 (Sharing among the Finance Parties); |
(C) | funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or |
(D) | a Utilisation (or part of a Utilisation) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower. |
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16.3 | Indemnity to the Agent |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly, following a written demand from the Agent, indemnify the Agent against any cost, loss or liability properly incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of: |
(1) | investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default; |
(2) | acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; or |
(3) | instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement. |
(B) | The Agent shall notify the Borrower promptly of any of the events in Clause 16.3(A) taking place. |
17. | Mitigation by the Lenders |
17.1 | Mitigation |
(A) | Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 9.1 (Illegality), Clause 14 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or Clause 15 (Increased costs) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office. |
(B) | Clause 17.1(A) does not in any way limit the obligations of the Borrower under the Finance Documents. |
(C) | Each Finance Party shall notify the Agent, as soon as reasonably practicable if it becomes aware that any circumstances of the kind described in Clause 17.1(A) have arisen following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
17.2 | Limitation of liability |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 17.1 (Mitigation). |
(B) | A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 17.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it. |
18. | Costs and Expenses |
18.1 | Transaction expenses |
The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent and each of the Arrangers the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal fees on and subject to the terms agreed with the relevant Party’s legal advisers) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of:
(A) | this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement; and |
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(B) | any other Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement. |
18.2 | Amendment costs |
If:
(A) | it requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or |
(B) | an amendment is required pursuant to Clause 30.10 (Change of currency), |
the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the Agent for the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Agent in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
18.3 | Enforcement costs |
The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document.
19. | [Clause not used] |
20. | Representations |
The Borrower makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 20 (Representations) to each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement.
20.1 | Status |
(A) | It is duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
(B) | It and each of its Material Subsidiaries has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted. |
20.2 | Binding obligations |
Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document to which it is a party are, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.
20.3 | Non-conflict with other obligations |
The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents do not conflict with:
(A) | any law or regulation applicable to it; |
(B) | its constitutional documents; or |
(C) | any document which is binding upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets, the breach of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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20.4 | Power and authority |
It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.
20.5 | Authorisations |
All Authorisations required by it to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.
20.6 | Governing law and enforcement |
(A) | The choice of English law as the governing law of the Finance Documents will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
(B) | Subject to the Legal Reservations, any judgment obtained in England in relation to a Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
20.7 | Deduction of Tax |
It is not required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in Clause 14.1 (Definitions)) from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to a Lender which is:
(A) | a Qualifying Lender: |
(1) | falling within paragraph (1)(a) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender”; or |
(2) | except where a Direction has been given under section 931 of the ITA in relation to the payment concerned, falling within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender”; or |
(3) | falling within paragraph (2) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender” or; |
(B) | a Treaty Lender and the payment is one specified in a direction given by the Commissioners of Revenue & Customs under Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations 1970 (SI 1970/488). |
20.8 | No filing or stamp taxes |
As at the date of this Agreement and under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents.
20.9 | No default |
(A) | No Event of Default is continuing or will result from the entry into of, or the performance of any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document. |
(B) | No other event is continuing which constitutes a default under any other document which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or its Subsidiaries’ assets to an extent or in a manner which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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20.10 | No misleading information |
(A) | Any written factual information provided by or on behalf of any member of the Group in relation to any Finance Document was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated. |
(B) | Nothing has occurred or been omitted from the written factual information referred to in Clause 20.10(A) and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information being untrue or misleading in any material respect. |
20.11 | Financial statements |
In the case of the Borrower:
(A) | the Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement; |
(B) | the Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of its financial condition as at the end of the relevant financial year and operations during the relevant financial year (consolidated in the case of the Borrower) unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement; and |
(C) | there has been no material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower since the date of the Original Financial Statements. |
20.12 | Pari passu ranking |
Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
20.13 | No proceedings pending or threatened |
No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings are current or, to its knowledge, pending or threatened in writing, which are reasonably likely to be determined against it (taking into account the likelihood of success of those proceedings) and which, if they were so adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
20.14 | Sanctions |
(A) | Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or, to its knowledge, any of its directors are: |
(1) | a designated target of, or is controlled by or a Subsidiary of, directly or indirectly, any person which is currently a designated target of any Sanctions; |
(2) | located or organised under the laws of Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea or Syria, in each case only where, as at the date of this Agreement, that country is the subject of Sanctions; or |
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(3) | subject to any claim, proceeding, formal notice or investigation with respect to Sanctions. |
(B) | In relation to each Lender that notifies the Agent to this effect (each a “Restricted Bank”) this Clause 20.14 (Sanctions) shall only apply for the benefit of that Restricted Bank to the extent that this Clause 20.14 (Sanctions) would not result in any violation of or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or §7 of the German Aussenwirtschaftsverordnung. In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of this Clause 20.14 (Sanctions) of which a Restricted Bank does not have the benefit, the participation in any Commitment of that Restricted Bank will be excluded for the purpose of determining whether the consent of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been obtained or whether the determination or direction by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been made. |
20.15 | Anti-corruption law |
Each member of the Group has conducted its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws in all material respects. The Group has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
20.16 | Repetition |
(A) | The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period. |
(B) | The Repeating Representations apply to the circumstances existing at the time such Repeating Representation is made. |
21. | Information Undertakings |
The undertakings in this Clause 21 (Information Undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
21.1 | Financial statements |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders:
(A) | as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each financial year, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year; and |
(B) | as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first half year of each of its financial years, its interim consolidated financial statements for that financial half year. |
21.2 | Compliance Certificate |
(A) | The Borrower shall supply to the Agent, with each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 21.1(A) or Clause 21.1(B), a Compliance Certificate setting out a list of the Material Subsidiaries as at the date of that Compliance Certificate. |
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(B) | Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a director of the Borrower. |
21.3 | Requirements as to financial statements |
(A) | Each set of financial statements delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Clause 21.1 (Financial statements) shall be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
(B) | The Borrower shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 21.1 (Financial statements) is prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements. The Borrower must notify the Agent of any change to the manner in which any set of audited consolidated financial statements are prepared other than in respect of any general change to IFRS or any other change in accounting principles applicable to companies generally. |
(C) | If requested by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent: |
(1) | a description of any change notified to the Agent in accordance with Clause 21.3(B); |
(2) | sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Finance Parties to make an accurate comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent audited consolidated financial statements delivered to the Agent under this Agreement; and |
(3) | in respect of any change to the manner in which operating leases are treated under IFRS, a reconciliation to enable the Finance Parties to make an accurate comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent financial statements delivered to the Agent immediately prior to such change in IFRS. |
(D) | If notified under Clause 21.3(B), the Agent may request the Borrower to enter into discussions for a period of not more than 30 days with a view to agreeing any amendments required to be made to this Agreement to place the Borrower and the Lenders in the same position as they would have been in if the change notified under Clause 21.3(B) had not happened. Any agreement between the Borrower and the Agent will be, with the prior consent of the Majority Lenders, binding on all the Parties. |
(E) | If no agreement is reached under Clause 21.3(D) on the required amendments to this Agreement, the Borrower must ensure that its auditors certify those amendments. The certificate of the auditors will be, in the absence of manifest error, binding on all the Parties. |
21.4 | Information: miscellaneous |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):
(A) | copies of all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched; |
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(B) | promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any member of the Group, and which are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; |
(C) | with each Compliance Certificate and, in any event, upon the Agent’s reasonable request, a list of the then current Material Subsidiaries; and |
(D) | promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any member of the Group as any Finance Party (through the Agent) may reasonably request. |
Any document to be supplied by the Borrower to the Agent under this Clause 21.4 (Information: miscellaneous) may be delivered by electronic mail.
21.5 | Notification of default |
(A) | The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. |
(B) | Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its authorised signatories on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it). |
21.6 | Credit Rating |
The Borrower shall notify the Agent, in writing, of any change in its Credit Rating within five Business Days of any such change by delivery to the Agent of a Margin Certificate.
21.7 | Use of websites |
(A) | The Borrower may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrower and the Agent (the “Designated Website”) if: |
(1) | the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method; |
(2) | both the Borrower and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and |
(3) | the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrower and the Agent. |
(B) | The Agent shall supply each Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Borrower and the Agent. |
(C) | The Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if: |
(1) | the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure; |
(2) | the password specifications for the Designated Website change; |
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(3) | any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website; |
(4) | any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or |
(5) | the Borrower becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software. |
If the Borrower notifies the Agent under Clause 21.7(C)(1) or Clause 21.7(C)(5), all information to be provided by the Borrower under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.
(D) | Any Lender may request, through the Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Borrower shall comply with any such request within ten Business Days. |
21.8 | “Know your customer” checks |
(A) | If: |
(1) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; |
(2) | any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or |
(3) | a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer, |
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of Clause 21.8(A)(3), any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in Clause 21.8(A)(3), on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in Clause 21.8(A)(3), any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
(B) | Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents. |
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22. | [Clause not used] |
23. | General Undertakings |
The undertakings in this Clause 23 (General Undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
23.1 | Authorisations |
The Borrower shall promptly:
(A) | obtain, maintain and comply with the terms; and |
(B) | supply certified copies to the Agent, |
of any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to perform its obligations under any Finance Document and to ensure the validity or enforceability in its jurisdiction of incorporation of any Finance Document.
23.2 | Compliance with laws |
The Borrower shall ensure that each member of the Group complies in all respects with all laws to which it is subject where failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.
23.3 | Negative pledge |
In this Clause 23.3 (Negative pledge), “Quasi-Security” means an arrangement or transaction described in Clause 23.3(B).
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall ensure that no Material Subsidiary will) create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets. |
(B) | The Borrower shall not (and shall ensure that no Material Subsidiary will): |
(1) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired or acquired by a member of the Group or any of its related entities; |
(2) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms; |
(3) | enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or |
(4) | enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect, |
in circumstances where the transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.
(C) | Clause 23.3(A) and Clause 23.3(B) do not apply to any Security or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, listed below: |
(1) | any Security or Quasi-Security comprising or pursuant to any cash management or pooling, netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking or cash management or pooling arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances or any guarantees given in respect of the same; |
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(2) | any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of business; |
(3) | any Security or Quasi-Security over goods, documents of title to goods and/or related documents to secure liabilities of any member of the Group in respect of a letter of credit or other similar instrument issued by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business; |
(4) | any lease or sale and lease back arrangements in respect of the vehicle fleet of the Group where the payment obligations by any member of the Group in respect of such arrangements does not, in aggregate, exceed £400,000,000 or its equivalent at any time; |
(5) | any Security arising out of title retention provisions, hire purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having a similar effect in respect of goods acquired by the relevant member of the Group in the ordinary course of trade; |
(6) | any Security or Quasi-Security arising under any finance or capital lease entered into by a member of the Group primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business; |
(7) | any Security or Quasi-Security on an asset, or an asset of any person, acquired by a member of the Group after the date of this Agreement but only for the period of six months from the date of acquisition and to the extent that the maximum principal amount secured by that Security or Quasi-Security has not been incurred or increased in contemplation of, or since, the acquisition; or |
(8) | any Security or Quasi-Security securing indebtedness the principal amount of which (when aggregated with the amount of any other indebtedness which has the benefit of a Security or Quasi-Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under Clause 23.3(C)(1) to Clause 23.3(C)(8)) does not exceed an amount of £100,000,000 or its equivalent at any time. |
23.4 | Disposals |
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no other member of the Group will) make a Restricted Disposal without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders. |
(B) | Clause 23.4(A) shall not apply: |
(1) | to any non-cash disposal on arm’s length terms provided the Borrower repays or prepays and cancels the Facilities by the same percentage as the percentage reduction in Net Debt of the Borrower resulting from such disposal; or |
(2) | if the Borrower ensures that 50 per cent. of the Net Disposal Proceeds of any Restricted Disposal (when received, in the case of any deferred consideration) are placed in an account with, or invested in Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments held with, an Acceptable Bank and within 18 months of the date of the relevant Restricted Disposal: |
(a) | re-invested in the operations or business of the Group; |
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(b) | used to refinance any investment in the operations or business of the Group that was made in the 12 month period prior to the date of the relevant Restricted Disposal; or |
(c) | used to prepay and cancel (in an amount equal to the amount prepaid) the Facilities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(C) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no other member of the Group will) transfer any assets to any CSPP Eligible Issuer. |
23.5 | CSPP Eligible Issuer |
(A) | The Borrower shall ensure that no CSPP Eligible Issuer: |
(1) | will be a creditor in respect of any Financial Indebtedness other than in respect of any intra-Group loan to the Borrower; |
(2) | has traded or carried on any business since the date of its incorporation other than the issuance of debt instruments to the European Central Bank’s corporate sector purchase programme; |
(3) | has any employees; or |
(4) | owns any assets other than the intra-Group receivable described at paragraph (1) above. |
(B) | For the purpose of paragraph (A) above, paragraph (1) of the definition of “Financial Indebtedness” shall not apply. |
23.6 | Financial Indebtedness |
(A) | The Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group (other than the Borrower or a CSPP Eligible Issuer) will incur, or allow to remain outstanding, any Financial Indebtedness. |
(B) | Clause 23.6(A) does not apply to: |
(1) | any Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents or otherwise with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; |
(2) | any Financial Indebtedness of any person acquired by a member of the Group which is incurred under arrangements in existence at the date of acquisition, but only for a period of six Months from the date of acquisition; |
(3) | any netting or set-off arrangement (or any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any of those arrangements) entered into by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking or cash management or pooling arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances; |
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(4) | any derivative transaction entered into in the ordinary course of its trade in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate, currency or price (and not for speculative purposes); |
(5) | any Financial Indebtedness in connection with any Permitted Guarantee; |
(6) | any Financial Indebtedness arising under any Debt Capital Markets Issue effected for the purpose of: |
(a) | refinancing any debt incurred in order to fund the Acquisition; or |
(b) | paying consideration payable pursuant to the Acquisition; |
(7) | any Financial Indebtedness incurred for the purposes of refinancing any existing Financial Indebtedness of the Group or the Target Group and paying associated fees and costs provided that such refinancing is for the same or for a lower aggregate principal amount and on substantially the same terms, as such existing Financial Indebtedness; or |
(8) | any other Financial Indebtedness (other than any Cash Pooling Balance and excluding any Financial Indebtedness in respect of any Finance Lease) outstanding from time to time which in aggregate does not exceed £300,000,000 or its equivalent at any time in respect of all members of the Group (other than the Borrower or a CSPP Eligible Issuer) taken as a whole. |
23.7 | Trade Instruments |
The Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group will enter into or issue, or incur or allow to remain outstanding any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of, any Trade Instruments in excess of (at any time) £250,000,000 or its equivalent in aggregate for the Group as a whole.
23.8 | Pari Passu |
The Borrower must ensure that its payment obligations under the Finance Documents at all times rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
23.9 | Merger |
The Borrower shall not enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or reconstruction other than a Permitted Transaction.
23.10 | Change of business |
The Borrower shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Borrower or the Group (taken as a whole) from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
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23.11 | Sanctions |
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no member of the Group will), directly or, to its knowledge indirectly, use the proceeds of a Facility or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary or other person: |
(1) | specifically to fund any activities or business of or participate in any prohibited transaction with any person who is, or is controlled by or a subsidiary of a person that, at the time of such funding, is a designated target of Sanctions; or |
(2) | in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions. |
(B) | In relation to each Lender that notifies the Agent to this effect (each a “Restricted Bank”) this Clause 23.11 (Sanctions) shall only apply for the benefit of that Restricted Bank to the extent that this Clause 23.11 (Sanctions) would not result in any violation of or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or §7 of the German Aussenwirtschaftsverordnung. In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of this Clause 23.11 (Sanctions) of which a Restricted Bank does not have the benefit, the participation in any Commitment of that Restricted Bank will be excluded for the purpose of determining whether the consent of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been obtained or whether the determination or direction by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been made. |
24. | Events of Default |
Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 24 (Events of Default) is an Event of Default (save for Clause 24.13 (Acceleration)).
24.1 | Non-payment |
The Borrower does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:
(A) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(1) | administrative or technical error; or |
(2) | a Disruption Event; and |
(B) | payment is made within three Business Days of the Agent giving notice to the Borrower that payment has not been made on the due date. |
24.2 | [Clause Not Used] |
24.3 | Other obligations |
(A) | The Borrower does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 24.1 (Non-payment)). |
(B) | No Event of Default under Clause 24.3(A) will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within 20 Business Days of the earlier of: |
(1) | the Agent giving notice of the breach to the Borrower; and |
(2) | the Borrower becoming aware of the failure to comply. |
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24.4 | Misrepresentation |
(A) | Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower under any Finance Document is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made, unless the circumstances giving rise to the misrepresentation: |
(1) | are capable of remedy; and |
(2) | are remedied within 20 Business Days of the earlier of: |
(a) | the Agent giving notice to the Borrower; and |
(b) | the Borrower becoming aware of the misrepresentation. |
24.5 | Cross default |
(A) | Any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period. |
(B) | Any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(C) | Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of any member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(D) | Any creditor of any member of the Group becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(E) | No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 24.5 (Cross default) if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of any Trade Instrument or commitment for Financial Indebtedness or indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of any Trade Instrument falling within Clause 24.5(A) to Clause 24.5(D) is less than £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) in respect of any one member of the Group or £50,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) for the Group as a whole. |
24.6 | Insolvency |
(A) | The Borrower or a Material Subsidiary: |
(1) | is, or is deemed for the purposes of any applicable law to be (including under Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 but as, for this purpose (and any equivalent provisions of applicable law) the figure in Section 123(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986 was £500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency)), unable to pay its debts as they fall due or insolvent; |
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(2) | admits publicly or in writing its inability to pay its debts as they fall due; |
(3) | suspends making payments on all or any class of its debts or announces an intention to do so; or |
(4) | by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, begins negotiations with any creditors other than the Lenders (in their capacity as such) for the rescheduling any of its indebtedness. |
(B) | A moratorium is declared in respect of all or any class of the indebtedness of the Borrower or Material Subsidiary. |
If a moratorium occurs in respect of any member of the Group, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by the moratorium.
24.7 | Insolvency proceedings |
(A) | Except as provided below, any of the following occurs in relation to the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary: |
(1) | a shareholders’ or directors’ resolution is passed, or an order is made for, its winding-up, administration or dissolution other than for its solvent winding-up, dissolution or liquidation; |
(2) | any person presents a petition for, or files documents with a court or any registrar, requesting its winding-up, administration, dissolution or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise); |
(3) | any Security is enforced over any of its assets having an aggregate value of and in respect of indebtedness aggregating not less than the amount specified in Clause 24.5(E); |
(4) | any liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not the Borrower), trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of it or any of its assets; |
(5) | its shareholders (having passed a resolution to that effect), directors or other officers request the appointment of, or give notice of their intention to appoint, a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not the Borrower), trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer; or |
(6) | or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction. |
(B) | Clause 24.7(A) does not apply to: |
(1) | any step or procedure which is part of a Permitted Transaction; or |
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(2) | a petition for winding-up presented by a creditor which is being contested in good faith and with due diligence and is discharged or struck out within 28 days and in any event before any creditor other than the petitioning creditor is able to adopt the relevant petition under applicable law |
24.8 | Creditors’ process |
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary having an aggregate value of more than £50,000,000 or its equivalent and is not discharged within 21 days.
24.9 | [Clause not used] |
24.10 | Unlawfulness |
It is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents.
24.11 | Repudiation |
(A) | The Borrower repudiates a Finance Document or evidences an intention to repudiate a Finance Document. |
(B) | Any Finance Document is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by the Borrower to be ineffective in accordance with its terms for any reason. |
24.12 | Material adverse change |
Any event or series of events occurs which has a Material Adverse Effect.
24.13 | Acceleration |
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower:
(A) | cancel the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled; |
(B) | declare that all or part of the Utilisations, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable; and |
(C) | declare that all or part of the Utilisations be payable on demand, whereupon they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders. |
25. | Changes to the Lenders |
25.1 | Assignments and transfers by the Lenders |
Subject to this Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), a Lender (the “Existing Lender”) may:
(A) | assign any of its rights; or |
(B) | transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations, |
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to another bank or financial institution which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the “New Lender”).
25.2 | Borrower consent |
(A) | The consent of the Borrower is required for an assignment or transfer by an Existing Lender, unless the assignment or transfer is: |
(1) | to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender; or |
(2) | made at a time when an Event of Default is continuing. |
(B) | The consent of the Borrower to an assignment or transfer must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Borrower will be deemed to have given its consent five Business Days after the Existing Lender has requested it unless consent is expressly refused by the Borrower within that time. |
25.3 | Other conditions of assignment or transfer |
(A) | An assignment will only be effective on: |
(1) | receipt by the Agent (whether in the Assignment Agreement or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it had been an Original Lender; and |
(2) | performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender. |
(B) | A transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with. |
(C) | If: |
(1) | a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and |
(2) | as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, the Borrower would be obliged to make a Tax Payment or a payment under Clause 15 (Increased Costs) to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office, |
then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive such Tax Payment or payment to the extent that the relevant Tax liability or Increased Cost would have arisen and the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been entitled to receive such Tax Payment or payment in respect of such Tax liability or Increased Cost if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.
This Clause 25.3(C) shall not apply to in relation to a Tax Payment pursuant to Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) to a Treaty Lender that has included a confirmation of its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 14.2(G)(3)(b) if the Borrower making the payment has not complied with its obligations under Clause 14.2(H)(2) to file a form DTTP2 in respect of that Treaty Lender within 30 days of the date of the relevant assignment or transfer, and the relevant Tax Deduction would not have arisen if the Borrower had so complied with its obligations under Clause 14.2(H)(2).
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(D) | Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender. |
25.4 | Assignment or transfer fee |
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of £3,000.
25.5 | Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders |
(A) | Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for: |
(1) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents; |
(2) | the financial condition of the Borrower; |
(3) | the performance and observance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; or |
(4) | the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document, |
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.
(B) | Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it: |
(1) | has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document; and |
(2) | will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
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(C) | Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to: |
(1) | accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders); or |
(2) | support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Documents or otherwise. |
25.6 | Procedure for transfer |
(A) | Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Company consent) and 25.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer), a transfer is effected in accordance with Clause 25.6(C) when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 25.6(B), as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender. |
(C) | Subject to Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date: |
(1) | to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents each of the Borrower and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be cancelled (being the “Discharged Rights and Obligations”); |
(2) | each of the Borrower and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as the Borrower and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of the Borrower and the Existing Lender; |
(3) | the Agent, each of the Arrangers, the New Lender and other Lenders shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Agent, each of the Arrangers, and the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and |
(4) | the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender”. |
25.7 | Procedure for assignment |
(A) | Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Company consent) and 25.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer), an assignment may be effected in accordance with Clause 25.7(C) when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 25.7(B), as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Assignment Agreement appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Assignment Agreement. |
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(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender. |
(C) | Subject to Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date: |
(1) | the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement; |
(2) | the Existing Lender will be released by the Borrower and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the “Relevant Obligations”) and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement; and |
(3) | the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations. |
(D) | Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 25.7 (Procedure for assignment) to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the Borrower or unless in accordance with Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer), to obtain a release by the Borrower from the obligations owed to it by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Borrower consent) and 25.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer). |
25.8 | Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower |
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate, an Assignment Agreement or an Increase Confirmation, send to the Borrower a copy of that Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation.
25.9 | Security over Lenders’ rights |
In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from the Borrower, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:
(A) | any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and |
(B) | in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities, |
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except that no such charge, assignment or Security shall:
(1) | release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or |
(2) | require any payments to be made by the Borrower other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents. |
25.10 | Pro rata interest settlement |
(A) | If the Agent has notified the lenders that it is able to distribute interest payments on a “pro rata basis” to Existing Lenders and New Lenders then (in respect of any transfer pursuant to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer) or any assignment pursuant to Clause 25.7 (Procedure for assignment) the Transfer Date of which, in each case, is after the date of such notification and is not on the last day of an Interest Period): |
(1) | any interest or fees in respect of the relevant participation which are expressed to accrue by reference to the lapse of time shall continue to accrue in favour of the Existing Lender up to but excluding the Transfer Date (“Accrued Amounts”) and shall become due and payable to the Existing Lender (without further interest accruing on them) on the last day of the current Interest Period; and |
(2) | the rights assigned or transferred by the Existing Lender will not include the right to the Accrued Amounts, so that, for the avoidance of doubt: |
(a) | when the Accrued Amounts become payable, those Accrued Amounts will be payable to the Existing Lender; and |
(b) | the amount payable to the New Lender on that date will be the amount which would, but for the application of this Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts. |
(B) | In this Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement) references to “Interest Period” shall be construed to include a reference to any other period for accrual of fees. |
(C) | An Existing Lender which retains the right to the Accrued Amounts pursuant to this Clause 25.10 but which does not have a Commitment shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents. |
26. | Changes to the Borrower |
26.1 | Assignment and transfers by the Borrower |
The Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.
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26.2 | [Clause not used] |
27. | Role of the Agent and the Arrangers |
27.1 | Appointment of the Agent |
(A) | Each of the Arrangers and the Lenders appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents. |
(B) | Each of the Arrangers and the Lenders authorise the Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions. |
27.2 | Instructions |
(A) | The Agent shall: |
(1) | unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by: |
(a) | all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and |
(b) | in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and |
(2) | not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with Clause 27.2(A)(1). |
(B) | The Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Lender or group of Lenders, from that Lender or group of Lenders) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion. The Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives any such instructions or clarification that it has requested. |
(C) | Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Lender or group of Lenders under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties. |
(D) | The Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Lender or group of Lenders until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability which it may incur in complying with those instructions. |
(E) | In the absence of instructions, the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders. |
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(F) | The Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. |
27.3 | Duties of the Agent |
(A) | The Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature. |
(B) | Subject to Clause 27.3(C), the Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent for that Party by any other Party. |
(C) | Without prejudice to Clause 25.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower), Clause 27.3(B) shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate, any Assignment Agreement or any Increase Confirmation. |
(D) | Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party. |
(E) | If the Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
(F) | If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or any of the Arrangers) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
(G) | The Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied). |
27.4 | Role of the Arrangers |
Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, none of the Arrangers have any obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document.
27.5 | No fiduciary duties |
(A) | Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent or any of the Arrangers as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person. |
(B) | Neither the Agent, nor any of the Arrangers shall be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account. |
27.6 | Business with the Group |
The Agent and each of the Arrangers may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.
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27.7 | Rights and discretions |
(A) | The Agent may: |
(1) | rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; |
(2) | assume that: |
(a) | any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or any group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and |
(b) | unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and |
(3) | rely on a certificate from any person: |
(a) | as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or |
(b) | to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing, |
as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of Clause 27.7(A)(3)(a), may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.
(B) | The Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that: |
(1) | no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 24.1 (Non-payment)); |
(2) | any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Lenders has not been exercised; and |
(3) | any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of the Borrower. |
(C) | The Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts. |
(D) | Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 27.7(C) or 27.7(E), the Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be necessary. |
(E) | The Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying. |
(F) | The Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its officers, employees and agents. |
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(G) | Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise the Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement. |
(H) | Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 27.7(G), the Agent: |
(1) | may disclose; and |
(2) | on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose, |
the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the Borrower and to the other Finance Parties.
(I) | Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor any of the Arrangers are not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality. |
(J) | Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. |
27.8 | Responsibility for documentation |
None of the Agent or any of the Arrangers is responsible or liable for:
(A) | the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, any of the Arrangers, the Borrower or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; |
(B) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; or |
(C) | any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise. |
27.9 | No duty to monitor |
The Agent shall not be bound to enquire:
(A) | whether or not any Default has occurred; |
(B) | as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or |
(C) | whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred. |
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27.10 | Exclusion of liability |
(A) | Without limiting Clause 27.10(B) (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent), the Agent will not be liable for: |
(1) | any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; |
(2) | exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document, other than by reason of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; or |
(3) | without prejudice to the generality of Clause 27.10(A)(1) and Clause 27.10(A)(2), any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of: |
(a) | any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or |
(b) | the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction, |
including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.
(B) | No Party (other than the Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent may rely on this Clause 27.10 (Exclusion of liability) subject to Clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
(C) | The Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Agent if the Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the Agent for that purpose. |
(D) | Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or any of the Arrangers to carry out: |
(1) | any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or |
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(2) | any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Lender, |
on behalf of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent and each of the Arrangers that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent or an Arranger.
(E) | Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Agent’s liability, any liability of the Agent arising under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages. |
27.11 | Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent |
Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 30.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.), notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Agent has been reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to a Finance Document).
27.12 | Resignation of the Agent |
(A) | The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the United Kingdom as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. |
(B) | Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom). |
(C) | If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 27.12(B) within 30 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom). |
(D) | If the Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as Agent and the Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent under Clause 27.12(C), the Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this Clause 27 (Role of the Agent and the Arrangers) and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the agency fee payable under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties. |
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(E) | The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents. |
(F) | The Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor. |
(G) | Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under Clause 27.12(E)) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 16.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 27 (Role of the Agent and the Arrangers) (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party. |
(H) | After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders), require it to resign in accordance with Clause 27.12(B). In this event, the Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 27.12(B). |
(I) | The Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 27.12(B) (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to Clause 27.12(B)) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either: |
(1) | the Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 14.8 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; |
(2) | the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to Clause 14.8 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or |
(3) | the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; |
and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.
(J) | Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been a party to the Agreement on the date of the Agreement. |
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27.13 | Confidentiality |
(A) | In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments. |
(B) | If information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it. |
27.14 | Relationship with the Lenders |
(A) | Subject to Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), the Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office: |
(1) | entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and |
(2) | entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day, |
unless it has received not less than five Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(B) | Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under Clause 32.5 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, electronic mail address (or such other information), department and officer by that Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) and Clause 32.6(A)(2) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender. |
27.15 | Agent’s management time |
If the Agent requires, any amount payable to the Agent by any Party under any indemnity or in respect of any costs or expenses incurred by the Agent under the Finance Documents after the date of this Agreement may include the cost of using its management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Agent may notify to the relevant Party. This is in addition to any amount in respect of fees or expenses paid or payable to the Agent under any terms of the Finance Documents.
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27.16 | Credit appraisal by the Lenders |
Without affecting the responsibility of the Borrower for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Agent and each of the Arrangers that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:
(A) | the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group; |
(B) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; |
(C) | whether that Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and |
(D) | the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any other information provided by the Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document. |
27.17 | Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent |
If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.
28. | Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties |
No provision of this Agreement will:
(A) | interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit; |
(B) | oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or |
(C) | oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax. |
29. | Sharing Among the Finance Parties |
29.1 | Payments to Finance Parties |
If a Finance Party (a “Recovering Finance Party”) receives or recovers any amount from the Borrower other than in accordance with Clause 30 (Payment mechanics) (a “Recovered Amount”) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:
(A) | the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery to the Agent; |
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(B) | the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 30 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and |
(C) | the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “Sharing Payment”) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 30.6 (Partial payments). |
29.2 | Redistribution of payments |
The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the Borrower and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the “Sharing Finance Parties”) in accordance with Clause 30.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of the Borrower to the Sharing Finance Parties.
29.3 | Recovering Finance Party’s rights |
On a distribution by the Agent under Clause 29.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from the Borrower, as between the Borrower and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by the Borrower.
29.4 | Reversal of redistribution |
If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:
(A) | each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the “Redistributed Amount”); and |
(B) | as between the Borrower and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by the Borrower. |
29.5 | Exceptions |
(A) | This Clause 29 (Sharing Among the Finance Parties) shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause 29.5 (Exceptions), have a valid and enforceable claim against the Borrower. |
(B) | A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if: |
(1) | it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and |
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(2) | that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings. |
30. | Payment Mechanics |
30.1 | Payments to the Agent |
(A) | On each date on which the Borrower or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, the Borrower or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment. |
(B) | Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies. |
30.2 | Distributions by the Agent |
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 30.3 (Distributions to the Borrower) and Clause 30.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).
30.3 | Distributions to the Borrower |
The Agent may (with the consent of the Borrower or in accordance with Clause 31 (Set-off)) apply any amount received by it for the Borrower in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.
30.4 | Clawback and pre-funding |
(A) | Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum. |
(B) | Unless Clause 30.4(C) applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds. |
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(C) | If the Agent is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to the Borrower: |
(1) | the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower to whom that sum was made available shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and |
(2) | the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrower to whom that sum was made available, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender. |
30.5 | Impaired Agent |
(A) | If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, the Borrower or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with Clause 30.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either: |
(1) | pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or |
(2) | if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (A) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender making the payment (the “Paying Party”) and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the “Recipient Party” or “Recipient Parties”). |
In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.
(B) | All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements. |
(C) | A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 30.5 (Impaired Agent) shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account. |
(D) | Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 27.12 (Resignation of the Agent), each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to Clause 30.5(E)) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with Clause 30.2 (Distributions by the Agent). |
(E) | A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent: |
(1) | that it has not given an instruction pursuant to Clause 30.5(D); and |
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(2) | that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party, |
give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.
30.6 | Partial payments |
(A) | If the Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by the Borrower under the Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of the Borrower under the Finance Documents in the following order: |
(1) | first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent under the Finance Documents; |
(2) | secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due but unpaid under this Agreement; |
(3) | thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and |
(4) | fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents. |
(B) | The Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set out in Clause 30.6(A)(2) to Clause 30.6(A)(4). |
(C) | Clause 30.6(A) and Clause 30.6(B) will override any appropriation made by the Borrower. |
30.7 | No set-off by the Borrower |
All payments to be made by the Borrower under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
30.8 | Business Days |
(A) | Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). |
(B) | During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date. |
30.9 | Currency of account |
(A) | Subject to Clause 30.9(B) to Clause 30.9(E), the Base Currency is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from the Borrower under any Finance Document. |
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(B) | A repayment of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum or a part of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum shall be made in the currency in which that Utilisation or Unpaid Sum is denominated, pursuant to this Agreement, on its due date. |
(C) | Each payment of interest shall be made in the currency in which the sum in respect of which the interest is payable was denominated, pursuant to this Agreement, when that interest accrued. |
(D) | Each payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are incurred. |
(E) | Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than the Base Currency shall be paid in that other currency. |
30.10 | Change of currency |
(A) | Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then: |
(1) | any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower); and |
(2) | any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably). |
(B) | If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Relevant Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency. |
30.11 | Disruption to payment systems etc. |
If either the Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:
(A) | the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facilities as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances; |
(B) | the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 30.11(A) if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes; |
(C) | the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 30.11(A) but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; |
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(D) | any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 36 (Amendments and Waivers); |
(E) | the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this Clause 30.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.); and |
(F) | the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to Clause 30.11(D). |
31. | Set-Off |
While an Event of Default is continuing, a Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to the Borrower, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
32. | Notices |
32.1 | Communications in writing |
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by email or letter.
32.2 | Addresses |
The address and email address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:
(A) | in the case of the Borrower, that identified with its name in its signature to the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement; |
(B) | in the case of each Lender, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party; and |
(C) | in the case of the Agent, that identified with its name in its signature to the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement, |
or any substitute address or email address or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.
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32.3 | Delivery |
(A) | Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective, if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address, and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 32.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer. |
(B) | Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent shall specify for this purpose). |
(C) | All notices from or to the Borrower shall be sent through the Agent. |
(D) | Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this Clause 32.3 (Delivery) will be deemed to have been made or delivered to the Borrower. |
(E) | Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 32.3(A) to Clause 32.3(D), after 5.00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day. |
32.4 | Notification of address and email address |
Promptly upon changing its address or email address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
32.5 | Communication when Agent is an Impaired Agent |
If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.
32.6 | Electronic communication |
(A) | Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties: |
(1) | notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and |
(2) | notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice. |
(B) | Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 32.6(A) to be made between the Borrower and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication. |
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(C) | Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 32.6(A) made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent shall specify for this purpose. |
(D) | Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 32.6(C), after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day. |
(E) | Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this Clause 32.5 (Electronic communication). |
32.7 | English language |
(A) | Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English. |
(B) | All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be: |
(1) | in English; or |
(2) | if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document. |
33. | Calculations and Certificates |
33.1 | Accounts |
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
33.2 | Certificates and determinations |
Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
33.3 | Day count convention and interest calculation |
(A) | Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and the amount of any such interest, commission or fee is calculated: |
(1) | on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days (or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant Market differs, in accordance with that market practice); and |
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(2) | subject to paragraph (B) below, without rounding. |
(B) | The aggregate amount of any accrued interest, commission or fee which is, or becomes, payable by the Borrower under a Finance Document shall be rounded to 2 decimal places. |
34. | Partial Invalidity |
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
35. | Remedies and Waivers |
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any of the Finance Documents. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
36. | Amendments and Waivers |
36.1 | Required consents |
(A) | Subject to Clause 36.2 (All Lenders matters) and Clause 36.3 (Other exceptions) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties. |
(B) | The Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 36 (Amendments and Waivers). |
(C) | Clause 25.10(C) (Pro rata interest settlement) shall apply to this Clause 36. |
36.2 | All Lender matters |
Subject to Clause 36.4 (Changes to reference rates) an amendment, waiver or consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:
(A) | the definition of “Majority Lenders” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); |
(B) | an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents; |
(C) | a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable; |
(D) | an increase in any Commitment (other than pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Increase) or Clause 3 (Accordion Option)), an extension of any Availability Period or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the relevant Facility; |
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(E) | a change to the Borrower other than in accordance with Clause 26 (Changes to the Borrower); |
(F) | any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders; or |
(G) | Clause 2.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), Clause 9.2 (Change of control), Clause 9.7 (Application of prepayments), Clause 20.14 (Sanctions), Clause 23.11 (Sanctions), Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), Clause 29 (Sharing among the Finance Parties), this Clause 36 (Amendments and Waivers), Clause 40 (Governing Law) or Clause 41 (Jurisdiction), |
shall not be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders.
36.3 | Other exceptions |
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent or each of the Arrangers (each in their capacity as such) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent or each of the Arrangers, as the case may be.
36.4 | Changes to reference rates |
(A) | Subject to Clause 36.3 (Other exceptions), if a Published Rate Replacement Event has occurred in relation to any Published Rate for a currency which can be selected for a Loan, any amendment or waiver which relates to: |
(1) | providing for the use of a Replacement Reference Rate in relation to that currency in place of that Published Rate; and |
(2) |
(a) | aligning any provision of any Finance Document to the use of that Replacement Reference Rate; |
(b) | enabling that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for the calculation of interest under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any consequential changes required to enable that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for the purposes of this Agreement); |
(c) | implementing market conventions applicable to that Replacement Reference Rate; |
(d) | providing for appropriate fallback (and market disruption) provisions for that Replacement Reference Rate; or |
(e) | adjusting the pricing to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable, any transfer of economic value from one Party to another as a result of the application of that Replacement Reference Rate (and if any adjustment or method for calculating any adjustment has been formally designated, nominated or recommended by the Relevant Nominating Body, the adjustment shall be determined on the basis of that designation, nomination or recommendation), |
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower.
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(B) | An amendment or waiver that relates to, or has the effect of, aligning the means of calculation of interest on a Compounded Rate Loan in any currency under this Agreement to any recommendation of a Relevant Nominating Body which: |
(1) | relates to the use of the RFR for that currency on a compounded basis in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets; and |
(2) | is issued on or after the date of this Agreement, |
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower.
(C) | If any Lender fails to respond to a request for an amendment or waiver described in paragraph (A) or paragraph (B) above within 10 Business Days (or such longer time period in relation to any request which the Borrower and the Agent may agree) of that request being made: |
(1) | its Commitment(s) shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and |
(2) | its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request. |
(D) | In this Clause 36.4: |
“Published Rate” means:
(A) | the Alternative Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor; |
(B) | the Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor; or |
(C) | an RFR. |
“Published Rate Replacement Event” means, in relation to a Published Rate:
(A) | the methodology, formula or other means of determining that Published Rate has, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, and the Borrower materially changed; |
(B) |
(1) |
(a) | the administrator of that Published Rate or its supervisor publicly announces that such administrator is insolvent; or |
(b) | information is published in any order, decree, notice, petition or filing, however described, of or filed with a court, tribunal, exchange, regulatory authority or similar administrative, regulatory or judicial body which reasonably confirms that the administrator of that Published Rate is insolvent, |
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provided that, in each case, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Published Rate;
(2) | the administrator of that Published Rate publicly announces that it has ceased or will cease to provide that Published Rate permanently or indefinitely and, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Published Rate; |
(3) | the supervisor of the administrator of that Published Rate publicly announces that such Published Rate has been or will be permanently or indefinitely discontinued; |
(4) | the administrator of that Published Rate or its supervisor announces that that Published Rate may no longer be used; or |
(5) | in the case of the Primary Term Rate for any Quoted Tenor for euro, the supervisor of the administrator of that Primary Term Rate makes a public announcement or publishes information stating that that Primary Term Rate for that Quoted Tenor is no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative of the underlying market or economic reality that it is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored (as determined by such supervisor);or |
(C) | the administrator of that Published Rate (or the administrator of an interest rate which is a constituent element of that Published Rate) determines that that Published Rate should be calculated in accordance with its reduced submissions or other contingency or fallback policies or arrangements and either: |
(1) | the circumstance(s) or event(s) leading to such determination are not (in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower) temporary; or |
(2) | that Published Rate is calculated in accordance with any such policy or arrangement for a period no less than the period specified as the “Published Rate Contingency Period” in the Reference Rate Terms relating to that Published Rate; or |
(D) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, that Published Rate is otherwise no longer appropriate for the purposes of calculating interest under this Agreement. |
“Relevant Nominating Body” means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of them or the Financial Stability Board.
“Replacement Reference Rate” means a reference rate which is:
(A) | formally designated, nominated or recommended as the replacement for a Published Rate by: |
(1) | the administrator of that Published Rate (provided that the market or economic reality that such reference rate measures is the same as that measured by that Published Rate); or |
(2) | any Relevant Nominating Body, |
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and if replacements have, at the relevant time, been formally designated, nominated or recommended under both paragraphs, the “Replacement Reference Rate” will be the replacement under paragraph (2) above;
(B) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, generally accepted in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets as the appropriate successor to a Published Rate; or |
(C) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, an appropriate successor to a Published Rate. |
36.5 | Excluded Commitments |
If:
(A) | any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within five Business Days of that request being made; or |
(B) | any Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender fails to respond to such a request (other than an amendment, waiver or consent referred to in Clause 36.2(C), Clause 36.2(E) or Clause 36.2(F)) or such a vote within ten Business Days of that request being made, |
(unless, in either case, the Borrower and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request):
(1) | its Commitment(s) shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and |
(2) | its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request. |
36.6 | Replacement of Lender |
(A) | If: |
(1) | any Lender becomes a Non-Consenting Lender (as defined in Clause 36.6(D)); or |
(2) | the Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Illegality) or to pay additional amounts pursuant to Clause 15.1 (Increased costs), Clause 14.2 (Tax gross-up) or Clause 14.3 (Tax Indemnity) to any Lender, |
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then the Borrower may, on five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender, replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower, which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.
(B) | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to this Clause 36.6 (Replacement of Lender) shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor the Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; |
(3) | in the event of a replacement of a Non-Consenting Lender such replacement must take place no later than five Business Days after the date on which that Lender is deemed a Non-Consenting Lender; |
(4) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under this Clause 36.6 (Replacement of Lender) be required to pay or surrender to such Replacement Lender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(5) | the Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 36.6(A) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer. |
(C) | A Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 36.6(B)(5) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 36.6(A) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
(D) | In the event that: |
(1) | the Borrower or the Agent (at the request of the Borrower) has requested the Lenders to give a consent in relation to, or to agree to a waiver or amendment of, any provisions of the Finance Documents; |
(2) | the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the approval of all the Lenders; and |
(3) | Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 75 per cent. of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 75 per cent. of the Total Commitments prior to that reduction), have consented or agreed to such waiver or amendment, |
then any Lender who does not and continues not to consent or agree to such waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “Non-Consenting Lender”.
36.7 | Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders |
(A) | For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining: |
(1) | the Majority Lenders; or |
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(2) | whether: |
(a) | any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies; or |
(b) | the agreement of any specified group of Lenders, | |
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents, |
that Defaulting Lender’s Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies and, to the extent that that reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Total Commitments being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of Clause 36.7(A)(1) and Clause 36.7(A)(2).
(B) | For the purposes of this Clause 36.7 (Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders), the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders: |
(1) | any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; |
(2) | any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (A), (B) or (C) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred, |
unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.
36.8 | Replacement of a Defaulting Lender |
(A) | The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender: |
(1) | replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement; |
(2) | require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of the undrawn Commitment of the Lender; or |
(3) | require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations in respect of the Facilities, |
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to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations, or all the relevant obligations, of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:
(a) | in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 25.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents; or |
(b) | in an amount agreed between that Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in Clause 36.8(A)(3)(a). |
(B) | Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Clause 36.8 (Replacement of a Defaulting Lender) shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; |
(3) | the transfer must take place no later than five Business Days after the notice referred to in Clause 36.8(A); |
(4) | in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(5) | the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 36.8(A) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer to the Replacement Lender. |
(C) | The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 36.8(B)(5) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 36.8(A) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
36.9 | Contractual recognition of bail-in |
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:
(A) | any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation): |
(1) | a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability; |
(2) | a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and |
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(3) | a cancellation of any such liability; and |
(B) | a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability. |
37. | Confidential Information |
37.1 | Confidentiality |
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 37.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) and Clause 37.3 (Disclosure to numbering service providers), and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.
37.2 | Disclosure of Confidential Information |
Any Finance Party may disclose:
(A) | to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this Clause 37.2(A) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information; |
(B) | to any person: |
(1) | to (or through) whom it assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers; |
(2) | with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or the Borrower and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers; |
(3) | appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 37.2(B)(1) or Clause 37.2(B)(2) applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under Clause 27.14(B) (Relationship with the Lenders)); |
(4) | who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in Clause 37.2(B)(1) or Clause 37.2(B)(2); |
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(5) | to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation; |
(6) | to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes; |
(7) | to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 25.9 (Security over Lenders’ rights); |
(8) | who is a Party; or |
(9) | with the consent of the Borrower, |
in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if:
(a) | in relation to Clause 37.2(B)(1), Clause 37.2(B)(2) and Clause 37.2(B)(3), the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking except that there shall be no requirement for a Confidentiality Undertaking if the recipient is a professional adviser and is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information; |
(b) | in relation to Clause 37.2(B)(4), the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information they receive and is informed that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information; |
(c) | in relation to Clause 37.2(B)(5), Clause 37.2(B)(6) and Clause 37.2(B)(7), the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of that Finance Party, it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances; and |
(C) | to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 37.2(B)(1) or Clause 37.2(B)(2) applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this Clause 37.2(C) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party; and |
(D) | to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Borrower if the rating agency to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information. |
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37.3 | Disclosure to numbering service providers |
(A) | Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower the following information: |
(1) | name of the Borrower; |
(2) | country of domicile of the Borrower; |
(3) | place of incorporation of the Borrower; |
(4) | date of this Agreement; |
(5) | Clause 40 (Governing Law) |
(6) | the name of the Agent and each of the Arrangers; |
(7) | date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement; |
(8) | amounts of, and names of, the Facilities (and any tranches) |
(9) | amount of Total Commitments; |
(10) | currencies of the Facilities; |
(11) | type of Facilities; |
(12) | ranking of the Facilities; |
(13) | Termination Date for the Facilities; |
(14) | changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to Clause 37.3(A)(1) to Clause 37.3(A)(13); and |
(15) | such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Borrower, |
to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.
(B) | The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider. |
(C) | The Borrower represents that none of the information set out in Clause 37.3(A)(1) to Clause 37.3(A)(15) is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information. |
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(D) | The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the other Finance Parties of: |
(1) | the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower; and |
(2) | the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower by such numbering service provider. |
37.4 | Entire agreement |
This Clause 37 (Confidential Information) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.
37.5 | Inside information |
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
37.6 | Notification of disclosure |
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:
(A) | of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to Clause 37.2(B)(5) (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in Clause 37.2(B)(5) (Disclosure of Confidential Information) during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
(B) | upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 37 (Confidential Information). |
37.7 | Continuing obligations |
The obligations in this Clause 37 (Confidential Information) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twelve months from the earlier of:
(A) | the date on which all amounts payable by the Borrower under or in connection with this Agreement have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and |
(B) | the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party. |
38. | Confidentiality of Funding Rates |
38.1 | Confidentiality and disclosure |
(A) | The Agent and the Borrower agree to keep each Funding Rate confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 38.1(B) and Clause 38.1(C). |
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(B) | The Agent may disclose: |
(1) | any Funding Rate to the Borrower pursuant to Clause 10.5 (Notification of rates of interest); and |
(2) | any Funding Rate to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender. |
(C) | The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate, and the Borrower may disclose any Funding Rate, to: |
(1) | any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given pursuant to this Clause 38.1(C)(1) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it; |
(2) | any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; |
(3) | any person to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and |
(4) | any person with the consent of the relevant Lender. |
38.2 | Related obligations |
(A) | The Agent and the Borrower acknowledge that each Funding Rate is or may be price-sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and the Borrower undertake not to use any Funding Rate for any unlawful purpose. |
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(B) | The Agent and the Borrower agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender e: |
(1) | of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to Clause 38.1(C)(1) (Confidentiality and disclosure) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
(2) | upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 38 (Confidentiality of Funding Rates). |
38.3 | No Event of Default |
No Event of Default will occur under Clause 24.2 (Other obligations) by reason only of the Borrower’s failure to comply with this Clause 38 (Confidentiality of Funding Rates).
39. | Counterparts |
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
40. | Governing Law |
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
41. | Jurisdiction |
41.1 | The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “Dispute”). |
41.2 | The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary. |
41.3 | Notwithstanding Clause 41.1, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
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Schedule 1 : The Original Lenders and Acceding Lenders
[Reserved]
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Schedule 2 : Conditions Precedent to Initial Utilisation
Intentionally deleted - the conditions precedent listed in this Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent to initial utilisation) have been satisfied and/or waived before the 2018 Effective Date.
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Schedule 3 : Requests
Part 1 : Form of Utilisation Request
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
Dated: | [●] |
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request. |
2. | We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms: |
Proposed Utilisation Date: | [●] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) | |
Facility to be utilised: | [The Effective Date Facility] [Accordion Facility with an Accordion Facility Establishment Date of [●] ] | |
Currency of Loan: | [●] | |
Amount: | [●] or, if less, the Available Facility | |
Interest Period: | [●] |
3. | We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 5.2 (Further conditions precedent) of the Facilities Agreement is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request. |
4. | [This Loan is to be made in [whole]/[part] for the purpose of refinancing [identify maturing Loan]] / [The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]]. |
5. | This Utilisation Request is irrevocable. |
Yours faithfully | |
authorised signatory for | |
Rentokil Initial plc |
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Part 2 : Form of Extension Notice
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
Dated: | [●] |
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Extension Notice. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Extension Notice unless given a different meaning in this Extension Notice. |
2. | We request that the Termination Date of the Effective Date Facility and each Coterminous Accordion Facility is extended to the [First Extension Termination Date, being [insert date]]/[Second Extension Termination Date, being [insert date]].** |
3. | We confirm that: |
(A) | no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; |
(B) | the Repeating Representations (other than the representation set out in Clause 20.14 (Sanctions)) are true in all material respects; and |
(C) | the representation set out in Clause 20.14 (Sanctions)) is true. |
4. | We confirm that the extension fee pursuant to clause 2.4(H) of the Facilities Agreement has been paid or will be paid on the Extension Notice Effective Date. |
5. | This Extension Notice is irrevocable. |
Yours faithfully | ||
authorised signatory for | authorised signatory for | |
Rentokil Initial plc | Rentokil Initial plc |
** | Delete as applicable. |
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Schedule 4 : Form of Transfer Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”) |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Transfer Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Transfer Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Transfer Certificate. |
2. | We refer to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer): |
(A) | The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation, and in accordance with Clause 25.6 (Procedure for transfer), all of the Existing Lender’s rights and obligations under the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the schedule. |
(B) | The proposed Transfer Date is [●]. |
(C) | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the schedule. |
3. | The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 25.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders). |
4. | The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender].1 |
5. | [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
1 | Delete as applicable – each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
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(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]2 |
6. | [The New Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [●]), is tax resident in [●]3 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Transfer Date4.] |
7. | This Transfer Certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Transfer Certificate. |
8. | This Transfer Certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
9. | This Transfer Certificate has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Transfer Certificate. |
2 | Include if New Lender comes within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 14.1 (Definitions). | |
3 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. | |
4 | This confirmation must be included if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement |
119
THE SCHEDULE
Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address, email address and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Existing Lender] | [New Lender] | |
By: | By: |
This Transfer Certificate is accepted by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
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Schedule 5 : Form of Assignment Agreement
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
From: | [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”) |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Assignment Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Assignment Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Assignment Agreement. |
2. | We refer to Clause 25.7 (Procedure for assignment): |
(A) | The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the Schedule. |
(B) | The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement specified in the Schedule. |
(C) | The New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph 2(B).5 |
3. | The proposed Transfer Date is [●]. |
4. | On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes Party to the Finance Documents as a Lender. |
5. | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule. |
6. | The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 25.5 (Limitation of Responsibility of Existing Lenders). |
7. | The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
5 | If the Assignment Agreement is used in place of a Transfer Certificate in order to avoid a novation of rights/obligations for reasons relevant to a civil jurisdiction, local law advice should be sought to check the suitability of the Assignment Agreement due to the assumption of obligations contained in paragraph 2(C). This issue should be addressed at primary documentation stage. |
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(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender].6 |
8. | [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]7 |
9. | [The New Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [●]), is tax resident in [●]8 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Transfer Date9.] |
10. | This Assignment Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with Clause 25.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower), to the Borrower of the assignment referred to in this Assignment Agreement. |
11. | This Assignment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Assignment Agreement. |
12. | This Assignment Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
13. | This Assignment Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Assignment Agreement. |
6 | Delete as applicable – each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. | |
7 | Include only if New Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender – i.e. falls within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 14.1 (Definitions). | |
8 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. | |
9 | This confirmation must be included if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
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THE SCHEDULE
Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address, email address and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Existing Lender] | [New Lender] | |
By: | By: |
This Assignment Agreement is accepted by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].
Signature of this Assignment Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
123
Schedule 6 : [Schedule not used]
124
Schedule 7 : Form of Compliance Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
Dated: [●] |
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate. |
2. | The following entities are the Material Subsidiaries as at the date of this Compliance Certificate: |
(A) | [●] ; |
(B) | [●] ; and |
(C) | [●]. |
3. | [We confirm that no Default is continuing as at the Relevant Testing Date10.] |
Signed: | ||
Director | ||
for and on behalf of | ||
Rentokil Initial plc |
10 | If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it. |
125
Schedule 8 : Form of Margin Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | Rentokil Initial plc |
Dated: | [●] |
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is the Margin Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Margin Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Margin Certificate. |
2. | We confirm that the Credit Rating of the Borrower is [●]. |
3. | The applicable Margin will (five Business Days after the receipt by the Agent of this Margin Certificate) therefore be [●]. |
Signed: | ||
Authorised signatory | ||
for and on behalf of | ||
Rentokil Initial plc | ||
By: |
126
Schedule 9 : Timetables
Loans in euro | Loans in sterling |
Loans in other currencies | ||||
Agent notifies the Borrower if a currency is approved as an Optional Currency in accordance with Clause 5.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) | U-4 10:00 a.m. |
U-3 10:00 a.m. |
U-4 9:30 a.m. | |||
Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 6.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request)) | U-3 11:00 a.m. |
U-1 11:00 a.m. |
U-3 11:00 a.m. | |||
Agent determines (in relation to a Utilisation) the Base Currency Amount of the Loan, if required under Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation) and notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance with Clause 6.4 (Lenders’ participation) | U-3 4.00 p.m. |
U-1 4:00 p.m. |
U-3 4:00 p.m. | |||
Agent receives a notification from a Lender under Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) | U-3 5:00 p.m. |
U-1 5:00 p.m. |
U-3 5:00 p.m. | |||
Agent gives notice in accordance with Clause 7.2 (Unavailability of a currency) | U-2 10:00 a.m. |
U 10:00 a.m. |
U-2 10:00 a.m. | |||
EURIBOR is fixed | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) | N/A | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. |
“U” = date of utilisation
“U – X” = X Business Days prior to date of utilisation
127
Schedule 10 : Form of Increase Confirmation
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
From: | [the Increase Lender] (the “Increase Lender”) |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement. |
2. | We refer to Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement. |
3. | The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “Relevant Commitment”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Facilities Agreement. |
4. | The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “Increase Date”) is [●]. |
5. | On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender. |
6. | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule. |
7. | The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement. |
8. | The Increase Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender11]. |
9. | [The Increase Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
11 | Delete as applicable - each Increase Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
128
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.12] |
10. | [The Increase Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [●]), is tax resident in [●]13 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Increase Date.]14 |
[9/10].This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
[10/11].This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
[11/12].This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
12 | Include only if Increase Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender i.e. falls within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender. | |
13 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. | |
14 | This confirmation must be included if the Increase Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
129
THE SCHEDULE
Relevant Commitment/rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender
[insert relevant details]
[Facility office address, email address and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Increase Lender] | |
By: |
This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent, and the Increase Date is confirmed as [ ].
Agent: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) |
By: |
130
Schedule 11 : [Schedule not used]
131
Schedule 12 : Accordion Facility Notices and Accordion Facility Lender Certificates
Part 1 : Form of Accordion Facility Notice
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | Rentokil Initial plc and each of the Accordion Facility Lenders specified below |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Accordion Facility Notice for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Accordion Facility Notice unless given a different meaning in this Accordion Facility Notice. |
2. | We refer to Clause 3 (Accordion Option) of the Facilities Agreement. |
3. | We request the establishment of an Accordion Facility with Total Accordion Facility Commitments of [●]. |
4. | The proposed Accordion Facility Establishment Date is [●] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day). |
5. | The proposed Termination Date of the Accordion Facility as at the Accordion Facility Establishment Date is [[the Termination Date applicable to the Effective Date Facility]/[insert earlier Termination Date]]15. |
6. | The Borrower confirms that the Accordion Facility Lenders and the Accordion Facility Commitments set out in this Accordion Facility Notice have been selected and allocated in accordance with Clause 3.1 (Selection of Accordion Facility Lenders) of the Facilities Agreement. |
7. | Each Accordion Facility Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Accordion Facility Commitment set opposite its name in the Schedule as if it was an Original Lender in respect of that Accordion Facility Commitment under the Facilities Agreement. |
8. | On the Accordion Facility Establishment Date each Accordion Facility Lender becomes, to the extent not already a Lender, party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender and as an Accordion Facility Lender with respect to the Accordion Facility the subject of this Accordion Facility Notice. |
9. | Each Accordion Facility Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in Clause 3.11 (Limitation of responsibility) of the Facilities Agreement. |
15 Delete as applicable.
132
10. | This Accordion Facility Notice is irrevocable. |
11. | This Accordion Facility Notice may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Accordion Facility Notice. |
12. | This Accordion Facility Notice and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
13. | This Accordion Facility Notice has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Accordion Facility Notice. |
133
THE SCHEDULE
Full Legal Name of Accordion Facility Accordion Facility Commitment Lender
134
The Borrower | ||
By: | ||
The Accordion Facility Lenders | ||
[●] |
This document is accepted as an Accordion Facility Notice for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and the Accordion Facility Establishment Date is confirmed as [●].
The Agent | ||
By: |
135
Part 2 : Form of Accordion Facility Lender Certificate
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent |
From: | [Insert name of acceding Accordion Facility Lender] |
Dated: | [●] |
Rentokil Initial plc – $1,000,000,000 Facilities Agreement originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended and restated from time to time (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Accordion Facility Notice dated [●]. This is an Accordion Facility Lender Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Accordion Facility Lender Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Accordion Facility Lender Certificate. |
2. | We confirm, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that we are: |
(A) | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
(B) | [a Treaty Lender;] |
(C) | [not a Qualifying Lender.]16 |
3. | [We confirm that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to us in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]17 |
16 | Delete as applicable – the acceding Accordion Facility Lender is required to confirm which of these categories it falls within. |
17 | Include if the acceding Accordion Facility Lender comes within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender. |
136
4. | [We confirm (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that we hold a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [●]), are tax resident in [●]18 and wish such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to us by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax and notify the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Accordion Facility Establishment Date.]19 |
5. | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices to us for the purposes of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) of the Facilities Agreement are: |
[●]
Accordion Facility Lender
[Insert name of acceding Accordion Facility Lender]
By:
18 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
19 | This confirmation must be included if the acceding Accordion Facility Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
137
Schedule 13 : LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking
[Letterhead of Seller]
Date: | [●] |
To: | [insert name of potential purchaser] |
Re: | The Agreement |
Company: | [●] (the “Company”) |
Date: | [●] |
Amount: | [●] |
Agent: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) |
Dear Sirs
We understand that you are considering acquiring an interest in the Agreement which, subject to the Agreement, may be by way of novation, assignment, the entering into, whether directly or indirectly, of a sub-participation or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to one or more Finance Documents or by way of investing in or otherwise financing, directly or indirectly, any such novation, assignment, sub-participation or other transaction (the “Acquisition”). In consideration of us agreeing to make available to you certain information, by your signature of a copy of this letter you agree as follows:
1. | Confidentiality undertaking |
You undertake (a) to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to your own confidential information, and (b) until the Acquisition is completed to use the Confidential Information only for the Permitted Purpose20.
2. | Permitted disclosure |
We agree that you may disclose:
2.1 | to any of your Affiliates and any of your or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers and auditors such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph 2.1 is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information, except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information; |
20 | Please note that the Permitted Purpose ceases to apply on completion of the Acquisition however if the Acquisition does not complete, the prospective purchaser is not permitted to use any Confidential Information it has acquired for any purpose other than the Permitted Purpose. |
138
2.2 | subject to the requirements of the Agreement, to any person: |
(A) | to (or through) whom you assign or transfer (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of your rights and/or obligations which you may acquire under the Agreement such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this sub-paragraph (A) of paragraph 2.2 has delivered a letter to you in equivalent form to this letter; |
(B) | with (or through) whom you enter into (or may potentially enter into) any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to the Agreement or the Company such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this sub-paragraph (B) of paragraph 2.2 has delivered a letter to you in equivalent form to this letter; |
(C) | to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate; and |
2.3 | notwithstanding paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2. above, Confidential Information to such persons to whom, and on the same terms as, a Finance Party is permitted to disclose Confidential Information under the Agreement, as if such permissions were set out in full in this letter and as if references in those permissions to Finance Party were references to you21. |
3. | Notification of disclosure |
You agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform us:
(A) | of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to sub-paragraph (C) of paragraph 2.2 above except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
(B) | upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this letter. |
4. | Return of copies |
If you do not enter into the Acquisition and we so request in writing, you shall return or destroy all Confidential Information supplied to you by us and destroy or permanently erase (to the extent technically practicable) all copies of Confidential Information made by you and use your reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom you have supplied any Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases (to the extent technically practicable) such Confidential Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent that you or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential Information by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body or in accordance with internal policy, or where the Confidential Information has been disclosed under sub-paragraph (C) of paragraph 2.2 above.
21 | The intention of this paragraph is to ensure that (i) any permitted disclosures in the Facilities Agreement which are subject to less onerous disclosure requirements and (ii) any additional permitted disclosures in the Facilities Agreement are also permitted under this letter. |
139
5. | Continuing obligations |
The obligations in this letter are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on you until (a) if you become a party to the Agreement as a lender of record, the date on which you become such a party to the Agreement; (b) if you enter into the Acquisition but it does not result in you becoming a party to the Agreement as a lender of record, the date falling [twelve] months after the date on which all of your rights and obligations contained in the documentation entered into to implement that Acquisition have terminated22; or (c) in any other case the date falling [twelve] months after the date of your final receipt (in whatever manner) of any Confidential Information.
6. | No representation; consequences of breach, etc. |
You acknowledge and agree that:
(A) | neither we, nor any member of the Group nor any of our or their respective officers, employees or advisers (each a “Relevant Person”) (i) make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, or assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any of the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or the assumptions on which it is based or (ii) shall be under any obligation to update or correct any inaccuracy in the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or be otherwise liable to you or any other person in respect of the Confidential Information or any such information; and |
(B) | we or members of the Group may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms of this letter and damages may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may be granted an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions of this letter by you. |
7. | Entire agreement: no waiver; amendments, etc. |
7.1 | This letter constitutes the entire agreement between us in relation to your obligations regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information. |
7.2 | No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, any right or remedy under this letter will operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm this letter. No election to affirm this letter will be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy will prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy under this letter. |
7.3 | The terms of this letter and your obligations under this letter may only be amended or modified by written agreement between us. |
22 | The purpose of this paragraph (b) is to ensure that if the Acquisition does not result in the purchaser becoming a lender of record under the Agreement, the confidentiality obligations imposed on the purchaser in this letter will continue until the expiry of an agreed period after termination of the sub-participation, assignment or other transaction. |
140
8. | Inside information |
You acknowledge that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and you undertake not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
9. | Nature of undertakings |
The undertakings given by you under this letter are given to us and are also given for the benefit of the Company and each other member of the Group.
10. | Third party rights |
10.1 | Subject to this paragraph 10 and to paragraphs 6 and 9, a person who is not a party to this letter has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this letter. |
10.2 | The Relevant Persons may enjoy the benefit of the terms of paragraphs 6 and 9 subject to and in accordance with this paragraph 10 and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
10.3 | Notwithstanding any provisions of this letter, the parties to this letter do not require the consent of any Relevant Person to rescind or vary this letter at any time. |
11. | Governing law and jurisdiction |
11.1 | This letter (including the agreement constituted by your acknowledgement of its terms) (the “Letter”) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it (including any non-contractual obligations arising out of the negotiation of the transaction contemplated by this Letter)23 are governed by English law. |
11.2 | The courts of England have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Letter (including a dispute relating to any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with either this Letter or the negotiation of the transaction contemplated by this Letter). |
12. | Definitions |
In this letter (including the acknowledgement set out below) terms defined in the Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning and:
“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Company, the Group, the Finance Documents, [the/a] Facility and/or the Acquisition which is provided to you in relation to the Finance Documents or [the/a] Facility by us or any of our affiliates or advisers, in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that:
(A) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by you of this letter; or |
(B) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by us or our advisers; or |
23 | The reference to non-contractual obligations arising out of the negotiation of the contemplated transaction is intended to specifically apply the governing law (and jurisdiction) clause to any non-contractual obligations arising out of negotiations where the transaction breaks down before the documentation documenting the debt trade is entered into. |
141
(C) | is known by you before the date the information is disclosed to you by us or any of our affiliates or advisers or is lawfully obtained by you after that date, from a source which is, as far as you are aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as you are aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality. |
“Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries for the time being (as such term is defined in the Companies Act 2006).
“Permitted Purpose” means considering and evaluating whether to enter into the Acquisition.
Please acknowledge your agreement to the above by signing and returning the enclosed copy.
Yours faithfully | |
For and on behalf of | |
[Seller] |
To: | [Seller] |
The Company and each other member of the Group
We acknowledge and agree to the above:
For and on behalf of | |
[potential purchaser] |
142
Schedule 14 : Reference Rate Terms
Part 1 : Dollars
CURRENCY AND CATEGORY OF LOAN/UNPAID SUM/ACCRUAL: Dollars – Compounded Rate Loans and accrual of commission or fees. |
Cost of funds as a fallback |
Cost of funds will not apply as a fallback. |
Definitions | ||
Additional Business Days: | An RFR Banking Day. | |
Break Costs: | None specified. | |
Business Day Conventions (definition of “Month” and Clause 11.2 (Non-Business Days)): | (a) If any period is expressed to accrue by reference to a Month or any number of Months then, in respect of the last Month of that period: | |
(i) subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day; | ||
(ii) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and
(iii) if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. | ||
(b) If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | ||
Central Bank Rate: | (a) The short-term interest rate target set by the US Federal Open Market Committee as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from time to time; or |
143
144
145
Interest Periods | ||
Periods capable of selection as Interest Periods (Clause 11.1(B) (Selection of Interest Periods)): | One, three or six Months. | |
Reporting Times | ||
Deadline for Lenders to report market disruption in accordance with Clause 12.3 (Market disruption): | Close of business in London on the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan. | |
Deadline for Lenders to report their cost of funds in accordance with Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds): |
Close of business on the date falling two Business Days after the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan (or, if earlier, on the date falling two Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of the Interest Period for that Loan). |
146
Part 2 : Sterling
CURRENCY: | Sterling. | |
Cost of funds as a fallback | ||
Cost of funds will not apply as a fallback. | ||
Definitions | ||
Additional Business Days: | An RFR Banking Day. | |
Break Costs: | None specified. | |
Business Day Conventions (definition of “Month” and Clause 11.2 (Non-Business Days)): |
(a) If any period is expressed to accrue by reference to a Month or any number of Months then, in respect of the last Month of that period:
(i) subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(ii) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and
(iii) if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. | |
(b) If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | ||
Central Bank Rate: | The Bank of England’s Bank Rate as published by the Bank of England from time to time. | |
Central Bank Rate Adjustment: |
In relation to the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on any RFR Banking Day, the 20 per cent. trimmed arithmetic mean (calculated by the Agent, or by any other Finance Party which agrees to do so in place of the Agent) of the Central Bank Rate Spreads for the five most immediately preceding RFR Banking Days for which the RFR is available. |
147
148
Market Disruption Rate |
The percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of:
(a) The Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for the Interest Period of the relevant Loan; and
(b) the applicable Credit Adjustment Spread (if any). | |
Relevant Market: | The sterling wholesale market. | |
Reporting Day: | The day which is the Lookback Period prior to the last day of the Interest Period or, if that day is not a Business Day, the immediately following Business Day. | |
RFR: | The SONIA (sterling overnight index average) reference rate displayed on the relevant screen of any authorised distributor of that reference rate. | |
RFR Banking Day: | A day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London. | |
Published Rate Contingency Period | 20 RFR Banking Days | |
Interest Periods | ||
Periods capable of selection as Interest Periods (Clause 11.1(B) (Selection of Interest Periods)): | One, three or six Months. | |
Reporting Times | ||
Deadline for Lenders to report market disruption in accordance with Clause 12.3 (Market disruption): | Close of business in London on the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan. | |
Deadline for Lenders to report their cost of funds in accordance with Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds): | Close of business on the date falling two Business Days after the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan (or, if earlier, on the date falling two Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of the Interest Period for that Loan). |
149
Part 3 : Euro
CURRENCY AND CATEGORY OF LOAN/UNPAID SUM/ACCRUAL: Euro. | ||
Compounded Reference Rate as a fallback | ||
Compounded Reference Rate will not apply as a fallback. | ||
Cost of funds as a fallback | ||
Cost of funds will apply as a fallback. | ||
Definitions | ||
Additional Business Days: | A TARGET Day. | |
Alternative Term Rate: | None specified; no Alternative Term Rate (or Interpolated Alternative Term Rate) shall apply. | |
Alternative Term Rate Adjustment: | None specified. | |
Break Costs: |
The amount (if any) by which:
(a) the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in the relevant Loan or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;
exceeds:
(b) the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank for a period starting on the date of receipt if it is practicable for it to so place such principal amount or Unpaid Sum on deposit on such day (or, if not, the next Business Day) and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period. |
150
Business Day Conventions (definition of “Month” and Clause 11.2 (Non-Business Days)): |
(a) If any period is expressed to accrue by reference to a Month or any number of Months then, in respect of the last Month of that period:
(i) subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(ii) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and
(iii) if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. | |
If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | ||
Market Disruption Rate: | The Term Reference Rate. | |
Primary Term Rate: | The euro interbank offered rate administered by the European Money Markets Institute (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on page EURIBOR01 of the Thomson Reuters screen. | |
Quotation Day: | Two TARGET Days before the first day of the relevant Interest Period (unless market practice differs in the Relevant Market, in which case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Relevant Market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days)). | |
Quotation Time: | Quotation Day 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time). | |
Relevant Market: | The European interbank market. | |
Reporting Day: | The Quotation Day. | |
Published Rate Contingency Period | 20 Business Days | |
Interest Periods | ||
Periods capable of selection as Interest Periods (Clause 11.1(B) (Selection of Interest Periods)): | One, three or six Months. | |
Reporting Times | ||
Deadline for Lenders to report market disruption in accordance with Clause 12.3 (Market disruption): | Close of business in London on the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan. |
151
Deadline for Lenders to report their cost of funds in accordance with Clause 12.4 (Cost of funds): | Close of business on the date falling two Business Days after the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan (or, if earlier, on the date falling two Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of the Interest Period for that Loan). |
152
Schedule 15 : Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate
The “Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” for any RFR Banking Day “i” during an Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan is the percentage rate per annum (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Finance Party performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose) calculated as set out below:
where:
“UCCDRi” means the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“UCCDRi-1” means, in relation to that RFR Banking Day “i”, the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day (if any) during that Interest Period;
“dcc” means 360 or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number;
“ni” means the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day; and
the “Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” for any RFR Banking Day (the “Cumulated RFR Banking Day”) during that Interest Period is the result of the below calculation (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Finance Party performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose):
where:
“ACCDR” means the Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
“tni” means the number of calendar days from, and including, the first day of the Cumulation Period to, but excluding, the RFR Banking Day which immediately follows the last day of the Cumulation Period;
“Cumulation Period” means the period from, and including, the first RFR Banking Day of that Interest Period to, and including, that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” has the meaning given to that term above; and
the “Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as is specified in the relevant definition of “Daily Rate”) calculated as set out below:
153
where:
“d0” means the number of RFR Banking Days in the Cumulation Period;
“Cumulation Period” has the meaning given to that term above;
“i” means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order in the Cumulation Period;
“DailyRatei-LP” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i” in the Cumulation Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the applicable Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“ni” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i” in the Cumulation Period, the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” has the meaning given to that term above; and
“tni” has the meaning given to that term above.
154
Schedule 16 : Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate
The “Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” for any Interest Period for a Compounded Rate Loan is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as is specified in the definition of “Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” in Schedule 15 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate)) calculated as set out below:
where:
“d0” means the number of RFR Banking Days during the Interest Period;
“i” means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order during the Interest Period;
“DailyRatei-LP” means for any RFR Banking Day “i” during the Interest Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the applicable Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“ni” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i”, the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” means 360 or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number; and
“d” means the number of calendar days during that Interest Period.
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Exhibit 10.3
Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is (i) not material and (ii) the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that has been omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
EXECUTION VERSION
Rentokil - Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement
between
Rentokil Initial plc
as Borrower
The Financial Institutions identified in this Agreement
as Arrangers
The Financial Institutions identified in this Agreement
as Original Lenders
Barclays Bank PLC as Documentation Agent
and
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
as Agent
relating to
USD 2,700,000,000 acquisition finance bridge and term facilities
i |
Contents
1. | Definitions and Interpretation | 1 |
2. | The Facilities | 23 |
3. | Purpose | 26 |
4. | Conditions of Utilisation | 26 |
5. | Utilisation | 27 |
6. | Repayment | 28 |
7. | Prepayment and Cancellation | 28 |
8. | Interest | 35 |
9. | Interest Periods | 36 |
10. | Changes to the Calculation of Interest | 36 |
11. | Fees | 38 |
12. | Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities | 39 |
13. | Increased Costs | 48 |
14. | Other Indemnities | 51 |
15. | Mitigation by the Lenders | 52 |
16. | Costs and Expenses | 53 |
17. | [Clause not used] | 53 |
18. | Representations | 53 |
19. | Information Undertakings | 57 |
20. | [Clause not used] | 61 |
21. | General Undertakings | 61 |
22. | Events of Default | 66 |
23. | Changes to the Lenders | 69 |
24. | Changes to the Borrower | 74 |
25. | Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties | 75 |
26. | Sharing among the Finance Parties | 75 |
27. | Payment Mechanics | 76 |
ii |
28. | Set-Off | 80 |
29. | Notices | 80 |
30. | Calculations and Certificates | 82 |
31. | Partial Invalidity | 83 |
32. | Remedies and Waivers | 83 |
33. | Amendments and Waivers | 83 |
34. | Role of the Agent and the Arrangers | 91 |
35. | Confidential Information | 100 |
36. | Confidentiality of Funding Rates | 103 |
37. | Counterparts | 105 |
38. | Governing Law | 105 |
39. | Jurisdiction | 105 |
40. | Waiver of trial by jury | 105 |
41. | USA PATRIOT Act | 105 |
iii |
iv |
This Agreement is dated 25 February 2022 and made
between:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, (the “Borrower”), registered in England and Wales as company number 5393279 and having its registered office at Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom, RH10 9PY; |
(2) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, (the “Arrangers”) listed in Part 2 (The Arrangers) of Schedule 1 (The Finance Parties), as mandated lead arrangers; |
(3) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, (the “Original Lenders”), listed in Part 1 (The Original Lenders) of Schedule 1 (The Finance Parties); |
(4) | BARCLAYS BANK PLC as documentation agent (the “Documentation Agent”); and |
(5) | SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL), (the “Agent”), as agent of the other Finance Parties. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | Definitions and Interpretation |
1.1 | Definitions |
In this Agreement:
“Acceptable Bank” means:
(A) | a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations of BBB or higher by S&P or Fitch or Baa2 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency; or |
(B) | any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent. |
“Acquisition” means the acquisition of the Target pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement.
“Acquisition Agreement” means the agreement and plan of merger between the Borrower, Bidco, the Target, Leto Holdings I, Inc. and Leto Holdings II, LLC dated 13 December 2021.
“Acquisition Costs” means all fees, costs and expenses, stamp, registration and other Taxes properly incurred by the Borrower or any other member of the Group in connection with the Acquisition or the Transaction Documents.
“Acquisition Documents” means the Acquisition Agreement and any other document designated as a “Acquisition Document” by the Agent and the Borrower.
“Additional Business Day” means any day specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Affiliate” means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
1 |
“Article 55 BRRD” means Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.
“Assignment Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Assignment Agreement) or any other form agreed between the relevant assignor and assignee.
“Authorisation” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
“Availability Period” means the period on and from the date of this Agreement and ending at 11.59 pm (New York City time) on the earlier to occur of:
(A) | the date falling 90 days after the Closing Date; |
(B) | the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms; |
(C) | if the First End Date Extension has not occurred, the Original End Date; |
(D) | if the First End Date Extension has occurred but the Second End Date Extension has not occurred, the First Extended End Date; and |
(E) | if the Second End Date Extension has occurred, the Second Extended End Date. |
“Available Commitment” means, in relation to a Facility, a Lender’s Commitment under that Facility minus:
(A) | the amount of its participation in any outstanding Utilisations under that Facility; and |
(B) | in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the amount of its participation in any Utilisations that are due to be made under that Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation Date. |
“Available Facility” means, in relation to a Facility, the aggregate for the time being of each Lender’s Available Commitment.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
“Bail-In Legislation” means:
(A) | in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 BRRD, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; |
(B) | in relation to the United Kingdom, the UK Bail-In Legislation; and |
(C) | in relation to any state other than such an EEA Member Country and the United Kingdom, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation. |
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
2 |
“Bidco” means Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
“Break Costs” means any amount specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Stockholm and:
(A) | New York; or |
(B) | (in relation to: |
(1) | any date for payment or purchase of an amount relating to a Loan or Unpaid Sum; or |
(2) | the determination of the first day or the last day of an Interest Period for a Loan or Unpaid Sum, or otherwise in relation to the determination of the length of such an Interest Period), |
which is an Additional Business Day relating to that Loan or Unpaid Sum.
“Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments” means, at any time:
(A) | cash in hand or on deposit with any Acceptable Bank (irrespective of the duration of that deposit with any Acceptable Bank); |
(B) | certificates of deposit, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation, issued by an Acceptable Bank or a trust company which falls within the criteria set out in the definition of “Acceptable Bank”; |
(C) | any investment in marketable obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America, the U.K., any Participating Member State or any member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development with a rating of at least A+ from S&P or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them having an equivalent credit rating which is: |
(1) | maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation; and |
(2) | not convertible to any other security; |
(D) | open market commercial paper not convertible to any other security: |
(1) | for which a recognised trading market exists; |
(2) | issued in the United States of America, the U.K., any Participating Member State or any member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and |
(3) | which has a credit rating of either A-1 by S&P or Fitch or P-1 by Moody’s; |
(E) | sterling bills of exchange eligible for rediscount at the Bank of England and accepted by an Acceptable Bank or a trust company which falls within the criteria set out in the definition of “Acceptable Bank” (or any dematerialised equivalent); |
(F) | investments accessible within 30 days in money market funds which: |
(1) | have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch or P-1 or higher by Moody’s; and |
3 |
(2) | invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in paragraphs (B) to (E) above; or |
(G) | any other debt, security or investment approved by the Majority Lenders, |
in each case, to which any member of the Group is beneficially entitled at that time.
“Cash Pooling Balance” means any debit balance in respect of any account of any member of the Group in connection with the Group’s notional cash pooling arrangements provided that if such balances were netted-off at any time, the aggregate amount of such balances would be zero or greater.
“Central Bank Rate” has the meaning given to that term in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Central Bank Rate Adjustment” has the meaning given to that term in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Certain Funds Period” means the period commencing on the first day of the Availability Period and ending at 11.59 pm (New York City time) on the last day of the Availability Period.
“Certain Funds Utilisation” means a Loan made or to be made during the Certain Funds Period.
“Closing” means the closing of the Acquisition in accordance with section 2.01 (Closing) of the Acquisition Agreement.
“Closing Date” means the date on which Closing occurs.
“Code” means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Commitment” means a Facility A Commitment or a Facility B Commitment
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Compliance Certificate).
“Compounded Reference Rate” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during the Interest Period of a Loan, the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for that RFR Banking Day.
“Compounding Methodology Supplement” means, in relation to the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate, a document which:
(A) | is agreed in writing by the Borrower, the Agent (in its own capacity) and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); |
(B) | specifies a calculation methodology for that rate; and |
(C) | has been made available to the Borrower and each Finance Party. |
“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Borrower, the Group, the Finance Documents or a Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or a Facility from either:
(A) | any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
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(B) | another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers, |
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:
(1) | information that: |
(a) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of Clause 35 (Confidential Information); or |
(b) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(c) | is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (A) or (B) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and |
(2) | any Funding Rate. |
“Confidentiality Undertaking” means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the LMA as set out in Schedule 12 (LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking) or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.
“Credit Rating” means a notification to the Borrower or a public announcement by a Credit Rating Agency of a long-term credit rating of the Borrower which has been solicited by the Borrower, from time to time.
“Credit Rating Agency” means S&P, Fitch and/or Moody’s.
“CSPP Eligible Issuer” means a member of the Group which is a special purpose vehicle which complies with the eligibility criteria for the European Central Bank’s corporate sector purchase programme.
“CTA” means the Corporation Tax Act 2009.
“Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Agent (or by any other Finance Party which agrees to determine that rate in place of the Agent) in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 14 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) or in any relevant Compounding Methodology Supplement.
“Daily Rate” means the rate specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
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“Debt Capital Markets Issue” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 7.3(A) (Mandatory prepayment from Net Debt Capital Markets Proceeds).
“Default” means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 22 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period or the giving of notice) be an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender:
(A) | which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available (or has notified the Agent or the Borrower (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in a Loan available) by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation); |
(B) | which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or |
(C) | with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, |
unless, in the case of paragraph (A) above:
(1) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(a) | administrative or technical error; or |
(b) | a Disruption Event; and |
payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or
(2) | the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
“Disruption Event” means either or both of:
(A) | a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with a Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or |
(B) | the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party: |
(1) | from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or |
(2) | from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents, |
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
“EEA Member Country” means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
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“Eligible Institution” means any Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower.
“ERISA” means the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any person treated as a single employer with the Borrower for the purpose of section 414 of the Code or section 4001 of ERISA.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
“Event of Default” means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 22 (Events of Default).
“Existing Facility Agreement” means the multicurrency revolving facility agreement between the Borrower, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and the lenders named therein originally dated 27 January 2015 as amended from time to time (including, most recently, as amended and restated pursuant to an amendment and restatement agreement dated 8 September 2021).
“Extension Notice” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Requests).
“Facility” means Facility A or Facility B.
“Facility A” means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2.1(A) (The Facilities).
“Facility A Commitment”:
(A) | in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading “Facility A Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders) and the amount of any other Facility A Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); |
(B) | in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Facility A Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase), |
in each case to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
“Facility A Loan” means a loan made or to be made under Facility A or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
“Facility B” means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2.1(B) (The Facilities).
“Facility B Commitment”:
(A) | in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading “Facility B Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders) and the amount of any other Facility B Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); |
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(B) | in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Facility B Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase), |
in each case to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
“Facility B Loan” means a loan made or to be made under Facility B or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
“Facility Office” means, in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement.
“FATCA” means:
(A) | sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations; |
(B) | any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (A) above; or |
(C) | any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (A) or (B) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction. |
“FATCA Application Date” means:
(A) | in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 01 July 2014; or |
(B) | in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraph (A) above, the first date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA. |
“FATCA Deduction” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
“FATCA Exempt Party” means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
“Fee Letter” means:
(A) | any letter or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement between each of the Arrangers and the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 11 (Fees); |
(B) | any letter or letters setting out the fees payable to a Finance Party referred to in Clause 2.2(F) (Increase); and |
(C) | any other letter designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower. |
“Finance Document” means this Agreement, any Fee Letter, any Increase Confirmation, any Reference Rate Supplement, any Compounding Methodology Supplement, any Extension Notice and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
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“Finance Lease” means any lease or hire purchase contract, a liability under which would, in accordance with IFRS, be treated as a balance sheet liability (other than a lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, prior to 1 January 2019, have been treated as an operating lease).
“Finance Party” means the Agent, each of the Arrangers, the Documentation Agent or a Lender.
“Financial Indebtedness” means (without double counting) any indebtedness for or in respect of:
(A) | moneys borrowed; |
(B) | any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent; |
(C) | any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument; |
(D) | the amount of any liability in respect of Finance Leases; |
(E) | receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold or discounted on a non-recourse basis); |
(F) | any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which is required, in accordance with IFRS, to be shown as indebtedness or borrowing in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group (other than a lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with IFRS, prior to 1 January 2019, have been treated as an operating lease); |
(G) | for the purposes of Clause 22.5 (Cross default) only, any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account); |
(H) | any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution (but not, in any case, Trade Instruments); and |
(I) | the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (A) to (H) above, |
and, in any event, excluding:
(1) | indebtedness owing by one member of the Group to another member of the Group; |
(2) | (for the purposes of Clause 22.5 (Cross default)) indebtedness in respect of self-insurance liabilities except to the extent of such liability as shown in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group; |
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(3) | indebtedness relating to the supply of goods and services to any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business provided the amount of any indebtedness is not outstanding for more than 150 days after its customary date of payment; and |
(4) | any accrual deficit of any member of the Group in respect of defined benefit pension schemes other than where such deficit is funded by any moneys borrowed. |
“First End Date Extension” means the extension of the Original End Date to the First Extended End Date pursuant to Section 10.01(b)(i) of the Acquisition Agreement.
“First Extended End Date” means 13 December 2022.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd or any successor to its rating business.
“Funding Rate” means any individual rate notified by a Lender to the Agent pursuant to Clause 10.3(A)(2) (Cost of funds).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in England and Wales including IFRS.
“Group” means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the time being.
“Holding Company” means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
“IFRS” means UK-adopted international accounting standards within the meaning of the section 474(1) of the Companies Act 2006 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.
“Impaired Agent” means the Agent at any time when:
(A) | it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment; |
(B) | the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document; |
(C) | (if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraph (A) or (B) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”; or |
(D) | an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent; |
unless, in the case of paragraph (A) above:
(1) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(a) | administrative or technical error; or |
(b) | a Disruption Event; and |
payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or
(2) | the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
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“Increase Confirmation” means a confirmation substantially in the form of Schedule 10 (Form of Increase Confirmation).
“Increase Lender” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.2 (Increase).
“Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed” means:
(A) | any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest of other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities other than indebtedness which is owed to an entity within the Group; |
(B) | any borrowed money other than money borrowed by one entity within the Group from another entity within the Group; or |
(C) | any liability under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit, |
provided that Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed shall not include any Cash Pooling Balance.
“Initial Facility A Termination Date” means the date falling 18 Months after the date of this Agreement.
“Insolvency Event” means, in relation to a Finance Party, that the Finance Party:
(A) | is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(B) | becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; |
(C) | makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; |
(D) | has exercised in respect of it one or more of the stabilisation powers pursuant to Part 1 of the Banking Act 2009 and/or has instituted against it a bank insolvency proceeding pursuant to Part 2 of the Banking Act 2009 or a bank administration proceeding pursuant to Part 3 of the Banking Act 2009; |
(E) | has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(F) | seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed); |
(G) | has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; |
(H) | causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (A) to (G) above; or |
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(I) | takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts. |
“Interest Payment” means the aggregate amount of interest that is, or is scheduled to become, payable under any Finance Document.
“Interest Period” means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 9 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 8.3 (Default interest).
“ITA” means the Income Tax Act 2007.
“Legal Opinions” means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent).
“Legal Reservations” means:
(A) | the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court; |
(B) | the limitation on enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria and administration and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors; |
(C) | the time barring of claims, |
(D) | the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void; |
(E) | defences of set-off or counterclaim; |
(F) | similar principles and similar matters under the laws of any jurisdiction in which relevant obligations may have to be performed; and |
(G) | any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions. |
“Lender” means:
(A) | any Original Lender; and |
(B) | any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a “Lender” in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase) or Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders), |
which in each case has not ceased to be a Party as such in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“LMA” means the Loan Market Association.
“Loan” means a Facility A Loan or a Facility B Loan.
“Lookback Period” means the number of days specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
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“Major Default” means with respect to the Borrower and Bidco (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any other member of the Group or the Target Group or any procurement obligation in respect of any other member of the Group or the Target Group):
(A) | any circumstances constituting a Default under any of: |
(1) | Clause 22.1 (Non-payment) other than with respect to any payment claim in respect of any amount other than principal, interest or fees; |
(2) | Clause 22.4 (Misrepresentation) in relation to any Major Representation; |
(3) | Clause 22.6 (Insolvency); |
(4) | Clause 22.7 (Insolvency proceedings); |
(5) | Clause 22.8 (Creditors’ process) unless such litigation is frivolous or vexatious or has an aggregate value of less than £50,000,000; |
(6) | Clause 22.9 (United States Bankruptcy Laws); |
(7) | Clause 22.10 (Unlawfulness); and |
(8) | Clause 22.11 (Repudiation); and |
(B) | any breach of a Major Undertaking. |
“Major Representation” means a representation or warranty with respect to the Borrower and Bidco (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any other member of the Group or the Target Group or any procurement obligation in respect of any other member of the Group or the Target Group) under any of:
(A) | Clause 18.1 (Status); |
(B) | Clause 18.2 (Binding obligations); |
(C) | Clause 18.3 (Non-conflict with other obligations); |
(D) | Clause 18.4 (Power and authority); |
(E) | Clause 18.5 (Authorisations); |
(F) | Clause 18.12 (Pari passu ranking); |
(G) | Clause 18.14 (Sanctions); and |
(H) | Clause 18.17 (Acquisition). |
“Major Undertaking” means an undertaking to the extent made by the Borrower with respect to itself and Bidco (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any other member of the Group or the Target Group or any procurement obligation in respect of any other member of the Group or the Target Group) under any of:
(A) | Clause 21.2 (Compliance with laws); |
(B) | Clause 21.3 (Negative pledge); |
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(C) | Clause 21.4 (Disposals); |
(D) | Clause 21.6 (Financial Indebtedness); |
(E) | Clause 21.8 (Pari Passu); |
(F) | Clause 21.9 (Merger); |
(G) | Clause 21.11 (Sanctions); |
(H) | Clause 21.12 (Acquisition undertakings); and |
(I) | Clause 21.13(A) (US Provisions). |
“Majority Lenders” means:
(A) | in respect of any matter which relates to a Facility: |
(1) | (where there are two or fewer Lenders under that Facility) all Lenders under that Facility; and |
(2) | (where there are three or more Lenders under that Facility) two or more Lenders under that Facility whose Commitments aggregate more than 662/3% of the Total Facility A Commitments or the Total Facility B Commitments (as applicable) (or, if the Total Facility A Commitments or the Total Facility B Commitments (as applicable) have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 662/3% of the Total Facility A Commitments or the Total Facility B Commitments (as applicable) immediately prior to the reduction); and |
(B) | in respect of any other matter: |
(1) | (where there are two or fewer Lenders) all Lenders; |
(2) | (where there are three or more Lenders) two or more Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 662/3% of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 662/3% of the Total Commitments immediately prior to the reduction). |
“Margin” means:
[***]
“Margin Regulations” means Regulations U and X issued by the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System.
“Market Disruption Rate” means the rate (if any) specified as such in the applicable Reference Rate Terms.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on:
(A) | the ability of the Borrower to perform its payment obligations under any Finance Document; or |
(B) | the validity or enforceability of any Finance Document. |
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“Material Subsidiary” means, at any time, a Subsidiary of the Borrower:
(A) | whose operating profits (or, if the Subsidiary in question prepares audited consolidated accounts, whose total consolidated operating profits) attributable to the Borrower represent not less than ten per cent. of the consolidated operating profits of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited accounts (unconsolidated or, as the case may be, consolidated) of the Subsidiary and the then latest audited consolidated accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided that in the case of a Subsidiary acquired after the end of the financial period to which the latest relevant financial statements relate, the reference to the latest financial statements for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until financial statements for the financial period in which the acquisition is made are published, be deemed to be a reference to such first-mentioned financial statements as if such Subsidiary had been shown in such statements by reference to its own latest financial statements, adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Borrower; |
(B) | any Subsidiary which has Indebtedness for Moneys Borrowed outstanding (or available under a committed bank facility) in an amount of at least £25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency); or |
(C) | to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking and assets of a Subsidiary of the Borrower which immediately before the transfer is a Material Subsidiary, |
provided that no member of the Target Group shall be a Material Subsidiary for the period of three Months following the Closing Date.
“Month” means, in relation to an Interest Period (or any other period for the accrual of commission or fees), a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, subject to adjustment in accordance with the rules specified as Business Day Conventions in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Limited or any successor to its rating business.
“Net Debt” means, at any time for the purposes of Clause 21.4 (Disposals), Total Borrowings (at that time) less any Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments (at that time).
“Net Disposal Proceeds” means any amount of Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments received by the Group as consideration for a Restricted Disposal (whether by way of share or asset sale) after deducting:
(A) | any fees and transaction costs properly incurred in connection with that Restricted Disposal; |
(B) | any Taxes paid as a result of that Restricted Disposal; and |
(C) | any Taxes reasonably estimated by the directors of the Borrower to be payable as a result of that Restricted Disposal. |
“New Lender” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders).
“Original End Date” means 13 September 2022.
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“Original Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.
“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“Party” means a party to this Agreement.
“Permitted Guarantee” means any guarantee or guarantees issued by Rentokil Initial 1927 plc in an amount not exceeding £10,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.
“Permitted Reorganisation” means a solvent re-organisation or restructuring of the Group which results in the Borrower becoming a Subsidiary of a new Holding Company which has substantially the same shareholders as the Borrower had prior to the relevant re-organisation or restructuring.
“Permitted Transaction” means:
(A) | an intra-Group re-organisation on a solvent basis; |
(B) | the Acquisition; or |
(C) | any other transaction agreed by the Majority Lenders. |
“Plan” means an employee benefit pension plan as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA subject to Title IV of ERISA:
(A) | maintained by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; or |
(B) | to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to make any payment or contribution. |
“Qualifying Lender” has the meaning given to it in Clause 12 (Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities).
“Rating Certificate” means a certificate from the Borrower (signed by an authorised signatory of the Borrower) substantially in the form of Schedule 8 (Form of Rating Certificate) which confirms the then current Credit Rating of the Borrower.
“Reference Rate Supplement” means a document which:
(A) | is agreed in writing by the Borrower, the Agent (in its own capacity) and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders); |
(B) | specifies the relevant terms which are expressed in this Agreement to be determined by reference to Reference Rate Terms; and |
(C) | has been made available to the Borrower and each Finance Party. |
“Reference Rate Terms” means the terms set out in Schedule 13 (Reference Rate Terms) or in any Reference Rate Supplement.
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“Related Fund” in relation to a fund (the “first fund”), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
“Relevant Market” means the market specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Relevant Nominating Body” means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of them or the Financial Stability Board.
“Relevant Testing Date” means 31 December and 30 June of each year.
“Repeating Representations” means each of the representations set out in Clause 18 (Representations) other than Clause 18.5 (Authorisations), Clause 18.7 (Deduction of Tax), Clause 18.8 (No filing or stamp taxes), Clause 18.9 (No default), Clause 18.10 (No misleading information) and Clause 18.11 (Financial statements).
“Reportable Event” means, with respect to any Plan:
(A) | an event specified as such in section 4043 of ERISA or any related regulation, other than an event in relation to which the requirement to give notice of that event is waived by any regulation; or |
(B) | a failure to meet the minimum funding standard under section 412 or 430 of the Code or section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived. |
“Reporting Day” means the day (if any) specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Reporting Time” means the relevant time (if any) specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“Representative” means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
“Resolution Authority” means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
“Restricted Disposal” means any disposal where the nature of the business or asset being disposed of would result in the relevant transaction being a Class 1 Transaction (as such term is defined in the U.K. Listing Rules).
“RFR” means the rate specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“RFR Banking Day” means any day specified as such in the Reference Rate Terms.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings UK Limited or any successor to its rating business.
“Sanctions” means:
(A) | United Nations sanctions imposed pursuant to any United Nations Security Council Resolution; |
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(B) | US sanctions administered or enforced by the US, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury and the Department of State; |
(C) | EU restrictive measures implemented pursuant to any EU Council or Commission regulation or decision adopted pursuant to a common position in furtherance of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy; and |
(D) | UK sanctions (i) enacted by statutory instrument pursuant to the United Nations Act 1946 or the European Communities Act 1972; and/or (ii) administered or enforced by the UK, including Her Majesty’s Treasury. |
“Second End Date Extension” means that the Original End Date has been extended to the Second Extended End Date pursuant to Section 10.01(b)(i) of the Acquisition Agreement.
“Second Extended End Date” means 13 March 2023.
“Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
“Shareholder Notice Date” means the date notice is given to the shareholders of the Target of a shareholder meeting to approve the Acquisition.
“Specified Time” means a day or time determined in accordance with Schedule 9 (Timetables).
“Subsidiary” means:
(A) | a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006; and |
(B) | in relation to the financial statements of the Borrower, a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006. |
“Target” means Terminix Global Holdings, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
“Target Group” means the Target and its subsidiaries for the time being.
“Tax” means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
“Termination Date” means:
(A) | in relation to Facility A and subject to Clause 2.4 (Extension option), the Initial Facility A Termination Date; |
(B) | in relation to Facility B, the third anniversary of the first Utilisation Date, |
or if, in each case, that date is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day.
“Total Borrowings” means, in respect of the Group, at any time, the aggregate of the following liabilities calculated at the nominal, principal or other amount at which the liabilities would be carried in a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower drawn up at that time:
(A) | any moneys borrowed; |
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(B) | any acceptance under any acceptance credit (including any dematerialised equivalent); |
(C) | any bond, note, debenture, loan stock or similar instrument; |
(D) | any Finance Lease; |
(E) | any moneys owing in connection with the sale or discounting of receivables (except to the extent that there is no recourse); |
(F) | any indebtedness arising from any deferred payment agreements arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset; |
(G) | any indebtedness arising in connection with any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which is required, in accordance with IFRS, to be shown as an indebtedness or borrowing in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group; and |
(H) | any indebtedness of any person of a type referred to in paragraphs (A) to (G), above, which is the subject of a guarantee, indemnity or similar assurance against financial loss given by a member of the Group, |
and, in any event, excluding any accrual deficit of any member of the Group in respect of defined benefit pension schemes other than where such deficit is funded by any moneys borrowed.
“Total Commitments” means the aggregate of the Total Facility A Commitments and the Total Facility B Commitments, being USD 2,700,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.
“Total Facility A Commitments” means the aggregate of the Facility A Commitments, being USD 2,000,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.
“Total Facility B Commitments” means the aggregate of the Facility B Commitments, being USD 700,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.
“Trade Instruments” means any performance bonds, or advance payment bonds or documentary letters of credit issued in respect of the obligations of any member of the Group arising in the ordinary course of trading of that member of the Group (and which does not have the commercial effect of borrowing).
“Transaction Documents” means the Finance Documents and the Acquisition Documents.
“Transfer Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.
“Transfer Date” means, in relation to an assignment or a transfer, the later of:
(A) | the proposed Transfer Date specified in the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate; and |
(B) | the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate. |
“UK Bail-In Legislation” means Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 and any other law or regulation applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (otherwise than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
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“Unpaid Sum” means any sum due and payable but unpaid by the Borrower under the Finance Documents.
“US” or “U.S.” means the United States of America.
“U.S. Bankruptcy Law” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, or any other United States Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
“US Tax Obligor” means the Borrower at any time when some or all of its payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
“USA Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56).
“Utilisation” means a utilisation of a Facility.
“Utilisation Date” means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan under a Facility is to be made.
“Utilisation Request” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Requests).
“VAT” means:
(A) | any value added tax imposed by the Value Added Tax Act 1994; and |
(B) | any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and |
(C) | any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in the United Kingdom or in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraphs (A) or (B) above, or imposed elsewhere. |
“Write-down and Conversion Powers” means:
(A) | in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and |
(B) | in relation to the UK Bail-In Legislation, any powers under that UK Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that UK Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
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(C) | in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation: |
(1) | any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
(2) | any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation. |
1.2 | Construction |
(A) | Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in any Finance Document to: |
(1) | the “Agent”, any “Arranger”, any “Finance Party”, any “Lender”, the “Documentation Agent” or any “Party” shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents; |
(2) | “assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
(3) | a Lender’s “cost of funds” in relation to its participation in a Loan is a reference to the average cost (determined either on an actual or a notional basis) which that Lender would incur if it were to fund, from whatever source(s) it may reasonably select, an amount equal to the amount of that participation in that Loan for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan; |
(4) | a “Finance Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated; |
(5) | a “group of Lenders” includes all the Lenders; |
(6) | “indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
(7) | a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality); |
(8) | a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but, if not having the force of law, being of a type with which any person to which it applies is accustomed to comply) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or of any regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; |
(9) | a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; and |
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(10) | a time of day is a reference to London time. |
(B) | Clause and schedule headings are for ease of reference only. |
(C) | Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement. |
(D) | A Default is “continuing” if it has not been remedied or waived. |
(E) | Except as provided to the contrary in this Agreement, an accounting term used in this Agreement is to be construed in accordance with the principles applied in connection with the Original Financial Statements. |
(F) | A reference in this Agreement to a page or screen of an information service displaying a rate shall include: |
(1) | any replacement page of that information service which displays that rate; and |
(2) | the appropriate page of such other information service which displays that rate from time to time in place of that information service, |
and, if such page or service ceases to be available, shall include any other page or service displaying that rate specified by the Agent after consultation with the Borrower.
(G) | A reference in this Agreement to a Central Bank Rate shall include any successor rate to, or replacement rate for, that rate. |
(H) | Any Reference Rate Supplement overrides anything in: |
(1) | Schedule 13 (Reference Rate Terms); or |
(2) | any earlier Reference Rate Supplement. |
(I) | A Compounding Methodology Supplement relating to the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate overrides anything relating to that rate in: |
(1) | Schedule 14 (Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate); or |
(2) | any earlier Compounding Methodology Supplement. |
(J) | The determination of the extent to which a rate is “for a period equal in length” to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. |
1.3 | Currency symbols and definitions |
“$”, “USD” and “dollars” denote the lawful currency of the United States of America. “£” and “sterling” denote the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
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1.4 | Third party rights |
(A) | Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document a person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement. |
(B) | Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Agreement at any time. |
2. | The Facilities |
2.1 | The Facilities |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower:
(A) | a USD term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Facility A Commitments; and |
(B) | a USD term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Facility B Commitments. |
2.2 | Increase |
(A) | The Borrower may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling five Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of: |
(1) | the Available Commitments of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with Clause 7.11 (Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender); or |
(2) | the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with: |
(a) | Clause 7.1 (Illegality); or |
(b) | Clause 7.8 (Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), |
request that the Commitments relating to any Facility be increased (and the Commitments relating to that Facility shall be so increased) in an aggregate amount of up to the amount of the Available Commitments or Commitments relating to that Facility so cancelled as follows:
(i) | the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Eligible Institutions (each an “Increase Lender”) each of which confirms in writing (whether in the relevant Increase Confirmation or otherwise) its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume, as if it had been an Original Lender in respect of those Commitments; |
(ii) | the Borrower and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Borrower and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender in respect of that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume; |
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(iii) | each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender in respect of that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume; |
(iv) | the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and |
(v) | any increase in the Commitments relating to any Facility shall take effect on the date specified by the Borrower in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in Clause 2.2(B) below are satisfied. |
(B) | An increase in the Commitments relating to a Facility will only be effective on: |
(1) | the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender; and |
(2) | in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase the Agent being satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Increase Lender upon being so satisfied. |
(C) | Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as it would have been had it been an Original Lender. |
(D) | The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably and properly incurred by it in connection with any increase in Commitments under this Clause 2.2. |
(E) | The Increase Lender shall, on the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee in an amount equal to the fee which would be payable under Clause 23.4 (Assignment or transfer fee) if the increase was a transfer pursuant to Clause 23.6 (Procedure for transfer) and if the Increase Lender was a New Lender. |
(F) | The Borrower may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Borrower and the Increase Lender in a Fee Letter. |
(G) | Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find an Increase Lender and in no event shall any Lender whose Commitment is replaced by an Increase Lender be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents. |
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(H) | Clause 23.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.2 in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause 23.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) to: |
(1) | an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase; |
(2) | the “New Lender” were references to that “Increase Lender”; and |
(3) | a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references to respectively a “transfer” and “assignment”. |
2.3 | Finance Parties’ rights and obligations |
(A) | The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents. |
(B) | The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from the Borrower is a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (C) below. The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of a Loan or any other amount owed by the Borrower which relates to a Finance Party’s participation in a Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by the Borrower. |
(C) | A Finance Party may, except as specifically stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under or in connection with the Finance Documents. |
2.4 | Extension option |
(A) | The Borrower may, by giving an Extension Notice to the Agent, extend the Termination Date of Facility A to the date falling three Months after the Initial Facility A Termination Date, or if that extended date is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day. |
(B) | An Extension Notice may only be given by the Borrower not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days before the Initial Facility A Termination Date. |
(C) | Three Business Days after the delivery of an Extension Notice (the “Extension Notice Effective Date”), the Termination Date in respect of Facility A shall be automatically extended to the date referred to in paragraph (A) above provided that: |
(1) | on the date of the Extension Notice and on the Extension Notice Effective Date where any such date occurs during the Certain Funds Period: |
(a) | no Major Default has occurred and is continuing; |
(b) | the Major Representations (other than the representation set out in Clause 18.14 (Sanctions)) are true in all material respects; and |
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(c) | the representation set out in Clause 18.14 (Sanctions)) is true; and |
(2) | on the date of the Extension Notice and on the Extension Notice Effective Date where any such date occurs following the end of the Certain Funds Period: |
(a) | no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; |
(b) | the Repeating Representations (other than the representation set out in Clause 18.14 (Sanctions)) are true in all material respects; and |
(c) | the representation set out in Clause 18.14 (Sanctions)) is true. |
(D) | The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of receipt by it of an Extension Notice. |
3. | Purpose |
3.1 | Purpose |
The Borrower shall apply, directly or indirectly, all amounts borrowed by it under the Facilities towards:
(A) | payment of the consideration payable pursuant to the Acquisition; and |
(B) | payment of the Acquisition Costs; and |
(C) | refinancing any financial indebtedness of the Target Group. |
3.2 | Monitoring |
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4. | Conditions of Utilisation |
4.1 | Initial conditions precedent |
(A) | The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request unless the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent), subject to paragraph (B) below, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied. |
(B) | Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in Clause 4.1(A), the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification. |
4.2 | Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period |
(A) | Subject to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent), during the Certain Funds Period, the Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation) in relation to a Certain Funds Utilisation if, on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date: |
(1) | no Major Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and |
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(2) | all the Major Representations are true in all material respects. |
(B) | During the Certain Funds Period (save in circumstances where, pursuant to paragraph (A) above, a Lender is not obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation) and subject as provided in Clause 7.1 (Illegality) and Clause 7.2 (Change of control)), none of the Finance Parties shall be entitled to: |
(1) | cancel any of its Commitments to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation; |
(2) | rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or any of the Facilities or exercise any similar right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under the Finance Documents it may have to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation; |
(3) | refuse to participate in the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation; |
(4) | exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim in respect of a Utilisation to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation; or |
(5) | cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under this Agreement or under any other Finance Document to the extent to do so would directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation; |
provided that immediately upon the expiry of the Certain Funds Period all such rights, remedies and entitlements shall be available to the Finance Parties notwithstanding that they may not have been used or been available for use during the Certain Funds Period.
4.3 | Maximum number of Loans |
The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request if as a result of the proposed Utilisation:
(A) | more than six Facility A Loans would be outstanding; or |
(B) | more than one Facility B Loans would be outstanding. |
5. | Utilisation |
5.1 | Delivery of a Utilisation Request |
The Borrower may utilise a Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request in relation to that Facility not later than the Specified Time.
5.2 | Completion of a Utilisation Request |
(A) | Each Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
(1) | it identifies the Facility to be utilised; |
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(2) | the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period for that Facility; |
(3) | the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount); and |
(4) | the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 9 (Interest Periods). |
(B) | Only one Loan may be requested in each Utilisation Request. |
5.3 | Currency and amount |
(A) | The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be dollars. |
(B) | The amount of the proposed Loan under a Facility must be an amount which is not more than the Available Facility and which is a minimum of: |
(1) | USD 10,000,000 for Facility A or, if less, the Available Facility; or |
(2) | for Facility B, the Available Facility. |
5.4 | Lenders’ participation |
(A) | If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office. |
(B) | The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan. |
(C) | The Agent shall notify each Lender of the amount of each Loan, the amount of its participation in that Loan by the Specified Time. |
5.5 | Cancellation of Commitments |
The Commitments under a Facility which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period for that Facility.
6. | Repayment |
6.1 | Repayment of Loans |
The Borrower shall repay the aggregate amount of each Loan under a Facility in full on the Termination Date for that Facility.
7. | Prepayment and Cancellation |
7.1 | Illegality |
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for any Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in any Utilisation or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so:
(A) | that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
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(B) | upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, each Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and |
(C) | to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been transferred pursuant to Clause 7.8(D) (Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations made to the Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period for each Utilisation occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s corresponding Commitments shall be cancelled in the amount of the participations repaid. |
7.2 | Change of control |
(A) | If any person or group of persons acting in concert gains control of the Borrower other than by way of a Permitted Reorganisation the Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event. |
(B) | After the delivery of a notification under Clause 7.2(A) above: |
(1) | a Lender shall not be obliged to fund a Utilisation; and |
(2) | the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders) and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith for a period of not less than 45 days with a view to resolving any concerns of the Lenders arising from that change of control and the continuation of the Facilities (on the same or alternative terms). If, at the expiry of that 45 day period, the concerns of the Lenders arising from the change of control have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Lenders, then, if a Lender so requires, the Agent shall, within five days after the end of the 45 day period, by notice to the Borrower: |
(a) | cancel the Commitments of that Lender; and |
(b) | declare that Lender’s share in all outstanding Utilisations, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents in respect of that Lender’s share, to be immediately due and payable. |
Any such notice shall take effect in accordance with its terms.
(C) | For the purpose of Clause 7.2(A) above “control” has the meaning given to it section 450 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. |
(D) | For the purpose of Clause 7.2(A) above “acting in concert” has the meaning given to it in the City Code on Takeover and Mergers. |
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7.3 | Mandatory prepayment from Net Debt Capital Markets Proceeds |
(A) | In this Clause 7.3: |
“Debt Capital Markets Issue” means the issuance, sale or borrowing by any member of the Group to or from any person that is not a member of the Group from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the Termination Date for Facility B of:
(1) | any bond (whether public or private), schuldschein, notes, debentures, loan stock, debt securities, public and private placements (or any similar hybrid instruments) or other similar debt security (including, without limitation, debt securities which are convertible into equity); and |
(2) | any committed bank facility comprising loans or other credit facilties (whether bilateral or syndicated but excluding any overdraft facilities), |
excluding debt or cash raised:
(a) | under the terms of this Agreement; |
(b) | for the purposes of refinancing any existing Financial Indebtedness of the Group and paying associated fees and costs provided that such refinancing is for the same or for a lower aggregate principal amount and on substantially the same terms, as such existing Financial Indebtedness; |
(c) | pursuant to the Existing Facility Agreement, including, but not limited to, pursuant to any exercise of the accordion option referred to in clause 3 (Accordion Option) of the Existing Facility Agreement; |
(d) | in the ordinary course of business and having a maturity of less than 12 Months; |
(e) | in connection with any acquisition by a member of the Group of the issued share capital of a limited liability company or a business or undertaking, provided that such debt or cash does not exceed £200,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) for the period from the date of this Agreement to and including the Termination Date for Facility B; |
(f) | in connection with any working capital facility of any member of the Group; |
(g) | in connection with any uncommitted money market facilities drawn in the ordinary course of treasury and cash management operations; |
(h) | or constituted by any Cash Pooling Balance; and |
(i) | any non-recourse debt raised for the purpose of financing certain projects. |
“Net Debt Capital Markets Proceeds” means the cash proceeds of any Debt Capital Markets Issue received by any member of the Group, after deducting:
(1) | all fees and transaction costs and expenses (in each case, plus any applicable VAT thereon) properly incurred in connection with: |
(a) | the raising of those proceeds; and |
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(b) | the transfer of such proceeds from any member of the Group to the Borrower; and |
(2) | any Taxes incurred and required to be paid by any member of the Group or which are reasonably estimated by the Borrower to be payable as a result of, or in connection with, the raising of such proceeds (or transferring such proceeds to any member of the Group). |
(B) | Where any Net Debt Capital Markets Proceeds are received by any member of the Group, the Borrower shall notify the Agent promptly following such receipt and shall apply (or shall procure the application of) an amount equal to the value of such Net Debt Capital Markets Proceeds: |
(1) | first, in cancellation of any Available Commitments under Facility A; and |
(2) | secondly, in prepayment of the Facility A Loans selected, and in the proportions determined, by the Borrower in its sole discretion. |
Any such prepayment shall be made on the last day of the relevant Interest Period and in any event within ten Business Days of such Net Debt Capital Markets Proceeds being received by that member of the Group.
7.4 | Automatic cancellation |
The Total Commitments shall be immediately cancelled at 11.59 pm (New York City time) on the earlier to occur of:
(A) | the Original End Date, if the Closing Date has not occurred by that date and the First End Date Extension has not occurred; |
(B) | the First Extended End Date, if the Closing Date has not occurred by that date and the Second End Date Extension has not occurred; |
(C) | the Second Extended End Date, if the Closing Date has not occurred by that date; and |
(D) | the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. |
7.5 | Voluntary cancellation |
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of USD 100,000,000) of any Available Facility. Any cancellation under this Clause 7.5 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders under that Facility rateably.
7.6 | Mandatory prepayment – Target disposals |
(A) | In this Clause 7.6: |
“Target Disposal” means the disposal by (or on behalf of) the Borrower or any member of the Group to persons who are not members of the Group of:
(1) | the shares in the Target or in any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Target; and |
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(2) | any asset (excluding cash) of the Target or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Target other than in the case of any disposal of an asset: |
(a) | made in the ordinary course of trading of the disposing entity; or |
(b) | in exchange for other assets of comparable or superior type, value or quality. |
“Target Disposal Proceeds” means the cash proceeds of any Target Disposal received by any member of the Group (including any amount received in repayment of intercompany debt) after deducting:
(1) | all fees and transaction costs and expenses (in each case, plus any applicable VAT thereon) properly incurred in connection with: |
(a) | that Target Disposal; and |
(b) | the transfer of such proceeds from any member of the Group to the Borrower; and |
(2) | any Taxes incurred and required to be paid by any member of the Group or which are reasonably estimated by the Borrower to be payable as a result of, or in connection with that Target Disposal. |
(B) | Where any Target Disposal Proceeds are received by any member of the Group and one or more Facility A Loans is outstanding, the Borrower shall notify the Agent promptly following such receipt and shall apply (or shall procure the application of) an amount equal to the value of such Target Disposal Proceeds which are in excess of £50,000,000 in prepayment of the Facility A Loans selected, and in the proportions determined, by the Borrower in its sole discretion. Any such prepayment shall be made on the last day of the relevant Interest Period and in any event within ten Business Days of such Target Disposal Proceeds being received by that member of the Group. |
7.7 | Voluntary prepayment of Loans |
(A) | The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than five RFR Banking Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of a Loan or Loans selected and, in the proportions determined, by the Borrower in its sole discretion (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of USD 100,000,000). |
(B) | The Borrower may not prepay the whole or any part of a Loan more than four times in any 12 Month period (other than a prepayment made on the last day of an Interest Period, a prepayment at the same time as the prepayment of all Loans and the cancellation of all Commitments or as otherwise agreed with the Agent and the Majority Lenders). |
(C) | A Loan may only be prepaid after the last day of the Availability Period for the applicable Facility (or, if earlier, the day on which the applicable Available Facility is zero). |
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7.8 | Right of replacement or repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender |
(A) | If: |
(1) | any sum payable to any Lender by the Borrower is required to be increased under Clause 10.2 (Market disruption) or Clause 12.2(C) (Tax gross-up); or |
(2) | any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under Clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) or Clause 13.1 (Increased Costs), |
the Borrower may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations or give the Agent notice of its intention to replace that Lender in accordance with Clause 7.8(D) below.
(B) | On receipt of a notice of cancellation referred to in Clause 7.8(A) above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
(C) | On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice of cancellation under Clause 7.8(A) above (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in that Utilisation. |
(D) | If: |
(1) | any of the circumstances set out in Clause 7.8(A) above apply to a Lender; or |
(2) | the Borrower becomes obliged to pay any amount in accordance with Clause 7.1 (Illegality) to any Lender, |
the Borrower may, on five Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and that Lender, replace that Lender by requiring that Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, that Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Institution which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of the transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations, all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 23.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.
(E) | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to Clause 7.8(D) above shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a replacement Lender; |
(3) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under Clause 7.8(D) above be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(4) | the Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 7.8(D) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer. |
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(F) | A Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 7.8(E)(4) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 7.8(D) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
7.9 | Restrictions |
(A) | Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this Clause 7 (Prepayment and Cancellation) shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. |
(B) | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty. |
(C) | The Borrower may not reborrow any part of a Facility which is prepaid or repaid. |
(D) | The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Utilisations or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement. |
(E) | Subject to Clause 2.2 (Increase), no amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated. |
(F) | If the Agent receives a notice under this Clause 7 (Prepayment and Cancellation) it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate. |
(G) | If all or part of any Lender’s participation in a Loan is repaid or prepaid, an amount of that Lender’s Commitment (equal to the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid) under the Facility to which that Loan relates will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment. |
7.10 | Application of prepayments |
Any prepayment of a Utilisation pursuant to Clause 7.2 (Change of control) or Clause 7.7 (Voluntary prepayment of Loans) shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in that Utilisation.
7.11 | Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender |
(A) | If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent five Business Days’ notice of cancellation of each Available Commitment of that Lender. |
(B) | On the notice referred to in Clause 7.11(A) above becoming effective, each Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
(C) | The Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of a notice referred to in Clause 7.11(A) above, notify all the Lenders. |
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8. | Interest |
8.1 | Calculation of interest |
(A) | The rate of interest on each Loan for any day during an Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable: |
(1) | Margin; and |
(2) | Compounded Reference Rate for that day. |
(B) | If any day during an Interest Period for a Loan is not an RFR Banking Day, the rate of interest on that Loan for that day will be the rate applicable to the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day. |
8.2 | Payment of interest |
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on each Loan on the last day of each Interest Period.
8.3 | Default interest |
(A) | If the Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which is one per cent, per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 8.3 shall be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the Agent. |
(B) | Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable. |
8.4 | Notification |
(A) | The Agent shall promptly upon an Interest Payment being determinable notify: |
(1) | the Borrower of that Interest Payment; |
(2) | each relevant Lender of the proportion of that Interest Payment which relates to that Lender’s participation in the relevant Loan; and |
(3) | the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of: |
(a) | each applicable rate of interest relating to the determination of that Interest Payment; and |
(b) | to the extent it is then determinable, the Market Disruption Rate (if any) relating to the relevant Loan. |
This paragraph (A) shall not apply to any Interest Payment determined pursuant to Clause 10.3 (Cost of funds).
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(B) | The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to a Loan. |
(C) | The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest relating to a Loan to which Clause 10.3 (Cost of funds) applies. |
(D) | This Clause 8.4 shall not require the Agent to make any notification to any Party on a day which is not a Business Day. |
9. | Interest Periods |
9.1 | Selection of Interest Periods |
(A) | Subject to this Clause 9 (Interest Periods), each Interest Period for a Loan shall be one Month or any other period agreed between the Borrower, the Agent and all of the Lenders in relation to the relevant Loan. |
(B) | An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date applicable to its Facility. |
(C) | Each Interest Period for a Loan shall start on the Utilisation Date for that Loan or (if already made) on the last day of its preceding Interest Period. |
9.2 | Non-Business Days |
Any rules specified as “Business Day Conventions” in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan or Unpaid Sum shall apply to each Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.
10. | Changes to the Calculation of Interest |
10.1 | Interest calculation if no RFR or Central Bank Rate |
If:
(A) | there is no applicable RFR or Central Bank Rate for the purposes of calculating the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for an RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Loan; and |
(B) | “Cost of funds will apply as a fallback” is specified in the Reference Rate Terms, |
Clause 10.3 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for that Interest Period.
10.2 | Market disruption |
If:
(A) | a Market Disruption Rate is specified in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan; and |
(B) | before the Reporting Time for that Loan the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in that Loan exceed 35 per cent. of that Loan) that its cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan would be in excess of that Market Disruption Rate, |
then Clause 10.3 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for the relevant Interest Period.
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10.3 | Cost of funds |
(A) | If this Clause 10.3 applies to a Loan for an Interest Period, Clause 8.1 (Calculation of interest) shall not apply to that Loan for that Interest Period and the rate of interest on that Loan for that Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of: |
(1) | the applicable Margin; and |
(2) | the weighted average of the rates notified to the Agent by each Lender as soon as practicable and in any event by the Reporting Time, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum its cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan. |
(B) | If this Clause 10.3 applies and the Agent or the Borrower so requires, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest. |
(C) | Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (B) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties. |
(D) | If this Clause 10.3 applies pursuant to Clause 10.2 (Market disruption) and: |
(1) | a Lender's Funding Rate is less than the relevant Market Disruption Rate; or |
(2) | a Lender does not notify a rate to the Agent by the relevant Reporting Time, |
that Lender's cost of funds relating to its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (A) above, to be the Market Disruption Rate for that Loan.
(E) | Subject to paragraph (D) above if this Clause 10.3 applies but any Lender does not notify a rate to the Agent by the Reporting Time, the rate of interest shall be calculated on the basis of the rates notified by the remaining Lenders. |
10.4 | Notification to the Borrower |
If Clause 10.3 (Cost of funds) applies the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrower.
10.5 | Break Costs |
(A) | If an amount is specified as Break Costs in the Reference Rate Terms for a Loan or Unpaid Sum, the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs (if any) attributable to all or any part of that Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day prior to the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum. |
(B) | Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in respect of which they become, or may become, payable. |
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11. | Fees |
11.1 | Commitment fee |
(A) | The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) for each period during the Availability Period set out below, a fee computed at the rate per annum equal to the percentage of the applicable Margin set out opposite that period on that Lender’s Available Commitment: |
Period | Commitment fee (per cent. per annum of the applicable Margin) |
from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date falling three months after the date of this Agreement | 0.00 |
from and including the day falling immediately after the date falling three months after the date of this Agreement to and including 30 June 2022 | 20.00 |
from and including 01 July 2022 to and including the last day of the Availability Period | 30.00 |
(B) | The accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three Months which ends during the Availability Period, on the last day of the Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective. |
(C) | No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender. |
11.2 | Arrangement fee |
The Borrower shall pay to each of the Arrangers an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
11.3 | Agency fee |
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for its own account) an agency fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
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12. | Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities |
12.1 | Definitions |
(A) | In this Agreement: |
“Borrower DTTP Filing” means an HM Revenue & Customs’ Form DTTP2 duly completed and filed by the Borrower, which:
(1) | where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is an Original Lender, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated opposite that Lender’s name in Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders), or |
(2) | where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is a New Lender or an Increase Lender, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated in respect of that Lender in the relevant documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender. |
“Form DTTP2” means HM Revenue & Customs Form DTTP2, Form DTTP2A or such other prescribed form of notification as HM Revenue & Customs specifies from time to time shall be used pursuant to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme.
“Protected Party” means a Finance Party which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
“Qualifying Lender” means:
(1) | a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document and is: |
(a) | a Lender: |
(i) | which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document and is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance or would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA; or |
(ii) | in respect of an advance made under a Finance Document by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) at the time that that advance was made and within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance; or |
(b) | a Lender which is: |
(i) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(ii) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(a) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(b) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of part 17 of the CTA; |
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(iii) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company; or |
(c) | a Treaty Lender; or |
(2) | a Lender which is a building society (as defined for the purpose of section 880 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document. |
“Tax Confirmation” means a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:
(1) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(2) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(a) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(b) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of part 17 of the CTA; or |
(3) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company. |
“Tax Credit” means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of any Tax.
“Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document, other than a FATCA Deduction.
“Tax Payment” means either the increase in a payment made by the Borrower to a Finance Party under Clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under Clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity).
“Treaty Lender” means a Lender which:
(1) | is treated as a resident of a Treaty State for the purposes of the Treaty; |
(2) | does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in the Loan is effectively connected; and |
(3) | fulfils any conditions or requirements for full exemption from Tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest pursuant to such Treaty (subject to completion of any necessary procedural formalities). |
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“Treaty State” means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a “Treaty”) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest.
“UK Non-Bank Lender” means, where a Lender becomes a Party after the date of this Agreement, a Lender which gives a Tax Confirmation in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender.
(B) | Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 12 (Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities) a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination. |
12.2 | Tax gross-up |
(A) | The Borrower shall make all payments to be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law. |
(B) | The Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower. |
(C) | If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by the Borrower, the amount of the payment due from the Borrower shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required. |
(D) | A payment shall not be increased under Clause 12.2(C) above by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Tax imposed by the United Kingdom, if on the date on which the payment falls due: |
(1) | the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Qualifying Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or Treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority; or |
(2) | the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and: |
(a) | an officer of HM Revenue & Customs has given (and not revoked) a direction (a “Direction”) under section 931 of the ITA which relates to the payment and that Lender has received from the Borrower a certified copy of that Direction; and |
(b) | the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if that Direction had not been made; or |
(3) | the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and: |
(a) | the relevant Lender has not given a Tax Confirmation to the Borrower; and |
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(b) | the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if the Lender had given a Tax Confirmation to the Borrower, on the basis that the Tax Confirmation would have enabled the Borrower to have formed a reasonable belief that the payment was an “excepted payment” for the purpose of section 930 of the ITA; or |
(4) | the relevant Lender is a Treaty Lender and the Borrower is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without the Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under Clause 12.2(G) below. |
(E) | If the Borrower is required to make a Tax Deduction, it shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law. |
(F) | Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment a statement under section 975 of the ITA or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority. |
(G) |
(1) | Subject to Clause 12.2(G)(2) and Clause 12.2(G)(3) below, a Treaty Lender and the Borrower which makes a payment to which that Treaty Lender is entitled shall co-operate in completing any procedural formalities necessary for the Borrower to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction. |
(2) | Nothing in Clause 12.2(G)(1) above shall require a Treaty Lender to: |
(a) | register under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme; or |
(b) | apply the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to any Utilisation if it has so registered. |
(3) |
(a) | A Treaty Lender which becomes a Party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence opposite its name in Schedule 1 (The Original Lenders); and |
(b) | a New Lender or an Increase Lender that is a Treaty Lender which holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender, |
and, having done so, that Lender shall automatically be deemed to have discharged all its obligations and responsibilities pursuant to Clause 12.2(G)(1) above.
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(H) | If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 12.2(G)(3) above: |
(1) | such confirmation shall constitute notification by such Lender to the Borrower that the Lender wishes the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to apply to this Agreement and that pursuant to such scheme the Borrower must comply with its obligations under Clause 12.2(I)(2) below; and |
(2) | the Borrower shall file a duly completed Form DTTP2 in respect of such Lender with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of, as applicable, (i) the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date on which that Treaty Lender becomes a Party as a Lender in the case of a New Lender or an Increase Lender. |
(I) | If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 12.2(G)(3) above and the Borrower making a payment to that Lender has made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender but: |
(1) | such Borrower DTTP Filing has been rejected by HM Revenue & Customs; or |
(2) | HM Revenue & Customs has not issued to the Borrower a direction pursuant to Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations (SI 1970/488) that interest under the Facilities can be paid without a Tax Deduction pursuant to the relevant Treaty within 30 Business Days of the date of the Borrower DTTP Filing, |
and in each case, the Borrower has notified that Lender in writing, then that Lender and the Borrower shall co-operate in completing any additional procedural formalities necessary for the Borrower to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction.
(J) | If a Lender has not confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 12.2(G)(3) above, the Borrower shall not make the Borrower DTTP Filing or file any other form relating to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme in respect of that Lender’s Commitment or its participation in any Loan unless the Lender otherwise agrees in writing. |
(K) | The Borrower shall, promptly on making the Borrower DTTP Filing, deliver a copy of the Borrower DTTP Filing to the Agent for delivery to the relevant Lender. |
(L) | A UK Non-Bank Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent if there is any change in the position from that set out in the Tax Confirmation. |
12.3 | Tax indemnity |
(A) | The Borrower shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document. |
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(B) | Clause 12.3(A) above shall not apply: |
(1) | with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party: |
(a) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or |
(b) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction, |
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or
(2) | to the extent a loss, liability or cost: |
(a) | is compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up); |
(b) | would have been compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up) but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in Clause 12.2(D) (Tax gross-up) applied; or |
(c) | relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party. |
(C) | A Protected Party making, or intending to make, a claim under Clause 12.3(A) above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower. |
(D) | A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from the Borrower under this Clause 12.3, notify the Agent. |
12.4 | Tax Credit |
If the Borrower makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:
(A) | a Tax Credit is attributable to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, to that Tax Payment or to a Tax Deduction in consequence of which that Tax Payment was required; and |
(B) | that Finance Party has obtained and utilised that Tax Credit, |
the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Borrower which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the Borrower.
12.5 | Lender status confirmation |
Each Lender which becomes a Party to this Agreement after the date of this Agreement shall indicate, in the documentation which it executes on becoming a Party as a Lender, and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, which of the following categories it falls in:
(A) | not a Qualifying Lender; |
(B) | a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or |
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(C) | a Treaty Lender. |
If a New Lender or an Increase Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this Clause 12.5 then such New Lender or Increase Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by the Borrower) as if it is not a Qualifying Lender until such time as it notifies the Agent which category applies (and the Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, any documentation executed by a Lender on becoming a Party as a Lender shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this Clause 12.5.
12.6 | Stamp taxes |
The Borrower shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
12.7 | VAT |
(A) | All amounts expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is or becomes chargeable on that supply and, accordingly, subject to Clause 12.7(B) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that Party). |
(B) | If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the “Supplier”) to any other Finance Party (the “Recipient”) under a Finance Document, and any Party other than the Recipient (the “Relevant Party”) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration): |
(1) | (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this Clause 12.7(B)(1) applies) promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and |
(2) | (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT. |
(C) | Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority. |
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(D) | Any reference in this Clause 12.7 to any Party shall, at any time when such Party is treated as a member of a group or unity (or fiscal unity) for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to any member of such group at such time which is responsible for, or paying VAT on behalf of such group, or on behalf of any or all of the members thereof (including, in a UK context, the “representative member” as defined in the Value Added Tax Act 1994). |
(E) | In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that Party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that Party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply. |
12.8 | FATCA Information |
(A) | Subject to Clause 12.8(C) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party: |
(1) | confirm to that other Party whether it is: |
(a) | a FATCA Exempt Party; or |
(b) | not a FATCA Exempt Party; |
(2) | supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and |
(3) | supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime. |
(B) | If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to Clause 12.8(A)(1) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly. |
(C) | Clause 12.8(A) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and Clause 12.8(A)(3) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of: |
(1) | any law or regulation; |
(2) | any fiduciary duty; or |
(3) | any duty of confidentiality. |
(D) | If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with Clause 12.8(A)(1) or 12.8(A)(2) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where Clause 12.8(C) applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information. |
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(E) | If the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of: |
(1) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement; |
(2) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a Transfer Date and the relevant Lender is a New Lender, the relevant Transfer Date; |
(3) | where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which an increase in Commitments takes effect and the relevant Lender is an Increase Lender, that date; |
(4) | where the Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent, |
supply to the Agent:
(a) | a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or |
(b) | any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation. |
(F) | The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to Clause 12.8(E) above to the Borrower. |
(G) | If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to Clause 12.8(E) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify the Agent). The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Borrower. |
(H) | The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to Clause 12.8(E) above or Clause 12.8(G) above without further verification. The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with Clause 12.8(E) above, Clause 12.8(F) above or Clause 12.8(G) above. |
12.9 | FATCA Deduction |
(A) | Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction. |
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(B) | Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties. |
13. | Increased Costs |
13.1 | Increased Costs |
(A) | Subject to Clause 13.3 (Exceptions) the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of: |
(1) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation after the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any New Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the date of this Agreement, after the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender; |
(2) | compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any New Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the date of this Agreement, after the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender; or |
(3) | the implementation or application of, or compliance with, Basel III or any law or regulation which implements Basel III including, for the avoidance of doubt, and without prejudice to the foregoing, CRD IV, but only insofar as it relates to the implementation of Basel III, (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator or a Finance Party) but only to the extent the relevant Finance Party did not know (and could not reasonably have known) about the relevant Basel III or CRD IV Increased Costs at the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any New Lender or Increase Lender not otherwise party to this Agreement as a Lender on the date of this Agreement, at the date on which it became party to this Agreement as a Lender. |
(B) | In this Agreement: |
(1) | “Basel III” means: |
(a) | the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated; |
(b) | the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement – Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and |
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(c) | any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”; |
(2) | “CRD IV” means EU CRD IV and UK CRD IV; |
(3) | “EU CRD IV” means: |
(a) | Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012; and |
(b) | Directive 2013/36EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directive 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC; |
(4) | “Increased Costs” means: |
(a) | a reduction in the rate of return from a Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital; |
(b) | an additional or increased cost; or |
(c) | a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document, |
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document;
(5) | “UK CRD IV” means: |
(a) | Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “Withdrawal Act”); |
(b) | the law of the United Kingdom or any part of it, which immediately before IP completion day (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) implemented Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC and its implementing measures; and |
(c) | direct EU legislation (as defined in the Withdrawal Act), which immediately before IP completion day (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) implemented EU CRD IV as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the Withdrawal Act. |
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13.2 | Increased cost claims |
(A) | A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 13.1 (Increased Costs) shall, promptly upon becoming aware of the same, notify the Agent of the circumstances giving rise to the claim and the amount of the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
(B) | Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide to the Borrower a certificate confirming the amount and (other than in respect of any Increased Cost attributable to Basel III) the basis of calculation (in reasonable detail) of its Increased Cost, provided that, if so requested by any Finance Party, the Borrower shall enter into a Confidentiality Undertaking with that Finance Party on terms mutually acceptable to the Borrower and that Finance Party in respect of the information contained in that certificate. For the avoidance of doubt, the certificate shall not include any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by law, regulation or court order or any information which is price-sensitive in relation to listed shares or instruments issued by that Lender or any of its Affiliates. |
13.3 | Exceptions |
(A) | Clause 13.1 (Increased Costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is: |
(1) | attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by the Borrower; |
(2) | attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party; |
(3) | compensated for by Clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under Clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in Clause 12.3(B) (Tax indemnity) applied); |
(4) | attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation; |
(5) | attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement (but excluding any amendment arising out of Basel III) (“Basel II”) or any other law or regulation which implements Basel II (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates); or |
(6) | attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance by a Finance Party and/or its Affiliates with the bank levy imposed by the United Kingdom government under the Finance Act 2011 or any other levy or Tax of a similar nature in any jurisdiction in force as at the date of this Agreement. |
(B) | In this Clause 13.3, a reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to that term in Clause 12.1 (Definitions). |
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14. | Other Indemnities |
14.1 | Currency indemnity |
(A) | If any sum due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of: |
(1) | making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower; |
(2) | obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings, |
the Borrower shall as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
(B) | The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable. |
14.2 | Other indemnities |
(A) | The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as a result of: |
(1) | the occurrence of any Event of Default; |
(2) | a failure by it to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 26 (Sharing among the Finance Parties); |
(3) | funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or |
(4) | a Utilisation (or part of a Utilisation) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower. |
(B) | For the purpose of this paragraph (B), “Indemnified Person” means each Finance Party, any of their respective Affiliates and each of their (or their respective Affiliates') respective directors, officers and employees. |
(1) | The Borrower shall within three Business Days of demand indemnify each Indemnified Person against any cost, expense, loss or liability (including without limitation legal fees) incurred by or awarded against that Indemnified Person in each case arising out of or in connection with any action, claim, investigation or proceeding commenced (including, without limitation, any action, claim, investigation or proceeding to preserve or enforce rights) in relation to the Acquisition. |
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(2) | The Borrower will not be liable under sub-paragraph (B)(1) above for any cost, expense, loss or liability (including without limitation legal fees) incurred by or awarded against an Indemnified Person if that cost, expense, loss or liability results directly from any breach by that Indemnified Person of any Finance Document which is in each case finally judicially determined to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person. Any Affiliate or any officer or employee of a Finance Party or its Affiliate may rely on this Clause 14.2 subject to Clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
(3) | No Finance Party shall have any duty or obligation, whether as fiduciary for any Indemnified Person or otherwise, to recover any payment made or required to be made under paragraph (B)(1) above). |
(4) | The Borrower agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates for or in connection with anything referred to in paragraph (B)(1) above except for any such cost, expense, loss or liability incurred by the Borrower that results directly from any breach by that Indemnified Person of any Finance Document which is in each case finally judicially determined to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person. |
(5) | Notwithstanding paragraph (B)(4) above, no Indemnified Person shall be responsible or have any liability to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or anyone else for consequential losses or damages. |
14.3 | Indemnity to the Agent |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly, following a written demand from the Agent, indemnify the Agent against any cost, loss or liability properly incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of: |
(1) | investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default; |
(2) | acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; or |
(3) | instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement. |
(B) | The Agent shall notify the Borrower promptly of any of the events in Clause 14.3(A) above taking place. |
15. | Mitigation by the Lenders |
15.1 | Mitigation |
(A) | Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 7.1 (Illegality), Clause 12 (Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities) or Clause 13 (Increased Costs) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office. |
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(B) | Clause 15.1(A) above does not in any way limit the obligations of the Borrower under the Finance Documents. |
(C) | Each Finance Party shall notify the Agent, as soon as reasonably practicable if it becomes aware that any circumstances of the kind described in Clause 15.1(A) above have arisen following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
15.2 | Limitation of liability |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 15.1 (Mitigation). |
(B) | A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 15.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it. |
16. | Costs and Expenses |
16.1 | Transaction expenses |
The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent and each of the Arrangers the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal fees on and subject to the terms agreed with the relevant Party’s legal advisers) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of:
(A) | this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement; and |
(B) | any other Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement. |
16.2 | Amendment costs |
If:
(A) | it requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or |
(B) | an amendment is required pursuant to Clause 27.10 (Change of currency), |
the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the Agent for the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Agent in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
16.3 | Enforcement costs |
The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document.
17. | [Clause not used] |
18. | Representations |
The Borrower makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 18 (Representations) to each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement.
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18.1 | Status |
(A) | It is duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
(B) | It and each of its Material Subsidiaries has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted. |
18.2 | Binding obligations |
Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document to which it is a party and by it under the Acquisition Agreement are, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.
18.3 | Non-conflict with other obligations |
The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents and by it of the Acquisition Agreement do not conflict with:
(A) | any law or regulation applicable to it (other than, prior to the first Utilisation Date, in relation to any regulatory approval required in connection with the Acquisition as contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement); |
(B) | its constitutional documents (other than, prior to the first Utilisation Date, in connection with the borrowing limit included at section 134 (Borrowing powers) of its articles); or |
(C) | any document which is binding upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets, the breach of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.4 | Power and authority |
It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents and the Acquisition Agreement.
18.5 | Authorisations |
All Authorisations required by it:
(A) | to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the Acquisition Agreement; and |
(B) | to make the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the Acquisition Agreement admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation, |
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.
18.6 | Governing law and enforcement |
(A) | The choice of English law as the governing law of the Finance Documents will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
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(B) | Subject to the Legal Reservations, any judgment obtained in England in relation to a Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
18.7 | Deduction of Tax |
It is not required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in Clause 12.1 (Definitions)) from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to a Lender which is:
(A) | a Qualifying Lender: |
(1) | falling within paragraph (1)(a) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender”; or |
(2) | except where a Direction has been given under section 931 of the ITA in relation to the payment concerned, falling within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender”; or |
(3) | falling within paragraph (2) of the definition of “Qualifying Lender” or; |
(B) | a Treaty Lender and the payment is one specified in a direction given by the Commissioners of Revenue & Customs under Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations 1970 (SI 1970/488). |
18.8 | No filing or stamp taxes |
As at the date of this Agreement and under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents.
18.9 | No default |
(A) | No Event of Default is continuing or will result from the entry into of, or the performance of any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document or the Acquisition Agreement. |
(B) | No other event is continuing which constitutes a default under any other document which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or its Subsidiaries’ assets to an extent or in a manner which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.10 | No misleading information |
(A) | Any written factual information provided by or on behalf of any member of the Group in relation to any Finance Document was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated. |
(B) | Nothing has occurred or been omitted from the written factual information referred to in Clause 18.10(A) above and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information being untrue or misleading in any material respect. |
18.11 | Financial statements |
In the case of the Borrower:
(A) | the Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement; |
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(B) | the Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of its financial condition as at the end of the relevant financial year and operations during the relevant financial year (consolidated in the case of the Borrower) unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary before the date of this Agreement; and |
(C) | there has been no material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower since the date of the Original Financial Statements. |
18.12 | Pari passu ranking |
Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
18.13 | No proceedings pending or threatened |
No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings are current or, to its knowledge, pending or threatened in writing, which are reasonably likely to be determined against it (taking into account the likelihood of success of those proceedings) and which, if they were so adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
18.14 | Sanctions |
(A) | Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or, to its knowledge, any of its directors are: |
(1) | a designated target of, or is controlled by or a Subsidiary of, directly or indirectly, any person which is currently a designated target of any Sanctions; |
(2) | located or organised under the laws of Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea or Syria, in each case only where, as at the date of this Agreement, that country is the subject of Sanctions; or |
(3) | subject to any claim, proceeding, formal notice or investigation with respect to Sanctions. |
(B) | In relation to each Lender that notifies the Agent to this effect (each a “Restricted Bank”) this Clause 18.14 shall only apply for the benefit of that Restricted Bank to the extent that this Clause 18.14 would not result in any violation of or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or §7 of the German Aussenwirtschaftsverordnung. In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of this Clause 18.14 of which a Restricted Bank does not have the benefit, the participation in any Commitment of that Restricted Bank will be excluded for the purpose of determining whether the consent of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been obtained or whether the determination or direction by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been made. |
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18.15 | Anti-corruption law |
Each member of the Group has conducted its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws in all material respects. The Group has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
18.16 | US Provisions |
The Borrower, Bidco and their ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all laws and regulations relating to each Plan sponsored by them, except where any failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
18.17 | Acquisition |
The Acquisition Agreement contains all material terms of the Acquisition.
18.18 | Repetition |
(A) | The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period. |
(B) | The Repeating Representations apply to the circumstances existing at the time such Repeating Representation is made. |
19. | Information Undertakings |
The undertakings in this Clause 19 (Information Undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
19.1 | Financial statements |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders:
(A) | as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each financial year, its audited consolidated financial statements for that financial year; and |
(B) | as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first half year of each of its financial years, its interim consolidated financial statements for that financial half year. |
19.2 | Compliance Certificate |
(A) | The Borrower shall supply to the Agent, with each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 19.1(A) or Clause 19.1(B) (Financial statements), a Compliance Certificate setting out a list of the Material Subsidiaries as at the date of that Compliance Certificate. |
(B) | Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a director of the Borrower. |
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19.3 | Requirements as to financial statements |
(A) | Each set of financial statements delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Clause 19.1 (Financial statements) shall be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly representing its financial condition as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
(B) | The Borrower shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 19.1 (Financial statements) is prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements. The Borrower must notify the Agent of any change to the manner in which any set of audited consolidated financial statements are prepared other than in respect of any general change to IFRS or any other change in accounting principles applicable to companies generally. |
(C) | If requested by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent: |
(1) | a description of any change notified to the Agent in accordance with Clause 19.3(B) above; |
(2) | sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Finance Parties to make an accurate comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent audited consolidated financial statements delivered to the Agent under this Agreement; and |
(3) | in respect of any change to the manner in which operating leases are treated under IFRS, a reconciliation to enable the Finance Parties to make an accurate comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent financial statements delivered to the Agent immediately prior to such change in IFRS. |
(D) | If notified under Clause 19.3(B) above, the Agent may request the Borrower to enter into discussions for a period of not more than 30 days with a view to agreeing any amendments required to be made to this Agreement to place the Borrower and the Lenders in the same position as they would have been in if the change notified under Clause 19.3(B) above had not happened. Any agreement between the Borrower and the Agent will be, with the prior consent of the Majority Lenders, binding on all the Parties. |
(E) | If no agreement is reached under Clause 19.3(D) above on the required amendments to this Agreement, the Borrower must ensure that its auditors certify those amendments. The certificate of the auditors will be, in the absence of manifest error, binding on all the Parties. |
19.4 | Information: miscellaneous |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):
(A) | copies of all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched; |
(B) | promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any member of the Group, and which are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; |
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(C) | with each Compliance Certificate and, in any event, upon the Agent’s reasonable request, a list of the then current Material Subsidiaries; and |
(D) | promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any member of the Group as any Finance Party (through the Agent) may reasonably request. |
Any document to be supplied by the Borrower to the Agent under this Clause 19.4 may be delivered by electronic mail.
19.5 | Notification of default |
(A) | The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence. |
(B) | Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its authorised signatories on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it). |
19.6 | Credit Rating |
The Borrower shall notify the Agent, in writing, of any change in its Credit Rating within five Business Days of any such change by delivery to the Agent of a Rating Certificate.
19.7 | Use of websites |
(A) | The Borrower may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrower and the Agent (the “Designated Website”) if: |
(1) | the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method; |
(2) | both the Borrower and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and |
(3) | the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrower and the Agent. |
(B) | The Agent shall supply each Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Borrower and the Agent. |
(C) | The Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if: |
(1) | the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure; |
(2) | the password specifications for the Designated Website change; |
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(3) | any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website; |
(4) | any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or |
(5) | the Borrower becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software. |
If the Borrower notifies the Agent under Clause 19.7(C)(1) or Clause 19.7(C)(5) above, all information to be provided by the Borrower under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.
(D) | Any Lender may request, through the Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Borrower shall comply with any such request within ten Business Days. |
19.8 | Acquisition |
(A) | The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent (and the Agent shall, promptly upon receiving such notice, notify the Lenders) once the Shareholder Notice Date has occurred. |
(B) | The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent (and the Agent shall, promptly upon receiving such notice, notify the Lenders) once the Closing Date has occurred. |
(C) | The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent (and the Agent shall, promptly upon receiving such notice, notify the Lenders) if, in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, the Original End Date is extended to the First Extended End Date or the Second Extended End Date. |
(D) | The Borrower shall promptly supply to the Agent any other information regarding the progress of the Acquisition as the Agent may reasonably request, except to the extent that it is prohibited from doing so by the terms of a confidentiality undertaking or by any applicable law or regulation. |
19.9 | “Know your customer” checks |
(A) | If: |
(1) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; |
(2) | any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or |
(3) | a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer, |
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of Clause 19.9(A)(3) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in Clause 19.9(A)(3) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in Clause 19.9(A)(3) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
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(B) | Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents. |
20. | [Clause not used] |
21. | General Undertakings |
The undertakings in this Clause 21 (General Undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
21.1 | Authorisations |
The Borrower shall promptly:
(A) | obtain, maintain and comply with the terms; and |
(B) | supply certified copies to the Agent, |
of any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to perform its obligations under any Finance Document and to ensure the validity or enforceability in its jurisdiction of incorporation of any Finance Document.
21.2 | Compliance with laws |
The Borrower shall ensure that each member of the Group complies in all respects with all laws to which it is subject where failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.
21.3 | Negative pledge |
In this Clause 21.3, “Quasi-Security” means an arrangement or transaction described in Clause 21.3(B) below.
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall ensure that no Material Subsidiary will) create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets. |
(B) | The Borrower shall not (and shall ensure that no Material Subsidiary will): |
(1) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired or acquired by a member of the Group or any of its related entities; |
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(2) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms; |
(3) | enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or |
(4) | enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect, |
in circumstances where the transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.
(C) | Clause 21.3(A) and Clause 21.3(B) above do not apply to any Security or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, listed below: |
(1) | any Security or Quasi-Security comprising or pursuant to any cash management or pooling, netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking or cash management or pooling arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances or any guarantees given in respect of the same; |
(2) | any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of business; |
(3) | any Security or Quasi-Security over goods, documents of title to goods and/or related documents to secure liabilities of any member of the Group in respect of a letter of credit or other similar instrument issued by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business; |
(4) | any lease or sale and lease back arrangements in respect of the vehicle fleet of the Group where the payment obligations by any member of the Group in respect of such arrangements does not, in aggregate, exceed £400,000,000 or its equivalent at any time; |
(5) | any Security arising out of title retention provisions, hire purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having a similar effect in respect of goods acquired by the relevant member of the Group in the ordinary course of trade; |
(6) | any Security or Quasi-Security arising under any finance or capital lease entered into by a member of the Group primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of business; |
(7) | any Security or Quasi-Security on an asset, or an asset of any person, acquired by a member of the Group after the date of this Agreement but only for the period of six months from the date of acquisition and to the extent that the maximum principal amount secured by that Security or Quasi-Security has not been incurred or increased in contemplation of, or since, the acquisition; or |
(8) | any Security or Quasi-Security securing indebtedness the principal amount of which (when aggregated with the amount of any other indebtedness which has the benefit of a Security or Quasi-Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under Clause 21.3(C)(1) above to this Clause 21.3(C)(8)) does not exceed an amount of £100,000,000 or its equivalent at any time. |
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21.4 | Disposals |
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no other member of the Group will) make a Restricted Disposal without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders. |
(B) | Clause 21.4(A) above shall not apply: |
(1) | to any non-cash disposal on arm’s length terms provided the Borrower repays or prepays and cancels the Facilities by the same percentage as the percentage reduction in Net Debt of the Borrower resulting from such disposal; or |
(2) | if the Borrower ensures that 50 per cent. of the Net Disposal Proceeds of any Restricted Disposal (when received, in the case of any deferred consideration) are placed in an account with, or invested in Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments held with, an Acceptable Bank and within 18 months of the date of the relevant Restricted Disposal: |
(a) | re-invested in the operations or business of the Group; |
(b) | used to refinance any investment in the operations or business of the Group that was made in the 12 month period prior to the date of the relevant Restricted Disposal; or |
(c) | used to prepay and cancel (in an amount equal to the amount prepaid) the Facilities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(C) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no other member of the Group will) transfer any assets to any CSPP Eligible Issuer. |
21.5 | CSPP Eligible Issuer |
(A) | The Borrower shall ensure that no CSPP Eligible Issuer: |
(1) | will be a creditor in respect of any Financial Indebtedness other than in respect of any intra-Group loan to the Borrower; |
(2) | has traded or carried on any business since the date of its incorporation other than the issuance of debt instruments to the European Central Bank’s corporate sector purchase programme; |
(3) | has any employees; or |
(4) | owns any assets other than the intra-Group receivable described at paragraph (1) above. |
(B) | For the purpose of paragraph (A) above, paragraph (1) of the definition of “Financial Indebtedness” shall not apply. |
21.6 | Financial Indebtedness |
(A) | The Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group (other than the Borrower or a CSPP Eligible Issuer) will incur, or allow to remain outstanding, any Financial Indebtedness. |
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(B) | Clause 21.6(A) above does not apply to: |
(1) | any Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents or otherwise with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; |
(2) | any Financial Indebtedness of any person acquired by a member of the Group which is incurred under arrangements in existence at the date of acquisition, but only for a period of six Months from the date of acquisition; |
(3) | any netting or set-off arrangement (or any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any of those arrangements) entered into by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking or cash management or pooling arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances; |
(4) | any derivative transaction entered into in the ordinary course of its trade in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate, currency or price (and not for speculative purposes); |
(5) | any Financial Indebtedness in connection with any Permitted Guarantee; |
(6) | any Financial Indebtedness arising under any Debt Capital Markets Issue effected for the purpose of: |
(a) | refinancing any debt incurred in order to fund the Acquisition; or |
(b) | paying consideration payable pursuant to the Acquisition; |
(7) | any Financial Indebtedness incurred for the purposes of refinancing any existing Financial Indebtedness of the Group or the Target Group and paying associated fees and costs provided that such refinancing is for the same or for a lower aggregate principal amount and on substantially the same terms, as such existing Financial Indebtedness; or |
(8) | any other Financial Indebtedness (other than any Cash Pooling Balance and excluding any Financial Indebtedness in respect of any Finance Lease) outstanding from time to time which in aggregate does not exceed £300,000,000 or its equivalent at any time in respect of all members of the Group (other than the Borrower or a CSPP Eligible Issuer) taken as a whole. |
21.7 | Trade Instruments |
The Borrower shall procure that no member of the Group will enter into or issue, or incur or allow to remain outstanding any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of, any Trade Instruments in excess of (at any time) £250,000,000 or its equivalent in aggregate for the Group as a whole.
21.8 | Pari Passu |
The Borrower must ensure that its payment obligations under the Finance Documents at all times rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
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21.9 | Merger |
The Borrower shall not enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or reconstruction other than a Permitted Transaction.
21.10 | Change of business |
The Borrower shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Borrower or the Group (taken as a whole) from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
21.11 | Sanctions |
(A) | The Borrower shall not (and shall procure that no member of the Group will), directly or, to its knowledge indirectly, use the proceeds of a Facility or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary or other person: |
(1) | specifically to fund any activities or business of or participate in any prohibited transaction with any person who is, or is controlled by or a subsidiary of a person that, at the time of such funding, is a designated target of Sanctions; or |
(2) | in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions. |
(B) | In relation to each Lender that notifies the Agent to this effect (each a “Restricted Bank”) this Clause 21.11 shall only apply for the benefit of that Restricted Bank to the extent that this Clause 21.11 would not result in any violation of or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or §7 of the German Aussenwirtschaftsverordnung. In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of this Clause 21.11 of which a Restricted Bank does not have the benefit, the participation in any Commitment of that Restricted Bank will be excluded for the purpose of determining whether the consent of the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been obtained or whether the determination or direction by the Majority Lenders or all Lenders has been made. |
21.12 | Acquisition undertakings |
The Borrower must, and shall procure that Bidco will:
(A) | comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations relevant in the context of the Acquisition including in relation to all required filings; and |
(B) | not make any material variations or amendments or provide any waivers of the terms or conditions of the Acquisition Agreement, that could reasonably be expected to affect the interests of the Lenders materially and adversely. |
21.13 | US Provisions |
(A) | The Borrower must not, and will procure that Bidco does not, use any Loan, directly or indirectly, for any purpose in violation of the Margin Regulations. |
(B) | The Borrower must ensure that, in respect of Bidco and its ERISA Affiliates, no event or condition exists at any time in relation to a Plan which is reasonably likely to result in the imposition of a lien or other encumbrance on any of its assets which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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(C) | The Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the Agent of any Reportable Event or any termination of, or withdrawal from, or circumstances reasonably likely to result in the termination of or withdrawal from, any Plan that, in each case, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
22. | Events of Default |
Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 22 (Events of Default) is an Event of Default (save for Clause 22.13 (Acceleration)).
22.1 | Non-payment |
The Borrower does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:
(A) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(1) | administrative or technical error; or |
(2) | a Disruption Event; and |
(B) | payment is made within three Business Days of the Agent giving notice to the Borrower that payment has not been made on the due date. |
22.2 | [Clause Not Used] |
22.3 | Other obligations |
(A) | The Borrower does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 22.1 (Non-payment)). |
(B) | No Event of Default under Clause 22.3(A) above will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within 20 Business Days of the earlier of: |
(1) | the Agent giving notice of the breach to the Borrower; and |
(2) | the Borrower becoming aware of the failure to comply. |
22.4 | Misrepresentation |
Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower under any Finance Document (including any certificate provided in satisfaction of any condition precedent contained in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent)) is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made, unless the circumstances giving rise to the misrepresentation:
(A) | are capable of remedy; and |
(B) | are remedied within 20 Business Days of the earlier of: |
(1) | the Agent giving notice to the Borrower; and |
(2) | the Borrower becoming aware of the misrepresentation. |
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22.5 | Cross default |
(A) | Any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period. |
(B) | Any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(C) | Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of any member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(D) | Any creditor of any member of the Group becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness or any indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a Trade Instrument of any member of the Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
(E) | No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 22.5 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of any Trade Instrument or commitment for Financial Indebtedness or indebtedness for or in respect of any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of any Trade Instrument falling within Clause 22.5(A) to Clause 22.5(D) above is less than £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) in respect of any one member of the Group or £50,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) for the Group as a whole. |
22.6 | Insolvency |
(A) | The Borrower or a Material Subsidiary: |
(1) | is, or is deemed for the purposes of any applicable law to be (including under Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 but as, for this purpose (and any equivalent provisions of applicable law) the figure in Section 123(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986 was £500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency)), unable to pay its debts as they fall due or insolvent; |
(2) | admits publicly or in writing its inability to pay its debts as they fall due; |
(3) | suspends making payments on all or any class of its debts or announces an intention to do so; or |
(4) | by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, begins negotiations with any creditors other than the Lenders (in their capacity as such) for the rescheduling any of its indebtedness. |
(B) | A moratorium is declared in respect of all or any class of the indebtedness of the Borrower or Material Subsidiary. |
If a moratorium occurs in respect of any member of the Group, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by the moratorium.
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22.7 | Insolvency proceedings |
(A) | Except as provided below, any of the following occurs in relation to the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary: |
(1) | a shareholders’ or directors’ resolution is passed, or an order is made for, its winding-up, administration or dissolution other than for its solvent winding-up, dissolution or liquidation; |
(2) | any person presents a petition for, or files documents with a court or any registrar, requesting its winding-up, administration, dissolution or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise); |
(3) | any Security is enforced over any of its assets having an aggregate value of and in respect of indebtedness aggregating not less than the amount specified in Clause 22.5(E) (Cross default); |
(4) | any liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not the Borrower), trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of it or any of its assets; |
(5) | its shareholders (having passed a resolution to that effect), directors or other officers request the appointment of, or give notice of their intention to appoint, a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a member of the Group which is not the Borrower), trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer; or |
(6) | or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction. |
(B) | Clause 22.7(A) above does not apply to: |
(1) | any step or procedure which is part of a Permitted Transaction; or |
(2) | a petition for winding-up presented by a creditor which is being contested in good faith and with due diligence and is discharged or struck out within 28 days and in any event before any creditor other than the petitioning creditor is able to adopt the relevant petition under applicable law |
22.8 | Creditors’ process |
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary and is not discharged within 21 days.
22.9 | United States Bankruptcy Laws |
Any of the following occurs in respect of the Borrower or Bidco in each case under U.S. Bankruptcy Law:
(A) | it makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; |
(B) | it commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law; |
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(C) | an involuntary case under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law is commenced against it and is not dismissed, vacated, bonded or stayed within 60 days after commencement of the case; or |
(D) | an order for relief or other order approving any case or proceeding is entered under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law by a court of competent jurisdiction. |
22.10 | Unlawfulness |
It is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents.
22.11 | Repudiation |
(A) | The Borrower repudiates a Finance Document or evidences an intention to repudiate a Finance Document. |
(B) | Any Finance Document is not effective in accordance with its terms or is alleged by the Borrower to be ineffective in accordance with its terms for any reason. |
22.12 | Material adverse change |
Any event or series of events occurs which has a Material Adverse Effect.
22.13 | Acceleration |
(A) | Subject to Clause 4.2 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period), on and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower: |
(1) | cancel the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled; |
(2) | declare that all or part of the Utilisations, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable; and |
(3) | declare that all or part of the Utilisations be payable on demand, whereupon they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders. |
(B) | If an Event of Default described in sub-paragraph 22.9 (U.S. Bankruptcy Laws) occurs with respect to the Borrower or Bidco, the Commitments of the Borrower will, if not already cancelled under this Agreement, be immediately and automatically cancelled and all amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents and owing by the Borrower will be immediately and automatically due and payable, without the requirement of notice or any other formality. |
23. | Changes to the Lenders |
23.1 | Assignments and transfers by the Lenders |
Subject to this Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders), a Lender (the “Existing Lender”) may:
(A) | assign any of its rights; or |
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(B) | transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations, |
to another bank or financial institution which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the “New Lender”).
23.2 | Borrower consent |
(A) | The consent of the Borrower is required for an assignment or transfer by an Existing Lender, unless the assignment or transfer is: |
(1) | to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender; or |
(2) | made at a time when an Event of Default is continuing. |
(B) | The consent of the Borrower to an assignment or transfer must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Borrower will be deemed to have given its consent five Business Days after the Existing Lender has requested it unless consent is expressly refused by the Borrower within that time. |
23.3 | Other conditions of assignment or transfer |
(A) | An assignment will only be effective on: |
(1) | receipt by the Agent (whether in the Assignment Agreement or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it had been an Original Lender; and |
(2) | performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender. |
(B) | A transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in Clause 23.6 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with. |
(C) | If: |
(1) | a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and |
(2) | as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, the Borrower would be obliged to make a Tax Payment or a payment under Clause 13 (Increased Costs) to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office, |
then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive such Tax Payment or payment to the extent that the relevant Tax liability or Increased Cost would have arisen and the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been entitled to receive such Tax Payment or payment in respect of such Tax liability or Increased Cost if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.
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This Clause 23.3(C) shall not apply to in relation to a Tax Payment pursuant to Clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up) to a Treaty Lender that has included a confirmation of its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 12.2(G)(3)(b) (Tax gross-up) if the Borrower making the payment has not complied with its obligations under Clause 12.2(H)(2) (Tax gross-up) to file a form DTTP2 in respect of that Treaty Lender within 30 days of the date of the relevant assignment or transfer, and the relevant Tax Deduction would not have arisen if the Borrower had so complied with its obligations under Clause 12.2(H)(2) (Tax gross-up).
(D) | Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender. |
23.4 | Assignment or transfer fee |
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of $4,000.
23.5 | Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders |
(A) | Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for: |
(1) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents; |
(2) | the financial condition of the Borrower; |
(3) | the performance and observance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; or |
(4) | the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document, |
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.
(B) | Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it: |
(1) | has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document; and |
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(2) | will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
(C) | Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to: |
(1) | accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders); or |
(2) | support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance Documents or otherwise. |
23.6 | Procedure for transfer |
(A) | Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 23.2 (Borrower consent) and 23.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer), a transfer is effected in accordance with Clause 23.6(C) below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 23.6(B) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender. |
(C) | Subject to Clause 23.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date: |
(1) | to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents each of the Borrower and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be cancelled (being the “Discharged Rights and Obligations”); |
(2) | each of the Borrower and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as the Borrower and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of the Borrower and the Existing Lender; |
(3) | the Agent, each of the Arrangers, the New Lender and other Lenders shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Agent, each of the Arrangers, and the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and |
(4) | the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender”. |
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23.7 | Procedure for assignment |
(A) | Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 23.2 (Borrower consent) and 23.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer), an assignment may be effected in accordance with Clause 23.7(C) below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to Clause 23.7(B) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Assignment Agreement appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Assignment Agreement. |
(B) | The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender. |
(C) | Subject to Clause 23.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date: |
(1) | the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement; |
(2) | the Existing Lender will be released by the Borrower and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the “Relevant Obligations”) and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement; and |
(3) | the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations. |
(D) | Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 23.7 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the Borrower or unless in accordance with Clause 23.6 (Procedure for transfer), to obtain a release by the Borrower from the obligations owed to it by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 23.2 (Borrower consent) and 23.3 (Other conditions of assignment or transfer). |
23.8 | Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower |
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate, an Assignment Agreement or an Increase Confirmation, send to the Borrower a copy of that Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation.
23.9 | Security over Lenders’ rights |
In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders), each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from the Borrower, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:
(A) | any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and |
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(B) | in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities, |
except that no such charge, assignment or Security shall:
(1) | release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or |
(2) | require any payments to be made by the Borrower other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents. |
23.10 | Pro rata interest settlement |
(A) | If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is able to distribute interest payments on a “pro rata basis” to Existing Lenders and New Lenders then (in respect of any transfer pursuant to Clause 23.6 (Procedure for transfer) or any assignment pursuant to Clause 23.7 (Procedure for assignment) the Transfer Date of which, in each case, is after the date of such notification and is not on the last day of an Interest Period): |
(1) | any interest or fees in respect of the relevant participation which are expressed to accrue by reference to the lapse of time shall continue to accrue in favour of the Existing Lender up to but excluding the Transfer Date (“Accrued Amounts”) and shall become due and payable to the Existing Lender (without further interest accruing on them) on the last day of the current Interest Period; and |
(2) | the rights assigned or transferred by the Existing Lender will not include the right to the Accrued Amounts, so that, for the avoidance of doubt: |
(a) | when the Accrued Amounts become payable, those Accrued Amounts will be payable to the Existing Lender; and |
(b) | the amount payable to the New Lender on that date will be the amount which would, but for the application of this Clause 23.10, have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts. |
(B) | In this Clause 23.10 references to “Interest Period” shall be construed to include a reference to any other period for accrual of fees. |
(C) | An Existing Lender which retains the right to the Accrued Amounts pursuant to this Clause 23.10 but which does not have a Commitment shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents. |
24. | Changes to the Borrower |
24.1 | Assignment and transfers by the Borrower |
The Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.
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24.2 | [Clause not used] |
25. | Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties |
25.1 | No provision of this Agreement will: |
(A) | interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit; |
(B) | oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or |
(C) | oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax. |
26. | Sharing among the Finance Parties |
26.1 | Payments to Finance Parties |
If a Finance Party (a “Recovering Finance Party”) receives or recovers any amount from the Borrower other than in accordance with Clause 27 (Payment Mechanics) (a “Recovered Amount”) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:
(A) | the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery to the Agent; |
(B) | the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 27 (Payment Mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and |
(C) | the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “Sharing Payment”) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 27.6 (Partial payments). |
26.2 | Redistribution of payments |
The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the Borrower and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the “Sharing Finance Parties”) in accordance with Clause 27.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of the Borrower to the Sharing Finance Parties.
26.3 | Recovering Finance Party’s rights |
On a distribution by the Agent under Clause 26.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from the Borrower, as between the Borrower and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by the Borrower.
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26.4 | Reversal of redistribution |
If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:
(A) | each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the “Redistributed Amount”); and |
(B) | as between the Borrower and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by the Borrower. |
26.5 | Exceptions |
(A) | This Clause 26 (Sharing among the Finance Parties) shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause 26.5, have a valid and enforceable claim against the Borrower. |
(B) | A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if: |
(1) | it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and |
(2) | that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings. |
27. | Payment Mechanics |
27.1 | Payments to the Agent |
(A) | On each date on which the Borrower or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, the Borrower or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment. |
(B) | Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies. |
27.2 | Distributions by the Agent |
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 27.3 (Distributions to the Borrower) and Clause 27.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency.
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27.3 | Distributions to the Borrower |
The Agent may (with the consent of the Borrower or in accordance with Clause 28 (Set-Off)) apply any amount received by it for the Borrower in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.
27.4 | Clawback and pre-funding |
(A) | Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum. |
(B) | Unless Clause 27.4(C) below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds. |
(C) | If the Agent is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to the Borrower: |
(1) | the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower to whom that sum was made available shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and |
(2) | the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrower to whom that sum was made available, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender. |
27.5 | Impaired Agent |
(A) | If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, the Borrower or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with Clause 27.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either: |
(1) | pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or |
(2) | if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (A) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender making the payment (the “Paying Party”) and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the “Recipient Party” or “Recipient Parties”). |
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In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.
(B) | All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements. |
(C) | A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 27.5 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account. |
(D) | Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 34.12 (Resignation of the Agent), each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to Clause 27.5(E) below) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with Clause 27.2 (Distributions by the Agent). |
(E) | A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent: |
(1) | that it has not given an instruction pursuant to Clause 27.5(D) above; and |
(2) | that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party, |
give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.
27.6 | Partial payments |
(A) | If the Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by the Borrower under the Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of the Borrower under the Finance Documents in the following order: |
(1) | first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent under the Finance Documents; |
(2) | secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due but unpaid under this Agreement; |
(3) | thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and |
(4) | fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents. |
(B) | The Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set out in Clause 27.6(A)(2) to Clause 27.6(A)(4) above. |
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(C) | Clause 27.6(A) and Clause 27.6(B) above will override any appropriation made by the Borrower. |
27.7 | No set-off by the Borrower |
All payments to be made by the Borrower under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
27.8 | Business Days |
(A) | Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). |
(B) | During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date. |
27.9 | Currency of account |
(A) | Subject to Clauses 27.9(B) and 27.9(C) below, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from the Borrower under any Finance Document. |
(B) | Each payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are incurred. |
(C) | Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than dollars shall be paid in that other currency. |
27.10 | Change of currency |
(A) | Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then: |
(1) | any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower); and |
(2) | any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably). |
(B) | If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Relevant Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency. |
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27.11 | Disruption to payment systems etc. |
If either the Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:
(A) | the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facilities as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances; |
(B) | the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 27.11(A) above if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes; |
(C) | the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 27.11(A) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; |
(D) | any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 33 (Amendments and Waivers); |
(E) | the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this Clause 27.11; and |
(F) | the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to Clause 27.11(D) above. |
28. | Set-Off |
While an Event of Default is continuing, a Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to the Borrower, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
29. | Notices |
29.1 | Communications in writing |
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by email or letter.
29.2 | Addresses |
The address and email address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:
(A) | in the case of the Borrower, that identified with its name in its signature to this Agreement; |
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(B) | in the case of each Lender, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party; and |
(C) | in the case of the Agent, that identified with its name in its signature to this Agreement, |
or any substitute address or email address or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.
29.3 | Delivery |
(A) | Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective, if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address, and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 29.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer. |
(B) | Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent shall specify for this purpose). |
(C) | All notices from or to the Borrower shall be sent through the Agent. |
(D) | Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this Clause 29.3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to the Borrower. |
(E) | Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 29.3(A) to Clause 29.3(D) above, after 5.00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day. |
29.4 | Notification of address and email address |
Promptly upon changing its address or email address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
29.5 | Communication when Agent is an Impaired Agent |
If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.
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29.6 | Electronic communication |
(A) | Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties: |
(1) | notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and |
(2) | notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice. |
(B) | Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 29.6(A) above to be made between the Borrower and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication. |
(C) | Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 29.6(A) above made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent shall specify for this purpose. |
(D) | Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 29.6(C) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day. |
(E) | Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this Clause 29.6. |
29.7 | English language |
(A) | Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English. |
(B) | All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be: |
(1) | in English; or |
(2) | if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document. |
30. | Calculations and Certificates |
30.1 | Accounts |
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
30.2 | Certificates and determinations |
Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
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30.3 | Day count convention and interest calculation |
(A) | Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and the amount of any such interest, commission or fee is calculated: |
(1) | on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days (or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant Market differs, in accordance with that market practice); and |
(2) | subject to Clause 30.3(B) below, without rounding. |
(B) | The aggregate amount of any accrued interest, commission or fee which is, or becomes, payable by the Borrower under a Finance Document shall be rounded to two decimal places. |
31. | Partial Invalidity |
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
32. | Remedies and Waivers |
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any of the Finance Documents. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
33. | Amendments and Waivers |
33.1 | Required consents |
(A) | Subject to Clause 33.2 (All Lender matters) and Clause 33.3 (Other exceptions) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties. |
(B) | The Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 33 (Amendments and Waivers). |
(C) | Clause 23.10(C) (Pro rata interest settlement) shall apply to this Clause 33. |
33.2 | All Lender matters |
Subject to Clause 33.4 (Changes to reference rates) an amendment, waiver or consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:
(A) | the definition of “Majority Lenders” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); |
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(B) | an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents; |
(C) | a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable; |
(D) | an increase in any Commitment (other than pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Increase)), an extension of any Availability Period or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the relevant Facility; |
(E) | a change to the Borrower other than in accordance with Clause 24 (Changes to the Borrower); |
(F) | any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders; or |
(G) | Clause 2.3 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), Clause 7.2 (Change of control), Clause 7.10 (Application of prepayments), Clause 18.14 (Sanctions), Clause 21.11 (Sanctions), Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders), Clause 26 (Sharing among the Finance Parties), this Clause 33 (Amendments and Waivers), Clause 38 (Governing Law) or Clause 39 (Jurisdiction), |
shall not be made without the prior consent of:
(1) | in respect of any matter which relates to a Facility, all Lenders under that Facility; and |
(2) | in respect of any other matter, all the Lenders. |
33.3 | Other exceptions |
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent or each of the Arrangers (each in their capacity as such) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent or each of the Arrangers, as the case may be.
33.4 | Changes to reference rates |
(A) | Subject to Clause 33.3 (Other exceptions), if a RFR Replacement Event has occurred, any amendment or waiver which relates to: |
(1) | providing for the use of a Replacement Reference Rate in place of the RFR; and |
(2) |
(a) | aligning any provision of any Finance Document to the use of that Replacement Reference Rate; |
(b) | enabling that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for the calculation of interest under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any consequential changes required to enable that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for the purposes of this Agreement); |
(c) | implementing market conventions applicable to that Replacement Reference Rate; |
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(d) | providing for appropriate fallback (and market disruption) provisions for that Replacement Reference Rate; or |
(e) | adjusting the pricing to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable, any transfer of economic value from one Party to another as a result of the application of that Replacement Reference Rate (and if any adjustment or method for calculating any adjustment has been formally designated, nominated or recommended by the Relevant Nominating Body, the adjustment shall be determined on the basis of that designation, nomination or recommendation), |
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower.
(B) | An amendment or waiver that relates to, or has the effect of, aligning the means of calculation of interest on a Loan under this Agreement to any recommendation of a Relevant Nominating Body which: |
(1) | relates to the use of the RFR on a compounded basis in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets; and |
(2) | is issued on or after the date of this Agreement, |
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower.
(C) | If any Lender fails to respond to a request for an amendment or waiver described in Clauses 33.4(A) or 33.4(B) above within 10 Business Days (or such longer time period in relation to any request which the Borrower and the Agent may agree) of that request being made: |
(1) | its Commitment(s) shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and |
(2) | its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request. |
(D) | In this Clause 33.4: |
“RFR Replacement Event” means:
(A) | the methodology, formula or other means of determining the RFR has, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, materially changed; |
(B) |
(1) |
(a) | the administrator of the RFR or its supervisor publicly announces that such administrator is insolvent; or |
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(b) | information is published in any order, decree, notice, petition or filing, however described, of or filed with a court, tribunal, exchange, regulatory authority or similar administrative, regulatory or judicial body which reasonably confirms that the administrator of the RFR is insolvent, |
provided that, in each case, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide the RFR;
(2) | the administrator of the RFR publicly announces that it has ceased or will cease to provide the RFR permanently or indefinitely and, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide the RFR; |
(3) | the supervisor of the administrator of the RFR publicly announces that the RFR has been or will be permanently or indefinitely discontinued; or |
(4) | the administrator of the RFR or its supervisor announces that the RFR may no longer be used; |
(C) | the administrator of the RFR determines that the RFR should be calculated in accordance with its reduced submissions or other contingency or fallback policies or arrangements and either: |
(1) | the circumstance(s) or event(s) leading to such determination are not (in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower) temporary; or |
(2) | the RFR is calculated in accordance with any such policy or arrangement for a period no less than the period specified as the “RFR Contingency Period” in the Reference Rate Terms; or |
(D) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, the RFR is otherwise no longer appropriate for the purposes of calculating interest under this Agreement. |
“Relevant Nominating Body” means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of them or the Financial Stability Board.
“Replacement Reference Rate” means a reference rate which is:
(A) | formally designated, nominated or recommended as the replacement for the RFR by: |
(1) | the administrator of the RFR (provided that the market or economic reality that such reference rate measures is the same as that measured by the RFR); or |
(2) | any Relevant Nominating Body, |
and if replacements have, at the relevant time, been formally designated, nominated or recommended under both paragraphs, the “Replacement Reference Rate” will be the replacement under paragraph (2) above;
(B) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, generally accepted in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets as the appropriate successor to the RFR ; or |
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(C) | in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, an appropriate successor to the RFR . |
33.5 | Excluded Commitments |
If:
(A) | any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within five Business Days of that request being made; or |
(B) | any Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender fails to respond to such a request (other than an amendment, waiver or consent referred to in Clause 33.2(C), Clause 33.2(E) or Clause 33.2(F) (All Lender matters)) or such a vote within ten Business Days of that request being made, |
(unless, in either case, the Borrower and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request):
(1) | its Commitment shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and |
(2) | its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request. |
33.6 | Replacement of Lender |
(A) | If: |
(1) | any Lender becomes a Non-Consenting Lender (as defined in Clause 33.6(D) below); or |
(2) | the Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with Clause 7.1 (Illegality) or to pay additional amounts pursuant to Clause 13.1 (Increased Costs), Clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up) or Clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) to any Lender, |
then the Borrower may, on five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender, replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower, which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 23.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.
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(B) | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to this Clause 33.6 shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor the Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; |
(3) | in the event of a replacement of a Non-Consenting Lender such replacement must take place no later than five Business Days after the date on which that Lender is deemed a Non-Consenting Lender; |
(4) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under this Clause 33.6 be required to pay or surrender to such Replacement Lender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(5) | the Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 33.6(A) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer. |
(C) | A Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 33.6(B)(5) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 33.6(A) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
(D) | In the event that: |
(1) | the Borrower or the Agent (at the request of the Borrower) has requested the Lenders to give a consent in relation to, or to agree to a waiver or amendment of, any provisions of the Finance Documents; |
(2) | the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the approval of all the Lenders; and |
(3) | Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 75 per cent. of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 75 per cent. of the Total Commitments prior to that reduction), have consented or agreed to such waiver or amendment, |
then any Lender who does not and continues not to consent or agree to such waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “Non-Consenting Lender”.
33.7 | Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders |
(A) | For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining: |
(1) | the Majority Lenders; or |
(2) | whether: |
(a) | any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies; or |
(b) | the agreement of any specified group of Lenders, |
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has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents,
that Defaulting Lender’s Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitments under the relevant Facility/ies and, to the extent that that reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Total Commitments being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.7(A)(1) and Clause 33.7(A)(2) above.
(B) | For the purposes of this Clause 33.7, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders: |
(1) | any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; |
(2) | any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (A), (B) or (C) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred, |
unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.
33.8 | Replacement of a Defaulting Lender |
(A) | The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender: |
(1) | replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement; |
(2) | require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of the undrawn Commitment of the Lender; or |
(3) | require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations in respect of the Facilities, |
to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations, or all the relevant obligations, of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 23 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:
(a) | in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 23.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents; or |
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(b) | in an amount agreed between that Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in paragraph (a) above. |
(B) | Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Clause 33.8 shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(1) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(2) | neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; |
(3) | the transfer must take place no later than five Business Days after the notice referred to in Clause 33.8(A) above; |
(4) | in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(5) | the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 33.8(A) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer to the Replacement Lender. |
(C) | The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 33.8(B)(5) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 33.8(A) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
33.9 | Contractual recognition of bail-in |
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:
(A) | any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation): |
(1) | a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability; |
(2) | a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and |
(3) | a cancellation of any such liability; and |
(B) | a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability. |
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34. | Role of the Agent and the Arrangers |
34.1 | Appointment of the Agent |
(A) | Each of the Arrangers and the Lenders appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents. |
(B) | Each of the Arrangers and the Lenders authorise the Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions. |
34.2 | Instructions |
(A) | The Agent shall: |
(1) | unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by: |
(a) | all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and |
(b) | in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and |
(2) | not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with Clause 34.2(A)(1) above. |
(B) | The Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Lender or group of Lenders, from that Lender or group of Lenders) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion. The Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives any such instructions or clarification that it has requested. |
(C) | Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Lender or group of Lenders under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties. |
(D) | The Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Lender or group of Lenders until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability which it may incur in complying with those instructions. |
(E) | In the absence of instructions, the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders. |
(F) | The Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. |
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34.3 | Duties of the Agent |
(A) | The Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature. |
(B) | Subject to Clause 34.3(C) below, the Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent for that Party by any other Party. |
(C) | Without prejudice to Clause 23.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower), Clause 34.3(B) above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate, any Assignment Agreement or any Increase Confirmation. |
(D) | Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party. |
(E) | If the Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
(F) | If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or any of the Arrangers) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
(G) | The Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied). |
34.4 | Role of the Arrangers |
Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, none of the Arrangers have any obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document.
34.5 | No fiduciary duties |
(A) | Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent or any of the Arrangers as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person. |
(B) | Neither the Agent, nor any of the Arrangers shall be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account. |
34.6 | Business with the Group |
The Agent and each of the Arrangers may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.
34.7 | Rights and discretions |
(A) | The Agent may: |
(1) | rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; |
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(2) | assume that: |
(a) | any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lender or any group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and |
(b) | unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and |
(3) | rely on a certificate from any person: |
(a) | as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or |
(b) | to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing, |
as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of Clause 34.7(A)(3)(a) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.
(B) | The Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that: |
(1) | no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 22.1 (Non-payment)); |
(2) | any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Lenders has not been exercised; and |
(3) | any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of the Borrower. |
(C) | The Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts. |
(D) | Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 34.7(C) above or 34.7(E) below, the Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be necessary. |
(E) | The Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying. |
(F) | The Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its officers, employees and agents. |
(G) | Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise the Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement. |
(H) | Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 34.7(G) above, the Agent: |
(1) | may disclose; and |
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(2) | on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose, |
the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the Borrower and to the other Finance Parties.
(I) | Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor any of the Arrangers are not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality. |
(J) | Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. |
34.8 | Responsibility for documentation |
None of the Agent or any of the Arrangers is responsible or liable for:
(A) | the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, any of the Arrangers, the Borrower or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; |
(B) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; or |
(C) | any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise. |
34.9 | No duty to monitor |
The Agent shall not be bound to enquire:
(A) | whether or not any Default has occurred; |
(B) | as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or |
(C) | whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred. |
34.10 | Exclusion of liability |
(A) | Without limiting Clause 34.10(B) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent), the Agent will not be liable for: |
(1) | any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; |
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(2) | exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document, other than by reason of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; or |
(3) | without prejudice to the generality of Clause 34.10(A)(1) and Clause 34.10(A)(2) below, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of: |
(a) | any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or |
(b) | the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction, |
including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.
(B) | No Party (other than the Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent may rely on this Clause 34.10 subject to Clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
(C) | The Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Agent if the Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the Agent for that purpose. |
(D) | Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or any of the Arrangers to carry out: |
(1) | any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or |
(2) | any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Lender, |
on behalf of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent and each of the Arrangers that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent or an Arranger.
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(E) | Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Agent’s liability, any liability of the Agent arising under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages. |
34.11 | Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent |
Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 27.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.), notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Agent has been reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to a Finance Document).
34.12 | Resignation of the Agent |
(A) | The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. |
(B) | Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent. |
(C) | If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 34.12(B) above within 30 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent. |
(D) | If the Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as Agent and the Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent under Clause 34.12(C) above, the Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this Clause 34 (Role of the Agent and the Arrangers) and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the agency fee payable under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties. |
(E) | The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents. |
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(F) | The Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor. |
(G) | Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under Clause 34.12(E) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 14.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 34 (Role of the Agent and the Arrangers) (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party. |
(H) | After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders), require it to resign in accordance with Clause 34.12(B) above. In this event, the Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 34.12(B) above. |
(I) | The Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 34.12(B) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to Clause 34.12(B) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either: |
(1) | the Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 12.8 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; |
(2) | the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to Clause 12.8 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or |
(3) | the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; |
and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.
(J) | Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been a party to the Agreement on the date of the Agreement. |
34.13 | Confidentiality |
(A) | In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments. |
(B) | If information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it. |
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34.14 | Relationship with the Lenders |
(A) | Subject to Clause 23.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), the Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office: |
(1) | entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and |
(2) | entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day, |
unless it has received not less than five Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(B) | Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under Clause 29.5 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, electronic mail address (or such other information), department and officer by that Lender for the purposes of Clause 29.2 (Addresses) and Clause 29.6(A)(2) (Electronic communication) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender. |
34.15 | Agent’s management time |
If the Agent requires, any amount payable to the Agent by any Party under any indemnity or in respect of any costs or expenses incurred by the Agent under the Finance Documents after the date of this Agreement may include the cost of using its management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Agent may notify to the relevant Party. This is in addition to any amount in respect of fees or expenses paid or payable to the Agent under any terms of the Finance Documents.
34.16 | Credit appraisal by the Lenders |
Without affecting the responsibility of the Borrower for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Agent and each of the Arrangers that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:
(A) | the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group; |
(B) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; |
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(C) | whether that Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and |
(D) | the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any other information provided by the Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document. |
34.17 | Amounts paid in error |
(A) | If the Agent pays an amount to another Party and the Agent notifies that Party that such payment was an Erroneous Payment then the Party to whom that amount was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds. |
(B) | Neither: |
(1) | the obligations of any Party to the Agent; nor |
(2) | the remedies of the Agent, |
(whether arising under this Clause 34.17 or otherwise) which relate to an Erroneous Payment will be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing (including, without limitation, any obligation pursuant to which an Erroneous Payment is made) which, but for this paragraph (B), would reduce, release, preclude or prejudice any such obligation or remedy (whether or not known by the Agent or any other Party).
(C) | All payments to be made by a Party to the Agent (whether made pursuant to this Clause 34.17 or otherwise) which relate to an Erroneous Payment shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim. |
(D) | In this Agreement, “Erroneous Payment” means a payment of an amount by the Agent to another Party which the Agent determines (in its sole discretion) was made in error. |
34.18 | Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent |
If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.
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35. | Confidential Information |
35.1 | Confidentiality |
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 35.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) and Clause 35.3 (Disclosure to numbering service providers), and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.
35.2 | Disclosure of Confidential Information |
Any Finance Party may disclose:
(A) | to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this Clause 35.2(A) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information; |
(B) | to any person: |
(1) | to (or through) whom it assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers; |
(2) | with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or the Borrower and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers; |
(3) | appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 35.2(B)(1) or Clause 35.2(B)(2) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under Clause 34.14(B) (Relationship with the Lenders)); |
(4) | who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in Clause 35.2(B)(1) or Clause 35.2(B)(2) above; |
(5) | to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation; |
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(6) | to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes; |
(7) | to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 23.9 (Security over Lenders’ rights); |
(8) | who is a Party; or |
(9) | with the consent of the Borrower, |
in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if:
(a) | in relation to Clause 35.2(B)(1), Clause 35.2(B)(2) and Clause 35.2(B)(3) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking except that there shall be no requirement for a Confidentiality Undertaking if the recipient is a professional adviser and is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information; |
(b) | in relation to Clause 35.2(B)(4) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information they receive and is informed that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information; |
(c) | in relation to Clause 35.2(B)(5), Clause 35.2(B)(6) and Clause 35.2(B)(7) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of that Finance Party, it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances; and |
(C) | to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 35.2(B)(1) or Clause 35.2(B)(2) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this Clause 35.2(C) above if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party; and |
(D) | to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Borrower if the rating agency to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information. |
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35.3 | Disclosure to numbering service providers |
(A) | Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower the following information: |
(1) | name of the Borrower; |
(2) | country of domicile of the Borrower; |
(3) | place of incorporation of the Borrower; |
(4) | date of this Agreement; |
(5) | Clause 38 (Governing Law) |
(6) | the name of the Agent and each of the Arrangers; |
(7) | date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement; |
(8) | amounts of, and names of, the Facilities (and any tranches); |
(9) | amount of Total Commitments; |
(10) | currencies of the Facilities; |
(11) | type of Facilities; |
(12) | ranking of the Facilities; |
(13) | Termination Date for the Facilities; |
(14) | changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to Clause 35.3(A)(1) to Clause 35.3(A)(13) above; and |
(15) | such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Borrower, |
to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.
(B) | The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider. |
(C) | The Borrower represents that none of the information set out in Clause 35.3(A)(1) to Clause 35.3(A)(15) above is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information. |
(D) | The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the other Finance Parties of: |
(1) | the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower; and |
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(2) | the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, a Facility and/or the Borrower by such numbering service provider. |
35.4 | Entire agreement |
This Clause 35 (Confidential Information) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.
35.5 | Inside information |
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
35.6 | Notification of disclosure |
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:
(A) | of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to Clause 35.2(B)(5) (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in Clause 35.2(B)(5) (Disclosure of Confidential Information) during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
(B) | upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 35 (Confidential Information). |
35.7 | Continuing obligations |
The obligations in this Clause 35 (Confidential Information) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twelve months from the earlier of:
(A) | the date on which all amounts payable by the Borrower under or in connection with this Agreement have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and |
(B) | the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party. |
36. | Confidentiality of Funding Rates |
36.1 | Confidentiality and disclosure |
(A) | The Agent and the Borrower agree to keep each Funding Rate confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 36.1(B) and Clause 36.1(C) below. |
(B) | The Agent may disclose: |
(1) | any Funding Rate to the Borrower pursuant to Clause 8.4 (Notification); and |
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(2) | any Funding Rate to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender. |
(C) | The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate, and the Borrower may disclose any Funding Rate, to: |
(1) | any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given pursuant to this Clause 36.1(C)(1) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it; |
(2) | any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; |
(3) | any person to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and |
(4) | any person with the consent of the relevant Lender. |
36.2 | Related obligations |
(A) | The Agent and the Borrower acknowledge that each Funding Rate is or may be price-sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and the Borrower undertake not to use any Funding Rate for any unlawful purpose. |
(B) | The Agent and the Borrower agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender e: |
(1) | of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to Clause 36.1(C)(1) (Confidentiality and disclosure) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
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(2) | upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 36 (Confidentiality of Funding Rates). |
36.3 | No Event of Default |
No Event of Default will occur under Clause 22.3 (Other obligations) by reason only of the Borrower’s failure to comply with this Clause 36 (Confidentiality of Funding Rates).
37. | Counterparts |
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
38. | Governing Law |
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
39. | Jurisdiction |
39.1 | The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “Dispute”). |
39.2 | The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary. |
39.3 | Notwithstanding Clause 39.1 above, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
40. | Waiver of trial by jury |
Each Party waives any right it may have to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action in connection with any Finance Document or any transaction contemplated by any Finance Document. This Agreement may be filed as a written consent to trial by the court.
41. | USA PATRIOT Act |
Each Finance Party that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act and/or the Beneficial Ownership Regulation hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act and/or the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, as applicable, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Finance Party to identify the Borrower in accordance with the USA Patriot Act and/or the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, as applicable. The Borrower agrees that it will provide each Finance Party with such information as it may request in order for such Finance Party to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act and/or the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, as applicable.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
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Schedule 1 : The Finance Parties
Part 1 : The Original Lenders
[Reserved]
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Part 2 : The Arrangers
Banco Santander, S.A., London Branch |
Bank of China Limited, London Branch |
Barclays Bank PLC |
Bank of America Europe Designated Activity Company |
HSBC Bank plc |
ING Bank N.V., London Branch |
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) |
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch |
BNP Paribas |
Fifth Third Bank, National Association |
HSBC UK Bank plc |
J.P. Morgan Securities Plc |
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. |
The Bank of Nova Scotia, London Branch |
Standard Chartered Bank |
United Overseas Bank Limited |
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Schedule 2 : Conditions Precedent
Part 1 : Conditions Precedent to signing this Agreement
1. | Borrower |
1.1 | A copy of the constitutional documents of the Borrower. |
1.2 | A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Borrower: |
(A) | approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute and perform the Finance Documents to which it is a party; |
(B) | authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party on its behalf; and |
(C) | authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents to which it is a party. |
1.3 | A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above. |
1.4 | A certificate of an authorised signatory or the secretary or other officer of the Borrower certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement. |
2. | Finance Documents |
2.1 | This Agreement duly executed by the Parties. |
2.2 | The duly executed Fee Letters. |
3. | Legal Opinion |
A legal opinion of Allen & Overy LLP, legal advisers to the Agent in England, substantially in the form distributed to the Lenders prior to signing this Agreement.
4. | Other documents and evidence |
4.1 | The duly executed Acquisition Agreement. |
4.2 | Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to Clause 11 (Fees) and Clause 16 (Costs and Expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the date of this Agreement. |
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Part 2 : Conditions Precedent to INitial UtilisatIon
1. | Borrower |
1.1 | Confirmation from the Borrower that the Acquisition Agreement has not been amended, varied, waived or supplemented from the form provided to the Agent under Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in a manner that could reasonably be expected to affect the Lenders’ interests materially and adversely. |
1.2 | Confirmation from the Borrower that it has received all required consents pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement in relation to the Acquisition, including shareholder approval from the Borrower’s shareholders, and all conditions to Closing have been satisfied or waived (except any waiver that could reasonably be expected to affect the Lenders’ interests materially and adversely) and that the Acquisition will be consummated substantially simultaneously with the first Utilisation under this Agreement. |
1.3 | Confirmation from the Borrower that it has the funds available to the Group (together with the proceeds of the Facilities under this Agreement) in order to meet the cash requirements in the Acquisition Agreement. |
1.4 | A certificate of an authorised signatory or the secretary or other officer of the Borrower confirming that: |
(A) | borrowing the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded; |
(B) | the shareholders of the Borrower have approved, by way of an ordinary resolution, an increase in the £3,000,000,000 borrowing limit included at section 134 (Borrowing powers) of the Borrower’s articles; and |
(C) | the confirmations included in the directors certificate provided to the Agent under Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent) remain true and correct up to and including the first Utilisation Date. |
2. | Other documents and evidence |
2.1 | Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to Clause 11 (Fees) and Clause 16 (Costs and Expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the first Utilisation Date. |
2.2 | Either (i) confirmation from the Borrower that no event of default has occurred and is continuing under the Existing Facility Agreement or will result from the entry into or Utilisation of this Agreement or closing of the Acquisition; or (ii) confirmation from the Borrower that all amounts outstanding under the Existing Facility Agreement have been or will be repaid, and all commitments made available thereunder have been or will be cancelled in full, in each case, not later than date of first Utilisation under this Agreement. |
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Schedule 3 : Requests
Part 1 : Utilisation Request
From: Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
To: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent
Dated: [•]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [·] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request. |
2. | We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms: |
Proposed Utilisation Date: | · (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) |
Facility to be utilised: | [Facility A] / [Facility B] |
Currency of Loan: | USD |
Amount: | [•] or, if less, the Available Facility |
3. | We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 4.2 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period) of the Facilities Agreement is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request. |
4. | The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]. |
5. | This Utilisation Request is irrevocable. |
Yours faithfully | |||
authorised signatory for | authorised signatory for | ||
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
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Part 2 : Extension NOTICE
From: Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
To: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent
Dated: [•]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [·] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Extension Notice. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Extension Notice unless given a different meaning in this Extension Notice. |
2. | We request that the Termination Date of Facility A be extended to [insert date] (being the date falling three Months after the Initial Facility A Termination Date, or if that extended date is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day). |
3. | We confirm that: |
(A) | no [Event of Default]/[Major Default] has occurred and is continuing; |
(B) | the [Repeating Representations]/[Major Representations]* 1 (other than the representation set out in Clause 18.14 (Sanctions)) are true in all material respects; and |
(C) | the representation set out in Clause 18.14 (Sanctions)) is true. |
4. | This Extension Notice is irrevocable. |
Yours faithfully | |||
authorised signatory for | authorised signatory for | ||
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
1 Delete as applicable
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Schedule 4 : Form of Transfer Certificate
To: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent
From: [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”)
Dated: [•]
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [·] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Transfer Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Transfer Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Transfer Certificate. |
2. | We refer to Clause 23.6 (Procedure for transfer): |
2.1 | The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation, and in accordance with Clause 23.6 (Procedure for transfer), all of the Existing Lender’s rights and obligations under the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the schedule. |
2.2 | The proposed Transfer Date is [•]. |
2.3 | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 29.2 (Addresses) are set out in the schedule. |
3. | The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 23.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders). |
4. | The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
4.1 | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
4.2 | [a Treaty Lender;] |
4.3 | [not a Qualifying Lender].2 |
5. | [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
5.1 | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
5.2 | a partnership each member of which is: |
(A) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
2 | Delete as applicable – each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
113 |
(B) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
5.3 | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]3 |
6. | [The New Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [•]), is tax resident in [•]4 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Transfer Date5.] |
7. | This Transfer Certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Transfer Certificate. |
8. | This Transfer Certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
9. | This Transfer Certificate has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Transfer Certificate. |
3 | Include if New Lender comes within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 12.1 (Definitions). |
4 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
5 | This confirmation must be included if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
114 |
THE SCHEDULE
Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address, email address and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Existing Lender] | [New Lender] |
By: | By: |
This Transfer Certificate is accepted by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [•].
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
115 |
Schedule 5 : Form of Assignment Agreement
To: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
From: [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”)
Dated: [•]
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [·] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Assignment Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Assignment Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Assignment Agreement. |
2. | We refer to Clause 23.7 (Procedure for assignment): |
2.1 | The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the Schedule. |
2.2 | The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participations in Loans under the Facilities Agreement specified in the Schedule. |
2.3 | The New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph 2.2 above. 6 |
3. | The proposed Transfer Date is [•]. |
4. | On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes Party to the Finance Documents as a Lender. |
5. | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 29.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule. |
6. | The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 23.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders). |
7. | The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
7.1 | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
7.2 | [a Treaty Lender;] |
6 | If the Assignment Agreement is used in place of a Transfer Certificate in order to avoid a novation of rights/obligations for reasons relevant to a civil jurisdiction, local law advice should be sought to check the suitability of the Assignment Agreement due to the assumption of obligations contained in paragraph 22.3. This issue should be addressed at primary documentation stage. |
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7.3 | [not a Qualifying Lender].7 |
8. | [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
8.1 | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
8.2 | a partnership each member of which is: |
(A) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(B) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
8.3 | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]8 |
9. | [The New Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [•]), is tax resident in [•]9 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Transfer Date10.] |
10. | This Assignment Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with Clause 23.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to the Borrower), to the Borrower of the assignment referred to in this Assignment Agreement. |
11. | This Assignment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Assignment Agreement. |
12. | This Assignment Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law. |
13. | This Assignment Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Assignment Agreement. |
7 | Delete as applicable – each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
8 | Include only if New Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender – i.e. falls within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 12.1 (Definitions). |
9 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
10 | This confirmation must be included if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
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THE SCHEDULE
Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address, email address and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Existing Lender] | [New Lender] |
By: | By: |
This Assignment Agreement is accepted by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [•].
Signature of this Assignment Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
118 |
Schedule 6 : [Schedule not used]
119 |
Schedule 7 : Form of Compliance Certificate
To: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent
From: Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
Dated: [•]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [·] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate. |
2. | The following entities are the Material Subsidiaries as at the date of this Compliance Certificate: |
2.1 | [ ]; |
2.2 | [ ]; and |
2.3 | [ ]. |
3. | [We confirm that no [Default]/[Major Default] is continuing as at the Relevant Testing Date11.] |
Signed: |
Director
for and on behalf of
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
11 | Delete as applicable depending if certificate given during the Certain Funds Period. If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default/Major Default as applicable that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it. |
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Schedule 8 : Form of RATING Certificate
To: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent
From: Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
Dated: [•]
Dear Sirs
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [●] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is the Rating Certificate. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Rating Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Rating Certificate. |
2. | We confirm that the Credit Rating of the Borrower is [●]. |
3. | The applicable Margin for Facility B will (five Business Days after the receipt by the Agent of this Rating Certificate) therefore be [●]. |
Signed: |
Authorised signatory
for and on behalf of
Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower
By:
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Schedule 9 : Timetables
Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request)) | U-1 11:00 a.m. |
Agent notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) | U-1 4:00 p.m. |
“U” = date of utilisation
“U – X” = X Business Days prior to date of utilisation
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Schedule 10 : Form of Increase Confirmation
To: | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as Agent and Rentokil Initial plc as Borrower |
From: | [The Increase Lender] (the “Increase Lender”) |
Dated: | [•] |
Rentokil Initial plc – USD 2,700,000,000 Bridge and Term Facilities Agreement dated [●] (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement. |
2. | We refer to Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement. |
3. | The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “Relevant Commitment”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Facilities Agreement. |
4. | The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “Increase Date”) is [•]. |
5. | On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender. |
6. | The Facility Office and address, email address and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 29.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule. |
7. | The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement. |
8. | The Increase Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower, that it is: |
8.1 | [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);] |
8.2 | [a Treaty Lender;] |
8.3 | [not a Qualifying Lender12]. |
9. | [The Increase Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either: |
9.1 | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
12 | Delete as applicable - each Increase Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within. |
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9.2 | a partnership each member of which is: |
(A) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(B) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or |
9.3 | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.13] |
10. | [The Increase Lender confirms (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Borrower) that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [•]), is tax resident in [•]14 and wishes such passport to apply in respect of the Facilities Agreement so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and notifies the Borrower that the Borrower must make an application to HM Revenue & Customs on Form DTTP2 within 30 days of the Increase Date.]15 |
[9/10].This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
[10/11].This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
[11/12].This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
13 | Include only if Increase Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender i.e. falls within paragraph (1)(b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender. |
14 | Insert jurisdiction of tax residence. |
15 | This confirmation must be included if the Increase Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facilities Agreement. |
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THE SCHEDULE
Relevant Commitment/rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender
[insert relevant details]
[Facility office address, email address and attention details for notices and account details for payments]
[Increase Lender]
By:
This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent, and the Increase Date is confirmed as [ ].
Agent: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
By:
125
Schedule 11 : [Schedule not used]
126
Schedule 12 : LMA Form of Confidentiality Undertaking
[Letterhead of Seller]
Date: [•]
To: | [insert name of potential purchaser] |
Re: | The Agreement |
Company: [•] | (the “Company”) |
Date: [•]
Amount: [•]
Agent: [•]
Dear Sirs
We understand that you are considering acquiring an interest in the Agreement which, subject to the Agreement, may be by way of novation, assignment, the entering into, whether directly or indirectly, of a sub-participation or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to one or more Finance Documents or by way of investing in or otherwise financing, directly or indirectly, any such novation, assignment, sub-participation or other transaction (the “Acquisition”). In consideration of us agreeing to make available to you certain information, by your signature of a copy of this letter you agree as follows:
1. | Confidentiality Undertaking |
You undertake (a) to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to your own confidential information, and (b) until the Acquisition is completed to use the Confidential Information only for the Permitted Purpose.
2. | Permitted Disclosure |
We agree that you may disclose:
2.1 | to any of your Affiliates and any of your or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers and auditors such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph 2.1 is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information, except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information; |
2.2 | subject to the requirements of the Agreement, to any person: |
(A) | to (or through) whom you assign or transfer (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of your rights and/or obligations which you may acquire under the Agreement such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this sub-paragraph (A) of paragraph 2.2 has delivered a letter to you in equivalent form to this letter; |
127
(B) | with (or through) whom you enter into (or may potentially enter into) any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to the Agreement or the Company such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate if the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this sub-paragraph (B) of paragraph 2.2 has delivered a letter to you in equivalent form to this letter; |
(C) | to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation such Confidential Information as you shall consider appropriate; and |
2.3 | notwithstanding paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 above, Confidential Information to such persons to whom, and on the same terms as, a Finance Party is permitted to disclose Confidential Information under the Agreement, as if such permissions were set out in full in this letter and as if references in those permissions to Finance Party were references to you16. |
3. | Notification of Disclosure |
You agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform us:
3.1 | of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to sub-paragraph (C) of paragraph 2.2 above except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and |
3.2 | upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this letter. |
4. | Return of copies |
If you do not enter into the Acquisition and we so request in writing, you shall return or destroy all Confidential Information supplied to you by us and destroy or permanently erase (to the extent technically practicable) all copies of Confidential Information made by you and use your reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom you have supplied any Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases (to the extent technically practicable) such Confidential Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent that you or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential Information by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body or in accordance with internal policy, or where the Confidential Information has been disclosed under sub-paragraph (C) of paragraph 2.2 above.
16 | The intention of this paragraph is to ensure that (i) any permitted disclosures in the Facilities Agreement which are subject to less onerous disclosure requirements and (ii) any additional permitted disclosures in the Facilities Agreement are also permitted under this letter. |
128
5. | Continuing obligations |
The obligations in this letter are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on you until (a) if you become a party to the Agreement as a lender of record, the date on which you become such a party to the Agreement; (b) if you enter into the Acquisition but it does not result in you becoming a party to the Agreement as a lender of record, the date falling [twelve] months after the date on which all of your rights and obligations contained in the documentation entered into to implement that Acquisition have terminated17; or (c) in any other case the date falling [twelve] months after the date of your final receipt (in whatever manner) of any Confidential Information.
6. | No Representation; Consequences of Breach, etc |
You acknowledge and agree that:
6.1 | neither we, nor any member of the Group nor any of our or their respective officers, employees or advisers (each a “Relevant Person”) (i) make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, or assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any of the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or the assumptions on which it is based or (ii) shall be under any obligation to update or correct any inaccuracy in the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or be otherwise liable to you or any other person in respect of the Confidential Information or any such information; and |
6.2 | we or members of the Group may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms of this letter and damages may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may be granted an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions of this letter by you. |
7. | Entire Agreement: no waiver; amendments, etc |
7.1 | This letter constitutes the entire agreement between us in relation to your obligations regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information. |
7.2 | No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, any right or remedy under this letter will operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm this letter. No election to affirm this letter will be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy will prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy under this letter. |
7.3 | The terms of this letter and your obligations under this letter may only be amended or modified by written agreement between us. |
8. | Inside Information |
You acknowledge that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and you undertake not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
17 | The purpose of this paragraph (b) is to ensure that if the Acquisition does not result in the potential purchaser becoming a lender of record under the Agreement, the confidentiality obligations imposed on the potential purchaser in this letter will continue until the expiry of an agreed period after termination of the sub-participation, assignment or other transaction. |
129
9. | Nature of Undertakings |
The undertakings given by you under this letter are given to us and are also given for the benefit of the Company and each other member of the Group.
10. | Third Party Rights |
10.1 | Subject to this paragraph 10 and to paragraphs 6 and 9, a person who is not a party to this letter has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this letter. |
10.2 | The Relevant Persons may enjoy the benefit of the terms of paragraphs 6 and 9 subject to and in accordance with this paragraph 10 and the provisions of the Third Parties Act. |
10.3 | Notwithstanding any provisions of this letter, the parties to this letter do not require the consent of any Relevant Person to rescind or vary this letter at any time. |
11. | Governing Law and Jurisdiction |
11.1 | This letter (including the agreement constituted by your acknowledgement of its terms) (the “Letter”) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it (including any non-contractual obligations arising out of the negotiation of the transaction contemplated by this Letter)18 are governed by English law. |
11.2 | The courts of England have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Letter (including a dispute relating to any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with either this Letter or the negotiation of the transaction contemplated by this Letter). |
12. | Definitions |
In this letter (including the acknowledgement set out below) terms defined in the Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning and:
“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Company, the Group, the Finance Documents, [the/a] Facility and/or the Acquisition which is provided to you in relation to the Finance Documents or [the/a] Facility by us or any of our affiliates or advisers, in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that:
(A) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by you of this letter; or |
(B) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by us or our advisers; or |
(C) | is known by you before the date the information is disclosed to you by us or any of our affiliates or advisers or is lawfully obtained by you after that date, from a source which is, as far as you are aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as you are aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality. |
18 | The reference to non-contractual obligations arising out of the negotiation of the contemplated transaction is intended to specifically apply the governing law (and jurisdiction) clause to any non-contractual obligations arising out of negotiations where the transaction breaks down before the documentation documenting the debt trade is entered into. |
130
“Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries for the time being (as such term is defined in the Companies Act 2006).
“Permitted Purpose” means considering and evaluating whether to enter into the Acquisition.
Please acknowledge your agreement to the above by signing and returning the enclosed copy.
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of [Seller] |
To: [Seller]
The Company and each other member of the Group
We acknowledge and agree to the above:
For and on behalf of [insert the name of potential purchaser] |
131
Schedule 13 : Reference Rate Terms
CURRENCY: Dollars
Cost of funds as a fallback
Cost of funds will not apply as a fallback.
Definitions
Additional Business Days: | An RFR Banking Day. |
Break Costs: | None specified. |
Business Day Conventions (definition of “Month” and Clause 9.2 (Non-Business Days)): | (a) If any period is expressed to accrue by reference to a Month or any number of Months then, in respect of the last Month of that period:
|
(i) subject to paragraph (iii) below, if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day; | |
(ii) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and
(iii) if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end. | |
(b) If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). | |
Central Bank Rate: | (a) The short-term interest rate target set by the US Federal Open Market Committee as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from time to time; or
(b) if that target is not a single figure, the arithmetic mean of:
(i) the upper bound of the short-term interest rate target range set by the US Federal Open Market Committee and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; and
(ii) the lower bound of that target range. |
132
133
RFR Banking Day: | Any day other than:
(a) a Saturday or Sunday; and
(b) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (or any successor organisation) recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in US government securities. |
RFR Contingency Period | 20 RFR Banking Days. |
Reporting Times
Deadline for Lenders to report market disruption in accordance with Clause 10.2 (Market disruption): | Close of business in London on the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan. | |
Deadline for Lenders to report their cost of funds in accordance with Clause 10.3 (Cost of funds): | Close of business on the date falling two Business Days after the Reporting Day for the relevant Loan (or, if earlier, on the date falling two Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of the Interest Period for that Loan).
|
134
Schedule 14 : Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate
The “Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate” for any RFR Banking Day “i” during an Interest Period for a Loan is the percentage rate per annum (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Finance Party performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose) calculated as set out below:
where:
“UCCDRi” means the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“UCCDRi-1” means, in relation to that RFR Banking Day “i”, the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day (if any) during that Interest Period;
“dcc” means 360 or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number;
“ni” means the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day; and
the “Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” for any RFR Banking Day (the “Cumulated RFR Banking Day”) during that Interest Period is the result of the below calculation (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Finance Party performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose):
where:
“ACCDR” means the Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
“tni” means the number of calendar days from, and including, the first day of the Cumulation Period to, but excluding, the RFR Banking Day which immediately follows the last day of the Cumulation Period;
“Cumulation Period” means the period from, and including, the first RFR Banking Day of that Interest Period to, and including, that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” has the meaning given to that term above; and
the “Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate” for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as is specified in the relevant definition of “Daily Rate”) calculated as set out below:
135
where:
“d0” means the number of RFR Banking Days in the Cumulation Period;
“Cumulation Period” has the meaning given to that term above;
“i” means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order in the Cumulation Period;
“DailyRatei-LP” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i” in the Cumulation Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day “i”;
“ni” means, for any RFR Banking Day “i” in the Cumulation Period, the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day “i” up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
“dcc” has the meaning given to that term above; and
“tni” has the meaning given to that term above.
136
EXECUTION PAGES
The Borrower | |||
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Rentokil Initial plc | ) | Signature |
Address: | Rentokil Initial plc Compass House Manor Royal Crawley RH10 9PY |
Attention: | Treasury |
Email: | treasury.front-office@rentokil-initial.com |
Copy to: | bente.salt@rentokil-initial.com |
Copy to: | secretariat@rentokil-initial.com |
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The Arrangers | |||
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Banco Santander, S.A., London Branch | ) | ||
) | |||
) | |||
) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Bank of America | ) | ||
Europe Designated Activity Company | ) | Signature | |
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Bank of China Limited, | ) | Signature | |
London Branch | ) |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Barclays Bank PLC | ) | Signature |
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SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
BNP Paribas | ) | Signature |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Fifth Third Bank, National Association | ) | Signature | |
) |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
HSBC Bank plc | ) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
HSBC UK Bank plc | ) | Signature |
139
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
ING Bank N.V., London Branch | ) | Signature |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
J.P. Morgan Securities Plc | ) | Signature | |
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. | ) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
The Bank of Nova Scotia, London Branch | ) | Signature | |
) |
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SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) | ) | Signature | |
) |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Standard Chartered Bank | ) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
United Overseas Bank Limited | ) | Signature | |
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch | ) | Signature | |
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The Original Lenders |
|||
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Banco Santander, S.A., London Branch | ) | ||
) | |||
) | Signature | ||
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Bank of America | ) | Signature | |
Europe Designated Activity Company | ) | ||
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Bank of China Limited, London Branch | ) | Signature | |
) |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Barclays Bank PLC | ) | Signature |
142 |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV | ) | Signature |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
BNP Paribas | ) | Signature |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Fifth Third Bank, National Association | ) | Signature | |
) |
Signature |
143 |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
HSBC Bank plc | ) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
HSBC UK Bank plc | ) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
ING Bank N.V., London Branch | ) | Signature |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch | ) | Signature | |
) |
144 |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. | ) | Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
The Bank of Nova Scotia, London Branch | ) | Signature | |
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) | ) | Signature | |
) |
Signature |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Standard Chartered Bank | ) | Signature |
145 |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
United Overseas Bank Limited | ) | Signature | |
) |
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch | ) | Signature | |
146 |
The Agent
SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL)
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) | ) | ||
) | |||
) | Signature |
Signature |
Address: | One Carter Lane, London, EC4V 5AN, United Kingdom |
Attention: | Loans Agency |
Email: | agency@seb.co.uk |
With a copy to: | sco@seb.se |
Copy attention: | SEB Structured Credit Operations |
147 |
The Documentation Agent
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
SIGNED by | ) | ||
Please print name of signatory | ) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | ||
Barclays Bank PLC | ) | ||
) | |||
) | Signature |
Signature |
Address: | 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP, UK |
Attention: | Daniel Scoines |
Email: | Daniel.scoines@barclays.com |
148 |
Exhibit 10.4
EXECUTION VERSION
AMENDMENT LETTER
To: Rentokil Initial plc (the “Borrower”)
Compass House
Manor Royal
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9PY
25 March 2022
Dear Sir or Madam
Project Noble – USD 2,700,000,000 bridge and term facilities agreement dated 25 February 2022 (the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | Interpretation |
1.1 | Incorporation of defined terms |
(A) | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. Unless a contrary indication appears in this letter, a term defined in the Facilities Agreement has the same meaning in this letter. In addition, the definition below applies in this letter: |
“Effective Date” means the date on which this letter is countersigned by the Borrower.
(B) | Unless a contrary indication appears in this letter, the principles of construction set out in the Facilities Agreement shall have effect as if set out in, and referring to, this letter. |
1.2 | Third party rights |
(A) | Unless expressly provided to the contrary in this letter, a person who is not a party to this letter has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any of its terms. |
(B) | Notwithstanding any term of this letter, the consent of any person who is not a party to this letter is not required to rescind or vary this letter at any time. |
1.3 | Designation |
In accordance with the Facilities Agreement, each of the Borrower and the Agent designate this letter as a Finance Document.
2. | Amendment |
With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Facilities Agreement shall be amended as set out in Schedule 1 (Amendments to the Facilities Agreement).
1
3. | Representations |
The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing:
(A) | on the date of this letter as if references to “this Agreement” and “the Finance Documents” are references to the Facilities Agreement as if it were amended by this letter; and |
(B) | on the Effective Date. |
4. | Continuing obligations |
(A) | The provisions of the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents shall, save as amended by this letter, continue in full force and effect. |
(B) | No waiver of any provisions of any Finance Document is given by the terms of this letter and the Finance Parties expressly reserve all their rights and remedies in respect of any breach of, or Default under, the Finance Documents. |
(C) | References in the Facilities Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and expressions of similar import shall, on and from the Effective Date, be deemed to be references to the Facilities Agreement as amended by this letter. |
(D) | References, however expressed, in any Finance Document (other than the Facilities Agreement) to the Facilities Agreement shall, on and from the Effective Date, be deemed to be references to the Facilities Agreement as amended by this letter. |
5. | Transaction Expenses |
The Borrower shall within three Business Days of demand reimburse the Agent for the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of this letter and any other documents referred to in this letter.
6. | Miscellaneous |
6.1 | Incorporation of terms |
The provisions of clauses 29 (Notices), 31 (Partial Invalidity), 32 (Remedies and Waivers) and 39 (Jurisdiction) of the Facilities Agreement shall be incorporated into this letter as if set out in full in this letter and as if reference in those clauses to “this Agreement” are references to this letter.
6.2 | Counterparts |
This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this letter.
7. | Governing law |
This letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
If you agree to the above, please sign where indicated below.
2
Yours faithfully
/s/ [ILLEGIBLE] |
For and on behalf of
SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL)
as Agent (acting on the instructions of all of the Lenders)
3
We agree to the above.
/s/ Stuart Ingall-tombs | |
Stuart Ingall-tombs (Mar 25, 2022 13:42 GMT) |
For
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
as the Borrower
Date:
4
SCHEDULE 1 : AMENDMENTS TO THE FACILITIES AGREEMENT
1. | Clause 1.1 (Definitions) of the Facilities Agreement shall be amended by: |
(A) | deleting the following definitions: |
“Acquisition Agreement”;
“Availability Period”;
“First End Date Extension”;
“First Extended End Date”;
“Original End Date”;
“Second End Date Extension”; and
“Second Extended End Date”.
(B) | inserting the following new definitions in the correct alphabetical order as follows: |
“Acquisition Agreement” means the agreement and plan of merger between the Borrower, Bidco, the Target, Leto Holdings I, Inc. and Leto Holdings II, LLC dated 13 December 2021, as amended pursuant to that certain amendment no. 1 to the agreement and plan of merger dated 14 March 2022.
“Availability Period” means the period on and from the date of this Agreement and ending at 11.59 pm (New York City time) on the earlier to occur of:
(A) | the date falling 90 days after the Closing Date; |
(B) | the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms; |
(C) | if the End Date Extension has not occurred, the Original End Date; and |
(D) | if the End Date Extension has occurred, the Extended End Date. |
“End Date Extension” means the extension of the Original End Date to the Extended End Date pursuant to Section 10.01(b)(i) of the Acquisition Agreement;
“Extended End Date” means 13 March 2023; and
“Original End Date” means 31 December 2022.
2. | Clause 7.4 (Automatic cancellation) of the Facilities Agreement shall be amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following: |
“7.4 | Automatic cancellation |
The Total Commitments shall be immediately cancelled at 11.59 pm (New York City time) on the earlier to occur of:
(A) | the Original End Date, if the Closing Date has not occurred by that date and the End Date Extension has not occurred; |
5
(B) | the Extended End Date, if the Closing Date has not occurred by that date; and |
(C) | the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.”. |
3. | Paragraph (C) of clause 19.8 (Acquisition) of the Facilities Agreement shall be amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with the following: |
“The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent (and the Agent shall, promptly upon receiving such notice, notify the Lenders) if, in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, the Original End Date is extended to the Extended End Date.”
6
Exhibit 10.5
Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is (i) not material and (ii) the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that has been omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
AMENDMENT LETTER
To: | Rentokil Initial plc (the “Borrower”) |
Compass House | |
Manor Royal | |
Crawley | |
West Sussex | |
RH10 9PY |
25 May 2022
Dear Sir or Madam
Project Noble – USD 2,700,000,000 bridge and term facilities agreement dated 25 February 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Facilities Agreement”)
1. | Interpretation |
1.1 | Incorporation of defined terms |
(A) | We refer to the Facilities Agreement. Unless a contrary indication appears in this letter, a term defined in the Facilities Agreement has the same meaning in this letter. In addition, the definition below applies in this letter: |
“Effective Date” means the date on which this letter is countersigned by the Borrower.
(B) | Unless a contrary indication appears in this letter, the principles of construction set out in the Facilities Agreement shall have effect as if set out in, and referring to, this letter. |
1.2 | Third party rights |
(A) | Unless expressly provided to the contrary in this letter, a person who is not a party to this letter has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any of its terms. |
(B) | Notwithstanding any term of this letter, the consent of any person who is not a party to this letter is not required to rescind or vary this letter at any time. |
1.3 | Designation |
In accordance with the Facilities Agreement, each of the Borrower and the Agent designate this letter as a Finance Document.
2. | Amendment |
With effect on and from the Effective Date, the Facilities Agreement shall be amended as set out in Schedule 1 (Amendments to the Facilities Agreement).
3. | Representations |
The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing:
(A) | on the date of this letter as if references to “this Agreement” and “the Finance Documents” are references to the Facilities Agreement as if it were amended by this letter; and |
(B) | on the Effective Date. |
4. | Continuing obligations |
(A) | The provisions of the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents shall, save as amended by this letter, continue in full force and effect. |
(B) | No waiver of any provisions of any Finance Document is given by the terms of this letter and the Finance Parties expressly reserve all their rights and remedies in respect of any breach of, or Default under, the Finance Documents. |
(C) | References in the Facilities Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and expressions of similar import shall, on and from the Effective Date, be deemed to be references to the Facilities Agreement as amended by this letter. |
(D) | References, however expressed, in any Finance Document (other than the Facilities Agreement) to the Facilities Agreement shall, on and from the Effective Date, be deemed to be references to the Facilities Agreement as amended by this letter. |
5. | Transaction Expenses |
The Borrower shall within three Business Days of demand reimburse the Agent for the amount of all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of this letter and any other documents referred to in this letter.
6. | Fees |
(A) | Subject to paragraph (B) below, the Borrower shall pay a fee of [***] per cent of the Total Facility A Commitments as at 1 July 2022 (the “First Fee”) and shall pay a fee of [***] per cent of the Total Facility A Commitments as at 1 October 2022 (the “Second Fee”). |
(B) | The First Fee shall only be payable if all of the Facility A Commitments have not been cancelled on or before 30 June 2022 and the Second Fee shall only be payable if all of the Facility A Commitments have not been cancelled on or before 30 September 2022. |
(C) | If the First Fee is payable in accordance with this paragraph 6, it shall be paid on 1 July 2022 and if the Second Fee is payable in accordance with this paragraph 6, it shall be paid on 3 October 2022. |
(D) | Any fee payable in accordance with this paragraph 6 shall be payable by the Borrower to the Agent for the account of each Lender pro rata to the Facility A Commitments that are held by that Lender on 1 July 2022 (in the case of the First Fee) and on 1 October 2022 (in the case of the Second Fee). |
(E) | Any fee payable in accordance with this paragraph 6: |
(1) | shall be paid to the account of the Agent as specified by the Agent; |
(2) | must be made in immediately available, freely transferable funds and in USD; and |
(3) | once paid, shall be non-refundable and non-creditable against other fees payable in connection with the Facilities Agreement. |
7. | Miscellaneous |
7.1 | Incorporation of terms |
The provisions of clauses 29 (Notices), 31 (Partial Invalidity), 32 (Remedies and Waivers) and 39 (Jurisdiction) of the Facilities Agreement shall be incorporated into this letter as if set out in full in this letter and as if reference in those clauses to “this Agreement” are references to this letter.
7.2 | Counterparts |
This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this letter.
8. | Governing law |
This letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
If you agree to the above, please sign where indicated below.
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of
SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL)
as Agent (acting on the instructions of all of the Facility A Lenders)
We agree to the above.
For
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
as the Borrower
Date:
Schedule 1 : Amendments to The Facilities Agreement
1. | Clause 2.4(A) (Extension Option) of the Facilities Agreement shall be amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with: |
“(A) | The Borrower may, by giving an Extension Notice to the Agent, extend the Termination Date of Facility A to 1 April 2024, or if that extended date is not a Business Day, the following Business Day.” |
2. | Paragraph 2 of Part 2 (Extension Notice) of Schedule 3 (Requests) of the Facilities Agreement shall be amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with: |
“2. | We request that the Termination Date of Facility A be extended to 1 April 2024, or if that extended date is not a Business Day, the following Business Day.” |
Exhibit 10.6
Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is (i) not material and (ii) the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. Information that has been omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark “[***]”.
|
£120,000,000 uncommitted revolving CREDIT AGREEMENT
This Agreement is dated May 2022 and is made between
1) | Rentokil Initial Plc, a company incorporated under the laws of England, having its registered address at Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom, RH10 9PY, registration number 5393279 (the Borrower); |
2) | ING Bank N.V., London Branch, a company with UK establishment number BR000341, having its registered address at 8-10 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6DA, (the Bank). |
IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. | Definitions |
Terms used in this Agreement have the following meaning:
Affiliate means in relation to any Person, a Subsidiary of that Person, or a Holding Company of that Person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Agreement means this agreement (including the attached schedules) as amended from time to time.
Appointment Date means the proposed Appointment Date specified in the Lending Affiliate Appointment Notice.
Authorisation means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
Bail-In Action means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Bail-In Legislation means:
(a) | in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and |
(b) | in relation to any other state, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation. |
Base Rate means for any Loan or (related) Unpaid Sum in GBP the Compounded Base Rate or if a Replacement Base Rate has been agreed in accordance with Clause 5.7 Replacement of Published Screen Rate such Replacement Base Rate and, if the Replacement Base Rate is below zero, the Replacement Base Rate will be deemed to be zero.
Break Funding Costs means the amount determined by the Bank to be the costs incurred as a result of the Borrower repaying a Loan on another date than the last day of an Interest Period.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London.
Central Bank Rate has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Rate Terms.
Central Bank Rate Adjustment has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Rate Terms.
Central Bank Rate Spread has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Rate Terms.
Change of Control means (i) the current parent or controlling shareholder ceasing to Control the Borrower or (ii) the obtaining of Control over the Borrower by a Person or a group of Persons who acted jointly on the basis of an arrangement or understanding between themselves.
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Compounded Base Rate means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during the Interest Period of a Loan, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate for that RFR Banking Day.
Control means (i) the direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of the shares, voting capital or similar rights of ownership of a Person, or (ii) the power to directly or indirectly, on the basis of an agreement, through the exercise of voting rights or otherwise, appoint or dismiss the majority of the members of the board of directors or supervisory board or give directions regarding the policies of the Person with which such members are obliged to comply.
Cost of Funds means the interest rate per annum which the Bank determines in its sole discretion is the cost it will incur in order to fund a Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select.
Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate means, in relation to an Interest Period for a Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Bank in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 5 Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate.
Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day during an Interest Period for a Loan, the percentage rate per annum determined by the Bank in accordance with the methodology set out in Schedule 4 Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate.
Daily Rate means the rate specified as such in the applicable Rate Terms.
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance which would become an Event of Default with the lapse of time, giving of notice, expiry of a grace period or the making of any determination of an Event of Default.
EEA Member Country means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
Event of Default means an event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 11 Events of Default.
Existing Syndicated RCF means the multicurrency revolving facility agreement between the Borrower, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) as agent and the lenders named therein originally dated 27 January 2015 as may be amended and/or amended and restated from time to time (including, most recently, in form as amended and restated pursuant to an amendment and restatement agreement dated 8 September 2021). For the avoidance of doubt, if the Bank ceases to participate in the Existing Syndicated RCF or the Existing Syndicated RCF is cancelled and/or terminated prior to termination of this Agreement, then all references to the Existing Syndicated RCF (including definitions and provisions thereunder) shall be by reference to the form of the Existing Syndicated RCF in force on the last date on which the Bank participates in that Existing Syndicated RCF.
Facility means the revolving credit facility made available pursuant to this Agreement.
Final Maturity Date means, without prejudice to the uncommitted and on-demand nature of the Facility (pursuant to Clause 2.2 Uncommitted facility and Clause 7.3 Cancellation, respectively), 30 December 2022.
Finance Document means this Agreement, Utilisation Request, fee letter and any other document designated as such by the Bank and the Borrower, all as may be amended from time to time.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:
a) | moneys borrowed; |
b) | any acceptance credit; |
c) | any bond, note, debenture or other similar instrument; |
d) | any lease or hire purchase contract or a liability which would in accordance with IFRS, (local) GAAP (General Accepted Accounting Principles) or (other) local accounting standards be treated as a balance sheet liability; |
e) | receivables sold or discounted (otherwise than on a non-recourse basis); |
f) | any derivative transaction entered into to protect against or benefit from fluctuations in any interest, rate or price (and the then marked to market value of the derivative transaction will be used to calculate its amount); |
g) | any other transaction which has the commercial effect of a borrowing; |
h) | any counter-indemnity obligation or other recourse commitment in respect of any guarantee, indemnity, bond, letter of credit, or other similar instrument issued by a bank or financial institution; or |
i) | any guarantee, indemnity, surety-ship or similar assurance against financial loss in respect of any liability referred to in the above paragraphs a) up to and including h). |
Group means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
Holding Company means, in relation to a Person, any other Person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
Increased Cost means:
a) | an additional or increased cost (including, but not limited to, any cost incurred by the Bank or any of its Affiliates as a result of the compliance with the minimum reserve requirements or other requirements imposed by any relevant central bank, by law or regulation); |
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b) | a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on the Bank’s or any of its Affiliates’ invested overall capital; or |
c) | a reduction of an amount due and payable under any Finance Document, |
which is incurred or suffered by the Bank or any of its Affiliates to the extent attributable (directly or indirectly) to the Bank having entered into any Finance Document or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.
Interest Period means, in relation to a Loan or Unpaid Sum, the period determined in accordance with Clause 5 Interest and Fees.
Lending Affiliate means an entity which has become a Party as a lending affiliate in accordance with Clause 22.1 Appointment of Lending Affiliates.
Lending Affiliate Appointment Notice means a notice of appointment of a Lending Affiliate, in a form agreed between the Bank and the relevant Lending Affiliate.
Lending Affiliate Resignation Notice means a notice of resignation of a Lending Affiliate, in a form agreed between the Lender and the relevant Lending Affiliate.
Lending Affiliate Utilisation means, in relation to a Lending Affiliate, a Loan in which that Lending Affiliate has been nominated to participate pursuant to Clause 22.3 Nomination of Lending Affiliate Utilisations.
Lending Affiliate Utilisation Notice means a notice of a Lending Affiliate Utilisation, in a form agreed between the Lender and the relevant Lending Affiliate.
Limit means the (aggregate) amount specified in Clause 2 Facility, including, if applicable, any sub-limit, to the extent not cancelled, increased or reduced under this Agreement.
Loan means a loan made or to be made available under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
Lookback Period has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Rate Terms.
Margin means the rate set out in Clause 5.3 Margin.
Market Disruption Event means:
a) | the relevant RFR or Central Bank Rate is not available for an RFR Banking Day or a Published Rate Replacement Event has occurred and this Agreement has not been amended pursuant to Clause 5.7Replacement of Published Screen Rate; or |
b) | before close of business in London on a Reporting Day for a Loan, the cost to the Bank of funding the Loan in the market specified as such in the Rate Terms for the relevant Interest Period would be in excess of the aggregate of the applicable Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate |
Material Adverse Effect means any material adverse effect on:
a) | the financial condition, business, assets or prospects of the Borrower or the Group; |
b) | the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under any Finance Document; or |
c) | the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or ranking of any Finance Document or of a right of the Bank thereunder. |
Original Financial Statements means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the financial year ended 31st December 2021.
Party means a party to this Agreement.
Person means any natural person, legal entity, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality).
Pound sterling, pound sterling, £ and GBP means the lawful currency of United Kingdom.
Published Rate Replacement Event means (i) in the reasonable opinion of the Bank, the methodology, formula or other means of determining the RFR has materially changed or (ii) the administrator of the RFR announces that (a) it is insolvent or that it shall cease to provide the RFR (and there is no successor administrator) or (b) such RFR may no longer be used or shall be indefinitely or permanently discontinued or (c) a supervisor or administrator of such RFR publicly announces that RFR is no longer or, as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative of the underlying market or the economic reality that it is intended to measure and that such representativeness will not be restored.
Rate Terms means in relation to a Loan or an Unpaid Sum in GBP the terms set out for that currency in Schedule 3 Rate Terms.
Relevant Market has the meaning given to that term in the applicable Rate Terms.
Replacement Base Rate means a benchmark rate which is:
a) | implemented, designated or recommended as a replacement by the administrator of the RFR or a central bank or any other supervisory or regulatory authority; or |
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b) | agreed by the Borrower and the Bank as, generally accepted in the international or domestic loan markets as the appropriate successor to a RFR or otherwise an appropriate successor to a RFR. |
Reporting Day means the day (if any) specified as such in the applicable Rate Terms.
Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
RFR means any rate specified as such in the applicable Rate Terms.
RFR Banking Day means any day specified as such in the applicable Rate Terms.
Resolution Authority means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Rollover Loan means one or more Loans:
(a) | made or to be made on the same day that a maturing Loan is due to be repaid; |
(b) | the aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the amount of the maturing Loan; |
(c) | in the same currency as the maturing Loan; and |
(d) | made or to be made to the same Borrower for the purpose of refinancing a maturing Loan. |
Security Interest means (the creation of) a pledge, charge, hypothecation, mortgage, lien or any other security interest securing any obligation of any Person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect in the relevant jurisdiction.
Subsidiary means in relation to a specified Person any Person over which it has Control.
Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by the Borrower under the Finance Documents.
Utilisation Date means each date on which a Loan is made or to be made.
Utilisation Request means a request for a Loan in writing substantially in the form of Schedule 2 Utilisation Request or in any other manner or form as accepted by the Bank.
Write-down and Conversion Powers means:
(a) | in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and |
(b) | in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation: |
(i) | any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and |
(ii) | any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation. |
2. | Facility |
2.1 | Availability |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Bank makes available to the Borrower an uncommitted revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount of £120,000,000 (one hundred and twenty million British Pounds).
The aggregate amount of the outstanding Loans may not exceed the Limit at any moment in time.
2.2 | Uncommitted facility |
The Facility is uncommitted and repayable on demand in accordance with Clause 7.3 Cancellation. The Bank does not have any obligation under this Agreement and it is at its sole discretion to honour a request for a Loan.
3. | Purpose |
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Facility towards the financing of working capital including acquisitions and dividends. The Bank is not bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4. | Conditions |
4.1 | Conditions precedent |
The first Loan may be requested by the Borrower, via a method as approved by the Bank, only after the Bank has notified the Borrower that it has received all of the documents and evidence set out in Schedule 1 Conditions Precedent in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank. The Bank will give this notification to the Borrower as soon as reasonably practicable after being so satisfied. This does not affect the uncommitted character of the Facility.
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4.2 | Utilisation Request |
The Borrower may request a Loan by giving the Bank, via a method as approved by the Bank, a duly completed and duly executed Utilisation Request substantially in the form of Schedule 2 Utilisation Request. A Utilisation Request for a Loan must be given to the Bank two RFR Banking Days before the date of Utilisation. A Utilisation Request is irrevocable.
4.3 | Utilisation |
Without prejudice to Clause 2.2 Uncommitted facility, the Bank is not obliged to make a Loan available if:
(a) | on the date of the Utilisation Request or on the Utilisation Date, in the case of a Rollover Loan an Event of Default is continuing, or in case of a Loan other than a Rollover Loan a Default is continuing or would result from that Loan; |
(b) | the Borrower has issued a notice pursuant to Clause 8.4 Notification of Default. |
(c) | the amount of the Loan is less than £10,000,000 or, if higher, increased with integral multiples of £5,000,000; |
(d) | the currency of the Loan does not comply with Clause 2 Facility; |
(e) | the Interest Period does not comply with Clause 5.1 Interest Periods; |
(f) | as a result of the proposed utilisation more than 3 Loans would be outstanding; or |
(g) | as a result of the proposed utilisation the aggregate amount of the outstanding Loans would exceed the Limit. |
5. | Interest and FEES |
5.1 | Interest Periods |
(a) | The term of each Loan equals the applicable Interest Period and each Loan has one Interest Period only. |
(b) | The Borrower may select an Interest Period of 1 month (or any other period as agreed between the Borrower and the Bank) in the Utilisation Request for that Loan. |
(c) | If the Borrower fails to select an Interest Period the relevant Interest Period will be 1 month |
(d) | The Interest Period will start on the Utilisation Date. The Bank will determine the appropriate Interest Period for any Unpaid Sum. |
(e) | An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date. |
5.2 | Obligation to pay interest |
(a) | The Borrower must pay interest on each Loan made available to it and on any Unpaid Sum on the last day of each Interest Period. |
(b) | The rate of interest on each Loan for any day during an Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum equal to the aggregate of the applicable Base Rate for that day and Margin. |
(c) | If any day during an Interest Period for a Loan or Unpaid Sum is not an RFR Banking Day, the rate of interest on that Loan for that day will be the rate applicable to the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day. |
(d) | The Bank shall promptly upon such total amount of interest being determinable, notify the Borrower of the determination of the total amount of accrued interest that relates to a Loan or Unpaid Sum and is, or is scheduled to become, payable under this Agreement. |
5.3 | Margin |
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5.4 | Default interest |
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rate of interest in respect of an Unpaid Sum and the rate of interest referred to in Clause 5.2 Obligation to pay debit interest will be equal to the aggregate of:
(a) | the Base Rate; |
(b) | the (relevant) Margin (which will be the highest applicable rate set out in Clause 5.3 Margin); and |
(c) | 1% per annum. |
5.5 | Market disruption |
If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to a Loan for any Interest Period, then the Bank may give notice to the Borrower that the rate of interest for that period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of the (relevant) Margin and the Cost of Funds.
5.6 | Front-end fee/Arrangement fee |
The Borrower must pay to the Bank [***] on the earlier of: (i) 3 Business Days after the date of this Agreement and (ii) the first Utilisation Date.
5.7 | Replacement of Published Screen Rate |
If a Published Rate Replacement Event occurs the Bank and the Borrower may agree such amendments to the Finance Documents as may be required to (i) provide for and align the Finance Documents to the use of a Replacement Base Rate for the calculation of any interest under this Agreement, (ii) provide for appropriate fall-back provisions for the Replacement Base Rate and (iii) adjust the pricing to reduce or mitigate the transfer of economic value from one Party to another as a result of the application of the Replacement Base Rate.
6. | Repayment |
The Borrower must repay each Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for that Loan. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, amounts repaid under this Clause may be re-borrowed and without prejudice to Clause 2.2 Uncommitted facility.
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7. | Prepayment and cancellation |
7.1 | Mandatory prepayment – Illegality, Change of Control |
(a) | If it becomes unlawful for the Bank or any of its Affiliates to perform any of its obligations, to fund, issue or maintain any Loan or to receive interest under any Finance Document, the Bank may immediately cancel the Limit and/or declare all outstanding Loans, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents, to be immediately due and payable. |
(b) | The Borrower must promptly notify the Bank if it becomes aware of any Change of Control or intended Change of Control. After a Change of Control, the Bank may by not less than 5 days’ notice to the Borrower cancel the Limit and/or declare all outstanding Loans, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents, to be immediately due and payable. |
7.2 | Voluntary prepayment |
(a) | Without prejudice to Clause 16.6 Break Funding Costs, the Borrower may, by giving not less than 10 Business Days prior notice to the Bank (or such other period as may be agreed to by the Bank), prepay each Loan in whole or in part, provided that a prepayment of part of a Loan must be made in a minimum amount of £10,000,000 and integral multiples of £5,000,000. Each prepayment notice is irrevocable and must specify the relevant date(s) and the amount of the Loan to be prepaid. |
(b) | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Funding Costs without premium or penalty. |
7.3 | Cancellation, repayment and termination |
(a) | The Borrower may, by giving not less than 3 Business Days prior notice to the Bank, cancel the available Limit in whole or in part, provided that a partial cancellation must be in a minimum amount of £10,000,000 and an integral multiple of £5,000,000. Each cancellation notice is irrevocable and must specify the relevant date(s) and the amount to be cancelled. |
(b) | Notwithstanding the rights of the Bank set out in this Agreement, the Bank may at any time, by giving notice to the Borrower, cancel the available Limit in whole or in part and declare that the outstanding Loans, including accrued interest and any other amounts due by the Borrower under the Finance Documents are – if no Event of Default is continuing (in which case Clause 12 Acceleration is applicable) –due and payable within 3 Business Days of receipt by the Borrower of the relevant notice (without any demand or notice of default being required). |
(c) | without prejudice to, and in addition to, the uncommitted and on-demand nature of the Facility (pursuant to Clause 2.2 Uncommitted facility and this Clause 7.3 Cancellation, respectively), it is agreed between the Bank and Borrower that: |
(i) | if the facility is undrawn on 31 May 2022, then the Bank will be entitled to immediately cancel the Facility, which shall be effective on that day, without notice to the Borrower; and |
(ii) |
(X) all outstanding Loan(s) (together with accrued interest and subject further to any Break Funding Costs without premium or penalty) shall become due and payable in full on the Final Maturity Date, and
(Y) this Agreement shall terminate on the Final Maturity Date (unless otherwise agreed to by the Bank), in each case, without notice to the Borrower.
8. | Information covenants |
8.1 | Financial statements |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 21.1 (Financial statements) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
8.2 | Changes of financial year or in the method of financial reporting |
(a) | The Borrower must notify the Bank of any proposed change of its financial year or to the manner in which its financial statements are prepared. |
(b) | If requested by the Bank, the Borrower must supply to the Bank: |
(i) | a full description of any change notified under paragraph (a) above; |
(ii) | sufficient information to enable the Bank to make a proper comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent audited consolidated financial statements delivered to the Bank under this Agreement prior to the implementation of the change; and |
(iii) | positive sign-off by the Borrower’s auditor regarding the change. |
8.3 | Information – miscellaneous |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 21.4 (Information: miscellaneous) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
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8.4 | Notification of Default |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 21.5 (Notification of default) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
9. | General covenants |
9.1 | General |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by the covenants set out in this Clause 9 General Covenants relating to it. Where a covenant is expressed to apply to all members of the Group, the Borrower must ensure that each of its Subsidiaries complies with that covenant.
9.2 | Compliance with laws |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 23.2 (Compliance with laws) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
9.3 | Negative pledge |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 23.3 (Negative pledge) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
9.4 | Pari Passu |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 23.7 (Pari Passu) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
10. | representations |
The Borrower makes each of the representations and warranties set out in clause 20 (Representations) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
The Borrower makes each of the representations and warranties to the Bank on the date of this Agreement. The representations are deemed to be made by the Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period.
11. | Events of default |
Each of the events set out in this Clause 11 Events of Default is an Event of Default.
11.1 | Non-payment |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 24.1 (Non-payment) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
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11.2 | Breach of other obligations |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 24.3 (Other obligations) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
11.3 | Misrepresentation |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 24.4 (Misrepresentation) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
11.4 | Cross-default |
(a) | The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under clause 24.5 (Cross default) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times). |
(b) | An event of default (however described) has occurred under Existing Syndicated RCF pursuant to the terms therein. |
11.5 | Insolvency, dissolution or attachment |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under each of clause 24.6 (Insolvency), clause 24.7 (Insolvency proceedings) and clause 24.8 (Creditors’ process) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
11.6 | Changes within the Group |
The Borrower’s articles of association or internal rules or regulations are, in the opinion of the Bank, materially amended or the corporate structure of the Group is, in the opinion of the Bank, changed significantly, by a merger, demerger, winding up, conversion, takeover or otherwise.
11.7 | Cessation of business |
A member of the Group ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on all, or a material part of its business.
11.8 | Invalidity and unenforceability of the Finance Documents |
The Borrower agrees to be bound by and shall comply with all provisions under each of clause 24.10 (Unlawfulness), and clause 24.11 (Repudiation) of the Existing Syndicated RCF which shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Agreement as if, without limitation: (A) references to “the Agreement” (referencing the Existing Syndicated RCF) were references to this Agreement; (B) references to “the Agent” were references to the Bank; (C) references to each of “the Lenders”, “the Majority Lenders” and “the Finance Party” were references to the Bank; (D) references to “the Obligor” were references to the Borrower and (E) references to “the Finance Document” shall be deemed to include this Agreement and the “Finance Document” as defined hereunder. In the case of any conflict of interpretation or definition between this Agreement and the Existing Syndicated RCF, the Bank’s interpretation shall prevail (acting reasonably and in good faith at all times).
12. | Acceleration |
Without prejudice to Clause 2.2 Uncommitted facility and Clause 7.3 Cancellation and to any other rights it may have under this Agreement, if an Event of Default occurs or is continuing, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower:
(a) | cancel the Limit in whole or in part; |
(b) | declare that any and all amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents are: |
(i) | immediately (without a default notice being required) due and payable (as a result of which all outstanding Loans including accrued interest and any other amounts due by the Borrower under the Finance Documents (including Break Funding Costs) are immediately due and payable), or |
(ii) | payable on first demand by the Bank (as a result of which all outstanding Loans including accrued interest and any other amounts due by the Borrower under the Finance Documents (including Break Funding Costs) will become payable on first demand by the Bank); and/or |
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(c) | require that guarantees are provided and/or Security Interests are created by the Borrower and/or its Affiliates for such amounts as indicated by the Bank in order to fully secure any and all liabilities under the Finance Documents, in which case such Persons must provide those guarantees and/or create those Security Interests immediately. |
13. | Payments and set-off |
13.1 | Currency of account |
(a) | Each (re)payment in respect of Loans, Unpaid Sums, interest, costs, expenses or taxes shall be made in the currency in which such amounts are denominated or, if applicable, incurred. |
(b) | Any amount expressed to be payable in a specific currency shall be paid in that currency. |
13.2 | Place of payment |
All payments to the Bank under the Finance Documents shall be made into the account specified by the Bank.
13.3 | No set-off |
All payments made by the Borrower under the Finance Documents must be made without set-off or counterclaim.
13.4 | Set-off by the Bank |
The Bank is at all times entitled to set off any debt receivable by it from the Borrower under or in connection with the Finance Documents, whether or not due and payable and whether or not contingent (each a claim), against any debt owed by the Bank to the Borrower, whether or not due and payable (each a debt), regardless of the currency in which the relevant claim and the relevant debt are denominated.
13.5 | Business Days |
If a payment under a Finance Document is due on a day which is not a Business Day or in the case of a Loan, an RFR Banking Day, the due date for that payment will instead be the next Business Day in the same calendar month or in respect of a Loan, the next RFR Banking Day in the same calendar month or if there is no such day in that calendar month the preceding Business Day or in the case of a Loan, the preceding RFR Banking Day.
13.6 | Priority of payments |
If the funds provided by the Borrower for the payment of amounts due under the Finance Documents are insufficient, the priority of payments shall be determined by the Bank irrespective of the due date of the particular amounts or any instruction of the Borrower.
14. | INCREASED COST |
The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of a written demand from the Bank, pay to the Bank the amount equal to any Increased Cost incurred by the Bank or any of its Affiliates as a result of:
(a) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of), any law or regulation (with or without having the force of law) made after the date of this Agreement; |
(b) | compliance with any law or regulation (with or without having the force of law) made after the date of this Agreement; or |
(c) | the implementation or application of or compliance with Basel III or any law or regulation that implements, applies or amends Basel III. |
For this Clause Basel III means:
(a) | Directive 2013/36/EU of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directive 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC (CRD IV); |
(b) | Regulation (EU) no. 575/2013 of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending regulation (EU) No. 648/2012 (CRR); and |
(c) | any and all other agreements, rules, guidance, regulations and/or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”. |
15. | Evidence and calculations |
15.1 | Evidence |
In the absence of manifest error:
(a) | accounts maintained by the Bank will be conclusive evidence of the existence and the amount of the obligations of the Borrower under any Finance Document; and |
(b) | a determination by the Bank of a fee, an interest rate or amount under any Finance Document will be conclusive evidence. |
15.2 | Calculations |
Any interest or fee accruing under this Agreement accrues from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days.
16. | Indemnity and gross up |
16.1 | Indemnity |
The Borrower must indemnify the Bank promptly upon demand against any costs, loss or expenses (including notarial and legal fees) which the Bank incurs in connection with (i) the occurrence of, or investigating any event or circumstances which the Bank reasonably believes to be a Default or an Event of Default, (ii) the enforcement of the performance by the Borrower of its obligations, or the preservation of any rights, under or in connection with the Finance Documents and (iii) the creation, execution, modification and termination of any Security Interest.
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16.2 | Currency indemnity |
If any sum due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents has to be converted into another currency, the Borrower shall as an independent obligation within 3 Business Days of a written demand: (i) indemnify the Bank against any loss, cost or liability; and (ii) make such additional payment to the Bank necessary to enable it to exchange the sum received against the exchange rate available to it at the time it is received, into the sum and currency originally expressed to be due under the Finance Documents. The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency other than the currency in which it is expressed to be payable.
16.3 | Gross up |
(a) | The Borrower must make all payments to be made under the Finance Documents without any tax deduction, unless a tax deduction is required by law. If a tax deduction is required by law to be made by the Borrower or the Bank, the amount of the payment due from the Borrower will be increased to an amount which (after making the tax payment) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no tax payment had been required. |
(b) | Without prejudice to paragraph (a), if the Bank is or will be subject to any liability or required to make any payment for or on account of tax on or in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document, the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of a written demand from the Bank, pay to the Bank an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which the Bank determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of tax by the Bank in respect of a Finance Document. |
(c) | Paragraph (b) does not apply to any tax assessed on the Bank if that tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by the Bank. |
16.4 | Stamp duty |
The Borrower shall pay and indemnify the Bank against any cost, loss or liability that the Bank incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
16.5 | Value added tax |
All amounts payable under a Finance Document to the Bank shall be deemed to be exclusive of any value added tax (VAT). If VAT is chargeable, the Borrower shall, pay to the Bank (in addition to and at the same time as paying the original amount) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT. Where a Finance Document requires the Borrower to reimburse or indemnify the Bank for any costs or expenses, the Borrower shall, at the same time reimburse and indemnify the Bank against all VAT incurred by the Bank in respect of the costs or expenses save to the extent that the Bank is entitled to repayment or credit in respect of such VAT.
16.6 | Break Funding Costs |
If a Loan is repaid prior to the end of its Interest Period, the Borrower must pay to the Bank the Break Funding Costs attributable to that Loan.
17. | Changes to the documents and parties |
17.1 | Amendments, waivers and consents |
Any waiver, amendment and consent in relation to or under the Finance Documents must be agreed upon in writing.
17.2 | Transfers by the Borrower |
The Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under any Finance Document without the prior written consent of the Bank.
17.3 | Transfers by the Bank |
(a) | Subject to paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) below, the Bank may not freely assign or transfer any or all of its obligations under any Finance Document without prior written consent of the Borrower (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), and any such consent of the Borrower shall be deemed to have been given following 5 Business Days’ of request by the Bank. |
(b) | Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Borrower’s consent contemplated under paragraph (a) shall not be required: |
(i) | at a time when an Event of Default has occurred; or |
(ii) | in the case of assignment or transfer to an Affiliate of the Bank. |
(c) | At any time, the Bank may freely create a Security Interest over any or all of its rights and/or any or all of its obligations under any Finance Document |
(d) | To the extent necessary, the Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees in advance to cooperate with and in advance approves any assignment, transfer or the creation of any Security Interest in accordance with this Clause. |
18. | Notices |
18.1 | Manner of giving notices |
(a) | Any communication in connection with a Finance Document must be in writing, or, if agreed or indicated by the Bank, electronically (including, but not limited to, e-mail), and must be duly signed and, unless stated otherwise, may be made by letter, sent by post or attached to an e-mail. |
(b) | The Bank may rely on the literal wording of any notice (purporting to be) from the Borrower and is not obliged to verify the contents thereof. Incompleteness or distortion of a notice is for the risk of the sender thereof. |
(c) | The Bank will not be liable for any loss and/or damage resulting from the use or electronic means of communication, including, but not limited to, loss or damage resulting from failure or delay in delivery, interception or manipulation by third parties or computer programs used for electronic communications and transmission of viruses. |
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18.2 | Contact details |
(a) | Subject to the provisions of this Clause and unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing between the Bank and the Borrower, the contact details of each Party for all communications are those notified by that Party on or before the date it becomes a Party to this Agreement. |
(b) | The contact details of the Borrower are: |
Rentokil Initial plc, Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9PY
Attention: Bente Salt and Treasury Front Office
Email: bente.salt@rentokil-initial.com and treasury.front-office@rentokil-initial.com
(c) | The contact details of the Bank are: |
ING Bank N.V., London Branch
8-10, Moorgate, London, EC2R 6DA, United Kingdom
Attention: Deal Execution (Operational matters) or Siobhan Walker (Commercial / Credit matters)
E-mail: Deal Execution (DealExecutionLondon@ing.com) / Siobhan Walker (Siobhan.Walker@ing.com)
(d) | A Party may change its contact details by giving 5 Business Days’ notice to the Bank (or in the case of the Bank, to the other Parties). |
(e) | Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Bank will only be effective if and when actually received by the Bank. |
(f) | Where a Party nominates a particular department or officer to receive a communication, a communication will not be effective if it fails to specify that department or officer. |
19. | Rights of third parties |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement may not enforce any of its terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
20. | DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATIon |
The Borrower irrevocably consents to the disclosure by the Bank, to the extent allowed by applicable law, of any (confidential) information, including personal data, regarding the Borrower and the Finance Documents, including information which is, if applicable, subject to bank secrecy rules, to:
(a) | the Bank’s Affiliates, professional advisers, auditors, Representatives and service providers; |
(b) | any Person with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly any transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to one or more Finance Documents and/or the Borrower; |
(c) | any Person to whom the Bank (intends to) assign(s), transfer(s) or create(s) a Security Interest over all or a part of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents, and to any of that entity’s Affiliates and other entities, including professional advisers, to the extent necessary or desired to conclude and perform such assignment, transfer or Security Interest; and |
(d) | any Person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority, the rules of any stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. |
21. | Contractual recognition of bail-in |
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:
(a) | any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation): |
(i) | a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability; |
(ii) | a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and |
(iii) | a cancellation of any such liability; and |
(b) | a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability. |
22. | LENDING AFFILIATES |
22.1 | Appointment of Lending Affiliates |
(a) | Subject to this Clause 22.1, an entity shall become a Party as a Lending Affiliate of the Bank on the relevant Appointment Date if: |
(i) | that entity is an Affiliate of the Bank; and |
(ii) | the Bank and that Affiliate execute and complete a Lending Affiliate Appointment Notice in relation to that Affiliate. |
(b) | The Bank shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after execution of a duly completed Lending Affiliate Appointment Notice, notify the Borrower of the appointment of that Lending Affiliate |
(c) | If a proposed appointment of an Affiliate of the Bank as a Lending Affiliate obliges that Affiliate to comply with "know your customer" or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Bank supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Bank (on behalf of that Affiliate) in order for that Affiliate to carry out and be satisfied that it has complied with all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents. |
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22.2 | Lending Affiliates as Bank |
(a) | Subject to this Clause 22, any reference in a Finance Document to the Bank shall be construed to include a Lending Affiliate. |
(b) | The Bank and each of its Lending Affiliates shall be treated as a single Bank for the purposes of: |
(i) | determining the Available Limit; and | |
(ii) | Clause 7.1 Mandatory prepayment – Illegality, Change of Control and Clause 7.2 Voluntary prepayment. |
22.3 | Nomination of Lending Affiliate Utilisations |
(a) | The Bank may, by delivery to the Borrower of a duly completed Lending Affiliate Utilisation Notice, nominate any of its Lending Affiliates to participate in any Loan specified in that Lending Affiliate Utilisation Notice. |
(b) | A Loan may only be specified by sub-clause (a) above by reference to any of: |
(i) | the Borrower(s) of that Loan or those Loans; |
(ii) | the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Borrower(s) of that Loan or Loans; |
(iii) | the currency of that Loan or those Loans; or |
(iv) | in the case of the specification of an individual Loan, the proposed date of that Loan. |
(c) | Clause 17.3 Transfers by the Bank shall not apply to any nomination of a Lending Affiliate Utilisation or to the effects of that nomination pursuant to this Clause 22.3. |
22.4 | Participation by Lending Affiliate |
(a) | If the Bank nominates any of its Lending Affiliates to participate in any Loan pursuant to Clause 22.3 Nomination of Lending Affiliate Utilisations the Bank will be released from its obligations under the Finance Documents which relate to those Loans and that Lending Affiliate will be bound by obligations equivalent to those obligations. |
(b) | The Bank shall not be responsible for, or liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person arising as a result of, the non-performance by any Lending Affiliate of that Lending Affiliate's obligations under the Finance Documents. |
22.5 | Payments |
Any obligation under any Finance Document to pay an amount to the Bank in relation to a Lending Affiliate Utilisation shall be construed as an obligation to pay that amount to the Lending Affiliate nominated by the Bank to participate in that Lending Affiliate Utilisation. |
22.6 | Limits |
(a) | Without prejudice to Clause 22.4 Participation by Lending Affiliate, a Lending Affiliate has no Limit and any portion of the Limit which relates to any Lending Affiliate Utilisation of the Lending Affiliate remains part of the Limit of the Bank. |
(b) | Any term of this Agreement which acts to cancel or reduce the Limit on the repayment or prepayment of a Loan shall, in the case of the repayment or prepayment of a Lending Affiliate Utilisation of a Lending Affiliate, operate to cancel or reduce the corresponding portion of the Limit of the Bank. |
22.7 | Effects on assignments and transfers |
(a) | Any assignment or transfer by the Bank pursuant to Clause 17.3 Transfers by the Bank of its rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Limit which relates to a Lending Affiliate Utilisation shall be construed to include an assignment or transfer, as the case may be, by it, on behalf of its Lending Affiliate nominated to participate in that Lending Affiliate Utilisation, of that Lending Affiliate's rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents which relate to that Lending Affiliate Utilisation. |
(b) | Subject to sub-clause (c) below, the rights and/or obligations of a Lending Affiliate under the Finance Documents may not be assigned or transferred other than pursuant to an assignment or transfer by the Bank described in sub-clause (a) above. |
(c) | A Lending Affiliate (the Existing Lending Affiliate) may, subject to Clause 17.3 Transfers by the Bank, assign any of its rights under any Finance Document which relate to an outstanding Lending Affiliate Utilisation to another Lending Affiliate of the Bank (the Alternative Lending Affiliate) or to the Bank. |
22.8 | Communications |
Each Lending Affiliate shall
be represented by the Bank for all administrative purposes under the Finance Documents and each Lending Affiliate shall deal with the
Borrower exclusively through the Bank.
Communications
22.9 | Other adjustments |
Any obligation under this Agreement for a Lending Affiliate to transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement shall be construed as an obligation for the Bank to transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement which relate to that portion of the Limit which relates to any Lending Affiliate Utilisation of that Lending Affiliate.
22.10 | Resignation of Lending Affiliate |
(a) | If no Lending Affiliate Utilisation in respect of which a Lending Affiliate (a Resigning Lending Affiliate) has rights or obligations under this Agreement is outstanding, that Lending Affiliate and the Bank may execute a Lending Affiliate Resignation Notice. |
(b) | The Bank shall as soon as reasonably practicable after execution of a duly completed Lending Affiliate Resignation Notice notify the Borrower of the resignation of that Resigning Lending Affiliate. |
(c) | Upon notification by the Bank to the Borrower of the resignation of that Resigning Lending Affiliate: |
(i) | that Resigning Lending Affiliate shall cease to be a Lending Affiliate and shall have no further rights or obligations under the Finance Documents as a Lending Affiliate; and |
(ii) | any nomination of that Lending Affiliate to participate in any Loan shall be cancelled. |
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(d) | A Lending Affiliate shall, and the Bank shall procure that such Lending Affiliate will, resign pursuant to this Clause 22.10 if:
|
(i) | that Lending Affiliate ceases to be an Affiliate of the Bank; or |
(ii) | the Bank ceases to be a lender under this Agreement. |
23. | Miscellaneous |
(a) | No failure or delay by the Bank in exercising any right or remedy under the Finance Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall prevent any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy, and the rights and remedies provided in the Finance Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. |
(b) | If, at any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable, it shall not affect or impair the legality, validity or enforceability of any other provisions of the Finance Documents. |
(c) | The Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement. |
24. | Governing law and jurisdiction |
(a) | This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it (including any dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) are governed by the laws of England. |
(b) | The courts of England, in first instance, have jurisdiction to settle any dispute in connection with this Agreement. This submission shall not limit the rights of the Bank to take proceedings in any other court which may exercise jurisdiction over the Borrower or any of its assets. |
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Schedule 1
Conditions Precedent
To be delivered before the first Utilisation
1) | Certified copies of the current constitutional documents of the Borrower. |
2) | A certified copy of the resolutions of a duly authorised committee of the Borrower approving the terms of this Agreement to which the Borrower is party and authorising specified persons to execute on behalf of the Borrower those documents and any other documents that it is necessary or desirable for the Borrower to enter into in connection with the Facility or the other Finance Documents. |
3) | A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolutions referred to in paragraph 2 above. |
4) | A certificate of the Borrower (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing up to the Facility Limit would not cause any borrowing limit binding on the Company to be exceeded. |
5) | A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Company certifying that each copy document relating to the Company specified in this Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent) is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded at a date no earlier than the date of this agreement. |
6) | All information that the Bank needs to fulfil its know your customer requirements and comply with applicable anti money-laundering legislation. |
7) | Proof that fees which are due have been paid |
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Schedule 2
Utilisation Request
To: | ING Bank N.V., London Branch |
From: | Rentokil Initial Plc |
Date: | [DATE] |
Rentokil Initial Plc - £120,000,000 Revolving Credit Agreement dated May 2022 (the “Agreement”)
1. | We refer to the Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Capitalised terms used herein have the meaning given to those terms in the Agreement unless defined otherwise herein. |
2. | We wish to borrow a Loan/Rollover Loan on the following terms: |
(a) | Utilisation Date: [●]; |
(b) | Amount and currency: GBP [●]; |
(c) | Interest Period: [●] months. |
3. | The bank account to which the Loan should be paid is: bank account [●] in the name of [●] held at [●]. |
4. | We confirm that each condition precedent under Clause 4.1 Conditions precedent of the Agreement which must be satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request is so satisfied and that there are no circumstances as described in Clause 4.3 Utilisation of the Agreement on the basis of which the Bank would not be obliged to extend the Loan. |
5. | This Utilisation Request is irrevocable. |
Rentokil Initial Plc | |
By: [●] | |
Title: [●] |
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Schedule 3
rate terms: Sterling
Currency: | GBP.
|
Central Bank Rate | The Bank of England's Bank Rate as published by the Bank of England from time to time.
|
Central Bank Rate Adjustment:
|
means, in relation to the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on any RFR Banking Day, the 20 per cent trimmed arithmetic mean (determined by the Bank) of the Central Bank Rate Spread for the five most immediately preceding RFR Banking Days for which the Daily Rate is available.
|
Central Bank Rate Spread: | means, in relation to any RFR Banking Day, the difference (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) determined by the Bank of:
(a) the Daily Rate for that RFR Banking Day; and (b) the Central Bank Rate prevailing at close of business on that RFR Banking Day.
|
Daily Rate: | The "Daily Rate" for any RFR Banking Day is:
(a) the RFR for that RFR Banking Day; or (b) if the RFR is not available for that RFR Banking Day, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of:
(i) the Central Bank Rate for that RFR Banking Day; and (ii) the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment; or (c) if paragraph (b) above applies but the Central Bank Rate for that RFR Banking Day is not available, the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of:
(i) the most recent Central Bank Rate for a day which is no more than 5 RFR Banking Days before that RFR Banking Day; and (ii) the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment, rounded, in either case, to four decimal places and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, the Daily Rate shall be deemed to be zero.
|
Lookback Period: | Five RFR Banking Days.
|
Relevant Market: | The sterling wholesale market.
|
Reporting Day: | The day which is the Lookback Period prior to the last day of the Interest Period or, if that day is not a Business Day, the immediately following Business Day.
|
RFR: | The SONIA (sterling overnight index average) reference rate displayed on the relevant screen of any authorised distributor of that reference rate.
|
RFR Banking Day: | A day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London.
|
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Schedule 4
DAILY NON-CUMULATIVE COMPoUNDED RFR RATE
The "Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate" for any RFR Banking Day "i" during an Interest Period for a Loan is the percentage rate per annum (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Bank performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose calculated as set out below:
where:
"UCCDRi" means the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that RFR Banking Day "i";
"UCCDRi-1" means, in relation to that RFR Banking Day "i", the Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for the immediately preceding RFR Banking Day (if any) during that Interest Period;
"dcc" means in respect of a Loan in GBP, 365, or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number;
"ni" means the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day "i" up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day; and
the "Unannualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate" for any RFR Banking Day (the "Cumulated RFR Banking Day") during that Interest Period is the result of the below calculation (without rounding, to the extent reasonably practicable for the Bank performing the calculation, taking into account the capabilities of any software used for that purpose) calculated as set out below:
where:
"ACCDR" means the Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
"tni" means the number of calendar days from, and including, the first day of the Cumulation Period to, but excluding, the RFR Banking Day which immediately follows the last day of the Cumulation Period;
"Cumulation Period" means the period from, and including, the first RFR Banking Day of that Interest Period to, and including, that Cumulated RFR Banking Day;
"dcc" has the meaning given to that term above; and
the "Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate" for that Cumulated RFR Banking Day is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to four decimal places) calculated as set out below:
where:
"d0" means the number of RFR Banking Days in the Cumulation Period;
"Cumulation Period" has the meaning given to that term above;
"i" means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order in the Cumulation Period;
"DailyRatei-LP" means, for any RFR Banking Day "i" in the Cumulation Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the applicable Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day "i";
"ni" means, for any RFR Banking Day "i" in the Cumulation Period, the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day "i" up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
"dcc" has the meaning given to that term above; and
"tni" has the meaning given to that term above.
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Schedule 5
CUMULATIVE COMPOUNDED RFR RATE
The "Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate" for any Interest Period for a Loan is the percentage rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as is specified in the definition of "Annualised Cumulative Compounded Daily Rate" in Schedule Daily Non-Cumulative Compounded RFR Rate) calculated as set out below:
where:
"d0" means the number of RFR Banking Days during the Interest Period;
"i" means a series of whole numbers from one to d0, each representing the relevant RFR Banking Day in chronological order during the Interest Period;
"DailyRatei-LP" means for any RFR Banking Day "i" during the Interest Period, the Daily Rate for the RFR Banking Day which is the applicable Lookback Period prior to that RFR Banking Day "i";
"ni" means, for any RFR Banking Day "i", the number of calendar days from, and including, that RFR Banking Day "i" up to, but excluding, the following RFR Banking Day;
"dcc" means in respect of a Loan in GBP, 365, or, in any case where market practice in the Relevant Market is to use a different number for quoting the number of days in a year, that number;
"d" means the number of calendar days during that Interest Period.
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SIGNATORIES
Rentokil Initial Plc | ||
By: | ||
Title: |
ING Bank N.V., London Branch | ||
By: | By: | |
Title: | Title: |
19/19
Exhibit 10.7
EXECUTION VERSION
Amended and Restated
Issue and Paying Agency
Agreement
between
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
as Issuer
and
HSBC BANK PLC
as Issue and Paying Agent
relating to
a £1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
Simmons &
Simmons LLP Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street London, EC2Y 9SS United Kingdom |
T
+44 207 628 2020 F +44 207 628 2070 |
![]() |
CONTENTS
1. | DEFINITIONS | 1 |
2. | APPOINTMENT OF THE AGENT | 3 |
3. | ISSUE OF NOTES | 4 |
4. | ISSUE OF REPLACEMENT NOTES | 6 |
5. | PAYMENT | 7 |
6. | INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT | 8 |
7. | WITHHOLDING TAX | 9 |
8. | INFORMATION COLLECTION | 10 |
9. | INFORMATION REPORTING AND SHARING | 10 |
10. | CANCELLATION, DESTRUCTION AND RECORDS | 10 |
11. | DOCUMENTS | 11 |
12. | INDEMNITY | 11 |
13. | GENERAL | 12 |
14. | CHANGES IN AGENTS | 14 |
15. | COMMISSIONS, FEES AND EXPENSES | 15 |
16. | NOTICES | 15 |
17. | INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE PROGRAMME | 16 |
18. | AMENDMENTS AND COUNTERPARTS | 16 |
19. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 16 |
20. | CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999 | 17 |
21. | GOVERNING LAW | 17 |
22. | ENFORCEMENT | 17 |
Schedule 1 FORM OF MULTICURRENCY BEARER PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE | 19 | |
Schedule 2 FORM OF MULTICURRENCY DEFINITIVE NOTE | 28 | |
Schedule 3 FORM OF CONFIRMATION TO ISSUE AND PAYING AGENT | 37 |
i
THIS AGREEMENT is dated 11 October 2021 and made
BETWEEN:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, (the “Issuer”), registered in England and Wales as company number 05393279 and having its registered office at Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9PY, United Kingdom; and |
(2) | HSBC BANK PLC, (the “Issue and Paying Agent”), registered in England and Wales as company number 00014259 and having its registered office at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom. |
BACKGROUND:
(A) | The parties hereto entered into an agency agreement on 27 March 2020 (the “Original Issue and Paying Agency Agreement”) in respect of a £1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme for the issue of Notes (as defined below) (the “Programme”) of the Issuer. |
(B) | The parties hereto have agreed to make certain modifications to the Original Issue and Paying Agency Agreement as set forth in this amended and restated agency agreement (the “Issue and Paying Agency Agreement” or the “Agreement”). |
(C) | Each Note will be substantially in one of the forms set out in the Schedules hereto. |
(D) | This Agreement amends and restates the Original Issue and Paying Agency Agreement. Any Notes issued under the Programme on or after the date hereof shall have the benefit of this Agreement. This does not affect any Notes issued under the Programme prior to the date of this Agreement or any Notes issued on or after the date of this Agreement which are to be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes of any series issued prior to the date of this Agreement. Subject to such amendment and restatement, the Original Issue and Paying Agency Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in respect of Notes issued prior to the date of this Agreement. |
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 | All terms defined in the Dealer Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meanings mutatis mutandis where used herein. |
1.2 | References herein to the Dealer Agreement shall mean the amended and restated Dealer Agreement dated 11 October 2021 between the Issuer, the Arranger and the Dealers as the same may be supplemented, amended, restated or replaced from time to time. The term “Dealers” shall include any dealer thereunder and the term “Notes” shall include any notes issued thereunder and to the extent the context so requires other terms defined under the Dealer Agreement in relation thereto shall have the corresponding meaning mutatis mutandis in relation to the Dealer Agreement. |
1.3 | References in this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement to the face amount of any Note shall be deemed to include any additional amounts which may become payable in respect thereof pursuant to the terms of such Note. |
“Agent” means the Issue and Paying Agent and any successor or additional agent appointed by the Issuer in accordance with Clause 14.
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“Applicable Law” means any law or regulation including, but not limited to (i) any statute or regulation; (ii) any rule or practice of any Authority by which any Party is bound or with which it is accustomed to comply; (iii) any agreement between any Authorities; and (iv) any agreement between any Authority and any Party that is customarily entered into by institutions of a similar nature.
“Authority” means any competent regulatory, prosecuting, tax or governmental authority in any jurisdiction.
“Business Day” has the meaning provided in Schedule 1.
“Clearing System” means Euroclear and Clearstream or any other relevant clearing system from time to time agreed between the Issuer, the relevant Dealer and the Issue and Paying Agent or Paying Agent that complies, as of the relevant issue date in respect of any Notes.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Deed of Covenant” means the deed of covenant dated 11 October 2021 entered into by the Issuer in favour of certain holders of Notes.
“Definitive Note” means a security printed bearer Note in definitive form substantially in the form set out in Schedule 2.
“euro” means the single currency of those member states of the European Union participating in the third stage of European economic and monetary union.
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, any official interpretations thereof, an IGA or an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code.
“FATCA Withholding” means any withholding or deduction required pursuant to FATCA or required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code.
“FFI” means a foreign financial institution for the purposes of FATCA.
“Global Note” means a bearer Note in global form which may be issued by the Issuer from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.
“IGA” means an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction to improve tax compliance and to implement FATCA.
“Issue Date” means in respect of any Note, the date for the issue and purchase of such Note.
“local time” means, in relation to any payment, the time in the city in which the relevant Agent or the relevant branch or office thereof is located.
“London Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which commercial banks are open for general business in London.
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“Maximum Amount” means, £1,000,000,000 or the equivalent amount denominated in any currency other than euro, as may be increased from time to time pursuant to the Dealer Agreement.
“Maturity Date” means, in relation to any Note, the last day of the Tenor thereof.
“Note” means a bearer note issued by the Issuer and purchased or to be purchased by a Dealer under the Dealer Agreement, in definitive or global form, substantially in the relevant form scheduled hereto or such other form as may be agreed from time to time between the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent.
“Participating FFI” means a FFI that has agreed to comply with the terms of an FFI agreement for the purposes of FATCA (or is otherwise deemed to be compliant).
“Payment Business Day” has the meaning provided in Schedule 1.
“TARGET Business Day” means a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (“TARGET”) System, or any successor thereto, is open.
“Tax” means any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of any Authority having power to tax.
“Tenor” means in relation to any Note, the period from its Issue Date to its Maturity Date being a period of days of not less than one nor more than 364 days.
1.4 | Headings shall be ignored in construing this Agreement. |
1.5 | References in this Agreement to this Agreement or any other document are to this Agreement or those documents as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time in relation to the Programme and include any document which amends, supplements or replaces them. |
1.6 | The Schedules are part of this Agreement and have effect accordingly and terms defined therein and not in the main body of this Agreement shall have the meaning given to them therein. |
1.7 | References in this Agreement to Euroclear and/or Clearstream shall, as the context so permits, be deemed to include reference to any additional or alternative clearing system approved by the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent. |
1.8 | Words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. |
1.9 | No Other Regulated Activity: The Issue and Paying Agent is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and PRA. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Issue and Paying Agent to carry on an activity of the kind specified by any provision of Part II (other than article 5 (accepting deposits)) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001, or to lend money to the Issuer. |
2. | APPOINTMENT OF THE AGENT |
2.1 | The Issuer hereby appoints the Issue and Paying Agent as issuing agent for the Notes and as its agent for making payments in respect of the Notes in accordance with the provisions hereof and of the Notes. The Issue and Paying Agent accepts such appointments. |
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2.2 | The Issuer agrees that Notes may be completed, issued, authenticated, delivered, kept and generally handled by the Issue and Paying Agent on the instructions of the Issuer in the manner contemplated by this Agreement. |
2.3 | The Agent shall be entitled to deal with money paid to it by the Issuer for the purposes of the appointment in the same manner as other money paid to a banker by its customers except: (a) that it shall not exercise any right of set-off, lien or similar claim in respect of the money; (b) that it shall not be liable to account to the Issuer for any interest or other amounts in respect of the money; and (c) money held by it need not be segregated except as required by law. |
2.4 | Nothing in this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement shall require the Agents to assume an obligation of the Issuer arising under any provision of the listing, prospectus, disclosure or transparency rules (or equivalent rules of any other competent authority besides the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority). |
2.5 | The Agent shall be obliged to perform such duties and only such duties as are expressly set out in this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement and no implied duties or obligations of any kind (including without limitation duties or obligations of a fiduciary or equitable nature) shall be read into this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement against the Agents. |
2.6 | The obligations of the Agents under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement shall be several and not joint. |
2.7 | The Issue and Paying Agent acknowledges and agrees that it shall be named as Calculation Agent in respect of each series of floating rate Notes unless the Issue and Paying Agent notifies the Issuer that it is unable to act as Calculation Agent in respect of a particular series of floating rate Notes at least two London Business Days after receipt by it of the relevant confirmation notice. |
3. | ISSUE OF NOTES |
3.1 | Each Note issued hereunder: |
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(A) | may be initially represented by a Global Note exchangeable in accordance with its terms for Definitive Notes following the Issuer's instructions to the Issue and Paying Agent given by the Issuer in connection with that issue of Notes; |
(B) | shall be substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2, respectively; |
(C) | shall be executed manually or by facsimile on behalf of the Issuer; and |
(D) | shall be manually authenticated by an authorised signatory of the Issue and Paying Agent. |
3.2 | The Issuer may use and shall be bound by the manual or facsimile signature on any Note of any person who on the date of the preparation or printing of such Note was duly authorised to execute such Note notwithstanding that at the date of issue of the relevant Note such person may for any reason cease to be so authorised and Notes so executed and authenticated shall upon issue nevertheless be valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Issuer. The Issuer may change the name(s) of the person(s) whose manual or facsimile signature(s) are to be used on any Note to bind the Issuer by delivering to the Issue and Paying Agent, no later than 15 days before the first date on which there is to be issued any Note in respect of which such replacement manual or facsimile signature(s) is to be used, a copy of such replacement signature(s) in such form as the Issue and Paying Agent may require. |
3.3 | The Issuer shall, no later than 2:00 p.m. (London time) or such later time as may be agreed between the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent on the day falling two London Business Days prior to any Issue Date or, in the case of Notes denominated in euro, Sterling, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs or U.S. Dollars, no later than 10:00 a.m. (London time) on the day falling one London Business Day prior to any Issue Date, notify the Issue and Paying Agent by electronic communication, authenticated SWIFT message or any other method acceptable to the Issue and Paying Agent and shall specify (in substantially the form of the confirmation set out in Schedule 3): |
(A) | the total principal amount and currency of the Notes to be issued; |
(B) | the Tenor of such Notes; |
(C) | the Issue Date of such Notes (which is to be a London Business Day); |
(D) | the Maturity Date of such Notes; and |
(E) | other details which the Issue and Paying Agent may reasonably require, |
such notification shall be irrevocable.
3.4 | The receipt of the details specified in Clause 3.3 from the Issuer shall be sufficient authority for the Issue and Paying Agent: |
(A) | to complete the relevant Global Note or, should the Notes be represented by Definitive Notes, the Definitive Notes in the specified principal amount by inserting in the appropriate places on the face thereof: |
(1) | the serial number; |
(2) | the Maturity Date; |
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(3) | the Issue Date; and |
(4) | the principal amount and currency; |
(B) | to authenticate such Notes in accordance with Clause 3.1; and |
(C) | to deliver such Notes on behalf of the Issuer in accordance with Clause 3.6. |
3.5 | On or before the relevant Issue Date, the Issue and Paying Agent shall arrange for each Note to be duly signed by an authorised signatory. The Issue and Paying Agent shall be entitled to treat a communication from a person purporting to be an authorised representative of the Issuer named in the list of authorised representatives delivered to the Issue and Paying Agent by the Issuer from time to time as sufficient instructions and authority of the Issuer. |
3.6 | Against payment of the purchase price to the Issue and Paying Agent by the relevant Dealer in respect of any Notes to be subscribed by such Dealer (except where such Dealer is the Issuer), the Issue and Paying Agent will deliver the relevant Global Note or, if Definitive Notes are issued, Definitive Notes in accordance with instructions received by it from such Dealer. The Issue and Paying Agent shall remit the proceeds of the purchase price in respect of any Notes received by it hereunder to such account or accounts of the Issuer in the principal financial centre of the currency concerned (being in the case of euro, a principal financial centre in Europe where the Issuer maintains its euro account). Such account information will be specified from time to time by the Issuer three London Business Days prior to any such payment being made. |
3.7 | Subject to Clause 3.6, the Issue and Paying Agent shall on receipt of the notification referred to in Clause 3.3 deliver the relevant Global Note or, if Definitive Notes are issued, Definitive Notes as applicable in accordance with instructions received by it from the Dealer in each case not later than the time specified by the relevant depositary, Clearing System or the Dealer in accordance with its normal procedures. |
3.8 | For all Global Notes delivered to depositaries under Clauses 3.6 and 3.7, instructions shall be given to the relevant Clearing System to credit the underlying Notes represented by the relevant Global Note to the Issue and Paying Agent's distribution account with the relevant Clearing System. Save where otherwise agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer, each Note credited to the Issue and Paying Agent's distribution account following the delivery of a Global Note to a depositary in accordance with Clauses 3.6 and 3.7 shall be held to the order of the Issuer, pending delivery to the relevant subscriber on a delivery against payment basis in accordance with the normal procedures of the Clearing System. |
3.9 | The Issuer shall ensure that the Issue and Paying Agent shall at all times have available to it a sufficient supply of duly executed but unauthenticated blank Notes (in both global form and, should the Notes be represented by Definitive Notes, in definitive form) for the purpose of issue hereunder and if the Issue and Paying Agent does not have a sufficient supply as aforesaid it shall immediately notify the Issuer. |
4. | ISSUE OF REPLACEMENT NOTES |
4.1 | The Issue and Paying Agent shall issue and authenticate any replacement Notes in place of Notes which have been lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed. The Issuer shall provide the Issue and Paying Agent with sufficient executed but uncompleted and unauthenticated Notes for such purpose. |
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4.2 | The Issue and Paying Agent shall endeavour to obtain verification, in the case of an allegedly lost, stolen or destroyed Note in respect of which the serial number is known, that the Note has not previously been redeemed or paid. The Issue and Paying Agent shall not issue, complete or authenticate any replacement Note unless and until the applicant therefor shall have: |
(A) | paid such costs as may be incurred by the Issuer and/or the Issue and Paying Agent; |
(B) | furnished the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent with the serial number and denomination of any Note lost or stolen and with such evidence and indemnity as the Issuer and Issue and Paying Agent may require; and |
(C) | surrendered any mutilated or defaced Notes. |
Replacement Notes shall be delivered to a recognised clearing system for credit to such account with such clearing system as the applicant may require or, at the option and expense of such applicant, in such other manner as such applicant may direct.
4.3 | The Issue and Paying Agent shall cancel any mutilated or defaced Notes replaced and shall (unless otherwise instructed in writing by the Issuer), destroy the same and shall inform the Issuer of the denomination (if appropriate), the total principal amount (in the case of the Global Notes), serial numbers, Issue Dates and Maturity Dates of any replacement Notes issued and the denomination (if appropriate), Issue Dates and Maturity Dates of the replaced Notes and of the dates of their cancellation and destruction. |
5. | PAYMENT |
5.1 | The Issuer will (in immediately available, freely transferable funds): |
(A) | before 10.00 a.m. (London time) on each date on which any payment in euro in respect of any Note becomes due, transfer to an account specified by the Issue and Paying Agent such amount in euro as shall be sufficient for the purpose of such payment in funds settled through TARGET2; |
(B) | before 10.00 a.m. (local time in the relevant principal financial centre of the country of the relevant payment) on each date on which any payment in Sterling, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs or U.S. Dollars respect of any Note becomes due, transfer to an account specified by the Issue and Paying Agent the amount in such currency as shall be sufficient for the purpose of such payment in funds settled through such payment system as the Issue and Paying Agent and the Issuer may agree; |
(C) | before 10.00 a.m. (local time in the relevant principal financial centre of the country of the relevant currency) one Business Day prior to each date on which any payment in Japanese Yen or any other currency (other than euro, Sterling, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs or U.S. Dollars) in respect of any Notes becomes due, transfer to an account specified by the Issue and Paying Agent the amount in such currency as shall be sufficient for the purpose of such payment in funds settled through such payment system as the Issue and Paying Agent and the Issuer may agree. |
5.2 | The Issuer shall ensure that by no later than the time as specified in Schedule 1 for the payment instruction to be given to the Issue and Paying Agent, the Issue and Paying Agent shall receive a copy of an irrevocable payment instruction to or a payment confirmation from the paying bank of the Issuer. |
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5.3 | Subject to receipt of payment from the Issuer pursuant to Clause 5.1, the Issue and Paying Agent will act as paying agent of the Issuer and pay or cause to be paid on behalf of the Issuer on and after the due date for payment the amounts due to be paid on presentation of the Notes. |
5.4 | The Issue and Paying Agent shall forthwith notify by fax or email each of the other Agents and the Issuer if it has not received the confirmation referred to in Clause 5.2 by the time specified for its receipt, unless it is satisfied that it will receive the amount referred to in Clause 5.1. |
5.5 | If the Issue and Paying Agent pays an amount (an “Advance”) to the Issuer on the basis that a payment has been, or will be, received from a Dealer and if the payment has not been, or is not, received by the Issue and Paying Agent on the date the Issue and Paying Agent pays the Issuer, the Issuer shall repay to the Issue and Paying Agent the Advance (unless prior to this repayment the payment is received by the Issue and Paying Agent) and shall pay interest thereon at such rate as the Issue and Paying Agent shall specify as its cost of funds from time to time for the currency in which the Notes are denominated (which rate shall be notified to the Issuer, together with evidence of the basis for calculation) until the earlier of repayment in full of the Advance and receipt in full by the Issue and Paying Agent of the payment (or payment to the Issue and Paying Agent of a sum equal to the amount of the Advance). For the avoidance of doubt, the Issue and Paying Agent shall not be obliged to pay any amount to or for the Issuer if it has not received satisfactory confirmation that it is to receive that amount. |
5.6 | If on presentation by a holder of a Note the full amount due for payment is not paid, the Issue and Paying Agent to whom the Note is presented shall procure that such Note is enfaced with a memorandum of the amount and date of the part payment that has been made. |
5.7 | Sums paid to the Issue and Paying Agent by the Issuer for the payment of any Note and not claimed by five Payment Business Days after the Maturity Date thereof shall be held by the Issue and Paying Agent. Any such sums remaining unclaimed at the end of 12 months from the relevant Maturity Date shall be repaid to the Issuer. The Issuer may request the repayment of any sums remaining unclaimed for more than one year after the Maturity Date of the Note to which they relate provided that arrangements satisfactory to the Issue and Paying Agent are agreed between it and the Issuer to ensure that any note presented after such repayment is paid upon its presentation. |
5.8 | In respect of moneys paid to it hereunder, the Issue and Paying Agent: |
(A) | shall not be entitled to exercise any lien, right of set-off or similar claim; |
(B) | shall not be liable to any person for interest thereon except as otherwise agreed in writing; and |
(C) | shall not be required to segregate monies held by it except as required by law. |
6. | INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT |
6.1 | If for any reason the Issue and Paying Agent considers in its sole discretion that the amounts to be received by it will be, or the amounts actually received by it are, insufficient to satisfy all claims in respect of all payments then falling due in respect of the Notes, the Issue and Paying Agent shall not be obliged to pay any such claims until the Issue and Paying Agent has received the full amount of all such payments. |
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6.2 | If the Issue and Paying Agent has not received the full amount payable under any Note on its Maturity Date but receives, or is satisfied that it will receive, the full amount later, it may, in its sole discretion and in respect of which it is under no obligation, as paying agent of the Issuer pay on behalf of the Issuer on and after each due date for payment the amount due to be paid on presentation or surrender of the Notes in accordance with their terms. |
6.3 | If at any time the Issue and Paying Agent makes a partial payment in respect of any Note presented to it, it shall, in the case of a Global Note or a Definitive Note, procure that a statement indicating the date and amount of such payment is written and stamped on the face of such Note and shall notify the Issuer of the amount paid. |
6.4 | If the Issue and Paying Agent pays any amounts to the holders of Notes or to any other Agent at a time when it has not received payment in full in respect of the relevant Notes (the excess of the amounts so paid over the amounts so received being the “Shortfall”), the Issuer will upon demand, in addition to paying amounts due, pay to the Issue and Paying Agent on demand interest (at a rate which represents the Issue and Paying Agent's cost of funding the Shortfall) on the Shortfall (or the unreimbursed portion thereof) until the receipt in full by the Issue and Paying Agent of the Shortfall. |
7. | WITHHOLDING TAX |
7.1 | If any of the Issuer or the Issue and Paying Agent is, in respect of any payment in respect of the Notes, required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of any Taxes, the Issuer shall give written notice of that fact to the Issue and Paying Agent as soon as reasonably practicable after the Issuer becomes aware of the requirement to make the withholding or deduction and shall give to the Issue and Paying Agent such information as the Issue and Paying Agent shall reasonably require to enable it to assess and comply with the requirement. Until such time, the Issuer confirms that all payments made by the Issuer shall be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction of any such amounts. |
7.2 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Issue and Paying Agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement for or on account of any Tax, if and to the extent so required by Applicable Law, in which event the Issue and Paying Agent shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant Authority for the amount so withheld or deducted or, at its option, shall reasonably promptly after making such payment return to the Issuer the amount so deducted or withheld, in which case, the Issuer shall so account to the relevant Authority for such amount. For the avoidance of doubt, FATCA Withholding is a deduction or withholding which is deemed to be required by Applicable Law for the purposes of this Clause 7.2. |
7.3 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Issuer shall indemnify the Issue and Paying Agent against any liability or loss howsoever incurred in connection with the Issuer’s obligation to withhold or deduct an amount on account of tax, including, without limitation, FATCA. |
7.4 | If, for any reason, the Issuer determines (acting reasonably) that it is required to deduct or withhold for or on account of any Tax required by Applicable Law in connection with any payment due to the Issue and Paying Agent on any Notes, then the Issuer will be entitled to re-direct or reorganise any such payment in any way that it sees fit in order that the payment may be made without such deduction or withholding provided that any such redirected or reorganised payment is made through a recognised institution of international standing and otherwise made in accordance with this Agreement. The Issuer will promptly notify the Issue and Paying Agent of any such redirection or reorganisation. The Issue and Paying Agent shall not be liable to any party for any loss or liability incurred by such party as a consequence of any re-direction or re-organisation by the Issuer. |
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7.5 | The Issue and Paying Agent undertakes to inform the Issuer as soon as reasonably practicable if it fails to become, or ceases to be, a Participating FFI. |
8. | INFORMATION COLLECTION |
If the Issuer or the Agent is, in respect of any payment in respect of the Notes, required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges, the Issuer shall give written notice of that fact to the Agent as soon as the Issuer becomes aware of the requirement to make the withholding or deduction and shall give to the Agent such information as the Agent shall require to enable it to assess and comply with the requirement. Until such time, the Issuer confirms that all payments made by or on behalf of the Issuer shall be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction of any such amounts.
9. | INFORMATION REPORTING AND SHARING |
Each party shall, within ten business days of a written request by another party, supply to that other party such forms, documentation and other information relating to it, its operations, or the Notes as that other party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other party’s compliance with Applicable Law and shall notify the relevant other party reasonably promptly in the event that it becomes aware that any of the forms, documentation or other information provided by such party is (or becomes) inaccurate in any material respect; provided, however, that no party shall be required to provide any forms, documentation or other information pursuant to this Clause to the extent that:
(A) | any such form, documentation or other information (or the information required to be provided on such form or documentation) is not reasonably available to such party and cannot be obtained by such party using reasonable efforts; or |
(B) | doing so would or might in the reasonable opinion of such party constitute a breach of any: |
(1) | Applicable Law; |
(2) | fiduciary duty; or |
(3) | duty of confidentiality. |
10. | CANCELLATION, DESTRUCTION AND RECORDS |
10.1 | Any Notes redeemed by the Issue and Paying Agent shall be cancelled by such Issue and Paying Agent. |
10.2 | As soon as possible, and in any event within one month after the Maturity Date of any Note, the Issue and Paying Agent shall, upon receipt of the relevant disposal authorisation from the Clearing Systems and unless otherwise instructed by the Issuer, destroy the cancelled Notes in its possession and furnish to the Issuer, upon written request, a certificate stating (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes which have been redeemed, cancelled and destroyed and (ii) the serial numbers of such Notes in numerical sequence. |
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10.3 | The Issue and Paying Agent shall keep a full and complete record of all Notes and of their issue, replacement, redemption, cancellation, payment or destruction (as the case may be) and shall make such record available at all reasonable times to the Issuer. |
11. | DOCUMENTS |
11.1 | The Issuer shall upon request provide to the Agents specimen Notes. |
11.2 | The Issue and Paying Agent shall procure that, so long as any Note is outstanding, copies of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement and the Deed of Covenant (i) are available for inspection by the holder of any Note during usual business hours at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent or (ii) may be provided by email to such holder requesting copies of such documents, subject to the Issue and Paying Agent being supplied by the Issuer with copies of such documents. |
11.3 | Before the first issue of Notes, the Issuer shall supply to the Issue and Paying Agent confirmation that all condition precedent documents required to be delivered under the Dealer Agreement have been delivered. |
12. | INDEMNITY |
12.1 | The Issuer undertakes to indemnify each Agent against all losses, liabilities, costs, claims, actions, demands or expenses (together, “Losses”) (including, but not limited to, all reasonable costs, legal fees, charges and expenses (together, “Expenses”) paid or incurred in disputing or defending any Losses) which such Agent may incur or which may be made against it as a result of or in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its powers or duties under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement except for any Losses or Expenses resulting from such Agent’s wilful default, negligence, fraud or bad faith or that of its officers, directors or employees or the material breach by such Agent of the terms of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement. The relevant Agent shall consult with the Issuer as to the conduct of any claim brought against such Agent in respect of which it may look to the Issuer for indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, the Issuer shall indemnify each Agent against any liability or loss howsoever incurred in connection with the Issuer’s obligation to withhold or deduct an amount on account of tax. |
12.2 | Each Agent shall severally indemnify the Issuer against any Losses (including, but not limited to, all reasonable Expenses paid or incurred in disputing or defending any Losses) that the Issuer may incur or that may be made against it as a result of the material breach by such Agent of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement or such Agent’s wilful default, negligence, fraud or bad faith or that of its officers, directors or employees. In no event shall any Agent be liable to indemnify the Issuer for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special or consequential damages, whether or not the relevant Agent has been advised of the possibility of such losses. |
12.3 | The indemnity set out above shall survive any termination of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement. |
12.4 | Each Agent will only be liable to the Issuer for losses, liabilities, costs, expenses and demands arising directly from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement suffered by or occasioned to the Issuer (“Liabilities”) to the extent that the relevant Agent has been negligent, fraudulent or in wilful default in respect of its obligations under this Agreement. No Agent shall otherwise be liable or responsible for any Liabilities or inconvenience which may result from anything done or omitted to be done by it in connection with this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt the failure of an Agent to make a claim for payment of interest and principal on the Issuer, or to inform any other Agent or clearing system of a failure on the part of the Issuer to meet any such claim or to make a payment by the stipulated date, shall not be deemed to constitute negligence, fraud or wilful default on the part of the relevant Agent. |
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12.5 | Liabilities arising under Clause 12.4 shall be limited to the amount of the Issuer’s actual loss. Such actual loss shall be determined (a) as at the date of default of the relevant Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default and (b) without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the relevant Agent at the time of entering into this Agreement, or at the time of accepting any relevant instructions, which increase the amount of the loss. |
In no event shall any Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive or consequential damages, whether or not the Issue and Paying Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.
12.6 | The liability of each Agent under Clause 12.4 will not extend to any Liabilities arising through any acts, events or circumstances not reasonably within its control, or resulting from the general risks of investment in or the holding of assets in any jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, Liabilities arising from: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any law, order or regulation of a governmental, supranational or regulatory body; regulation of the banking or securities industry including changes in market rules or practice, currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets; breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; and strikes or industrial action. |
12.7 | For the avoidance of doubt each Agent’s liability under this Clause 12 shall be limited in the manner set out in Clauses 12.5 and 12.6. |
13. | GENERAL |
13.1 | In acting under this Agreement and in connection with the Notes, the Agents shall act solely as agents of the Issuer. The Agents shall have no obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any Note or the accountholders of any Clearing System and shall only be responsible for performance of the duties and obligations expressly imposed upon them herein. |
13.2 | Each Agent shall be obliged to perform such duties as are herein specifically set forth, and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement against the Agents other than the duty to act honestly and in good faith and to exercise the diligence of a reasonably prudent agent in comparable circumstances. |
13.3 | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other agreement, if in the Issue and Paying Agent’s opinion, acting reasonably, it deems it appropriate to delegate any of its roles, duties or obligations created hereunder or under any other agreement (or any part thereof) to a third party, the Issuer hereby acknowledges the potential for, and acquiesces to, such delegation under the Issue and Paying Agent’s continued responsibility for such delegated role, duty or obligation. |
13.4 | In the event that Definitive Notes are issued and the Agent informs the Issuer that it is unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Issuer shall forthwith appoint an additional agent in accordance with Clause 14 which is able to perform such obligations. |
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13.5 | In the case of any default by the Issuer, the Agents shall have no duty or responsibility in respect of the performance of the Issuer's obligations under the Notes. |
13.6 | Except as otherwise instructed by the Issuer or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise required by law, the Agents shall be entitled to treat the bearer of any Note as the absolute owner of it for all purposes (whether or not it is overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing on it or any notice of previous loss or theft of it). |
13.7 | Each Agent may consult with legal and other professional advisers and the opinion of such advisers shall be full and complete protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such advisers. Failure to consult such advisers on any matter shall not be construed as evidence of any Agent not acting in good faith. |
13.8 | Any of the Agents and their respective officers, directors and employees may become the owner of, and/or acquire any interest in, any Notes with the same rights that they would have had if the Agents were not appointed under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, and may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Issuer, and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body of holders of Notes or other obligations of the Issuer, as freely as if the Agents were not appointed under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement without regard to the interests of the Issuer and shall be entitled to retain and shall not in any way be liable to account for any profit made or share of brokerage or commission or remuneration or other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith. |
13.9 | Each Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered in reliance upon any telephone (to be confirmed by facsimile or e-mail), facsimile, e-mail communication, instruction or document which it reasonably believes to be genuine and is from a person purporting to be (and whom the relevant Agent believes in good faith to be) the authorised representative of the Issuer as sufficient instructions and authority of the Issuer for the relevant Agent to act. |
13.10 | The Agents shall not be responsible to anyone with respect to the legality of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement or the validity or legality of the Notes. |
13.11 | On behalf of, and at the request and expense of, the Issuer, the Issue and Paying Agent shall cause to be published all notices required to be given by the Issuer to the holders of Notes in accordance with the terms of the relevant Global Note. |
13.12 | An Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement which it expects will result in any expense or liability accruing to it, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its opinion, assured to it. |
13.13 | Any corporation into which an Agent may be merged or converted, or any corporation with which an Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which an Agent shall be a party, or any corporation to which an Agent shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets shall, on the date when the merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer becomes effective and to the extent permitted by any applicable laws, become the successor Agent under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties to this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, unless otherwise required by the Issuer, and after the said effective date all references in this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement to the relevant Agent shall be deemed to be references to such successor corporation. Written notice of any such merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall immediately be given to the Issuer by the relevant Agent. |
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13.14 | The Issuer agrees to pay any and all stamp, registration and other documentary taxes, duties, assessments or government charges (including any interest and penalties thereon or in connection therewith) which may be payable in connection with the execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement by the Agents. |
13.15 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, each Agent shall be entitled to take any action or to refuse to take any action which the relevant Agent regards as necessary for the relevant Agent to comply with any applicable law, regulation or fiscal requirement or FATCA, or the rules, operating procedures or market practice of any relevant stock exchange or other market or clearing system. |
14. CHANGES IN AGENTS
14.1 | The Issuer may at any time: |
(A) | appoint additional Agents; and |
(B) | terminate the appointment of the Issue and Paying Agent or any Agent by giving to the Issue and Paying Agent or such Agent not less than 30 days' prior written notice. |
14.2 | Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 14.1, if at any time the Issue and Paying Agent or an Agent becomes incapable of acting, or is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors or consents to the appointment of an administrator, liquidator or administrative or other receiver of all or any substantial part of its property, or if an administrator, liquidator or administrative or other receiver of it or of all or a substantial part of its property is appointed, or it admits in writing its inability to pay or meet its debts as they may mature or suspends payment of its debts, or if an order of any court is entered approving any petition filed by or against it under the provisions of any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law or if a public officer takes charge or control of the Issue and Paying Agent or relevant Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, administration or liquidation, the Issuer may forthwith without notice terminate the appointment of the Issue and Paying Agent or relevant Agent. |
14.3 | Each Agent may (subject as herein provided) at any time resign its appointment under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement by giving at least 45 days' written notice to the Issuer specifying the date on which its resignation shall become effective. |
14.4 | Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such resignation or termination shall take effect (a) in the case of the Issue and Paying Agent, until a new Issue and Paying Agent with a specified office outside the United States shall have been appointed, and (b) in the case of a paying agent, until a successor Agent shall have been appointed such that there shall be at all times an Agent with a specified office in a European Union member state (if any). |
14.5 | The Issuer agrees that if, by the day falling 10 days before the expiry of any notice under Clause 14.3 above, the Issuer has not appointed a successor Agent then the relevant Agent shall be entitled, on behalf of the Issuer, to appoint in its place as a successor Agent a reputable financial institution of good standing which the Issuer shall approve. |
14.6 | Any Agent may change the address of its office within a particular city, in which event it shall give to the Issuer not less than 30 days' prior written notice to that effect, giving the address of the new office and the date upon which such change is to take effect. |
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14.7 | If the appointment of the Issue and Paying Agent is terminated or the Issue and Paying Agent shall resign, it shall on the date on which such termination or resignation takes effect deliver to the Issuer or as it may direct all records maintained by it, and all incomplete Notes in its possession, pursuant hereto. If the appointment of any Agent is terminated or any Agent shall resign, it shall on the date on which such termination or resignation takes effect deliver to the Issuer, or as it may direct, all records maintained by it, and all Notes in its possession, pursuant hereto, and pay to or to the order of the Issuer any amount held by it and received from the Issuer for payment in respect of the Notes. Upon its resignation or termination of appointment taking effect, the relevant Agent shall be entitled to the payment by the Issuer of its commissions, fees and expenses accrued and/or outstanding on that date but unpaid. |
14.8 | The Issuer shall give notice to each other party to this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement (and to any additional or other Agent) and to the Dealer in accordance with Clause 5.8 of the Dealer Agreement of any change of any of the Agents or their specified offices. |
15. COMMISSIONS, FEES AND EXPENSES
15.1 | The Issuer shall pay to each Agent such fees and commissions as the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent shall separately agree in writing in respect of the services of the Agents under this Agreement together with any properly incurred out of pocket expenses (including legal, printing, postage, fax, cable and advertising expenses) incurred by the Issue and Paying Agent in connection with its services. The Issuer shall also pay to the Issue and Paying Agent an amount equal to any irrecoverable value added tax which may be payable in respect of such fees and commissions and/or such properly incurred out of pocket expenses incurred by the Issue and Paying Agent in connection with its services under this Agreement. |
15.2 | The Issuer shall not be responsible for any payment or reimbursement by the Issue and Paying Agent to the other Agents. The fees, commissions and expenses payable to each Agent for services rendered and the performance of its obligations under this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement shall not be abated by any remuneration or other amounts or profits receivable by the relevant Agent (or to its knowledge by any of its associates) in connection with any transaction effected by the relevant Agent with or for the Issuer. |
16. NOTICES
Save as otherwise provided herein, any notice to be given hereunder shall be delivered in person or sent by post, email or through the SWIFT information transmittal system. Any such notice shall be sent to the relevant party as follows:
If to the Issuer to it at: | Compass House |
Manor Royal | |
Crawley | |
West Sussex, RH10 9PY | |
United Kingdom | |
Telephone: | 01293 858000 |
Email: | secretariat@rentokil-initial.com / treasury.front-office@rentokil-initial.com |
Attention: | Company Secretary / Group Treasurer |
If to the Issue and
Paying Agent to it at: | 8 Canada Square |
London E14 5HQ | |
United Kingdom | |
Email: | ctla.payingagency@hsbc.com / ctlondon.conventional@hsbc.com |
Attention: | Issuer Services Client Service Management Team |
or to any other address or email address of which notice in writing has been given to the parties hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 16. Any obligation the Issuer (and any Agent on its behalf) may have to publish a notice to holders of Notes shall have been met upon delivery of the notice to the relevant clearing system. Any notices provided by the Issuer to any Agent to be published will be in the English language and (where necessary) an English translation will be provided by the Issuer.
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The Internet cannot guarantee the integrity and safety of the transferred data nor the delay in which they will be processed. The Issue and Paying Agent shall not therefore be liable for any operational incident and its consequences arising from the use of Internet.
Any notice from one party to another party will take effect, in the case of a letter, when delivered or, in the case of an email when sent, subject to a no delivery failure notification being received by the sender within 24 hours of the time of sending or, in the case of transmission through the SWIFT information transmittal system, when received by such other party. Any communication which is received after 4.00 p.m. (in the city of the addressee) on any particular day or on a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets do not settle payments in the city of the addressee shall be deemed to have been received and shall take effect from 10.00 a.m. on the next following day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments in the city of the addressee or on the next Business Day.
17. INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE PROGRAMME
Clause 2.7 of the Dealer Agreement provides for increase the Maximum Amount of Notes that may be issued under the Dealer Agreement, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. In the event of such an increase, the Agents agree to act as agents hereunder in relation to Notes issued in respect of such increased Maximum Amount and the provisions of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement shall be deemed to apply accordingly.
18. AMENDMENTS AND COUNTERPARTS
18.1 | This Issue and Paying Agency Agreement may only be amended by an agreement in writing between the parties to this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement. |
18.2 | This Issue and Paying Agency Agreement may be signed in counterparts, all of which when taken together shall constitute a single agreement. |
18.3 | If a provision of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement or any Note is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction that shall not affect the validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction of any other provision of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement. |
19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive written agreement of the parties. It supersedes and terminates as of the date of its execution all prior oral or written agreements, arrangements or understandings between the parties in relation to the services to be provided hereunder.
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20. CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999
A person who is not a party to this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from this Act.
21. GOVERNING LAW
This Issue and Paying Agency Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with any of them shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.
22. ENFORCEMENT
22.1 | Jurisdiction |
(A) | Subject to paragraph (C) below, the English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement (including a dispute regarding its existence, validity or termination and any dispute relating to any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement) and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. |
(B) | Subject to paragraph (C) below, the parties to this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly no such party will argue to the contrary. |
(C) | To the extent allowed by law, the Issue and Paying Agent or Agent may take: |
(1) | proceedings in any other court with jurisdiction; and |
(2) | concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
22.2 | Waiver of rights |
No failure or delay of the Issuer or any Agent in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of that right. Any waiver of any right will be limited to the specific instance. The exclusion or omission of any provision or term from this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any right or remedy the Issuer or any Agent may have under applicable law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Issue and Paying Agency Agreement has been entered into on the day and year as first above written.
The Issuer
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
By: | ![]() |
Address: Compass House
Manor Royal
Crawley
West Sussex, RH10 9PY
United Kingdom
Email: | secretarial@rentokil-initial.com / treasury.front-office@rentokil-initial.com |
Contact: | Company Secretary / Group Treasurer |
The Issue and Paying Agent | ||
SIGNED by | ) | |
) | ||
for and on behalf of | ) | |
HSBC BANK PLC | ) |
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SCHEDULE 1 FORM OF MULTICURRENCY BEARER PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE
(Interest Bearing/Discounted/Premium)
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS GLOBAL NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR ANY U.S. STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS LEGEND SHALL CEASE TO APPLY UPON THE EXPIRY OF THE PERIOD OF 40 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL THE SECURITIES OF THE TRANCHE OF WHICH THIS SECURITY FORMS PART.
[Purchasers of Renminbi denominated Notes should note that the Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. All payments in respect of Renminbi denominated Notes will be made solely by transfer to a Renminbi bank account maintained outside of the PRC (as defined below) in accordance with prevailing rules and regulations. The Issuer cannot be required to make payment by any other means (including in another currency or by bank transfer to a bank account in the PRC). In addition, there can be no assurance that access to Renminbi funds for the purposes of making payments on Renminbi denominated Notes or generally may not remain or become restricted. For these purposes the “PRC” means the People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”), the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan).]1
[Notification under Section 309B(1)(c) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore (the “SFA”), as modified or amended from time to time - In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), the Issuer has determined the classification of the Notes as capital markets products other than prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Specified Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).]2
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
(incorporated in England and Wales)
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 549300VN4WV7Z6T14K68
£1,000,000,000
Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
ISIN: ________________________
Issue Date:________________________ | Maturity Date3: ___________________ |
1 | Only use the text in square brackets if the Notes are denominated in Renminbi. |
2 | Relevant Dealer(s) to consider whether it / they have received the necessary product classification from the Issuer prior to the launch of the offer, pursuant to Section 309B of the SFA. To insert notice if the Notes are “capital markets products other than prescribed capital markets products” and “Specified Investment Products”. |
3 | Not to be more than 364 days from (and including) the Issue Date. For Hong Kong dollar or Renminbi denominated Fixed Rate Notes consider applying modified following business day convention to the Interest Payment Date and the Maturity Date. |
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Specified Currency: _______________ | Nominal Amount: _________________ |
(words and figures if a Sterling denominated Note) |
Reference Rate: _________________ month | Interest Payment Date(s): _______________ |
EURIBOR/CNH HIBOR[OTHER]4:
______________
Reference Rate Screen Page:5 _______ | Interest Determination Date:6___________ |
Relevant Time:7 _____________________ | Day Count Fraction:8__________________ |
Fixed Interest Rate:9__________ % per annum | Margin: 10_________% |
Calculation Agent:11_____________________ |
1. | For value received, Rentokil Initial plc (the “Issuer”) promises to pay to the bearer of this Global Note on the Maturity Date the Nominal Amount, together with interest thereon at the rate and at the times (if any) specified herein. |
All such payments shall be made in accordance with an amended and restated issue and paying agency agreement dated 11 October 2021 (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Agency Agreement”) between the Issuer and the issue and paying agent referred to therein, a copy of which is available for inspection at the office of HSBC Bank plc (the “Issue and Paying Agent”) at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom, and subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below. All such payments shall be made upon presentation and surrender of this Global Note at the office of the Issue and Paying Agent referred to above by transfer to an account denominated in the Specified Currency maintained by the bearer with (i) a bank in the principal financial centre in the country of the Specified Currency or, (ii) if this Global Note is denominated or payable in euro by transfer to a euro account (or any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) maintained by the payee with, a bank in the principal financial centre of any member state of the European Union or, (iii) if this Global Note is denominated or payable in Renminbi, to a Renminbi account maintained in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations at such bank in Hong Kong.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, presentation and surrender of this Global Note shall be made outside the United States and no amount shall be paid by transfer to an account in the United States, or mailed to an address in the United States. In the case of a Global Note denominated in U.S. dollars, payments shall be made by transfer to an account denominated in U.S. Dollars in the principal financial centre of any country outside of the United States that the Issuer or Issue and Paying Agent so chooses.
4 | Complete/delete as appropriate. | |
5 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 12. | |
6 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 12. | |
7 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 12. | |
8 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 12. | |
9 | Complete for fixed rate interest bearing Notes only. | |
10 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only. | |
11 | Complete for all floating rate interest bearing Notes and for fixed rate interest Notes denominated in Renminbi only. |
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2. | This Global Note is issued in representation of an issue of Notes in the aggregate Nominal Amount. |
3. | All payments in respect of this Global Note will be subject in all cases to any applicable fiscal or other laws, regulations and directives in any jurisdiction (whether by operation of law or agreement of the Issuer) and the Issuer will not be liable for any taxes or duties of whatever nature imposed or levied by such laws, regulations, directives or agreements, but without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 4. |
4. | All payments in respect of this Global Note by or on behalf of the Issuer shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, fees, liabilities or similar deductions and free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, taxes, levies, duties, assessments or charges of any nature now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of Issuer's taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (“Taxes”), unless the withholding or deduction of Taxes is required by law. In that event, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, pay such additional amounts as shall be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the bearer of this Global Note after such deduction or withholding shall equal the amount which would have been receivable hereunder in the absence of such deduction or withholding, except that no such additional amounts shall be payable where this Global Note is presented for payment: |
(A) | by or on behalf of a holder which is liable to such Taxes by reason of its having some connection with the jurisdiction imposing the Taxes other than the mere holding of this Global Note; or |
(B) | more than 15 days after the Maturity Date or, if applicable, the relevant Interest Payment Date or (in either case) the date on which payment hereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to such additional amounts if it had presented this Global Note on the last day of such period of 15 days. |
5. | If the Maturity Date or, if applicable, the relevant Interest Payment Date is not a Payment Business Day (as defined herein) payment in respect hereof will not be made and credit or transfer instructions shall not be given until the next following Payment Business Day (unless that date falls more than 364 days after the Issue Date, in which case payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Payment Business Day) and neither the bearer of this Global Note nor the holder or beneficial owner of any interest herein or rights in respect hereof shall be entitled to any interest or other sums in respect of such postponed payment. |
As used in this Global Note:
“Payment Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday which is either (i) if the above-mentioned Specified Currency is any currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars or Renminbi, shall be Sydney, Auckland or Hong Kong respectively) or (ii) if the Specified Currency is euro, a day which is a TARGET Business Day; and
“TARGET Business Day” means a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System or any successor thereto, is operating credit or transfer instructions in respect of payments in euro.
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Provided that if the Issue and Paying Agent determines with the agreement of the Issuer that the market practice in respect of euro denominated internationally offered securities is different from that specified above, the above shall be deemed to be amended so as to comply with such market practice and the Issue and Paying Agent shall procure that a notice of such amendment is published in accordance with paragraph 12(F) not less than 15 days prior to the date on which any payment in euro falls due to be made in such manner as the Issue and Paying Agent may determine.
6. | The payment obligation of the Issuer represented by this Global Note constitutes and at all times shall constitute a direct and unsecured obligation of the Issuer ranking at least pari passu with all present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer other than obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally. |
7. | This Global Note is negotiable and, accordingly, title hereto shall pass by delivery and the bearer shall be treated as being absolutely entitled to receive payment upon due presentation hereof free and clear of any equity, set-off or counterclaim on the part of the Issuer against any previous bearer hereof. |
8. | This Global Note is issued in respect of an issue of Notes of the Issuer and is exchangeable in whole (but not in part only) for duly executed and authenticated bearer Notes in definitive form (whether before, on or, subject as provided below, after the Maturity Date): |
(A) | if one or both of Euroclear Bank SA/NV and Clearstream Banking S.A. or any other relevant clearing system(s) in which this Global Note is held at the relevant time is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days or more (other than by reason of weekends or public holidays, statutory or otherwise) or if any such clearing system announces an intention to, or does in fact, permanently cease to do business; or |
(B) | if default is made in the payment of any amount payable in respect of this Global Note. |
Upon presentation and surrender of this Global Note during normal business hours to the Issuer at the office of the Issue and Paying Agent (or to any other person or at any other office outside the United States as may be designated in writing by the Issuer to the bearer), the Issue and Paying Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for this Global Note, bearer definitive notes denominated in the Specified Currency in an aggregate nominal amount equal to the Nominal Amount of this Global Note.
9. | If, upon any such event and following such surrender, definitive Notes are not issued in full exchange for this Global Note before 5.00 p.m. (London time) on the thirtieth day after surrender, this Global Note (including the obligation hereunder to issue definitive notes) will become void and the bearer will have no further rights under this Global Note (but without prejudice to the rights which the bearer or any other person may have under a Deed of Covenant dated 11 October 2021 (as amended, restated or supplemented as of the date of issue of the Notes) entered into by the Issuer). |
10. | If this is an interest bearing Global Note, then: |
(A) | notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 above, if any payment of interest in respect of this Global Note falling due for payment prior to the Maturity Date remains unpaid on the fifteenth day after falling so due, the Nominal Amount shall be payable on such fifteenth day; |
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(B) | upon each payment of interest (if any) prior to the Maturity Date in respect of this Global Note, the Schedule hereto shall be duly completed by the Issue and Paying Agent to reflect such payment; and |
(C) | if no Interest Payment Dates are specified on this Global Note, the Interest Payment Date shall be the Maturity Date. |
11. | If this is a fixed rate interest bearing Global Note, interest shall be calculated on the Nominal Amount as follows: |
(A) | interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such Interest Period and a year of 360 days or, if this Global Note is denominated in Sterling or Renminbi, 365 days at the Fixed Interest Rate with the resulting figure being rounded to the nearest amount of the Specified Currency which is available as legal tender in the country or countries (in the case of the euro) of the Specified Currency (with halves being rounded upwards); and |
(B) | the period beginning on (and including) the Issue Date and ending on (but excluding) the first Interest Payment Date and each successive period beginning on (and including) an Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date is an “Interest Period” for the purposes of this paragraph 11. |
12. | If this is a floating rate interest bearing Global Note, interest shall be calculated on the Nominal Amount as follows: |
(A) | in the case of a Global Note which specifies EURIBOR as the Reference Rate on its face, the Rate of Interest will be the aggregate of EURIBOR and the Margin (if any) above or below EURIBOR. Interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such Interest Period and a year of 360 days. |
As used in this Global Note, “EURIBOR” shall be equal to EUR-EURIBOR (as defined in the latest version of the 2021 ISDA Interest Rate Derivatives Definitions, including each Matrix (as defined therein) (and any successor thereto) each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (the “ISDA Definitions”) as at the Issue Date) as at 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) or as near thereto as practicable on the second TARGET Business Day before the first day of the relevant Interest Period (a “EURIBOR Interest Determination Date”), as if the Reset Date (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the first day of such Interest Period and the Designated Maturity (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the number of months specified on the face of this Global Note in relation to the Reference Rate;
(B) | in the case of a Global Note which specifies CNH HIBOR as the Reference Rate on its face, the Rate of Interest will be the aggregate of CNH HIBOR and the Margin (if any) above or below CNH HIBOR. Interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such Interest Period and a year of 365 days. |
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As used in this Global Note:
“CNH HIBOR” shall be equal to the CNH-HIBOR (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) as 11.15 a.m. (Hong Kong time) or if, at or around that time it is notified that such rate will be published at 2.30 p.m. (Hong Kong time), then as of 2.30 p.m. or as near thereto as practicable on the second Hong Kong Banking Day before the first day of the relevant Interest Period (a “CNH HIBOR Interest Determination Date”), as if the Reset Date (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the first day of such Interest Period and the Designated Maturity (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the number of months specified on the face of this Global Note in relation to the Reference Rate; and
“Hong Kong Banking Day” shall mean a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in Hong Kong;
(C) | in the case of a Global Note which specifies any other Reference Rate on its face, the Rate of Interest will be the aggregate of such Reference Rate and the Margin (if any) above or below such Reference Rate. Interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the Day Count Fraction specified hereon. As used in this Global Note, the Reference Rate shall be equal to the Reference Rate which appears on the Reference Rate Screen Page as at the Relevant Time on the Interest Determination Date as each such term is specified hereon; |
(D) | the Calculation Agent will, as soon as practicable after 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) on each EURIBOR Interest Determination Date or 11.15 a.m. (Hong Kong time) or if, at or around that time it is notified that the CNH HIBOR rate will be published at 2.30 p.m. (Hong Kong time), then as of 2.30 p.m. on each CNH HIBOR Interest Determination Date or at the Relevant Time on each other specified Interest Determination Date (as the case may be), determine the Rate of Interest and calculate the amount of interest payable (the “Amount of Interest”) for the relevant Interest Period. “Rate of Interest” means the rate which is determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 12(A), (B) or (C) (as the case may be). The Amount of Interest payable per Note shall be calculated by applying the Rate of Interest to the Nominal Amount, multiplying such product by the actual number of days in the Interest Period concerned divided by 360 or, if this Global Note is denominated in Sterling or Renminbi, by 365 or the relevant Day Count Fraction and rounding the resulting figure to the nearest amount of the Specified Currency which is available as legal tender in the country or countries (in the case of the euro) of the Specified Currency (with halves being rounded upwards); |
(E) | the period beginning on (and including) the Issue Date and ending on (but excluding) the first Interest Payment Date and each successive period beginning on (and including) an Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date is called an “Interest Period” for the purposes of this paragraph 12; and |
(F) | the Issuer will procure that a notice specifying the Rate of Interest payable in respect of each Interest Period be published in accordance with paragraph 13 as soon as practicable after the determination of the Rate of Interest. |
13. | Notices to holders will be delivered to the clearing system(s) in which this Global Note is held or, if this Global Note has been exchanged for bearer definitive Notes pursuant to paragraph 8, will be published in a leading English language daily newspaper published in London (which is expected to be the Financial Times). Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such delivery or publication. |
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14. | The determination of an applicable Rate of Interest and/or Amount of Interest by the Calculation Agent for any Interest Period pursuant to paragraph 12 shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding upon the Issuer and the bearer of this Global Note. |
15. | If the proceeds of this Global Note are accepted in the United Kingdom, the Nominal Amount shall be not less than £100,000 (or the equivalent in any other currency). |
16. | Instructions for payment must be received before 10.00 a.m. (local time in the relevant principal financial centre of the country of the relevant payment) at the office of the Issue and Paying Agent referred to above together with this Global Note as follows: |
(A) | If the Global Note is denominated in Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi or Japanese Yen, at least two Business Days prior to the relevant payment date; |
(B) | if this Global Note is denominated in United States dollars, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, euro or Sterling, at least one Business Day prior to the relevant payment date; and |
(C) | in all other cases, at least two Business Days prior to the relevant payment date. |
As used in this paragraph 16, “Business Day” means:
(1) | a day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London; and |
(2) | in the case of payments in euro, a TARGET Business Day, in the case of payments in Renminbi a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including clearing and settlement of Renminbi) in Hong Kong, and, in all other cases, a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre in the country of the Specified Currency. |
17. | This Global Note shall not be validly issued unless manually authenticated by the Issue and Paying Agent. |
18. | This Global Note and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
The English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Global Note and any non-contractual obligations arising from or connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Global Note). The Issuer agrees and the bearer of this Global Note is deemed to agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly will not argue to the contrary.
19. | No person shall have any right to enforce any provision of this Global Note under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act. |
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Signed on behalf of:
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
By: | ||
(Authorised Signatory) |
AUTHENTICATED by
HSBC BANK PLC
without recourse, warranty or liability and for authentication purposes only
By: | ||
(Authorised Signatory) |
26
SCHEDULE 1 : PAYMENTS OF INTEREST
The following payments of interest in respect of this Global Note have been made:
FIXED RATE INTEREST PAYMENTS
Date of | Period From | Period To | Amount of Interest | Notation on |
Payment | Paid | behalf of Issue | ||
and Paying Agent | ||||
FLOATING RATE INTEREST PAYMENTS
Period From | Period To | Date of | Interest | Amount of | Notation on |
Payment | Rate per | Interest Paid | behalf of | ||
annum | Issue and | ||||
Paying | |||||
Agent | |||||
27
SCHEDULE 2 FORM OF MULTICURRENCY DEFINITIVE NOTE
(Interest Bearing/Discounted/Premium)
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR ANY U.S. STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS LEGEND SHALL CEASE TO APPLY UPON THE EXPIRY OF THE PERIOD OF 40 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL THE SECURITIES OF THE TRANCHE OF WHICH THIS SECURITY FORMS PART.
[Purchasers of Renminbi denominated Notes should note that the Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. All payments in respect of Renminbi denominated Notes will be made solely by transfer to a Renminbi bank account maintained outside of the PRC (as defined below) in accordance with prevailing rules and regulations. The Issuer cannot be required to make payment by any other means (including in another currency or by bank transfer to a bank account in the PRC). In addition, there can be no assurance that access to Renminbi funds for the purposes of making payments on Renminbi denominated Notes or generally may not remain or become restricted. For these purposes the “PRC” means the People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”), the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan).]12
[Notification under Section 309B(1)(c) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore (the “SFA”), as modified or amended from time to time - In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), the Issuer has determined the classification of the Notes as capital markets products other than prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Specified Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).]13
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
(incorporated in England and Wales)
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 549300VN4WV7Z6T14K68
£1,000,000,000
Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
ISIN: ________________________
12 | Only use the text in square brackets if the Notes are denominated in Renminbi. |
13 | Relevant Dealer(s) to consider whether it / they have received the necessary product classification from the Issuer prior to the launch of the offer, pursuant to Section 309B of the SFA. To insert notice if the Notes are “capital markets products other than prescribed capital markets products” and “Specified Investment Products”. |
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1. | For value received, Rentokil Initial plc (the “Issuer”) promises to pay to the bearer of this Note on the Maturity Date the Nominal Amount, together with interest thereon at the rate and at the times (if any) specified herein. |
All such payments shall be made in accordance with an amended and restated issue and paying agency agreement dated 11 October 2021 (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Agency Agreement”) between the Issuer and the issue and paying agent referred to therein, a copy of which is available for inspection at the office of HSBC Bank plc (the “Issue and Paying Agent”) at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom, and subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below. All such payments shall be made upon presentation and surrender of this Note at the offices of the Issue and Paying Agent referred to above by transfer to an account denominated in the Specified Currency maintained by the bearer with (i) a bank in the principal financial centre in the country of the Specified Currency or, (ii) if this Note is denominated or payable in euro by transfer to a euro account (or any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) maintained by the payee with, a bank in the principal financial centre of any member state of the European Union or, (iii) if this Note is denominated or payable in Renminbi, to a Renminbi account maintained in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations at such bank in Hong Kong.
14 | Not to be more than 364 days from (and including) the Issue Date. For Hong Kong dollar or Renminbi denominated Fixed Rate Notes consider applying modified following business day convention to the Interest Payment Date and the Maturity Date. |
15 | Complete/delete as appropriate. | |
16 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 9. | |
17 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 9. | |
18 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 9. | |
19 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only if a Reference Rate other than EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR is specified. If the specified Reference Rate is EURIBOR or CNH HIBOR leave blank as these provisions are covered in paragraph 9. | |
20 | Complete for fixed rate interest bearing Notes only. | |
21 | Complete for floating rate interest bearing Notes only. | |
22 | Complete for all floating rate interest bearing Notes and for fixed rate interest Notes denominated in Renminbi only. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, presentation and surrender of this Note shall be made outside the United States and no amount shall be paid by transfer to an account in the United States, or mailed to an address in the United States. In the case of a Note denominated in U.S. dollars, payments shall be made by transfer to an account denominated in U.S. Dollars in the principal financial centre of any country outside of the United States that the Issuer or Issue and Paying Agent so chooses.
2. | All payments in respect of this Note will be subject in all cases to any applicable fiscal or other laws, regulations and directives in any jurisdiction (whether by operation of law or agreement of the Issuer) and the Issuer will not be liable for any taxes or duties of whatever nature imposed or levied by such laws, regulations, directives or agreements, but without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3. |
3. | All payments in respect of this Note by or on behalf of the Issuer shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, fees, liabilities or similar deductions and free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, taxes, levies, duties, assessments or charges of any nature now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of Issuer's taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (“Taxes”), unless the withholding or deduction of Taxes is required by law. In that event, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, pay such additional amounts as shall be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the bearer of this Note after such deduction or withholding shall equal the amount which would have been receivable hereunder in the absence of such deduction or withholding, except that no such additional amounts shall be payable where this Note is presented for payment: |
(A) | by or on behalf of a holder which is liable to such Taxes by reason of its having some connection with the jurisdiction imposing the Taxes other than the mere holding of this Note; or |
(B) | more than 15 days after the Maturity Date or, if applicable, the relevant Interest Payment Date or (in either case) the date on which payment hereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to such additional amounts if it had presented this Note on the last day of such period of 15 days. |
4. | If the Maturity Date or, if applicable, the relevant Interest Payment Date is not a Payment Business Day (as defined herein) payment in respect hereof will not be made and credit or transfer instructions shall not be given until the next following Payment Business Day (unless that date falls more than 364 days after the Issue Date, in which case payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Payment Business Day) and neither the bearer of this Note nor the holder or beneficial owner of any interest herein or rights in respect hereof shall be entitled to any interest or other sums in respect of such postponed payment. |
As used in this Note:
“Payment Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday which is either (i) if the above-mentioned Specified Currency is any currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars or Renminbi, shall be Sydney, Auckland or Hong Kong respectively) or (ii) if the Specified Currency is euro, a day which is a TARGET Business Day; and
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“TARGET Business Day” means a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System or any successor thereto, is operating credit or transfer instructions in respect of payments in euro.
Provided that if the Issue and Paying Agent determines with the agreement of the Issuer that the market practice in respect of euro denominated internationally offered securities is different from that specified above, the above shall be deemed to be amended so as to comply with such market practice and the Issue and Paying Agent shall procure that a notice of such amendment is published in accordance with paragraph 9(F) not less than 15 days prior to the date on which any payment in euro falls due to be made in such manner as the Issue and Paying Agent may determine.
5. | The payment obligation of the Issuer represented by this Note constitutes and at all times shall constitute a direct and unsecured obligation of the Issuer ranking at least pari passu with all present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer other than obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally. |
6. | This Note is negotiable and, accordingly, title hereto shall pass by delivery and the bearer shall be treated as being absolutely entitled to receive payment upon due presentation hereof free and clear of any equity, set-off or counterclaim on the part of the Issuer against any previous bearer hereof. |
7. | If this is an interest bearing Note, then: |
(A) | notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 above, if any payment of interest in respect of this Note falling due for payment prior to the Maturity Date remains unpaid on the fifteenth day after falling so due, the Nominal Amount shall be payable on such fifteenth day; |
(B) | upon each payment of interest (if any) prior to the Maturity Date in respect of this Note, the Schedule hereto shall be duly completed by the Issue and Paying Agent to reflect such payment; and |
(C) | if no Interest Payment Dates are specified on this Note, the Interest Payment Date shall be the Maturity Date. |
8. | If this is a fixed rate interest bearing Note, interest shall be calculated on the Nominal Amount as follows: |
(A) | interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such Interest Period and a year of 360 days or, if this Note is denominated in Sterling or Renminbi, 365 days at the Fixed Interest Rate with the resulting figure being rounded to the nearest amount of the Specified Currency which is available as legal tender in the country or countries (in the case of the euro) of the Specified Currency (with halves being rounded upwards); and |
(B) | the period beginning on (and including) the Issue Date and ending on (but excluding) the first Interest Payment Date and each successive period beginning on (and including) an Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date is an “Interest Period” for the purposes of this paragraph 8. |
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9. | If this is a floating rate interest bearing Note, interest shall be calculated on the Nominal Amount as follows: |
(A) | in the case of a Note which specifies EURIBOR as the Reference Rate on its face, the Rate of Interest will be the aggregate of EURIBOR and the Margin (if any) above or below EURIBOR. Interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such Interest Period and a year of 360 days. |
As used in this Note, “EURIBOR” shall be equal to EUR-EURIBOR (as defined in the latest version of the 2021 ISDA Interest Rate Derivatives Definitions, including each Matrix (as defined therein) (and any successor thereto) each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (the “ISDA Definitions”) as at the Issue Date) as at 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) or as near thereto as practicable on the second TARGET Business Day before the first day of the relevant Interest Period (a “EURIBOR Interest Determination Date”), as if the Reset Date (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the first day of such Interest Period and the Designated Maturity (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the number of months specified on the face of this Note in relation to the Reference Rate;
(B) | in the case of a Note which specifies CNH HIBOR as the Reference Rate on its face, the Rate of Interest will be the aggregate of CNH HIBOR and the Margin (if any) above or below CNH HIBOR. Interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such Interest Period and a year of 365 days. |
As used in this Note:
“CNH HIBOR” shall be equal to the CNH-HIBOR (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) as 11.15 a.m. (Hong Kong time) or if, at or around that time it is notified that such rate will be published at 2.30 p.m. (Hong Kong time), then as of 2.30 p.m. or as near thereto as practicable on the second Hong Kong Banking Day before the first day of the relevant Interest Period (a “CNH HIBOR Interest Determination Date”), as if the Reset Date (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the first day of such Interest Period and the Designated Maturity (as defined in the ISDA Definitions) was the number of months specified on the face of this Note in relation to the Reference Rate; and
“Hong Kong Banking Day” shall mean a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in Hong Kong;
(C) | in the case of a Note which specifies any other Reference Rate on its face, the Rate of Interest will be the aggregate of such Reference Rate and the Margin (if any) above or below such Reference Rate. Interest shall be payable on the Nominal Amount in respect of each successive Interest Period (as defined below) from the Issue Date to the Maturity Date only, in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date, on the basis of the Day Count Fraction specified hereon. As used in this Note, the Reference Rate shall be equal to the Reference Rate which appears on the Reference Rate Screen Page as at the Relevant Time on the Interest Determination Date as each such term is specified hereon; |
32
(D) | the Calculation Agent will, as soon as practicable after 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) on each EURIBOR Interest Determination Date or 11.15 a.m. (Hong Kong time) or if, at or around that time it is notified that the CNH HIBOR rate will be published at 2.30 p.m. (Hong Kong time), then as of 2.30 p.m. on each CNH HIBOR Interest Determination Date or at the Relevant Time on each other specified Interest Determination Date (as the case may be), determine the Rate of Interest and calculate the amount of interest payable (the “Amount of Interest”) for the relevant Interest Period. “Rate of Interest” means the rate which is determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 9(A), (B) or (C) (as the case may be). The Amount of Interest payable per Note shall be calculated by applying the Rate of Interest to the Nominal Amount, multiplying such product by the actual number of days in the Interest Period concerned divided by 360 or, if this Note is denominated in Sterling or Renminbi, by 365 or the relevant Day Count Fraction and rounding the resulting figure to the nearest amount of the Specified Currency which is available as legal tender in the country or countries (in the case of the euro) of the Specified Currency (with halves being rounded upwards); |
(E) | the period beginning on (and including) the Issue Date and ending on (but excluding) the first Interest Payment Date and each successive period beginning on (and including) an Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date is called an “Interest Period” for the purposes of this paragraph 9; and |
(F) | the Issuer will procure that a notice specifying the Rate of Interest payable in respect of each Interest Period be published in accordance with paragraph 10 as soon as practicable after the determination of the Rate of Interest. |
10. | Notices to holders will be delivered to the bearer of this Note, or if that is not possible, it will be published in a leading English language daily newspaper published in London (which is expected to be the Financial Times). Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such delivery or publication. |
11. | The determination of an applicable Rate of Interest and/or Amount of Interest by the Calculation Agent for any Interest Period pursuant to paragraph 9 shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding upon the Issuer and the bearer of this Note. |
12. | If the proceeds of this Note are accepted in the United Kingdom, the Nominal Amount shall be not less than £100,000 (or the equivalent in any other currency). |
13. | Instructions for payment must be received before 10.00 a.m. (local time in the relevant principal financial centre of the country of the relevant payment) at the office of the Issue and Paying Agent referred to above together with this Note as follows: |
(A) | If the Note is denominated in Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Renminbi or Japanese Yen, at least two Business Days prior to the relevant payment date; |
(B) | if this Note is denominated in United States dollars, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, euro or Sterling, at least one Business Day prior to the relevant payment date; and |
(C) | in all other cases, at least two Business Days prior to the relevant payment date. |
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As used in this paragraph 13, “Business Day” means:
(1) | a day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London; and |
(2) | in the case of payments in euro, a TARGET Business Day, in the case of payments in Renminbi a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including clearing and settlement of Renminbi) in Hong Kong, and, in all other cases, a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre in the country of the Specified Currency. |
14. | This Note shall not be validly issued unless manually authenticated by the Issue and Paying Agent. |
15. | This Note and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. |
The English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Note and any non-contractual obligations arising from or connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Note). The Issuer agrees and the bearer of this Note is deemed to agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly will not argue to the contrary.
16. | No person shall have any right to enforce any provision of this Note under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act. |
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Signed on behalf of: | ||
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC | ||
By: | ||
(Authorised Signatory) | ||
AUTHENTICATED by | ||
HSBC BANK PLC | ||
without recourse, warranty or liability and for authentication purposes only | ||
By: | ||
(Authorised Signatory) |
35
SCHEDULE 1 : PAYMENTS OF INTEREST
The following payments of interest in respect of this Note have been made:
FIXED RATE INTEREST PAYMENTS
Date
of Payment |
Period From | Period To | Amount
of Interest Paid |
Notation
on behalf of Issue and Paying Agent |
FLOATING RATE INTEREST PAYMENTS
Period From | Period To | Date of | Interest | Amount of | Notation on |
Payment | Rate per | Interest Paid | behalf of | ||
annum | Issue and | ||||
Paying | |||||
Agent | |||||
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SCHEDULE 3 FORM OF CONFIRMATION TO ISSUE AND PAYING AGENT
To: | HSBC BANK PLC |
Attention: | Issuer Services New Issues Team (Email: ctla.newissues@hsbc.com) |
Date: | [·] |
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
£1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
We hereby confirm our [telephone/e-mail] instruction to prepare, complete, authenticate and issue Global Notes / Definitive Notes (in accordance with the terms of the above Issue and Paying Agency Agreement). We hereby instruct you to:
(a) | Credit the account of [name of Dealer] with [Euroclear/Clearstream] with the following underlying Notes: |
(i) | Currency and Amount: | [ ] | ||
(ii) | Denomination: | [ ] | ||
(iii) | Euro Equivalent: | [ ] | ||
(iv) | Trade Date: | [ ] | ||
(v) | Issue Date: | [ ] | ||
(vi) | Maturity Date: | [ ] | ||
(vii) | Interest payment date (if any): | [ ] | ||
(viii) | Yield/Interest Rate: | [ ] | ||
[against payment of [·] / free of payment]. | ||||
(b) | Hold the following Definitive Notes available for collection by [name of Dealer]: | |||
(i) | Currency and Amount: | [ ] | ||
(ii) | Denomination: | [ ] | ||
(iii) | Euro Equivalent: | [ ] | ||
(iv) | Trade Date: | [ ] | ||
(v) | Issue Date: | [ ] | ||
(vi) | Maturity Date: | [ ] | ||
(vii) | Interest payment date (if any): | [ ] | ||
(viii) | Yield/Interest Rate: | [ ] |
against an undertaking from such Dealer or of the paying bank for such Dealer to make payment of [·] on the Issue Date.
For and on behalf of
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
By: | ||
Date: | ||
37
Exhibit 10.8
EXECUTION VERSION
Amended and Restated
Dealer Agreement
between
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
as Issuer
HSBC BANK PLC
as Arranger
and
BANK OF AMERICA EUROPE DAC
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK
BNP PARIBAS
HSBC BANK PLC
ING BANK N.V.
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
as Programme Dealers
relating to a
£1,000,000,000
Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
Simmons & Simmons LLP | ![]() | |
Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street | ||
London, EC2Y 9SS | T +44 207 628 2020 | |
United Kingdom | F +44 207 628 2070 |
CONTENTS
1. | Interpretation | 2 |
2. | Issue | 5 |
3. | Representations and warranties | 8 |
4. | Conditions precedent | 12 |
5. | Covenants and agreements | 12 |
6. | Obligations of the Dealers | 17 |
7. | Termination and appointment | 17 |
8. | Calculation Agent | 18 |
9. | Status of the Dealers and the Arranger | 18 |
10. | Notices | 18 |
11. | Partial invalidity | 19 |
12. | Remedies and waivers | 19 |
13. | Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes | 20 |
14. | Contractual recognition of EU Bail-in Powers | 20 |
15. | Counterparts | 21 |
16. | Rights of third parties | 21 |
17. | Governing law | 21 |
18. | Jurisdiction | 21 |
Schedule 1 : Condition Precedent Documents | 22 |
Schedule 2 : Selling Restrictions | 23 |
Schedule 3 : Notification Letter for an Increase in the Maximum Amount | 25 |
Schedule 4 : Dealer Accession Letter | 26 |
Schedule 5 : Form of Calculation Agency Agreement | 28 |
i
THIS AGREEMENT is dated 11 October 2021 and made
BETWEEN:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC, (the “Issuer”), registered in England and Wales as company number 05393279 and having its registered office at Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9PY, United Kingdom; and |
(2) | HSBC BANK PLC, (the “Arranger”); and |
(3) | BANK OF AMERICA EUROPE DAC, BARCLAYS BANK PLC, BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK, BNP PARIBAS, HSBC BANK PLC, ING BANK N.V. and STANDARD CHARTERED BANK (the “Programme Dealers”). |
WHEREAS:
(A) | The Issuer, HSBC Bank plc and Barclays Bank PLC entered into a dealer agreement on 27 March 2020 (the “Original Dealer Agreement”) in respect of a £1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme. |
(B) | The parties hereto have agreed to make certain modifications to the Original Dealer Agreement, including adding Bank of America Europe DAC, Bayerische Landesbank, BNP Paribas, ING Bank N.V. and Standard Chartered Bank as Programme Dealers, as set forth in this amended and restated Dealer Agreement (the “Agreement”). |
BACKGROUND:
1. | Interpretation |
1.1 | Definitions |
In this Agreement:
“Additional Dealer” means any institution appointed as a Dealer in accordance with Clause 7.2.
“Agency Agreement” means the issue and paying agency agreement, dated on or about the date of this Agreement, between the Issuer and the Agent, providing for the issuance of and payment on the Notes.
“Agent” means HSBC Bank plc acting as issue and paying agent for the Notes and any successor or additional agent appointed in accordance with the Agency Agreement.
“Australian Dollars” and “AUD” denote the lawful currency of Australia; and “Australian Dollar Note” means a Note denominated in Australian Dollars.
“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London.
“Canadian Dollars” and “CAD” denote the lawful currency of Canada; and “Canadian Dollar Note” means a Note denominated in Canadian Dollars.
“Clearing System” means Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”), Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) or any other clearing system from time to time agreed between the Dealers and the Issuer.
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“Covered Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. §1841(k).
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(A) | a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §252.82(b); |
(B) | a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §47.3(b); or |
(C) | a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §382.2(b). |
“Dealer” means a Programme Dealer (including HSBC Bank plc in its capacity as Arranger) or an Additional Dealer but excluding any institution whose appointment as a dealer has been terminated under Clause 7.1 provided that where any such institution has been appointed as Dealer in relation to a particular issue of Notes or period of time, the expression “Dealer” or “Dealers” shall only mean or include such institution in relation to such Notes or that time period.
“Deed of Covenant” means the Deed of Covenant, dated on or about the date of this Agreement, executed by the Issuer in respect of Global Notes issued under the Agency Agreement.
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“Definitive Note” means a Note, security printed or otherwise, issued by the Issuer.
“Disclosure Documents” means, at any particular date:
(A) | the Information Memorandum; and |
(B) | any other document delivered or notified pursuant to clause 5.2 by the Issuer to a Dealer which the Issuer has expressly authorised in writing to be distributed to actual or potential purchasers of Notes. |
“Dollars” and “U.S.$” denote the lawful currency of the United States of America; and “Dollar Note” means a Note denominated in Dollars.
“euro” and “€” denote the lawful currency introduced at the start of the third stage of European Economic and Monetary union pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as amended from time to time; and “euro Note” means a Note denominated in euro.
“FSMA” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
“Global Note” means a Note in global form, representing an issue of commercial paper.
“Group” means the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.
“Hong Kong Dollars” and “HKD” denote the lawful currency of Hong Kong; and “Hong Kong Dollar Note” means a Note denominated in Hong Kong Dollars.
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“Information Memorandum” means the most recently published information memorandum containing information about the Issuer and the Notes (including information incorporated therein by reference), as prepared by or on behalf of the Issuer for use by the Dealers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Maximum Amount” means £1,000,000,000 or such other amount as may apply in accordance with Clause 2.7.
“New Zealand Dollars” and “NZD” denote the lawful currency of New Zealand; and “New Zealand Dollar Note” means a Note denominated in New Zealand Dollars.
“Note” means a Definitive Note or a Global Note issued under the Agency Agreement to a Dealer.
“Note Transaction” means the issue by the Issuer and the subscription by a Dealer of Note(s) in accordance with Clause 2.
“Programme” means the euro-commercial paper programme of the Issuer established by the Programme Agreements.
“Programme Agreement” means this Agreement, any agreement for a Note Transaction, the Deed of Covenant or the Agency Agreement.
“Ratings Agency” means S&P Global Ratings UK Limited (“S&P”) or any other statistical ratings organisation which rates the Issuer’s debt securities.
“Relevant Party” means in respect of each Dealer, each of its affiliates and each person who controls them (within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), together with each of its directors, officers, employees and agents.
“Renminbi” and “CNY” denote the lawful currency of the People’s Republic of China; and “Renminbi Note” means a Note denominated in Renminbi.
“Sanctions” means any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury.
“Sterling” and “£” denote the lawful currency of the United Kingdom; and “Sterling Note” means a Note denominated in Sterling.
“Sterling Equivalent” means on any day:
(A) | in relation to any Sterling Note, the nominal amount of such Note; and |
(B) | in relation to any Note denominated or to be denominated in any other currency, the amount in Sterling which would be required to purchase the nominal amount of such Note as expressed in such other currency at the spot rate of exchange for the purchase of such other currency with Sterling, as quoted by the Agent at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on such day. |
“Subsidiary” means any company which is for the time being a subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) or a subsidiary undertaking (within the meaning of Section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006).
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“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Yen” and “¥” denote the lawful currency of Japan; and “Yen Note” means a Note denominated in Japanese Yen.
1.2 | Construction |
(A) | In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to: |
(1) | a provision of a law is a reference to that provision as amended, extended, applied or re-enacted and includes any subordinate legislation; |
(2) | a Clause or a Schedule is a reference to a clause of or a schedule to this Agreement; |
(3) | a “person” includes any individual, company, corporation, unincorporated association or body (including a partnership, trust, joint venture or consortium), government, state, agency, organisation or any other entity whether or not having separate legal personality, and references to any person shall include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees; |
(4) | “assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
(5) | an “authorisation” includes any authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration; |
(6) | a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, inter-governmental or supranational body, agency, department or authority; and |
(7) | any “Programme Agreement” or other document is a reference to that Programme Agreement or other document as amended, novated, restated, superseded or supplemented. |
(B) | The index to and the headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement. |
2. | Issue |
2.1 | Appointment of Dealers |
The Issuer hereby appoints the Dealers with respect to the issue of Notes under this Agreement.
2.2 | The Uncommitted Programme |
(A) | The Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Notes, and a Dealer shall not be under any obligation to subscribe for or procure the subscription for any Notes, until such time as an agreement for a Note Transaction has been reached between the Issuer and that Dealer. |
(B) | Each of the Issuer and the Dealers agree that solely by virtue of appointment as Arranger or Dealer, as applicable, on this Programme, neither the Arranger nor the Dealers nor any of their respective affiliates will be a manufacturer for the purpose of EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 and/or the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook. |
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2.3 | Issue of Notes |
(A) | Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Issuer may issue Notes to any of the Dealers from time to time at such prices and upon such terms as the Issuer and the relevant Dealer may agree. The Issuer acknowledges that the Dealers may resell Notes subscribed for by such Dealers. |
(B) | Each issue of Notes having the same Issue Date, Maturity Date, currency and yield and redemption basis will be represented by one or more Global Notes or by Definitive Notes having the aggregate principal amount of such issue as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer. |
(C) | The tenor of each Note shall not be less than one day nor greater than 364 days, with that tenor being calculated from (and including) the issue date to (but excluding) the maturity date of that Note. |
(D) | Global Notes and Definitive Notes (if any) shall be issued in the following denominations (or integral multiples thereof): |
(1) | for Australian Dollar Notes, AUD 1,000,000; |
(2) | for Canadian Dollar Notes, CAD 500,000; |
(3) | for euro Notes, €500,000; |
(4) | for Hong Kong Dollar Notes, HKD 2,000,000; |
(5) | for New Zealand Dollar Notes, NZD 1,000,000; |
(6) | for Renminbi Notes, CNY1,000,000; |
(7) | for Sterling Notes, £100,000; |
(8) | for Swiss Franc Notes, CHF500,000; |
(9) | for U.S. Dollar Notes, U.S.$500,000; or |
(10) | for Yen Notes, Yen 100,000,000, |
or such other conventionally accepted denominations in those currencies or such other currency as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer from time to time, subject in each case to compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and provided that the equivalent of that denomination in Sterling as at the Issue Date is not less than £100,000.
(E) | The aggregate amount of Notes outstanding at any time will not exceed the Maximum Amount. For the purposes of calculating the Maximum Amount of Notes issued under this Agreement, the principal amount of any outstanding Note denominated in any currency other than Sterling shall be taken as the Sterling Equivalent of such principal amount as at the Issue Date of the Notes then to be issued. |
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2.4 | Agreements for Note Transactions |
If the Issuer and any Dealer shall agree on the terms of the subscription for any Note by that Dealer (including agreement with respect to the issue date, aggregate principal or nominal amount, denomination, currency, price, redemption basis, maturity date and discount or interest basis), then:
(A) | the Issuer shall instruct the Agent to issue that Note and deliver it in accordance with the terms of the Agency Agreement; |
(B) | the relevant Dealer shall pay the subscription price of such Note on the issue date: |
(1) | in the case of a euro Note, by transfer of same-day funds settled through the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (or any successor thereto) to such euro account as the Agent shall from time to time have specified for this purpose; or |
(2) | in the case of a Sterling Note, by transfer of same-day funds to the Sterling account in London as the Agent shall from time to time have specified for this purpose; or |
(3) | in the case of a Dollar Note, by transfer of funds settled through the New York Clearing House Interbank Payments System (or such other same-day value funds as at the time shall be customary for the settlement in New York City of international banking transactions denominated in Dollars) to the account in New York denominated in Dollars as the Agent shall from time to time have specified for this purpose; or |
(4) | in all other cases, by transfer of freely transferable same-day funds in the relevant currency to the account of the Agent at such bank in the applicable jurisdiction for such currency as the Agent may from time to time have specified for this purpose; and |
(C) | the relevant Dealer shall notify the Agent and the Issuer of the payment and delivery instructions applicable to such Note in accordance with prevailing market practice and in sufficient time to enable the Agent to deliver such Note(s) (or make the same available for collection) on the relevant issue date. |
2.5 | Failure to issue |
If, for any reason (including, without limitation, the failure of the relevant trade), a Note is not to be issued in accordance with a Note Transaction, the Issuer and the relevant Dealer shall immediately notify the Agent of that fact.
2.6 | Optional currencies |
(A) | Any agreement for a Note Transaction for a Note denominated in a currency other than Sterling, Dollars, euro, AUD, CAD, CHF, HKD, NZD, Renminbi or Yen shall be conditional upon: |
(1) | it being lawful and in compliance with all requirements of any relevant central bank and any other relevant fiscal, monetary, regulatory or other authority from time to time, for deposits to be made in such currency and for such Note to be issued, offered for sale, sold and delivered as contemplated by such Note Transaction; |
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(2) | such other currency being freely transferable and freely convertible into Sterling; |
(3) | the consent of the Agent to that currency having been given; and |
(4) | any appropriate amendments which the relevant Dealer and/or the Issuer shall require having been made to this Agreement and any appropriate amendments which the Issuer and/or the Agent shall require having been made to the Agency Agreement. |
2.7 | Increase in Maximum Amount |
The Issuer may from time to time increase the Maximum Amount by:
(A) | giving at least 10 days’ notice by letter in substantially the form of Schedule 3 to each Dealer and to the Agent; and |
(B) | delivering to each Dealer with that letter the documents referred to in that letter, in each case in form and substance acceptable to each Dealer. |
2.8 | Global Notes and Definitive Notes |
(A) | Each Note issued will be represented initially by one or more Global Notes. |
(B) | Global Notes will be exchangeable, in accordance with their terms, for Definitive Notes only upon default by the Issuer in the payment of any amount payable in respect of the Notes represented by such Global Notes or if one or both of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other relevant Clearing System in which the relevant Global Note is held is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days or more (other than by reason of weekends or public holidays, statutory or otherwise) or if any such Clearing System announces an intention to, or does in fact, permanently cease to do business. |
3. Representations and warranties
The Issuer makes the representations and warranties in this Clause 3 to each Dealer.
3.1 | Status |
The Issuer is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.
3.2 | Powers and authority |
The Issuer has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise the entry into, performance and delivery of, the Notes and the Programme Agreements and the transactions contemplated by those Notes and Programme Agreements.
3.3 | Binding obligations |
The obligations expressed to be assumed by the Issuer in each of the Programme Agreements and (when the Notes have been issued and delivered under the Agency Agreement and have been paid for) the Notes are, subject to any general principles of law limiting its obligations which are specifically referred to in any legal opinion delivered under Schedule 1, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.
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3.4 | Authorisations |
All authorisations required by the Issuer:
(A) | to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under, the Notes and Programme Agreements; and |
(B) | to make the Programme Agreements and Notes admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation, |
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.
3.5 | Non-conflict |
The entry into, delivery and performance by the Issuer of its obligations under the Notes and the Programme Agreements and the transactions contemplated by the Programme Agreements will not conflict with, or constitute a default under:
(A) | the constitutional documents of the Issuer; or |
(B) | any law or regulation applicable to the Issuer; or |
(C) | any agreement or instrument by which the Issuer or any of its assets are bound. |
3.6 | Ranking |
The obligations of the Issuer under the Programme Agreements rank, and the Notes (when issued) will rank, at least pari passu with all present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer other than obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
3.7 | Disclosure Documents |
(A) | In the context of the Programme Agreements and the transactions contemplated by the Programme Agreements, the information contained or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Documents is true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading in any material respect and there are no other facts in relation to the Issuer or any Notes the omission of which makes the Disclosure Documents or any such information contained or incorporated by reference therein misleading in any material respect. |
(B) | Any statements of intention, opinion, belief or expectation contained in the Disclosure Documents are, or will be at the date of its publication, honestly and reasonably made by the Issuer. |
3.8 | Financial information |
The most recently published financial statements of the Issuer which are incorporated by reference in the Information Memorandum:
(A) | were prepared in accordance with the requirements of applicable law and with generally accepted accounting principles in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Issuer and are consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and |
(B) | fairly represent the financial condition and operations of the Issuer as at the date to which they were prepared. |
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3.9 | Adverse change and litigation |
Except as otherwise disclosed by any Disclosure Documents:
(A) | there has been no adverse change in the business, financial or other condition or prospects of any member of the Group since the date of the most recently published audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer; and |
(B) | there is no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened against or affecting any member of the Group, |
which in any case could reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the Programme Agreements and the transactions contemplated by the Programme Agreements.
3.10 | No default |
No member of the Group is in breach of the terms of, or in default under, any instrument, agreement or order to which it is a party or by which it or its property is bound which might be material in the context of the Programme and/or the issue and offering of Notes under the Programme and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or other condition would constitute a default under any such instrument, agreement or order which might be material in the context of the Programme and/or the issue and offering of Notes under the Programme.
3.11 | No withholding tax |
The Issuer is not required by any law or regulation of, or any relevant taxing authority or any political subdivision or any authority thereof having the power to tax in, the jurisdiction in which the Issuer is resident for tax purposes to make any withholding or deduction from any payment due under the Notes or any Programme Agreement for or on account of any taxes or duties of whatever nature.
3.12 | Maximum Amount |
The aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes on the date of issue of any Note does not exceed the Maximum Amount.
3.13 | Anti-Bribery |
Neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of any applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law, rule or regulation enacted in any jurisdiction; or made, offered or promised to make, or authorised the payment or giving of any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, facilitation payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or gift of money or anything of value prohibited under any applicable law, rule or regulation.
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3.14 | Sanctions |
Neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the best of the knowledge of the Issuer, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate of or person acting on behalf of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (i) has engaged in any activity or conduct which would violate any applicable anti-bribery, anti-corruption or money-laundering law or regulation and the Issuer and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to prevent violation of such laws, regulations and rules by the Group and by persons associated with the Group; or (ii) is currently the target of any Sanctions or operating in a country which is the target of any Sanctions, where such operations are in violation of such Sanctions
3.15 | Money Laundering Laws |
The operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record keeping and reporting requirements and money laundering statutes in the jurisdiction of Issuer and of all jurisdictions in which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any applicable governmental agency (collectively, “Money Laundering Laws”).
3.16 | United States Investment Company Act |
The Issuer is not, and will not as a result of any issue of Notes or the receipt or application of the proceeds thereof be, an investment company as defined in the United States Investment Company Act of 1940.
3.17 | U.S. selling restrictions |
The Issuer represents, warrants and agrees:
(A) | that neither it, nor any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), nor any person (other than the Dealers, as to whom no representation or warranty is made) acting on its behalf or on behalf of any of its affiliates, has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”)) in the United States with respect to any Notes; and |
(B) | that it is a foreign issuer (as such term is defined in Regulation S) and that it, its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) and any person (other than the Dealers, as to whom no representation or warranty is made) acting on its behalf or on behalf of any of its affiliates, have complied and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S under the Securities Act; and |
(C) | that it will not offer or sell, nor solicit offers to buy, securities under circumstances that would require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act. |
3.18 | Times for making representations and warranties |
The representations and warranties set out in this Clause 3:
(A) | are made on the date of this Agreement; and |
(B) | are deemed to be repeated on each date upon which the Maximum Amount is increased, each date a Note Transaction is agreed and each date upon which any Note is, or is to be issued, in each case, by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing. |
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When a representation or warranty under Clauses 3.7 and 3.9 is repeated under paragraph (B) above, the reference to Disclosure Documents shall be deemed to be only the Disclosure Documents which have been published before the date on which a relevant Note Transaction is made (in the case of that Note Transaction and the corresponding issue of Notes) or the date on which the letter purporting to increase the Maximum Amount is delivered (in the case of that increase).
3.19 | Notice of inaccuracy |
If, before a Note is issued and delivered to or for the account of the relevant Dealer, an event occurs which would render any of the representations and warranties in this Clause 3 immediately, or with the lapse of time, untrue or incorrect, the Issuer will inform the relevant Dealer as soon as practicable of the occurrence of such event. In either case, the relevant Dealer shall inform the Issuer without any undue delay whether it wishes to continue or discontinue the issuance and delivery of the respective Notes.
4. Conditions precedent
4.1 | Conditions precedent |
By a date no later than five Business Days before the date upon which the Issuer and any Dealer shall first agree terms for a Note Transaction (or such other period as may be agreed between the Issuer and that Dealer), the Issuer shall deliver to that Dealer each of the documents listed in Schedule 1, in form and substance satisfactory to that Dealer.
4.2 | Further conditions precedent |
The obligations of any Dealer in respect of any agreement for a Note Transaction and each issue of Notes shall be conditional upon:
(A) | the representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in Clause 3 being true and correct: |
(1) | on each date upon which an agreement for a Note Transaction is made; and |
(2) | on each date on which Notes are issued, |
by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting;
(B) | there being no breach as at the issue date of those Notes in the performance of the obligations of the Issuer under any of the Programme Agreements or any Note; and |
(C) | except as disclosed in any Disclosure Document issued before the date upon which an agreement for a Note Transaction is made, no Ratings Agency having, in respect of any short-term debt securities of the Issuer, issued any notice downgrading such securities or put any such rating on its “Creditwatch” list or other similar publication of formal review (including a notice confirming a change of outlook), in each case with negative implications. |
5. | Covenants and agreements |
5.1 | Duration |
The undertakings in this Clause 5 remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any Programme Agreement is in force and any amount is or may be outstanding under any Programme Agreement or any Note.
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5.2 | Information |
Whenever the Issuer publishes or makes available to its shareholders (or any class of them) or to its creditors generally (or any class of them) or to the public (by filing with any regulatory authority, securities exchange or otherwise) any information which could reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the Programme Agreements and the Notes and the transactions contemplated by the Programme Agreements and the Notes, the Issuer shall:
(A) | notify each Dealer as to the nature of such information; |
(B) | make a reasonable number of copies of such information available to each Dealer upon request and permit distribution of that information to actual or potential purchasers of Notes unless and until the appointment of such Dealer is terminated in accordance with Clause 7.1 (Termination); and |
(C) | take such action as may be necessary to ensure that the representation and warranty contained in Clause 3.7 is true and accurate on the dates when it is made or deemed to be repeated. |
5.3 | Authorisation information |
Whenever the Issuer is required to obtain or effect any authorisation in order to comply with the representation and warranty contained in Clause 3.4, the Issuer shall:
(A) | notify each Dealer as to the nature of such authorisation; and |
(B) | upon request by a Dealer, make a reasonable number of copies of such authorisation available to that Dealer. |
5.4 | Ratings |
The Issuer undertakes promptly to notify the Dealers of any change in the rating given by any Ratings Agency of its short-term debt securities or upon it becoming aware that such rating has been put on a “Creditwatch” list or other similar publication of formal review (including a notice of change of outlook) by any Ratings Agency.
5.5 | Indemnification |
(A) | Without prejudice to the other rights or remedies of the Dealers, the Issuer undertakes to each Dealer that if that Dealer or any of its Relevant Parties incurs any liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees, costs and expenses) (a “Loss”) arising out of or in connection with or based on: |
(1) | the Issuer’s failure to make due payment under the Notes or the Deed of Covenant; or |
(2) | any Notes not being issued for any reason (other than as a result of the failure of any Dealer to pay for such Notes) after an agreement for that Note Transaction has been made; or |
(3) | any breach or alleged breach of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made or deemed to be repeated by the Issuer in this Agreement or any other Programme Agreement unless, in the case of an alleged breach only, the allegation is being made by the relevant Dealer or its Relevant Party; or |
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(4) | any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Disclosure Documents or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in any material respect unless, in the case of an alleged untrue statement or omission, the allegation is being made by the relevant Dealer or its Relevant Party, |
the Issuer shall pay to that Dealer on demand an amount equal to such Loss on an after tax basis. No Dealer shall have any duty or obligation, whether as fiduciary or trustee for any Relevant Party or otherwise, to recover any such payment or to account to any other person for any amounts paid to it under this paragraph (A).
(B) | In case any allegation as described in sub-paragraphs (A)(3) or (A)(4) above is made or any action is brought against any Dealer or its Relevant Party in respect of which recovery may be sought from the Issuer under this Clause 5.5, the relevant Dealer shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing but failure to do so will not relieve the Issuer from any liability under this Agreement. If any such allegation is made, the parties agree to consult in good faith with respect to the nature of the allegation. Subject to paragraph (C) below, the Issuer may participate at its own expense in the defence of any action. |
(C) | If it so elects within a reasonable time after receipt of the notice referred to in paragraph (B) above, the Issuer may, subject as provided below, assume the defence of the action with legal advisers chosen by it and approved by the relevant Dealer (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Notwithstanding any such election a Dealer or its Relevant Party may employ separate legal advisers reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Issuer shall not be entitled to assume such defence and shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate legal advisers if: |
(1) | the use of the legal advisers chosen by the Issuer to represent the Dealer or Relevant Party would present such legal advisers with a conflict of interest; |
(2) | the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the Dealer or its Relevant Party and the Issuer and the Dealer concludes that there may be legal defences available to it and/or other Relevant Parties which are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer; or |
(3) | the Issuer has not employed legal advisers reasonably satisfactory to the Dealer to represent the Dealer or its Relevant Party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action. |
(D) | If the Issuer assumes the defence of the action, the Issuer shall not be liable for any fees and expenses of legal advisers of the relevant Dealer or its Relevant Party incurred thereafter in connection with the action, except as stated in paragraph (C) above. |
(E) | The Issuer shall not be liable in respect of any settlement of any action effected without its written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Issuer shall not, without the prior written consent of the relevant Dealer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim or action in respect of which recovery may be sought (whether or not the relevant Dealer or its Relevant Party is an actual or potential party to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Dealer and its Relevant Party from all liability arising out of such claim or action and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of a Dealer or its Relevant Party. |
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5.6 | Costs and expenses |
The Issuer will on demand:
(A) | pay, or reimburse the Arranger for, all reasonable costs and expenses (including value added tax and any other taxes or duties and fees and disbursements of counsel to the Arranger) incurred by the Arranger in connection with the preparation, negotiation, printing, execution and delivery of the Programme Agreements and the Notes and all documents contemplated by the Programme Agreements and the Notes; |
(B) | pay, or reimburse each Dealer for, all costs and expenses (including value added tax and any other taxes or duties and fees and disbursements of counsel to such Dealer) incurred by that Dealer in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights under the Programme Agreements, the Notes and all documents contemplated by the Programme Agreements and the Notes; and |
(C) | pay any stamp duty or other similar taxes (including any penalties and interest in respect thereof) payable in connection with the entry into, delivery and performance of any Programme Agreement or any Notes, and will indemnify and hold harmless each Dealer on demand, on an after tax basis, from all liabilities arising from any failure to pay or delay in paying such duty or taxes. |
5.7 | Changes to the Programme |
(A) | The Issuer will notify each Dealer of: |
(1) | any change in an Agent, or any change in any of the offices of such Agent; and |
(2) | any amendment to or termination of the Agency Agreement or the Deed of Covenant, |
by no later than 10 Business Days before the making of that change, amendment or termination.
(B) | The Issuer will not permit to become effective any change, amendment or termination to the Agency Agreement or Deed of Covenant which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the interests of any Dealer or the holder of any Notes then outstanding. |
5.8 | Continuing obligations |
The Issuer will take such steps (in conjunction with the Dealers, where appropriate) to ensure that any laws and regulations or requirements of any governmental agency, authority or institution which may from time to time be applicable to any Notes shall be fully observed and complied with, including (without limitation) its obligations under Clauses 3.17, 5.9, 5.10 and 5.11.
5.9 | Yen Notes |
(A) | Subject to paragraph (B) below, the Issuer will in respect of Yen Notes comply with any applicable laws, regulations and guidelines of Japanese governmental and regulatory authorities relevant in the context of the issue of Yen Notes, as amended from time to time, and shall submit (or procure the submission on its behalf of) such reports or information as may be required for compliance with such laws, regulations and guidelines from time to time. |
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(B) | Yen Notes may be offered or sold in circumstances which would not be so permissible at the date of this Agreement if permitted by any change or amendment which is made after the date of this Agreement in such laws, regulations and guidelines or in such other rules or directives as are applicable to Yen Notes from time to time. |
5.10 | Renminbi Notes |
The Issuer will, in respect of Renminbi Notes, comply with any applicable laws, regulations and guidelines of any governmental and regulatory authorities in the People’s Republic of China relevant in the context of the issue of Renminbi Notes, as amended from time to time, and shall submit (or procure the submission on its behalf of) such applications, reports or information as may be required for (i) the obtaining of such relevant approvals or consents, or (ii) compliance with such laws, regulations and guidelines from time to time.
5.11 | United Kingdom |
The Issuer will issue Notes under the Programme only if the following conditions apply (or the Notes can otherwise be issued without contravention of Section 19 of the FSMA):
(A) | the relevant Dealer covenants in the terms set out in paragraph 3(A) of Schedule 2; and |
(B) | the redemption value of each Note is not less than £100,000 (or an amount of equivalent value denominated wholly or partly in a currency other than Sterling), and no part of any Note may be transferred unless the redemption value of that part is not less than £100,000 (or such an equivalent amount). |
5.12 | Sanctions |
The Issuer will not directly or indirectly lend, contribute or otherwise make available to any person or entity (whether or not related to the Issuer) the proceeds raised in connection with any issue of Notes for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or entity or for the benefit of any country currently the target of any Sanctions, where such activities are in violation of such Sanctions.
Each Dealer and the Issuer agrees and confirms that it is not entitled to the benefit of or does not make or repeat, as appropriate, the representation and warranty contained in Clause 3.14 or the undertaking contained in Clause 5.12 to the extent that those provisions would result in a violation of (i) EU Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 of 22 November 1996 (including as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “EUWA”)) and/or (ii) any associated and applicable national law, instrument or regulation related thereto in the European Union and/or any similar anti-boycott law in the United Kingdom. The representation and warranty given in Clause 3.14 and the undertaking contained in this Clause 5.12 shall not be made to any Dealer incorporated in Germany insofar as they would result in a violation of, or conflict with, section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung) or any similar applicable anti-boycott law or regulation.
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6. | Obligations of the Dealers |
6.1 | Selling restrictions |
Each Dealer represents and agrees that it has complied and will comply with the selling restrictions set out in Schedule 2. Subject to those restrictions, each Dealer is authorised by the Issuer to circulate the Disclosure Documents to actual or potential purchasers of Notes.
6.2 | Obligations several |
The obligations of each Dealer under this Agreement are several.
7. | Termination and appointment |
7.1 | Termination |
(A) | The Issuer may terminate the appointment of any Dealer on not less than 30 days’ written notice to the relevant Dealer. The Dealer may resign on not less than 30 days’ written notice to the Issuer. The Issuer shall promptly inform the other Dealers and the Agent of such termination or resignation. |
(B) | The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall not terminate in respect of any rights or obligations accrued or incurred before the date on which such termination takes effect and the provisions of Clauses 5.5 and 5.6 shall survive termination of this Agreement and delivery against payment for any of the Notes. |
7.2 | Appointment of Dealers |
(A) | The Issuer may appoint one or more Additional Dealers upon the terms of this Agreement by sending a dealer accession letter to the Additional Dealer substantially in the form of Schedule 4. The appointment will only become effective if the Additional Dealer confirms acceptance of its appointment to the Issuer by signing that dealer accession letter and delivering it to the Issuer. The Issuer may limit that appointment to a particular issue of Notes or for a particular period of time (which need not be a finite period of time). |
(B) | The Additional Dealer shall become a party to this Agreement on the later of: |
(1) | the date of the signature of the dealer accession letter by the Additional Dealer in accordance with paragraph (A) above; and |
(2) | the date specified in the dealer accession letter as the date of appointment, |
and the Additional Dealer shall then be vested with all the authority, rights, powers, duties and obligations as if originally named as a Dealer under this Agreement.
(C) | If the appointment of that Additional Dealer is limited to a particular issue of Notes or period of time: |
(1) | such authority, rights, powers, duties and obligations shall extend to the relevant Notes or period only; and |
(2) | following the relevant issue of Notes or the expiry of the time period, the relevant Additional Dealer shall have no further authority, rights, powers, duties or obligations except such as may have accrued or been incurred prior to, or in connection with, the issue of such Notes or during that time period. |
(D) | The Issuer shall promptly notify the Agent of any appointment. If the appointment of the Dealer is not limited to a particular issue of Notes or for a particular period of time, the Issuer shall also notify the other Dealers of that appointment. The Issuer agrees to supply to such Additional Dealer, upon appointment, a copy of the conditions precedent documents specified in Schedule 1, if requested by the Additional Dealer. |
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7.3 | Transfers to affiliates |
If, at any time, a Dealer transfers all or substantially all of its euro commercial paper business to any of its affiliates then, on the date that transfer becomes effective, the relevant affiliate shall become the successor to that Dealer under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties to this Agreement. Upon that transfer becoming effective, all references in this Agreement to the relevant Dealer shall be deemed to be references to the relevant affiliate. The relevant Dealer shall, promptly following that effective date, give notice of the transfer to the Issuer with a copy to the Agent.
8. | Calculation Agent |
8.1 | If floating rate Notes are to be issued, the Issuer will, at its discretion, appoint either the relevant Dealer or the Agent or any other person to be the Calculation Agent in respect of such floating rate Notes. The prior consent of that Dealer, Agent or other person is required for this appointment. |
8.2 | If a Dealer has agreed to be the Calculation Agent, its appointment as such shall be on the terms of the form of agreement set out in Schedule 5, and that Dealer will be deemed to have entered into an agreement in that form for a particular calculation if it is named as Calculation Agent in the redemption calculation attached to or endorsed on the relevant Note. |
8.3 | If the Agent has agreed to be the Calculation Agent, its appointment shall be on the terms set out in the Agency Agreement. |
8.4 | If the person who has agreed to act as Calculation Agent is not a Dealer or the Agent, that person shall execute (if it has not already done so) an agreement substantially in the form of the agreement set out in Schedule 5. |
9. | Status of the Dealers and the Arranger |
9.1 | The Arranger shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in this Agreement. Each of the Dealers agrees that the Arranger has only acted in an administrative capacity to facilitate the establishment and/or maintenance of the Programme and has no responsibility to it for: |
(A) | the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of any representation, warranty, undertaking, agreement, statement or information in the Information Memorandum, this Agreement or any information provided by it in connection with the Programme; or |
(B) | the nature and suitability to it of all legal, tax and accounting matters and all documentation in connection with the Programme or any Notes. |
10. | Notices |
10.1 | Written Communication |
Any communication to be made under this Agreement shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise agreed, be made by email, letter or by telephone (to be confirmed promptly by email or letter).
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10.2 | Delivery |
(A) | Any communication by letter shall be made to the intended recipient and marked for the attention of the person, or any one of them, at its relevant address and shall be deemed to have been made upon delivery. |
(B) | Any communication to be made by email shall be made to the intended recipient at the relevant email address from time to time designated by that party to the other parties for the purpose of this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been received when the email communication has been received by the intended recipient in legible form at the correct email address. |
10.3 | Contact details |
For purposes of Clause 10.2, the relevant contact details of each party to this Agreement shall be as set out in the signatory pages to this Agreement, or as otherwise notified by any party to each other party to this Agreement.
10.4 | Receipt |
(A) | A communication given under this Agreement but received on a non-Business Day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next Business Day in that place. |
(B) | A communication under this Agreement to a Dealer will only be effective on actual receipt by that Dealer. |
10.5 | Language |
(A) | Any notice given in connection with a Programme Agreement or Note must be in English. |
(B) | Any other document provided in connection with a Programme Agreement or Note must be: |
(1) | in English; or |
(2) | if not in English, (unless the Dealers otherwise agree) accompanied by a certified English translation. In this case, the English translation prevails unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document. |
11. | Partial invalidity |
If, at any time, any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
12. | Remedies and waivers |
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Dealer, any right or remedy under the Programme Agreements shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
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13. | Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes |
13.1 | In the event that any Dealer that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Dealer of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. |
13.2 | In the event that any Dealer that is a Covered Entity or a Covered Affiliate of such Dealer becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Dealer are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. |
14. | Contractual recognition of EU Bail-in Powers |
14.1 | Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of this Agreement or any other agreements, arrangements, or understanding between the Issuer and the Dealers, the Issuer acknowledges and accepts that a BRRD Liability arising under this Agreement may be subject to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority, and acknowledges, accepts, agrees to be bound by: |
(A) | the effect of the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority in relation to any BRRD Liability of the relevant Dealer(s) owed to the Issuer under this Agreement, that (without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof: |
(1) | the reduction of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability or outstanding amounts due thereon; |
(2) | the conversion of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of the relevant Dealer(s) or another person, and the issue to or conferral on the Issuer of such shares, securities or obligations; |
(3) | the cancellation of the BRRD Liability; and/or |
(4) | the amendment or alteration of any interest, if applicable, thereon, the maturity or the dates on which any payments are due, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and |
(B) | the variation of the terms of this Agreement, as deemed necessary by the Relevant Resolution Authority, to give effect to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority. |
For these purposes:
“Bail-in Legislation” means in relation to a member state of the EEA which has implemented, or which at any time implements, the BRRD, the relevant implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement as described in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule from time to time.
“Bail-in Powers” means any Write- down and Conversion Powers as defined in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule, in relation to the Bail-in Legislation.
“BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.
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“BRRD Liability” means a liability in respect of which the relevant Bail-in Powers may be exercised.
“EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such, then in effect, and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time at http://www.lma.eu.com/pages.aspx?p=499.
“Relevant Resolution Authority” means the resolution authority with the ability to exercise any Bail-in Powers in relation to the relevant Dealer(s).
14.2 | For the purpose of this Clause 14 and any defined terms used in this Clause 14, references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to include every agreement for the issue and purchase of Notes as referred to in Clause 2.3. |
15. | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. This has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
16. | Rights of third parties |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.
17. | Governing law |
This Agreement, any agreement for a Note Transaction and the Notes and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with any of them shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.
18. | Jurisdiction |
18.1 | Subject to paragraph 18.3 below, the English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and any agreement for a Note Transaction (including a dispute regarding their existence, validity or termination and any dispute relating to any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and any agreement for a Note Transaction) and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. |
18.2 | Subject to paragraph 18.3 below, the parties to this Agreement agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly no such party will argue to the contrary. |
18.3 | To the extent allowed by law, a Dealer may take: |
(A) | proceedings in any other court with jurisdiction; and |
(B) | concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
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SCHEDULE 1 : CONDITION PRECEDENT DOCUMENTS
1. | Certified copies of the Issuer’s constitutional documents. |
2. | Certified copies of all documents evidencing the internal authorisations required to be granted by the Issuer: |
(A) | approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Notes and Programme Agreements and resolving that it execute the Notes and Programme Agreements; |
(B) | authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Notes and Programme Agreements on its behalf; and |
(C) | authorising a specified person, or persons on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with Notes and Programme Agreements. |
3. | Certified copies of any governmental or other consents required for the issue of Notes and for the Issuer to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes and the Programme Agreements (as applicable). |
4. | Conformed copies of: |
(A) | this Agreement, as executed; |
(B) | the Agency Agreement, as executed; and |
(C) | the Deed of Covenant, as executed. |
5. | A copy of: |
(A) | the confirmation from the Agent that a duly executed copy of the Deed of Covenant has been delivered to the Agent; |
(B) | the confirmation from the Agent that the relevant forms of Global Note have been prepared and have been delivered to the Agent; and |
(C) | the confirmation of acceptance of appointment from the agent for service of process. |
6. | A legal opinion from Allen & Overy LLP, English legal advisers to the Dealers. |
7. | The Information Memorandum. |
8. | A list of the names and titles and specimen signatures of the persons authorised: |
(A) | to sign on behalf of the Issuer the Notes and the Programme Agreements; |
(B) | to sign on behalf of the Issuer all notices and other documents to be delivered in connection with the Programme Agreements and the Notes; and |
(C) | to take any other action on behalf of the Issuer in relation to the euro-commercial paper programme established by the Programme Agreements. |
9. | Written confirmation that S&P has granted a rating for the Issuer’s long-term debt. |
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SCHEDULE 2 : SELLING RESTRICTIONS
1. | General |
Each Dealer represents and agrees that it will observe all applicable laws and regulations in any jurisdiction in which it may offer, sell, or deliver Notes and it will not directly or indirectly offer, sell, resell, re-offer or deliver Notes or distribute any Disclosure Document, circular, advertisement or other offering material in any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result, to the best of its knowledge and belief, in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. | United States of America |
Each Dealer understands that the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in accordance with Regulation S. Each Dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, any Notes constituting part of its allotment within the United States except in accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S. Terms used above have the meaning given to them by Regulation S. Each Dealer also represents and agrees that it has offered and sold the Notes, and will offer and sell the Notes (i) as part of their distribution at any time and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering and the closing date (the “distribution compliance period”), only in accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S. Each Dealer agrees that, at or prior to confirmation of sale of Notes, it will have sent to each distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration that purchases Notes from it during the distribution compliance period a confirmation or notice to substantially the following effect:
“The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering and the closing date, except in either case in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. Terms used above have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.”
Each Dealer also represents and agrees that neither it, its affiliates nor any persons acting on its or their behalf have engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Notes, and that it and they have complied and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S. Terms used above have the meaning given to them by Regulation S.
3. | The United Kingdom |
Each Dealer represents and agrees that:
(A)
(1) | it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business; and |
(2) | it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Notes other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue of the Notes would otherwise constitute a contravention of section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) by the Issuer; |
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(B) | it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Notes in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Issuer; and |
(C) | it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to such Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom. |
4. | Japan |
The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended; the “FIEA”). Accordingly, each Dealer represents and agrees that it has not, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Notes in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organised under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, a resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
5. | Singapore |
Each Dealer acknowledges that the Information Memorandum has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each Dealer represents, warrants and agrees that it has not offered or sold any Notes or caused the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any Notes or cause the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, the Information Memorandum or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of any Notes, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (b) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
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SCHEDULE 3 : NOTIFICATION LETTER FOR AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT
[Letterhead of Issuer]
To: The Dealers referred to below
cc. HSBC Bank plc (as “Agent”)
cc. HSBC Bank plc (as “Arranger”)
[Date]
Dear Sirs
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
£1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
We refer to an amended and restated dealer agreement dated 11 October 2021 (the “Dealer Agreement”) between ourselves as Issuer, Bank of America Europe DAC, Barclays Bank PLC, Bayerische Landesbank, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank N.V. and Standard Chartered Bank as Dealers and the Arranger relating to a £1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme. Terms used in the Dealer Agreement shall have the same meaning in this letter.
In accordance with Clause 2.7 of the Dealer Agreement, we hereby notify each of the addressees listed above that the Maximum Amount is to be increased from [·] to [·] with effect from [·], subject to delivery to the Dealers, the Arranger and the Agent of the following documents:
(A) | a certificate from a duly authorised officer of the Issuer confirming that no changes have been made to the constitutional documents of the Issuer since the date of the Dealer Agreement or, if there has been a change, a certified copy of the constitutional documents currently in force; |
(B) | certified copies of all documents evidencing the internal authorisations and approvals required to be granted by the Issuer for such an increase in the Maximum Amount; |
(C) | certified copies of [specify any applicable governmental or other consents required by the Issuer in relation to the increase]; |
(D) | a list of names, titles and specimen signatures of the persons authorised to sign on behalf of the Issuer all notices and other documents to be delivered in connection with such an increase in the Maximum Amount; |
(E) | [an updated or supplemental Information Memorandum reflecting the increase in the Maximum Amount of the Programme;] |
(F) | legal opinion from Dealers’ English law counsel; and |
(G) | confirmation that S&P Global Ratings UK Limited is maintaining its current ratings for the Issuer’s long-term debt. |
Yours faithfully, | |
for and on behalf of
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
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SCHEDULE 4 : DEALER ACCESSION LETTER
[Letterhead of Issuer]
[Date]
To: [Name of Dealer]
cc.: [list all permanent Dealers]
cc.: HSBC Bank plc as Agent
Dear Sirs
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
£1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
We refer to an amended and restated dealer agreement dated 11 October 2021 (the “Dealer Agreement”) between ourselves as Issuer, HSBC Bank plc as Arranger, Bank of America Europe DAC, Barclays Bank PLC, Bayerische Landesbank, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank N.V. and Standard Chartered Bank as Dealers relating to a £1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme. Terms used in the Dealer Agreement shall have the same meaning in this letter.
In accordance with Clause 7.2 and upon the terms of the Dealer Agreement, we hereby appoint you as an Additional Dealer [for the Programme [with immediate effect][with effect from [·]]/[for the issue of [description of issue][for the period [·] to [·]]. [Copies of each of the condition precedent documents set out in Schedule 1 to the Dealer Agreement have been sent to you, as requested].
Please confirm acceptance of your appointment upon such terms by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy of this letter, whereupon you will, in accordance with Clause 7.2 of the Dealer Agreement, become a party to the Dealer Agreement vested with all the authority, rights, powers, duties and obligations set out in that Clause 7.2.
Yours faithfully | |
for and on behalf of
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
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We hereby confirm acceptance of our appointment as a Dealer upon the terms of the Dealer Agreement referred to above. For the purposes of Clause 10 of the Dealer Agreement our contact details are as follows:
[NAME OF DEALER]
Address: | [ | ] | |
Telephone: | [ | ] | |
Email: | [ | ] | |
Contact: | [ | ] |
Dated: | ||
Signed: |
for [Name of new Dealer]
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SCHEDULE 5 : FORM OF CALCULATION AGENCY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made on [·]
BETWEEN:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC as Issuer (the “Issuer”); and |
(2) | [CALCULATION AGENT], as the Calculation Agent appointed pursuant to the terms hereof (the “Calculation Agent”, which expression shall include any successor thereto). |
WHEREAS:
(A) | Under an amended and restated dealer agreement (as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the “Dealer Agreement”) dated 11 October 2021 and made between, among others, the Issuer and the Dealer(s) referred to therein, and an amended and restated issue and paying agency agreement (as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the “Agency Agreement”) dated 11 October 2021 and made between, among others, the Issuer and the agent[s] referred to therein, the Issuer established a euro-commercial paper programme (the “Programme”). |
(B) | The Dealer Agreement contemplates, inter alia, the issue under the Programme of floating rate notes and provides for the appointment of calculation agents in relation thereto. Each such calculation agent’s appointment shall be on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. | Interpretation |
(A) | Terms not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Dealer Agreement or the Agency Agreement. |
(B) | Any reference in this Agreement to a statute, any provision thereof or to any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder shall be construed as a reference to such statute, provision, statutory instrument, order or regulation as the same may have been, or may from time to time be, amended or re-enacted. |
(C) | “Relevant Notes” means such floating rate notes in respect of which the Calculation Agent is appointed. |
2. | Appointment of Calculation Agent |
The Issuer appoints the Calculation Agent as its agent for the purpose of calculating the amount of interest in respect of the Relevant Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. The Calculation Agent accepts such appointment.
3. | Determination and notification |
(A) | The Calculation Agent shall determine the amount of interest payable on, each Relevant Note in accordance with the redemption calculation applicable thereto. |
(B) | The Calculation Agent shall as soon as it has made its determination as provided for in paragraph (a) above (and, in any event, no later than the close of business on the date on which the determination is made) notify the Issuer and the Agent (if other than the Calculation Agent) of the amount of interest so payable. |
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4. | Stamp duties |
The Issuer will pay any stamp, registration and other similar taxes and duties (including any interest and penalties thereon or in connection therewith) payable in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
5. | Indemnity and liability |
5.1 | The Issuer shall indemnify and hold harmless on demand the Calculation Agent, on an after tax basis, against any claim, demand, action, liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees and any applicable value added tax) which it may incur arising out of, in connection with or based upon the exercise of its powers and duties as Calculation Agent under this Agreement, except such as may result from its own negligence, default or bad faith or that of its officers, employees or agents. |
5.2 | The Calculation Agent shall indemnify and hold harmless on demand the Issuer, on an after tax basis, against any claim, demand, action, liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees and any applicable value added tax) which it may incur or which may be made against the Issuer as a result of or in connection with the appointment or the exercise of the powers and duties of the Calculation Agent under this Agreement resulting from the negligence, default or bad faith of the Calculation Agent or that of its officers, employees or agents. |
5.3 | The Calculation Agent may, after prior written notice to the Issuer, consult as to legal matters with lawyers selected by it, who may be employees of, or lawyers to, the Issuer. If such consultation is made, the Calculation Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for action taken or not taken by it as Calculation Agent or suffered to be taken with respect to such matters in good faith (after consultation with the Issuer), without negligence and in accordance with the opinion of such lawyers, as addressed to both parties. |
6. | Conditions of appointment |
6.1 | The Calculation Agent and the Issuer agree that its appointment will be subject to the following conditions: |
(A) | in acting under this Agreement, the Calculation Agent shall act as an independent expert and shall not assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for the Issuer or the owner or holder of any of the Relevant Notes or any interest therein; |
(B) | unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any order, certificate, notice, request, direction or other communication from the Issuer made or given under any provision of this Agreement shall be sufficient if signed or purported to be signed by a duly authorised employee of the Issuer; |
(C) | the Calculation Agent shall be obliged to perform only those duties which are set out in this Agreement; |
(D) | the Calculation Agent and its officers and employees, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, any Relevant Notes with the same rights that the Calculation Agent would have if it were not the Calculation Agent hereunder; and |
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(E) | all calculations and determinations made pursuant to this Agreement by the Calculation Agent shall (save in the case of manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Calculation Agent and (if other than the Calculation Agent) the holder(s) of the Relevant Notes and no liability to such holder(s) shall attach to the Calculation Agent in connection with the exercise by the Calculation Agent of its powers, duties or discretion under or in respect of the Relevant Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
7. | Alternative appointment |
If, for any reason, the Calculation Agent ceases to act as such or fails to comply with its obligations under Clause 3, the Issuer shall appoint the Agent as Calculation Agent in respect of the Relevant Notes.
8. | [Contractual recognition of EU Bail-in Powers |
Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of this Agreement or any other agreements, arrangements, or understanding between the Issuer and the Calculation Agent, the Issuer acknowledges and accepts that a BRRD Liability arising under this Agreement may be subject to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority, and acknowledges, accepts, agrees to be bound by:
(A) | the effect of the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority in relation to any BRRD Liability of the Calculation Agent owed to the Issuer under this Agreement, that (without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof: |
(1) | the reduction of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability or outstanding amounts due thereon; |
(2) | the conversion of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of the Calculation Agent or another person, and the issue to or conferral on the Issuer of such shares, securities or obligations; |
(3) | the cancellation of the BRRD Liability; and/or |
(4) | the amendment or alteration of any interest, if applicable, thereon, the maturity or the dates on which any payments are due, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and |
(B) | the variation of the terms of this Agreement, as deemed necessary by the Relevant Resolution Authority, to give effect to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority. |
For these purposes:
“Bail-in Legislation” means in relation to a member state of the EEA which has implemented, or which at any time implements, the BRRD, the relevant implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement as described in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule from time to time.
“Bail-in Powers” means any Write- down and Conversion Powers as defined in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule, in relation to the Bail-in Legislation.
“BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.
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“BRRD Liability” means a liability in respect of which the relevant Bail-in Powers may be exercised.
“EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such, then in effect, and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time at http://www.lma.eu.com/pages.aspx?p=499.
“Relevant Resolution Authority” means the resolution authority with the ability to exercise any Bail-in Powers in relation to the Calculation Agent.]
9. | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement, but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act.
10. | Governing law |
This Agreement and every agreement for the issue and purchase of Notes and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with any of them shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.
11. | Jurisdiction |
11.1 | The English courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement and any dispute relating to any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. |
11.2 | The parties to this Agreement agree that the English courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and accordingly no such party will argue to the contrary. |
11.3 | To the extent allowed by law, the Calculation Agent may take: |
(A) | proceedings in any other court with jurisdiction; and |
(B) | concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
12. | Partial invalidity |
If, at any time, any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
13. | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts. This has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterpart were on a single copy of this Agreement.
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This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC | ||
By: | ||
[NAME OF CALCULATION AGENT] | ||
By: |
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SIGNATORIES
The Issuer | ||
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC | ||
By: | ![]() |
|
Address: | Compass House | |
Manor Royal | ||
Crawley | ||
West Sussex, RH10 9PY | ||
United Kingdom |
Telephone: | +44 (0) 129 385 8000 |
Email: | secretariat@rentokil-initial.com / treasury.front-office@rentokil-initial.com |
Contact: | Company Secretary / Group Treasurer |
The Arranger | ||
HSBC BANK PLC | ||
By: | ![]() |
|
Address: | 8 Canada Square | |
London E14 5HQ | ||
United Kingdom | ||
Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7991 8888 | |
Email: | transaction.management@hsbcib.com | |
Contact: | Head of DCM Legal |
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The Dealers | ||
BANK OF AMERICA EUROPE DAC | ||
By: | ![]() |
|
Address: | Two Park Place | |
Hatch Street | ||
Dublin 2 | ||
Ireland | ||
Telephone: | +353 (0) 1 243 8500 | |
Email: | STFIDeskSupport@bofa.com | |
Contact: | ECP Desk |
BARCLAYS BANK PLC | ||
By: | ![]() |
|
Address: | 5 The North Colonnade | |
Canary Wharf | ||
London E14 4BB | ||
United Kingdom | ||
Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7773 5757 | |
Email: | ecpdesk@barclays.com | |
Contact: | ECP Trading Desk |
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK | ||
By: | ![]() |
![]() |
Address: | Brienner Straße 18 | |
80333 Munich | ||
Federal Republic of Germany | ||
Telephone: | +49 89 2171 23268 | |
Email: | andreas.lange@bayernlb.de | |
Contact: | Team 5211 / Origination Corporates |
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BNP PARIBAS | ||||
By: | ![]() |
By: | ![]() | |
Address: | 20, boulevard des ltaliens | |||
75009 Paris | ||||
France | ||||
Email: | dl.cp.desk@bnpparibas.com | |||
Contact: | Commercial Paper Desk |
HSBC BANK PLC | ||
By: | ![]() |
|
Address: | 8 Canada Square | |
London E14 5HQ | ||
United Kingdom | ||
Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7991 1398 | |
Email: | transaction.management@hsbcib.com | |
Contact: | Stephen Larkin / ECP Desk |
ING BANK N.V. | ||||
By: | ![]() |
By: | ![]() | |
William De Vreede | Martijn Brinkhuis | |||
Address: | Foppingadreef 7 | |||
1102 BD Amsterdam | ||||
The Netherlands | ||||
Telephone: | +31 20 563 8181 | |||
Email: | FM.Documentation@ing.nl | |||
Contact: | ECP Desk/TRC 00.114 |
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
By: | ![]() |
|
Address: | 1 Basinghall Avenue | |
London EC2V 5DD | ||
United Kingdom | ||
Telephone: | +44 20 7885 8888 | |
Email: | primary.debt@sc.com | |
Contact: | Capital Markets |
35
Exhibit 10.9
11 October 2021
Deed of Covenant
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
as Issuer
relating to
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC’s £1,000,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme
Simmons & Simmons LLP |
| |
Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street | ||
London, EC2Y 9SS | T +44 207 628 2020 | |
United Kingdom | F +44 207 628 2070 |
CONTENTS
1. | Interpretation | 1 |
2. | Direct Rights | 2 |
3. | Evidence | 2 |
4. | Deposit of Deed | 3 |
5. | Covenants | 3 |
6. | Power to execute | 3 |
7. | Stamp Duties | 3 |
8. | Benefit of Deed | 3 |
9. | Partial Invalidity | 4 |
10. | Notices | 4 |
11. | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 | 4 |
12. | Governing Law and Jurisdiction | 5 |
i
THIS DEED is dated 11 October 2021 and made by:
(1) | RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC (the “Issuer”), registered in England and Wales and having its registered office at Compass House, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9PY, United Kingdom, in favour of: |
(2) | THE ACCOUNTHOLDERS (as defined below). |
BACKGROUND:
(A) | The Issuer has established a programme under which it may, from time to time, issue commercial paper (the “Programme”). Each issue of Notes (as defined below) may be represented initially by a global note (each a “Global Note”) which will be exchangeable for notes in definitive form (“Definitive Notes”) in the circumstances specified in the relevant Global Note. |
(B) | Each Global Note will be delivered to a depositary or a common depositary for Euroclear Bank SA/NV or any successor thereto (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. or any successor thereto (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”) or such other Clearing System as may be agreed by the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent. |
(C) | The Issuer wishes to make arrangements for the protection of the interests of Accountholders in the event that the relevant Global Note becomes void in accordance with its terms. |
(D) | This Deed is intended to replace, in respect of Notes issued on or after the date hereof, the deed of covenant dated 27 March 2021 (the “Previous Deed of Covenant”) executed by the Issuer. |
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSES as follows:
1. Interpretation
1.1 | In this Deed: |
“Accountholder” means any accountholder with a Clearing System which at the Relevant Date has credited to its securities account with such Clearing System one or more Entries in respect of the relevant Global Note, except for a Clearing System in its capacity as an accountholder of another Clearing System;
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London;
“Clearing System” means each of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other relevant clearing system agreed by the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent;
“Debt” means the debt evidenced by the relevant Global Note or any interest therein;
“Direct Rights” means the rights referred to in Clause 2.1;
“Entry” means any entry which is made in the securities account of any Accountholder with a Clearing System in respect of Notes represented by the relevant Global Note;
“Issue and Paying Agent” means HSBC Bank plc;
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“Note” means any promissory note from time to time issued by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of an issue and paying agency agreement, dated the date hereof, between the Issuer and the Issue and Paying Agent and the other agents named therein, as such agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time;
“Principal Amount” means, in respect of any Entry, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to which such Entry relates; and
“Relevant Date” means the date on which the bearer of the relevant Global Note becomes entitled to exchange the Global Note for Definitive Notes in accordance with the terms of such Global Note.
1.2 | Any reference in this Deed to a Clause is, unless otherwise stated, to a clause hereof. |
1.3 | Headings and sub-headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Deed. |
1.4 | Any Notes issued under the Programme on or after the date of this Deed of Covenant shall have the benefit of this Deed of Covenant but shall not have the benefit of any subsequent deed of covenant relating to the Programme (unless expressly so provided in any such subsequent deed). This does not affect any Notes issued under the Programme prior to the date of this Deed or any Notes issued on or after the date of this Deed which are to be consolidated and form a single Series with the Notes of any Series issued prior to the date of this Deed. Subject to its replacement as described in recital (D) above, the Previous Deed of Covenant shall continue in full force and effect in respect of Notes issued prior to the date of this Deed of Covenant. |
2. Direct Rights
2.1 | If circumstances arise that would give the bearer of any Global Note the right to exchange that Global Note for Definitive Notes in accordance with the terms of such Global Note, each Accountholder shall have against the Issuer all rights in respect of the Debt (“Direct Rights”) which such Accountholder would have had under the Notes if, immediately before the Relevant Date, it had been the holder of Definitive Notes, duly executed, authenticated and issued, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Principal Amount of such Accountholder’s Entries including (without limitation) the right to receive all payments due at any time in respect of such Definitive Notes as if such Definitive Notes had been duly presented and (in the case of final redemption of a Definitive Note) surrendered on the due date in accordance with the terms of such Note, provided that such Direct Rights shall cease to exist if the Issuer makes payment of the full amount due under the Debt or any interest due thereon to the bearer of the Global Note in accordance with the terms thereof. |
2.2 | No further action shall be required on the part of the Issuer or any other person for the Accountholders to enjoy the Direct Rights provided that nothing herein shall entitle any Accountholder to receive any payment in respect of the relevant Global Note which has already been made. |
2.3 | There shall be treated as incorporated into this Deed and with respect to the Direct Rights and any sums payable in relation thereto, all those provisions of the Notes represented by the relevant Global Note (immediately before it became void) relating to the amount of any sum payable by the Issuer or the time and manner in which any such amount should be paid (including, without limitation, any grossing-up provision in any Global Note) but as if references in such provisions to (i) any Note or to any principal of, or other amount payable on, any Note were references to the Direct Rights or to sums payable with respect to the Direct Rights and (ii) any holder of any Note were references to the applicable Accountholder. |
2
3. Evidence
3.1 | The records of the relevant Clearing System as at the opening of business on the Relevant Date shall in the absence of manifest error be conclusive as to the identity of the Accountholders and the respective amounts credited to their securities accounts and a statement issued by a Clearing System setting out: |
(A) | the name of the Accountholder in respect of which it is issued; and |
(B) | the Principal Amount of any Entry credited to the securities account of such Accountholder with such Clearing System on any date, |
shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive evidence for all purposes of this Deed.
3.2 | If a Clearing System determines the Relevant Date, such determination, in the absence of manifest error, shall be binding on all Accountholders with such Clearing System. |
4. | Deposit of Deed |
This Deed shall be deposited with and held by the Issue and Paying Agent until the date on which all the obligations of the Issuer under or in respect of the Notes (including, without limitation, its obligations under this Deed) have been discharged in full. The Issuer hereby acknowledges the right of every Accountholder to the production of this Deed.
5. | Covenants |
The Issuer hereby warrants, represents and covenants with each Accountholder that it has all corporate power, and has taken all necessary corporate or other steps, to enable it to execute, deliver and perform this Deed, and that this Deed constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to mandatory provisions of applicable law and creditors rights generally.
6. | Stamp Duties |
The Issuer shall pay all stamp, registration and other taxes and duties (including any interest and penalties thereon or in connection therewith) which may be payable upon or in connection with the execution, delivery and enforcement of this Deed, and shall indemnify each Accountholder against any claim, demand, action, liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, properly incurred legal fees and any applicable value added tax) which it may incur as a result or arising out of or in relation to any failure to pay or delay in paying any of the same.
7. | Benefit of Deed |
7.1 | This Deed shall take effect as a deed poll for the benefit of the Accountholders from time to time. |
7.2 | This Deed shall enure to the benefit of each Accountholder and its (and any subsequent) successors and assigns, each of which shall be entitled severally to enforce this Deed against the Issuer. |
3
7.3 | The Issuer shall not be entitled to assign or transfer all or any of its rights, benefits and obligations hereunder. Each Accountholder shall be entitled to assign all or any of its rights and benefits hereunder. |
8. | Partial Invalidity |
If at any time any provision hereof is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the laws of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the laws of any other jurisdiction shall in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
9. | Notices |
9.1 | All notices and other communications hereunder shall be made in writing and in English (by letter or electronic communication) and shall be sent to the Issuer at: |
Compass House
Manor Royal
Crawley
West Sussex, RH10 9PY
United Kingdom
Email: | secretariat@rentokil-initial.com / treasury.front-office@rentokil-initial.com |
Attention: | Company Secretary / Group Treasurer |
or to such other address or email address or for the attention of such other person or department as the Issuer has notified to the Accountholders.
9.2 | Any communication sent in accordance with Clause 9.1 shall be effective as follows: |
(A) | Any communication by letter shall be made to the intended recipient and marked for the attention of the person, or any one of them, at its relevant address and shall be deemed to have been made upon delivery, subject to Clause 9.3. |
(B) | Any communication to be made by email shall be made to the intended recipient at the relevant email address and shall be deemed to have been received when the relevant receipt of such communication being read is given, or where no read receipt is requested by the sender, at the time of sending, provided that no delivery failure notification is received by the sender within 24 hours of sending such communication, subject to Clause 9.3. |
9.3 | A communication given under this Deed but received on a non-Business Day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next Business Day in that place. |
10. | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 |
No person shall have any right to enforce any provision of this Deed under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act.
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11. | Governing Law and Jurisdiction |
11.1 | This Deed and any non–contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Deed shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law. The Issuer irrevocably agrees for the benefit of the Accountholders that the courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any disputes which may arise out of or in connection with this Deed (including a dispute relating to any non–contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Deed) and that accordingly any suit, action or proceedings (together referred to as “Proceedings”) arising out of or in connection with this Deed (including any Proceedings relating to any non–contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Deed) may be brought in the courts of England. |
11.2 | The Issuer irrevocably waives any objection which it may have now or hereafter to the laying of the venue of any Proceedings in the courts of England, irrevocably agrees that a final judgment in any Proceedings brought in the courts of England shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer and irrevocably waives any objection to the enforcement of that judgment in the courts of any other jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this Clause 11.2 shall limit any right to take Proceedings against the Issuer in any other court of competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of Proceedings in one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. |
11.3 | This Clause 11 does not affect any other method of service allowed by law. |
5
IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Deed of Covenant to be executed and delivered on the day and year first above mentioned.
EXECUTED as a DEED by | ) |
![]() |
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC | ) | |
acting by its duly authorised signatories | ) | Stuart lngall-tombs |
![]() | ||
Daragh Fagan |
6
Exhibit 10.10
RULES
OF
THE RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC DEFERRED BONUS PLAN
Board Adoption: | 22 February 2018 | |||
Amended by the Committee: | 23 February 2022 | |||
Expiry Date: | 22 February 2028 |
Contents
1. | Meaning of words used | 1 |
2. | Granting Awards | 3 |
3. | Phantom Awards | 5 |
4. | Dividend Equivalents | 5 |
5. | Other terms applicable to Awards | 6 |
6. | Vesting and exercise of Awards - general rules | 6 |
7. | Satisfaction of Awards | 7 |
8. | Leavers | 9 |
9. | Company events | 9 |
10. | Exchange of Awards | 10 |
11. | Variations in share capital | 11 |
12. | Clawback and reduction for Malus | 11 |
13. | General | 13 |
14. | Administration | 15 |
15. | Changing the Plan and termination | 15 |
16. | Governing law, jurisdiction and language | 16 |
Rentokil Initial plc – Deferred Bonus Plan Rules
(i)
Rentokil Initial plc – Deferred Bonus Plan
1. | Meaning of words used |
1.1 | In these rules: |
“Acquiring Company” means a person who obtains Control of the Company;
“Award” means a Conditional Award or an Option or, where relevant, a Phantom Award;
“Award Certificate” means a certificate issued to a Participant pursuant to rule 2.10 (Issue of Award Certificate);
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorised committee of it;
“Bonus” means a discretionary bonus payable to an Employee by a Member of the Group under a Bonus Plan for a particular Financial Year;
“Bonus Plan” means any discretionary cash bonus arrangement or plan operated by a Member of the Group from time to time;
“Business Day” means a day on which the London Stock Exchange is open for the transaction of business;
“Clawback” means the provisions contained in rule 12 (Clawback and reduction for Malus);
“Committee” means the Remuneration Committee of the Board or such other committee comprising a majority of non-executive directors of the Company to which the Board delegates responsibility for overseeing the operation of the Plan;
“Company” means Rentokil Initial plc;
“Conditional Award” means a conditional right to acquire Shares granted under the Plan;
“Control” means the power of a person to secure by means of the holding of shares or the possession of voting power or by virtue of any powers conferred by any articles of association or other document, that the affairs of a body corporate are conducted in accordance with the wishes of that person;
“Cross-clawback” means the provision contained in rule 12.4 (Cross-clawback);
“Dealing Restrictions” means any applicable restriction or restrictions on dealings or transactions in securities imposed by:
(i) | any rules, statutory requirements, orders, legal or regulatory code, provision or rule or other requirement or guidance; and/or |
(ii) | any code adopted or established by the Company in addition or replacement to (i) above, |
in each case in force, and as amended or replaced, from time to time;
“Dividend Equivalents” means an amount equal to the dividend per Share (other than special dividends) for the record date(s) which fall between the Grant Date and the date the Award Vests or is exercised, as applicable, multiplied by the number of Shares in respect of which the Award has Vested or is exercised (as appropriate);
“Employee” means any employee or executive director of any Member of the Group;
Rentokil Initial plc – Deferred Bonus Plan
Page 1 of 16
“Exercise Period” means the period during which an Option may be exercised, commencing on Vesting, and ending on the 10th anniversary of the Grant Date or such earlier date determined by the Committee and specified in the relevant Award Certificate or otherwise determined in accordance with this Plan;
“Financial Year” means a financial year of the Company;
“Grant Date” means the date on which an Award is granted;
“ITEPA” means the UK Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003;
“London Stock Exchange” means London Stock Exchange plc or its successor;
“Malus” means the provisions contained in rule 12 (Clawback and reduction for Malus);
“Market Value” means, on any date when Shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange:
(i) | the mid-market closing price of a Share on the London Stock Exchange for the preceding Business Day; or |
(ii) | if the Committee so determines, the average of the mid-market closing prices of a Share on the London Stock Exchange for such number of preceding Business Days as the Committee determines, |
or, on any date where the Shares are not so listed, the market value of a Share as determined by the Committee;
“Member of the Group” means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and “Group” will be construed accordingly;
“New Award” means an award which satisfies the requirements of rule 10.2 (Requirements for a New Award);
“Option” means a right granted as an option to acquire Shares granted under, and exercisable in accordance with, the Plan;
“Participant” means a person holding or who has held an Award or, where applicable, that person’s personal representatives;
“Phantom Award” means a conditional right granted under the Plan to receive a cash sum in the future that is linked to the Market Value of a number of notional Shares;
“Plan” means the plan constituted by these rules and known as the Rentokil Initial plc Deferred Bonus Plan, as changed or amended from time to time;
“Policy” means the Company’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy as approved by shareholders at that time;
“Share” means a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company;
“Subsidiary” means a company which is a subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of section 1159 of the UK Companies Act 2006;
“Taxation” means any tax and social security charges (and/or any similar charges), wherever arising, in respect of a Participant’s Award or otherwise arising in connection with participation in the Plan;
Rentokil Initial plc – Deferred Bonus Plan
Page 2 of 16
“Tax Election” means an election for a particular tax and/or social security treatment in respect of an Award or the Shares acquired pursuant to it (which may include a joint election under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of ITEPA or an overseas equivalent);
“UK” means the United Kingdom;
“Vesting” means:
(i) | in relation to a Conditional Award, a Participant becoming entitled to have the Shares underlying the Award delivered to the Participant; |
(ii) | in relation to a Phantom Award, a Participant becoming entitled to be paid a cash sum with a value equal to the Market Value of the notional Shares subject to the Award; and |
(iii) | in relation to an Option, a Participant becoming entitled to exercise that Option, |
and “Vest” and “Vested” will be construed accordingly; and
“Vesting Date” means the date specified in the Award Certificate as being the date that the Award is expected to Vest, which will normally be three years after the relevant Grant Date.
1.2 | Interpretation |
In this Plan, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. References to any enactment or statutory requirement will be construed as references to that enactment or requirement as from time to time amended, modified or re-enacted and include any subordinate legislation made under it.
2. | Granting Awards |
2.1 | Voluntary deferral of Bonus |
The Committee will decide whether, and to what extent, any Bonus may be voluntarily deferred through the grant of an Award in respect of any Financial Year.
2.2 | Mandatory deferral of Bonus |
The extent to which a Bonus will be mandatorily deferred (if at all) will be:
2.2.1 | to the extent an Employee is required by the Policy to defer that Bonus, in accordance with the terms of that Policy; and |
2.2.2 | in all other cases, as determined by the Committee and communicated to the relevant Employee. |
2.3 | Eligibility |
To be eligible to be granted an Award, an individual must be an Employee at the Grant Date and all or part of the Employee’s Bonus is to be deferred through the grant of an Award.
2.4 | Operation |
The Committee has absolute discretion to decide whether the Plan will be operated and those eligible Employees to whom Awards will be granted.
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2.5 | Amount of Award |
The number of Shares comprised in an Award will have an aggregate Market Value (measured at the Grant Date) which is, as close as practicable, equal to the amount of the Bonus that is to be deferred through the grant of an Award.
2.6 | Cash payment of small amount |
Where the amount of a Bonus that would otherwise be deferred through the grant of an Award is not, in the opinion of the Committee, sufficiently large to justify the grant of an Award, the Committee may decide not to grant an Award on that occasion and may instead pay the entirety of the Bonus in cash in accordance with the terms of the relevant Bonus Plan.
2.7 | Grant of Awards |
Awards will be granted by the Company by deed.
2.8 | Timing of grant |
Awards may only be granted within 42 days commencing on any of the following:
2.8.1 | the day the Committee of the Company adopt the Plan; |
2.8.2 | the Business Day following the announcement (or, where there is no announcement, publication) of the Company’s results for the last preceding Financial Year, half year or other period; or |
2.8.3 | if Dealing Restrictions prohibited the making of an Award within any period as mentioned in rules 2.8.1 or 2.8.2, the date that all such Dealing Restrictions cease to apply. |
Notwithstanding rules 2.8.1 to 2.8.3, but subject to Dealing Restrictions, Awards may be granted at any time where the Committee resolves that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the grant of Awards.
2.9 | Administrative errors |
If the Committee purports to grant an Award which is inconsistent with this Plan, the Award will take effect only to the extent permissible under the provisions of this Plan.
2.10 | Issue of Award Certificate |
As soon as practicable after an Award has been made, the Committee will issue or will procure the issue of an Award Certificate to each Participant. The Award Certificate may be sent by email or other electronic means.
2.11 | Form of Award Certificate |
An Award Certificate will be in a form approved by the Committee and must specify:
2.11.1 | the Grant Date; |
2.11.2 | the form of Award; |
2.11.3 | the number of Shares subject to the Award; |
2.11.4 | in the case of an Option, the Exercise Period; |
2.11.5 | the Vesting Date; |
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2.11.6 | where relevant: |
(i) | that the Award carries the right to Dividend Equivalents; and |
(ii) | whether the Dividend Equivalents are determined by reference to the period commencing on the Grant Date and ending on the Vesting Date or ending on the exercise of the Award, and for executive directors of the Company Dividend Equivalents will be determined in accordance with the relevant Policy; |
2.11.7 | where relevant, that Malus and/or Clawback applies to the Award; and |
2.11.8 | where the Committee requires it, that the Participant will enter into a Tax Election. |
2.12 | No payment |
Participants are not required to pay for the grant of any Award.
2.13 | Acceptance of Award |
The Committee may require a Participant to accept an Award by delivering a duly completed acceptance notice in a form and manner (which may be electronic), and by such date as, determined by the Committee, and to the extent the Participant does not do so, the Award may lapse.
2.14 | Liability for Taxation |
By participating in the Plan, a Participant agrees to be responsible for and to bear any liability for Taxation.
3. | Phantom Awards |
3.1 | Grant of Phantom Awards |
The Committee may from time to time choose to grant an Award as a Phantom Award. A Phantom Award will not confer any right on the relevant Participant to receive Shares or any interest in Shares.
3.2 | Application and interpretation of the Plan |
Where an Award is granted as a Phantom Award, the provisions of this Plan will be interpreted and applied to reflect the fact that Phantom Awards are granted in respect of notional Shares only and are satisfied in cash rather than Shares.
4. | Dividend Equivalents |
4.1 | Application of rule |
When granting an Award the Committee may determine on or before the Grant Date that an Award is to carry the right to Dividend Equivalents.
4.2 | Satisfaction of Dividend Equivalents |
Any Dividend Equivalent may be satisfied in cash or in such whole number of Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole number) as has a Market Value at the date the Award Vests or the date the Award is exercised (as applicable) as nearly as practicable equal to that amount. Subject to rules 7.4 (Delivery - Dealing Restrictions) and 7.8 (Withholding), the cash will be paid, or Shares delivered, in satisfaction of any Dividend Equivalents as soon as reasonably practicable following Vesting or exercise (as appropriate).
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5. | Other terms applicable to Awards |
5.1 | No transfer |
A Participant may not transfer, assign, charge or otherwise dispose of an Award or any rights in respect of it. If the Participant does, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, then it will immediately lapse. This rule does not apply to the transmission of an Award on the death of a Participant to the personal representatives.
5.2 | Bankruptcy |
A Participant’s Award will lapse where the Participant becomes bankrupt or enters into a compromise with creditors generally.
6. | Vesting and exercise of Awards - general rules |
6.1 | Vesting - rounding up |
If, due to the application of any term of the Award, an Award would otherwise Vest over a fraction of a Share, the number of Shares in respect of which the Award will Vest will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
6.2 | Timing of Vesting - general |
Subject to rules 6.3 (Timing of Vesting - Dealing Restrictions), 6.4 (Timing of Vesting - investigation), 8 (Leavers) and 9 (Company events), an Award will Vest on the relevant Vesting Date.
6.3 | Timing of Vesting - Dealing Restrictions |
Where an Award would otherwise Vest at a time when Dealing Restrictions would prohibit:
6.3.1 | in the case of an Option, the exercise of such Option; |
6.3.2 | the delivery, or procurement of the delivery, of Shares or cash (as appropriate) to the Participant; and/or |
6.3.3 | the Participant from selling Shares to discharge any liability for Taxation, where relevant, |
such Award will not Vest until all such Dealing Restrictions cease to apply.
6.4 | Timing of Vesting - investigation |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if an investigation commences or is ongoing regarding whether Malus and/or Cross-clawback should be invoked in respect of a Participant then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any unvested Awards held by that Participant will not Vest until after such investigation has been concluded.
6.5 | Process for exercise of an Option |
A Participant may exercise an Option at any time (other than when prohibited by Dealing Restrictions) during the Exercise Period by giving notice to the Company, or to such other person as the Committee specifies, in a form and manner specified by the Committee (which may be electronic).
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Such notice must indicate the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised on that occasion.
The exercise of the Option is effective on the date of receipt by or on behalf of the Company of the notice.
A Participant is not required to pay for the acquisition of Shares or cash pursuant to the Option.
6.6 | Part exercise of an Option |
An Option may be exercised in whole or in part and on more than one occasion.
6.7 | Limits on exercise of an Option |
A Participant’s notice to exercise an Option may only take effect to the extent it is consistent with the Participant’s rights under an Option and the provisions of this Plan.
6.8 | Automatic exercise of an Option |
The Company will be deemed to have received a valid notice of exercise, immediately before the expiry of the Exercise Period, for any Options that remain otherwise exercisable but have not been exercised on the last day of the Exercise Period.
If the last day of the Exercise Period is at a time when Dealing Restrictions would prohibit:
6.8.1 | the exercise of such Option; and/or |
6.8.2 | the delivery, or procurement of the delivery, of Shares or cash (as appropriate) to the Participant; and/or |
6.8.3 | the Participant from selling Shares to discharge any liability for Taxation, where relevant, |
the Exercise Period will be extended to the first Business Day on which all such Dealing Restrictions cease to apply and the notice will instead be deemed to be delivered on such Business Day.
6.9 | Lapse of Awards |
To the extent an Award lapses under the Plan, it may not Vest or be exercised (as appropriate) subsequently under any other provision of this Plan.
7. | Satisfaction of Awards |
7.1 | Delivery - general |
Subject to the other provisions of this rule 7 (Satisfaction of Awards), where an Award Vests and, in the case of an Option, is validly exercised, as soon as reasonably practicable after such Vesting or exercise, as appropriate, and usually within 30 days, the Committee will arrange for:
7.1.1 | in respect of a Conditional Award or Option, the delivery to the Participant of the number of Shares in respect of which the Award has Vested or been exercised, as appropriate, on that occasion; or |
7.1.2 | in respect of a Phantom Award, the delivery of a cash sum equal to the aggregate Market Value of such number of notional Shares in respect of which the Award has Vested on that occasion. |
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7.2 | Delivery - investigation |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if an investigation commences or is ongoing regarding whether Malus, Clawback and/or Cross-clawback should be invoked in respect of a Participant then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any Vested (and, in the case of an Option, unexercised) but as yet unsatisfied Awards held by that Participant will not be satisfied until after such investigation has been concluded.
7.3 | Delivery - nominee |
Shares may be delivered to a nominee on behalf of the Participant, provided that the Participant is the beneficial owner of the Shares.
7.4 | Delivery - Dealing Restrictions |
If the delivery, or the procurement of the delivery, of Shares or cash (as appropriate) would be prohibited by Dealing Restrictions, delivery will not occur until after such time as all such Dealing Restrictions cease to apply.
7.5 | Source of Shares |
Awards may only be satisfied using Shares purchased in the market.
7.6 | Shareholder rights |
Where Shares are transferred on the Vesting of a Conditional Award or the exercise of an Option, the Participant will be entitled to all rights attaching to the Shares by reference to a record date on or after the transfer date. The Participant will not be entitled to voting, dividend or other rights before that date.
7.7 | Alternative ways to satisfy Awards |
The Committee may decide to satisfy an Award by paying an amount equal to the aggregate Market Value of the Shares in respect of which the Award has Vested or been exercised (as appropriate) in cash (subject to rule 7.8 (Withholding)).
The Committee may decide to satisfy an Award (or part of it) by reducing the number of Shares to which the Participant would otherwise be entitled under the Plan, with the reduction instead being paid as an equivalent amount in cash (subject to rule 7.8 (Withholding)).
7.8 | Withholding |
Any Member of the Group or the trustee of any employee benefit trust may withhold such amounts and make such arrangements as it considers necessary or desirable to meet any liability to pay or account for Taxation.
The arrangements referred to in this rule 7.8 (Withholding) may include deductions from any cash payment owed to the Participant and/or the sale of Shares acquired on Vesting or exercise (as appropriate) of the Participant’s Award on behalf of the Participant and the retention of all or part of the sale proceeds to meet such liability.
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8. | Leavers |
8.1 | Leavers - before Vesting |
If a Participant ceases to be employed within the Group before the Award has Vested, the Award will:
8.1.1 | continue until the normal time of Vesting under the provisions of this Plan, unless the Committee determines in its absolute discretion that Vesting will be accelerated; |
8.1.2 | in the case of the Participant’s death, Vesting will be accelerated; |
8.1.3 | in the case of an Option, the Exercise Period will end 6 months (12 months in the case of the Participant’s death (or up 24 months in the case of death, if determined by the Committee)) after Vesting; and |
8.1.4 | Vest in full. |
8.2 | Leavers - after Vesting |
If a Participant ceases to be employed within the Group after the Award has Vested but before the Award has been satisfied or exercised, the Award will:
8.2.1 | continue in accordance with the provisions of this Plan; and |
8.2.2 | in the case of an Option, the Exercise Period will end 6 months (12 months in the case of the Participant’s death (or up 24 months in the case of death, if determined by the Committee)) after the date the Participant ceases to be employed within the Group. |
8.3 | Meaning of “ceases to be employed within the Group” |
For the purposes of this rule 8 (Leavers), a Participant will not be treated as ceasing to be employed within the Group until ceasing to hold any office or employment with any Member of the Group.
For the purposes of this rule 8 (Leavers), “Member of the Group” and “Group” includes any associated company nominated for this purpose by the Committee.
9. | Company events |
9.1 | Company events - extent of Vesting |
If this rule 9.1 (Company events - extent of Vesting) applies to an Award, it will Vest and in the case of an Option may be exercised, in full. To the extent the Participant’s Award does not Vest, or is not exchanged in accordance with rule 10 (Exchange of Awards) it will then lapse.
9.2 | Takeovers |
Where a person obtains Control of the Company as a result of making an offer to acquire Shares, an Award will Vest on the date the person obtains Control in accordance with rule 9.1 (Company events - extent of Vesting).
9.3 | Bound or entitled |
Where a person becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company under sections 979 to 982 or 983 to 985 of the UK Companies Act 2006 (inclusive), Awards will Vest on the date the person becomes so bound or entitled in accordance with rule 9.1 (Company events - extent of Vesting).
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9.4 | Scheme of arrangement |
When a court sanctions a compromise or arrangement under section 899 CA, Awards will Vest on the date of the court sanction in accordance with rule 9.1 (Company events - extent of Vesting).
9.5 | Winding up |
If notice is given of a resolution for the voluntary winding-up of the Company, Awards will Vest on the date the notice is given in accordance with rule 9.1 (Company events - extent of Vesting).
9.6 | Persons acting in concert |
For the purposes of this rule 9 (Company events) and rule 10 (Exchange of Awards), a person will be treated as obtaining Control of the Company if that person and others acting in concert together obtain Control of it.
9.7 | Exercise of Options |
A Participant may exercise an Option, to the extent it Vests pursuant to this rule 9 (Company events) or has already Vested, within the period of 1 month (or such other period as may be specified by the Committee) starting from the date of the relevant event pursuant to this this rule 9 (Company events) and, unless the Committee determines otherwise, to the extent that the Participant’s Option has not then lapsed or been exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, it will be deemed to be exercised by the Participant to the fullest extent possible on the Business Day immediately prior to the expiry of such period (subject to the provisions of rule 6.8 (Automatic exercise of an Option).
9.8 | Meaning of Committee |
For the purposes of this rule 9 (Company events) and rule 10 (Exchange of Awards), “Committee” means those people who were members of the Remuneration Committee or such other committee of the Board immediately before the relevant event.
10. | Exchange of Awards |
10.1 | When Awards may be exchanged |
Where an event as specified in rules 9.2 (Takeovers) 9.3 (Bound or entitled) or 9.4 (Scheme of arrangement) occurs and:
10.1.1 | the Participant has agreed with the Acquiring Company, to exchange an Award for a New Award; or |
10.1.2 | the Acquiring Company consents and substantially all the shareholders of the Company immediately before the relevant event has occurred will continue to have Control of the Company immediately thereafter, |
that Award (or, in the case of rule 10.1.2, all Awards) will not Vest under rules 9.2 (Takeovers), 9.3 (Bound or entitled) or 9.4 (Scheme of arrangement), as appropriate, but will be exchanged for New Awards.
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10.2 | Requirements for a New Award |
Where a Participant is granted a New Award in exchange for an existing Award, the New Award:
10.2.1 | must confer a right to acquire shares in the Acquiring Company or another body corporate determined by the Acquiring Company, where relevant; |
10.2.2 | must be substantially equivalent to the Award; |
10.2.3 | is treated as having been acquired at the same time as the Award and Vests, is exercisable and lapses in the same manner and at the same time; |
10.2.4 | unless the Committee decides otherwise, must be subject to any conditions (including Malus and, where relevant, Clawback), which are, so far as possible, equivalent to any conditions applicable to the Award; and |
10.2.5 | is governed by the Plan as if references to Shares were references to the shares over or in respect of which the New Award is granted and references to the Company were references to the Acquiring Company or the body corporate determined under rule 10.2.1. |
11. | Variations in share capital |
11.1 | Adjustments to Awards |
If there is:
11.1.1 | a variation in the equity share capital of the Company, including a capitalisation or rights issue, sub-division, consolidation or reduction of share capital; |
11.1.2 | a demerger (in whatever form) or exempt distribution by virtue of section 1075 of the UK Corporation Tax Act 2010; |
11.1.3 | a special dividend or distribution; or |
11.1.4 | any other transaction which will materially affect the value of Shares, |
the Committee may adjust the number or class of Shares subject to an Award in such manner as the Committee may consider appropriate.
11.2 | Notice to Participants |
The Committee will notify Participants of any adjustment made under this rule 11 (Variations in share capital).
12. | Clawback and reduction for Malus |
12.1 | Application of rule |
This rule 12 (Clawback and reduction for Malus) will apply to an Award where specified in the Award Certificate pursuant to rule 2.11 (Form of Award Certificate).
The Board may, in its absolute discretion determine at any time prior to the date on which an Award Vests to reduce the number of Shares or amount of cash (as appropriate) to which an Award relates; cancel an Award; or impose further conditions on an Award (Malus), in circumstances in which the Board considers such action is appropriate.
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The Board may, in its absolute discretion determine that there are circumstances that justify a reduction in respect of one or more Awards that have Vested and that the Participant should repay to the Company (Clawback) an amount equal to the benefit, calculated on an after-tax basis, received by the Participant from such Award, provided that the Board may, at its discretion, determine that a lesser amount should be repaid.
The Board may not exercise its discretion to apply Clawback more than two years after an Award has Vested or such longer period as the Committee considers is appropriate and has been notified to the Participant.
12.2 | Malus and Clawback triggers |
The circumstances referred to in this rule 12.2 (Malus and Clawback triggers) include, but are not limited to:
12.2.1 | A material misstatement of the Company’s audited results; or |
12.2.2 | Serious reputational damage or loss to the Company, any Group company or a relevant business unit as a result of the Participant’s serious misconduct or otherwise. |
12.3 | Recovery |
The Committee may in its discretion choose any method to recover the amount from the Participant, including (but not limited to):
12.3.1 | requiring the Participant to make a payment in cash or shares to, or to the order of, the Company or such person as the Committee decides; |
12.3.2 | reducing (including to nil) the Vesting of any of the Participant’s unvested Awards, or the vesting of any unvested share award, share option or cash award granted to the Participant under any other employee share plan operated by any Member of the Group (except any plan intended to comply with Schedules 2, 3 or 4 of ITEPA); |
12.3.3 | reducing the number of Shares or amount of cash (as appropriate) which may be acquired by the Participant in respect of any Vested but as yet unsatisfied Award, or the number of shares or amount of cash (as appropriate) which may be acquired by the Participant in respect of a vested but as yet unsatisfied share award, share option or cash award granted to the Participant under any other employee share plan operated by any Member of the Group (except any plan intended to comply with Schedules 2, 3 or 4 of ITEPA); |
12.3.4 | reducing the amount of or deducting an amount from any current or future salary, cash bonus or other payments that would otherwise be payable to the Participant; and/or |
12.3.5 | reducing the value of any shares or cash over which a future Award or share award, share option or cash award under any other employee share plan operated by any Member of the Group (except any plan intended to comply with Schedules 2, 3 or 4 of ITEPA) is granted to the Participant. |
12.4 | Cross-clawback |
The Committee may decide at any time that an Award will lapse in respect of all or a number of Shares or amount of cash (as appropriate) to give effect to a clawback provision of any form contained in any employee share plan (other than this Plan) or Bonus Plan operated by any Member of the Group. The extent to which an Award will lapse will be in accordance with the terms of the clawback or cross-clawback provision in the relevant plan or, in the absence of any such term, on such basis as the Committee considers appropriate.
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12.5 | Notification to the Participant |
A Participant must be notified as soon as reasonably practicable if a Malus or Clawback have been invoked.
12.6 | Obligations of the Participant |
A Participant will provide any information, documentation and undertakings and take all actions that the Committee reasonably believes it may require in connection with this rule 12 (Clawback and reduction for Malus).
13. | General |
13.1 | Dealing Restrictions |
Each relevant person will have regard to Dealing Restrictions when (in each case, as appropriate) operating, interpreting, administering, participating in and taking any and all such other action in relation to, or contemplated or envisaged by, the Plan.
13.2 | Terms of employment |
For the purposes of this rule 13.2 (Terms of employment), “Employee” means any employee or executive director (existing or former) of a Member of the Group (existing or former).
This rule 13.2 (Terms of employment) applies during an Employee’s employment and after the termination of an Employee’s employment, whether or not the termination is lawful.
Nothing in the provisions of the Plan, or the operation of the Plan, forms part of the contract of employment of an Employee. The rights and obligations arising from the employment relationship between the Employee and the relevant Member of the Group are separate from, and are not affected by, the Plan. Participation in the Plan does not create any right to, or expectation of, continued employment.
No Employee has a right to participate in the Plan. Participation in the Plan or the grant of Awards on a particular basis in any year does not create any right to or expectation of participation in the Plan or the grant of Awards on the same basis, or at all, in any future year.
The terms of the Plan do not entitle the Employee to the exercise of any discretion in the Employee’s favour.
The Employee will have no claim or right of action in respect of any decision, omission or discretion, which may operate to the disadvantage of the Employee, even if it is unreasonable, irrational or might otherwise be regarded as being in breach of the duty of trust and confidence (and/or any other implied duty) between the Employee and employer.
No Employee has any right to compensation or damages for any loss (actual or potential) in relation to the Plan, including any loss in relation to:
13.2.1 | any loss or reduction of rights or expectations under the Plan in any circumstances (including lawful or unlawful termination of employment); |
13.2.2 | any exercise of a discretion or a decision taken in relation to an Award or to the Plan, or any failure to exercise a discretion or take a decision; or |
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13.2.3 | the operation, suspension, termination or amendment of the Plan. |
By participating in the Plan, a Participant:
13.2.1 | accepts all the provisions of this Plan, including this rule 13.2 (Terms of employment); and |
13.2.2 | waives all rights which might otherwise arise in connection with the Plan, other than the right to acquire Shares or cash (as appropriate) subject to and in accordance with the express terms of the Plan, |
in consideration for, and as a condition of, the grant of an Award.
13.3 | Not pensionable |
None of the benefits received under the Plan are pensionable.
13.4 | Costs |
The Company and/or any Subsidiary will pay the costs of introducing and administering the Plan.
13.5 | Data protection |
Personal data will be processed in accordance with the Company Data Privacy Notice available on the Company’s website at www.rentokil-initial.com or as otherwise advised by the Company.
13.6 | Consents |
All transfers of Shares will be subject to the Company’s Articles of Association and any necessary consents under any relevant enactments or regulations for the time being in force in the UK or elsewhere. The Participant will be responsible for complying with any requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain or avoid the necessity for any such consent.
13.7 | Notices |
Any notice or communication to be given to any Employee or Participant may be delivered by electronic mail (including on an intranet, portal or by SMS text message), or personally delivered or sent by ordinary post to such address as the Company considers appropriate.
Any notice or communication to be given to the Company or its duly appointed agent may be delivered or sent to its registered office or such other place and by such means as the Company or its appointed agent may specify and notify to Employees and/or Participants.
Notices or communications sent electronically will be deemed to have been received at the time of transmission unless there is evidence to the contrary. Notices or communications personally delivered will be deemed to have been received upon delivery and those sent by post will be deemed to have been received 24 hours after posting nationally and 3 days after posting internationally.
13.8 | Third party rights |
Except as otherwise expressly stated to the contrary, nothing in the Plan confers any benefit, right or expectation on a person who is not a Participant or a Member of the Group. No such third party has any rights under the UK Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 or any equivalent local legislation to enforce any term of this Plan.
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14. | Administration |
14.1 | Committee’s powers |
The Committee will administer the Plan. The Committee has authority to make rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may delegate all or any of its rights and powers under the Plan.
14.2 | Provisions of the Plan |
If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason by any court of competent jurisdiction, for the purposes of that jurisdiction:
14.2.1 | such provision will be treated as severed; and |
14.2.2 | the remainder of the provisions of the Plan will continue in full force and effect as if the Plan had been established without the inclusion of the severed provision, |
unless the Committee determines otherwise.
14.3 | Committee’s decisions final and binding |
All determinations or decisions of the Committee are final and binding in all respects. If any question or dispute arises as to the interpretation of the Plan, any rules, regulations or procedures relating to the Plan and/or in relation to an Award or any other matter relating to the Plan, the decision of the Committee will be conclusive.
15. | Changing the Plan and termination |
15.1 | Committee’s powers |
Except as described in the rest of this rule 15 (Changing the Plan and termination), the Committee may at any time change the Plan in any way.
15.2 | Participant consent |
If the Committee proposes an amendment to the Plan which would be to the material disadvantage of Participants in respect of subsisting rights under the Plan, then:
15.2.1 | the Committee must invite each so disadvantaged Participant to indicate whether or not they approve the amendment; and |
15.2.2 | such amendment will only take effect in respect of subsisting rights under the Plan if the majority of the Participants who make such an indication approve the amendment. |
15.3 | Notice |
The Committee may (but is not obliged to) give written notice of any changes made to the Plan to any Participant affected.
15.4 | Termination of the Plan |
No Award may be granted more than 10 years after the day the Committee adopts the Plan but the Committee may terminate the Plan at any earlier time. Termination will not affect subsisting rights under the Plan.
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16. | Governing law, jurisdiction and language |
The laws of England and Wales govern the Plan and all Awards and their construction. The courts of England and Wales have non-exclusive jurisdiction in respect of disputes arising under or in connection with the Plan or any Award.
In relation to the Plan and any documents relating to or concerning it, the English language version of the documents will prevail, so that if there is any conflict between the terms or provisions of a document in English and the same document in another language, the document in English will take precedence.
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Exhibit 10.11
RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN
As amended by shareholders in general meeting on 9 May 2018 and 12 May 2021
Approved by shareholders in general meeting on 11 May 2016
and adopted by the Board of Directors on 11 May 2016
1
Contents
1. | Definitions and Interpretation | Page 3 |
2. | Eligibility | Page 5 |
3. | Grant of awards | Page 5 |
4. | Limits | Page 6 |
5. | Exercise of Award | Page 8 |
6. | Takeover, reconstruction and winding-up | Page 13 |
7. | Variation of share capital | Page 15 |
8. | Amendments | Page 15 |
9. | Miscellaneous | Page 16 |
10. | Appendix 1 | Page 18 |
11. | Appendix 2 | Page 24 |
12. | Appendix 3 | Page 27 |
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1. Definitions and Interpretation
1.1. | In this Plan, unless the context otherwise requires: |
Associated Company means a Group Company or a company in which the Company holds either directly or indirectly an interest in no less than twenty per cent of the equity;
Award means a right to acquire Shares for nil payment or upon such nominal payment as specified by the Committee on the Grant Date (being, in the case of an Award satisfied by the issue of new Shares, an amount not less than the aggregate nominal value of the Shares to be issued) or a right to receive Shares (or an award of Shares or cash in such other legal form as may be determined by the Committee which is intended to deliver the same economic benefit to a Participant) subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan;
Board means the board of directors for the time being of the Company or a duly authorised committee of the board and if any of the events envisaged in Rule 6 occurs, the board of directors as constituted immediately before the event occurred;
Committee means the remuneration committee of the Board and, if any of the events envisaged in Rule 6 occurs, the remuneration committee as constituted immediately before the event occurred;
Company means Rentokil Initial plc (registered number 5393279);
Control means control within the meaning of section 995 of the Income Tax Act 2007;
Dealing Day means any day on which the London Stock Exchange is open for the transaction of business;
Employees' Share Plan has the meaning set out in section 1166 Companies Act 2006;
Exercise Period means the period starting on the Vesting Date and ending on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (unless the Board determines that a shorter period will apply);
Financial Year means a financial year (within the meaning of section 390 of the Companies Act 2006) of the Company, which may be the standard 52 week period or a longer or shorter period in respect of which the annual accounts of the Company are prepared;
Grant Date in relation to an Award, means the date on which the Award was granted under Rule 3;
Group Company means:
a) | the Company or any body corporate which is (within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) the Company's holding company or a subsidiary of the Company's holding company; or |
b) | a Subsidiary or a company which is under the Control of the Company; |
Holding Period means in relation to an Award, a period starting at the end of the third anniversary of the Grant Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date, unless the Committee sets a different period prior to the Grant Date;
London Stock Exchange means the London Stock Exchange plc or any successor body carrying on the business of the London Stock Exchange plc;
Participant means a person who holds an Award;
Plan means the Rentokil Initial plc Performance Share Plan as amended from time to time under these Rules;
Performance Condition means such objective term(s) and/or requirement(s) that the Committee applies to an Award and notifies to a Participant at the Grant Date (in addition to the terms set out in these Rules), the satisfaction of which shall determine the extent to which (if at all) an Award Vests and where relevant is capable of exercise;
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Performance Period means the originally intended period in respect of which the Performance Conditions (if any) are to be satisfied, communicated to Participants at grant;
Policy means the Company’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy (as approved by the Company’s shareholders);
Prohibited Period means any time when dealing or transactions in Shares or other securities is prevented or restricted by:
a) | any rules, statutory requirements, orders, legal or regulatory code, regulation, provision or other requirement or guidance; and/or |
b) | any code adopted or established by the Company in addition or replacement to (a) above, |
in each case in force, and as amended or replaced, from time to time;
Retirement means a Participant ceasing to be employed by any Associated Company by reason of retirement with the consent of that Associated Company;
Redundancy means termination of employment by reason of redundancy in accordance with the definition contained in the Employment Rights Act 1996;
Rules means the rules of the Plan as amended from time to time under their terms;
Salary means:
a) | a person's salary before tax (excluding benefits in kind), expressed as an annual rate, payable or to be paid by all Group Companies to him; and |
b) | where a payment of salary is made otherwise than in sterling, the payment shall be treated as being of the amount of sterling ascertained by applying the rate of exchange the Committee reasonably determines; |
Share means a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company;
Subsidiary means a company which for the time being is a subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006;
Taxation means any tax and employee social security charges (and/or any similar charges or liabilities), wherever arising, in respect of a Participant’s Award or otherwise arising in connection with that Participant’s participation in the Plan;
Tax Election means a joint election in respect of any Shares that the Participant may acquire pursuant to an Award under section 431(1) or section 431(2) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (or such other tax legislation that may be applicable to Participants situated in jurisdictions other than the UK);
Trustee means the trustee or trustees for the time being of any employee trust established for the benefit of all or most of the employees of Group Companies;
Vesting Date means the date on which an Award Vests which, subject to Rule 3.3 and unless prior to the Grant Date the Committee determines another date to be appropriate, shall not be earlier than the third anniversary of the Grant Date; and
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An Award Vests when the Participant becomes entitled to the issue or transfer of Shares under an Award or to exercise an Award (as appropriate) and the terms Vested and Vesting shall have corresponding meanings.
1.2. | Any reference in this Plan to any enactment includes a reference to that enactment as from time to time modified, extended or re-enacted. |
1.3. | Where the context permits the singular includes the plural and vice versa and the masculine includes the feminine. |
1.4. | Headings and words in italics are for guidance only and do not form part of the Plan. |
2. Eligibility
2.1. | A person is eligible to be granted an Award provided that he is an employee of a Group Company. |
2.2. | The Committee shall be responsible for determining whether the Plan will be operated in any particular Financial Year, whether an employee will receive an Award and for determining the number of Shares comprised in any such Award. |
3. Grant of Awards
3.1. | Grant procedure |
Awards may be granted by the Committee on behalf of the Company to any person who is eligible to be granted an Award under Rule 2, subject to such Performance Conditions or other conditions as the Committee determines at the Grant Date.
3.2. | Timing of grant |
An Award may only be granted:
a) | within the period of six weeks beginning with: |
i. | the Dealing Day next following the date on which the Plan is adopted; |
ii. | the Dealing Day next following the date on which the Company announces its results for any period; |
iii. | any day when the circumstances are considered by the Committee in its absolute discretion to be sufficiently exceptional to justify its grant (and for these purposes, such circumstances may include, without limitation, the incentivisation of a new employee or executive director or special need to take action to retain an employee or executive director, the acquisition of a new business or new Group Company, and cases where an award to an employee or executive director was omitted through manifest error); |
iv. | the Dealing Day next following the date on which a Prohibited Period ends which prevented the granting of an Award during the periods specified above; and |
in each case within the period of 10 years beginning with the date on which this Plan is approved by the Company in general meeting.
3.3. | Holding period |
At the discretion of the Committee, an Award may at the Grant Date be made subject to a Holding Period. Subject to Rule 5.4 and Rule 6 and to any additional terms and conditions that apply to the Award, if an Award is made subject to a Holding Period, that Award will Vest at the end of the Holding Period to the extent that the Committee determines that the Performance Condition was satisfied following the end of any applicable Performance Period and the Award has not otherwise lapsed. Where there is a Holding Period, to the extent required by the Company, the Participant will, as a condition of accepting the grant of an Award agree to enter into a Tax Election.
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3.4. | Non-transferability and bankruptcy |
Save on the death of a Participant, an Award shall not be capable of being transferred or assigned. If a Participant does or suffers any act which would or might deprive him of the legal or beneficial ownership of an Award and/or a Participant is adjudged bankrupt, the Participant's Award shall lapse immediately.
3.5. | Method of grant |
There shall be no payment for the grant of an Award. Awards shall be granted by way of deed.
3.6. | Renunciation of an Award |
A Participant may waive or renounce an Award granted to him by giving written notice to the Company at any time before it is exercised. A waiver of any particular Award shall not constitute a waiver of any other Award unless the notice of waiver expressly provides otherwise.
3.7. | Approvals and consents |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Rules, the grant of an Award, its exercise and the delivery of Shares under it shall not occur during a Prohibited Period and shall be subject to obtaining any approval or consent required under any applicable regulations or enactments.
3.8. | Employer’s social security |
The Company may require a Participant to:
a) | enter into an agreement under paragraph 3A of schedule 1 to the Social Security contributions and Benefits Act 1992 in relation to any secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions arising on the exercise of an award; or |
b) | make an election under paragraph 3B of Schedule 1 to that Act in relation to any secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions arising on the exercise of an award; or |
c) | enter into any other equivalent agreement, election or other arrangement under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction to allow the Company to pass the cost of employers’ social security contributions arising in relation to the Award to the Participant. |
4. Limits
4.1. | 5 per cent in 10 year limit |
No Award shall be granted which would, at the time it is granted, cause the number of Shares allocated under the Plan or under any other executive (discretionary) share scheme adopted by the Company in the period of 10 years ending with the proposed Grant Date to exceed the number of Shares that represents 5 per cent of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue at that time (as adjusted for scrip, bonus and rights issues). For the purpose of calculating the number of Shares so allocated, any additional shares representing accrued dividends as described in Rule 5.9 shall be excluded.
4.2. | 10 per cent in 10 year limit |
No Award shall be granted which would, at the time it is granted, cause the number of Shares allocated under the Plan or under any other Employees’ Share Plan adopted by the Company in the period of 10 years ending with the proposed Grant Date to exceed the number of shares that represents 10 per cent of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue at that time (as adjusted for scrip, bonus and rights issues). For the purpose of calculating the number of Shares so allocated, any additional shares representing accrued dividends as described in Rule 5.9 shall be excluded.
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4.3. | Individual limit |
No person shall be granted an Award if the grant of that Award would result in the aggregate market value of all the Shares over which Awards have been made to that individual in respect of a Financial Year exceeding 375% of the Salary of that individual, subject to any other limits, where applicable, set out in the prevailing Policy. For the purpose of calculating this limit any additional shares representing accrued dividends as described in Rule 5.9 shall be excluded.
4.4. | Value of shares |
For the purpose of Rule 4.3, the market value of each Share over which an Award is made shall be determined by the Board and will normally be taken to be the amount equal to the closing price of a Share on the London Stock Exchange on the Dealing Day immediately preceding the Grant Date.
4.5. | Meaning of "allocated" |
For the purposes of this Rule 4, Shares are "allocated":
a) | at the time of grant of an Award (where such Award may be satisfied by the issue of new Shares or by the transfer of treasury Shares); and |
b) | at the time of issue or transfer (where Shares are issued or treasury Shares are transferred otherwise than pursuant to an option or other type of award to acquire Shares). |
4.6. | Release or lapse of award |
Where an Award, share option or other right to acquire unissued or treasury shares is released or lapses without being exercised (or the Board makes arrangements for it to be satisfied by the transfer of existing Shares), the Shares concerned shall be ignored when calculating the limit in Rules 4.1 and 4.2.
4.7. | Effect of limits |
Any Award granted under the Plan shall be limited and take effect so that the above limits are complied with.
4.8. | Clawback and reduction for malus |
Notwithstanding any other Rule of the Plan, the Board may, in its absolute discretion:
a) | determine at any time prior to the date on which an Award Vests to reduce the number of Shares to which an Award relates; cancel an Award; or impose further conditions on an Award (malus), in circumstances in which the Board considers such action is appropriate; |
b) | determine that there are circumstances that justify a reduction in respect of one or more Awards that have Vested and that the Participant should repay to the Company (whether by re-transfer of Shares, payment of cash proceeds or deductions from or set offs against any amounts owed to the Participant by the Company or any Group Company) (clawback) an amount equal to the benefit, calculated on an after-tax basis, received by the Participant from such Award, provided that the Board may, at its discretion, determine that a lesser amount should be repaid. |
The Board may not exercise its discretion under Rule 4.8(b) more than five years after the Grant Date or such longer period as the Committee considers is appropriate and has been notified to the Participant.
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The circumstances referred to in this Rule 4.8 include, but are not limited to:
i. | A material misstatement of the Company’s audited results; or |
ii. | Serious reputational damage or loss to the Company, any Group Company or a relevant business unit as a result of the Participant’s serious misconduct or otherwise. |
5. | Exercise of Award |
5.1. | Manner of exercise |
The exercise of an Award shall be effected in the form and manner prescribed by the Committee.
5.2. | General exercise period |
Subject to the rest of this Rule 5 and to Rule 6, an Award may be exercised within the period beginning with the Vesting Date and ending on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date or such earlier date as may be specified in the Award certificate, provided that, if a notice of exercise is delivered during a Prohibited Period which would prohibit:
(a) | the exercise of the Award; and/or |
(b) | the delivery, or procurement of the delivery, of Shares or cash (as the case may be) to the Participant; |
the Award will be exercised and/or the delivery or procurement of the delivery of Shares or cash to the Participant will take place on the first Dealing Day on which the Prohibited Period ceases to apply.
To the extent that an Award that is otherwise exercisable under these Rules remains unexercised on the last day (or the last Dealing Day if different) before the expiry of such tenth anniversary, the Company will be deemed to have received a valid notice of exercise for such Award with authority to sell some or all of the resulting Shares on the Participant's behalf to satisfy the amount of any Tax Liability arising in connection with such exercise.
5.3. | Performance condition |
Subject to Rule 5.6, an Award shall become exercisable only to the extent that the Performance Condition is determined to be satisfied by the Committee. An Award shall lapse if and to the extent that it does not become exercisable in respect of some or all of the Shares comprised in it in accordance with the applicable Performance Condition.
5.4. | Good Leavers |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company:
a) | as a result of his disability, ill-health or death; |
b) | as a result of his Retirement; |
c) | as a result of his Redundancy; |
d) | because his employment is in a company which ceases to be an Associated Company, or relates to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person who is not an Associated Company; or |
e) | for any other reason that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion, |
his Award may, subject to Rule 6, be exercised to the extent specified in Rule 5.5:
i. | during the period ending on the date which is twelve months following the cessation of employment (or any longer period, not exceeding twenty four months, as may be determined by the Committee) in the case of cessation of employment by reason of death; and |
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ii. | during the period ending on the date which is six months following the end of any Holding Period that applies to the Award in the case of cessation for any other reason listed in this Rule 5.4 (or, if the Award is not subject to a Holding Period, during the period ending on the date which is six months following cessation of employment, unless Rule 5.5.2(ii) applies, in which case, during the period ending on the date which is six months following the date on which the Performance Condition is measured) |
and shall lapse if not exercised during such period.
5.5. | Extent of exercise for good leavers |
5.5.1. Cessation of employment after end of Performance Period
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company on or after the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, during or following such Holding Period), in circumstances where Rule 5.4 applies, he (or his personal representatives) may exercise his Award to the extent that the Committee has determined that the Performance Condition has been satisfied (but only after the expiry of any Holding Period that applies to the Award).
5.5.2. | Cessation of employment before end of Performance Period |
(i) | Death, ill-health, disability and other exceptional circumstance |
If a Participant ceases to be an employee of an Associated Company before the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, before the start of such Holding Period), in circumstances where Rule 5.4 applies by reason of disability, ill-health, death or any other exceptional circumstance that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion (together Early Vesting Events) the extent to which an Award shall be exercisable (if at all) shall be determined by the Committee acting in its absolute discretion and in such circumstances the Committee may have regard to the following formula:
A = B x the fraction C/D
Where
A is the percentage of the Shares comprised in the Award in respect of which the Award becomes exercisable as a result of the Early Vesting Event;
B is the number of Shares comprised in the Award in respect of which the Award would otherwise have become exercisable, but for the operation of this Rule 5.5.2(i), following a review by the Committee of the Company's performance under the terms of the Performance Condition during the period ending with the date on which the Company's preliminary, interim or final results which most closely precede or follow the Early Vesting Event are available;
C shall be the period measured in complete months from the Grant Date to date of cessation of employment by reason of an Early Vesting Event; and
D shall be the number of months in the Performance Period,
but the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, determine that such Award shall not be subject to the adjustment pursuant to the formula above or that the number of Shares in respect of which it shall become exercisable shall be reduced on such other basis as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances. In any event, if the Award is subject to a Holding Period, the Award shall only become exercisable at the end of the Holding Period applicable to the Award unless the Committee in its absolute discretion determines otherwise.
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(ii) | Retirement, redundancy, sale of a company or a business or any other reason that the Company so decides in its absolute discretion |
If a Participant ceases to be an employee of an Associated Company before the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, before the start of such Holding Period) (other than by reason of disability, ill-health, death or any other exceptional circumstance that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion) but the Award remains capable of exercise under Rule 5.4, the extent to which an Award will become exercisable (if at all) shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:
A = B x the fraction C/D
Where
A is the percentage of the Shares comprised in the Award in respect of which the Award becomes exercisable;
B is the number of shares in respect of which the Award would otherwise have become exercisable, but for the operation of this Rule 5.5.2 (ii) judged by reference to be the extent to which the Performance Condition is met over the relevant Performance Period; and
C shall be the period measured in complete months from the Grant Date to date of cessation of employment; and
D shall be the number of months in the Performance Period,
but the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, determine that such Award shall not be subject to the adjustment pursuant to the formula above or that the number of Shares in respect of which it shall become exercisable shall be reduced on such other basis as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances. In any event, if the Award is subject to a Holding Period, the Award shall only become exercisable at the end of the Holding Period applicable to such Award unless the Committee in its absolute discretion determines otherwise.
5.6. | Other leavers |
5.6.1. | Cessation of employment after end of Performance Period where no Holding Period applies |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company on or after the Vesting Date for any reason other than the reasons set out in Rule 5.4 (where Rule 5.5.1 set out above shall apply), he may exercise his Award during the period of six months following his cessation of employment, to the extent that the Committee has determined that the Award has become exercisable in accordance with the Performance Condition. At the end of such six month period the Award shall lapse.
5.6.2. | Cessation of employment after end of Performance Period where a Holding Period applies |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company for any reason other than the reasons set out in Rule 5.4 (where Rule 5.5.1 set out above shall apply) and during a Holding Period that applies to his Award, his Award shall not lapse but shall become exercisable at the end of the Holding Period for a period of six months following the end of the Holding Period, to the extent that the Committee has determined that the Performance Condition has been satisfied. At the end of such six month period the Award shall lapse.
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5.6.3. | Cessation of employment before end of Performance Period |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company before the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, before the start of such Holding Period), for any reason other than those set out in Rules 5.4 and 5.5, (where the rules set out above shall apply), his Award shall lapse immediately on the date of such cessation.
5.7. | Satisfaction of Awards |
5.7.1. | Settlement in Shares |
The Board shall procure the delivery or issue to a Participant (or his nominee) of the number of Shares in respect of which the Award has been exercised as soon as reasonably practicable of that exercise.
5.7.2. | Settlement in cash |
The Committee shall however have discretion to decide that instead of the Award being satisfied wholly by the issue or transfer of Shares, the exercise of an Award shall be satisfied in whole or in part by the payment to the Participant of a cash amount equal to the market value of some or all of the Shares in respect of which the Award is exercised. For the purposes of this Rule, the market value of the Shares over which an Award is exercised shall be calculated by reference to the closing price of a Share on the London Stock Exchange on the Dealing Day most immediately preceding the date on which the cash payment is made to the Participant. A cash payment made to the Participant under this Rule shall be made subject to:
a) | such withholdings on account of tax, national insurance contributions and social security contributions as may be required by law in any applicable jurisdiction; and |
b) | any withholding which the Company may make or require to be made to satisfy any financial liability owed by the Participant to the Company, another Group Company, Associated Company or the Trustee. |
To the extent that an Award is not so satisfied by a cash payment, it shall be satisfied by the issue or transfer of Shares.
5.7.3. | Transfer of Shares to a Pension Plan |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan the Committee may in its discretion determine at any time prior to the Vesting Date of a Participant's Award that all or any of the Shares comprised in the Award and in respect of which the Award becomes exercisable in accordance with Rule 5.3 shall be transferred to a pension plan for the benefit of the Participant and not to the Participant.
If the Committee makes such a determination, the Participant shall not thereafter be entitled to exercise the Award and shall have no claim against the Company or his employer for or in relation to the Award or the Shares comprised in the Award or the loss of any right in respect of the Award or the Shares and for this purpose where the context requires references to the Participant in the Plan shall be construed as if they were references to the pension plan or the trustees of the pension plan as the case may be.
If the Committee makes such a determination, the transfer of the relevant Shares to a pension plan for the benefit of the Participant shall be a full and proper discharge of any obligations that the Company may have to the Participant under the Plan.
By participating in the Plan a Participant agrees that he will keep the Company, his employing company and any Group Company indemnified on a continuing basis in respect of any tax (including pay as you earn) and/or employee's social security contributions together with all fines, penalties and interest of whatever nature relating thereto that may be payable by or assessable on the Participant, the Company, his employing company or any Group Company in respect of any Shares transferred to a pension plan for his benefit or otherwise in connection with the Award or the Shares (the Indemnity Amount) and he agrees that the Indemnity Amount may be set off against or deducted from any amounts owed to him by the Company, his employing company or any Group Company and a Participant shall enter into such arrangements as the Committee may prescribe to give effect to the terms of this paragraph.
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5.8. | Meaning of ceasing employment |
A Participant shall not be treated for the purposes of Rule 5 as ceasing to be an employee of an Associated Company until he is no longer an employee of any Associated Company.
5.9. | Dividend Shares |
At the discretion of the Committee, the number of Shares in respect of which an Award is exercisable may be increased by such additional number of Shares as may be determined by the Committee to reflect the value of dividends which have been received by the Participant, had the Participant held the number of Shares in respect of which his award would otherwise be exercisable, during the period beginning with the Grant Date and ending either (i) on the date the Award is exercised or (ii) on the Vesting Date (as determined by the Committee in its discretion.) If the Committee exercises its discretion to award further Shares pursuant to this Rule, the number of Shares so awarded shall be calculated by the Committee in its discretion having regard to the following formula:
A = B
C
where:
A is the additional number of Shares in respect of which an Award will be exercisable pursuant to this Rule;
B is the total value of dividends which would have been payable on X number of Shares during the period beginning with the Grant Date and ending either (i) on the date the Award is exercised or (ii) on the Vesting Date (as determined by the Committee in its discretion)
C is the closing middle market quotation for a Share on the London Stock Exchange on the date on which the dividend was paid (or if such dividend was not paid on a Dealing Day, the Dealing Day which most immediately precedes it); and
X is the number of Shares in respect of which the Award would otherwise be exercisable (according to the extent to which the Performance Condition is satisfied) which may, at the discretion of the Committee, be adjusted incrementally to reflect notional additional Shares which could have been acquired with each dividend payable on X on the Dealing Day most immediately preceding the day on which the dividend was paid.
The Committee may in its absolute discretion decide that instead of increasing the number of shares comprised in the Award to reflect the value of dividends, such value may be reflected by means of a cash payment equalling the value of A either on the Vesting Date or on the date on which the Award is exercised (as determined by the Committee in its discretion). Such cash payment shall be made to the Participant as soon as reasonably practicable after the Vesting Date or the date on which the Award is exercised (as determined by the Committee in its discretion) and shall be subject to:
a) | appropriate deductions on account of income tax, national insurance contributions or any other tax and social security contributions required to be withheld by law in any applicable jurisdiction; and |
b) | any withholding which the Company may make or require to be made to satisfy any financial liability owed by the Participant to the Company, another Group Company, Associated Company or the Trustee. |
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5.10. | Employee tax liabilities where the exercise of an Award is satisfied by the issue or transfer of shares (withholding tax and employee's social security) |
It is a condition of exercise of any Award that where and to the extent that the Award is to be satisfied by the issue or transfer of Shares and a Group Company (or former Group Company) is obliged to (or would suffer a disadvantage if they were not to) account for any tax or social security contributions (in any jurisdiction) arising in connection with the Award whether payable by or assessable on the Participant or on any Group Company (or former Group Company) which, unless the Committee determines otherwise at the Grant Date or unless the Participant has entered into an agreement, election or other arrangement referred to in Rule 3.8, shall not include secondary Class 1 national insurance contributions in the UK or their equivalent in any other jurisdiction (together, the Tax Liability), the Participant must:
a) | pay the relevant Group Company (or former Group Company) an amount equal to the Tax Liability; or |
b) | enter into arrangements acceptable to the Group Company (or former Group Company) (and in accordance with any election or agreement made pursuant to Rule 3.8) to ensure that payment of the Tax Liability is made (whether by authorising the sale of some or all of the Shares on the Participant's behalf and the payment to the tax authority of the amount of the Tax Liability out of the proceeds of sale, or otherwise), |
and a Participant shall do anything a Group Company (or former Group Company) may reasonably require in connection with the satisfaction by the Participant of his or her obligations pursuant to this Rule.
5.11. | General Right of Set Off |
Where an Award is to be satisfied by the issue or transfer of Shares and the Participant has a financial liability to the Company, another Group Company, or an Associated Company the Company shall have the right to authorise, on the Participant's behalf, the sale of some or all of the Shares issued or transferred to the Participant, in order to raise sufficient funds to discharge, in whole or in part, such financial liability.
5.12. | Share rights |
All Shares allotted under the Plan shall rank equally in all respects with Shares of the same class then in issue except for any rights attaching to the Shares by reference to a record date preceding the day on which the Participant is entered on the Company's register of shareholders in respect of those Shares. The Company shall apply for the listing of any Shares issued under the Plan on the London Stock Exchange as soon as practicable after their allotment.
6. Takeover, reconstruction and winding-up
6.1. | General offers |
Subject to Rules 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, if any person obtains Control of the Company as a result of making a general offer to acquire Shares in the Company, or having obtained Control makes such an offer, the Board shall notify every Participant of the change of Control and an outstanding Award may be exercised to the extent prescribed by Rule 6.2 within six months (or any longer period the Committee permits) of the notification. All outstanding Awards shall lapse to the extent not exercised on the expiry of that period.
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6.2. | Pro-Rating for Performance and Time |
If there occurs one of the events described in this Rule 6 (a Change in Control), the extent to which an Award shall become exercisable (if at all) shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with the following formula:
A = B x the fraction C/D
where
A is the percentage of the Shares comprised in the Award in respect of which the Award becomes exercisable as a result of the Change of Control;
B is the number of Shares comprised in the Award in respect of which the Award would otherwise have become exercisable, but for the operation of this Rule 6.2, following a review by the Committee of the Company's performance under the terms of the Performance Condition during the period ending with the Change of Control; and
C shall be the period measured in complete months from the Grant Date to date of the relevant event; and
D shall be the number of months in the Performance Period),
but the Committee may, in its absolute discretion and having regard to the financial performance of the Company and the circumstances of the relevant event, determine that such Award shall not be subject to the adjustment pursuant to the formula above or that the number of Shares in respect of which it shall become exercisable shall be reduced on such other basis as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.
6.3. | Meaning of control |
For the purposes of Rule 6.1, a person shall be deemed to have obtained Control of the Company if he and others acting in concert with him (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers) have together obtained Control of the Company.
6.4. | Compulsory acquisition, schemes of arrangement and winding up |
Subject to Rules 6.4 and 6.5, if any person becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company under sections 979 to 989 of the Companies Act 2006, or if under section 899 of that Act the Court sanctions a compromise or arrangement, or if the Company passes a resolution for voluntary winding up, or if an order is made for the compulsory winding up of the Company, the Board shall notify every Participant of the occurrence of the event and an outstanding Award may be exercised to the extent prescribed by Rule 6.2 within one month (or any longer period the Committee permits) of the notification. All outstanding Awards shall lapse to the extent not exercised on the expiry of that period.
6.5. | Replacement Awards |
6.5.1. | If any person obtains Control of the Company as described in Rule 6.1, or as a result of a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by the Court under section 899 Companies Act 2006, or becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company under sections 979 to 989 Companies Act 2006, a Participant may by agreement with such person release his Award (the Old Award) in consideration of the grant of a new award (the New Award) over shares of equivalent value in a different company, such New Award to be subject to Rules of the Plan and to such performance conditions (if any) as may be agreed between the Participant and such person and failing such agreement, the New Award shall be subject to the Performance Condition to which the Old Award was subject. |
6.5.2. | A New Award granted under Rule 6.5.1 shall, for the purposes of the Plan, be treated as having been acquired at the same time as the Old Award. |
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6.5.3. | Where any New Award is granted pursuant to Rule 6.5.1, Rules 3.4, 3.6, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 shall be construed as if references to the Company and to Shares were references to the other company to which the shares comprised in the New Award relate and to shares in that company but references to a Group Company shall continue to be construed as if references to the Company were references to Rentokil Initial plc. |
6.6. | Internal reorganisation |
If:
a) | the events referred to in this Rule 6 are part of an arrangement (a Reorganisation) as a result of which the Company will be under the Control of another company or the business of the Company will be carried on by another company; and |
b) | the persons who owned the shares in the Company immediately before the change of Control will immediately afterwards own more than 75% of the shares in that other company, |
then an Award shall not become exercisable or lapse as a result of that Reorganisation, but shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise, cease to relate to Shares and will instead relate to the number of shares in the other company that have a market value equivalent to the Shares in the Company subject to the Award immediately before the Reorganisation (the respective market values to be determined by the Committee acting reasonably). The Rules and the applicable Performance Conditions shall continue to apply to the Award with the necessary changes to take account of this alteration.
7. | Variation of share capital |
If there is any variation of the share capital of the Company, a demerger, a special dividend, or a similar event involving the Company, the Committee may make any adjustment to the number of Shares subject to an Award and to the Performance Condition to which an Award is subject that it reasonably and fairly considers appropriate.
8. | Amendments |
8.1. | General rule on alterations |
Subject to Rules 8.2, 8.4 and 8.5, the Committee may at any time amend the Rules.
8.2. | Shareholder approval |
Subject to rule 8.3 and 8.5, no amendment to the advantage of the persons to whom Awards have been granted or may be rented shall be made to any of the provisions concerning eligibility to participate in the Plan, the limits on individual participation, the terms of vesting and the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan and the adjustment of Awards on a variation of share capital under Rule 7, without the prior approval by ordinary resolution of the members of the Company in general meeting.
8.3. | Exceptions to shareholder approval |
Rule 8.2 shall not apply to any amendment which is minor and to benefit the administration of the Plan, to take account of a change in legislation or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for Participants or any Group Company. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, alterations may be made and appendices added to the Rules in order to change the legal form or structure of Awards which may be granted (while preserving their economic substance as envisaged in the existing Rules) to benefit the administration of the Plan, to take account of a change in legislation or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for Participants or any Group Company.
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8.4. | Alterations to disadvantage of participants |
Subject to Rule 8.5, no amendment to the Plan shall be made to the material disadvantage of any Participant in respect of any subsisting Award unless:
a) | the Board has invited every Participant who may be disadvantaged to indicate whether or not he approves the amendment, and |
b) | the amendment is approved by more than three quarters of such number of Participants who respond to such invitation. |
8.5. | Alterations to the performance condition |
The Committee may amend the Performance Condition that applies to an Award if:
a) | an event occurs which causes the Committee reasonably to consider that the Performance Condition that then applies to the Award would not, without alteration, achieve its original purpose; |
b) | the Committee acts fairly and reasonably in making the amendment; and |
c) | the amended Performance Condition will in the opinion of the Committee be materially no less challenging than would have been had the event not occurred. |
8.6. | Alteration notices |
The Company shall give written notice to any Participant affected by an amendment under this Rule 8 as soon as practicable after it is made.
9. | Miscellaneous |
9.1. | Employment |
The rights and obligations of any individual under the terms of his office or employment with any Group company, including but not limited to an employment contract, are entirely separate from and shall not be affected by his participation in the Plan. By participating in the Plan a Participant waives any and all rights to compensation or damages in consequence of the termination of his office or employment for any reason whatsoever insofar as those rights arise or may arise from his ceasing to have rights under or be entitled to exercise any Award as a result of such termination. A Participant shall not have any rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to his Award or the Shares subject to it.
9.2. | Participation in the Plan |
Nothing in the Plan shall give any employee of a Group Company any right to participate in the Plan. Participation in the Plan in one year does not confer any right to participate in any future year.
9.3. | Administration |
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or by such persons to whom the Committee has duly delegated its authority to administer the Plan (including, without limitation, the company secretary of the Company). The Committee has full authority, consistent with the Rules, to administer the Plan, including authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt any regulations for administering the Plan and any documents it thinks necessary or appropriate. The decision of the Committee on any matter concerning the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
9.4. | Notices |
Any notice or other communication under or in connection with the Plan may be given by personal delivery, by electronic communication or by post, in the case of a company to its registered office, and in the case of an individual to his last known address, or, where he is a director or employee of a Group Company, to his last known postal address, or to the postal address of the place of business at which he performs the whole or substantially the whole of the duties of his office or employment, or to his allocated corporate e-mail address.
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9.5. | Costs of Plan |
The cost of introducing and administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Company may require any other Group Company to enter into an agreement which obliges that company to reimburse the Company for any costs borne by the Company, directly or indirectly, in respect of that Group Company's offices or employees. A Group Company may provide money to the Trustee or to any other person to enable that person to acquire Shares to be held for the purposes of this Plan, or enter into any guarantee or indemnity for these purposes, to the extent permitted by law.
9.6. | Benefits of pensionable |
No benefit received by a Participant under the Plan shall be pensionable.
9.7. | Prohibited Periods |
Each relevant person will have regard to any Prohibited Period when operating, interpreting, administering, participating in and/or taking any other action in relation to the Plan.
9.8. | Governing law |
The Plan and all Awards granted under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the Courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any dispute.
9.9. | Shares to satisfy awards |
The Company shall ensure that sufficient Shares are available (whether from existing Shares held in trust or in treasury or otherwise or from unissued Shares) to satisfy all outstanding Awards. Any Shares acquired under an Award shall be subject to the articles of association of the Company.
9.10. | Third parties |
The Plan confers no benefit, right or expectation on a person who is not a Participant. No third party has any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Plan. Any other right or remedy which a third party may have is unaffected by this Rule.
9.11. | Personal data |
Personal data will be processed in accordance with the Company Data Privacy Notice available on the Company’s website at www.rentokil-initial.com or as otherwise advised by the Company.
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Appendix 1 to Rentokil Initial plc Performance Share Plan for Grant of Free Performance Shares
1 | Awards in the form of Free Performance Shares |
Where the Committee considers it appropriate, (whether for tax, regulatory or other reasons), an Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan in the form of a promise from the Company to deliver Shares for no consideration (Free Performance Shares) to a Participant rather than as a right of the Participant to acquire Shares. Where an Award takes the form of a promise of Free Performance Shares, the Rules of the Plan (and where relevant Appendix 2) shall apply to that Award mutatis mutandis save only where specified otherwise in this Appendix.
2 | Performance Condition |
The following definition of Performance Condition shall apply for the purposes of the Rules when applied to Awards of Free Performance Shares:
Performance Condition means such objective term(s) and/or requirements that the Committee applies to an Award and notifies to a Participant at the Grant Date (in addition to the terms set out in these Rules), the satisfaction of which shall determine the number (if any) of Free Performance Shares to be delivered to a Participant;
3 | In Rule 3.7 (Approvals and Consents), the words "its exercise" shall be omitted when applied to Awards of Free Performance Shares. |
4 | Rule 3.8 (Employer's Social Security) shall be replaced by the following rule: |
"The Company may require a Participant to enter into an agreement, election or other arrangement so far as permitted by law to allow the Company to pass the cost of employers' social security contributions, arising in relation to an Award, to the Participant."
5 | Rules 5.1 to 5.9 (Exercise of an Award) shall be replaced by the following rule: |
I Delivery of Free Performance Shares
(i) | Performance Condition |
The Company shall issue or procure the transfer of Shares pursuant to a Free Performance Share Award only to the extent that the Performance Condition is determined to be satisfied by the Committee as soon as reasonably practicable following the later of (a) the Committee's determination as to whether the Performance Condition has been satisfied and (b) the end of any Holding Period. The Company shall not be obliged to issue or procure the transfer of Shares pursuant to a Free Performance Share Award if and to the extent that the Committee determines that the Performance Condition has not been satisfied.
(ii) | Vesting in a Prohibited Period |
If a Prohibited Period prohibits: |
a) | the delivery, or the procurement of the delivery, of Shares or cash (as the case may be) to the Participant; and/ or |
b) | the Participant from selling Shares to discharge any liability for Taxation, such Award will only Vest when such Prohibited Period ceases to apply. |
(iii) | Leavers leaving after end of Performance Period where no Holding Period applies |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company on or after the Vesting Date but before his Free Performance Shares have been delivered to him, the Company shall nonetheless issue or procure the transfer of Free Performance Shares to that Participant to the extent that the Committee have determined or determines that the Performance Condition has been satisfied. In such circumstances, the Company shall not be obliged to issue or procure the transfer of Free Performance Shares if and to the extent that the Committee determines that the Performance Condition has not been satisfied.
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(iv) | Leavers leaving after end of Performance Period where a Holding Period applies |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company for any reason during or following a Holding Period that applies to his Award, his Free Performance Shares shall not lapse but shall be issued or transferred to him as soon as reasonably practicable following the end of the Holding Period (unless, in case of a Participant who leaves for any of the reasons set out in (I)(v)(a) or (I)(v)(b) below, the Committee determines that they shall be issued or transferred earlier), to the extent that the Committee has determined that the Performance Condition was satisfied at the end of the relevant Performance Period.
The Company shall not be obliged to issue or procure the transfer of Free Performance Shares if and to the extent that the Committee determines that the Performance Condition was not satisfied.
(v) | Good leavers leaving before end of Performance Period |
(a) | Death, ill-health, disability and other exceptional circumstance |
If a Participant ceases to be an employee of an Associated Company before the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, before the start of such Holding Period) by reason of death, ill-health, disability or any other exceptional circumstance that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion, the Company may issue or procure the transfer of Free Performance Shares to the Participant if, and to the extent that, the Committee acting in its absolute discretion, so determines it appropriate and in such circumstances, the Committee may have regard to the following formula:
A = B x the fraction C/D
where:
A is the percentage of the Shares to be issued or transferred to the Participant or his personal representative following the cessation of employment by reason of disability, ill-health, death or any other exceptional circumstance that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion;
B is the number of Free Performance Shares which would otherwise have been delivered to the Participant, but for the operation of this Rule, following a review by the Committee of the Company's performance under the terms of the Performance Condition during the period ending with the date on which the Company's preliminary, interim or final results, which most closely precede or follow the cessation of employment or death, are available; and
C shall be the period measured in complete months from the Grant Date to date of cessation of employment; and
D shall be the number of months in the Performance Period ,
but the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, determine that such Free Performance Shares shall not be subject to the adjustment pursuant to the formula above or that the number of Free Performance Shares in respect of which the Participant becomes entitled shall be reduced on such other basis as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.
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Shares shall be delivered in these circumstances as soon as reasonably practicable following the determination of the entitlement of the Participant or his personal representatives. In any event, if the Award is subject to a Holding Period, the underlying Shares shall only be delivered following the end of the Holding Period unless the Committee in its absolute discretion determines otherwise.
(b) | Retirement, redundancy, sale of a company or business or any other reason that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion |
If a Participant ceases to be an employee of an Associated Company before the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, before the start of such Holding Period) as a result of his Retirement, Redundancy, because his employment is in a company which ceases to be an Associated Company or relates to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person who is not an Associated Company or for any other reason that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion, the Company shall issue or procure the transfer to the Participant of the number of Free Performance Shares determined in accordance with the following formula:
A = B x the fraction C/D
where:
A is the number of Free Performance Shares to be issued or transferred to the Participant;
B is the number of Free Performance Shares which would otherwise have been issued or transferred to the Participant but for the operation of this Rule judged by reference to the extent to which the Performance Condition is met over the relevant Performance Period; and
C shall be the period measured in complete months from the Grant Date to date of cessation of employment; and
D shall be the number of months in the Performance Period,
but the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, determine that such Free Performance Shares shall not be subject to the adjustment pursuant to the formula above or that the number of Free Performance Shares in respect of which the Participant becomes entitled shall be reduced on such other basis as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.
Shares shall be delivered in these circumstances as soon as reasonably practicable following the determination of the entitlement of the Participant. In any event, if the Award is subject to a Holding Period, the underlying Shares shall only be delivered following the end of the Holding Period unless the Committee in its absolute discretion determines otherwise.
(vi) | Other leavers leaving before end of Performance Period |
If a Participant ceases to be employed by an Associated Company before the Vesting Date (or, in the case of an Award that is subject to a Holding Period, before the start of such Holding Period), for any reason other than those set out in paragraph (iv) above (Death, ill-health, disability, retirement, redundancy, sale of a company or business), no Free Performance Shares shall be delivered to him.
(vii) | Cash alternative |
The Committee may decide that instead of issuing or procuring the transfer of some or all of the Free Performance Shares of an Award of a Participant, the Company shall pay or procure the payment of a cash amount equal to the market value of the Free Performance Shares which would otherwise have been issued or transferred to such Participant.
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A cash payment to a Participant under this Rule shall be made subject to:
(a) | such withholdings on account of tax, national insurance contributions and social security contributions as may be required by law in any applicable jurisdiction; and |
(b) | any withholding which the Company may make or require to be made to satisfy any financial liability owed by the Participant to the Company, another Group Company or the Trustee. |
(viii) | Meaning of ceasing employment |
A Participant shall not be treated for the purposes of this Rule as ceasing to be an employee of an Associated Company until he is no longer an employee of any Associated Company.
(ix) | Dividend Shares |
At the discretion of the Committee, the number of Free Performance Shares to be issued or transferred to a Participant may be increased by such additional number of Shares as may be determined by the Committee to reflect the value of dividends which would have been received by the Participant had the Participant held the number of Free Performance Shares to be delivered to the Participant in accordance with the Performance Condition during the period beginning with the Grant Date and ending either on (i) the date on which the Free Performance Shares are to be delivered to the Participant or (ii) on the Vesting Date (as determined by the Committee in its discretion). If the Committee exercises its discretion to award further Shares pursuant to this Rule, the number of Shares so awarded shall be calculated by the Committee in its discretion having regard to the following formula:
A = | B C |
where:
A is the additional number of Shares which will be awarded to a Participant pursuant to this Rule;
B is the total value of dividends which would have been payable on X number of Shares during the period beginning with the Grant Date and ending either (i) on the date the Free Performance Shares are to be issued or transferred to the Participant or (ii) on the Vesting Date (as determined by the Committee in its discretion);
C is the closing middle market quotation for a Share on the London Stock Exchange on the date on which the dividend was paid (or if such dividend was not paid on a Dealing Day, the Dealing Day which most immediately precedes it); and
X is the number of Free Performance Shares which would otherwise have been issued or transferred to the Participant (according to the extent to which the Performance Condition is satisfied) which may, at the discretion of the Committee, be adjusted incrementally to reflect notional additional Shares which could have been acquired with each dividend payable on X on the Dealing Day most immediately preceding the day on which the dividend was paid.
The Committee may in its absolute discretion decide that instead of increasing the number of Free Performance Shares to be awarded to a Participant to reflect the value of dividends, such value may be reflected by means of a cash payment, equalling the value of A either on the Vesting Date or on the date on which the Free Performance Shares are to be delivered (as determined by the Committee in its discretion). Such cash payment shall be made to the Participant at the same time as his Free Performance Shares are delivered and shall be subject to:
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(a) | appropriate deductions on account of income tax, national insurance contributions or any other tax or social security contributions required to be withheld by law in any applicable jurisdiction; and |
(b) | any withholding which the Company may make or require to be made to satisfy any financial liability owed by the Participant to the Company, another Group Company, Associated Company or the Trustee. |
6 | In Rule 5.10 (Employee tax liabilities where the exercise of an Award is satisfied by the issue or transfer of Shares (withholding tax and employee's social security) the words "It is a condition of exercise of any Award that" shall be omitted when applied to Awards of Free Performance Shares. |
7 | Rule 6 (Takeover, reconstruction and writing-up) shall be replaced by the following rule: |
I | General offers |
Subject to Rules III, IV and V, if any person obtains Control of the Company as a result of making a general offer to acquire Shares in the Company, or having obtained Control makes such an offer, the Board shall notify every Participant of the change of Control and Free Performance Shares shall be issued or transferred to each Participant to the extent prescribed by Rule II within six months (or any longer period the Committee permits) of the notification. All outstanding Awards shall lapse on the expiry of that period.
II | Pro-Rating for Performance and Time |
If there occurs one of the events described in this Rule (a Change of Control), the number of Free Performance Shares which shall be issued or transferred (if any) shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with the following formula:
A = B x the fraction C/D
where
A is the percentage of the Free Performance Shares comprised in the Award which will be issued or transferred to a Participant as a result of the Change of Control;
B is the number of Free Performance Shares comprised in the Award which would otherwise be issued or transferred to the Participant, but for the operation of this Rule 6.2, following a review by the Committee of the Company's performance under the terms of the Performance Condition during the period ending with the Change of Control; and
C shall be the period measured in complete months from the Grant Date to date of the relevant event; and
D shall be the number of months in the Performance Period,
but the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, determine that such Free Performance Shares shall not be subject to the adjustment pursuant to the formula above or that the number of Free Performance Shares in respect of which the Participant becomes entitled shall be reduced on such other basis as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances.
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III | Meaning of control |
For the purposes of paragraph I, a person shall be deemed to have obtained Control of the Company if he and others acting in concert with him (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers) have together obtained Control of the Company.
IV | Compulsory acquisition, schemes of arrangement and winding up |
Subject to paragraphs V and VI, if any person becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company under sections 979 to 989 of the Companies Act 2006, or if under section 899 of that Act the Court sanctions a compromise or arrangement, or if the Company passes a resolution for voluntary winding up, or if an order is made for the compulsory winding up of the Company, the Board shall notify every Participant of the occurrence of the event and Free Performance Shares shall be issued or transferred to holders of outstanding Awards to the extent prescribed by Rule II (Pro-Rating for performance and time) within one month (or any longer period the Committee permits) of the notification. All outstanding Awards shall lapse on the expiry of that period.
V | Replacement Awards |
(i) | If any person obtains Control of the Company as described in paragraph I, or as a result of a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by the Court under section 899 Companies Act 2006, or becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company under sections 979 to 989 Companies Act 2006, a Participant may by agreement with such person release his Award (the Old Award) in consideration of the grant of a new award (the New Award) over shares of equivalent value in a different company, such New Award to be subject to Rules of the Plan and to such performance conditions (if any) as may be agreed between the Participant and such person and failing such agreement, the New Award shall be subject to the Performance Condition to which the Old Award was subject. |
(ii) | A New Award granted under paragraph V(i) shall, for the purposes of the Plan, be treated as having been acquired at the same time as the Old Award. |
(iii) | Where any New Award is granted pursuant to Rule V(i), paragraph 5 of this Appendix and Rules 3.4, 3.6, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Plan shall be construed as if references to the Company and to Shares were references to the other company to which the shares comprised in the New Award relate and to shares in that company but references to a Group Company shall continue to be construed as if references to the Company were references to Rentokil Initial plc. |
VI | Internal reorganisation |
If:
(a) | the events referred to in this Rule 6 (Takeover, reconstruction and writing-up) are part of an arrangement (a Reorganisation) as a result of which the Company will be under the Control of another company or the business of the Company will be carried on by another company; and |
(b) | the persons who owned the shares in the Company immediately before the change of Control will immediately afterwards own more than 75% of the shares in that other company; |
then Free Performance Shares shall not be issued or transferred as a result of that Reorganisation, but each Award shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise, cease to relate to Shares and will instead relate to the number of shares in the other company that have a market value equivalent to the Shares in the Company subject to the Award immediately before the Reorganisation (the respective market values to be determined by the Committee acting reasonably). The Rules and the applicable Performance Conditions shall continue to apply to the Award with the necessary changes to take account of this alteration.
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Appendix 2 to Rentokil Initial plc Performance Share Plan for Grant of Awards in the US
1. | GENERAL |
1.1. | This Appendix 2 shall apply to all US Taxpayers. In the event that a Participant becomes a US Taxpayer subsequent to the Grant Date of an Award, then, pursuant to Rule 8 (Amendments) of the Plan, such Award shall immediately be amended in a manner consistent with this Appendix 2. Awards shall be granted to US Taxpayers only in the form of Free Performance Shares, as provided under Appendix 1 to the Plan. |
1.2. | In this Appendix 2, the following expressions shall have the following meanings respectively: |
California Participant means a Participant who is a resident of the State of California;
California Securities Law means, collectively, Section 25102(o) of the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder by the California Commissioner of Corporations, including Section 260.140.42 relating to compensatory purchase plans;
Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time, and all US Treasury Regulations, interpretations and administrative guidance issued thereunder;
Rule 701 means Rule 701 of the US Securities Act of 1933, as it may be amended from time to time;
Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, interpretations and administrative guidance issued thereunder;
Short-Term Deferral Exemption means the short-term deferral exemption from Section 409A described in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the treasury regulations issued under the Code;
Short-Term Deferral Period means the period commencing on the date that an Award first is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for US federal income tax purposes and ending upon the fifteenth day of the third month following the end of the Taxable Year in which such Award first is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture;
Taxable Year means the calendar year, or, if later, the end of the taxable year of the Company, in which the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture;
US means the United States of America;
US Tax means applicable US federal, state and local income taxes and employment taxes; and
US Taxpayer means a Participant who is subject to US Tax at the Grant Date, is expected to become subject to US Tax following the Grant Date or does become subject to US Tax following the Grant Date but while the Award remains outstanding.
US Treasury Regulations mean the regulations promulgated under the Code.
References to a “Rule” in this Appendix 2 shall be to the Rules of the Plan, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
2. | PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO US TAXPAYERS |
2.1. | Awards granted to US Taxpayers are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A pursuant to the Short-Term Deferral Exemption, and the Plan and any Award granted to a US Taxpayer shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intention. Notwithstanding anything contrary contained in the Plan or any Award certificate, payment in respect of any Award hereunder, including the payment of a cash equivalent under Rule I(vi) in Section 5 of Appendix 1 or issuance of Shares upon the Vesting of a Free Performance Share Award shall be paid or transferred, if at all, to a US Taxpayer within the Short-Term Deferral Period. |
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2.2. | Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Free Performance Share Award granted under the Plan to a US Taxpayer shall become Vested (to the extent that the Committee determines that the Performance Condition has been satisfied, or otherwise so determines in its absolute discretion, all as provided under Rule I in Section 5 of Appendix 1) and payable on the earliest to occur of the following events: |
2.2.1. the Vesting Date, subject to the US Taxpayer’s continued employment with an Associated Company on such date;
2.2.2. the termination of the US Taxpayer’s employment with each Associated Company due to the US Taxpayer’s death, incapacity or any other exceptional circumstance that the Committee so decides in its absolute discretion;
2.2.3. the termination of the US Taxpayer’s employment with each Associated Company due to the US Taxpayer’s Retirement or Redundancy;
2.2.4. the termination of the US Taxpayer’s employment with each Associated Company resulting because the US Taxpayer’s employment is with a company which ceases to be an Associated Company or relates to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person who is not an Associated Company, subject to the US Taxpayer’s continued employment with an Associated Company on the date of such cessation or transfer; and
2.2.5. a Change of Control or winding up of the Company under Section 7 of Appendix 1, subject to the US Taxpayer’s continued employment with an Associated Company on such date.
Once (and to the extent) Vested, subject to any applicable dealing or other securities law restrictions, Shares shall be delivered, or a cash equivalent shall be paid, in respect of an Award on or before the expiration of the Short-Term Deferral Period.
2.3. | In the event that the Vesting of a Free Performance Share Award granted to a US Taxpayer or the issuance of Shares, has not been made by the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period due to the circumstances described in Rule I(ii) in Section 5 of Appendix 1 (Vesting in a Prohibited Period) applying to the Free Performance Share Award, then to the extent permissible under Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(ii) of the proposed US Treasury Regulations (regarding the delay permitted if Vesting or payment would violate applicable law), such Vesting and issuance of Shares or cash in the settlement of the Free Performance Share Award may be delayed so long as the Free Performance Share Award is then satisfied as soon as reasonably practicable after the date on which such satisfaction would no longer cause a violation of applicable law. |
2.4. | In the event that the Vesting of a Free Performance Share Award granted to a US Taxpayer or the issuance of Shares before the end of the applicable Short-Term Deferral Period, but before the end of an applicable Holding Period, the US Taxpayer may not transfer, assign, charge or create any other security interest over or otherwise dispose of the Shares or cash received from the settlement of the Free Performance Share Award or any rights in respect thereof. If the US Taxpayer attempts to transfer, assign, charge or create any other security interest over or otherwise dispose of the Shares or cash received from the settlement of the Free Performance Share Award or any rights in respect thereof, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, before the end of an applicable Holding Period, then the Shares or cash received from the settlement of the Free Performance Share Award will be immediately forfeited, and returned to the Company. |
2.5. | To the extent of any replacement under Rule 6.5 (Replacement Awards) of the Plan or under Rule V in Section 7 of Appendix 1 or adjustment under Rule 6.6 (Internal Reorganisation) of the Plan or under Rule VI in Section 7 of Appendix 1 of any Award, the terms and conditions of any New Award (or any adjusted Award, as applicable) shall not modify the payment timing of the corresponding original Award prior to such replacement or adjustment requiring the issuance of Shares or other payment prior to the expiration of the Short-Term Deferral Period, or otherwise result in any change to the terms and conditions of such original Award prior to such replacement or adjustment if such change would result in adverse tax consequences to a US Taxpayer under Section 409A. |
2.6. | No setoffs or deductions against any amounts owed to a US Taxpayer by a Group Member may be made hereunder to satisfy the clawback contemplated by Rule 4.8 (Clawback and reduction for malus) or pursuant to Rule 5.11 (General Right Set-off) to the extent that such setoff or deduction would result in adverse tax consequences to the US Taxpayer under Section 409A. |
25
2.7. | Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any Award certificate to the contrary, the Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan, its appendices and any Award granted to a US Taxpayer so that such Award qualifies for the Short-Term Deferral Exemption. No amendment may be made to the Plan, its appendices or any Award certificate, or otherwise apply to an Award, if and to the extent that the amendment would cause any Award granted to a US Taxpayer to violate Section 409A. An Associated Company shall have no liability to a US Taxpayer, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from Section 409A is not so exempt or for any action taken by the Committee or the Associated Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected US Taxpayer and not with the Associated Company. |
3. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE
3.1. | Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any Award certificate to the contrary, (i) no Award shall be granted and no Share shall be delivered or sold to a US Taxpayer unless such grant, delivery and sale is in compliance with US federal securities laws and any applicable US state securities laws, and (ii) Shares acquired by a US Taxpayer pursuant to the settlement of Free Performance Share Awards may only be resold in compliance with the registration requirements or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act of 1933, as it may be amended from time to time. |
3.2. | Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any Award certificate to the contrary, Free Performance Share Awards granted to a Participant who is a California Participant on the Grant Date shall be subject to the following additional limitations, terms, and conditions, which for purposes of compliance with California Securities Law only shall be deemed to be a separate plan maintained solely for California Participants: |
3.2.1. except to the extent otherwise provided under Rule 3.3 of this Appendix 2, each Award shall be granted in accordance with Rule 701;
3.2.2. Awards may not be granted more than ten (10) years after the date on which the Plan is adopted or the date on which the Plan is approved by the issuer’s security holders, whichever is earlier;
3.2.3. the rights of a California Participant to acquire Shares under the Plan shall be non-transferable except to the extent of a transfer by will, laws of descent and distribution, to a revocable trust, or as permitted by Rule 701;
3.2.4. the number of Shares issuable under an Award shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or other distribution of an Associated Company’s equity securities without the receipt of consideration by the Associated Company of or on the Shares; and
3.2.5. the number of California Participants may not exceed 35 unless the Plan is approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote by the later of (i) within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted or (ii) prior to or within twelve (12) months of the issuance of any security under the Plan in California.
3.3. | Notwithstanding Rule 3.2 of this Appendix 2, Free Performance Share Awards may be granted under the Plan to any California Participant in accordance with any other registration exemption permitted under California Securities Law or by qualification under such law, subject to such conditions as required by such law. |
4. | AMENDMENT AND ADMINISTRATION |
For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee has the full authority, consistent with the Rules, to administer this Appendix 2, including authority to interpret and construe any provision of this Appendix 2, to identify eligible employees and Participants with respect to whom the provisions of this Appendix 2 may apply, and to adopt any regulations for administering this Appendix 2 and any documents it thinks necessary or appropriate. The decision of the Committee on any matter concerning this Appendix 2 will be final and binding on all parties, notwithstanding any delegation of authority to a sub-committee.
26
Appendix 3 to Rentokil Initial Plc Performance Share Plan
For Grant of Awards in France
1. | PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX |
1.1. | This Appendix 3 sets out the terms and conditions applicable to the Plan whereby Awards will be granted to individuals who, at the Grant Date, are employed by a Group Company whose registered office is in France (the “French Group Member”), (the “French Participants”). |
1.2. | The purpose of this Appendix 3 is to amend the terms of the Plan only to the extent necessary in order to satisfy French securities, exchange control, corporate and tax laws and requirements in order for the Awards granted to the French Participants pursuant to the Plan and this Appendix 3 to benefit from the specific French income tax and social security treatment (the “Qualified Awards”). |
2. | GENERAL – DEFINITIONS – INTERPRETATIONS |
2.1. | Definitions stated in the Plan apply to this Appendix 3. |
2.2. | Additional definitions are as follows |
French Group Member shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1.1 of this Appendix 3
French Participant shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1.1 of this Appendix 3
French Prohibited Period is a Dealing Day restriction as set forth in Rule 4.1 of this Appendix 3
Qualified Awards shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1.2 of this Appendix 3
2.3. | The rules of the Plan will apply to Qualified Awards made under this Appendix 3, and as amended by the terms thereof. |
This Appendix 3 does not amend, add or otherwise alter the Plan as it applies to Awards other than the Qualified Awards.
References to “rules” in this Appendix 3 are deemed references to the main Rules of the Plan.
In the event of any conflict, whether explicit or implied, between the provisions of this Appendix 3 and the rules of the Plan, the provisions of this Appendix 3 shall override the rules of the Plan.
3. | QUALIFIED AWARDS |
3.1. | Grant of Awards |
The rules of the Plan, the terms of this Appendix 3 and the terms and conditions applicable to Qualified Awards shall be interpreted and, where necessary, deemed to be modified in order for Awards granted to French Participants to satisfy the relevant provisions of French laws to qualify for the French specific income tax and social security treatment.
3.2. | No liability |
No Group Company shall be liable for any adverse consequence, whether legal, tax or otherwise, if and to the extent the Qualified Awards do not qualify for such specific French income tax and social security treatment.
4. | GRANT OF QUALIFIED AWARDS |
27
4.1. | French Prohibited Period |
French Prohibited Period is a Prohibited Period applicable in France as defined by Article L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code as:
(i) | ten quotation days preceding and three quotation days following the disclosure to the public of the consolidated financial statements or the annual statements of the Company; or |
(ii) | any period during which the corporate management of the Company possesses material information which could, if disclosed to the public, significantly impact the quotation of the Company, until ten quotation days after the day such information is disclosed to the public. |
4.2. | In addition to Rule 3.7 (Approvals and consents) of the Plan, a Qualified Award shall not be granted, exercised or delivered during a French Prohibited Period. |
4.3. | A French Participant’s Award shall not lapse where that French Participant becomes bankrupt. Rule 3.4 (Non-transferability and bankruptcy) of the Plan does not apply to French Participants. |
4.4. | Rule 3.8 (Employer’s social security) of the Plan shall not apply to French Participants. |
5. | EXERCISE OF AWARDS |
5.1. | Rule 5.2 (General exercise period) of the Plan whereby the Company will be deemed to have received valid notice of exercise of an Award that has not been exercised until the last day before the expiry of the 10th anniversary of the Grant Date is not applicable to French Participants. |
Under these circumstances, the Qualified Award will lapse on the 10th anniversary of the Grant Date and the French Participant will not be eligible to any compensation as a result thereof.
5.2. | In the event of death of a French Participant before the Qualified Award’s exercise date, the French Participant’s heirs may ask to receive Shares, should they notify the French Group Member or the Company within 6 months following the French Participant’s death. No Performance Condition shall apply in this situation. Rules 5.4 (Good Leavers) and 5.5 (Extent of exercise for good leavers) of the Plan are amended accordingly for French Participants. |
5.3. | Rule 5.6.2 (Cessation of employment after end of Performance Period where a Holding Period applies) is applicable to French Participants only to the extent that the Award has been granted to the French Participant at a minimum of 2 years prior to the cessation of employment. |
5.4. | A Qualified Award cannot be settled in cash. Rule 5.7.2 (Settlement in cash) of the Plan cannot apply to Qualified Awards. |
5.5. | The total value of gross dividends which would have been payable to the French Participant had he/she held the number of Shares in respect of which this Qualified Award would have been exercisable until the exercise can only be paid in cash. Rule 5.9 (Dividend Shares) of the Plan is therefore amended accordingly. |
5.6. | The exercise of Qualified Awards by a French Participant and the subsequent sale of the Shares should not give rise to any Tax Liability. Rule 5.10 (Employee tax liabilities where the exercise of an Award is satisfied by the issue or transfer of shares (withholding tax and employee’s social security)) should therefore not apply to Qualified Awards. |
5.7. | Rule 5.11 (General Right of Set Off) of the Plan shall not apply to Qualified Awards. |
6. | TAKEOVER, RECONSTRUCTION AND WINDING-UP |
6.1. | The accelerated Vesting set forth in Rule 6 (Takeover, reconstruction and winding-up) of the Plan in the case of a general offer to acquire Shares cannot lead to a Vesting Date that would be less than 2 years from the Grant Date. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, should the Vesting Date be between 1 and 2 years from the Grant Date, the Holding Period applicable to the Shares held as a consequence thereof will be of 1 year.
7. | MISCELLANEOUS |
7.1. | When exercising his/her Qualified Awards pursuant to the Plan and this Appendix 3, a French Participant becomes a Company shareholder. He thus has all and the same rights as other Company shareholder. |
28
Exhibit 16.1
![]() |
KPMG LLP | |
Audit | ||
15 Canada Square | ||
London E14 5GL | ||
United Kingdom |
7 June 2022
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C
20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We were previously principal accountants for Rentokil Initial plc and on 3 March 2021, we reported on the consolidated financial statements of Rentokil Initial plc as of and for the year ended 31 December 2020. On 16 March 2021, we issued our notice of not seeking reappointment. We have read Rentokil Initial plc’s statements included under section ‘CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT’ of its Form F-4 dated 7 June 2022, and we agree with such statements.
Very truly yours,
/S/ KPMG LLP
Exhibit 21.1
List of Principal Subsidiaries
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction |
AW Limited | United Kingdom |
B.E.T. Building Services Limited | United Kingdom |
BET Environmental Services Limited | United Kingdom |
BET (No.18) Limited | United Kingdom |
BET (No.68) Limited | United Kingdom |
BET Pension Trust Limited | United Kingdom |
BPS Offshore Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Broadcast Relay Service (Overseas) Limited | United Kingdom |
Castlefield House Limited | United Kingdom |
Chard Services Limited | United Kingdom |
CHL Legacy Limited | United Kingdom |
Dudley Industries Limited | United Kingdom |
Enigma Laundries Limited | United Kingdom |
Enigma Services Group Limited | United Kingdom |
Enviro-Fresh Limited | United Kingdom |
Environmental Contract Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Euroguard Technical Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Grayston Central Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Hometrust Limited | United Kingdom |
Industrial Clothing Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Initial Limited | United Kingdom |
Initial Medical Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Opel Transport & Trading Company Limited | United Kingdom |
Pest Protection Services (Scotland) Limited | United Kingdom |
Peter Cox Limited | United Kingdom |
Plant Nominees Limited | United Kingdom |
Prokill (UK) Limited | United Kingdom |
Prokill Limited | United Kingdom |
Rapid Washrooms Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Dormant (No. 6) Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial (1896) Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial (1993) Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial 1927 plc | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Americas Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Brazil Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Finance Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Holdings Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Investments South Africa | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Pension Trustee Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Initial UK Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Insurance Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Overseas Holdings Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Property Care Limited | United Kingdom |
Rentokil Property Holdings Limited | United Kingdom |
RI Dormant No.12 Limited | United Kingdom |
RI Dormant No.18 Limited | United Kingdom |
RI Dormant No.20 Limited | United Kingdom |
Stratton House Leasing Limited | United Kingdom |
1
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction |
Target Express Holdings Limited | United Kingdom |
Target Express Limited | United Kingdom |
Target Express Parcels Limited | United Kingdom |
TEB Cleaning Services Limited | United Kingdom |
Wise Property Care Limited | United Kingdom |
Ecotec Interoceanica S.A | Argentina |
Cannon Hygiene Australia Pty Limited | Australia |
Green Fingers Plant Hire Pty Limited | Australia |
Knock Out Pest Control Pty Limited | Australia |
Pest Away Australia Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Australia Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Initial Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Pest Control (QLD) Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Pest Holdings Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Pty Limited | Australia |
Rentokil Initial GmbH | Austria |
Rentokil Initial (Bahamas) Limited | Bahamas |
Tropical Exterminators Limited | Bahamas |
Tropical Exterminators (Holdings) Limited | Bahamas |
Rentokil Initial (Barbados) Limited | Barbados |
Ambius N.V. | Belgium |
Rentokil N.V. | Belgium |
Initial Belux B.V. | Belgium |
Asa Rio Saneamento Ambiental Limitada | Brazil |
Rentokil Initial Do Brasil Ltda | Brazil |
Ecovec Comércio e Licenciamento de Tecnologias Limitada | Brazil |
Ecotec Brasil Tratamientos Fitossanitarios Ltda | Brazil |
F Genes & Cia Limitada | Brazil |
MP – Saneamento Ambiental Limitada | Brazil |
Multicontrole Controle De Pragas E Servicos Limitada | Brazil |
Uniao Sul Controle De Pragas Ltda | Brazil |
Rentokil Initial (B) Sdn Bhd (90 per cent.) | Brunei |
Direct Line Sales Limited | Canada |
Rentokil Canada Corporation | Canada |
Residex Canada Inc. | Canada |
Comercializadora de Insumos y Servicios Mauco Limitada | Chile |
Comercial e Industrial Premasec Limitada | Chile |
Control de Plagas Higalgo y Rodriguez Limitada | Chile |
Fumigaciones del Maule Limitada | Chile |
Ingeclean S.A. | Chile |
Ingeniería en Sanitiazaión S.A. | Chile |
Rentokil Initial Chile SpA | Chile |
Asesores en Sanidad Vegetal y Ambiental Limitada | Chile |
Sociedad Comercial Cleantech SpA | Chile |
Desan Spa | Chile |
Colplagas S.A.S | Colombia |
Continental De Fumigaciones S.A.S | Colombia |
Fumigax SAS | Colombia |
Fumigaciones Young S.A.S | Colombia |
Rentokil Initial Colombia SAS | Colombia |
Fumigadora Control Tecnico de Plagas S.A | Costa Rica |
Chuchubi Pest Control N.V. | Curaçao |
Rentokil Initial s.r.o. | Czech Republic |
2
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction |
Rentokil Initial A/S | Denmark |
Oliver Exterminating Dominicana Corp. | Dominican Republic |
Sagrip SA de C.V. | El Salvador |
Rentokil Oü | Estonia |
Rentokil Initial Limited | Fiji |
Rentokil Initial Oy | Finland |
Ambius SAS | France |
CAFI SAS | France |
CAWE FTB Group SAS | France |
Initial Hygiene Services | France |
Initial SAS | France |
Rentokil Initial Environmental Services SAS | France |
Rentokil Initial Holdings (France) SA | France |
Rentokil Initial SAS | France |
SCI Gravigny | France |
SCI Vargan | France |
Technivap SAS | France |
Rentokil Initial Guyane Sarl | French Guyana |
Medentex GmbH | Germany |
Rentokil Dental GmbH | Germany |
Rentokil Holdings GmbH | Germany |
Rentokil Initial Beteiligungs GmbH | Germany |
Rentokil Initial GmbH & Co. KG | Germany |
S & A Service und Anwendungstechnik GmbH | Germany |
Seemann Schädlingsbekämpfung und Holzschutz GmbH & Co.KG | Germany |
Rentokil Initial (Ghana) Limited | Ghana |
Rentokil Initial Hellas EPE | Greece |
Rentokil Initial Guadeloupe Sarl | Guadeloupe |
SOS Guadeloupe Traitement Sarl | Guadeloupe |
Servicios Agricolas Profesionales S.A. | Guatemala |
Felcourt Insurance Company Limited | Guernsey |
Rentokil Initial Guyana Limited | Guyana |
Sagrip Honduras S.A. | Honduras |
Rentokil Hong Kong Investment Limited | Hong Kong |
Rentokil Initial Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
Corporate Millennium Hygiene Solutions Private Limited | India |
PCI Pest Control Private Limited | India |
Rentokil Initial Hygiene India Private Limited | India |
PT Calmic Indonesia | Indonesia |
PT Rentokil Indonesia | Indonesia |
PT Wesen Indonesia | Indonesia |
Gico Systems SRL | Italy |
Rentokil Initial Italia SpA | Italy |
Rentokil Initial (Jamaica) Limited | Jamaica |
Arena Public Health Co. | Jordan |
Rentokil Initial Kenya Limited | Kenya |
Boecker International s.a.l. (Offshore) | Lebanon |
Boecker Public Health s.a.l. | Lebanon |
Boecker World Holding s.a.l. | Lebanon |
Rentokil Initial (Pty) Limited | Lesotho |
Rentokil Delta Libya for Environmental Protection JSCO (65 per cent.) | Libya |
Dezinfa, UAB | Lithuania |
Akmenės profilaktinė dezinfekcija, UAB | Lithuania |
R-Control Désinfections SA | Luxembourg |
3
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction |
Rentokil Luxembourg Sàrl | Luxembourg |
Rentokil Initial Limited | Malawi |
Rentokil Initial (M) Sdn Bhd | Malaysia |
UFTC Sdn Bhd | Malaysia |
Rentokil Initial Maldives Private Limited | Maldives |
Rentokil Initial Martinique Sarl | Martinique |
Balance Urbano Control de Plagas SA de CV | Mexico |
Rentokil Initial Mozambique Limitada | Mozambique |
Ambius B.V. | The Netherlands |
BET Finance B.V. | The Netherlands |
BET (Properties) B.V. | The Netherlands |
B.V. Rentokil Funding | The Netherlands |
Holland Reconditionering B.V. | The Netherlands |
Rentokil Initial B.V. | The Netherlands |
Rentokil Initial Finance B.V. | The Netherlands |
Rentokil Initial International B.V. | The Netherlands |
Rentokil Initial Overseas (Holdings) B.V. | The Netherlands |
Rentokil Initial Limited | New Zealand |
Rentokil Initial Norge AS | Norway |
Nokas Skadedyrkonstroll AS | Norway |
Skadedyrbutikken AS | Norway |
Rentokil Initial (China) Limited | People’s Republic of China |
Hangzhou Research Institute of Profume Fumigation Co. Ltd (80 per cent.) | People’s Republic of China |
Ingeclean Peru Sociedad Anonima Cerrada | Peru |
Rentokil Initial (Philippines) Inc | Philippines |
Rentokil Polska Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
Vaco sp. z o.o | Poland |
Rentokil Initial Portugal – Serviços de Protecção Ambiental Limitada | Portugal |
Rentokil of Puerto Rico, Inc | Puerto Rico |
Cannon Hygiene International Limited | Republic of Ireland |
Initial Medical Services (Ireland) Limited | Republic of Ireland |
Rentokil Initial Holdings (Ireland) Limited | Republic of Ireland |
Rentokil Initial Limited | Republic of Ireland |
Boecker Public Health Saudia Company Limited | Saudi Arabia |
Rentokil Saudi Arabia Limited | Saudi Arabia |
Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Management Pte Limited | Singapore |
Rentokil Initial Singapore Private Limited | Singapore |
Rentokil Initial s.r.o. | Slovakia |
Cannon Hygiene (SA) Proprietary Limited | South Africa |
Newshelf 1232 Pty Limited | South Africa |
Rentokil Initial (Dikapi) JV Pty Limited (59 per cent.) | South Africa |
Rentokil Initial (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
Rentokil Initial Korea Limited | South Korea |
Europea de Servicios e Higiene Euro Servhi SA | Spain |
Initial Gaviota SAU | Spain |
Rentokil Initial España S.A. | Spain |
Deterco S.L. | Spain |
Tratamientos Medioambientales Hermo, S.L. | Spain |
Rentokil Initial Ceylon (Private) Limited | Sri Lanka |
RI Swaziland (Pty) Limited | Eswatini |
Ambius AB | Sweden |
PreventiQ AB | Sweden |
Rent a Plant Interessenter AB | Sweden |
4
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction |
Rentokil AB | Sweden |
Sweden Recycling AB | Sweden |
Medentex GmbH | Switzerland |
Rentokil Schweiz AG | Switzerland |
Initial Hygiene Co Limited | Taiwan |
Rentokil Ding Sharn Co Limited | Taiwan |
Initial Hygiene (T) Limited | Tanzania |
Cannon Pest Management Co. Limited | Thailand |
Rentokil Initial (Thailand) Limited | Thailand |
Rentokil Initial (Trinidad) Limited | Trinidad and Tobago |
CAP Tunis | Tunisia |
Rentokil Initial Çevre Sağlığı Sistemleri Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ | Turkey |
Rentokil Initial Uganda Limited | Uganda |
Al Muhtaref Pest Control LLC | United Arab Emirates |
Boecker Food Safety L.L.C. | United Arab Emirates |
Boecker Pest Control LLC | United Arab Emirates |
Boecker Pest Control LLC – Fujairah | United Arab Emirates |
Boecker Public Health Pest Control Equipment Trading LLC | United Arab Emirates |
National Pest Control LLC | United Arab Emirates |
Rentokil Initial Pest Control LLC | United Arab Emirates |
Specialist International Pest Control L.L.C. | United Arab Emirates |
Advanced Pest Management of CO, LLC | USA |
Airborne Vector Control LLC | USA |
Asiatic Holdings LLC | USA |
Asiatic Investments Inc | USA |
Creative Plantings Inc | USA |
Cygnet Enterprises, Inc (North Carolina) | USA |
Cygnet Enterprises, Inc (Michigan) | USA |
Cygnet Enterprises Northwest, Inc | USA |
Cygnet Enterprises West, Inc | USA |
HAB Aquatic Solutions, LLC | USA |
FInitial Contract Services LLC | USA |
J.P. Pest Services, LLC | USA |
Leto Holdings I, Inc. | USA |
Leto Holdings II, LLC | USA |
Medentex LLC | USA |
Mississippi Mosquito Control, LLC | USA |
Mosquito Control of Lafourche, LLC | USA |
Mosquito Control Services, L.L.C. | USA |
Mosquito Control Services of Florida, LLC | USA |
Mosquito Control Services of Georgia, LLC | USA |
Rentokil Initial Environmental Services LLC | USA |
Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc. | USA |
Rentokil North America, Inc. | USA |
Rittiner Group, L.L.C. | USA |
Steritech-Canada Inc. | USA |
Solitude Lake Management, LLC | USA |
St. Charles Mosquito Control, L.L.C. | USA |
St. John Mosquito Control L.L.C. | USA |
Terrebonne Mosquito Control, LLC | USA |
United Transport America LLC | USA |
Vector Disease Acquisition, LLC | USA |
Vector Disease Control International, LLC | USA |
Virginia Properties Inc | USA |
La Sanitaria S.A. | Uruguay |
Livelux S.A. | Uruguay |
Rentokil Initial (Vietnam) Company Limited | Vietnam |
5
6
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-4 of our report dated March 1, 2022 relating to the financial statements of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Memphis, Tennessee
June 7, 2022
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Rentokil Initial Plc of our report dated June 7, 2022 relating to the financial statements of Rentokil Initial plc, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
London, United Kingdom
June 7, 2022
Exhibit 23.3
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the use of our report dated 7 June 2022, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Rentokil Initial plc, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.
/s/ KPMG LLP
London, United Kingdom
7 June 2022
Exhibit 99.1
Preliminary Proxy Card, Subject to Completion
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. D87643-TBD For Against Abstain TERMINIX GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. 150 PEABODY PLACE MEMPHIS, TN 38103 The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. TERMINIX GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. 1. To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "merger agreement"), dated as of December 13, 2021, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 14, 2022, by and among Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. ("Terminix"), Rentokil Initial plc, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., Leto Holdings I, Inc. and Leto Holdings II, LLC. 2. To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Terminix's named executive officers that is based on, or otherwise related to, the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. NOTE: To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting of Terminix Stockholders or any reconvened meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof. ! ! ! ! ! ! VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of proxy materials. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on [TBD], 2022. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TMX2022SM You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on [TBD], 2022. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE w |
D87644-TBD Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting: The Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com. TERMINIX GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. Special Meeting of Stockholders [TBD], 2022 [TBD], Eastern Time This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Robert J. Riesbeck and Deidre Richardson, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his/her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of TERMINIX GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at [TBD], Eastern Time on [TBD], 2022, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations indicated on the proxy card. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Continued and to be signed on reverse side |
Exhibit 99.2
[●], 2022
Dear Stockholders of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc.:
Thank you for your support as we work towards completing the acquisition by Rentokil Initial plc (“Rentokil Initial”) of Terminix Global Holdings Inc. (“Terminix”). On December 13, 2021, Rentokil Initial, Terminix, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial (“Bidco”), Leto Holdings I, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco (“Merger Sub I”) and Leto Holdings II, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco (“Merger Sub II”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated March 14, 2022, and as may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) that provides for the acquisition of Terminix by Rentokil Initial. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, among other things, (1) Merger Sub I will merge with and into Terminix (the “First Merger”) with Terminix surviving the First Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco, and (2) immediately following the effective time of the First Merger, Terminix will merge with and into Merger Sub II (the “Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Transaction”) with Merger Sub II surviving the Second Merger as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial. Terminix stockholders will consider and vote on, among other matters, a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement at a special meeting of Terminix’s stockholders to be held on [·], 2022. The closing of the Transaction is subject to such adoption, approval of certain Transaction-related proposals by the shareholders of Rentokil Initil and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each Terminix stockholder has the opportunity to elect to receive, as merger consideration for each share of Terminix common stock that such stockholder owns (other than certain excluded shares as set forth in the Merger Agreement) and subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, either:
(1) a “Stock Election” of a number of American depositary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial ADSs”) (each representing a beneficial interest in five ordinary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares”)) equal to (A) 1.0619 (the “Exchange Ratio”) plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 (the “Per Share Cash Amount”) and the volume weighted average price (measured in U.S. dollars) of Rentokil Initial ADSs (measured using the volume weighted average price of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares multiplied by the number of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares represented by each Rentokil Initial ADS) for the trading day that is two trading days prior to the closing date of the Transaction (or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by Rentokil Initial and Terminix) (such trading date, the “Measurement Day,” such price, the “Rentokil Initial ADS Price” and such number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, the “Stock Consideration”) or
(2) a “Cash Election” of an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) the Per Share Cash Amount plus (B) the product of the Exchange Ratio and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. The value of the per share Cash Consideration and the value of the per share Stock Consideration as of the Measurement Day will be substantially the same.
A Terminix stockholder does not have the opportunity to make the above election with respect to stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units, director deferred share equivalent awards or other forms of equity awards held by such stockholder. For a general description of the treatment of such equity awards, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Terminix Equity Awards” beginning on page [●] of the proxy statement/prospectus dated [●], 2022 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”).
The total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued and the aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the terms of the Merger Agreement will not vary as a result of individual election preferences. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Stock Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that either elected for the Stock Consideration or failed to make a valid election will receive a prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs and an amount in cash in USD (without interest). Such cash amount will be equivalent to the value of the amount of Stock Consideration payable in excess of the prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, with such stock consideration valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Similarly, if the Cash Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that elected for the Cash Consideration will receive a prorated amount in cash (without interest) in USD and a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs with a value equivalent to the amount of cash consideration owed in excess of the prorated cash amount. Such Rentokil Initial ADSs will be valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price.
Enclosed is an Election Form and related documents. Please complete, sign and return the Election Form, with confirmation of book-entry transfer of your shares of Terminix common stock, to the exchange agent for the Transaction, Computershare Inc. (the “Exchange Agent” or “Computershare”). In addition, enclosed is an Election Information Booklet for your reference. Please use the enclosed envelope to return your Election Form and confirmation of a book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent. Do not send any documents to Terminix or Rentokil Initial.
The Election Form, together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, must be RECEIVED by the Exchange Agent no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is three business days preceding the closing date of the Transaction (the “Election Deadline”). Rentokil Initial and Terminix will publicly announce the anticipated Election Deadline at least five business days prior to the anticipated Election Deadline, but you are encouraged to return your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer as promptly as possible. You may also obtain up-to-date information regarding the Election Deadline by calling the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree M&A Incorporated (“Innisfree”) at 877-456-3422. If you make a valid election, you will be unable to sell or otherwise transfer your shares of Terminix common stock after making such election, unless such election is properly revoked before the Election Deadline in accordance with the applicable procedures or unless the Merger Agreement is terminated.
There is a limited period of time for you to deliver your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer promptly. If you do not make a valid election, you will be deemed to have made a Stock Election with respect to your shares of Terminix common stock. You should note that, regardless of whether you make a Cash Election or a Stock Election, the value of the merger consideration you receive will depend on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Information regarding the price of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares can be obtained by calling Innisfree at 877-456-3422.
You can find additional information on the terms of the Transaction and related transactions in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The information contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is current as of [●], 2022, and does not reflect subsequent developments. You should rely only on the information contained or expressly incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained or incorporated by reference in those documents, and, unless required by law, we have no obligation to update any information that is contained or incorporated by reference in those documents.
If you have any questions regarding the election materials, please call Innisfree at 877-456-3422.
Andy Ransom Chief Executive |
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Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. MR A SAMPLE
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ELECTION FORM
With respect to shares of common stock of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (“Terminix”)
ELECTION DEADLINE IS 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME,
ON THE DATE THAT IS THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRECEDING THE
CLOSING DATE OF THE TRANSACTION
Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 13, 2021 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated March 14, 2022, and as may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Rentokil Initial plc (“Rentokil Initial”), Terminix, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial (“Bidco”), Leto Holdings I, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco and Leto Holdings II, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco, each Terminix stockholder has the opportunity to elect to receive, as merger consideration for each share of Terminix common stock that such stockholder owns (other than certain excluded shares as set forth in the Merger Agreement) and subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, either:
(1) a “Stock Election” of a number of American depositary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial ADSs”) (each representing a beneficial interest in five ordinary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares”)) equal to (A) 1.0619 (the “Exchange Ratio”) plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 (the “Per Share Cash Amount”) and the volume weighted average price (measured in U.S. dollars) of Rentokil Initial ADSs (measured using the volume weighted average price of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares multiplied by the number of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares represented by each Rentokil Initial ADS) for the trading day that is two trading days prior to the closing date of the Transaction (or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by Rentokil Initial and Terminix) (such trading day, the “Measurement Day,” such price, the “Rentokil Initial ADS Price,” and such number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, the “Stock Consideration”) or
(2) a “Cash Election” of an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) the Per Share Cash Amount plus (B) the product of the Exchange Ratio and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price (the “Cash Consideration”).
A Terminix stockholder does not have the opportunity to make the above election with respect to stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units, director deferred share equivalent awards or other forms of equity awards held by such stockholder. The value of the per share Cash Consideration and the value of the per share Stock Consideration as of the Measurement Day will be substantially the same. For a full discussion of the Transaction, the treatment of Terminix equity awards, the merger consideration and the effect of this election, see the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, dated [●], 2022 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”).
The Election Form, together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, must be RECEIVED by the exchange agent for the Transaction, Computershare Inc. (the “Exchange Agent” or “Computershare”), no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is three business days preceding the closing date of the Transaction (the “Election Deadline”). Rentokil Initial and Terminix will publicly announce the anticipated Election Deadline at least five business days prior to the anticipated Election Deadline, but you are encouraged to return your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer as promptly as possible. You may also obtain up-to-date information regarding the Election Deadline by calling the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree M&A Incorporated at 877-456-3422. If you do not make a valid election by the Election Deadline, you will be deemed to have made a Stock Election with respect to your shares of Terminix common stock. If you make a valid election, you will be unable to sell or otherwise transfer your shares of Terminix common stock after making such election, unless such election is properly revoked before the Election Deadline in accordance with the applicable procedures or unless the Merger Agreement is terminated.
This election governs the merger consideration that you, as a stockholder of Terminix, will receive if the Transaction is completed. This election may also affect the tax consequences of the Transaction to you.
Complete the box(es) on the next page to make an election to receive, subject to certain allocation and proration provision of the Merger Agreement, either (1) a “Stock Election” of a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs equal to (A) the Exchange Ratio plus (B) the quotient of the Per Share Cash Amount and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price or (2) a “Cash Election” of an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) the Per Share Cash Amount plus (B) the product of the Exchange Ratio and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. If no box is checked, you will be deemed to have made a “Stock Election” with respect to your shares of Terminix common stock.
Step 1. ELECTION. I hereby elect to receive the following as consideration for my shares of Terminix common stock:
ELECTION CHOICES
STOCK ELECTION (a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs equal to (A) 1.0619 plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below) |
☐ | Mark this box to elect to make a Stock Election with respect to ALL of your shares of Terminix common stock. |
☐ | Mark this box to elect to make a Stock Election with respect to the following number of your shares of Terminix common stock. Please fill in the number of shares for which you would like to make a Stock Election. |
CASH ELECTION (an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) $11.00 plus (B) the product of 1.0619 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below) |
☐ | Mark this box to elect to make a Cash Election with respect to ALL of your shares of Terminix common stock. |
☐ | Mark this box to elect to make a Cash Election with respect to the following number of your shares of Terminix common stock. Please fill in the number of shares for which you would like to make a Cash Election. |
YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE MADE A “STOCK ELECTION” IF:
A. | You fail to follow the instructions to this “Election Form” or otherwise fail to make a valid election; |
B. |
A completed “Election Form,” together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, is not actually received by the Exchange Agent by the Election Deadline; or
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C. | You properly revoke a prior election on time without making a new election on time. |
As described above, the terms of the Merger Agreement permit a holder of Terminix common stock to make an election with respect to each share of Terminix common stock. If you seek to separately identify the particular shares of Terminix common stock (e.g., shares of Terminix common stock acquired on particular date(s) or at particular price(s)) for which a particular election is being made, you should (i) attach a statement to this Election Form identifying the particular shares(s) of Terminix common stock for which each election is made (e.g., by acquisition date or price), and (ii) retain a copy of this Election Form and the statement for your records. The elections that you make, and the shares with respect to which you make each election, may affect the tax consequences of the Transaction to you. For a general description of the tax consequences of the Transaction, see the sections entitled “The Merger Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “The Merger Proposal—Material U.K. Tax Consequences of Owning Rentokil Initial ordinary shares or Rentokil Initial ADSs” beginning on pages [●] and [●], respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus. We also encourage you to consult your tax advisor with respect to whether and how you should separately identify the particular shares of Terminix common stock for which a particular election is being made.
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The merger consideration to be paid in respect of each share of Terminix common stock for which a holder makes a Cash Election or a Stock Election is, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions. The total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued and the aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the terms of the Merger Agreement will not vary as a result of individual election preferences. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Stock Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that either elected for the Stock Consideration or failed to make a valid election will receive a prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs and an amount in cash in USD (without interest). Such cash amount will be equivalent to the value of the amount of Stock Consideration payable in excess of the prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, with such stock consideration valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Similarly, if the Cash Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that elected for the Cash Consideration will receive a prorated amount in cash (without interest) in USD and a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs with a value equivalent to the amount of cash consideration owed in excess of the prorated cash amount. Such Rentokil Initial ADSs will be valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. No guarantee can be made that you will receive the amount of Cash Consideration or Stock Consideration that you elect for a share of Terminix common stock.
Rentokil Initial ADSs will be issued in non-certificated book entry form via a Direct Registration System® (DRS) stock distribution statement.
To be effective, this Election Form must be properly completed, signed and delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses listed in the Election Information Booklet, together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, by the Election Deadline. Do not send your election materials to Terminix or Rentokil Initial.
Step 2. SIGNATURE(S) REQUIRED. Signature of Registered Holder(s) or Agent.
Must be signed by the registered holder(s) EXACTLY as name(s) appear(s) in Terminix’s transfer records. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer for a corporation in a fiduciary or representative capacity or other person, please set out the full title. See Instructions 5, 6, 7 and 8.
By signing below, I represent and warrant as follows:
(1) | I have full power and authority to surrender the shares of Terminix common stock transferred in book-entry form, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances. I will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents reasonably deemed by the Exchange Agent to be appropriate or necessary to complete the surrender and exchange of my shares of Terminix common stock. |
(2) | I understand that neither surrender nor an election is made in acceptable form until receipt by the Exchange Agent of this Election Form, duly completed and manually signed, together with all accompanying evidences of authority. I agree that all questions as to validity, form and eligibility of any surrender of the shares of Terminix common stock will be determined by the Exchange Agent. |
(3) | I acknowledge that, until I properly transfer the shares of Terminix common stock to which this Election Form relates in book-entry form, I will not receive any consideration issuable or payable. |
Sign and provide your tax identification number on the Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 provided herewith (or the appropriate IRS Form W-8 if you are a non-U.S. holder, a copy of which can be obtained at www.irs.gov). See Instruction 8.
Registered Holder(s) or Agent | Title, if any | Area Code/Phone Number | |||||||||||||||
Step 3. SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED (IF REQUIRED). See Instruction 6.
Unless the shares were tendered by the registered holder(s) of the common stock, or for the account of a member of a “Signature Guarantee Program,” Stock Exchange Medallion Program or New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (an “Eligible Institution”), your signature(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
Authorized Signature | Name of Firm | |
Address of Firm – Please Print | ||
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SPECIAL PAYMENT, ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY FORM
The merger consideration will be issued in the name and to the address provided on the Election Form unless instructions are given in the boxes below.
Special Payment and Issuance Instructions
(See Instructions 6 and 8)
To be completed ONLY if the merger consideration is to be issued to a name that is different from the name of the registered holder(s).
Name(s): | |
(Please Print) |
Address: |
Telephone Number: |
Special Delivery Instructions
(See Instruction 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check with respect to merger consideration is to be mailed to an address that is different from the address reflected above.
Name(s): | |
(Please Print) |
Address: |
Telephone Number: |
If completing this page for Special Payment and Issuance Instructions, please obtain an Original Medallion Signature Guarantee and apply below.
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INSTRUCTIONS
(Please read carefully the instructions below)
1. Election Deadline: For any election to be considered, this Election Form, properly completed and signed, must be received by the exchange agent for the Transaction, Computershare Inc. (the “Exchange Agent” or “Computershare”), at the address set out on the front of this Election Form, no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time on the date that is three business days preceding the closing date of the Transaction (the “Election Deadline”). Rentokil Initial plc (“Rentokil Initial”) and Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (“Terminix”) will publicly announce the anticipated Election Deadline at least five business days prior to the anticipated Election Deadline, but you are encouraged to return your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer as promptly as possible. You may also obtain up-to-date information regarding the Election Deadline by calling the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree M&A Incorporated (“Innisfree”) at 877-456-3422. The Exchange Agent, in its sole discretion, will determine whether any Election Form is received on time and whether an Election Form has been properly completed.
2. Revocation or Change of Election Form: Any Election Form may be revoked or changed by written notice from the person submitting such form to the Exchange Agent, but to be effective such notice must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline. The Exchange Agent will have discretion to determine whether any revocation or change is received on time and whether any such revocation or change has been properly made. You will not be entitled to revoke or change your Election Form following the Election Deadline, unless the Merger Agreement is subsequently terminated. As a result, if you have properly completed, signed and sent or delivered your Election Form to the Exchange Agent, you will be unable to revoke such election or sell your shares of Terminix common stock during the period between the Election Deadline and the date of completion of the Transaction or termination of the Merger Agreement.
3. Termination of Merger Agreement: In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement, the Exchange Agent will promptly return shares of Terminix common stock through a book-entry transfer for shares held in street name.
4. Method of Delivery: Your Election Form, together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, must be sent or delivered to the Exchange Agent. Do not send them to Rentokil Initial or Terminix. Delivery will be deemed effective only when received. A return envelope is enclosed.
5. Book Shares/Check Issued in the Same Name: If the Rentokil Initial ADSs and/or the check for the cash payable, as applicable, to the undersigned in the Transaction are to be issued in the same name as the surrendered shares, the Election Form must be completed and signed exactly as the surrendered shares are registered in Terminix’s transfer records. If any of the shares surrendered are owned by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign the Election Form. If any shares are registered in different names, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Election Forms as there are different registrations. Election Forms executed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary capacity who are not identified as such on the applicable registration must be accompanied by proper evidence of the signing person’s authority to act.
6. Special Issuance/Payment Instructions: If the check(s) and/or Rentokil Initial ADSs are to be made payable to or registered in a name or names other than the name(s) that appear(s) on the surrendered shares, indicate the name(s) and address in the appropriate box. The stockholder(s) named will be considered the record owner(s) and must complete the section entitled “Signatures Required” and an IRS Form W-9 (or the appropriate IRS Form W-8 if you are a non-U.S. holder, a copy of which can be obtained at www.irs.gov). If the section entitled “Special Issuance/Payment Instructions” is completed, then signatures on this Election Form must be guaranteed by a firm that is a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association or other entity that is a member in good standing of the Securities Transfer Agents’ Medallion Program (each, an “Eligible Institution”). If the surrendered shares are registered in the name of a person other than the person signing this Election Form, or if issuance is to be made to a person other than the person signing this Election Form or if the issuance is to be made to a person other than the registered owner(s), then the surrendered shares must be endorsed or accompanied by duly executed stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered owners or names that appear on such stock power(s) or with stock power(s) guaranteed by an Eligible Institution as provided herein.
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7. Special Delivery Instructions: If a check is to be mailed to an address other than that appearing on the Election Form, indicate the address in this box.
8. IRS Form W-9: Under the federal income tax laws, a non-exempt stockholder that is a U.S. holder is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such stockholder’s correct Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) on the enclosed IRS Form W-9. If the certificate(s) are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed instructions to IRS Form W-9 for additional guidance on which number to report. Failure to provide the information on the form may subject the surrendering stockholder to 24% federal income tax withholding on the payment of any cash. If a stockholder has applied for a TIN and the Exchange Agent is not provided with a TIN before payment is made, the Exchange Agent will withhold 24% on all payments to such surrendering stockholder of any cash consideration due for such stockholder’s surrendered shares. Please review the enclosed instructions for IRS Form W-9 for additional details regarding the provision of a TIN. Exempt stockholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding requirements. To prevent possible erroneous backup withholding, an exempt stockholder should indicate its exempt status on IRS Form W-9. See the instructions for IRS Form W-9 for additional instructions. In order for a nonresident alien or foreign entity to qualify as exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax and backup withholding, such person must submit an appropriate IRS Form W-8 signed under penalties of perjury attesting to such exempt status, a copy of which can be obtained at www.irs.gov.
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ELECTION INFORMATION BOOKLET
This information booklet from Rentokil Initial plc (“Rentokil Initial”) is provided to stockholders of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (“Terminix”). It answers frequently asked questions, briefly describes your options and provides information and instructions on how to make your election. We urge you to read the instructions to the enclosed Election Form carefully and review the Frequently Asked Questions below, as well as the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated [●], 2022 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). After reviewing these materials, please complete the Election Form and send it in the enclosed envelope to the exchange agent for the Transaction, Computershare Inc. (the “Exchange Agent” or “Computershare”). If you have additional questions after reading these materials, you should contact the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree M&A Incorporated (“Innisfree”) at 877-456-3422.
The deadline for receipt of your Election Form is 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is three business days preceding the closing date of the Transaction (the “Election Deadline”). Rentokil Initial and Terminix will publicly announce the anticipated Election Deadline at least five business days prior to the anticipated Election Deadline, but you are encouraged to return your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer as promptly as possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. | Why have I been sent an Election Form? |
On December 13, 2021, Terminix, Rentokil Initial, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial (“Bidco”), Leto Holdings I, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco and Leto Holdings II, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated March 14, 2022, and as may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), a copy of which is attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each Terminix stockholder has the opportunity to elect to receive, as merger consideration for each share of Terminix common stock that such stockholder owns (other than certain excluded shares as set forth in the Merger Agreement) and subject to certain allocation and proration provisions set out in the Merger Agreement and described in the response to Question 11 below, either:
(1) a “Stock Election” of a number of American depositary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial ADSs”) (each representing a beneficial interest in five ordinary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares”)) equal to (A) 1.0619 (the “Exchange Ratio”) plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 (the “Per Share Cash Amount”) and the volume weighted average price (measured in U.S. dollars) of Rentokil Initial ADSs (measured using the volume weighted average price of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares multiplied by the number of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares represented by each Rentokil Initial ADS) for the trading day that is two trading days prior to the closing date of the Transaction (or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by Rentokil Initial and Terminix) (such trading day, the “Measurement Day,” such price, the “Rentokil Initial ADS Price,” and such number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, the “Stock Consideration”) or
(2) a “Cash Election” of an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) the Per Share Cash Amount plus (B) the product of the Exchange Ratio and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price (the “Cash Consideration”).
A Terminix stockholder does not have the opportunity to make the above election with respect to stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units, director deferred share equivalent awards or other forms of equity awards held by such stockholder. For a general description of the treatment of such equity awards, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Terminix Equity Awards” beginning on page [●] of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
An Election Form is being mailed to each holder of record of Terminix common stock as of [●], 2022. The Election Form is to be used to make a Cash Election or a Stock Election. If you also hold shares of Terminix common stock in “street name” through a bank, brokerage or other nominee, you will receive election instructions from that firm.
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2. | What is the Election Form? |
The enclosed Election Form lets us know your preferred form of payment of the merger consideration for your shares of Terminix common stock.
3. | How do I complete the Election Form? |
The Election Form is divided into separate sections. Instructions for completing each section are set out in the Election Form, where applicable. You are entitled to make a Cash Election or a Stock Election with respect to each of your shares of Terminix common stock.
When completed, please sign and date the Election Form and send it to Computershare in the enclosed envelope along with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, and any required accompanying evidence of authority, so that you can make your election to receive cash or Rentokil Initial ADSs. Please see Question 15 for important tax information concerning the submission of your Election Form to Computershare. Please note that if your shares are held jointly, signatures of all joint owners are required.
Consistent with the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Election Form authorizes Computershare to take all actions necessary to accomplish the delivery of the Rentokil Initial ADSs and/or cash in exchange for your shares of Terminix common stock.
Please return your Election Form and confirmation of book-entry transfer in the enclosed envelope or electronically.
4. | How do I make an election if I hold my shares through a bank, broker or other nominee? |
If you hold your shares of Terminix common stock through a bank, broker or other nominee, they must make an election for your shares on your behalf in accordance with your instructions. Please instruct them how to exchange your shares by completing the election instructions you receive from them. Please contact your bank, broker or other nominee with any questions.
5. | When is my Election Form due? |
Your Election Form must be RECEIVED by the Exchange Agent by the Election Deadline (which is three business days preceding the closing date of the Transaction). If you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, you must return your election instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee in time for it to respond by the Election Deadline. Please refer to the instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee.
6. | What happens if I do not submit an Election Form, miss the Election Deadline or otherwise fail to make a valid election? |
If you do not submit an Election Form, miss the election deadline or otherwise fail to make a valid election, you will be deemed to have made a Stock Election for all your shares of Terminix common stock.
7. | Will I be able to sell my shares of Terminix common stock after making a valid election? |
If you make a valid election, you will be unable to sell or otherwise transfer your shares of Terminix common stock after making such election, unless such election is properly revoked before the Election Deadline in accordance with the applicable procedures or unless the Merger Agreement is terminated.
8. | I have received more than one set of identical election materials related to the Merger Agreement in connection with the election. Do I need to complete them all? |
Yes. If you received more than one set of election materials, this indicates that you own stock in more than one manner or in more than one name. For example, you may have shares registered directly with Terminix; you may own Terminix shares through a third party, such as a broker; or you may own shares in both single name and joint name. Each set of election materials you receive is specific to the manner in which you hold your shares of Terminix common stock. Failure to properly complete an Election Form and properly submit the Election Form by the Election Deadline means that no valid election will be made with respect to the shares to which that Election Form applies, and you will be deemed to have made a Stock Election with respect to such shares.
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9. | Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, what will I receive in exchange for my Terminix shares upon completion of the Transaction? |
You may make, for each share of Terminix common stock that you own:
· | a “Stock Election” of a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs equal to (A) 1.0619 plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement; or |
· | a “Cash Election” of an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) $11.00 plus (B) the product of 1.0619 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement. |
However, the merger consideration to be paid in respect of each share of Terminix common stock is subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable and as described in the response to Question 11 below.
10. | Do I have to make the same election with respect to all of the Terminix shares that I own? |
No. You may elect to make a Cash Election or a Stock Election with respect to each of your shares of Terminix common stock. Please follow the instructions for completing the applicable section of the Election Form. For any shares of Terminix common stock held by you that are not covered by a validly submitted Election Form, you will be deemed to have elected for the Stock Election.
If you seek to separately identify the particular shares of Terminix common stock (e.g., shares of Terminix common stock acquired on particular date(s) or at particular price(s)) for which a particular election is being made, you should (i) attach a statement to the Election Form identifying the particular shares(s) of Terminix common stock for which each election is made (e.g., by acquisition date or price), and (ii) retain a copy of the Election Form and the statement for your records. The elections that you make, and the shares with respect to which you make each election, may affect the tax consequences of the Transaction to you. For a general description of the tax consequences of the Transaction, see the sections entitled “The Merger Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “The Merger Proposal—Material U.K. Tax Consequences of Owning Rentokil Initial ordinary shares or Rentokil Initial ADSs” beginning on pages [●] and [●], respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus. We also encourage you to consult your tax advisor with respect to whether and how you should separately identify the particular shares of Terminix common stock for which a particular election is being made.
11. | Am I guaranteed to receive what I ask for on the Election Form? |
Not necessarily. The total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued and the aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the terms of the Merger Agreement will not vary as a result of individual election preferences.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Stock Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that either elected for the Stock Consideration or failed to make a valid election will receive a prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs and an amount in cash in USD (without interest). Such cash amount will be equivalent to the value of the amount of Stock Consideration payable in excess of the prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, with such stock consideration valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Similarly, if the Cash Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that elected for the Cash Consideration will receive a prorated amount in cash (without interest) in USD and a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs with a value equivalent to the amount of cash consideration owed in excess of the prorated cash amount. Such Rentokil Initial ADSs will be valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. In either such case, the Exchange Agent will allocate between cash and Rentokil Initial ADSs in accordance with the proration mechanics described in “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration” beginning on page [●] of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to ensure that the total amount of cash paid and the total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued in the Transaction equal the aggregate amount agreed to in the Merger Agreement.
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Accordingly, there is no assurance that a Terminix stockholder that has made a valid election to receive Cash Consideration or Stock Consideration will receive the form of consideration elected with respect to the shares of Terminix common stock held by such stockholder.
12. | Will the value of the merger consideration I receive vary depending on whether I make the Stock Election or Cash Election? |
The value of the per share Cash Consideration and the value of the per share Stock Consideration as of the Measurement Day will be substantially the same. If the price of Rentokil Initial ADS upon the close of the Transaction equals the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, the value at transaction close of the merger consideration you receive will be the same, regardless of whether you make the Stock Election or Cash Election. Because the price of Rentokil Initial ADS upon the close of the Transaction may be higher or lower than the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, the value at transaction close of the merger consideration you receive may vary, depending on whether you make the Stock Election or Cash Election. The Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued in connection with the Transaction will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
13. | Will I receive any fractional shares? |
No. No fractional shares of Rentokil Initial ADSs will be issued in the Transaction, and Terminix stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Rentokil Initial ADSs in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.
14. | How long will it take to receive cash or Rentokil Initial shares after the effective date of the Transaction? |
If the Exchange Agent receives a valid Election Form and your confirmation of book-entry transfer and any required accompanying evidence of authority by the Election Deadline, the cash and/or Rentokil Initial ADSs to which you are entitled will be delivered by the Exchange Agent as soon as possible after the effective date of the Transaction. If the Exchange Agent receives a valid Election Form and your confirmation of book-entry transfer and any required accompanying evidence of authority after the Election Deadline, you will receive the cash and/or Rentokil Initial ADSs from the Exchange Agent as soon as possible after the receipt of your confirmation of book-entry transfer and any required accompanying evidence of authority by the Exchange Agent.
Rentokil Initial ADSs will be issued in non-certificated book entry form via a Direct Registration System® (DRS) stock distribution statement.
15. | What are the tax consequences associated with each of the election options? |
Different tax consequences may be associated with each of the election options. The tax consequences to you of the Transaction will depend on the facts of your own situation. You should consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you of exchanging your shares of Terminix common stock for Rentokil Initial ADSs, cash or a combination of Rentokil Initial ADSs and cash, including the tax consequences of the various election options. For a general description of the tax consequences of the Transaction, see the sections entitled “The Merger Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “The Merger Proposal—Material U.K. Tax Consequences of Owning Rentokil Initial ordinary shares or Rentokil Initial ADSs” beginning on pages [●] and [●], respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus.
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16. | How should I send in my signed documents? |
An envelope addressed to the Exchange Agent is enclosed with this package. You may use this envelope to return your Election Form and any additional documentation that may be required to make your election complete. If you do not have the envelope, you may send the Election Form and any additional documentation to:
You may send your documentation (using the return envelope provided) by registered mail, with return receipt requested. You may also instead choose to send your documentation to the Exchange Agent by an overnight delivery service. Please do not return any documents to Terminix or Rentokil Initial. Holders of shares of Terminix common stock who hold such shares in electronic, book-entry form simply need to return the completed and signed Election Form.
17. | Are there any fees associated with the issuance of Rentokil Initial ADSs in exchange for shares of Terminix common stock? |
There are no fees associated with the exchange.
18. | How do I change my address on the Election Form? |
Mark through any incorrect address information that is printed on the front of the Election Form. Clearly print the correct address in the area beside the printed information. If you would like to receive your merger consideration at a different address than that imprinted on the front of the Election Form, please complete the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on the Election Form.
19. | What do I do if: |
(a) | I want to receive a book-entry statement for Rentokil Initial ADSs in a name other than the name in which my book-entry statement for Terminix common stock is registered? |
(b) | I want to have my check made payable to someone else? |
(c) | The owner or co-owner of the shares is deceased? |
Please complete the “Special Issuance/Payment Instructions” in the Election Form in order to transfer the shares or cash to someone else.
20. | Will Terminix common stock continue to trade until the completion of the Transaction? |
Yes. Terminix common stock will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange during the election period and until the completion of the Transaction. However, after your Election Form is submitted to the Exchange Agent, you will not be able to trade your shares of Terminix common stock subject to such form, unless your election is properly revoked as described in the response to Question 21 below.
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21. | Can I revoke my election? |
Any election may be revoked prior to the Election Deadline with respect to all or any portion of the shares of Terminix common stock subject to such election. To revoke an election, a written notice of revocation must (1) specify the name of the stockholder having made the election to be revoked and (2) be signed by the stockholder in the same manner as the original signature on the Election Form by which such election was made. A new election may be made by submitting a new Election Form prior to the Election Deadline. You will be deemed to have made a Stock Election for the corresponding shares of Terminix common stock if you properly and timely revoke a prior election without timely making a new election. You will not be entitled to revoke or change your Election Form following the Election Deadline, unless the Merger Agreement is thereafter terminated. As a result, if you have properly completed, signed and sent or delivered your Election Form to the Exchange Agent, you will be unable to revoke such election or sell your shares of Terminix common stock during the period between the Election Deadline and the date of completion of the Transaction or termination of the Merger Agreement.
22. | Who do I call if I have additional questions? |
You may contact the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree M&A Incorporated at 877-456-3422.
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ELECTION INFORMATION
THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN ELECTION WILL EXPIRE IF AN ELECTION FORM IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT BY 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON THE DATE THAT IS THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRECEDING THE CLOSING DATE OF THE TRANSACTION (THE “ELECTION DEADLINE”).
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
On December 13, 2021, Rentokil Initial, Terminix, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial (“Bidco”), Leto Holdings I, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco (“Merger Sub I”) and Leto Holdings II, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco (“Merger Sub II”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated March 14, 2022, and as may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) that provides for the acquisition of Terminix by Rentokil Initial. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, among other things, (1) Merger Sub I will merge with and into Terminix (“First Merger”) with Terminix surviving the First Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco, and (2) immediately following the effective time of the First Merger, Terminix will merge with and into Merger Sub II (“Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Transaction”) with Merger Sub II surviving the Second Merger as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement (attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated [●], 2022 and mailed to Terminix stockholders of record as of [●], 2022), you have the opportunity to elect to receive, as merger consideration for each share of Terminix common stock that you own, the following, subject to certain limitations:
1. | STOCK ELECTION — a number of American depositary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial ADSs”) (each representing a beneficial interest in five ordinary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares”)) equal to (A) 1.0619 (the “Exchange Ratio”) plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 and the volume weighted average price (measured in U.S. dollars) of Rentokil Initial ADSs (measured using the volume weighted average price of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares multiplied by the number of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares represented by each Rentokil Initial ADS) for the trading day that is two trading days prior to the closing date of the Transaction (or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by Rentokil Initial and Terminix) (such trading day, the “Measurement Day,” such price, the “Rentokil Initial ADS Price”), subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below; or |
2. | CASH ELECTION — an amount in cash without interest, and in U.S. dollars equal to (A) $11.00 plus (B) the product of the Exchange Ratio and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below. |
You will be deemed to have made a “STOCK ELECTION” if:
A. | You fail to follow the instructions to this “Election Form” or otherwise fail to make a valid election; |
B. | A completed “Election Form,” together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, is not actually received by the exchange agent for the Transaction, Computershare Inc. (the “Exchange Agent” or “Computershare”), by the Election Deadline; or |
C. | You properly and timely revoke a prior election without timely making a new election. |
If no option is chosen on the Election Form, you will be deemed to have made a “Stock Election,” and merger consideration will be paid under the terms of Option 1 above.
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The merger consideration to be paid to holders of Terminix common stock making a Cash Election or Stock Election in connection with the Transaction is, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to allocation and proration provisions. The total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued and the aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the terms of the Merger Agreement will not vary as a result of individual election preferences. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Stock Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that either elected for the Stock Consideration or failed to make a valid election will receive a prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs and an amount in cash in USD (without interest). Such cash amount will be equivalent to the value of the amount of Stock Consideration payable in excess of the prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, with such stock consideration valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Similarly, if the Cash Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that elected for the Cash Consideration will receive a prorated amount in cash (without interest) in USD and a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs with a value equivalent to the amount of cash consideration owed in excess of the prorated cash amount. Such Rentokil Initial ADSs will be valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. In either such case, the Exchange Agent will allocate between cash and Rentokil Initial ADSs in accordance with the proration mechanics described in “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration” beginning on page [●] of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to ensure that the total amount of cash paid and the total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued in the Transaction equals the aggregate amount agreed to in the Merger Agreement. No guarantee can be made that you will receive the amount of cash consideration or stock consideration that you elect.
For your information and for forwarding to those of your clients for whom you hold shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, we are enclosing the following documents:
1. | The Election Form Information Booklet regarding the election process for holders of record of Terminix common stock; |
2. | The Election Form, with instructions, that enables a holder of record of Terminix common stock to make his or her election, including an IRS Form W-9 to certify his or her taxpayer identification/social security number; and |
3. | A proposed client letter, which you may wish to use to obtain election instructions from your clients. |
YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUIRED. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN ELECTION WILL EXPIRE IF AN ELECTION FORM IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT BY THE ELECTION DEADLINE. Rentokil Initial and Terminix will publicly announce the anticipated Election Deadline at least five business days prior to the anticipated Election Deadline, but you are encouraged to obtain instructions from your clients as promptly as possible. You may also obtain up-to-date information regarding the Election Deadline by calling the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree (“Innisfree”), M&A Incorporated at 877-456-3422.
For an election to be valid, a duly executed and properly completed Election Form, including any required signature guarantees and any other documents, should be submitted to the Exchange Agent, together with a confirmation of book-entry transfer in a timely manner and in accordance with the instructions contained in the Election Form. Stockholders who make a valid election will be unable to sell or otherwise transfer their shares of Terminix common stock after making such election, unless such election is properly revoked before the Election Deadline in accordance with the applicable procedures or unless the Merger Agreement is terminated.
No fees or commissions will be payable by Terminix or Rentokil Initial, or any officer, director, stockholder, agent or other representative of Terminix or Rentokil Initial, to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting surrender of shares pursuant to the election (other than fees paid to Computershare for services in connection with the election and exchange process). Rentokil Initial will, however, upon request, reimburse you for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients whose shares are held by you as a nominee or in a fiduciary capacity.
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Any inquiries you may have with respect to the election should be addressed to Innisfree by calling 877-456-3422. Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained by contacting Innisfree.
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Andy Ransom | |
Chief Executive |
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE THE APPOINTMENT OF YOU OR ANY PERSON AS AN AGENT OF TERMINIX, RENTOKIL INITIAL, COMPUTERSHARE OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR TO AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTION OTHER THAN THE USE OF THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN.
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ELECTION INFORMATION
THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN ELECTION WILL EXPIRE IF AN ELECTION FORM IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT BY 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON THE DATE THAT IS THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRECEDING THE CLOSING DATE OF THE TRANSACTION. THE TIME AND DATE OF THE EXPIRATION OF THE ELECTION PERIOD IS HEREIN REFERRED TO AS THE “ELECTION DEADLINE.” UNLESS WE HAVE OTHERWISE ADVISED YOU OF AN EARLIER PROCESSING DEADLINE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE RECEIVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS BY THE DATE THAT IS THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION DEADLINE IN ORDER TO PROPERLY FULFILL YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.
To Our Clients:
On December 13, 2021, Rentokil Initial, Terminix, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial (“Bidco”), Leto Holdings I, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco (“Merger Sub I”) and Leto Holdings II, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco (“Merger Sub II”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated March 14, 2022, and as may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) that provides for the acquisition of Terminix by Rentokil Initial. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, among other things, (1) Merger Sub I will merge with and into Terminix (“First Merger”) with Terminix surviving the First Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco, and (2) immediately following the effective time of the First Merger, Terminix will merge with and into Merger Sub II (“Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Transaction”) with Merger Sub II surviving the Second Merger as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement (attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated [●], 2022 and mailed to Terminix stockholders of record as of [●], 2022), you have the opportunity to elect to receive, as merger consideration for each share of Terminix common stock that you own, the following, subject to certain limitations:
1. | STOCK ELECTION — a number of American depositary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial ADSs”) (each representing a beneficial interest in five ordinary shares of Rentokil Initial (the “Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares”)) equal to (A) 1.0619 plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 and the volume weighted average price (measured in U.S. dollars) of Rentokil Initial ADSs (measured using the volume weighted average price of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares multiplied by the number of Rentokil Initial Ordinary Shares represented by each Rentokil Initial ADS) for the trading day that is two trading days prior to the closing date of the Transaction (or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by Rentokil Initial and Terminix) (such trading day, the “Measurement Day,” such price, the “Rentokil Initial ADS Price”), subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below; or |
2. | CASH ELECTION — an amount in cash, without interest, and in U.S dollars equal to (A) $11.00 plus (B) the product of 1.0619 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below. |
You will be deemed to have made a “STOCK ELECTION” if:
A. | You fail to follow the instructions to this “Election Form” or otherwise fail to make a valid election; |
B. | A completed “Election Form,” together with your confirmation of book-entry transfer, is not actually received by the exchange agent for the Transaction, Computershare Inc. (the “Exchange Agent” or “Computershare”), by the Election Deadline; or |
C. | You properly and timely revoke a prior election without making a new election. |
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If no option is chosen on the Election Form, you will be deemed to have made a “Stock Election,” and merger consideration will be paid under the terms of Option 1 above.
The merger consideration to be paid to holders of Terminix common stock making a Cash Election or Stock Election in connection with the Transaction is, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to allocation and proration provisions. The total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued and the aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the terms of the Merger Agreement will not vary as a result of individual election preferences. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Stock Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that either elected for the Stock Consideration or failed to make a valid cash/stock election will receive a prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs and an amount in cash in USD (without interest). Such cash amount will be equivalent to the value of the amount of Stock Consideration payable in excess of the prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, with such stock consideration valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Similarly, if the Cash Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that elected for the Cash Consideration will receive a prorated amount in cash (without interest) in USD and a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs with a value equivalent to the amount of cash consideration owed in excess of the prorated cash amount. Such Rentokil Initial ADSs will be valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. In either such case, the Exchange Agent will allocate between cash and Rentokil Initial ADSs in accordance with the proration mechanics described in “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration” beginning on page [●] of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to ensure that the total amount of cash paid and the total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued in the Transaction equals the aggregate amount agreed to in the Merger Agreement. No guarantee can be made that you will receive the amount of cash consideration or stock consideration that you elect.
Because we are the holder of record for your shares, only we can make an election for your shares in accordance with your instructions. Please instruct us on how to exchange your shares of Terminix common stock. If you do not instruct us as to how to exchange your shares, we will not make an election for you and you will be deemed to have made a “Stock Election” under the terms of Option 1 above.
Please note the following:
· | The Election Deadline is 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is three business days preceding the closing date of the Transaction. Rentokil Initial and Terminix will publicly announce the anticipated Election Deadline at least five business days prior to the anticipated Election Deadline, but you are encouraged to return your Election Form as promptly as possible. You may also obtain up-to-date information regarding the Election Deadline by calling the information agent for the Transaction, Innisfree M&A Incorporated at 877-456-3422. Unless we have otherwise advised you of an earlier processing deadline, it is imperative that we receive your instructions not later than the date that is three business days prior to the Election Deadline. |
· | If you miss our processing deadline specified above, you will be deemed to have made a Stock Election with respect to your shares of Terminix common stock. |
· | Different tax consequences may be associated with each of the election options. The tax consequences to you of the Transaction will depend on the facts of your own situation. You should consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you of exchanging your shares of Terminix common stock for Rentokil Initial ADSs, cash or a combination of Rentokil Initial ADSs and cash. For a general description of the tax consequences of the Transaction, see the sections entitled “The Merger Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “The Merger Proposal—Material U.K. Tax Consequences of Owning Rentokil Initial ordinary shares or Rentokil Initial ADSs” beginning on pages [●] and [●], respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus. |
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Please provide your signed instructions below:
ELECTION OPTIONS
¨ | STOCK ELECTION — a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs equal to (A) 1.0619 plus (B) the quotient of $11.00 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below. |
Number of Shares ____________________
¨ | CASH ELECTION — an amount in cash, without interest, and in USD equal to (A) $11.00 plus (B) the product of 1.0619 and the Rentokil Initial ADS Price, subject to certain allocation and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, as applicable, as discussed below. |
Number of Shares ____________________
Account Number ____________________
If you do not elect one of these options, the Exchange Agent will treat you as having made a “Stock Election.” If you make a valid election, you will be unable to sell or otherwise transfer your shares of Terminix common stock after making such election, unless such election is properly revoked before the Election Deadline in accordance with the applicable procedures or unless the Merger Agreement is terminated.
As described above, the terms of the Merger Agreement permit a holder of Terminix common stock to make an election with respect to each share of Terminix common stock. If you seek to separately identify the particular shares of Terminix common stock (e.g., shares of Terminix common stock acquired on particular date(s) or at particular price(s)) for which a particular election is being made, you should (i) attach a statement to this form identifying the particular share(s) of Terminix common stock for which each election is made (e.g., by acquisition date or price), and (ii) retain a copy of this form and the statement for your records. The elections that you make, and the shares with respect to which you make each election, may affect the tax consequences of the Transaction to you. For a general description of the tax consequences of the Transaction, see the sections entitled “The Merger Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “The Merger Proposal—Material U.K. Tax Consequences of Owning Rentokil Initial ordinary shares or Rentokil Initial ADSs” beginning on pages [●] and [●], respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus. We also encourage you to consult your tax advisor with respect to whether and how you should separately identify the particular shares of Terminix common stock for which a particular election is being made.
The merger consideration to be paid to holders of Terminix common stock making a Cash Election or Stock Election in connection with the Transaction is, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to allocation and proration provisions. The total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued and the aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the terms of the Merger Agreement will not vary as a result of individual election preferences. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Stock Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that either elected for the Stock Consideration or failed to make a valid cash/stock election will receive a prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs and an amount in cash in USD (without interest). Such cash amount will be equivalent to the value of the amount of Stock Consideration payable in excess of the prorated number of Rentokil Initial ADSs, with such stock consideration valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. Similarly, if the Cash Consideration is oversubscribed, then each Terminix stockholder that elected for the Cash Consideration will receive a prorated amount in cash (without interest) in USD and a number of Rentokil Initial ADSs with a value equivalent to the amount of cash consideration owed in excess of the prorated cash amount. Such Rentokil Initial ADSs will be valued based on the Rentokil Initial ADS Price. In either such case, the Exchange Agent will allocate between cash and Rentokil Initial ADSs in accordance with the proration mechanics described in “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration” beginning on page [●] of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to ensure that the total amount of cash paid and the total number of Rentokil Initial ADSs to be issued in the Transaction equals the aggregate amount agreed to in the Merger Agreement. No guarantee can be made that you will receive the amount of cash consideration or stock consideration that you elect.
18 |
Rentokil Initial ADSs will be issued in non-certificated book entry form via a Direct Registration System® (DRS) stock distribution statement.
Signature of Stockholder | Signature of Stockholder | Phone Number |
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS DOCUMENT IS AT
THE OPTION
AND RISK OF THE ELECTING STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERED BY MAIL,
REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED IS RECOMMENDED.
IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR
BROKER OR
FINANCIAL ADVISOR DIRECTLY.
PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED.
19 |
Exhibit 99.3
CONSENT OF LAZARD FRÈRES & CO. LLC
The Board of Directors
Terminix Global Holdings, Inc.
150 Peabody Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
The Board of Directors:
We hereby consent to the inclusion of our opinion letter, dated December 13, 2021, to the Board of Directors of Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (“Terminix”) as Annex B to, and reference thereto under the headings “Summary — Opinion of Terminix’s Financial Advisor” and “The Merger Proposal — Opinion of Terminix’s Financial Advisor” in, the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed transaction involving Terminix and Rentokil Initial plc (“Rentokil Initial”), which proxy statement/prospectus forms a part of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Rentokil Initial (the “Registration Statement”). By giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the term “expert” as used in, or that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours, | ||
LAZARD FRÈRES & CO. LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Mohit Kohli | |
Name: | Mohit Kohli | |
Title: | Managing Director, | |
|
Head of Industrials – North America |
June 7, 2022
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
FORM
F-4
(Form Type)
Rentokil
Initial plc
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
Security Type | Security Class Title | Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule | Amount Registered | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit | Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | Fee Rate | Amount
of Registration Fee | Carry Forward Form Type | Carry Forward File Number | Carry Forward Initial Effective Date | Filing
Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Newly Registered Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fees to Be Paid | Equity | Rentokil Initial ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share(1) | 457(c), 457(f)(1), 457(f)(3) | 654,450,289 | (2) | N/A | $ | 4,026,211,403.92 | (3) | $ | 0.0000927 | $ | 373,229.80 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fees Previously Paid | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carry Forward Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carry Forward Securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Offering Amounts | $ | 4,026,211,403.92 | (3) | $ | 373,229.80 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fees Previously Paid | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fee Offsets | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Fee Due | $ | 373,229.80 |
(1) | The Rentokil Initial plc (“Rentokil Initial”) ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share (“Rentokil Initial ordinary shares”) will initially be represented by American depositary shares, each representing five Rentokil Initial ordinary shares (the “Rentokil Initial ADSs”). The Rentokil Initial ADSs have been or will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6. |
(2) | Represents the maximum number of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares estimated to be issuable or subject to stock-based awards that may be assumed by the registrant upon the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 13, 2021 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 14, 2022, and as it may be further amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (“Terminix”), Rentokil Initial, Rentokil Initial US Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rentokil Initial (“BidCo”), Leto Holdings I, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco and Leto Holdings II, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bidco, as described in the registration statement on Form F-4 of Rentokil Initial with which this exhibit is filed. The calculation of the number of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares being registered was based on the sum of (a) (i) 121,519,348, an estimate of the maximum number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Terminix issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2022, multiplied by (ii) the exchange ratio of 1.0619, multiplied by (iii) 5.0 and (b) (i) 1,314,464, an estimate of the maximum number of shares of Terminix common stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of unvested Terminix options, performance-based restricted stock unit awards and unvested time-based restricted stock unit awards with respect to Terminix common stock as of May 31, 2022, multiplied by (ii) an exchange ratio of (x) 1.0619 plus (y) 0.3445, which is the quotient (rounded to four decimal places) of $11.00 and $31.93, the volume weighted average price (measured in U.S. dollars) of Rentokil Initial ADSs (measured using the volume weighted average price of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares multiplied by the number of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares represented by each Rentokil Initial ADS) on May 31, 2022, multiplied by (iii) 5.0. In accordance with Rule 416, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of Rentokil Initial ordinary shares as may be issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
(3) | Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the registration fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the securities being registered was calculated pursuant to Rules 457(c), 457(f)(1) and 457(f)(3) and is based on (a) the product of (i) $43.66, the average of the high and low prices for shares of Terminix common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 31, 2022, multiplied by (ii) 122,833,812 (which represents the estimated maximum number of shares of Terminix common stock that may be exchanged in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as described in footnote (2) above), minus (b) $1,336,712,828.00 (which represents the estimated amount of cash that will be paid by Rentokil Initial to the holders of shares of Terminix common stock in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement). |
(4) | The registration fee for the securities registered hereby has been calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the U.S. Securities Act, by multiplying the proposed maximum aggregate offering price by 0.0000927. |