As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SIGNET JEWELERS LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Bermuda | N/A | |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street
Hamilton HM11, Bermuda
(441) 295-1422
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Signet Jewelers Limited Omnibus Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plans)
Terry Burman
Chairman
Sterling Inc.
375 Ghent Road
Akron, Ohio 44313
(330) 668-5000
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
|
Mark Jenkins Group Company Secretary Signet Group plc 15 Golden Square London W1F 9JG United Kingdom |
Peter J. Schwartz Partner Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP One South Place London EC2M 2WG United Kingdom |
P.J. Himelfarb Partner Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP 1300 Eye Street Washington, D.C., 20005 |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ | |||
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| Title of securities to be registered |
Amount to be
registered (1) |
Proposed maximum
offering price per share (2) |
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering price (2) |
Amount of
registration fee |
||||
|
Common shares, $0.18 par value |
7,000,000 | $20.91 | $146,370,000 | $8,167.45 | ||||
| (1) | Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also covers additional shares of common stock and interests in the plans to be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
| (2) | In accordance with Rule 457(h), the maximum offering price per share has been calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) based upon the average of the high and low sale price of the common shares of Signet Jewelers Limited (the “ Registrant ”) on the New York Stock Exchange of $20.91 on June 11, 2009. |
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the Signet Jewelers Limited Omnibus Incentive Plan as specified under Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”). These documents are not required to be, and are not being, filed by the Registrant with the Commission either as part of this registration statement (the “ Registration Statement ”) or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents, together with the documents incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
| Item 3. | Incorporation of Documents by Reference. |
The following documents, which have been previously filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(1) The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended January 31, 2009, filed with the Commission on April 1, 2009.
(2) All reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since January 31, 2009.
(3) The description of the Registrant’s Common Shares contained in the Registrant’s Form 8-A filed with the Commission on September 11, 2008, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this Registration Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, and any Form 6-K submitted during such period (or portions thereof) that are identified in such form as being incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be part thereof from the date of filing or submission (as applicable) of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement will be deemed modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement or in any document that the Registrant files after the date of this Registration Statement that also is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement modifies or supersedes the prior statement. Any modified or superseded statement shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. Subject to the foregoing, all information appearing in this Registration Statement is qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
| Item 4. | Description of Securities. |
Not applicable.
| Item 5. | Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. |
Not applicable.
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| Item 6. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
The Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, as amended (the “ Bermuda Companies Act ”) imposes various duties on officers of a company with respect to certain matters of management and administration of such company. The Bermuda Companies Act provides that in any proceedings for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against any officer, if it appears to a court that such officer is or may be liable in respect of the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, but that he has acted honestly and reasonably, and that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including those connected with his appointment, he ought fairly to be excused for the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, such court may relieve him, either wholly or partly, from any liability on such terms as such court may think fit. This provision has been interpreted to apply only to actions brought by or on behalf of a company against such officers. The Signet Jewelers Limited Bye-laws (the “ Bye-laws ”), however, provide that each of the Registrant’s present and future shareholders waive all claims or rights of action that such shareholder might have, individually or in the right of the Registrant, against any of the directors or officers for any act or failure to act in the performance of the duties of such director or officer, provided that this waiver does not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to such director or officer.
The Bye-laws provide that none of the Registrant’s officers, directors or employees will be personally liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for any action or failure to act to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Under the Bermuda Companies Act a company may in its Bye-laws indemnify any director or officer in respect of any loss arising or liability attaching to him by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the director may be guilty in relation to the company or any subsidiary thereof, except in relation to any fraud or dishonesty of which he may be guilty in relation to the company.
The Bye-laws provide that the directors and officers for the time being acting in relation to any of the affairs of the Registrant, or of its subsidiaries, will be indemnified out of the assets of the Registrant from and against all actions, costs, charges, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of the Registrant’s business and none of them shall be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of the others of them or for joining in any receipts for the sake of conformity, or for any bankers or other persons with whom any moneys or effects belonging to the Registrant may be lodged or deposited for safe custody, or for insufficiency or deficiency of any security upon which any moneys of or belonging to the Registrant may be placed out on or invested, or for any other loss, misfortune or damage which may happen in the execution of their duties, or in relation thereto, provided that such indemnity will not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to any of the directors or officers.
The Bermuda Companies Act enables companies to purchase and maintain, and the Bye-laws permit the Registrant to purchase and maintain, insurance for directors and officers against any liability incurred by them in their capacities as such arising from negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against the Registrant or any subsidiary thereof.
The Bye-laws provide that the Registrant may advance moneys to a director or officer for the costs, charges and expenses incurred by the director or officer in defending any civil or criminal proceedings against him, on condition that the director or officer shall repay the advance if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved against him.
| Item 7. | Exemption From Registration Claimed. |
Not applicable.
| Item 8. | Exhibits. |
A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit Index to this Registration Statement.
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| Item 9. | Undertakings |
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement;
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Akron, Ohio, on this 15th day of June 2009.
|
SIGNET JEWELERS LIMITED |
||
| By: |
/s/ Walker Boyd |
|
| Name: | Walker Boyd | |
| Title: | Group Finance Director | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
5
|
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
|
* |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
| Russell Walls | ||||
| *By: |
/s/ Walker Boyd |
|
| Walker Boyd | ||
| Attorney-in-Fact |
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned has signed this registration statement, solely in the capacity of the duly authorized representative of Signet Jewelers Limited in the United States, on this 15th day of June, 2009.
| By: |
* |
|
| Terry Burman | ||
| Sterling Jewelers Inc. | ||
| Chairman |
| *By: |
/s/ Walker Boyd |
|
| Walker Boyd | ||
| Attorney-in-Fact |
6
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
Exhibit
|
Description of Exhibit |
|
| 4.1 | Memorandum of Association of Signet Limited and Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name to Signet Jewelers Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 from Form 8-A filed by Signet Jewelers Limited on September 11, 2008) | |
| 4.2 | Bye-laws of Signet Jewelers Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from Form 8-A filed by Signet Jewelers Limited on September 11, 2008) | |
| *5.1 | Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman | |
| *23.1 | Consent of KPMG Audit Plc | |
| *23.2 | Consent of Conyers Dill & Pearman (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
| *24.1 | Power of Attorney | |
| *99.1 | Signet Jewelers Limited Omnibus Incentive Plan | |
| * | Filed herewith. |
7
Exhibit 5.1
15 June 2009
|
Signet Jewelers Limited |
DIRECT LINE: | +44 207 562 0348 | ||
|
Clarendon House |
E-MAIL: | ANTHONY.SMITH@CONYERSDILLANDPEARMAN.COM | ||
|
2 Church Street |
OUR REF: | .AHS/692017/45756 | ||
|
Hamilton HM11 |
YOUR REF: | |||
|
Bermuda |
Dear Sirs
Signet Jewelers Limited (the “ Company ”)
We have acted as special legal counsel in Bermuda to the Company in connection with a registration statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 15 June 2009 (the “ Registration Statement ”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto) relating to the registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), of 7,000,000 common shares, par value US$0.18 per share (the “ Common Shares ”), issuable pursuant to the Signet Jewelers Limited Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”).
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined copies of the Registration Statement and the Plan. We have also reviewed the memorandum of association and the bye-laws of the Company, each certified by the Secretary of the Company on 15 June 2009, copies of minutes of meetings of the board of directors of the Company held on 23 March 2009 (the “ Minutes ”) and such other documents and made such enquires as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.
We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) of all documents examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken, (b) that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention, (c) the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Plan and other documents reviewed by us, (d) that the resolutions contained in the Minutes were passed at one or more duly convened, constituted and quorate meetings, or by unanimous written resolutions, remain in full force and effect and have not been rescinded or amended, (e) that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than Bermuda, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein, (f) the validity and binding effect under the laws of the State of New York of the Plan in accordance with its terms, (g) that there is no provision of any award agreement or option which would have any implication in
relation to the opinions expressed herein, (h) that, upon the issue of any Common Shares, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof, (i) that on the date of issue of any of the Common Shares the Company will have sufficient authorised but unissued common shares, (j) that on the date of issue of any award or option under the Plan, the Company will be able to pay its liabilities as they become due, (k) that the Company’s shares will be listed on an appointed stock exchange, as defined in the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, as amended, and (l) that the general permissions with respect to the issue and free transferability of shares granted by the Bermuda Monetary Authority on 1 June 2005 will not have been revoked or amended at the time of issue of any Common Shares.
We express no opinion with respect to the issue of shares pursuant to any provision of the Plan that purports to oblige the Company to issue shares following the commencement of a winding up or liquidation. We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in Bermuda. This opinion is issued solely for the purposes of the filing of the Registration Statement and the issue of the Common Shares by the Company pursuant to the Plans and is not to be relied upon in respect of any other matter.
On the basis of, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | The Company is duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Bermuda in good standing (meaning solely that it has not failed to make any filing with any Bermuda government authority or to pay any Bermuda government fees or tax which would make it liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of Bermuda). |
| 2. | When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term means when used herein that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such Common Shares). |
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder.
|
Yours faithfully, |
| /s/ Conyers Dill & Pearman |
|
CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN |
-2-
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the use of our report dated March 25, 2009, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Signet Jewelers Limited and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, and the related consolidated income statements, and the related statements of shareholders’ equity, other comprehensive income, and cash flows for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008 and the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2009, incorporated by reference in this Registration statement on Form S-8, which report appears in the January 31, 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F of Signet Jewelers Limited.
/s/ KPMG Audit Plc
KPMG Audit Plc
London, United Kingdom
June 15, 2009
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS , that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Terry Burman and Walker Boyd, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and any or all amendments to the Registration Statement, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments, and to file this Registration Statement and any subsequent registration statement and all amendments thereto, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do, and hereby ratifies and confirms all his said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one Power of Attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated below:
|
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
|
/s/ Terry Burman Terry Burman |
Group Chief Executive and Director (principal executive officer and authorized representative in the United States) | June 15, 2009 | ||
|
/s/ Walker Boyd Walker Boyd |
Group Finance Director and Director (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) | June 15, 2009 | ||
|
/s/ Malcolm Williamson Sir Malcolm Williamson |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | June 15, 2009 | ||
|
/s/ Lesley Knox |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
| Lesley Knox | ||||
|
/s/ Thomas Plaskett |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
| Thomas Plaskett | ||||
|
/s/ Marianne Miller Parrs |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
| Marianne Miller Parrs | ||||
|
/s/ Robert Blanchard |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
| Robert Blanchard | ||||
|
/s/ Dale W. Hilpert |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
| Dale W. Hilpert | ||||
|
/s/ Russell Walls Russell Walls |
Director | June 15, 2009 | ||
2
Exhibit 99.1
Signet Jewelers Limited
Omnibus Incentive Plan
Article 1. Establishment & Purpose
1.1 Establishment . Signet Jewelers Limited, a corporation registered in Bermuda hereby establishes the Signet Jewelers Limited Omnibus Incentive Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “ Plan ”) as set forth in this document.
1.2 Purpose of the Plan . The purpose of this Plan is to attract, retain and motivate officers, employees, and non-employee directors providing services to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or Affiliates and to promote the success of the Company’s business by providing the participants of the Plan with appropriate incentives.
Article 2. Definitions
Whenever capitalized in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
2.1 “ Affiliate ” means any entity that the Company, either directly or indirectly, is in common control with, is controlled by or controls, or any entity that the Company has a substantial direct or indirect equity interest, as determined by the Board.
2.2 “ Annual Award Limit ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b).
2.3 “ Award ” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Other Stock-Based Award, or Performance-Based Compensation Award that is granted under the Plan.
2.4 “ Award Agreement ” means either (a) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under this Plan, or (b) a written statement issued by the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate to a Participant describing the terms and conditions of the actual grant of such Award.
2.5 “ Beneficial Owner ” or “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
2.6 “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7 “ Change of Control ” unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, means the occurrence of any of the following events:
| (a) | any consolidation, amalgamation, or merger of the Company with or into any other Person, or any other corporate reorganization, business combination, transaction or transfer of securities of the Company by its stockholders, or a series of transactions (including the acquisition of capital stock of the Company), whether or not the Company is a party thereto, in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, reorganization, business combination or transaction, collectively have Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of capital stock representing directly, or indirectly through one or more entities, less than fifty percent (50%) of the equity (measured by economic value or voting power (by contract, share ownership or otherwise) of the Company or other surviving entity immediately after such consolidation, merger, reorganization, business combination or transaction; |
| (b) | the sale or disposition, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person; |
| (c) | during any period of twelve consecutive months commencing on or after the Effective Date, individuals who as of the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board (together with any new directors whose election by such Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors of the Company, then still in office, who were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or |
| (d) | approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
2.8 “ Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.9 “ Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any other committee designated by the Board to administer this Plan. To the extent applicable, the Committee shall have at least two members, each of whom shall be (i) a Non-Employee Director, (ii) an Outside Director, and (iii) an “independent director” within the meaning of the listing requirements of any exchange on which the Company is listed.
2.10 “ Company ” means Signet Jewelers Limited, registered in Bermuda no. 42069, and any successor thereto.
2.11 “ Covered Employee ” means for any Plan Year, a Participant designated by the Company as a potential “ covered employee, ” as such term is defined in Section 162(m) of the Code.
2.12 “ Director ” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
2.13 “ Effective Date ” means the date set forth in Section 14.17.
2.14 “ Employee ” means an officer or other employee of the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate, including a member of the Board who is an employee of the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate.
2.15 “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.16 “ Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the per Share value determined as follows, in accordance with applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code:
| (a) | The average of the high and low trading price on the New York Stock Exchange or any other recognized stock exchange or any established over-the-counter trading system on which dealings take place, or if no trades were made on any such day, the immediately preceding day on which trades were made; or |
| (b) | In the absence of an established market for the Shares of the type described in (a) above, the per Share Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in accordance with applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Code. |
2.17 “ Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option intended to meet the requirements of an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code and designated as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.18 “ New York Stock Exchange ” means the New York Stock Exchange or any successor body carrying on the business of the New York Stock Exchange.
2.19 “ Non-Employee Director ” means a person defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.20 “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.21 “ Other Stock-Based Award ” means any right granted under Article 9 of the Plan.
2.22 “ Option ” means any stock option granted from time to time under Article 6 of the Plan.
2.23 “ Option Price ” means the purchase price per Share subject to an Option, as determined pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan.
2.24 “ Outside Director ” means a member of the Board who is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.25 “ Participant ” means any eligible person as set forth in Section 4.1 to whom an Award is granted.
2.26 “ Performance-Based Compensation ” means compensation under an Award that is intended to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of Code or any successor provision.
2.27 “ Performance Measures ” means measures as described in Section 10.1 on which the performance goals are based in order to qualify Awards as Performance-Based Compensation.
2.28 “ Performance Period ” means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to an Award.
2.29 “ Person ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “ group ” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
2.30 “ Plan ” means the Signet Jewelers Limited Omnibus Incentive Plan.
2.31 “ Plan Year ” means the applicable fiscal year of the Company.
2.32 “ Restricted Stock ” means any Award granted under Article 8.
2.33 “ Restriction Period ” means the period during which Restricted Stock awarded under Article 8 of the Plan is subject to forfeiture.
2.34 “ Service ” means service as an Employee or Director.
2.35 “ Share ” means a common share of the Company, par value $0.18 per share, or such other class or kind of shares or other securities resulting from the application of Section 12.1.
2.36 “ Stock Appreciation Right ” means any right granted under Article 7.
2.37 “ Subsidiary ” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company (or any parent of the Company) if each of the corporations, other than the last corporation in each unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
2.38 “ Ten Percent Shareholder ” means a person who on any given date owns, either directly or indirectly (taking into account the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code), stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate.
Article 3. Administration
3.1 Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have full power to interpret and administer the Plan and Award Agreements and full authority to select the Employees and Directors to whom Awards will be granted, and to determine the type and amount of Awards to be granted to each such Employee or Director, and the terms and conditions of Awards and Award Agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion but subject to the limitations in Article 13, clarify, construe or resolve any ambiguity in any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, extend the term or period of exercisability of any Awards, or waive any terms or conditions applicable to any Award. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be made under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines. The Committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary power to adopt rules, forms, instruments, and guidelines for administering the Plan as the Committee deems necessary or proper. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.1 to the contrary, the Board, or any other committee or sub-committee established by the Board, is hereby authorized (in addition to any necessary action by the Committee) to grant or approve Awards as necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and to act in lieu of the Committee with respect to Awards made to Non-Employee Directors under the Plan. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee or by the Board (or any other committee or sub-committee thereof), as applicable, shall be final and binding upon the Participants, the Company, and all other interested individuals.
3.2 Delegation. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members, one or more officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable; provided that the Committee shall not delegate to officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates the power to make grants of Awards to officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided , further , that no delegation shall be permitted under the Plan that is prohibited by applicable law.
Article 4. Eligibility and Participation
4.1 Eligibility. Participants will consist of such Employees and Directors as the Committee in its sole discretion determines and whom the Committee may designate from time to time to receive Awards. Designation of a Participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such person to receive an Award in any other year or, once designated, to receive the same type or amount of Award as granted to the Participant in any other year.
4.2 Type of Awards. Awards under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of: (a) Options, (b) Stock Appreciation Rights, (c) Restricted Stock, (d) Other Stock-Based Awards, and (e) Performance-Based Compensation Awards. The Plan sets forth the performance goals and procedural requirements to permit the Company to design Awards that qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, as described in Article 10 hereof. Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements (which need not be identical) that provide additional terms and conditions associated with such Awards, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided , however , that in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and any such Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail.
Article 5. Shares Subject to the Plan and Maximum Awards
5.1 Number of Shares Available for Awards.
| (a) | (i) General. Subject to adjustment as provided in Article 12 hereof, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance to Participants pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 7,000,000 Shares. The number of Shares available for granting Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall not exceed 7,000,000 Shares, subject to Article 12 hereof and the provisions of Sections 422 or 424 of the Code and any successor provisions. The Shares available for issuance under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares. Any Shares delivered to the Company as part or full payment for the purchase price of an Award, or to the extent the Committee determines that the availability of Incentive Stock Options will not be compromised, or to satisfy the Company’s withholding obligation with respect to an Award, shall again be available for Awards; provided, however , that such Shares shall continue to be counted as outstanding for purposes of determining whether an Annual Award Limit has been attained. |
| (b) | Annual Award Limits. The maximum number of Shares with respect to Awards denominated in Shares that may be granted to any Participant in any Plan Year shall be 1,300,000 Shares, subject to adjustments made in accordance with Article 12 hereof, and the maximum value of cash payable with respect to Awards denominated in cash or property that may be granted to any Participant in any Plan Year shall be $5,000,000, subject to adjustments made in accordance with Article 12 hereof (the “ Annual Award Limit ”). |
| (c) | Additional Shares. In the event that any outstanding Award expires, is forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminated without the issuance of Shares or is otherwise settled for cash, the Shares subject to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, expiration, termination or settlement for cash, shall again be available for Awards. If the Committee authorizes the assumption under this Plan, in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization, of awards granted under another plan, such assumption shall not (i) reduce the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under this Plan or (ii) be subject to or counted against a Participant’s Annual Award Limit. |
Article 6. Stock Options
6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to Participants. Each Option shall permit a Participant to purchase from the Company a stated number of Shares at an Option Price established by the Committee, subject to the terms and conditions described in this Article 6 and to such additional terms and conditions, as established by the Committee, in its sole discretion, that are consistent with the provisions of the Plan. Options shall be designated as either Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, provided that Options granted to Directors shall be Nonqualified Stock Options. An Option granted as an Incentive Stock Option shall, to the extent it fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. Neither the Committee nor the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be liable to any Participant or to any other Person if it is determined that an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements which shall state the number of Shares covered by such Option. Such agreements shall conform to the requirements of the Plan, and may contain such other provisions, as the Committee shall deem advisable.
6.2 Terms of Option Grant. The Option Price shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. In the case of any Incentive Stock Option the Option Price shall be (i) if granted to a person other than a Ten Percent shareholder, not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant or (ii) if granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
6.3 Option Term. The term of each Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant and shall be stated in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall such term be greater than ten years (or, in the case on an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, five (5) years).
6.4 Time of Exercise. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable based on the passage of time as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which terms and restrictions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.
6.5 Method of Exercise. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in an Award Agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For purposes of this Article 6, the exercise date of an Option shall be the later of the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if applicable, the date payment is received by the Company pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) in the following sentence (including the applicable tax withholding pursuant to Section 14.3 of the Plan). The aggregate Option Price for the Shares as to which an Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company in full at the time of exercise at the election of the Participant (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by cashier’s check), (ii) to the extent permitted by the Committee, in Shares (whether or not previously owned by the Participant) having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee, (iii) partly in cash and, to the extent permitted by the Committee, partly in such Shares (as described in (ii) above) or (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, subject to such requirements as may be imposed by the Committee, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Shares obtained upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased. The Committee may prescribe any other method of payment that it determines to be consistent with applicable law and the purpose of the Plan.
6.6 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code) at the date of grant. The aggregate Fair Market Value (generally determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and of any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or the Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account generally in the order in which they are granted. Each provision of the Plan and each Award Agreement relating to an Incentive Stock Option shall be construed so that each Incentive Stock Option shall be an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code, and any provisions of the Award Agreement thereof that cannot be so construed shall be disregarded.
Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights
7.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants, including a grant of Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem with any Option at the same time such Option is granted (a “ Tandem SAR ”). Stock Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that shall conform to the requirements of the Plan and may contain such other provisions, as the Committee shall deem advisable. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares on the date of exercise over (b) the grant price of the right as specified by the Committee on the date of the grant. Such payment may be in the form of cash, Shares, other property or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.
7.2 Terms of Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the grant price (which shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant), term, methods of exercise, methods of settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee. The Committee may impose such other conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate. No Stock Appreciation Right shall have a term of more than 10 years from the date of grant.
7.3 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights and Options. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall expire no later than the expiration of the related Option. Upon the exercise of all or a portion of a Tandem SAR, a Participant shall be required to forfeit the right to purchase an equivalent portion of the related Option (and, when a Share is purchased under the related Option, the Participant shall be required to forfeit an equivalent portion of the Stock Appreciation Right).
Article 8. Restricted Stock
8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. An Award of Restricted Stock is a grant by the Committee of a specified number of Shares to the Participant, which Shares are subject to forfeiture upon the occurrence of specified events. Participants shall be awarded Restricted Stock in exchange for consideration not less than the minimum consideration required by applicable law. Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall conform to the requirements of the Plan and may contain such other provisions, as the Committee shall deem advisable.
8.2 Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock grant shall specify the period(s) of restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock subject to the Award, the performance, employment or other conditions (including the termination of a Participant’s Service whether due to death, disability or other cause) under which the Restricted Stock may be forfeited to the Company and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates (in which case, the certificate(s) representing such Shares shall be legended as to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrances during the Restriction Period and deposited by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company, to be held in escrow during the Restriction Period). At the end of the Restriction Period, the restrictions imposed hereunder and under the Award Agreement shall lapse with respect to the number of Shares of Restricted Stock as determined by the Committee, and the legend shall be removed and such number of Shares delivered to the Participant (or, where appropriate, the Participant’s legal representative). The Restriction Period shall be no less than three years for Restricted Stock that has time-based vesting and no less than one year for Restricted Stock that has performance-based vesting; provided that up to 10% of the Shares available for issuance to Participants pursuant to Awards under the Plan under Section 5.1(a)(i) may be granted under Articles 8 and 9 of the Plan without regard any minimum vesting period.
8.3 Voting and Dividend Rights. The Committee shall determine and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement whether or not a Participant holding Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall have the right to exercise voting rights with respect to the Restricted Stock during the Restriction Period (the Committee may require a Participant to grant an irrevocable proxy and power of substitution) and have the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Stock during the Restriction Period (and, if so, on what terms).
8.4 Performance Goals. The Committee may condition the grant of Restricted Stock or the expiration of the Restriction Period upon the Participant’s achievement of one or more performance goal(s) specified in the Award Agreement. If the Participant fails to achieve the specified performance goal(s), the Committee shall not grant the Restricted Stock to such Participant or the Participant shall forfeit the Award of Restricted Stock to the Company, as applicable.
8.5 Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code concerning Restricted Stock, the Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company.
Article 9. Other Stock-Based Awards
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards of Shares and Awards that are valued, in whole or in part, by reference to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares (the “ Other Stock-Based Awards ”), including without limitation, restricted stock units and other phantom awards. Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive one or more Shares (or the equivalent cash value of such Shares) upon the completion of a specified period of Service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards granted under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based Awards will be made, the number of Shares to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such Other Stock-Based Awards, whether such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards (including, without limitation, the vesting provisions thereof and provisions ensuring that all Shares so awarded and issued shall be fully paid and non-assessable). The vesting period for Other Stock-Based Awards shall be no less than three years for such an Award
that has time-based vesting and no less than one year for such an Award that has performance-based vesting; provided that up to 10% of the Shares available for issuance to Participants pursuant to Awards under the Plan under Section 5.1(a)(i) may be granted under Articles 8 and 9 of the Plan without regard any minimum vesting period.
Article 10. Performance-Based Compensation
To the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee is authorized to design any Award so that the amounts or Shares payable or distributed pursuant to such Award are treated as “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and related regulations.
10.1 Performance Measures. The vesting, crediting and/or payment of Performance-Based Compensation shall be based on the achievement of objective performance goals based on one or more of the following Performance Measures: (i) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) net income; (iii) operating income; (iv) earnings per Share; (v) book value per Share; (vi) return on shareholders’ equity; (vii) expense management; (viii) return on investment; (ix) improvements in capital structure; (x) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (xi) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xii) stock price; (xiii) market share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash flow; (xvii) working capital, (xviii) return on assets, (xix) store openings or refurbishment plans, (xx) staff training, and (xxi) corporate social responsibility policy implementation.
Any Performance Measure may be (i) used to measure the performance of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as a whole, any business unit thereof or any combination thereof against any goal including past performance or (ii) compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or a published or special index, in each case that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may adjust the performance goals (including to prorate goals and payments for a partial Plan Year) in the event of the following occurrences: (i) non-recurring events, including divestitures, spin-offs, or changes in accounting standards or policies; (ii) mergers and acquisitions; and (iii) financing transactions, including selling accounts receivable.
10.2 Establishment of Performance Goals for Covered Employees. No later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of a Performance Period (but in no event after twenty-five percent (25%) of such Performance Period has elapsed), the Committee shall establish in writing: (a) the performance goals applicable to the Performance Period; (b) the Performance Measures to be used to measure the performance goals in terms of an objective formula or standard; (c) the formula for computing the amount of compensation payable to the Participant if such performance goals are obtained; and (d) the Participants or class of Participants to which such performance goals apply. The outcome of such performance goals must be substantially uncertain when the Committee establishes the goals.
10.3 Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation. Awards that are designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may not be adjusted upward. The Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust such Awards downward, either on a formula or discretionary basis or any combination, as the Committee determines.
10.4 Certification of Performance. Except for Awards that pay compensation attributable solely to an increase in the value of Shares, no Award designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be vested, credited or paid, as applicable, with respect to any Participant until the Committee certifies in writing that the performance goals and any other material terms applicable to such Performance Period have been satisfied.
10.5 Each provision of the Plan and each Award Agreement relating to Performance-Based Compensation shall be construed so that each such Award shall be “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and related regulations, and any provisions of the Award Agreement thereof that cannot be so construed shall be disregarded.
Article 11. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code and Section 457A of the Code
11.1 General. The Company intends that any Awards be structured in compliance with, or to satisfy an exemption from, Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder (“ Section 409A ”), such that there are no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties as a result of the payments. Notwithstanding the Company’s intention, in the event any Award is subject to Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s prior consent, amend the Plan and/or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and actions with retroactive effect) as are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Plan and/or any Award from the application of Section 409A, (b) preserve the intended tax treatment of any such Award, or (c) comply with the requirements of Section 409A, including without limitation any such regulations guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after the date of the grant.
11.2 Payments to Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A) as a result of his or her separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) on the payment date that immediately follows the end of such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter.
11.3 Separation from Service. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that are considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment, unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and the payment thereof prior to a “separation from service” would violate Section 409A. For purposes of any such provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”
11.4 Section 457A. The Company intends that any Awards be structured in compliance with, or to satisfy an exemption from, Section 457A of the Code (“ Section 457A ”) and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder, such that there are no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties as a result of the payments. Notwithstanding the Company’s intention, in the event any Award is subject to Section 457A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s prior consent, amend the Plan and/or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and actions with retroactive effect) as are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Plan and/or any Award from the application of Section 457A, (b) preserve the intended tax treatment of any such Award, or (c) comply with the requirements of Section 457A, including without limitation any such regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after the date of the grant.
Article 12. Adjustments
12.1 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any corporate event or transaction involving the Company, a Subsidiary and/or an Affiliate (including, but not limited to, a change in the Shares of the Company or the capitalization of the Company) such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of Shares, exchange of Shares, dividend in kind, amalgamation, or other like change in capital structure (other than normal cash dividends to shareholders of the Company), or any similar corporate event or transaction, the Committee, to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan, shall substitute or adjust, in its sole discretion, the number and kind of Shares or other property that may be issued under the Plan or under particular forms of Awards, the number and kind of Shares or other property subject to outstanding Awards, the Option Price, grant price or purchase price applicable to outstanding Awards, the Annual Award Limits, and/or other value determinations applicable to the Plan or outstanding Awards.
12.2 Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control after the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges, or unless the Committee shall determine otherwise in the Award Agreement, the Committee is authorized (but not obligated) to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, including without limitation the following (or any combination thereof): (i) continuation or assumption of such outstanding Awards under the Plan by the Company (if it is the surviving company or corporation) or by the surviving company or corporation or its parent; (ii) substitution by the surviving company or corporation or its parent of awards with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Awards; (iii) accelerated exercisability, vesting and/or lapse of restrictions under outstanding Awards immediately prior to the occurrence of such event; (iv) upon written notice, provide that any outstanding Awards must be exercised, to the extent then exercisable, during a reasonable period of time immediately prior to the scheduled consummation of the event, or such other period as determined by the Committee (contingent upon the consummation of the event), and at the end of such period, such Awards shall terminate to the extent not so exercised within the relevant period; and (v) cancellation of all or any portion of outstanding Awards for fair value (as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and which may be zero) which, in the case of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights or similar Awards, may equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration to be paid in the Change of Control transaction to holders of the same number of Shares subject to such Awards (or, if no such consideration is paid, Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such outstanding Awards or portion thereof being canceled) over the aggregate Option Price or grant price, as applicable, with respect to such Awards or portion thereof being canceled.
Article 13. Duration, Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination
13.1 Duration of the Plan. Unless sooner terminated as provided in Section 13.2, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.
13.2 Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination of Plan. The Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate (for purposes of this Section 13.2, an “ Action ”) the Plan or any portion thereof or any Award (or Award Agreement) thereunder at any time; provided that no such Action shall be made, other than as permitted under Article 11 or 12, (i) without shareholder approval (A) if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan, (B) if such Action increases the number of Shares available under the Plan (other than an increase permitted under Article 5 absent shareholder approval), (C) if such Action results in a material increase in benefits permitted under the Plan (but excluding increases that are immaterial or that are minor and to benefit the administration of the Plan, to take account of any changes in
legislation, or to obtain or maintain favorable tax, exchange, or regulatory treatment for the Company, a Subsidiary, and/or an Affiliate) or a change in eligibility requirements under the Plan, or (D) for any Action that results in a reduction of the Option Price or grant price per Share, as applicable, of any outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or cancellation of any outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, or for other Awards, such as other Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, with an Option Price or grant price per Share, as applicable, that is less than such price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and (ii) without the written consent of the affected Participant, if such Action would materially diminish the rights of any Participant under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant under the Plan; provided , however, that the Committee may amend the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement without such consent of the Participant in such manner as it deems necessary to comply with applicable laws.
Article 14. General Provisions
14.1 No Right to Service. The granting of an Award under the Plan shall impose no obligation on the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate to continue the Service of a Participant and shall not lessen or affect any right that the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate may have to terminate the Service of such Participant. No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant (whether or not such Participants are similarly situated).
14.2 Settlement of Awards; Fractional Shares. Each Award Agreement shall establish the form in which the Award shall be settled. The Committee shall determine whether cash, Awards, other securities or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
14.3 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold automatically from any amount deliverable under the Award or otherwise, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, the minimum statutory amount to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan. With respect to required withholding, Participants may elect (subject to the Company’s automatic withholding right set out above), subject to the approval of the Committee, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax that could be imposed on the transaction.
14.4 No Guarantees Regarding Tax Treatment. Participants (or their beneficiaries) shall be responsible for all taxes with respect to any Awards under the Plan. The Committee and the Company make no guarantees to any Person regarding the tax treatment of Awards or payments made under the Plan. Neither the Committee nor the Company has any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any tax on any Person with respect to any Award under Section 409A of the Code or Section 457A of the Code or otherwise and none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any of their employees or representatives shall have any liability to a Participant with respect thereto.
14.5 Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, an Award shall not be transferable or assignable by the Participant except in the event of his death (subject to the applicable laws of descent and distribution) and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate. No transfer shall be permitted for value or consideration. An award exercisable after the death of a
Participant may be exercised by the legatees, personal representatives or distributees of the Participant. Any permitted transfer of the Awards to heirs or legatees of the Participant shall not be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy of such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the acceptance by the transferee or transferees of the terms and conditions hereof.
14.6 Conditions and Restrictions on Shares. The Committee may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Shares received in connection with an Award as it may deem advisable or desirable. These restrictions may include, but shall not be limited to, a requirement that the Participant hold the Shares received for a specified period of time or a requirement that a Participant represent and warrant in writing that the Participant is acquiring the Shares for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares. The certificates for Shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any conditions and restrictions applicable to such Shares.
14.7 Compliance with Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies, or any stock exchanges on which the Shares are admitted to trading or listed, as may be required. The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under the Plan prior to:
| (a) | Obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and |
| (b) | Completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national, state or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable. |
The restrictions contained in this Section 14.7 shall be in addition to any conditions or restrictions that the Committee may impose pursuant to Section 14.6. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
14.8 Awards to Non-U.S. Employees or Directors. To comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates operates or has Employees or Directors, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to:
| (a) | Determine which Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; |
| (b) | Determine which Employees or Directors outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; |
| (c) | Modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Employees or Directors outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; |
| (d) | Take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals; and |
| (e) | Establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 14.8 by the Committee shall be attached to this Plan document as appendices. |
14.9 Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record holder of such Shares.
14.10 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
14.11 Unfunded Plan. Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative, or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts. The Plan is not subject to the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
14.12 No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to (a) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets, or (b) limit the right or power of the Company to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.
14.13 Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.
14.14 Governing Law. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
14.15 Waiver of Certain Claims. By participating in the Plan, the Participant waives all and any rights to compensation or damages in consequence of the termination of his or her office or Service with the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason whatsoever, whether lawfully or otherwise, insofar as those rights arise or may arise from his or her ceasing to have rights under the Plan as a result of such termination, or from the loss or diminution in value of such rights or entitlements, including by reason of the operation of the terms of the Plan, any determination by the Board or Committee pursuant to a discretion contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement or the provisions of any statute or law relating to taxation.
14.16 Data Protection. By participating in the Plan, the Participant consents to the collection, processing, transmission and storage by the Company in any form whatsoever, of any data of a professional or personal nature which is necessary for the purposes of introducing and administering the Plan. The Company may share such information with any Subsidiary or Affiliate, the trustee of any employee benefit trust, its registrars, trustees, brokers, other third party administrator or any Person who obtains control of the Company or acquires the company, undertaking or part-undertaking which employs the Participant, wherever situated.
14.17 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of the date of adoption by the Board, which date is set forth below (the “ Effective Date ”).
14.18 Shareholder Approval. The Plan will be submitted for approval by the shareholders of the Company at an annual meeting or any special meeting of shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date. Any Awards granted under the Plan prior to such approval of shareholders shall be effective as of the date of grant, but no such Award may be exercised or settled and no restrictions relating to any Award may lapse prior to such shareholder approval, and if shareholders fail to approve the Plan as specified hereunder, the Plan and any Award shall be terminated and cancelled without consideration.
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This Plan was duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company by resolution at a meeting held on the 23rd day of March, 2009.